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| Stok Village during my Stok Kangri Trek |
I have more or less made up my mind that I will be attempting the Manali Leh cycling trip in next summer. I have been meaning to do this for a long time now. A few years, to be precise. But somehow it did not happen because I feel this type of journeys should be done with unlimited time. With retirement imminent now, I have that from October. I shall attempt it in late June or early July. Rana is in principle agreed to go with me but July might be difficult for him. Let's see.
I want to write down the plans as and when I read about them. There are many questions in my mind that are as of now unanswered. Must seek an answer to them before I go.
First Leg
I want to go by Rajdhani to Delhi. Take the HPTDC bus to Manali from there. Check into Hotel Neelkamal. Stay in Manali the next day. Cycle out the next day.
So
Day 1 train.
Day 2 Delhi (board bus to Manali)
Day 3 Reach Manali
Day 4 Rest in Manali
Day 5 Start the ride
The HPTDC bus starts from the Himachal House area. Not ISBT. The logic for taking HPTDC is to save on the cycle booking cost. They charge Rs 300.
Questions on Leg 1
How to carry the cycle and personal items. Option 1. Pack the cycle in carboard carton and book in train. Option 2. Pack cycle in shoulder bag and carry in compartment. This I have to check by actually doing it. Have the pack.
Regarding personal bags will have to stuff things in a large duffel bag that can be folded small while riding.
Leg 2 - The Ride
Day 1 - Manali to Marhi (Hotel - Whispering Point Dhaba. There might be other dhabas)
Manali - Palchan (11 km) - Gulaba (23 Km) - Rahalla - Marhi (36 km)
The route is bloody steep. All the way up. Everyone says that. From Palchan bifurcation, left one goes to Atal Tunnel. Right one goes towards Marhi and onwards to Rohtang. Marhi has many dhabas but everyone may not have accommodation for the night.
Day 2 - Marhi to Sissu (Tashi Yangkhil homestay. Town has a circuit house)
Marhi - Rani Nullah - Rohtang La (17 Km/5 hrs) - Gramphu - Koksar (31 Km) - Sissu (51 Kms)
Marhi to Rohtang La is all the way up. Obviously. After Rohtang road is downhill or marginally up. Koksar has shops for lunch.
Day 3 - Sissu - Gondhla - Tandi (bridge crossing) - Keylong - Gemur (river bank tents) - Jispa - Darcha (Himalayan Food Corner shack)
Sissu to Gondhla is uphill. Gondhla to Keylong is downhill. Keylong to Jispa is steep uphill. Jispa to Darcha is moderate.
Day 4 - Darcha - Patseo (tent available) - Lower Zingzing Bar (lunch available) - Upper Zingzing Bar (27 Km) - Snow View Dhaba
Mostly steep climb in high altitude
Day 5 - Upper ZZBar - (Suraj Tal) - Baralacha La - Bharatpur - Sarchhu (50 Kms) - Mountain View Hotel
Plans For Luggage
In terms of clothing, I think I will carry more or less what I carried to Darjeeling plus the Endura jacket and my Marmot half pants and perhaps two more dri-fit T-shirts and a few more socks. On top of this I will need to carry the tent, sleeping bag and foam mattress. I have half a mind to take only the red Ortliebs and not lug all the four bags. While going up I will put them on the front Duo, while going down I put them on the rear Logo rack. Of course the tent will have to be strapped to the rear rack but inside some rain cover. The Lowe Alpine bags are water resistant but not water proof. I have tested them out.
Of course, this time will have to carry a bit of dry food like dates and nuts etc which will need more space.
I must try out this set up during a practice trip before the actual journey. Perhaps to Darjeeling in March.
