Internationale groepsreis Manali to Leh Ride

Manali- Leh

A fantastic bike trip with absolutely unique scenery. All weather conditions were part of our trip: wind, sun, rain, hot and cold temperatures. The trip is well balanced to prepare you for the high altitudes.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

To get to the top of the Taglang pass was the highlight, we had a kind of mistral wind facing us to get to the top, and part from the last part it was all off road biking.

What did you think of your group leader?

Regzin and Jangbu were excellent, friendly, interested, responsible and experienced

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

bring enough warm and wind proof clothes, have a good/warm sleeping bag, and make sure you have a matrass that isolates well. ( I brought a warm water bottle, it was very helpful) bring enough snacks. a good pair of glasses can be helpful. a head light is perfect to bring.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

drink during the bike trip lot's of water, even at night! the trip is unforgettable!

Manali to Leh

A great adventure it was hard in many ways but well worth the effort

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The scenary and environment were the stars all the way through

What did you think of your group leader?

The leaders were very good a pair of professional mountain men

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

If you think your fit get fitter

Is there anything else you would like to add?

My only criticism is that the party was not adequately equipped for some of the river crossings A rope and gear to provide a hand rail should be part of the standard equipment

Amazing ride through breathtaking landscapes

A memorable ride with undoubtedly tough sections that will test your fitness and determination to the limit. The spectacular landscapes and sheer challenge of getting to the top of those passes kept me going.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Getting to the top of Baralacha-La in freezing conditions, getting to the top of Lachulung-La and the final climb to the top of Khardung-La.

What did you think of your group leader?

Brilliant. Both Valerie and Rigzen were fit, highly knowledgable and very thoughtful right through the trip. Baking a cake for the four of us who were on our special birthdays this year was a very nice gesture

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You don't have to be an avid cyclist to do this trip but you do need to be fit. You never know how the high altitudes will affect you but the fitter you are, the more likely your body is to cope. So, do train as hard as you can and climb as many hills as you can before you go.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

You will be without electricity for most of the trip. So, make sure you have sufficient battery packs/solar chargers/replacement batteries for your cameras, GPC devices and other gadgets. It is a trip of a lifetime, so you don't want to miss capturing those special moments for posterity.

MANALI TO LEH RIDE

Some real challenging cycling in an unbelievably beautiful part of the world, that can best be experienced on a bike. The scenery changes daily, and it would be difficult to find a more amazing landscape to cycle through anywhere else in the world. You get a real sense of achievement making it over the top of the passes, and seeing other group members win their own battles. You really need to do this!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The butterfly and the pigeon! The beauty of the canyon coming down from Lachalung La The road workers and their families living and working above 4000m during the few months in the year where the roads were open. The great efforts made by group members whose health was not so good at times. The loneliness in places. Everybody in the group getting to the top of all the passes. WELL DONE. The tremendous road signs along much of the trip, with interesting sayings e.g. "Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly", "Be gentle on my curves", "After whisky, driving risky". Being given a Mexican wave welcome by a number of tourists when my wife and I reached the top of the Khardung La.

What did you think of your group leader?

Jangbu was an amazing guy, having summited Everest twice, and was a very capable cyclist.  Him and his team (three cooks, one mechanic and two drivers), did a great job looking after us. He did a good job of going over the next days itinerary. He was very hands on when it came to dismantling tents or maintaining the bikes Full of energy and a happy character to have around.  He could have been better at sharing some of the information through the whole group.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

