Kullu Manali – Kullu valley, also known as the “Valley of Gods”, is located on the banks of the Beas River surrounded by towering peaks.
Breif Description Of The Program :
Kullu Manali – Kullu valley, also known as the “Valley of Gods”, is located on the banks of the Beas River surrounded by towering peaks. Manali, (6400 ft), an ancient town in the lap of Kullu Valley, is a flourishing orchard industry, a popular tourist destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for adventure lovers. Manali’s major assets are its beautiful landscapes, lush green valleys, meadows of wild flowers, and fruit laden orchard. You will also love to watch captivating view of snow capped mountain peaks.
Leh- Leh Ladakh, a part of Jammu & Kashmir State in north of India It is at a distance of 474 kms from Manali and 434 kms from Srinagar. Leh has a cold desert climate but has picturesque scenery.Major tourist attractions are – Shanti Stupa, Hemis Gompha, Leh Palace, Pangyong lake, Tsomoriri lake,Turtuk,Hunder,Khardungla pass, Nubra Valley.
Purpose : The purpose of the expedition is to cycle through world’s most hazardous and difficult terrain on mountain bikes. They will cover the distance in 12 nights/13days climbing 5 high passes . Also after swimming this is the second best non-impact exercise in the world. Also we aim to inspire the spirit of National integration with the fun of Adventure sport.
Schedule Of Programme :
Day-1 : Reporting at 15 Miles Base camp.
Participants have to report at 15 Miles base camp before 3 p.m. Evening time is at leisure,Participants can take a stroll in delightful surroundings or rest in their respective tents.
Day-2 : Acclimatization and Test Ride.
Today we will allot the bikes & riding gear amongst the particpants and later head for an acclimatization ride to Nagger castle.
Day-3 : 15 Miles to Marhi (3360 mt)(49 km)
Ride to Marhi will test your endurance as it’s a relentless climb to the top.Most riders say that this patch is the most difficult on the Manali-Leh journey.
Day-4 : Marhi to Sishu (3100 mt)(45km).
On the way to Sishu you will cross Rohtang Pass. Post crossing Rohtang Pass the ride is mostly Downhill all the way to our base camp in Sishu.
Day-5 : Sishu to Jispa (3200mt)(53km).
Ride to jispa is nothing short of magical as you will encounter massive peaks in the distance while you yourself will be zipping through a few.Our campsite in jispa is next to a river and it makes you forget of all the pain you went through.
Day-6 : Jispa to Zing Zing Bar (4270mt)(31km).
Ride to Zing Zing Bar is relatively easy as you will be riding downhill and flat on a few patches while riding on a imposing climb on a few patches.
Day-7 : Zing Zing Bar to Sarchu Plains (4290mt)(54km).
Ride to Sarchu Plains take you through Baralacha la, the uphill climb is fairly low on gradient levels.The ride post climbing the pass is downhill and flat uptill the basecamp.Today you will cross Himachal and enter ladakh territory.
Day-8 : Sarchu Plains to Whisky Nala (4700mt)(48km).
Today’s ride will take you past the famous Gata loops and Nakeela Pass on your way to Whisky Nala.Post crossing Nakeela Pass you ride downhill all the way to our campsite.
Day-9 : Whisky Nala to Debring (4240mt)(79km).
Ride to Pang is relatively short distanced as you cross Lachung la pass on the way .The downhill ride post lachung la pass is fairly straight with a few hairpin bends in between.Ride from Pang to Debring starts with an uphill climb but post that it is all flat surface throughout Morey plains. The landscape will give you a feel of Martian surface.
Day-10 : Debring to Rumtse (4100mt)(46km).
Ride from Debring to Rumtse is an uphill ride until Tanglang la pass.Post tanglangla the downhill ride takes you multiple hairpin bends which test your braking and maneuvering skills.
Day-11 : Rumtse to Leh (3500mt)(76km).
The Ride up till Leh is relatively long but it’s mostly downhill and flat. The Distance you will cover today won’t make you break any sweat as you have conquered more treacherous routes than this one.
Day-12 : Leh to Khardung la Pass (5359mt)(40km).
Participants have to reach Khardungla in a single-day ride and be back at Leh basecamp.
Day-13 : Check out after Breakfast
After being on an Adventure of a lifetime and creating countless memories on the way, the group disperses post-breakfast.
Who can Participate : This expedition is open to YHAI members – Preferred age group is 18 years to 60 years with excellent mental and physically fit condition. This condition will be adhered strictly. Under age will not be considered in any case. They must also be willing to undertake the rough conditions of camp life and smile through the stress and strain in high altitude(less oxygen).Right of selection is reserved with YHAI.
How To Reach The Base Camp : Our base camp is at 15 Miles, near end of Span Resort. Get down at Ballu’s Cafe – Baba Deluxe Dhaba on the Delhi- Kullu Manali National Highway. Regular bus services are available from Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab to Kullu Manali. Nearest railheads are Ambala and Chandigarh. Nearest Airport is Bhuntar.
Note: There is no prepaid mobile service availability at Leh- Laddakh region, only postpaid (BSNL, Airtel) services are functional.
How to Participate :
Online Booking : Members desirous of joining this programme may apply online by paying requisite program fee along with online booking amount.
We accept Net Banking, Debit Card and Credit Card payment on www.yhaindia.org for online payments.
After successful transaction Admit Card will be generated. Participant has to carry “Admit Card”, “Trekking Medical Certificate” & “Membership Card”(Print out of temporary membership card may also be accepted) at the time of reporting to the Base Camp.
