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Legend:
The Wheel of Life - Cycling the Indian Himalayas
Numbers and Facts
Facts of life
# Days
# Cycling days
Distance on bicycle
Distance / Days
Distance / Cycling days
Longest distance on a day
Highest altitude difference on a day: climbing
Highest altitude difference on a day: descending
Highest point on bicycle
# days that one of the group was unwell
# temples, stupas and other religious monuments
# cyclists we have met in the Himalayas
# friendly people on the way
# chaotic traffic moments # buses and trucks down in the ravine
Numbers and Statistics
38
27
2.060 km
54 km
76 km
135 km
2.150 m (from Manali to Rhotang La)
2.600 m (from Khardung La to Nubra Valley)
5.600 m (Khardung La)
21 (out of 38!)
uncountable
around 20
100 %
less than expected, it feels safer to be on a bike than to be in a bus too many, once again it feels safer to be on a bike than to be in a bus Highlights of the Journey
Region
Himachal Pradesh
Himalayas
Himalayas
Ladakh
Ladakh
Spiti
Punjab
Highlights
Sitting on a roof terrace in Shimla and see man and woman parade on the streets the Indian way
Forgetting fatigue and altitude and enjoy the fascinating landscapes on both side of the Baralacha La
Sit on a stone on a well chosen place in the landscape and contemplate where the world has gone wrong
Descending from Tanglang La to Indus Valley through otherworldly landscapes and Tibetan monasteries
Reaching the top of Worlds highest motorable road, the 5.600 m high Khardung La, by bicycle
Exploring the fascinating landscapes and visiting the gorgeous Tibetan monasteries of remote Spiti Valley
Cover your hair, put out your shoes and absorb the vibes and music of Amritsars Golden Temple of the Sikhs Day to Day
Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
10
11
12
13
16
18
19
23
24
25
26
27
28
30
31
32
33
34
37
38
Route
Delhi; Shimla
Shimla - Sallaghat - Dehar
Dehar - Mandi - Bhuntar
Bhuntar - Kullu - Naggar - Manali
Manali - Rohtang La (3.974 m) - Khoksar
Khoksar - Tandi - Keylong
Keylong - Darcha
Darcha - Baralacha La (4.900 m)-Sarchu
Sarchu - Brandynala
Brandynala - Lachlung La - Pang
Pang - Tanglang La (5.300 m) - Rumtse
Rumtse - Upshi - Thiksey - Leh
Leh - Spitok - Phiyang - Leh
Leh - Khardung La (5.600 m) - Diskit
Diskit - Hundar - Panamik - Sumur
Khoksar - Khhatru - Upper Lahaul Valley
Lahaul - Kunzum La - Lhosar
Lhosar - Hanse - Kaza
Kaza - Key - Kibber - Kaza
Kaza - Dhankar - Lalung - Kaza
Kaza - Tabo - Kaza
Khoksar - Rohtang Pass - Manali
Manali - Kullu - Bhuntar
Bhuntar - Manikaran - Bhuntar
Bhuntar - Bajaura - Jogindernagar
Jogindernagar - Bajinath - Dharamsala
Dharamsala - Pathankot - Mukerian Mukerian - Batala - Amritsar
Km
25
95
95
55
70
50
30
80
30
55
100
80
40
15
95
45
45
60
40
70
100
75
50
70
100
80
135
95
P
y
y
y
y
y
n
n
n
y
y
y
y
y
n
y
n
n
y
y
n
n
y
y
y
y
y
y n
S
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
n
n
y
y
n
y
y
n
n
n
n
n
y
y
y
y
y
y y
A
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
n
n
n
n
y
n
n
y
y
n
n
n
n
n
y
y
n
n
y
y y
Remarks
.
Magnificent green landscapes
Deeper and deeper into the Himalayas
Up and down all the time
Very long ascent
For the first time the road is really bad
Vertical world
Very long climb over a very bad road into thin air
All flat on 4.200 m
No potable water untill Pang
No potable water untill just before Rumtse
Only down untill the Indus Valley
.
Reasonable road to Khardung La (5.600 m?)
Feel that you have reached the end of the world
Very stony road. Difficult terrain. Lots of goats
Rough landscape. Glaciers! Kunzum La 4.500 m
Enjoy the colours of the Spiti Valley
What is there to say about Key Monastery?
If you do not mind the bad road, visit nice Lalung
Take a look into Tibet from the old Tabo Monastery
Normal altitudes!
.
.
Ultrasteep ascent to the kangra Valley
.
Leaving the Himalayas As flat as my home country (Holland)
Difficulty
*
***
***
***
****(*)
****
***
*****
***
*****
*****
**
**
*****
**
****(*)
*****
**
***
****(*)
****
****
*
***
****(*)
***
** **
P = Paved road (most of the time) (y/n) S = Supplies readily available on the way (y/n) A = Accommodation (hotels) readily available between start point and destination (y/n)
Difficulty = Difficulty level for cycling with fully loaded bicycles
* = Easy. Nice ride for everybody with average fitness ** = Moderate. Hilly terrain. Paved road or high quality unpaved. Fitness required *** = Difficult. Continuous enduring terrain. Lots of climbing, chance of harsh climatic conditions or stretches poor road. Good fitness required **** = Very difficult. Very enduring terrain. Hors category alpine cols, chance of harsh climatic conditions or stretches poor road. Excellent fitness required ***** = Extremely difficult. Very difficult terrain, harsh climatic conditions and (very) poor road conditions. No or few supplies on the way, no accommodation.
The cyclist needs to have good orientation skills and needs to be completely self-sufficient. Excellent condition required. Only for experienced bicycle travellers.