Battling the highest pass of Fotu La - Cycling Expedition - Day 5

The first half of the day is all uphill cycling all the way to Fotu La (pass) also called TV tower. The view from this place is breathtaking. It was drizzling and was super cold. From here it is all the way downhill to Lamayuru with a viewpoint in between. It was so cold that my fingers were numb, literally frozen, and couldn't even change gear while riding.

Did not have to press hard on pedals as it was all downhill. By the way, Foto La s the highest point in this high altitude mountain biking expedition organized by the YHAI - Youth Hostel India. By the way, currently the program is known by the name Lamayuru Cycling Expedition.

Exploring Haniskot and Kanji

We had arrived in Haniskot the day before from Sakar and slept overnight in the Haniskot government guest house, which was still under construction at the time of my visit. We visited a secluded village called Kanji because we arrived early and had plenty of time to explore. It is a unique community filled with monasteries and kind people. If you're in Haniskot, you should definitely pay this establishment a visit.

Cycling uphill to Fotu La

The climb uphill to Fotu La had consumed all of our time on this particular day. The terrain is arid and seems desert-like, and the intense light may quickly tan your skin. Fortunately, the brilliant blue sky turned gloomy within an hour of leaving Haniskot. This made our uphill riding less strenuous. On the ride up to the Fotu La TV tower, there were a few little stores selling cool beverages and snacks.

Pass Crossing near Fotu La

By the time I got to the top, what had started as a drizzle had developed into severe rain. I was absolutely soaked, and the very cold weather made uphill riding and gear switching much more difficult. As you can see in the video, there is no protection of any type at the pass, so I had to seek cover behind a truck and begin my descent swiftly despite the rain.

Fotu La, also known as Fatu La, is a mountain pass on the Srinagar-Leh route in India's Zanskar Range in the Himalayas. It is the highest point on the roadway, at 4,108 metres, exceeding the famous Zoji La. Fotu La is one of two high mountain crossings that connect Leh and Kargil. The other is Namika La.

https://youtu.be/LybQElP1irk

Lamayuru Moonland of Ladakh

Cycling at Lamayuru

When you gaze at the distinctive terrain of Lamayuru, it is both enchanting and amazing. This is commonly referred to as the 'Moonland of Ladakh' or simply Lamayuru Moonland. It is located in Lamayuru, a community located around 100 kilometres from Leh on the Kargil-Leh route. The moon-like terrain is unusual and is thought to have been formed by the drying of a large lake. We were ecstatic because it looked stunning, and for a little minute, we thought we were in an other nation.

Moonland, Lamayuru, Ladakh, India

The landscapes on the journey from Leh to Lamayuru are breathtaking, and we wanted to stop at every moment. Lamayuru is also well-known for its ancient monastery. Some pieces are in fair shape, while others have been well kept. There are just a few homestays here, and one of them is directly outside the monastery gate. Needless to say, the view from the monastery and on the route up to the monastery is spectacular. Further down the road, is a ground where we camped. After completing the Lamayuru cycling expedition, we attempted the Zanskar river rafting, wich was even more adventurous where one of our rafts capsized.

Lamayuru Camp

That’s was my experience of traveling to this place. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter.

Kanji - An Extraordinary village with some amazing people

Kanji is a Himalayan village that is incredibly secluded. The settlement is roughly 12 kilometers from Haniskot, which is located on the NH1 Kargil-Leh route and is only accessible for four months of the year. Kanji is well-known for its harsh scenery and the perilous path between Haniskot and Kanji.

How to reach Kanji?

Kanji is 12 kilometers away, and the only route to getting there is through the settlement of Haniskot. Haniskot is located on National Highway One, which connects Kargil and Leh. Haniskot and Kanji are connected by a tar road. The road is part of India's PGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana). The location is close to Foto La (pass) and Lamayuru. The location is great for a long weekend trip from Leh or for people who wish to ride their bikes about.

The route begins with a sharp downhill, followed by a 10-degree gentle ascent all the way to Kanji. Even though significant rain is exceedingly unusual in this region, the roadways are narrow and prone to landslides. The roads follow a stream (which appeared to be more of a river) all the way to the settlement.