Offline Booking : Members desirous of joining this programme may apply on the prescribed “Trekking Registration Form” duly supported by a “Trekking Medical Certificate”, along with a Demand Draft of requisite amount of Rs:32000/-in favor of “Youth Hostels Association of India” payable at New Delhi. The Trekking registration Form, Trekking Medical Form and Demand Draft may be sent to following address:
Trekking Department, National Office
Youth Hostels Association of India
5, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri. New Delhi – 110021,
Contact No.: 7827999000
All Offline Booking confirmation is subject to availability of seats. National Office will send the Admit Card along with confirmation letter to the participant at the address mentioned in “Trekking Registration Form”.
Members can also apply through our YHAI Units or State Branch in their respective area.
N.B: Without admit card and Medical fitness Certificate do not claim your registration as confirmed.
Notice to Participant for any illness or injury:
YHAI Group Insurance cover is for accidental death or permanent disability only. You are advised to take personal insurance cover for your journey and other related matters. Extensive and painstaking preparations have gone into the planning of mountain biking routed for your safety. Our field staff and experienced camp leaders have been visiting the area to check all details. While every care has been taken to ensure safety, the Youth Hostels Association of India cannot be held responsible for any accident, illness and such other unforeseen eventualities.
Very important instructions to the participants
This program is only for experienced cyclists those:
1. Who have experience of multiple days cycling program
2. Who have knowledge of geared cycles.
3. Who have good balance on mtb cycles on rough terrain
4. Can do average cycling of 30-40 kms per day with continuous uphill and downhill terrain.
5. Minimum 4 months of rigorous cycling practice.
There will be a test ride and only those found fit and fulfilling the above criteria will be allowed to participate in the expedition. YHAI decision will be final and all participants have to abide by it. No refund is admissible in case of not passing the test ride or any medical reasons.
All participants are required to bring their original Photo ID proof as it will be required at various check posts during the program.
YHAI will provide :
1. tenting on sharing basis.
2. Simple vegetarian food.
3. Fully Equipped Medical team with Ambulance.
4. Oxygen cylinder at every camp.
5. Jeep.
6. Group Insurance.
While every care has been taken to ensure safety, the Youth Hostels Association of India cannot be held responsible for any accident, illness and such other unforeseen eventualities.
What Participants Should Bring Along :
Dress code : Cycling shorts/three quarters/tracks,dryfit/quickdry T-shirts, Jackets, Sun Cap, Trekking Shoes, Socks,
Accessories : Goggles, Sipper/1 Ltr water bottle/waterbags,Small tiffin box, Enameled or Steel Mug / tumbler, Plate, Spoon, pen knife,Cold Cream / Vaseline, Soap, Toilet Paper, Towel, Medicines (As per your personal requirement, which you regularly use at home and Crepe Bandage 4in*1, Micropore tape 1/2inch*1, Bandaids, Cough lozenges/ Kanthil or other, Vicks Vaporub, Coldarin, Clortrimazole cream and powder, Paracetamol*10 Mupirocin cream, Diclofenac gel, Lopamide*10, Azithromycin and Electral), Camera.
Equipment Provided By Yhai : MTB cycle /Helmet /Knee & Elbow guard /Cycling Gloves /Rucksacks /Reflector jackets.
Personal Cycling gloves/helmets can be brought along but we are providing the same.
Additional notes
Cycle safety & discipline : The cycles given are to be kept safe. Any damage/theft of cycles due to negligence of participant, the cost will be borne by the participant.
Behavior during camp : Participants are expected to behave cordially with each other and staff. Any misbehaviour/harassment will be a cause for check-out from camp and also being blacklisted from further YHAI camps.
Certificates : Participants, who successfully complete the trek and abide by the discipline of the program, will be awarded certificates.
Risk factor : This is a High risk Adventure programme involving cycling uphill/downhill on Himalayan Mountain passes with following risk factors:
1. High Altitude sickness
2. Fall during cycling leading to major/minor injuries.
3. Unforeseen events like Landslides, cloudbursts, storms.
YHAI will provide adequate assistance in above circumstances but cannot be held responsible for any risk mentioned or not mentioned above
Cancellation Rules :
1) Participants booked online will do online cancellation minimum 10 days prior to your reporting date.
2) Participants booked offline will inform their cancellation by email to trekking@yhaindia.org, minimum 10 days prior to your reporting date.
Only cancellation done as per above method will be eligible for credit shell. The below cancellation policy will however not be applicable if the request reaches short of 10 days prior to reporting date and shall not be eligible for credit shell.
Cancellation Policy :
1) In case you are unable to join the programme due to any reason, you will get a 100% Credit Shell of the participation fees which will be valid till December 2024. No refund will be applicable for any cancellation of seat.
2) If the next programme opted by you is cheaper, you may use the balance amount in any of the Trek till Dec 2024.
3) If the next opted programme is costlier, the trekker has to pay the differential amount.
4) Program opted using the Credit Shell cannot be cancelled again.
5) You may transfer your seat to your family members and friends also. The seats thus transferred cannot be retransferred or cancelled.
6) The credit shell can only be used in booking of adventure programs organised by YHAI. The credit shell will not be used in taking memberships and hostel bookings.
Note: If any program will be cancelled due to Natural Calamity / Government Restriction / Cancellation of Permission or any other reasons , Yhai will be accountable only for program fees and not other expenses which participants have made for joining the program. In these circumstances the decision for participation fees will be considered by the Yhai and will be bound to all.