Cycling the Manali - Leh Road
We cycled the Manali - Leh Road self-supported. Camped most nights and ate at makeshift dhabas. This was our first self-supported cycling trip and we had no clue what we were getting into.
This was 2010. The year Leh experienced floods. And we got stuck at Debring because Tanglang La was closed. Eventually we took a detour and reached Leh via Tso Kar and Mahe bridge. So it ended up being a longer than normal trip.
This really is a trip of a lifetime. If you are an avid cyclist this has to be on your list of to dos. The landscape is amazing - it changes from tropical to arid dusty high-altitude plateau (think Tibet). The altitude is stunning -- where else in the world do you cycle for days and never drop below 4,000 meters. The roads are non-existent -- I believe they have become somewhat better, but in this high mountain, every spring once the snow melts the there often is a surprise waiting for you.
A true adventure, especially if you go self-supported. You are guaranteed to meet amazing crazy people -- far crazier than you.
Map: Cycling the Manali - Leh Road
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Photos: Cycling the Manali - Leh Road
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