Biking India’s Nubra Valley

This exhilarating trip through the high altitude mountain desert of Ladakh takes you over passes, into remote valleys, alongside glacier&fed rivers and through Tibetan villages. Be among the first to bicycle a new road over Warila pass (5,195 m/16,972 ft) and cycle through the beautiful Sakti and Nubra valleys. This tour ends on the highest note possible, a cycle up (and of course down) one of the highest motorable roads in the world.

We take a spectacular one-hour flight over the mountains to Leh and land at an altitude of 3,500 m/11,480 ft above sea level. We spend three days acclimatising in Leh valley during which we will undertake several day trips by bicycle to visit monasteries, villages and go rafting to get used to the thinner air at this high altitude.

Once we are acclimatized we'll start our climb up to Warila and from there we'll descend to Tangyar and Khyungru (famous for winter snow leopard sightings) and continue to Khalsar where you meet the old Silk Route into the Nubra Valley. As you bike through the expansive valley you'll pass several remote villages that were only connected by road in 2005. We continue on to the farming villages of Kyagar, Hundar and Turtuk where the biking is mostly downhill and across the valley bottom. Then there are some gentle uphill slopes before the challenging climb up to one of the highest motorable roads in the world at Khardungla pass (5,359 m /17,582 ft). From here it's an exhilarating downhill blast to Leh.

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Itinerary / Highlights

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1 & New Delhi
We meet at the Central Plaza hotel near the New Delhi airport and gather for a trip briefing and welcome dinner.
Central Plaza Hotel. D

Day 2 & New Delhi & Leh
We transfer to the domestic airport for an early morning flight to Leh (3,500 m/11,480 ft). We take it easy the rest of the day to acclimatize to the sudden change in altitude. If you are feeling up to it, go for a slow walk around Leh, visit the ruined Leh Palace - which bears a similarity to Potala Palace in Tibet - for a great view from the roof, or head to the market where Tibetan antiques, Chinese silk, Buddhist ornaments, turquoise stones and silver jewelry is for sale.
Hotel Kanglachen. B D

Day 3 & Leh & Stok & Thiksey & Leh
We take it nice and slow while we try out our bikes and lungs for the first time. We transfer for 30 minutes past the Tibetan settlement of Choglamsar and cross the milky waters of the Indus by bridge. We visit the Stok Palace Museum belonging to the erstwhile royal family of Ladakh, who still reside at the premise. We then bike down to the junction and take a back road for 10 km to Stakna monastery, then cross back over the Indus River to meet the main road to Thiksey monastery. Built across a hillside, the monastery also resembles the Potala Palace of Tibet and houses a large three-story high statue of the Maitreya (future) Buddha. In the monastery complex is a Tibetan medicine shop and a residing Amchi (Tibetan doctor). We drive back to Leh from the monastery and meet up for dinner.
Hotel Kanglachen. Ride 55 km. B L D

Day 4 & Leh & Nemo - Likir
After an early breakfast it's a short transfer to Nemo and the start of our cycling. We follow the Zanskar River through a spectacular gorge, riding on a newly built black topped road for 20 km to Chilling. After catching our breath we raft down the Zanskar River on Grade 3 rapids back to Nemo. If you prefer bikes to boats, there is the option of biking the 15 km back to Nemo instead of rafting. We then transfer to Likir.
Lukhil Hotel. Ride 45 km or 60 km. B L D

Day 5 & Likir & Nemo - Leh
From our hotel we transfer for about 40 minutes to the top of Tsermachenla (3,750 m/12,303 ft) then it's a fantastic roller coaster ride back to Likir (on a dirt road for the first section and then tarmac) and up to the monastery where there is a huge Buddha statue. We continue the downhill blast for 37 km to Nemo, with great views of the Zanskar river valley. We transfer to Leh where you are free to try one of the many restaurants in town for dinner.
Hotel Kanglachen. Ride 50 km. B L

Day 6 & Leh & Sakti
We begin our trip to the Nubra valley by following the Manali highway for a short while before leaving the main road as we climb gradually 200 m to the village of Sakti. The road leads us up a valley past houses scattered amongst farmland and past a small stream lined with willow bushes as you cycle to the clean and fresh countryside. You will meet a few odd jeeps and maybe one bus; otherwise there will be no other traffic. Looking ahead you can see where we are headed, Warila pass.
Tented Camp. Ride 55 km. B L D

Day 7 & Warila Pass
We get an early start as we have a long and steady climb ahead of us to the Warila pass (5,195 m/16,972 ft). It's a challenging climb to the top but you are rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. As we roll down on the recently built tarmac road we are entering the winter habitat of the elusive snow leopard. We cycle down to the large villages of Tangyar and Khyungru (4,100 m/13,451 ft), where they have seen very few foreigners as this road has been open for only five years. The villagers remain engaged in their farming and cattle rearing during the short summer months when they must grow and gather as much as possible to survive over the long harsh winter.
Tented Camp. Ride 53 km. B L D

Day 8 & Shyok Valley
We continue our downhill blitz on the new tarmac road, passing traditional Ladakhi homes, before climbing gradually to Khalsar, a small bustling village with a cluster of tea and noodle shops. Here we join the main Karakoram highway into the wide and fertile Nubra valley. We ride downhill to the Shyok valley floor where wild lavender and sea buckthorn bushes grow. We follow the Shyok River to the bridge and then it's a gentle climb on a good tarmac road to Kyagar village (3,048 m/10,000 ft).
Rimo Hotel. Ride 65 km. B L D

