We start the trip by flying from New Delhi to Leh (Ladakh), situated above the Indus River at 12,000 feet. Isolated deep within the Karakoram and Zanskar mountain ranges, the upper Indus valley is a dry windswept moonscape. The mesmerising shallow slopes of the valley consist of subtle layers of pale amber, ochre, and sandstone, which twist and turn in a subtle dance revealing the geological history of this ancient land.
Known as "Little Tibet," Ladakh has a rich culture, which still supports numerous active monasteries. Perched on high cliffs and hilltops, these monasteries appear as guardians over the starkly beautiful landscape. We will spend several days acclimatising in the valley prior to setting off on the Trans-Himalayan journey, visiting the famous monasteries (called gompas) of Hemis, Alchi, and Tikse.

Travel will be by van the first day or two, but once we are reasonably acclimated to the altitude, we will get in some spectacular warm up rides along the valley's quiet well-paved roads.

Crossing the Himalayas from north to south, the route traverses four of the world's highest passes, including the TaglangLa at 5328-m (world's 2nd highest pass) with an accumulated altitude gain exceeding 29,000ft - the equivalent of cycling to the summit of Mount Everest from sea level!

1. TaglangLa - 5328-m
2. LachlungLa - 5065-m
3. BaralachaLa - 4892-m
4. DarchaLa - 3400-m
5. RohtangLa - 3980-m

This is not a trip for the faint-lunged! But the strenuousness of the trip is more than compensated for by the uniqueness of the ride and that's why we've had clients returning up to four times! Moreover, the areas travelled through - Ladakh, Zanskar, and
Lahoul - represent some of the last places on earth where Tibetan Buddhist culture thrives.

Our Manali to Leh ride is basically the reverse however when meeting in Delhi we proceed by private coach through to Manali and having reached Leh (and the option of riding the Khardung La... being the highest motorable pass in the world!)

Our aim is to run the best Ladakh biking trips in the world and we hope you'll join us to find out what a deluxe fully supported biking trip is like.

The period during late June - July, through to Mid-August is the safest and most reliable period to make this journey. This tour offers a ride in terrain unique to all the world and the opportunity to share in a culture largely untouched by the modern world.

Most of Ladakh's festivals fall within the same period and we do our best to co-ordinate our tours with those festivals.