Footloose India

Bhutan by Bicycle

great way to tame the dragon

 Bicycle Greenways Vienna to Prague

or 

Cycle the Amber trail Budapest to Krakow

Leh to Changthang on a bicycle

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Day 01: Fly from Delhi to Leh
Take the EARLY morning flight from Delhi to Leh. Upon arrival at Leh transfer to hotel and rest. Having arrived 12000 feet from the flatlands of Delhi do not underestimate the need to properly to
acclimatize. Truly rest, do as little as possible. After lunch perhaps take a short stroll around Leh, then return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 02: Bicycle to Shey & Thiksey gompas
Day of sightseeing the ancient monasteries near Leh, starting with Shey Gompa, about 15 km from Leh. Shey monastery used to be the summer palace of the Kings of Ladakh. The palace complex boasts a number of stupas and offers fine views of the Indus Valley. Built in the beginning of 17th century, main attraction of Shey is the 12m-high statue of Shakyamuni Buddha towering 2-story high
center of the Dresthang Gompa. From Shey continue to the Gelukpa monastery of Thiksey, only three kilometers further on from to Shey, and one of the largest and most dazzling gompas in Ladakh.
Return to Leh for overnight.

Day 03: Bicycle Leh via Upshi to Hyamnya
After an early breakfast we ride 47 Km south east towards the small post at Upshi on the Manali Leh highway, a gateway to the trans-Himalaya highway leading to Manali. From here, we continue to
the village of Hyamnya where we camp for the night.

Day 04: Bicycle Hyamnya to Chumathang
A harder day of cycling, nearly 60 Kms, though mostly flat, brings us to the village of Chumathang at 4000m /13000 ft. above sea level. Chumathang is famous all over Ladakh and Zanskar for its healing hot springs that are reputable to heal all kinds of body ailments, hence you can sooth your aching muscles after full day of cycling. We set up camp near this village for the night.

Day 05: Bicycle Chumathang to Sumdo
The ride today passes through an extraordinary landscape on the way to the Mahe Bridge 23 Km away. Past the bridge we ride 14 Km through a narrow green gorge to the village of Sumdo. We camp
near the village. In the evening we explore the small Gompa that houses many well maintained paintings and images.

Day 06: Bicycle Sumdo to Korzok
After breakfast we start cycling towards the village of Korzok at the northern end of the magnificent Tsomoriri Lake. The 43 Km ride follows through vast shrub territory surrounded by rolling hills that at sunset are awash with striking shades of colors ranging from deep purple and pink to desert brown. En route we also pass a modest aqua green lake of Tazang Tso and ride through barren land inhabited with colonies of marmots (Phya in Ladakhi.) Finally we get to the village of Korzok at imposing elevation of 15,000 feet. We set up camp near the village on the shore of the attractive Tso (lake.)

Day 07: Free day at Korzok
A relaxed day at the lake. Walk around Tsomoriri, as far as you feel empowered. Being 24 Km long, we will not walk the complete length of Tsomorir but rather marvel at abundant summertime variety
of migratory birds, including geese, ducks, Asian martin, white-throated dipper and finches.

Day 08: Bicycle Korzok to Tsokar
Today we start our return journey cycling towards another breathtaking lake Tsokar at slightly lower elevation than that of Tsomoriri. We back to the modest village of Puga where we turn west
to cross the Pologongka La. Crossing the imposing pass of 5000 meters (16200 ft.), we emerge at a vast plateau of stunted grass and shrubs. Known as the More Plains, this endless plateau sustains
an amazing variety of wildlife such as the Kyang, the Tibetan Wild Ass, wolf, red fox, and ever present colonies of marmots. Though rarely seen, the snow leopard is said to descnd down here to
hunt from the snows of high peaks. This region is also dream come true of bird watchers, with resident species ranging from the Himalayan Snow Cock to Griffon.

Day 09: Bicycle Tsokar to Debring
We ride through the vast pasturelands of the More Plains to reach Debring at just below 5000 meters (15700 ft) back on the main Manali-Leh highway. The More plateau is also the summer home of
the Changpa nomads who come here with their large herds of sheep and goats camping out in their characteristic yak skin tents. Debring, that lies just below the Tanglang La, is where we camp for the night.

Day 10: Bicycle Debring to Upshi
We begin our ascent to the imposing Tanglang La, reaching its summit at 5313 m /17400ft, the world's third highest motorable pass. From here the switchback road winds down into the Indus
Valley and 56 Kms later brings us to the little town of Upshi, the gateway to Indus Valley leading downstream to Leh.

Day 11: Bicycle Upshi to Leh
Today we begin our 60 Km ride through the broad Indus Valley. Following the river we reach Leh by lunchtime. On arrival we check into a hotel and the rest of the day is yours free to unwind and
relax after our 10 day adventure in one of the remotest parts of India.

Day 12: Fly Leh back to Delhi
In the morning transfer to the airport to board your flight back to Delhi.

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