Spiti to Ladakh Cycling Expedition | High Himalaya Adventure India

Altitude: 350 m (1,148 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B)

We transfer south-east into the foothills, stopping in Shimla for a brief colonial-era stroll and photos. The vehicle transfer winds higher as orchards and pine slopes replace flat plains; drivers experienced with mountain roads keep the journey comfortable. Use this day to rest, adjust saddles, consult the on-tour mechanic, and mentally step up to altitude. Evening in Rampur includes a briefing on acclimatisation and tomorrow’s higher-altitude ascent — a calm, carefully paced prelude.

Altitude: 2,290 m (7,513 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B)

Today’s vehicle transfer gains meaningful altitude as we drive into Kinnaur, with the Sutlej gorge and Kinnaur Kailash rising beside the road. The landscape shifts from verdant valleys to high-forested slopes; you’ll notice new thin-air light and cooler evenings. On arrival in Reckong Peo there’s time for a short walk to village viewpoints and to check bikes on terrain similar to tomorrow’s route. Group dinner and an early night aid acclimatisation and readiness for cycling to begin.

Altitude: 2,290 m (7,513 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L,D)

A scheduled acclimatisation day to steady breathing and blood oxygen levels. We explore nearby Kalpa and the Narayan–Nagini temple complex, absorb local culture, and practice short, easy rides or walks to stimulate circulation without overexertion. Your guides cover high-altitude awareness, hydration routines, and pacing strategies; the mechanic performs final bike setup. This measured pause is crucial — it transforms riders from well-intentioned tourists into resilient high-altitude athletes ready for consecutive long riding days.

Cycling Distance: 68 km (42 miles)
Total Climb: — (mixed gentle climbs)
Altitude: 2,950 m (9,678 ft)
Accommodation: Guest House (B,L,D)

The expedition truly begins under apple and apricot trees as roads flatten and then rise in gentle sweeps. Early permit checks at Akpa are handled by support staff while riders warm into steady rhythm. Expect a mix of recently surfaced tarmac and intermittent rough patches; the final 6 km is a sustained zigzag climb into the village of Puh. The night in a comfortable guesthouse offers hot meals, bike wash, and useful debriefing on how the route felt and adjustments needed.

Cycling Distance: 50 km (31 miles)
Total Climb: — (steep ascents and descents)
Altitude: 3,900 m (12,795 ft)
Accommodation: Guest House (B,L,D)

Today moves you onto raw high-valley landscape. After steady pedalling to Dubling Bridge, the route becomes dramatically narrow and cliff-cut as the road climbs to Ka and onward to Nako. Expect breath-catching hairpins and the feel of solitude as plateaus open and the lake at Nako appears like an oasis. Evening brings a reflective lakeside stroll; monastery visits and clear night skies afford roaring stars. Meals are hearty — fuel for the altitude and the technical climbs ahead.

Cycling Distance: 69 km (43 miles)
Total Climb: — (steep drops + some climbs)
Altitude: 3,400 m (11,154 ft)
Accommodation: Guest House (B,L,D)

A day of exhilarating vertical grammar: short climbs are rewarded with long, heart-pounding descents down narrow cliff-hugging roads. The 20 km drop with tight switchbacks demands sharp bike handling but delivers spectacular valley views. At Sumdo a permit check is routine; downstream the valley widens and the cultural silhouette of Tabo appears. Tabo’s 10th-century monastery invites exploration — painted caverns and prayer halls narrate centuries of Buddhist practice amidst the windswept landscape.

Cycling Distance: 48 km (30 miles)
Total Climb: — (mixture of flats and short climbs)
Altitude: 3,500 m (11,482 ft)
Accommodation: Camping (B,L,D)

Today’s route traverses classic Spiti panoramas: terraced fields, ochre cliffs, and ancient gompas. We pause at Dhankar Monastery to feel its cliffside presence and learn about local spiritual life. Roads alternate between packed earth and short paved stretches; rhythm and attention keep riders comfortable. Arrival in Kaza, the valley hub, brings amenities — bakery treats, intermittent internet, and a well-run camp that privileges warmth, hot drinks, and a chance to clean gear before higher passes.