General The sun can be very hot. Be careful not to leave any exposed flesh without sun cream. Be careful about the weight allowance for flying back down from Leh.  It is quite restrictive. Camping Practice the squatting position before you go on holiday (maybe its a guy thing?) Bring a decent carry mat, the thicker the better (one of our group had two). Bring a head torch. Washing   Maybe take a small washing line as you will have an opportunity to wash some gear during the camping part.   Photography Buy an extra battery for your camera and charge it before you go. Dont try and take rechargeable batteries out of the country in your hand luggage. They will be confiscated :( Take a helmet cam. Try it out before you go. Well worth it! Health Quite a few of the group had stomach problems for one or more days. Make sure you take antibiotics with you just in case (Cipro was used by many). Diamox was also used by a number of the group for the duration of the trip as a precaution. A camel pack is very useful, and encourages you to drink the quantities of liquid that you need at altitude (especially if you are taking Diamox) General The sun can be very hot. Be careful not to leave any exposed flesh without sun cream. Be careful about the weight allowance for flying back down from Leh.  It is quite restrictive.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Cycling  It is hard work. Make sure you get plenty of miles in the legs before you go take this trip on, and quite a bit of uphill would be very useful.  Remember, what goes up must come down, so there are some fantastic downhill sections to enjoy (if the wind is not blowing in your face) However, the challenges are really the altitude (lack of oxygen) combined with stomach problems that a number of people suffered from. They do look after the bikes very well during the trip, with daily maintenance carried out, and the Trek bikes we had were good quality. None of the cycle is really steep. Most of the climbs are long and gradual, with lots of switchbacks, so not as tough as it could be. There were some fantastic road surfaces, with beautiful smooth tar in many places. There were also some road surfaces which required special attention, and really justified the mountain bike (tyres) Many dogs around many of the places we visited, but none of them were bothered at all about cyclists.  A couple even jogged along next to the bike for a few kms. It is not a race. Take your time on some of the stages. Take some pictures. You may not be back to such an amazing place again. Remember to look behind you! The 24 mile climb up from Leh to the top of Khardung La is not for the faint hearted! There was solid snow and ice across the road at the top! We were a day ahead of the snow over the last pass before Leh. The next morning looking back it was covered! So you could be unlucky. Do the first day extension down to the monastery south of Manali (it was the longer of the two options but a great start to the trip). It may rain, and if it does at the top of a pass, you could get VERY cold cycling down. Be prepared to be held up by flocks of goats and sheep on the road :) All paces were catered for, although for the group of nine, there was only one staff member cycling. The support bus did a good job of hanging on at the back, and you could leave some gear on it when required. Camping Most of the camping locations were in beautiful settings. The tents had seen better days, and a night of rain resulted in some with pools of water inside. Be prepared for some not so flat tent locations, both gradient and lumps!  Food If you like Indian food, you will love big parts of this trip. Try and buy a nan bread straight off the oven wall from the street in Leh where all the bakers and cheese shops are. During the camping I was pleased with the quality of the food, although that was not shared by all the group. There was plenty of it. I ate a huge amount and still lost 5kgs on the trip.  High altitude can do strange things to you!!! A number of people brought snacks from home. Washing  There is the opportunity in a couple of places to have a wash in a river. Bowls of water provided early morning to wash away the cobwebs. Culture  Probably worth while finding out a bit about Buddhism before going out, as you will visit a few monasteries. Travel The train trip to Chandigarh was way better than expected. Air con, seats and meals supplied! Be prepared for a hair raising truck ride to Manali. Narrow roads, tight bends, many lorries and a few accidents along the way. The minibus (main mode of transport before the cycling started) was a bit cramped. New Delhi  Go to the old part of the town for a better flavour of the local life. Travel in a Tuk Tuk. It is great fun. General Despite being told otherwise before the trip, it was possible to recharge battery via cigarette lighter in support bus. Be respectful of those who may not want their picture taken. Not so much wildlife, but there is some there if you look for it! It was all plastic bottled water that we drank whilst cycling.  That is what they gave us, despite what the trip notes said about responsible tourism. The bit I really didn't get was after spending 11 days above 3000m, going up the steps of the hotel in Leh we still got out of breath!FINAL NOTE: Having done the High Passes of Everest trekking last November, we found this cycling tougher. If you have not quite decided see http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahndi/sets/72157635544522431/  

MANALI TO LEH RIDE

A trip of a lifetime. Agonisingly hard at times on the way up. Joyful and endless descents. A challenging but totally amazing trip. The scenery on the clear days was stunning.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Reaching the top of the Taglang La. This was so special individually but also as a group. It meant I would complete the whole ride from Manali to Leh as did the whole group. Going up the Khardung La 2 days later was an additional bonus.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our leader Jangbu was great. Quietly in the background he supported us at all times. Good daily briefings -"a little up" was a common phrase. He helped around camp with bike maintainance, tent construction, food delivery and wake up calls. He was extremely fit. He managed the group well as we had a wide range of abilities from the exceptionally fast to the exceptionally slow. He was to be found at the top of all the passes smiling and congratulating us even in driving freezing rain.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

