Manali - Kishtwar - Anantnag Cycling Traverse
Trip Details
Trip Type: Cycling
Region: Kullu, Lahaul, Kishtwar and Kashmir
Grade: Challenging
Duration: 11 days
Max Altitude: 3978m
Batch Dates: Custom Trips Only July - Mid Sept
Manali - Kishtwar - Anantnag Cycling Overview
An 11 day trip that takes you from Manali, over the Rohtang Pass, into the Lahaul valley along the Chandrabhaga river to Kishtwar and onward over the Sinthan Top Pass to Anantnag in Kashmir. Few journeys cover as much variety of terrain. The trip starts from lush green Kullu as you make your way over the Rohtang Pass into Lahaul. We follow the Chandrabhaga river to cross Udaipur and the remote Pangi valley. From Pangi, we take one of the most scenic and challenging roads in the Himalayas to reach Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir. We start our ascent once again to reach Sinthan Top, the gateway to Kashmir and ride along nomadic huts and villages to reach the heart of the valley.
This trip can also be extended to cover the Mughal road and end in Jammu.
Trip Cost
This is a custom departure tour and so please write to us for prices and more info on this trek.
Manali - Kishtwar - Anantnag Cycling Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Manali
The participants arrive in Manali. Take the day to get acclimatised with your bike and for last minute preparations.
Day 02: Manali - Marhi (3400 m)
Distance: 35km
Duration: 5-7 hours
The journey starts from the smooth roads of Manali. We take a series of hairpin bends to leave the Pine and Deodar forests surrounding Manali, cycle through the villages of Palchan, Kothi and Gulaba to reach the alpine meadows at Marhi - the base of the Rohtang Pass. Camp here for the night.
Day 03: Marhi - Sissu (3200m)
Distance: 50 km
Duration: 5-6 hours
We start the day with a steep climb to the top of Rohtang Pass at nearly 4000m, our first pass on the trip. We cycle downhill to reach Koksar and then cycle along the Chandra river to reach Sissu.
Day 04: Sissu - Udaipur (3200m)
Distance: 70km
Duration: 6-7 hours
We continue on the Manali Leh highway and leave it at Tandi - the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers which form Chandrabhaga river or Chenab. We continue on a lesser travelled road on the Tandi - Kishtwar Road to reach Udaipur, one of the two big towns in the Pattan Valley. We stay in a guest house or camp overnight.
Day 05: Udaipur - Killar
Distance: 80 km
Duration: 8 hours
Cycle along the Chandrabhaga river today thorough a rocky and forested landscape. The route, for the most part, is a gradual ascent that take you deeper into the valley. We stop for the day in Killar, the biggest village in the Pangi region.
Day 06: Killar - Gulabgarh
Distance: 55 km
Duration: 7 hours
Today we get to see Kishtwar's stark beauty in all it's glory. We make our way on what is famously called the Cliffhanger road as it has been cut into the cliff with the Chandrabhaga flowing deep down in the valley. Quite a few steep ascents today until we reach the cliffhanger road. Gulabgarh in J&K is a big village on the banks of the river.
Day 07: Gulabgarh - Chowgan
Distance: 65 km
Duration: 6 - 7 hours
The road eases out today though it still remains fairly narrow. We make our way towards Chowgan, on the outskirts of Kishtwar town. Here the road bifurcates, one leads deeper into Kishtwar, Doda and down to Patni Top. We take the other route that continues onward to reach Kashmir.
Day 08: Chowgan - Chingam
Distance: 60km
Duration: 9 hours
Steady ascent today as we start gaining height again to make our way to Sinthan top. As we ascend towards Chingam, we leave the treeline and ride onward to get beautiful valley views.
Day 09: Chingam -Sinthan Top - Daksum
Distance: 50 km
Duration: 7 hours
We leave behind the barren, stark landscape of Kishtwar and cycle towards Sinthan Top, popularly called the gateway to Kashmir. As we keep gaining altitude today, the valley completely opens up. The Top usually has very few day visitors. The road improves drastically on the other side of the Pass and we make our way down to camp in the lush forests at Daksum.
Day 10: Daksum - Anantnag
Distance: 40km
Duration: 8 hours
Our last day cycling today. We leave from Daksum and take a long break at the Kokernag - famous for its springs and botanical gardens. From Kokernag, the route is mostly flat though the traffic increases until we reach the town of Anantnag. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 11: Anantnag - Srinagar
Transfer by car from Anantnag to Srinagar. You can choose to fly out of here or continue onward by road to Leh or Jammu. Trip Ends!
- Camping Tents, Kitchen tents, Sleeping bags (Holofill) and Carry mats.
- Nutritious, high-calorie, vegetarian food.
- Guide, cook and camp helpers.
- Logistics Vehicle like tempo traveller to carry all our equipment.
- Participants are not expected to carry any loads other than your personal knapsack containing a water bottle, camera and trail layers.
- Two people will be accommodated in one tent.
- Hotel accommodations in Manali, Udaipur and Anantnag in a budget hotel/ guesthouse
- All expenses of personal nature like drinks, tips, telephone calls, mineral water etc.
- Food in Hotels/Guesthouses
- Medical and evacuation expenses, we strongly recommend purchasing a suitable insurance cover.
- Mountain bike. (You could get your own cycles or could also rent from us.)
- Transport from Srinagar onward on Day 14
Clothing:
- Good quality waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Balaclava (thick fleece)
- Sun hat
- Cycle mitts
- Warm gloves - mountaineering gloves (waterproof outer, fleece inner) are good.
- Mid-weight fleece top
- Cycling tights (looser, "trackster" fit rather skin-tight lycra),
- Shorts
- Long sleeved shirt
- Travel trousers
- 2 wicking tee-shirts (synthetic or merino wool)
- Cotton tee-shirt for around town
- Long sleeved thermal top
- Thermal long johns
- 2-3 pairs underwear
- 2-3 pairs of standard socks
- 1 pair warm sock
Footwear:
- Cycling shoes, e.g. SPD's, if applicable (bring spare cleats)
- Trekking shoes and climbing shoes
- Flip-flops, Crocs or Sandals to wear around camp.
Pack:
- Main bag - soft shell duffle bag to be kept in the logistics vehicle.
- Day Pack 15 - 20 lts - You will use this to carry your camera, water bottle, Trail layers, trail food etc.
Accessories:
- A bike helmet
- Dark glasses (the sun is very strong),
- Camera
- A couple of spare passport photos photocopies of key documents. e.g., passport (data and visa pages),
- travel insurance policy
- Toiletries - Sunscreen SPF 40+, Moisturizer, Lip balm, Soap, Toilet paper
- Repair Kit (needle and thread).
- Headlamp/ Torch.
- Water Bottle- Ideally keep two bottles 1 litre each.
- Plastic Packing covers.