The Manali-Leh-Khardung La cycling expedition is one of the most sought after routes amongst cyclists across the world for its rugged terrain, changing landscapes, captivating sceneries and the adrenaline rush. The 10 day expedition takes us through some of the highest mountain passes in the world, making it an adventure-filled activity demanding high levels of physical and mental endurance. We cycle from lush green forests around Manali into the dry mountains of Zingzingbar to reach the cold plains of Ladakh. By the end of it, it’s hard not to be awed by the variety of landscape there is to experience on this expedition and to finally feel the thrill of witnessing this vastly unique and varied terrain on a cycle.
To put it simply, cycling through the Himalayas is an adventure of a lifetime with an abundance of natural beauty in tow. And there is no better route to cycle in the Himalayas than the Manali-Leh highway which is a true test of endurance in addition to an offering of some of the best views of the Zanskar ranges.
This article discusses the difficulty level of the Manali-Leh-Khardung La cycling expedition, the challenges one might encounter on the route along with the gear and skills required for the expedition.
Difficulty Level of the Expedition
Manali-Leh-Khardung La is a level 6 expedition on the Bikat Rating Scale.
About the BRS: The Bikat Rating Scale rates the difficulty level of all treks and expeditions in our portfolio after taking into account their geographical and climatic conditions.
According to this scale, if you are a beginner who is unsure of your fitness level and don’t know what to expect on a trek, a trek rated one will be a good place to start.
If you liked your very first trekking experience and are looking to test your limits next, the treks rated 2 or 3 will do the job for you.
A beginner who is sure of their fitness level on the other hand is welcome to skip the first two levels and directly start with one of the treks rated 3.
From 4 onwards, the rules change a little. It is mandatory to have trekking experience of the previous level to participate in the next level.
The Cycling Route of Manali-Leh-Khardung La Expedition
Taking us through some of the highest mountain passes in the world, the Manali-Leh-Khardung La cycling expedition is a difficult one due to the tough terrain, erratic weather conditions and extremely high-altitudes that we encounter on the route. It is mandatory to meet the required fitness benchmarks and have a regular cycling routine to be able to successfully complete the expedition. Difficult as it is, the route is also packed with exciting views and thrilling downhill rides, making it a one-of-a-kind adventure!
Challenge 1: Steep Ascents to High Mountain Passes
On our cycling expedition from Manali to Khardung La, we encounter six high mountain passes. Each mountain pass demands a steep climb to reach the top, with winding roads and hairpin bends. Uphill cycling, particularly above 3000M is no easy task and demands significant amount of physical energy. It becomes extremely difficult to push through in thin air without the requisite strength in our legs. We encounter ascents ranging from 6km-45km on different days and it is sheer strength and physical fitness that help one through these stretches. While any kind of physical activity in high altitudes consumes more energy, cycling requires muscle strength from parts of our body that are not regularly engaged, making it a tad bit more difficult. Thus, it is extremely important to have a good fitness routine starting months ahead of the scheduled expedition. It is also important that one cycles long distances to be better prepared and get accustomed to sitting on the saddle for long hours.
Challenge 2: Long Descents through Winding Roads
Now downhill cycling might appear to be all fun and games but it has a few challenges of its own. Although it is not physically demanding, the descents from the mountain passes go through winding roads and could prove to be fatal if we are not in control of the cycle. It is extremely important to be mindful of the road ahead and maintain a good speed that will allow you to halt or slow down when required. Being an important highway for transportation of goods, these roads are busy with heavy truck traffic, shrinking the space available for cycling. Hence, it is best to go slow and control the pace of the cycle so as to avoid accidents or mishaps along the way. It always helps to remember that it is not a race. Slowing down also helps one enjoy the scenery to the fullest!
Challenge 3: Off-Roading in the Mountains
While the Border Roads Organisation has pretty much laid a concrete road throughout the Manali-Leh route, there are a few bad patches along the way. These bad patches are usually in the form of dirt roads, narrow approaches or places where work is in progress. The varying sizes of stone and rocks make balancing on these dirt roads fairly difficult whether you are a beginner or an expert cyclist. With the constant fear of toppling off and falling over it is extremely important to be extra cautious and focused in these sections. Although the mountain bikes used for the expedition are designed to endure such conditions, it still requires a significant amount of skill from the person riding it to bike through such conditions. Practice goes a long way. Practicing on off roads will definitely come in handy when on this expedition.