Day 9 & Kyagar - Turtuk
Today is our longest distance day, but we are riding through the valley, so there are no steep climbs. As we cycle to the village of Hundar we'll pass the Deskit monastery and the landscape changes to sand dunes. As we continue bicycling on this newly opened route we come to the village of Turtuk, which belonged to Pakistan until the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Just 22 km from the Pakistan border, this farming village at 2,650 m/8,694 ft is inhabited by Muslims so here you'll see a different culture.
Tented Camp. Ride 127 km. B L D

Day 10 & Turtuk - Khardung
We have a day off the bikes today. After a leisurely breakfast we'll transfer 3 hours back to Khalsar and then set up our camp in pastures close to the North Pulu check post. It's a good road all along & huge rocky spires and amazing rock formations as you drive up and see the road snaking its way around the mountainside. The only village you pass is Khardung after Khalsar and we camp in grazing grounds.
Tented Camp. B L D

Day 11 & Khardungla Pass - Leh
From the North Pulu check point it is 14 km to the top of Khardungla pass (5,359 m/17,582 ft). There'll be lots of long switch backs as you snake your way up to the highest point of the trip. Once at the top you can see the Saser Mutztagh mountain range, where the highest peak is 7,672 m/25,170 ft, and the Stok mountain range if you look towards Leh. From here it's an exhilarating downhill for an amazing 39 km to Leh.
Hotel Kanglachen. Ride 53 km. B L D.

Day 12 & Leh & New Delhi
Today we head to the Leh airport for our flight to New Delhi and transfer to our hotel in the city center.
Claridges Hotel. B

Day 13 & Tour of New Delhi
Our local guide will take us on a tour of New Delhi. We'll visit the top sites of the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Qutab Minar and drive through New Delhi. We meet up for a farewell dinner in the evening.
Claridges Hotel. B L D

Day 14 & New Dehli
Travel home or stay and see more of incredible India.
B

Nuts & Bolts:
Bikes: Because some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you are able to hire bikes locally for the price listed on the front page of this document. The bikes are well-known makes of hybrid or mountain bikes (depending on the tour) with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, v-brakes and Shimano components and front suspension. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a mountain bike, preferably with front suspension, and that it is in good mechanical order.

Bike Repairs: Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Safety: Wearing a helmet is compulsory on all our biking adventures. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

Support: We will be supported by vehicles throughout this tour and they are always available for tired cyclists. It is very easy to get bikes on and off, so you can rest when you are tired and cycle whenever you feel like it.

Guides: You will be led by a local English-speaking tour leader and if the group is 10 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our tour leaders are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

In Leh, guests can look forward to staying at the Kanglachen Hotel. During the four nights in the Nubra Valley, camping accommodations will be offered in tents. A mess tent, toilet (with a seat) and shower tents are also provided. All accommodations described in the itinerary are included in the tour cost.

Food: Meals are included in the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, and D = dinner. While camping meals will be prepared by the cooking team on the support staff and feature Indian and Western-style cuisine. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink: Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water and energy-restoring drinks are included in the tour price. Beer and alcohol are NOT included in the price.

Arriving and Departing: This tour begins and ends in New Delhi. International flights, to and from the start and finish points are not included in the tour price. The domestic return flight from New Delhi to Leh is included in the tour price. Please note that this flight can be cancelled if there is inclement weather. If you need help or advice arranging international flights please contact us.

Passports and Visas: Please make sure that your passport is still valid for at least six months at the end of the tour. A visa is required for US, Canadian, Australian and EU nationalities and it must be acquired before arriving in India. Please contact your local Indian embassy to receive a standard tourist visa. Locations on embassies worldwide are available here. Fees vary depending on nationality.

Health: There are no compulsory vaccinations although it is strongly recommended that you are vaccinated against: Typhoid; Hepatitis A and B. Tetanus and polio vaccinations should also be up to date at the time of travel. Please speak to your doctor/physician for the most recent information.

Altitude: Travellers to the Himalayas may suffer breathlessness and headaches before becoming acclimatized. It is important to take things lightly at first and to drink plenty of water. When climbing high passes, you may experience headaches, mild nausea or lack of appetite until your body adjusts to the elevation. These symptoms generally disappear after a few days.

Weather: Temperatures and climate vary according to the altitude. The summer days are warm with brilliant blue skies (max. 25°C/77°F to min. 10°C/50°F), but the weather in mountainous areas can be very unpredictable. Come prepared for chilly evenings and a small possibility of rain. Early morning starts and descents at altitude will be more comfortable with proper gear on.

Extra Expenses: We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars a day for incidentals. Included entrance fees are those for the listed sites and national parks that are part of the itinerary. Any other site fees are not included.

Money: The currency is the Indian rupee (Rs) and there are ATMs in Leh that take international cards. However, to be safe, we suggest you change money in New Delhi and carry cash or travellers cheques as backup in case the power goes down, the ATM is out of order, or you lose or break your plastic. There will be little opportunity to spend any money outside of New Delhi or Leh.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

27 June – 10 July
15 August – 28 August

2011
26 June – 9 July

If these dates don’t suit your travel schedule, please contact us to talk about operating a private tour or customizing a tour for you or your group.

US$1,950 Tour
US$450 Single Supplement
US$150 Bike Hire

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