The village Kanji

The majority of the population in this area are Buddhists, and there are three monasteries. There is only one food store and one Tea shop. There are 52 homes and a primary school in total. Despite the fact that this area is buried in thick snow for six to eight months of the year, agriculture is the major profession in this area. Fortunately, this location is now connected by an excellent road, which serves as a lifeline. Lovely folks to converse with, and the high school students like playing cricket.

There are numerous antique, traditionally constructed structures in the area. The Tibetan culture has had a strong effect on the community, as seen by the clothing. The community ensures that no political or religious pressures interfere with their way of life.

When I visited this location, I mostly saw seniors and young children playing cricket on the village road. The majority of the middle-aged males commute to adjacent towns such as Lamayuru during the week and return home on weekends or late at night.

I happened to visit this place during my National High Altitude Mountain Biking Expedition in Leh conducted by the Youth Hostel Association of India. This was an off-route visit. As we reached the campsite at Haniskot by lunchtime and had enough time to explore, we took our mountain bike to this beautiful little-known village of Kanji.

Hotels to stay

In this village, there may be fewer places to stay. You may have to camp in a tent or there may be a few houses stays available today. People are nice, so you may even ask for the locals. Another alternative is to stay in the Haniskot Government Guest House. Hotels in Lamayuru may be found if you walk farther, once you cross the Foto La TV tower and proceed all the way down. It is a little village that attracts travelers. Lamayuru is well-known for its lunar landscape and monasteries.

https://youtu.be/S27trVnk6PI

To summarise, this distant location Kanji is a must-see if you want to witness severe roads, a lonely community, and camping near to an agricultural area. There will be no telephone network, power, gas, or water supply. Water should not be an issue. There were government efforts underway to deliver power to this location, as well as an optical fiber project. This is an excellent location for anyone going by bike, vehicle, or campervan. Because many people are unaware of its existence, it does not receive a large number of visits. Watch the movie below to get a sense of my trip to this location, and don't forget to subscribe to my channel.

Stunning and scenic landscape from Shakar to Haniskot - (Leh Mountain Biking - Day 4)

Our stay at a guest home beside the creek in Shakar was fantastic. We toured the area and began cycling on the Khangral-Sanjak route, passing through tiny villages until we reached National Highway One. The surrounding countryside is stunning, resembling a high-contrast picture. Because the area is so unique, soil erosion creates unique structures that have been unspoiled by people. The mountains in the backdrop, the green area in the middle, and the river in the front all appear to be from our elementary school painting class textbooks. On day 4, we traveled 38 kilometers from Shakar 2 to Haniskot.

Previous days of cycling to this place

Day1 – Leh to Lamayuru

Day2 – Moonland to Skurbuchan

Day3 - Skurbuchan to Shakar

Shakar to Haniskot

Exploring Shakar Market road and campsite

Shakar is a lovely campground located near a brook that flows into the Indus. We stayed in an under-construction government guest house named the Tourist Facilitation Centre and spent the evening touring the campground and the surrounding Shakar market road hamlet. It is frequently chilly at night, making it a great location for a bonfire. Investigate the communities in and around Shakar. Try something different in Shakar, such as butter tea or local bread, and stay in one of their houses; after all, it is a one-of-a-kind experience. Make friends with the locals; they can be fantastic portrait subjects if you enjoy portrait photography or wish to film a documentary.

Khangral - Sanjak road

Cross the river across the bridge and continue on the Khangral-Sanjak route we took on day three. As we ride through villages and fields, there are several stores. We get to travel through the green patches and agricultural regions adjacent to the river and the dark multi-hued brown mountain peaks. Continue cycling up and down the mountain, following the Khangral-Sanjak route until you reach National Highway One at Khangral. Take a left at this crossroads, which will lead you to Leh. The road to the right will lead you to Kargil and Srinagar.

Stay at Haniskot

The most picturesque path is to the left. There are a few little stores along the road where you may stop and enjoy the scenery. Continue cycling till you reach Haniskot, another gorgeous location. Cycling here isn't difficult; just a few ups and downs might be difficult in the sweltering midday sun. Take a rest at one of the surrounding stores on your trip to Haniskot. The scenery is stunning, and it's an excellent location for taking photographs. Finally, we remained at the government bungalow/guest house, which was conveniently located adjacent to the highway.