Challenge 4: Riding through Strong Winds/Rain/Snowfall
It is a well known fact that the mountain makes its own weather. One should be prepared to encounter gusts of wind, rain or even snowfall as we bike through the Manali-Leh highway. Rain and snowfall can make the roads slippery, making them even more difficult to ride on. They also result in a significant temperature drop, causing the numbing of palms and fingers which are crucial while riding the cycle. It is essential to have the necessary rain gear and gloves to ride through such conditions. Wind gusts are another challenge to look out for on this route, particularly in the region of More Plains and a few downhill sections. Cycling gloves and windcheaters are a must in all these situations to keep the body warm and comfortable enough to continue riding.
Challenge 5: Acclimatising in Higher Altitudes
Getting from Manali to Khardung La is an elevation gain of more than 3,600 M which is a big change in altitude. This is in addition to pushing the limits of your body on a daily basis, performing a physically strenuous activity. This is not impossible, however. A few simple tricks and you should be good to go. Remember to drink 5-6 liters of water every day to remain hydrated and to also help the body acclimatise to the altitude. Eating meals and snacks at regular intervals also helps the body recuperate and adjust itself to the change in the environment. It is also important to look out for signs such as headaches, strained breathing, and flu like symptoms. In the event that any of these are noticed, the expedition leader should be informed right away so that any necessary action can be taken.
Gear Required for Manali-Leh-Khardung La Cycling Expedition
We will be providing most of the equipment needed for the expedition such as mountain bikes, helmets, tents and sleeping bags. However, there is some basic gear you will need from your end to get through your expedition comfortably.
Some of the things you will need are:
1) Cycling Shorts: Sitting on the saddle for long hours can get extremely uncomfortable, also resulting in the development of saddle soreness at times. It is important to wear heavily padded cycling shorts that will reduce the pressure from the saddle and make it easier to cycle long distances.
2) Comfortable Sports/Cycling Shoes: Happy feet equal a happy expedition. Contrary to a trek, high ankle trekking shoes will not be suitable for cycling. We recommend wearing comfortable and sturdy sports shoes. These not only provide better support but also reduce the possibility of injuries while cycling.
3) Cycling Gloves: As mentioned earlier, erratic weather makes it difficult to cycle through such conditions and it is best to be prepared at all times. Cycling gloves protect the palms and fingers from going numb in extreme weather and also reduce the pressure from the handle.
4) Right Clothing: Any high-altitude expedition requires specific kinds of clothing. It should be warm but lightweight. It should also be such that it is easily packaged. We usually employ the layering method where you put on multiple layers of clothing instead of one very heavy, thick jacket. This is for two reasons:
1) The weather in Himalayan regions is unpredictable and changes very quickly. Layering gives you the freedom to adapt to that accordingly where you are not left feeling too hot or too cold.
2) These are easy to carry and are packing-friendly.
On a cycling expedition such as this, it is also important to carry dry-fit t-shirts, cycling jerseys and neck gaiters. All of them perform various functions including providing protection from sunburn, dust and winds. They also make the cyclists more visible to other traffic on the highway preventing accidents.
Skills Required for Manali-Leh-Khardung La Cycling Expedition:
Bikat Adventures is primarily an adventure learning organization. This means our key objective is not just to help participants complete their expedition but also to ensure they pick up some valuable lessons and skills along the way.
To achieve this, we have created learning modules and paired them to different levels on the Bikat Rating Scale.
These modules are taught real-time on the trails by our expedition leaders.
Following are some skills that are likely to come handy on an expedition like Manali-Leh-Khardung La cycling.
While you will have all the assistance you need on the expedition from our capable expedition leaders and guides, we suggest browsing through the articles below to get an idea of what is involved.
On a cycling expedition such as this, our primary gear is the mountain bike. Knowing how to shift gears and the right gear combinations for different terrains helps to effectively use a mountain bike. The article below gives an introduction to mountain bikes and a few tips to ensure you have a smooth journey.
Finding the right rhythm while cycling is extremely important just as it is in trekking. It makes the entire experience easier as you use optimal amounts of energy all throughout. The article below provides general tips on how to set a rhythm during long distance cycling expeditions.
Finding the Right Rhythm for Cycling
Layering appropriately to protect yourself from the cold is essential. The article linked below will give you a fair idea of the winter layers you will need and guide you on how to layer up at during rides and at campsites.
When you know you are going to be in any high-altitude location where the sun is harsh, you might want to carry a good pair of sunglasses. A lack of these could prove to be fatal. The article below can help you pick out just the right pair.
How to pick high-altitude UV protection glasses?
When on any expedition, it is each person’s responsibility to know the requirements of the area, some campsite basics and how to manage our own selves as well as the environment around us. While our expedition leaders will keep you abreast about the basic dos and don’ts, do read the article below to brush up on some basic principles before the expedition.
Waste Management and Leave No Trace Principles
We hope this article answers all the questions you may have about the Manali-Leh-Khardung La cycling expedition. In case you need further assistance/information with something, please feel free to reach out to us. We are only a phone call away.
