Kit List

We've honed this list down over the last few seasons thanks to lots of great feedback. That doesn't mean you need to follow it word for word, just make sure you have an effective equivalent. Pack lightly - we find that no more than two of anything are needed if you adopt the 'wash one, wear one' travel mantra. For self-supported trips, a trailer can tempt you into over packing, so be minimal or you'll soon be jettisoning weight after the first big climb - see Packing below for more details.

Clothing

A general note. While this part of India is well travelled, it's still a conservative area so it pays to be culturally sensative, respect-wise. Lycra shorts are kind of ok when you're cycling, though wearing mtb shorts or 3/4 lengths with padded lycra liners underneath (quick and easy to wash) makes more sense. Women are advised to keep their shoulders covered and wear looser fitting tops. If you're popping into a monastery, men should have knees covered and women should have shoulders and legs covered. Knee, leg and arm warmers are perfect for this.

Climate and Temperatures

The seasons have previously been fairly easy to predict but lately they've become less defined. Summers are generally dry - Leh usually gets just a few drops of rain all year. During the day, it's warm enough (20-22c) for a t-shirt and shorts. But bear in mind that at high altitude, the sun is particularly fierce and some days it can be scorchingly hot. It's much colder (5c) early in the morning and when the sun's down, while at nighttime temperatures really drop, and it sometimes goes below freezing (-5c). Though much of the area is effectively a high altitude desert, the climb or descent in to and out of Manali is often cold, raining and misty. And, being the mountains, storms are always possible, particularly at the top of high altitude passes - you may find you're wearing everything you have for some of the descents. In fact, some of this kit will (hopefully) be called upon only once or twice - but in the midst of an extreme storm, you'll be glad you had it.

Outer layer

• 1 waterproof jacket (also acts as a windproof) - reproof it if it's old
• 1 pair waterproof trousers
• 1 pair warm gloves (fleece-windproof with palm side grip are ideal)
• 1 pair waterproof over-glove shells
• 1 pair bike gloves/mitts
• 1 warm hat (one that converts from a neck gaiter to a drawstring hat is useful - though you can pick up some nice cheap wool ones out there)
• Buff or similar - versatile head/neck warmer
• 1 pair of overshoes/booties or waterproof socks

Middle layer

• 1 mid-weight fleece top
• 1 fleece bottom (if you're the cold type)
• knee/leg warmers - handy for the start and end of the day

Base layer

• 1-2 pairs shorts for cycling (mtb baggies or 3/4 lengths*)
• 1 pair trousers (zip-offs work well)
• 2 t-shirts (wicking synthetic or wool ones are best)
• 1 thermal top
• 1 thermal bottom
• 2-3 pairs of easy wash underwear
• 2-3 pairs of socks (2 light pairs, 1 thicker pair - make sure they fit with your cycling shoes)
• 2 sports bras (ladies!)

*A few of our favourite 3/4s are: Endura Humvee 3/4, The North Face Paramount Cargo Capris, Kona Psuedo Pods, Protective Hunters, Altura Ascents and Gore Terras. Shorter length baggies are fine for day to day riding - just add knee warmers for monastery visits.

Footwear

There will be a few opportunities for day hikes while we acclimatise so a pair of light hiking shoes is handy. Otherwise you can get away with a pair of general bike shoes for riding and walking sandals to let your toes air out round the campsite. But you don't need all three...

• stiff-soled cycling shoes
• trainers/light hiking shoes or walking sandals
• Crocs or flipflops for round camp

Eyewear

• sunglasses (strong UV ray blocking, quality lenses, wraparound style work best for dust)
• contact lens wearers: bring out the solution you need, spare lenses and a set of glasses, too--it can get dusty on the roads

Personal Camping Kit

We supply tents, Thermarests/sleeping mats, all the cooking equipment and even a cook or two!

• sleeping bag - 3 to 4 season (normally rated -10c)
• sleeping bag liner - a silk one is light and warm
• lightweight head torch (eg Petzel Tikka)

Water Purification

We have a Katadyn Microfilter and will boil water at camp. This should set you up for the morning and evening, but you must be able to refill your bottles while riding. While bottled water is sometimes available, there is no means of recycling plastic, so we strongly recommend bringing purification tablets - these are the quickest and easiest way to get clean water while on the go. If you have a small filter, you could bring that for use at camp as well.

• water purification talbets - iodine drops/Puritabs or chlorine tablets (enough for about 5 litres a day) PLEASE check that these are fast acting, 20-30 minute tabs (not the 2 hour tablets).
• 2 large bike cage water bottles or camelbak bladder

Personal Medicine Kit

We'll be carrying a comprehensive medical kit for the group, but you should have your own small emergency pack and any personal medications. Please see also Health for more information on medicines and jabs.