A visit to remote village Kanji

A kilometer from this bungalow is a road to the right that takes you to a place named Kanji which is about 12 kilometers from the junction. The journey to this location is beautiful. The YHAI itinerary does not include a visit to Kanji. We arrived at Haniskot much early, and it was up to us to explore. A few of us who had the energy went a little further. The entire distance between Kanji and Tokyo is around 26 kilometers.

https://youtu.be/VfEzqrgVdfM

This cycling expedition was organized by the Youth Hostel Association of India and as you are reading this post, and interested in outdoor activities then check out the National trekking expedition in Goa. To get a sense of the location, watch the video above. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel.

Cycling at Turahalli Forest - A captivating weekend getaway

Turahalli forest is ideal for a quick weekend getaway. It is situated on the outskirts of Bangalore. A great place for morning walks or first-time riders. The region is within the jurisdiction of the forest department and is thus protected. Other than peacocks and a few smaller animals, there is no wildlife here.

What to expect in Turahalli forest?

This location is around 16 kilometers from the Silkboard overpass and is great for getting away from the traffic and crowds without leaving Bangalore city. There are two hills, and after you reach the top, there is a temple on each of them. The view from the summit is both magnificent and soothing. This is the ideal area to begin if you want to practice advanced-level mountain riding on the Himalayan slopes or in the western ghats.

How to reach Turahalli forest?

This was my first ride on my brand new bike (Polygon Premier 3 mountain bike). It was the morning of Saturday. I had a great time riding till I got to Turahalli forest since we had to go on nice level tar roads past Banashankari. It was the weekend, so there was less traffic than usual. If you're only passing through, you may also take a public bus from Banashankari. People gather here for morning and evening walks from surrounding apartments.

Cycling uphill at Turahalli forest

Once you reach the forest, the route is entirely dirt and ideal for mountain bikers. We dropped the gear and pedaled all the way uphill till we reached the top. We took a stop and parked our mountain bikes in front of the temple, close to a banyan tree, to enjoy the scenery. We walked around and looked around. We shot some pictures while sitting near the pond.

Visiting the nearby hill and the temple

We paused here for a while before heading downhill to the entrance, where we took the path to the right, which brought us to the second hill. We ate some snacks in front of the second temple, under a banyan tree. The view from this point is once again breathtaking. It's a great place to meditate because it's peaceful and not too crowded, in my view.

We toured the area and were on our way downward by midday. It's a great destination for a quick weekend getaway or a team adventure. Check out the video below to see me cycling around Turahalli Forest. Because I was testing with my new Yi action camera, the movie is a little wobbly.

https://youtu.be/CUbt7tzGUSs

What MTB should I buy or rent?

If you're wondering what MTB I'm riding, look no further. Polygon is the brand name, and it is not commonly accessible in India. The brand is fantastic, and the build quality is fantastic. You might also check out the MTBs from Decathlon or Firefox Cycles. Nowadays, there are many more brands to choose from. By the way, I utilized Firefox MTB throughout my National mountain riding adventure to Leh, which lasted over a week and began and ended at the line of control at Lamayuru.

Is Turahalli forest safe for cycling?

Because the Turahalli forest area is on the outskirts of Bangalore and people from all over the nation visit, I would recommend coming with a group of friends rather than going alone. At times, the trekking journey may feel lonely. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Cycling Expeditions

If you want to embark on bike trips, the Turahalli forest riding workout is a great place to start. Cycling trips conducted by the Youth Hostel Association of India, which Indian people can join, can be found in India. These bike trips are generally a week long. The one I chose is the Leh Mountain Biking Expedition, which begins and ends in Lamayuru, crossing the Foto La (pass), and was one of the nicest experiences I've ever had.

https://youtu.be/OcnmXTOkjuE

Mountain Biking Expedition you should try next

The journey from Manali to Leh is 15 days long and can be exhausting. The landscape is rough, and you had to cross Rothang pass back then; also, the road was under construction and was mostly dirt. The road conditions have improved, and there is now the Atal tunnel. This needed substantial training because mountain biking lasts two weeks and requires high stamina as well as the proper cycling clothing, primarily shorts with a built-in saddle or cycling shorts.

