Cycling Tour 2012 - The Leh Ladakh region is one of the Best Travelling and Adventurous place in the Globe

Cycling In Leh Ladakh - The best time for cycling is from mid June to September End

If you are planning your trip to Ladakh between mid-June and September, cycling is a fine option to enjoy adventure. The zigzag roads of Ladakh give you an opportunity to cycle through the world’s highest mountain ranges. The adventure sport of cycling calls for alertness, activity, accuracy and grace in the upper portions of your body. To cycle through, you have exotic local villages along with an interesting backdrop of the snow-laden Himalayas.

The adventure of cycling in Ladakh also takes you to many popular Buddhist gompas that lie on the route. Get to experience the local scenes, the Himalayan backdrop and test your stamina. After a hard day of cycling you can also tickle your taste buds with food items like momo, noodles with beans, pancakes with jam, dal with rice and so on.

Famous Routes of Cycling in Ladakh

Cycling in Ladakh Himalayas has its own unique taste. You have a number of route options to choose from. Some of the most preferred cycling routes or itineraries are as follows.

Leh to Alchi

One can cycle the 64km road from Leh to Alchi. The route takes one on a zigzag course through the hairpin turns of the Himalayan roads. The village of Alchi is renowned for the Alchi Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh.

Leh to Hemis

Leh-Hemis (45 km) is another famous cycling itinerary. Leaving Leh from the main road provides a last glimpse of magnificent gompas at Thikse, Shey and Stok. The cycle tour follows the bank of the Indus River until Karu. At Karu, the route continues across the bridge and onwards to the village of Hemis.

Through Khardungla Pass

One can cycle through the highest motorable pass Khardungla. Follow the discipline and do not ride with an upset stomach. Your cycling trip along the road is definitely going to be a real life adventure.

Options For Cycling In Leh Ladakh

Jispa-Gondla, Marhi-Manali, are other trips that can be undertaken. We can offer you a number of other options to enjoy your cycling adventure in Ladakh. Depending upon the date of your travel, we will recommend the suitable route and itinerary for the cycling tour.

Things to Remember for Travellers, When Going For Cycling Tour In Ladakh

To cycle the Zig-Zag roads in Ladakh, one needs to be technicaly perfect biker as the roads are rough, though paved. A support car to carry ones luggage comes handy and helps to enjoy the great Himalayan range without any worry. Just remember to follow the code of conduct and observe the rules while you are cycling through Ladakh Himalayas.

Day 1: Leh - Durbuk (110 km)

Begin Your tour In Arrive into Leh.
On arrival at Leh, you will be met by Vardhaman's representative and straight away drive to Durbuk. Visit enroute Chemra and Taktak Gompas. Arrive and check into camp. Durbuk : Also called as Durbuk Laga, this small village is located at an altitude of 13,500 feet above sea level falling between Chang La Pass (Third highest motorable pass in the world ) and Tangste on the way to Pangong Tso lake.Durbuk loeto the south-west of Shayok River, which flows through the village. One of the coldest, remote and backward blocks of the district, the temperature in the area drops to -45° C in the winter. Being a backward block, the cultivation amounts to about 22 per cent and hence the area is mono-cropped. Durbuk also houses an indoor stadium and an open stadium.

Day 2: Durbuk - Lukung (100 km)

After breakfast, bypass village Tangtse, drive upto Lukung. Arrive and check in to camp.Rest of the time at leisure.
Tangtse : It is a village located about 126 km from Leh on the way to Lukung from Durbuk. Covered with mountains and breathtaking scenery, it is ideal for long mountain walks. Also it offers an excellent location for trekking enthusiasts which is at the base of the gorge leading to Phirtse La. Pangong Tso is a nearby attraction. It can also be reached from Leh through the Changla Pass. Jeep safaris are also arranged along this way.
Lukung : It is the first village from where Pangong Tso is accessible from the Indian side.

Day 3: Lukung - Pangong Lake (60 kms)

After breakfast, drive via Spangmik village at the bank of Pangong lake. This lake is the highest in Ladakh and is famous for colourful stones and wild flowers (in summer months). Arrive and check in to camp. Pangong Tso (or Pangong Lake; Tso: Ladakhi for lake) : It's an endorheic lake . It's about 4,250 m (13,900 ft) high. It is 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its broadest point and 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from India to China. Two thirds of the length lies in China. During winter, the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water. If you have time it is definetly worth to spend a night on the lake, go for a walk and enjoy the magic of sunset and sunrise in this fantastic landscape.

Day 4: At Pangong Lake

This morning after having a leisurely breakfast, explore the area, drive and trek along the lake. It is a once-in-a-life time experience.

Day 5: Pangong Lake - Tangtse (90 kms)

After breakfast, drive back upto Tangtse by crossing over a pass. There are beautiful sites for photography. Arrive and check in to camp.

Day 6: Tangtse - Changla

After breakfast, proceed for Changla. Enroute visit Durbuk Gompa. Arrive and check in to camp.
Chang La Pass : The Chang La Pass (5,425 m high) (17,800 ft) is a high mountain pass in India on the route to Pangong Lake from Leh. Tangste town is the nearest settlement. It's the main gateway for the Changthang Plateau situated in the Himalayas. The nomadic tribes of the region are collectively known as the Changpa or Chang-pa.

Day 7: Changla - Hemis - Leh

This morning after breakfast, visit Hemis Gompa. It is the richest gompa of this region.
Hemis Gompa : Situated 45 km from Leh, it belongs to the Drukpa Lineage, located in Hemis. It was established in 1672 by Ladakhi king Senge Namgyal. The annual Hemis festival honoring Padmasambhava is held here in early June.Hemis Gompa is also known as Chang-Chub-Sam-Ling (or the Lone Place of the Compassionate Person. It is one of the most accessible, famous and therefore most visited gompas.
Arrive Leh and check into your pre-booked hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 8 : Leh

Morning after an early breakfast transfer to Leh Airport to board the flight for your onward journey with sweet and unforgettable memories of "Ladakh Cycling Tour" escorted by Vardhman Vacations.

Ladakh provides wonderful opportunities for a cycling enthusiast who dreams of cycling through the highest mountain range in the world. If you are planning your trip to Ladakh between mid-June and September, cycling is a fine option to enjoy adventure