Manali to Leh Cycling via Zanskar Valley

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Embark on one of the world’s most spectacular high-altitude cycling journeys—from the lush valleys of Manali to the windswept landscapes of Leh, via the remote and mystical Zanskar Valley. This expedition is more than just a ride; it’s a passage through shifting worlds—verdant pine forests give way to stark, glacier-fed deserts, roaring rivers carve deep canyons, and snow-clad passes open to sweeping Himalayan panoramas.

Over the course of nearly two weeks, you’ll pedal across legendary mountain passes like Shinkula, Pensi La, Namika La, and Fotu La, stand before the majestic Drang-Drung Glacier, and roll alongside the mighty Indus and Suru Rivers. Each day reveals new wonders—ancient Buddhist monasteries clinging to cliffsides, traditional Zanskari villages where life has changed little over centuries, and vast open spaces where the silence is broken only by the wind and the sound of prayer flags fluttering.

This is a journey that demands both spirit and stamina, rewarding every push of the pedal with landscapes that feel almost otherworldly. It’s an immersion into the wild beauty, rich culture, and timeless rhythms of the Himalayas—a ride that will stay with you long after the last mountain pass is crossed.

Tour Highlights

  • Cross Legendary Himalayan Passes
  • Ride Through Remote Zanskar Valley
  • Witness the Drang-Drung Glacier
  • Immerse in Himalayan Culture
  • Varied Himalayan Landscapes
  • Epic Rivers & Peaks