Update: Forest officials will not allow any cycling activities inside the Turahalli reserve forest, which is spread over 500 acres on the city outskirts. Check the officials for the latest updates.

Arrival at the beautiful Leh campsite (Lamayuru Mountain Biking Expedition)- Day 1

Day one of the Lamayuru mountain biking expedition or the YHAI Mountain biking expedition in Leh was more of going around Leh and the travel from the main base camp at Leh to Lamayuru camp. On reaching Lamayuru camp we practiced biking for a while uphill and went for an acclimation ride to Lamayuru village, just before sunset. The Lamayuru mountain biking expedition event was organized by the Youth hostels association of India.

Shanti Stupa in Leh, India

Acclimatization walk to Shanti Stupa Leh

We reached Leh airport and the YHAI campsite is about 10 minutes ride from the airport and is near Leh youth hostel. You may reach the youth hostel a day earlier to get acclimatized well and would cost approx. ₹ 300 per day in a dorm. I would recommend coming to Leh 2 days in advance as this is high altitude and there are chances of high altitude sickness. You need at least 2 days to get acclimatized to this altitude.

Shanti Stupa Organic Cafe

Soon after having breakfast, after the initial briefing, we were asked to go for an acclimatization walk all the way to Shanti Stupa. After a long walk for about 2 kilometers and a steep climb up the stairs, you reach Shanti Stupa Organic Cafe. An awesome place, best known for its view and herbal tea or coffee at a very reasonable price.

Leh palace

View of Stok kangri and the Stok village

We continued further and spend some time at the meditation hall. A few steps from here is the huge Shanti Stupa which can be seen from a far-off distance and is a nice place to photograph. Go around the Stupa in a clockwise direction and enjoy the view from the top. You get to see the monastery, Leh palace, Leh city, the mountain range that includes the Stok kangri, and the Stok village. By noon we had lunch at our campsite and enjoyed the evening playing cards.

The mountain range includes the Stok Kangri and the Stok village.

Leh Magnetic Hill

We boarded the YHAI organized bus which took us to Lamayuru. Lamayuru is about 120 kilometers from Leh and is on the way to Srinagar on National Highway one, NH1. The landscape is just awesome. Straight roads and greenery in between. We stopped at a place named magnetic hill, the phenomenon that defies gravity. You can park your vehicle in the middle of the flat road where there is marking and it will start moving on its own.

Near magnetic hill

Sangam formed by Zanskar river and Indus river

We continued further till we reached a place near the Sangam where the Zanskar and Indus rivers meet and flow together as Indus. This place is known for river rafting and also a road goes to Zanskar village where the Chadar (frozen river) trek takes place at the beginning of every year. On our return, we completed the truly adventurous Zanskar river rafting.

We continued further till we reached Lamayuru. Our campsite is just before the start of the village, a place called Moon Land. The landscape at this place is unique and hence the name. It is said that on a full moon, the mud in the mountain slopes glows or appears different/brighter. The entire route was next to the Indus river and on NH1.

Lamayuru Biking expedition starts from Moonland

The cycles/mountain bikes are of Firefox, Trek brand with gear and disk brakes, given at our campsite. We checked our gear and went out for an acclimatization ride all the way up. The route goes to Fotola pass, but we did not go all the way to that place, instead cycled for about five kilometers to the viewpoint, near the TV tower. Spent some time out there at the viewpoint and enjoyed the view till sunset. Consider visiting the famous Lamayuru Monastery if time permits. We returned to our campsite,  downhill and hardly took 15 minutes to reach.

Lamayuru Mountain biking

Lamayuru Cycling expedition cost

The total cost of the Leh cycling expedition was approximately ₹ 7500. The cost includes transportation to and from base camp to Leh, cycling rental, food, tent stay, guide, entry and permits, and guide charges for all 8 days, plus 2 buffer days of acclimatization. For this cost this is totally worth it, isn't it? What do you say?

https://youtu.be/OcnmXTOkjuE

The next day we take our bikes from Lamayuru Moonland to Skur Buchan, cycling next to the Indus River along the Indus valley road crossing the famous historic Domkar rock art sanctuary. To get a sense of the location, watch the video above. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel.