TOUR PROSPECTUS
This prospectus sets out the contents of the tour and together with the
Booking Conditions and Booking Form is the basis of our contract with you.
Kashmir and Ladakh Explorer
23 August – 9 September 2013
Tour 1342
Tour
08xx
This is a new adventure tour combining one of the World’s classic bike rides through Kashmir
and Ladakh
with the
remote Shyok and Nubra Valleys beyond Leh in the India Himalaya. After flying from Delhi into Srinagar, our first
ride will be over the formidable Zoji La (3545m). As we travel east towards Leh we’ll cross two more high passes.
On route, we can visit two of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, at Lamayuru and Alchi. After a well earned rest
day in Leh, we will tackle the very high passes east and north of Leh entering the Nubra Valley by way of the Wuri
La (5280m). Descending into the valley, we follow the Shyok river to Hundar before returning to Leh via the
Khardung La (5360m) the World’s highest motorable road. There are two long days but generally mileages are
modest, but the long climbs, occasional rough surfaces and altitude combine to make this a very challenging and
rewarding tour for fit adventure cyclists. There are 6 nights fully supported camping, and 9 nights in hotels and 1
night in basic monastery accommodation. Vehicle support throughout.
Itinerary
Fri 23 Aug
Fly from London Heathrow on Virgin Airways flight VS300 to Delhi, departing 2200.
Sat 24 Aug
Arrive Delhi at 1100. Vehicle transfer from airport to hotel. Stay 1 night.
Sun 25 Aug
Fly from Delhi to Srinagar. Short vehicle transfer to hotel in Srinagar. Unpack and assemble
bikes. Stay 1 night.
Mon 26 Aug
Cycle to Sonamarg. Stay 1 night (hotel)
Tues 27 Aug
Cycle over Zoji La (3545m) to Kargil. Stay 1 night (hotel)
Wed 28 Aug
Cycle over Namika La (3827m) and Fotu La (4105m) to Lamayuru. Say 1 night – basic
accommodation at the monastery.
Thurs 29 Aug
Cycle to Uletopko. Stay 1 night (hotel)
Fri 30 Aug
Cycle to Leh. Stay 2 nights (hotel)
Sat 31 Aug
Day at leisure in Leh.
Sun 1 Sept
Cycle to Rumptse. Stay 1 night (camp)
Mon 2 Sept
Cycle to Thak Tak. Stay 1 night (camp)
Tues 3 Sept
Cycle over Wuri La (5,280m) to Aghyam. Stay 1 night (camp)
Wed 4 Sept
Cycle to Deskit. Stay 2 nights (camp)
Thurs 5 Sept
Day at leisure to visit Deskit village and monastery and/or optional ride to Hunder to see
Bactarian camels.
Fri 6 Sept
Cycle to Khardung Village. Stay 1 night (camp)
Sat 7 Sept
Cycle to Leh via Khardung La (5360m) - claimed to be the highest motorable road pass in the
World. Prepare bikes for journey home. Stay 1 night (hotel)
Sun 8 Sept
Fly from Leh to Delhi. Vehicle transfer from airport to hotel. Stay 1 night
Mon 9 Sept
Vehicle transfer from hotel to Delhi airport. Fly from Delhi on Virgin Airways flight VS301 to
London Heathrow, departing 1315 and arriving London Heathrow 1755.
Luggage carrying
Support jeeps for the transfer of luggage will accompany the group on all moving on days, with space for
passengers and bikes should the need arise. Camping equipment will be transferred by jeep.
Accommodation and meals
Hotels will be 2-3*, half board, based on two sharing. The night at Lamayuru will be basic accommodation at the
monastery, half board, two sharing with shared facilities. 6 nights are spent in large, comfortable walk-in tents with
cots, two people sharing a tent. All camping kit will be supplied. Breakfast, lunch and evening meal are included on
all cycling days.
Price - £2595
The price is based on a minimum number of 16 participants taking part in the tour and is calculated at a rate of 83
rupees to £1 sterling (based on exchange rates published on www.x-rates.com on 5 October 2012; please note
Booking Conditions, clause 4). If there are insufficient bookings by the closing date of 15 June 2013, we will contact
you and return all monies paid, though in certain circumstances the tour may still run at below minimum numbers
but at the same price.
