Ladakh Mountain Biking : Ride on Land of Nomads

You will be taken for a sightseeing trip to some monasteries in this area such as Shey Gompa, Thiksey Gompa, and Hemis Monastery.

Shey Gompa is located 15 km from Leh and it used to be a summer place for the King of Ladakh. Built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17th century AD, this place attracts many tourists mainly for its 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompa. Today, you will find Stupas and Gompas lying around the palace.

Thiksey Gompa is located close to Shey approximately 17 km from Leh. Considered to be one of the most beautiful Gompas in Ladakh, it belongs to the Gelukspa order.

Hemis is a noteworthy Monastery located about 45 km south of Leh. Founded in the early 17th century, it belongs to the Drukpa order. It gives a picturesque setting overlooking the valley and streams.

An early breakfast will be followed by a 47 Kms ride towards the southeast, to Upshi on the Manali-Leh Highway. On parting from the highway, you will forward your journey towards the small village of Himya. This place is about 75 Kms from Upshi, dinner, and camping will follow.

Early morning after breakfast, you will begin almost 30 Km ride to the village of Chumathang. On arrival, camps can be set up near the village for the night.

Chumathang is famous for its medicinal hot springs, it has a reputation for curing all kinds of body pain.

On day 5, the ride will take you traversing through a panoramic landscape to Mahe Bridge, 23 Kms away. From here, you will be taken over a 14km ride through a narrow green gorge to the village of Sumdo. Once here, you can set up camps near the village. Later in the evening, you can explore the small Gompa around the place that houses several preserved paintings and images. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

After breakfast, you will proceed to Karzok Village at the northern end of the Tsomoriri Lake. The route passes through beautiful hills and valleys as well as a small sea-green lake, the Tazang Tso. Karzok Village is about 43 Km from Sumdo. On arrival, you can set up camp near the village.

You can spend a relaxed day at the lake which is a 24 Km long lake at an altitude of 4242 mts/13786 ft. During this time you can get to see numerous migratory birds gliding on the lake. The birds you can see includes geese, white-winged redstart, duck, robin accentor, white-throated dipper, Asian martin, and finches.

On day 8 after an early breakfast, you will be taken to another breath-taking lake the Tsokar salt lake. Later, make your way to the small village of Puga where we turn west to cross the Pologongka la at 4940 mts/16203 ft. This entire place nurtures an amazing variety of wildlife which includes the Kyang (Tibetan Wild Ass), Tibetan Wolf, Red Fox, Woolly Hare, Marmots, Pica and Snow leopard. There are amazing bird species as well like the Himalayan Snow Cock, Common and Fork Tailed Swift, Sand and Eurasian Crag Martin, lammergeyer, and the Himalayan Griffon.

You will be taken through a vast meadow of More Plains to reach Debring on the main Manali - Leh highway. The More plains are also the summer home of the nomadic Changspa shepherds, you may spot with their large herds of sheep and goats dwelling in the plateau. Debring lies below the Tanglang La and on reaching the spot you can set up the camp for the night.

On day 10, you can begin your ascent to the Tanglang La which is 5303 mts/17393 ft and it is the world's third highest motorable pass. From here on, you can wind downwards into the Indus Valley and 56 km later you will reach a small village of Upshi which is 56km and set the camp in the campsite amidst a yawning canyon.

After breakfast, you can begin the 60 Km ride to Leh through the spread out Indus Valley along the river. On arrival, you can check into the hotel and rest for the day.

In the morning, you will be driven to the airport to board your flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi, you can catch your onward flight for your designated destination.