23 Days Manali to Leh Bicycle Tour

Meeting and greetings on arrival at Delhi’s International Airport and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel proceed on a combined guided sightseeing tour of Old and New [Delhi ](https://www.discoveryfullcircle.com/explore/tours-in-delhi)with Discovery Full Circle Tours. In Old Delhi visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid, drive past Chandni Chowk and visit Raj Ghat- the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

Sightseeing tour of New Delhi – you will visit Qutab Minar- 234 feet high tower, nearby stands the Iron pillar, the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun and the modern Birla Mandir Temple. Drive past India Gate (War Memorial), President's House which was once the Viceroy's Palace, Parliament House and Secretariat Buildings.

Morning drive to Shimla and check in at the hotel on arrival. Rest of the time free to relax.

Overnight at the hotel. Shimla is the capital town of Himachal Pradesh. The town of Shimla is built over several hills and connecting ridges. The important hills are Jakhu ( 2,455 meters ), Prospect Hill ( 2,328 meters ), Observatory Hill ( 2,350 meters ), Elysigim Hill ( 2,466 meters ) and Summer Hill ( 2,300 meters ). Shimla is situated in the North-West Himalayas and was the Summer Capital of India during the British rulling era. This town is spread over the ridge measuring about 12 km. It is perhaps the biggest hill station in the world, located at an altitude of 2,421 meters above sea level. A place of peace and pleasure, Shimla is a tourist resort in real sense of the world. The best season of the year here is autumn but the early spring runs a close second. Shimla is connected with air, rail, and road traffics. Shimla under snow is a wonderful sight and it offers the unique attraction of an open air ice skating rink. Also the legendary Ridge under snow and snow sports at Kufri make Shimla a wonderful winter holiday resort.

Morning tour of [Shimla ](https://www.discoveryfullcircle.com/explore/tours-in-shimla)hills visiting Jakhu temple (Hiking), Wild Flower Hall, Christ Church and Museum. Jakhu Hill :- ( 2,455 meters ) 2 km. from town.

This is the highest peak of Shimla and offers panoramic view of the town and the mountains. 'Hanuman Temple of Jakhu' is very famous. According to legend, Hanumanji took some rest here when he was carrying a hill of 'Sanjiwani Booti' ( a herb to save the life of Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord Rama ). Wild Flower Hall :- ( 13 km. once the residence of Lord Kitchuer, the Commander-in-Chief of India in the beginning of the 20th century. This is surrounded by dense and beautiful pine forest. About 1 km from Wild Flower Hall is the ‘Retreat’ , the weekend resort of Lord Curzon. Between Wild Flower Hall and Retreat, ‘Hem Kunj’ ( formerly Dane's Folly ) the summer holiday resort of the Punjab Governor is situated. On January 4-5-1993, Wild Flower Hall was reduced to ashes in a major fire. Afternoon free to stroll in the famous shopping place of Shimla town – The Mall & The Ridge. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after an early breakfast at the hotel drive to Manali - unspoilt scenic grandeur is extremely popular with the tourists, for a lavish display of natural scenery. It is one of the principal show places of the Kullu region.

To its North, South and West are an ostentation of pinnacles and ridges which, in fine weather, stand out in bold relief against skyline. At the lower elevation and in every direction there are vivid green patches of grassland and evergreen valleys ascending in irregular formation present probably the best view in the country. Manali is situated at an altitude of 1,926 metres and spreads in 12.5 square km. It is the real starting point of an ancient trade rout.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel proceed for a short tour of [Manali ](https://www.discoveryfullcircle.com/explore/tours-in-manali)and its surroundings. During your sightseeing tour of Manali with Discovery Full Circle Tours you will visit : Hidimba Devi Temple :- ( 1.5 km. ) Built in 1553 A.D. also known as 'Doongri Temple' dedicated to the Goddess Hidimba ( Hirma Devi ), the wife of Bhima, has a four tiered pagoda shaped roof with a doorway carved with figures and symbols.

Although carving is simple yet beautiful. This temple was built by Raja Bahadur Singh of Kullu. Vashisht :- ( 3 km. ) This place is famous for its hot water springs and temples of Vashisht Rishi and Lord Rama. It is located on the bank of Beas, but well above the river. Natural hot sulphur springs with two separate bathing tanks for gents and ladies are always full of tourists. Turkish style showers fitted baths have also been built nearby. Hot water from the nearby spring is provided for bathing. Jagatsukh :- ( 6 km. ) The original name of this was 'Nast', it remained the ancient capital of Kullu for about 10 generations. Jagatsukh is famous for its Shiva temple in Shikhara Style and interesting old temple of 'Gayatri Devi' and Devi Sharvali. Tibetan Monastery :- A new but colorful Buddhist temple. It contains many idols of Buddha. This monastey is famous for its carpet weaving and Tibetan handicraft. Rest of the evening free for independent activities and for prepartion of your next days cycle tour. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after an early breakfast ride your cycles and proceed to Marhi by corssing bridge on River Beas. head north to the small village of Palchan from where a side road takes us to the winter ski resort of Solang Valley.

We however continue on the road that takes us to the 4019m / 13,050ft high Rohtang Pass however we stop over at the small hamlet of Murhi for the night.

After a wholesome breakfast we ascend to the Rohtang Pass and then descend to the Chandra River valley. From the saddle of the pass you can see the drastic change in landscape as you look north into a barren land with towering stark mountains.

After riding down from the pass and registering at the Khoksar police post we continue on till we reach the village of Sissu. We camp in a grove of willows for the night.

After breakfast we proceed along the Chandra River till Tandi Bridge where it meets up with the Bhaga River flowing in from the north.