Price includes:
- Return flight from London Heathrow to Delhi
- Flight from Delhi to Srinagar and from Leh to Delhi
- Coach transfers in Delhi, Srinagar and Leh between airport and hotel
- Support vehicles to transfer luggage and camping equipment
- 9 night’s hotel accommodation, half board, sharing rooms
- 6 nights fully serviced camping, breakfast, lunch and dinner, 2 people
per tent
- 1 night basic accommodation at monastery, half board, sharing
rooms, shared facilities
- Supplies of mineral water, snacks and lunches on cycling days
- The services of an English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- Route information
- CTC Cycling Holidays & Tours costs
Price does not include:
- Travel to and from London Heathrow
- Meals in transit
- Drinks with lunches and evening meals
- Lunches on 4 days
- VISA costs – budget £40 (see leaders information)
- Gratuities for support crew – budget £30
- Any other personal expenses
- Travel Insurance
Payment schedule
A deposit of £250 per person must accompany the Booking Form and an
interim payment of £500 per person is due by 31 March 2013. The final
balance of £1845 per person is to be paid ten weeks prior to departure, by
15 June 2013. Cheques should be made payable to CTC Tours or
complete the credit/debit card slip in the booking pack.
Cancellations
Should you be forced to cancel your booking for any reason you must
notify us in writing. Cancellation charges are as follows:
Written notice received:
Cancellation charge:
Before 31 March 2013
Deposit
(£ 250)
31 March 2013 to 15 June 2013
30%
(£ 750)
16 June 2013 through to departure
100%
(£2595)
To make a booking
Complete, sign and return the Booking Form together with your
deposit and the relevant part of the Travel Insurance Declaration Form
directly to the leader (address on Booking Form).
Passports, Visas and Health
EU citizens must hold a
passport that is still valid for at
least six months at the end of
the tour. A visa is required for
EU passport holders. Holders of
non-EU passports are advised
to check whether they require a
visa.
There are no compulsory
vaccinations for EU residents
although it is strongly
recommended that you are
vaccinated against: Typhoid;
Hepatitis A and B. Tetanus and
polio vaccinations should also
be up to date at the time of
travel. You should contact your
doctor at least 3 months prior to
travel to obtain these
vaccinations and the latest
advice to travellers.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking that
you are adequately insured for
this tour.
Whether you already hold a
policy or will be taking out a
new one, the cover it offers
must be comparable to that
stated in clause 8 of the
Booking Conditions, and you
must complete the enclosed
Insurance Declaration Form
and return it with your Booking
Form.
CTC Cycling Holidays & Tours
Ltd can accept no responsibility
for any costs you may incur due
to insufficient insurance cover.
CTC Cycling Holidays & Tours Ltd, Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 9JX
LEADER’S INFORMATION SHEET
The information below is given by the tour leader to
help enquirers decide if the tour is suitable for them.
Kashmir and Ladakh Explorer
23 August – 9 September 2013
Tour 1342
The area covered by the Tour
Until the 19th century there was a rough trade route between Srinagar and Leh. Now, thanks to the Border
Roads Organisation, there is a good road and this has become one of the World’s classic, must do, bike
rides. Starting in Srinagar on the shore of Lake Dal and surrounded by verdant mountains, the road winds
through the Himalaya through stunning scenery, crossing three high passes, each higher than the last, which
will aid acclimatization, before reaching Leh, the capital of Ladakh. There will be time to visit two of Ladakh’s
oldest monasteries on route, at Lamayuru and Alchi. Geographically isolated by the Tibetan plateau to the
north and the heart of the Himalaya to the south, Ladakh existed for centuries as an independent Buddhist
kingdom. It is now India’s most northern state.
After a rest day in Leh, we’ll take the road south passing close to Stok, Hemis and Thikse Monasteries and on
through a geologically stunning gorge to the first campsite at Rumptse, an idyllic village at the base of the
Taglang La. It will be harvest time and the rural scene is a wonderful sight.
From Rumptse, we backtrack to Karu were we turn off north-east heading for our first very high pass, the Wuri
La. There are spectacular views of the Greater Himalaya and the Karakorum ranges. A long descent will take
us into the Shyok and Nubra Valleys, a fabulous high altitude desert, encircled by lofty mountains. It is lightly
populated by a hardy people, clinging to life where altitude and climate permit road travel and access to the
outside world for only 4 months of the year.
The Shyok River, fed only by glacial melt water, is the life blood or this area and runs like a silver thread
through wind sculptured sand dunes. Three more camps will get us to the well preserved monastery town of
Deskit where we spend 2 nights. There will be the opportunity to explore the village and monastery or/and
cycle out and back to Hundar where we will see, and perhaps ride, the double-hump Bactarian Camels,
descendants of the silk route era.
Our return to Leh is by way of the Khardung La. This is a monster climb over the World’s highest motorable
road. At 5360 meters it is the same height as Everest base camp in Nepal and higher than Everest base
camp in Tibet! We will complete this climb over 2 days by camping in the village of Khardung, approximately a
third of the way up the pass. Khardung is one of the World’s highest permanently occupied villages, a gold
and green oasis in stark contrast with the surrounding peaks.
At the summit, a very emotional celebration will be followed by the huge descent into Leh.
This is a unique and demanding tour. Your endeavors will be rewarded with spectacular scenery and the
satisfaction of having cycled the World’s highest motorable road.
Rides and rest days
This tour is best suited to experienced enthusiast cyclists with a sense of adventure. Daily mileages are
reasonable and allow for adequate altitude acclimatization and the difficult terrain. There are several very long
climbs, and road surfaces are poor over passes. Re-routing or itinerary changes are a possibility in the
Himalaya. There are rest days for sightseeing in Leh and Deskit.
Altitude
Travellers to the Himalayas may suffer breathlessness and headaches before becoming acclimatized. It is
important to be cycling fit at the start and to take things gently at first and to drink plenty of water. When
climbing high passes, you may experience breathlessness, headaches, mild nausea and/or lack of appetite
until your body adjusts to the elevation. These symptoms generally disappear after a few days.
Accommodation / Meals
We will use a mixture of 2-3 star hotels, basic monastery accommodation and camping. All camping
equipment, large 2 man tents, cots, bedding, hot water for washing and 3 meals per day are provided, but
bring a torch. Tents are erected and dismantled by the support team and food is varied and plentiful.
Visas
It is necessary that all travellers to India obtain a tourist visa before departure from the UK. All applications
have been outsourced to VFS Global – see http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/ – where application forms can be
completed online. Budget £40.
Group information
The maximum group size will be 20 including the leaders.
Weather and Clothing
Temperatures and climate vary according to the altitude. The summer days are warm with brilliant blue skies
(max 25°C. min 10°C), but the weather in mountainous areas can be very unpredictable. Come prepared for
chilly evenings and a small possibility of rain or even snow. Early morning starts and descents at altitude
require good quality weather gear.
Cycles / Equipment
A lightweight mountain bike or sturdy touring bike will be suitable if well maintained and fitted with good
wheels and fairly wide road tyres. You will not need to carry luggage, but a bar bag or rack-top pack will be
useful for spare clothing, camera, sun lotion, snacks etc. You should be able to carry 2 water bottles. It is
advisable to fit a calibrated cycle computer, as this will aid navigation. Lights should not be necessary. Each
participant will be expected to carry sufficient spares and tools to deal with punctures and minor repairs. Once
we leave Delhi, cycle spares will not be available on route. Helmets are not mandatory but if you do not intend
to wear one, please check that your travel insurance
will cover you in the event of a claim.
Money
There will be very few opportunities to spend money
other than in Delhi and Leh. Currency can be
exchanged for Indian Rupees at Delhi airport. Daily
drinks and snacks should cost no more than £10 per
day; budget £30 for crew tips.
Maps
There should be no difficulty with route finding. A
map showing the route will be provided.
Travel Insurance and Advice
Make sure you have read Clause 8 in the Booking Conditions. Travel insurance which covers you for high
altitudes and cycle touring is essential. Before booking you should check the Foreign Office ‘Travel Advice by
Country’ at www.fco.gov.uk or on 0845 850 2829.