This trip is totally achievable with a bit of training. Take it slow, enjoy the views and and just concentrate on getting the oxygen in. We took our own bikes which was great. The hire bikes were in good condition but somehow having my own bike gave me that extra bit of confidence. Pack to expect hot and cold. Winter leggings and summer shorts were often needed on the same day. Take winter and summer gloves as the descents could be very cold. we had snow, rain and blazing hot days. A selection of your own snacks may be a good idea but there were lots of places selling very cheap chocolate. We bought a very sugary concentrate in Manali to add to our water. An essential energy source on those long long climbs.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would recommend this trip to anyone with a good degree of fitness and a sense of adventure. It's not for the faint hearted. Ensure you have some medication to deal with dodgy tummies and consider taking diamox with the altitude.

MANALI TO LEH RIDE

This is the ultimate cycling challenge with progressively higher passes, stunning Indian Himalyan panoramas  fast-paced, white knuckle downhills and diverse culture. Mountain bikes have the edge over any other form of transport for this route and, although the weather is famously unpredictable, we were blessed with blue skies and warming rays above 5000m entire ride. Expertly led and the group more resembled a team by the end with great moments of comraderie ontop of the passes.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Deep into the wilderness on our 7th day of riding, the sense of isolation had really sunk in. The terrain had turned almost lunar and we hadn't come across a soul all day. We carved our way through gorges and snaked down exhilerating trails, whilst mutli-coloured rock towered over. Verging on technical riding, plumes of dust chased each rider as they discovered new untouched lines and the bikes stood strong. After a short 5km ascent, we break out into the Mori Plains at 4700m onto the waterless high altitude desert of the Tibetan Plateau. At this height to be faced with hundreds of miles of desert, cast against the azureous blue sky, the spectacle was absolutely disarming. Reaching Khardung La, acclaimed to be the highest motorable pass in the world at 5602m, was the cherry on the cake. Thoroughout the climb, the panoramic views of the Stok Range whisked away the breathe more than the altitude itself. Purely an optional day, those who chose to ride tackled it with gusto and the team spirit made this day all the more enjoyable. We were greeted almost as celebrities at the top by the public who driven up and the sense of satisfaction was riper than ever. Only one thing left to do... plummet 34km back down on the rollercoster roadback to Leh for a well-earned beer.

What did you think of your group leader?

Essentially we had two leaders on this trip, Jambu and Shelish and they both brought a huge amount of experience and good-nature to the table. Jambu, a professional mountain biker and victor of Everest, led the group with passion and good-humour. Shelish, also an experienced trekker and rider took up the rear and never stopped laughing and telling tales. They worked very closely toegther and kept us well-informed each evening of the next days ride and what to expect. Their experience was felt throughout the group and any concerns regarding altitude were quelled from the outset. I'd love to trek with them both one day.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Consider the three main factors of this trip; altitude, fitness and the elements. Throughout this tour, you spend prolonged periods at altitudes between 4000-5000m. The itinerary however is designed around a ride high, sleep low concept which plays a big part in combatting the effects of altitude. Rehydration is the key along with finding the pace that suits you. The leaders are fully trained and experienced in noticing early signs of altitude sickness and take it very seriously. We all suffered from erratic sleeping patterns, dizziness and headaches at some stage but that comes with the territory. You should be confident in your fitness. Training on prolonged uphill stretches is very worthwhile and having confidence on the bike over rough terrain will help considerably. The riding days feel longer and the ascents can be tough in the heat, but stops are made regularly to refuel the body and rest. The support vehicle that follows behind the group can be flagged down and used at any point. We were very lucky but unpredictable weather conditions should be expected. Pack wisely with waterproofs, cycling gloves, buffwear and suncream. The early starts in the mornings can be very cold for the first hour and my cycling tights (as non-flattering as they may be) were a godsend.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This is a tour abundant in superlatives and high on adrenaline. It came as close to cycling on Mars, opened my eyes to so many fascinating cultures and challenged me to the max. I can't recommend it enough!