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Jagatsukh to Jispa (3,240 m) – 98 km
Activity: Started from Jagat sukh village around 9 am in the morning and cycling till the Atal tunnel about 30 km.,than after shifted with cab 68 km.to Jispa and halt there. We are reached there around 3Pm.
Hotel: Camping / GuestHouse
Meals: Breakfast
Our journey begins from the quaint village of Jagatsukh, nestled in the lush green Kullu Valley. We pedal through pine-lined roads towards the Atal Tunnel, a modern engineering marvel that opens the gateway to Lahaul. The 30 km warm-up ride is a gentle introduction to the high Himalayas. Beyond the tunnel, we transfer by vehicle to Jispa, a serene riverside hamlet on the banks of the Bhaga River. The cold, crisp mountain air and the backdrop of snow-capped peaks set the tone for the adventure ahead.
Day 2 – Jispa to Jankar Sumdo (3,830 m) – 28 km
Activity: Jankar Sumdho 3830 MTR total distance -28 km Started at 8.30 in the morning from jispa after the Darcha there is a junction for zhanskar . And we had camp at sumdho near the BRO camp and we will reached there around 2.30 pm .at 3830 MTR.
Hotel: Camping / GuestHouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Jispa, we follow the Bhaga upstream until Darcha, where the road forks toward the Zanskar Valley. The ride today is short but climbs steadily as we leave behind the last significant settlement for a while. Our camp at Jankar Sumdo, close to a Border Roads Organisation outpost, offers sweeping views of rugged mountainsides and streams. The remoteness of the terrain is palpable, and the night sky dazzles with millions of stars.
Day 3 – Jankar Sumdo to Gombo Rangjon (4,340 m)
Activity: Start in the early morning after the break fast at 8.30 .There is a accent till the shinkula top at 5490 MTR. And after that start decent to the camp at gombo Rangjon and reached camp at 2.30. at the altitude of 4340 MTR. total hours it will take to reach at gombo approximately 6 to 7 hours.
Hotel: Camping / GuestHouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A challenging yet rewarding day. We climb steadily to Shinkula Pass, the high gateway into Zanskar. At 5,490 m, the pass is often surrounded by snow walls and offers panoramic views of jagged ridges and deep valleys. From here, we descend into a stark, lunar-like landscape to reach Gombo Rangjon, a sacred peak revered by locals. The campsite here is a spiritual and visual delight—towering cliffs, glacier-fed streams, and a silence broken only by the wind.
Day 3 – Jankar Sumdo to Gombo Rangjon (4,340 m) via Shinkula Pass (5,490 m)
Activity: Start in the early morning after the break fast at 8.30 .There is a accent till the shinkula top at 5490 MTR. And after that start decent to the camp at gombo Rangjon and reached camp at 2.30. at the altitude of 4340 MTR. total hours it will take to reach at gombo approximately 6 to 7 hours.
Hotel: Camping/ Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A challenging yet rewarding day. We climb steadily to Shinkula Pass, the high gateway into Zanskar. At 5,490 m, the pass is often surrounded by snow walls and offers panoramic views of jagged ridges and deep valleys. From here, we descend into a stark, lunar-like landscape to reach Gombo Rangjon, a sacred peak revered by locals. The campsite here is a spiritual and visual delight—towering cliffs, glacier-fed streams, and a silence broken only by the wind.
Day 4 – Gombo Rangjon to Purne (3,840 m) – 37 km
Activity: Purne 3840 MTR total distance -37 km. Start in the morning at 9 am . First village Kargyak and than after enjoying cycling with river and view of village Purne at the altitude of 3840 MTR. At the bank of tsaarp river.
Hotel: Camping/ Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We roll through the remote village of Kargyak, one of the highest inhabited settlements in the Zanskar region. The route follows the Tsarap River, winding past barley fields, chortens (Buddhist shrines), and traditional mud-brick homes. Purne, our halt for the night, sits at a beautiful confluence along the Tsarap, with views of high cliffs and river canyons.
Day 5 – Rest Day at Purne & Hike to Phugtal Monastery
Activity: Purne 3840 MTR It's rest day at Purne village.We had start hike in the morning at 8 am to the Phuktal Monestry . It's 6.8 km from purne and till the bridge it's 5 km .very old monestry about 2500 year old. Phugtal monastery remains one of the world’s most isolated monasteries that are still be reached only by foot. Purne is the last stop from where the trek to Phugtal starts. The trek may take about 2 hours on each side.
Hotel: Camping/ Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we swap pedals for hiking boots to visit the legendary Phugtal Monastery. Perched dramatically on a cliffside, this 2,500-year-old Buddhist gompa can only be reached on foot. The 6.8 km trek from Purne is a journey back in time—past rope bridges, narrow trails, and ochre-colored rock faces. Inside, ancient murals, prayer halls, and the sound of chanting monks create an unforgettable spiritual atmosphere.
Day 6 – Purne to Padum (3,580 m) – 53 km
Activity: Padam 3580 mtr total distance -53km Starte in the morning at 8.30 am to Padam .its about 63 km from our camping at the altitude of 3580 MTR. At starting there is a accent till the top from purne than after way take you to along with the river .And we will reach at Omasila hotel at 2.30 pm. We had covered testa ,cha ,reru and anmo village.
Hotel: Camping/ Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We begin with a short ascent before the route levels out along the Tsarap River, taking us through the charming villages of Testa, Cha, Reru, and Anmo. Each settlement offers a glimpse into traditional Zanskari life—yaks grazing in the fields, women in vibrant gonchas spinning wool, and children waving from rooftops. Our destination, Padum, is the administrative and cultural heart of Zanskar. Here, we rest at a comfortable hotel and enjoy the luxury of a bustling bazaar.