About the leaders
We are both enthusiastic cyclists and have been CTC members for 21 years. We have led tours to many
worldwide destinations and have cycled in Ladakh several times. Each year we look forward to the reunion
with regular travelling companions but also get great satisfaction from introducing new members to the unique
camaraderie of CTC holidays. We do not have a set style of leadership but adapt to suit the needs of the
group. We encourage all prospective participants to contact us to talk through the tour prior to booking.
John and Pat Ashwell
2 The Retreat, Off Camp Road
Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS23 2EN
Tel: 01934 746638 - Mob: 07766 091627
comebiking@btinternet.com
www.comebiking.com
Kashmir and Ladakh Explorer
Detailed Itinerary
H = hotel
Date
From – To
Fri 23 Aug
Heathrow Delhi
Sat 24 Aug
Arrive Delhi
Sun 25 Aug
Delhi Srinagar
Mon 26 Aug
Cycling
kms
C = camping M = basic monastery
Maxi alt.
(metres)
H, C
or M
Sleeping
alt
(metres)
Notes
Fly from London Heathrow on Virgin Airways
flight VS300 to Delhi, departing 2200.
200
H
200
Arrive Delhi 1100. Vehicle transfer from airport
to hotel.
0
1626
H
1626
Transfer to Delhi domestic airport for flight to
Srinagar. Short vehicle transfer to Srinagar.
Assemble bikes.
Srinagar Sonamarg
83.5
2742
H
2742
An uphill day.
Tues 27 Aug
Sonamarg Kargil
127
3541
H
2720
A tough ascent of the Zoji La followed by a long
descent to Kargil. A long day!
Wed 28 Aug
Kargil Lamayuru
108
4105
M
3529
Climb 1000m out of Kargil to summit Namika
La. Short descent followed by 500m climb to
summit of Fotu La then downhill to Lamayuru.
Thurs 29 Aug
Lamayuru Uletopko
47
3529
H
3000
An easy ride.
Fri 30 Aug
Uletopko - Leh
71
H
3563
The road undulates over two small passes
before the final climb up to Leh
Sat 31 Aug
Leh
0
H
3563
Sun 1 Sept
Leh - Rumptse
80
4219
C
4219
The road undulates downwards past chortens
and monasteries to the Indus river at Upshi
then climbs through a spectacular gorge to the
pretty village at Rumptse.
Mon 2 Sept
Rumptse –
Thak Tak
73
4219
C
3800
We descend to Upshi and after 13kms turn right
at Karu onto a road less travelled. It is gently
uphill to the campsite at Thak Tak at the base
of the Wuri La.
Tues 3 Sept
Thak Tak –
Wuri La Aghyam
75
5300
C
3400
The day begins with a 1500m climb over
approx. 25kms to the summit of the Wuri La
followed by a long descent to the campsite at
Aghyam.
Wed 4 Sept
Aghyam –
Deskit
60
3400
C
3200
A short undulating ride – no major passes.
Thurs 5 Sept
Deskit
0
3400
C
3200
Day at leisure to visit Deskit monastery and
explore village. Optional short ride to Hunder to
see double hump camels.
Fri 6 Sept
Deskit –
Khardung
Village
44
3900
C
3900
Easy for the first 20kms. 700 meters
accumulative climb, approx. 6% grade.
3500
3563
Sat 7 Sept
Khardung
Village Khardung La Leh
70
5360
H
(Khardung La)
3563
From Khardung Village it is 32kms to the
summit of the Khardung La, the highest
motorable road in the World, taking you to a
dizzy 5360 metres! A fitting end to a
challenging bike ride. The view from the top is
spectacular, stretching from the Indus valley in
the South over the endless peaks and ridges of
the Zanskar range to the giants of the Saser
Massif in the North. You can feel proud of a
true achievement as you finish the trip with a
fantastic 38kms descent into Leh.
Pack bikes for journey home.
Sun 8 Sept
Leh - Delhi
Mon 9 Sept
Delhi –
Heathrow
0
H
Transfer to Leh airport for the flight back to
Delhi
Fly from Delhi on Virgin Airways flight VS301 to
London Heathrow, departing 1315 and arriving
London Heathrow 1755.