MANALI TO LEH RIDE

One of the most amazing bikeable roads  in the world.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Not sure I'd hold with a trip being 'inspirational', but there were plenty of cycling moments that had some of us shouting with joy. The endless descent from Tanglang La on the most amazing virgin blacktop, the canyon descent at the end of the longest day, the half days when we could just lay on our  backs and watch the clouds dissolve. The crawl through the mud and traffic jams on Rohtang La was also extremely entertaining.  The landscape is, by far, the most striking element of this ride, always changing and always spectacular. Even if you're not a sightseer, the working monasteries in Ladakh are pretty amazing, too.

What did you think of your group leader?

Both group leaders were great guys and far better cyclists than any of us.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You might want to think about joining the trip at Manali - you're more likely to get a bug on the two day overland transfer from Delhi than at any other time during the trip and Kullu/Bhuntar is only 90 minutes from Delhi by air. Also, Exodus use Jet Air for all flights and their policy on carrying bikes is confusing and inconsistently applied. Worst case is getting charged £150 each way to take your own bike. If you are travelling with your own bike, ask exodus to provide the full T & C's fpor the flight so you can make sure you can meet them (a well packed bike in a bike bag may well count as part of your luggage allowance, a boxed bike most definitely will not) or book your own flight. You will need a hardtail MTB with front suspension and XC tyres - I took rigid forks and really missed my suspension forks on the jeep track downhills.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

MANALI TO LEH RIDE

This holiday provided the greatest the ultimate cycling holiday. Its simple as that!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

To experience the vastness of the worlds greatest mountain range makes one feel rather humble.

What did you think of your group leader?

Leaders and staff simply the best.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Yes Don't underestimate the challenge and put in plenty practice. I personallybuilt up my fitness over an eight month period. Its not a joyride. So prepare well. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Don't pay heed to any moaning minnies. This holiday is simply the best. I still find nearly two months after this trip that life is one big anti climax Age is no barrier as long as one is fit for the dailly challenges. So GO FOR IT.

MANALI TO LEH RIDE

A great trip over one of the world's great roads , If your looking for a challenge this trip would certainly tick the box.Great Leaders and excellent company during the the trip .

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Getting to the top of the Taglang La pass 5350m  and the superb downhill on the other side.

What did you think of your group leader?

Excellent + plus Deputy.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Dont underestimate the effect's of altitude and train for this trip , the hills go on and on on !!.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Go for it .

MANALI TO LEH RIDE

It is important to understand in advance just how physically gruelling this trip is. I cycle 500-600 km per month but only managed to cycle up 2 of the 6 passes without assistance, and had to sit out one day completely due to a combination of altitude, heat stroke and diarrhoea. The scenery is great but you spend a lot of time looking at your front wheel.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

MANALI TO LEH RIDE

Our trip was reversed due to a land slip near Manali to give chance for the road to be repaired so we flew into Leh and cycled to Manali.  This is a classic trip along one of the worlds most awesome roads.  Not for the faint hearted - cycling days were long and the temperature varies from boiling hot to freezing and can change rapidly, and of course the altitude makes it feel that much harder, but a must do for anyone who loves cycling and is confident about their fitness.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Getting to the top of the worlds highest pass at 5600m and second highest pass at 5300m! Quite an achievement on a push bike! Also the 30 miles of downhill into Manali!

What did you think of your group leader?

Very good, very professional with good organisational skills.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You do get cumulatively tired as the trip progresses - if your trip is reversed like ours was (I think Exodus were thinking of permanently reversing it which I think is a good idea as it means less overall climbing) don't burn yourself out on the first couple of days which involve the longest climbs at the highest altitude. Camps are generally by streams so there is the opportunity to wash when you get to camp.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This has to be one of the most awesome cycling trips I have done for the sheer scale, and the fabulous journey along one of the worlds highest motorable roads. It was especially good as whilst cycling you go from A to B with no mandatory road transfers so you get to cycle the whole way from Leh to Manali if you want to.  It was VERY well organised and catered for people going at different speeds with enough guides to cope with this so there was no pressure to hang back if you want to go fast or pressure to speed up if you want to go slower and stop to take photos etc.  You don't have to be a fitness fanatic, as long as you are confident about the long days on a bike, and have some basic off road skills as the roads are quite bad in places.  It is tough though - wake up tea whilst camping is at 6am, cycling at 7.30am, and then a long day, so don't expect lie ins or leisurely starts, and do expect to feel quite tired after this holiday.  It is fully supported however and there is an option to go on the bus at any stage.