Altitude: 3,500 m (11,482 ft)
Accommodation: Guest House (B)

A full rest day in Kaza lets altitude settle and legs recover. Options include guided excursions to Ki Monastery and Kibber village — both provide cultural depth and unbeatable photographic light. Support crew remain available for bike maintenance and spare parts. It’s also the day to shop locally, sample Tibetan breads and stews, and reconnect with the team. Proper sleep and hydration tonight are emphasized to prime you for Kunzum and the sequence of high passes that follow.

Cycling Distance: 45 km (28 miles)
Total Climb: — (moderate Ascent to base of Kunzum)
Altitude: 4,250 m (13,943 ft)
Accommodation: Camping (B,L,D)

You climb gradually through traditional villages — Hull, Pangmo, Kyato — witnessing how communities survive in austere terrain. Surfaces become rougher approaching Losar and the base of Kunzum; expect short sections requiring concentration and occasional walking of bikes if conditions demand. Camp lies in a high scree plain beneath the pass, where cooks prepare warming soups and fuel-dense dinners. The night is cold but calm, and the air is thin — restful sleep is essential.

Cycling Distance: 48 km (30 miles)
Total Climb: — (long climb to Kunzum La) 
Altitude: 4,590 m (15,060 ft)
Accommodation: Camping (B,L,D)

Crossing Kunzum La is a pilgrimage of sorts: riders traverse exposed rocky slopes and wide horizons that reveal the Zanskar range. At the pass you’ll pause for ritual and reflection by the stupa and Kunzum Mata shrine. The descent to Bata and along the Chandra River is technical — large embedded rocks and loose surfaces test wheel control. The final campsite at Chattru is a green oasis beside the river, where hot tents and a warm meal reinvigorate tired bodies.

Cycling Distance: 48 km (30 miles)
Total Climb: — (steady climb then downhill to Manali-Leh axis)
Altitude: 3,500 m (11,483 ft)
Accommodation: Camping (B,L,D)

This stage joins the main Manali-Leh artery. You sidle along valley shoulders, cross shallow streams, and negotiate rutted approaches to Khoksar where permits are again checked. The day finishes with a mainly downhill ride to Sissu, whose green meadows and rivulets feel like a reward after high-plateau riding. Support vans handle luggage and spare parts, while riders enjoy the luxury of a hot meal and tented sleep in comfortable camps.

Cycling Distance: 48.5 km (30 miles)
Total Climb: 951 m (3,120 ft)
Total Descent: 685 m (2,247 ft)
Altitude: 3,350 m (10,990 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L,D)

A day of transition: valley riding, shorter ascents, and rolling terrain bring you past Keylong and into increasingly arid landscapes. The route’s ups and downs are forgiving, letting riders maintain speed while taking in wide panoramas. Pulling into Jispa, you enjoy hotel comforts and hot showers — luxuries that feel earned. Tonight’s debrief covers nutrition strategy and techniques for the long climbs ahead, with bike mechanics ensuring all gears and brakes are performance-ready.

Cycling Distance: 36.5 km (22.5 miles)
Total Climb: 1,158 m (3,799 ft)
Total Descent: 172 m (564 ft)
Altitude: 4,020 m (13,188 ft)
Accommodation: Camping (B,L,D)

A sustained ascent defines this day as the region grows more remote and the vegetation thins. Crossing streams and climbing through Patseo, the road narrows and the environment slips into high mountain austerity. Zing Zing Bar is a high camp site with sweeping, exposed views — here the thin air and the silence help you focus inward. Expect windy conditions; warm layers and a hearty evening meal are essential as you rest for Baralacha La the next day.

