Manali to Leh jeep-supported Itinerary

Day 0 - (22 July) Flights to Delhi

We all converge at New Delhi airport around midnight on the 22nd/early morning of the 23rd.

Day 1 - Bus journey up to Manali (2000m)

Leaving straight from the airport by private coach, it's an all night drive to Manali. Once we reach the foothills, the road winds manically through valleys, overlooking swift rivers and flanked by mountains. Arrive in Manali, in the foothills of the Himalaya, late afternoon. Sleep, relax and tuck in to a meal at one of the many restaurants in Old Manali. Guesthouse.

Day 2 - Manali (2000m)

Chill out and wander around town. Adjust to a new pace of life and the sound of auto-rickshaws. Explore New Manali for a more Indian feel, take in the market, the tangle of backstreets or go for a gentle walk in the hills. We’ll check over bikes and divvy out group kit. Guesthouse.

Day 3 - Manali (2000m) 50km

Today, depending on the weather, we’ll head out for a ride to Nagar, home of the Roerich museum. It's a chance to stretch those leg muscles and sample the Indian Highway Code. Back in Manali, a carbo-loading dinner is on the cards in preparation for the morning. Guesthouse.

Day 4 - Manali to Marhi (3360m) 38km

We start with an awesome ascent, following the Beas River gently upwards through one village after another. Best to take it easy as we have all day to reach Marhi, a small settlement 16km before the top of Rohtang Jot – our first Himalayan pass. Set in lush and green surroundings, a motley collection of tea stalls and restaurants provide ample opportunity for our first Indian dhaba experience. We’ll pitch tent on a hillside with views down the valley. 1430m climbing. Camp.

Day 5 - Marhi to Sissu (3100m) 50km

Sharing the road with bnightly coloured Tatas, local transport trucks, we polish off the 16km climb to Rohtang Jot, at 3980m, marked by hundreds of prayer flags. We’re now about to enter Buddhist Himalaya. The road becomes rougher and the landscape takes on epic proportions - wet misty clouds lift to reveal grand peaks and deep river-filled valleys. 692m climbing. Camp.

Day 6 - Sissu to Keylong (3350m) 35km

From Sissu, the road undulates along the edge of the valley, before a short climb leads us up into Keylong, the capital of the Lahaul region, in time for an afternoon’s wander. 587m climbing. Hotel.

Day 7 - Keylong (3350m)

This isn't just a day off, but a chance for much needed acclimatization. Keylong's a bustling little joint and there's some great local temples, clinging to the hillside, that make a good walk. Or if you're really keen, we can ride out towards Udaipur. Be warned... Take that extra hot shower! This will be the last night staying in a hotel until we reach Leh. Hotel.

Day 8 - Keylong to Patseo (3820m) 45km

Leaving Keylong, pine forests give way to a drier landscape, with fertile pockets of pea fields dotted here and there. We pass through Darcha, one of the tent communities set up to feed and shelter bus loads of both local and foreign travellers, making the two-day journey between Manali and Leh. A tough climb leads us to Patseo where we stop for the night, pitching camp beside a small lake fed by a glacial stream - the locals call it mineral water! We pop into a parachute tent – the Himalayan rendition of a Little Chef - for snap pea soup and a cup of sweet milky tea. 990m climbing. Camp.

Day 9 - Patseo to Sarchu Plains (4400m) 55km

A big day, as the beast of Baralacha La looms ahead. We’ll not mince our words – this climb, on mixed surfaces, is a tough nut to crack. But we’ve got plenty of time to enjoy the landscape as it morphs further into a rocky mass devoid of vegetation, streaked with bands of minerals. Passing a small but perfectly formed turquoise lake, the pass marker comes into view - 4980m. The descent is effortless, before the road levels out onto the magnificent Sarchu plains, smooth as a billiard table and prime camping real estate. We’ll cook dinner and soak up the scenery surrounding us. 1135m climbing. Camp.

Day 10 - Sarchu Plains to Brandy Nullah (4200m) 42km

Today’s a chance to lie in and recuperate from yesterday’s efforts - and acclimatize further. Lunch is at a parachute tent, one of the dhabas that make up the settlement of Sarchu. Big skies and distant peaks provide the backdrop as we turn away from the plains, cycling on for a further 20km, slowly creeping up the valley. We’ll camp within a yak’s spit of tomorrow’s challenge, the Gata loops. 192m climbing. Camp.

