Manali to Leh jeep-supported

In a nutshell...

Manali to Leh is very much the backbone tour of the Indian Himalaya. We base ourselves in the hill station of Manali, nestled at the tip of the Kullu Valley and perfectly situated to offer respite from the sweltering temperatures of the lowlands. Within eyeshot of the snow-capped peaks ahead, the ride starts with a bump (a 52km climb), but eases us gently into ever increasing altitudes - the best way of ensuring that we're all fully acclimatised before tackling the high altitude plateaux. From Keylong, we have the breathtakingly vast (and billiard table flat) Sarchu and Moray plains to look forward to, as well as deep, mineral rich gorges, traditional Ladakhi villages and the stunning architecture and atmosphere of century-old monasteries.

Don't be misled by what may seem like short riding distances. Riding from Manali to Leh is a real challenge, not least as we've added in an extra loop via Nubra Valley, taking in two *bonus* 5000m+ passes: Wari-la and Khardong-la, amongst the highest motorable passes in the world. A good base level of fitness (and humour) is required. Most evenings are spent camping under the stars, with a night in a hotel to break things up - and the promise of a wonderful family run guesthouse in Leh to look forward to. Food-wise, we'll combine carrying our own supplies with snacks in friendly 'dhabas' along the way to offer a true taste of the Himalaya, washed down with dozens of glasses of piping hot, sweet milky tea.

People have been know to blast up this road in less than a week, but we prefer to take things easy, and allow time to explore and acclimatise. Branching off the main road, we'll be taking a detour into quiet Pattan Valley and veer off the Morei Plains onto a jeep track for a real sense of isolation. There's also time to explore the fascinating, ancient city of Leh and visit its gravity-defying monastries - keen beans can head out to the giant golden buddha in Likir for a day ride. The tour also allows us a full day in Delhi, which can either be spent wandering the bazaars in search of souvenirs or on a day trip to the magnificent Taj Mahal.

Road conditions are extremely varied, depending on the vagaries of the seasons and the various landslides that pepper the way. In theory this road is tarmaced. But this is India. Expect everything from baby smooth blacktop, crater-sized potholes and rock-strewn, river-washed trails. Those who enjoy a spot of singletrack with their riding will also love shortcutting down the endless passes - though you can always stick to the main drag if you prefer. This classic road appeals to independent tourers who tackle it on all manner of skinny-tyred bikes. But in terms of comfort, we certainly recommend a hardtail with front suspension - and you'll have a lot of fun too. Otherwise, a fully rigid mtb with wide tyres and a compliant fork will do the job.