Unbelievable

This trip is not for the faint-hearted! You will be both physically and mentally challenged, in the best way possible. Do not underestimate how fit you have to be, not necessarily cycle fit but general aerobic fitness should be high. It is a trip of a lifetime and one you wont forget in hurry - it's one of the best trips I've ever done.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Getting to the top of Khardung La. I highly recommend you do this (it's optional), even if you get to Leh and can't bear the thought of sitting on a bike again. You're only there once and you will regret not doing it. You can see K2 from the top on a clear day, it's by far the hardest but most rewarding things I've ever done.

What did you think of your group leader?

Jangbu Sherpa was an exceptional leader. I don't think he was out of breath for the whole trip! ALways smiling and very encouraging.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Get fit. Have a comfy roll mat and a warm sleeping bag. Take clothes/suncream for all weather conditions. A camelbak is vital. Immodium. You don't need to pack a huge number of cycle tops (only 2 or 3) as you can wash them on the way/wear them dirty! Loose trousers are useful for women for visiting monasteries/in Delhi. A book as we often got to the campsite early and could relax. The air is not crisp and clean...the road is busy and therefore lots of fumes and dust. It's important you don't get the idea you will be cycling in quiet, clean mountain air!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Do this trip!

MIH August 2016

An amazing trip, but not for the faint-hearted! I have experience of climbing 3000 m/day in Europe, but the effect of high altitude is not to be under-estimated. The trip is hard! The mountains are big, some of the valleys very deep, and there's the transition from the cedar forests of Manali to the desert of Ladakh. There's some velvet black-top and some truly appalling roads under construction - no engineered surface at all. Even a few streams to ford.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Getting to the top of the Khardung La. Even though it's not actually as high as claimed (my GPS reckoned 5385 m), it's still a very long climb from Leh at 3500 m. The descent goes on for ever. The descent down the valley/gorge from the Baralacha La is pretty mind-blowing too.

What did you think of your group leader?

Valerie had a very good knowledge of the region and was also well able to manage the various ills that beset the group during the trip. Ringzin was good at keeping a pace that could be sustained all day.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You don't get forests unless it rains! We had some seriously wet weather for the first few days of the trip and were starting to despair of ever getting dry. Don't rely on washing and drying your kit every day.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Manali to Lei, July 8-24, 2016

This was a fantastic trip - so glad I signed up! Logistics were great. Food was excellent, and the camping was lots of fun. We had a great group that got along so well. Very motivated to do another Exodus trip.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Viewing the Karakorum ridge from the top of the Khardung La, including K2 and Gasherbrum I - unforgettable!

What did you think of your group leader?

Jangbu Sherpa was an excellent leader. He briefed us thoroughly on each day's journey, and introduced us to the culture and food. I especially enjoyed our visits to the monasteries.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The sun is strong at altitude, so for those sensitive to burns, light layers for the arms can help.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I'd suggest adding lights to the equipment list. On occasion, in our case on the Rhotang La, it can be foggy and misty. A blinking rear light would be good for added safety!

Ultimate Bike Trip

It really is like no other place you will cycle. Each day takes that bit longer as you marvel at the scenery.You worry that you will not be able to remember the unique landscapes. Everything as usual is slick and well planned. BUT, the altitude can catch you out, listen to the guides, with the emphasis on take it easy, dont push too hard!! Did we listen? No!. We road too hard and felt the effects. But some TLC from the guide and we were back to form next day!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Cresting the Baralaccha Pass and seeing the blue skies and amazing high altitude ranges stretching beyond. Descending the TanglangLa, and the remoteness of the trip, far away from civilisation. Check the photos!

What did you think of your group leader?

We had two great guides Valerie,sweeping from behind and 'Riczun' leading up front. Both amazingly knowledgeable and supremely competent.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You need to love cycling, be very fit to enjoy the trip, and do as you are told-don't race up the mountains, it is not the Uk or even the Alps!!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Having cycled with Exodus in Vietnam and Morocco this feels like the natural next step. As you can see from the previous reviews everyone is unanimous in their thrill of completing the trip.

Diederik

Fietsen in een geweldige omgeving, uitdagend door de hoogte, cultuur snuiven en een prima verzorging door de staf. Goede hotels en mooie campingspots. De huurfiets was van goede kwaliteit.