Day 11 - Brandy Nullah to Pang (4530m) 55km

Another tough day. A double-whammy of two passes begins with the 21 hairpin bends of the infamous Gata Loops. The road continues to wind up to Nakeela La , before a fast and furious descent to the improbably named Whisky Nullah. A reenergizing lunchbreak fuels us for the last stint to the second highest pass before Leh, Lachlung La – at 5060m. Then it’s downhill to Pang, along a road that plunges through a dramatic gorge, overlooked by bizarre, wind-sculpted rock formations. We’ll trade our tents for the local variety, bedding down like a giant sleepover party under the faded canvas of a parachute tent. 1020m climbing. Parachute Tent.

Day 12 - Pang to Tso Kar Lake (4500m) 47km

After a short climb out of Pang, we emerge onto the brink of the Moray Plains, a 40km plateaux cradled by massive peaks on either side. The plains are one area where nomads gather, searching out the best grazing for their yak, sprinkled like pepper grains in the distance. A short detour along a sandy trail takes us to the bleak serenity of Tso Kar lake where we camp beside a Buddhist chorten. 325m climbing. Camp.

Day 13 - Tso Kar to Lato (3850m) 73km

Starting early, we retrace our steps back to the Moray Plains. A gentle, 16km climb leads us to the highest pass between Manali and Leh – Taglang La, a lofty 5328m. The weather is often unpredictable at this altitude, so we’ll stop just long enough for a snack and to spin the prayer wheels of the Buddhist shrine. Ahead lies one switchback after another, the appetiser of today’s 40km descent. Entering Ladakh, the valleys quickly become fertile once more. Tibetan-style houses appear all around and huge white stupas – meringue shaped representations of Buddha – guard the road like giant chess pieces. The gorge here is particularly impressive, flanked by fingers of rock, coloured by minerals. We camp in the tiny village of Lato. 770m climbing. Camp.

Day 14 - Lato to Leh (3500m) 75km

We continue the descent through the valley on silky asphalt. At the junction town of Upshi we meet the mighty Indus River, which will lead us to Leh. Passing a succession of age-old monasteries perched high on rocky crags, the smooth road becomes increasingly busy thanks to a couple of army bases. There's time for a break at Tikse Monastery, majestically located on its rocky throne, home to timeworn corridors and dwarf high doorways. After the urban sprawl approaching Leh (to be honest, it can get very polluted), one last steep push leads us into the far nicer old city. Following a busy high street packed with local produce, goats, Kashmiri merchants, fellow travellers and restaurants, we pedal on just a couple of miles further. Our final stop is at a friendly Ladakhi guesthouse in in the quiet suburb of Changspa, surrounded by kidney-shaped fields. Savouring the moment of arrival, a celebratory beer (or three) and feast is on the cards! 450m climbing. Guesthouse.

Day 15 - Leh (3500m)

Putting dusty bikes to one side, today’s a chance to explore Leh. Climb the steps to Shanti Stupa at sunrise for a superb view over the city, visit the crumbling Leh Palace (a miniature version of the Potala in Tibet), the eclectic Jama Masjd Mosque or browse the many shops. After 10 days of local cuisine, the profusion of people can be a bit overwhelming. There’s no better way to end the day than a hike up to Namgyal Tsemo Gompa to catch the sunset. Guesthouse.

Day 16 - Leh, Khardung La, Leh (3500m) 85km

One last ride will complete the journey—the epic climb to the highest motorable pass in the world. Khardung La stands at (supposedly) 5600m and 42kms of winding road, barely more than a scratch in the distant mountainside, will take us from the bustle of Leh to a huge tangle of prayer flags at the top of this record-breaking pass. We’ll start early, stopping for lunch midway to reach the top in hopefully clear weather. A massive freewheeling descent leads back down to the guesthouse in time for a communal dinner with the other travellers – the guesthouse is famous for huge portions! 2000m climbing. Guesthouse.

Day 17 - Delhi

We catch a flight from Leh back to the capital, affording some spectacular aerial views of the Himalayas, and the route we’ve just ridden. Planes fly only in good weather so there's a day’s leeway. We should be in Delhi by lunch – the frenzy and heat of which comes as something of a surprise after the peaceful tranquillity of the mountains. Hotel.

Day 18 - Delhi

Delhi can’t claim to be the most cycle friendly city in the world but it’s an overwhelming hubbub of life that’s well worth a day to explore. Despite its chaos, there’s a fascinating bike culture scene, centred around the bike bazaar in the old part of town. Walk the streets and negotiate the touts in search of souvenirs, or we can arrange a private jeep to Agra (at extra cost) to take in the majestic Taj Mahal. We’ll meet back at the end of the day to enjoy a last group dinner. Hotel.

Day 19 - (10 August) home

Way before dawn, we bid farewell to India and catch our flight home, arriving in the UK in the afternoon.