• high SPF sunblock (minimum 30)
• lip balm with SPF 15+
• aloe vera/calamine to ease sunburn
• a general painkiller
• a course of general antibiotics (such as Ciprofloxacin) - see your doctor for advice
• at least a dozen sachets of rehydration mixture (Dioralyte)
• insect repellent (please no DEET - it's toxic!)
• antiseptic - betadine ointment or tea tree oil
• bandages, plasters
• cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges, nasal decongestant. Northern India can be very dry and dusty, so if you're prone to dry coughs, consider bringing a night time cough elixir.
• a good multi-vitamin with extra C

Washbag

Bring your own favourites (in small bottles), or you can buy cheap ayurvedic soaps, moisturizing lotion, and toothpaste locally.

Women: shops in Delhi, Shimla, Leh and Manali carry feminine pads, and sometimes tampons, but you should bring supplies from home. Or, try the Mooncup (see the Ladies' Corner for details).

Miscellaneous

• a bike helmet is required
• camera (see below)
• mini-padlock for duffel bag
• small bike lock for round town - we have long cables to lock the bikes up at night
• spare passport photos
• photocopies of important documents (passport, travel insurance, list of emergency contact numbers, visa, flight tickets)
• Photographs of your family and where you live are a great way to break the ice with the locals

Optional Extras

• multi-tool (eg Leatherman)
• altimeter, cyclocomputer or GPS unit
• mp3 player/long wave radio
• spare/rechargeable AA batteries
• book/journal
• you don't need a guidebook, but if you want to do some background reading, check out the Lonely Planet's Indian Himalaya
• energy bars/energy drinks
• toys - a small kite, frisbee and cricket bat have all been popular in the past...

Cameras

On a general note, it can be pretty dusty and bumpy so make sure your kit is well padded and sealed. There are padded camera inserts for some bar bags (eg Ortlieb and Vaude), which are great - but having all that weight on the bars does compromise the handling of your bike, particularly with suspension forks. Bring lens wipes too.

Digital Camera users - Bring plenty of memory cards, as they can get corrupted. It's usually possible to burn images onto a CD in Leh and Manali via a USB port, but there's nowhere in between. Most internet cafes have card readers and can provide this service for a dollar or two. There are few charging points so bring a spare battery, as the cold saps their life. Plugs? Same as Europe, with two pin. Voltage is the same as in the UK.

Film users - Film is available in Leh and Manali, including print and slide (Fuji Sensia). Although relatively cheap, it's sometimes been sitting around for a bit. Better to bring fresh stuff from home. Pack it in a reflective film bag to guard against the heat. 400/800ASA works well inside the monasteries. Conditions are bright so a UV filter is recommended, and a polarizer is good at high altitude. Bring a spare battery, particularly if it's an unusual size.

A wide-angle lens is useful to fit in those big panoramas and a zoom lens is less obtrusive for portraits.

Packing

If you're joining us on jeep-supported tours, bring along a rucksack that's comfortable for all day riding. We'd suggest a minimum 20L in capacity (but definitely not smaller than 15L) to give enough room for a set of waterproofs, an extra layer, trail tools, lunch and snacks. If you decide to use a water bladder, just make sure you can keep it clean.

• riding rucksack, approx 20L
• big hold-all/duffel bag (100L maximum) for your kit - pack sensibly even though it'll all go in the jeeps
• mesh laundry bags are great for organizing kit inside your hold-all
• bar bag, for Manali-Leh and Sach Pass rides

For self-supported rides, we can provide North Face Base Camp duffel bags and Ortlieb bags . We'd recommend that you bring a waterproof bar bag too (eg Ortlieb, Altura) for your valuables and to stash snacks, sun cream, etc. We can supply you with one if you need it. TNF duffel bags are great but they're not 100% waterproof so if you're not using a bar bag, make sure you seal anything valuable. To organise your kit, most camping shops have mesh bags that are ideal, or Woolworth's have cheap mesh laundry versions that work well too.

If you're borrowing one of our bags, please turn up with your kit packed in a soft duffel bag so that it can be folded up and sent on. If you want to buy your own (they're great all round bags for lugging kit about) make sure it's the Large version, 90L in capacity.

For the self-supported trips, it is important to keep weight down - we've found there's no need, however tempting it may seem, to pack anything other than what's on the list... The overall weight of what you bring out should be around 12-13kg, excluding a camera. Bear in mind this will jump up up once you're carrying a cooker, a tent and a thermarest that we provide, plus nosh and water.

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