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In the heart of the Himalayas, the Manali-Leh Road takes you through 580 km of high altitude mountains, from 2000 meters to the Kardung La pass, 5603 meters high. You won’t forget this ride! Before reaching highest pass of this trip you will cross several passes above 4000 and 5000 meters, allowing you to acclimatize properly. This road is often a rough mountain trail. The landscape is unique and you can feel, breathe and touch this remote world of high altitude and wilderness.
Level: Advanced. Total distance: 577k/361m. Shortest day: 30k/19m. Longest day: 80k/50m. Accommodations: budget (camping, B&B or huts).
Dates: August 1-16, 2009.
Meet/Depart: New Dehli
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Travel to New Delhi (India). We will meet at the airport in New Delhi.
Day 2: New Delhi to the Himalayas. Meet at New Delhi’s airport in the morning. Travel to Kullu, Manali (2050 meters). Hotel check-in and free day to rest or do a guided visit of Manali.
Day 3: Manali-Marhi (36 km). Ride to Marhi (3300 meters) in a good road with some muddy sections. We will find some dab has (tea tents) on the way, where itґs possible to get water and snacks. Overnight camping
Day 4: Marhi-Sissu (56 km). We continue our climbing towards Rothang La Pass (3950 meters) on a paved road, finding more dab has on the way. After the pass there is a steep descent with some poor surface sections. In the valley we will ride through several villages. Overnight camping in Sissu (3100 meters)
Day 5: Sissu-Keylong (30 km). Still riding along the valley, we will end the day climbing to Keylong (3300 meters), where we will sleep in a little hotel. In this village we have the last chance to find internet access, some shops, restaurants and a bank. Free afternoon with an optional trekking to a Buddhist monastery nearby
Day 6: Keylong-Patseo (48 km). From Keylong to Patseo, we will leave behind the last villages with people living all year around. In Darcha we will have to stop at a police control and we will see some dab has. The climbs become really steep and some mountain road sections are in bad conditions. We will camp in Patseo, by a stream (3880 meters).
Day 7: Patseo-Sarchu (78 km). We ride to Sarchu (4253 meters), where our day journey ends. It’s a long climb that leads us to our first mountain pass above 4000 meters, the Baralacha La (4880 meters). After this pass, we will do a rough descent passing by dab has in Bharaptur. In the astonishing height Valley of Sarchu there is a military control, dab has, water and summer camps. Overnight camping
Day 8: Sarchu-Whisky Nullah (38 km). From Sarchu to Whisky Nullah we will ride through the magic Valley of Sarchu, ending the ride with a difficult climb (10 km with 21 “gata” loops) to Nakeela, our second 4800 meters high pass. This stage is in the heart of the Himalayas so we will feel that an extra effort is needed. We can only find water 2 kilometers before the end of the day ride, in a little stream, on the way down to our camp site at Whisky Nullah (4700 meters).
Day 9: Whisky Nullah-Pang (32 km). From Whisky Nullah to Pang we will ride one of the highest stages of our trip and, for that reason, one of the shortest. We start by a first climb above 5000 meters, where we will need to pace ourselves. The trail surface becomes really bad after Lachalang La (5.065 meters), turning the downhill painful even for disk brake users. But the beauty of the landscape surrounding us, with narrow stone cliffs where the road was constructed, is worth all the effort. We will sleep in Pang (4.400 meters) using one of the summer tent “hotels” that are used by trading caravans.
Day 10: Pang-Tang Lang La Base Camp (60 km). The stage between Pang and Debring is done in altitude with 7 km of climbing to the endless flat area of More Plain which greets us with 45 km of desert and windy land. We will sleep at the base of tomorrow’s climb (at 4800 meters), next to a manual water pump and some stupas (Buddhist oratories) in an unbelievable beautiful scenery covered by stars.
Day 11: Tang Lang La Base Camp-Upshi (47 km). We will start the day climbing to the Tang Lang pass with its 5.360 meters. It’s a very tough climb with hard surface. After stopping at the Buddhist temple and enjoying the magnificent 360є panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountains, we will start the famous downhill of this trip. At the bottom we will find more dhobis and the first villages surrounded by little agriculture yards with narrow overnight camping by a stream (3.800 meters)
Day 12: Upshi-Leh (72 km). The approach to “civilization” in Leh is noticeable by the traffic of trucks and jeeps and a wider road. The gentle downhill and the joy of each village give us the extra energy that we need to end this journey. We will pass by several dab has and Buddhist temples before crossing the charismatic Indus River and before the final climb to Leh (3.500 meters).
Day 13: Leh. Free day in Leh, capital of the ancient Ladak Kingdom. Chance to visit some temples and museums. The city has all kind of services.
Day 14: Leh-Kardhung La-Leh (80 km). Starting and finishing in Leh, this is the day of the highest pass of the trip and the one that makes this road the highest in the world. It’s the Kardung La pass with 5602 meters. A steady 40 km climb will take us to the top, with spectacular views of the summit. We will need to get a special permit in Leh to go to Kardung. The downhill is just perfect and leaves you speechless! The road continues to the Karakorum Highway, but due to the political-military situation in the region we don't recommend traveling to the northern part of Caxemire.
Day 15: Leh. Rafting in the Indus River with its crystal clear water from the Himalayan snows.
Day 16: Leh to New Delhi. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to New Delhi (1h.20m). In Delhi, bus transfer to downtown (optional). Free afternoon to visit Old Delhi and New Delhi. Transfer to the international airport after dinner.
Day 17: Return trip. Return flight during the night.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- 1 guide
- Hotels, tents
- Meals except in towns, cook
- Support van
- A2Z Adventures t-shirt and A2Z Adventures water bottle
1240€ is the price for self-guided tour (includes some meals and does not include guides)
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
Mountain/Rock Climbing
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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