The Great Himalayan Bicycle Adventure
Further details on their website:
http://www.project-himalaya.com/jindiatrek-bike-adventure.html"Something hidden. Go and find it. Go and look beyond the ranges"
Rudyard Kipling
The far north west of India with its tapestry of ancient Himalayan kingdoms is the setting for our first unique exploration of the high roads of Asia. Beginning in Shimla, the old summer capital of British India, it is a demanding journey through no less then five Himalayan kingdoms, with a truly fitting end at the crossroads of high Asia, Ladakh.
Our journey takes us over seven passes, moving from the forested middle hills of the Pir Panjal range through the Sutlej gorge - the old Hindustan Tibet Highway through Kinnaur - into the high desert scenery of Spiti, one of the least known Tibetan enclaves with spectacular cycling. Here we visit Tabo monastery, over 1000 years old, and Ki Gompa, perched high above the wide Spiti valley.
Leaving Spiti we enter the "valley of the moon" via the Kunzum Pass, a challenge as we off road the trails to Chandra Tal (Lake); then follow the incredible dirt road along the Chandra Valley, with snow peaks and glaciers all around, meeting the legendary Manali - Leh "highway" at Gramphoo.
Four passes later we descend into the Indus Valley, and turning away from the main route towards the Ladakh Range, we cross the Wari La into our last kingdom, Nubra, bounded by the Shyok River and the Karakoram.
A fitting finale is the world's highest road pass, the Khardung La - and then we pedal into the central Asian bazaar of Leh, having truly crossed the roof of the world.
Outline itinerary
Day 1 - Thursday 27 May 2010 - arrive Delhi
2 - Drive Shimla 2132m
3 - Ride Narkanda 2625m, 63km
4 - Ride Rampur 1015m, 70km
5 - Ride Sarahan 2160m, 40km
6 - Ride Wangtu camp 1600m, 50km
7 - Ride Pooh 2811m, 73km
8 - Ride Nako 3640m, 44km
9 - Ride Tabo 3298m, 62km
10 - Rest Tabo 3298m
11 - Ride Kaza 3662m, 48km
12 - Ride Losar camp 3850m, 70km
13 - Ride Chandra camp 4000m, 35km
14 - Ride Chatru camp 3331m, 35km
15 - Ride Sissu 3000m, 42km
16 - Ride Jispa 3255m, 55km
17 - Ride Baralacha High camp 4500m
18 - Ride Sarchu plains 4408m, 40km
19 - Ride Whiskey Nala 4802m, 55km
20 - Ride Pang 4520m, 30km
21 - Ride Tso Kar 4500m, 45km
22 - Ride to Lato Camp 4000m, 73km
23/26 - Exploratory off road to Nubra
27/28 - Khardung la to Leh
29 - In Leh
Day 30 - Friday 25 June - Fly Delhi and depart