Day 7 – Padum to Yalatu (Base of Pensi La) – 68 km
Activity: Yalatu base of Penzi la 4010 MTR total distance -68 km Started today's at 8.30 am with clear ànd shiny day through the Padam bazar and camp at base of the Penzi la (4494 MTR.) and we went through the village sani ,ganyok ,shamling,rataksha,phey,Akshu and abran .We had camp at the altitude of 4010 MTR. We had covered today 64 km. Camp at yalatu
Hotel: Camping/ Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We roll out through Padum Bazaar, passing the ancient Sani Monastery and weaving through a series of villages—Ganyok, Shamling, Rataksha, Phey, Akshu, and Abran. Gradually, the valley narrows as we approach the base of Pensi La, the pass that connects Zanskar to the Suru Valley. Our campsite at Yalatu (4,010 m) lies in the shadow of snow-covered ridges.
Day 8 – Yalatu to Parakachik (3,600 m) via Pensi La (4,494 m) – 90 km
Activity: Parakarchik village 3600 MTR total distance - 90 km Start in early morning at 7 am . There is a 400 mtr. accent till the Penzi la (4494 mtr.).And become witness of Drang -Drung glacier And than after decent to Rangdom village we will get nice view of kun and Nun peak. ,zulidog, and camp at parakarchik just before the Tangol village .today we had covered 90 km by bicycle.
Hotel: Camping/ Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A morning climb takes us over Pensi La, the “Gateway to Zanskar.” From the top, the mighty Drang-Drung Glacier unfurls before us, a frozen river of ice flowing from the Doda Peak. Descending into the Suru Valley, we pass through Rangdum Village with stunning views of the Nun and Kun peaks (both over 7,000 m). We camp at Parakachik, a quiet village surrounded by lush pastures and glacial streams.
Day 9 – Parakachik to Chutuk (2,720 m) – 76 km
Activity: Chutuk village 2720 MTR total distance -76 km Start in the morning at 8 am . Along with suru river with snowy capped mountains. Today we had covered 74.74 km from Prakachik village and rest at Chukit heights hotel in the bank of Suru river and Kargil is left from here 6 km.. hotel at 2720 MTR.
Hotel: Camping/ Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We follow the Suru River downstream, cycling past wheat fields and apricot orchards, with snow-capped giants towering on either side. The scenery softens as we descend, and the air feels warmer. We halt at Chutuk Heights Hotel, just 6 km shy of Kargil, where the Suru River meanders lazily past our windows.
Day 10 – Chutuk to Bodhkharbu (3,544 m) – 76 km
Activity: Bodhkharbo village 3544 MTR total distance -76km Start in 9 am in the morning from chuukit hotel and forward to kargil market and through the villages and visited to Mulbekh village that are known for 1st century Buddha statue and continue to Namkila la 3718 MTR. And than after continue to the Bodhkharwa village guest house at 3544 MTR. And total distance covered today is 74.9 km ,we had covered today trail in 7 to 8 hours.
Hotel: Camping/ Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s route takes us through Kargil town and then eastward along the Leh–Srinagar Highway. A highlight is Mulbekh, home to a colossal 1st-century Maitreya Buddha carved into rock. We climb over Namika La (3,718 m) before descending into Bodhkharbu, a picturesque high-altitude village surrounded by mountains.
Day 11 – Bodhkharbu to Lamayuru (3,480 m) – 37 km
Activity: Lamayuru village 3480 MTR. Total distance -37 km Start in 8 .30 am in the shiny day.Todays cycling is about 34 km. And there is one paas named fotu La 4109 MTR .After that descend to Lamayuru .Famous for old monestry and also the centre of trek point .at the altitude of 3480 MTR. After the snacks we went to monestry and view point of Moon land . Enjoyed. We had covered today trail in 3.5 hours
Hotel: Camping/ Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short yet dramatic ride over Fotu La (4,109 m), the highest pass on the Srinagar–Leh road. The descent into Lamayuru reveals a surreal landscape known as Moonland—eroded mountains in shades of gold and ochre. Lamayuru’s ancient monastery is one of Ladakh’s oldest, and its fluttering prayer flags, painted stupas, and meditation caves tell stories of centuries past.
Day 12 – Lamayuru to Saspul (2,998 m) – 55 km
Activity: Saspul village 2998mtr. Total distance -55 km. Start in 8.30 am from the Lamayuru . The moon land and under the valley along with the stream and mountain. Halt at Norbu guest house at saspul .Today we had ride 54 km and it will take 3 hours to reach. It was awesome at the altitude of 2998 MTR.
Hotel: Camping/ Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We cycle alongside rocky canyons and green oases, where streams cut through barren mountains. The scenery is ever-changing—one moment stark and desolate, the next dotted with willow groves and apricot trees. The day ends at Saspul, a quiet village with a relaxed pace of life, offering a first glimpse of Ladakh’s lower Indus Valley.
Day 13 – Saspul to Leh (3,550 m)
Activity: Leh 3550 MTR.
The final leg of our epic journey follows the Indus River upstream. The road winds past ancient villages, stupas, and monasteries perched on hilltops. Entering Leh, we are greeted by its bustling bazaar, whitewashed houses, and the towering Namgyal Tsemo Monastery—a fitting end to a journey that has traversed some of the most spectacular and culturally rich landscapes in the Himalayas.

Gallery

Inclusions

  • Accompanying English Speaking Guide
  • Geared Bicycles (Trek / Giant / Cannondale / Scott)
  • Accommodation in Twin Share
  • Meals as mentioned
  • Snacks, Beverages & Drinking Water
  • Activities as mentioned
  • Entry Fees at Forest, Monuments, Plantation, Museums etc
  • Transfers in AC vehicle
  • Airport Pickup and Drop
  • Toll, Vehicle Permit & Parking
  • Government taxes

Route map

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