Manali to Jari, Indian Himalayas
This is the most technical mountain biking you'll find in Manali. A stunning tour, mostly off-road that will take you along winding roads through local villages, apple orchards and forest trails past beautiful waterfalls, and ancient sacred temples.
Riding between 30-50km each day over a mix of terrain, for this tour you'll need to be a competent mountain biker. We throw in challenges like a 7km, 800m climb, and a downhill ride over a 3km set of ancient steps used only by locals to reach Bikelimahadev - a temple nicknamed "the top of the world" - for it's amazing 360 degree views. For MTB nuts!
As featured in Australian Mountain Bike Magazine
Trip Details
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Jagatsukh to Naggar
Starting your tour from Nature Treat Homestay you'll cycle along the quiet road to Naggar. Today is not a technical mountain biking day, but you'll get plenty of climbing and altitude to keep you occupied. You'll also stop for lunch at the Naggar temple and for a visit at a local waterfall along the way to camp. Accommodation: camping.
Day 2: Naggar to Bikelimahadev Temple
A beautiful day on the bike today with the majority spent sailing along single track and fire trails through the forest. It's not all trees though, you'll have to stop to appreciate the glorious views out over the valley below, too. Today wraps up at Bikelimahadev Temple when there is an awesome, technical piece to play on. Accommodation: camping.
Day 3: Bikelimahadev Temple to Naggar
Today kicks off with a bang! 3km of ancient stone steps to really test your ability to stick. Once through this tricky section it's a mostly downhill roll back to Naggar, through small villages and on to Manali if you choose.
About the area
Indian Himalayas
For many, the Himalaya are synonymous with Nepal, but vast tracts of this magnificent range form the northern borders of India. From Ladakh in the northwest through to Darjeeling and Sikkim in the east, these beautiful mountains offer a diversity of scenery and culture unmatched anywhere.
The Himalayas stretch across six nations: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan. They are the source of three of the world's major river systems, the Indus basin, the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin and the Yangtze basin. The Himalaya mountain system is the planet's highest and home to the world's highest peaks with over 100 separate mountains exceeding 7200m.
Manali
Surrounded by high peaks in the beautiful green valley of the Beas River, with mountain adventures beckoning from all directions, Manali is a year-round magnet. Backpackers come to hang out in the hippie villages around the main town; adventurers come for trekking, climbing, mountain biking, canyoning, paragliding, rafting and skiing; and Indian families and honeymooners come for the cool mountain air and a taste of snow. - Lonely Planet
Accommodation
Camping
When camping you will stay in 2 man Alpine tents (sleeping bags and mattresses included). The camp will be set up with toilet, bathroom and dining tents, as well as chairs, tables and a generator for electricity. Camp staff will erect and dismantle the tents each day, cook all meals and wash up for you - all you need to do is relax. You'll be greeted each morning with freshly brewed Chai or coffee and each evening when you get to camp, snacks and a range of hot drinks. Consider it "glamping"!
We can organise your accommodation in Manali prior to, and after the tour, too. There are plenty of hotel/guesthouse options that we're more than happy to discuss with you.
Eating and Drinking On Tour
A cook will travel will be with you every step of the way and the food that they can produce from a little tent with little equipment is unbelievable. Meals will be included as stated in the itinerary (B,L,D) - this is all meals except those in Manali. Meals provided on the tour will be a range of Indian, Italian, Tibetan and Chinese with local produce used to showcase local delicacies.
You'll be woken in the morning to a fresh brew of coffee or tea and fed a full breakfast before commencing the day. Snacks and lunch are packed for you in the support Jeep with regular refuelling stops en route. After a long day on the road you'll be fed hot soup, pakora, fruit, tea and coffee as soon as you reach camp and an amazing spread of dishes for dinner each night in the dining tent.
Please contact us for total cost. The cost will vary on your exact itinerary.
The price of the tour includes:
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- All accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- Experienced local English-speaking guide
- Support crew including Jeep and cook
- First Aid support
- Bike hire
The price of the tour excludes:
- Travel Insurance
- Flights
- Accommodation in Manali
- Additional meals
- Any additional purchases, if required
Trip Extensions
Not ready to leave just yet?
Combine this tour with an amazing Himalayan trek, a stay at a beautiful hotel for some R & R or a trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
Fitness Levels
Due to the altitude and climbing this is a challenging tour and requires a good level of fitness. We can provide you with a training program written by Fitness Adventures' founder and Exercise Physiologist, Andy Pedashenko, to help improve your fitness prior to the tour - all you need to do is ask.
Support
This is fully guided tour with vehicle support at every stage of the tour. Under no circumstances will a rider be left alone to make their way to the next camp. All guides are trained in first aide and there will be a complete first aide kit including oxygen in case of emergency. There will also be mechanical help available at all times and a spare bike if required along the route.
What to bring?
The cost of this tour includes the hire of a Merida Matt 40 mountain bike and helmet. Please bring your own shoes, gloves and cycling kit. If you wish to bring your own bike, please let us know.