We then turn north and by passing the district headquarters of [Keylong ](https://www.discoveryfullcircle.com/explore/tours-in-keylong)we ride on to the sleepy hamlet of Jispa where we camp for the night on the banks of the Bhaga River.

The road now continues north past the small settlement of Darcha the trek head for treks into Zanskar and Ladakh, the small village of Patseo to finally reach the flat grounds of Zingzingbar where we set up camp for the night.

On today's ride we pass the second mountain pass on our journey - the 4830m / 15,483ft Baralacha La. This pass was once the meeting point for traders coming in from four distinct regions and journeying north into the teeming bazaars of central Asia.

After descending from this pass we head on to the pastures of Sarchu 4235m / 13,890ft with quite a few private camps. We go on ahead of these tented settlements and camp for the night.

The road now goes along a level path and then after crossing a bridge begins a slow ascent through 21 hairpin bends known as the Gata Loops till we reach the Naki La and Lachulang La passes.

From the saddle of the pass it's a short descend to the campsite of Pang where we put up our tents for the night.

Today We start slowly at a short ascent to the Mora Plain 4700m,58 kms from pang one of the Rupshu typical, waterless high deserts.

In distant we can see flock of sheep's of the nomadic Changpas who in summers come down to more plains for greener pasture. And also you can see the tsomoriri range,small salt lake near the tsokar and many more yak,Tibetan Wild Ass,the Woolly Hare, Tibetan Wolf, Red Fox etc

This place is a beautiful valley with yaks and nomads. The journey to this place is through rugged roads but the destination is really beautiful.

Enjoy the lakes and scenes and relax in the camp while our people take care of you. Overnight will be at the TSOKAR.

The road from here climbs up past two mountain streams and emerges into the vast 4750m / 15,580ft Morey Plains (45 Kms long and 2 to 3 Feet wide) also referred by locals as the Kyangshuthang Kyang in Tibetan means Wild Ass which in herds roam these expansive plains. The road goes straight past grazing land with its colonies of marmots and pica.

Wildlife in the form of Kyang, Tibetan Woolly hare, Marmots, Pica, Tibetan red Fox and Wolf besides the elusive snow leopard inhabit these plains fringed by barren mountains. These plains are an extension of the Changthang Plateau and home to a few large brackish water lakes. We camp near the abandoned road workers camp at Debring 16 Kms below the Tanglang La pass.

The road now begins a winding ascent to the Taglang la at 5334m / 17,582ft the third highest motorable road in the world (the first is the Marsimik La at 5590m / 18,335ft near Pangong Tso and the second is the Khardungla La at 5570m / 18,269ft north of Leh) .

From the pass it's entirely a downhill ride to the small village of Rumtse and further to the settlement of Upshi. We camp near the Indus River for the night.

We are now in the Indus Valley and the road heads west to [Leh ](https://www.discoveryfullcircle.com/explore/tours-in-leh)passing a few monasteries and sudden patches of swaying green fields and fruit trees appearing like oasis in this vast barren land.

On reaching Leh we check into a comfortable hotel for the night. Overnight at the hotel.

After the breakfast we will drive to visit Sabu,thiksey and shey Later in the evening back to hotel for overnight stay.

Morning after breakfast proceed on cycle over Khardungla top and drive to Nubra Valley after cycling some distance on downhill. Khardungla pass the second highest motorable road in the world at 5570m / 18,2569ft.

To be at this height is a test of your physical endurance and you can boasts of being at the base of Mt Everest, which is at the same altitude. After crossing Khardungla pass board your accompanied vehicle and drive to Nubra. Arrive Nubra and chekcin at the Camp/hotel. Rest of the afternoon / evening free to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Nubra Valley is about 150 km north of Leh, the capital town of Ladakh. Local scholars say that its original name was Ldumra (the valley of flowers). The Shyok River meets the Nubra or Siachan River to form a large valley that separates the Ladakh and the Karakoram Ranges. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 ft. above the sea level. The common way to access this valley is to travel over the Khardung La from Leh. Non-locals require an "Inner Line" permit (easily obtained in Leh town) to enter Nubra (We shall arrange this permit for you).

Morning after breakfast at the camp explore more of [Nubra Valley](https://www.discoveryfullcircle.com/explore/tours-in-nubra-valley) or Siachan River - the villages of Sumur, Kyagar (called Tiger by the Indian Army), Tirith, Panamik and many others. Samstanling monastery is between Kyagar and Sumur villages, and Panamik is noted for its hot springs.

Across the Nubra at Panamik, is the isolated Ensa Gompa. On the Shyok (pronounced Shayok) River, the main village, Diskit, is home to the dramatically positioned Diskit Gompa. Hundar was the capital of the erstwhile Nubra kingdom in the 17th century, and is home to the Chamba Gompa. Between Hundar and Diskit lie several kilometres of sand dunes, and (two-humped) bactrian camels graze in the neighbouring "forests" of seabuckthorn. Non-locals are not allowed below Hundar village into the Balti area, as it is a border area. The beautiful village of Baigdandu is also located in this area. There is a marked presence of people with startling blue eyes, auburn hair and rosy cheeks as against the typical mongoloid features of the Ladakhis. Local lore has it that they were a Greek tribe who came in search of Jesus Christ's tomb and eventually settled here. Baigdandu is also known for the goats that give you the famous Pashmina shawls. Overnight at the camp.

Morning leave for Leh.

On our way back we stop over at the Tibetan settlement of Choglamsar before returning to Leh by evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after an early breakfast at the hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. Meeting on arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to the hotel.

Rest of the day free to relax of self exploration of this capital city of India. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport in time to board homebound flight.