Cycling Distance: 41.5 km (26 miles)
Total Climb: 840 m (2,755 ft)
Total Descent: 658 m (2,158 ft)
Altitude: 4,255 m (13,960 ft)
Accommodation: Camping (B,L,D)

Baralacha La’s barren, rock-strewn slopes make for a strikingly lunar landscape. The climb tests stamina while rewarding with stark panoramas and a sense of remoteness few travellers experience. The descent into the expansive Sarchu plateau is dramatic and often windy; campsite life here—on the storied Leh-Manali corridor—has a frontier energy, with other travellers and nomads sometimes passing through. Evening camp is set up with insulating bedding and hot food to restore depleted reserves.

Altitude: 4,255 m (13,960 ft)
Accommodation: Camping (B)

Sarchu is a strategic rest and acclimatisation hub. After many consecutive riding days you’ll appreciate the chance to stretch, take short walks, and visit local trading encampments. Support crew use this day to service bikes and check spares; guides discuss upcoming Gata Loops and Nakeela Pass techniques. Rest day routines emphasize hydration, salt balance and light mobility work — essential physiologic tools to reduce risk of altitude-related fatigue as the itinerary pushes higher.

Cycling Distance: 83.5 km (52 miles)
Total Climb: 1,274 m (4,180 ft) 
Total Descent: 1,100 m (3,608 ft)
Altitude: 4,750 m (15,583 ft)
Accommodation: Camping (B,L,D)

Today is one of the expedition’s most iconic challenges: the 21 Gata Loops carve the canyon wall in a heart-pounding sequence of curves that test climbing rhythm and mental focus. Above them lies the steep push to Nakeela Pass. Once over the summit, sweeping descents deliver to the Whisky Nullah campsite, where the contrast between effort and reward is felt deeply. Preparation, measured pacing, and the support vehicle make the long distance achievable.

Cycling Distance: 44.5 km (28 miles)
Total Climb: 321 m (1,053 ft)
Total Descent: 252 m (826 ft)
Altitude: 4,650 m (15,255 ft)
Accommodation: Camping (B,L,D)

Ascending Lachulung La rewards riders with panoramas over the Moray Plains — an expanse that alternates between placid and extreme weather. The descent to Pang is steep, followed by switchbacks to a broad, often wind-swept plateau. Tso Kar is a saline high-altitude lake where wild birds and changpa nomads are the main signs of life. Camp here has a special stillness; the shoreline at dusk offers an unforgettable hour for photos and quiet reflection.

Cycling Distance: 70.5 km (44 miles)
Total Climb: 493 m (1,617 ft)
Total Descent: 1,006 m (3,300 ft)
Altitude: 3,650 m (11,975 ft)
Accommodation: Camping (B,L,D)

This is the day you meet Taglang La — one of the world’s highest motorable passes. The sealed road assists forward motion, but the altitude is relentless; steady pacing and oxygen awareness matter. On cresting Taglang, the reward is a long, thrilling descent through switchbacks to Rumptse and onward into more populated valleys. The evening oasis of Lato offers a softer landscape and a chance to enjoy warm food and camaraderie after a demanding but hugely satisfying ride.

Cycling Distance: 69.5 km (43 miles)
Total Climb: 525 m (1,722 ft) 
Total Descent: 1,056 m (3,464 ft)
Altitude: 3,500 m (11,482 ft)
Accommodation: Guest House (B,L)

The final long ride into Leh brings fertile Indus valley plains, irrigated fields, and the comforting architecture of settlements. Passing Thiksey and other gompas, you’ll sense cultural transition toward Ladakhi life. Roads improve and the pace feels easier, but focus remains vital after many days on the saddle. Arrival in Leh is an emotional high: warm guest houses, hot showers, and a celebratory group meal set the tone for the last big push to Khardung La.

Altitude: 3,500 m (11,482 ft)
Accommodation: Guest House (B)

Leh offers culture, cafés, and gentle walks to unwind. Explore Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, and bustling bazaars, or use the day to massage sore muscles and finalize kit for Khardung La. The team conducts final bike checks, and you’ll have the chance to meet local artisans and enjoy Ladakhi tea. This low-effort day is essential to recharge mentally and physically before the expedition’s climactic ascent.