Cycling Expedition crossing highest pass with an incredible landscape in 5 days

This is a weeklong Himalayan high altitude mountain biking or cycling expedition organized by the Youth Hostel Association of India. There are many youth hostel India national programs every year and this is one among them. The experience that you gain is something incredible.

YHAI National Himalayan Mountain Biking Leh itinerary

(LEH-LAMAYURU - SKURBUCHAN - SAKAR-2 - HENISKOT - FOTULA PASS - LAMAYURU - LEH
Day-01: Reporting At Leh (11,500 Ft.) (Jimmy Guest House)
Day-02: Acclimatization & Orientation (Transfer To Main Base Camp Lamayuru)
Day-03: Equipment Distribution & Bike Trial Riding
Day-04: Ride to Skurbuchan (43 Km, 9750 Ft,)
Day-05: Ride to Sakar-2 (38 Km, Via Sanjak, 10.550 Ft)
Day-06: Ride To Heniskot(Chulungthan) (25 km.Via.Khangral ,11.400 Ft)
Day-07: Ride to Lamayuru ( 27 Km, crossing Fotula Pass 13,450 Ft. )
Day-08: Transfer to Leh Camp.
Day-09: Camp breaks after Breakfast (09-00 a.m.)

Leh to Lamayuru - Day 1

Day one of the mountain biking expedition in Leh was more of travel from the main base camp at Leh to Lamayuru camp (starts from day 3 in the above itinerary list). On reaching Lamayuru camp we practiced for a while and went for an acclimation ride at Lamayuru village, just before sunset. The national mountain biking expedition event organized by the youth hostels association of India, YHAI is exceptionally good. Read More on - Leh to Lamayuru mountain biking.

Moonland to Skurbuchan – Day 2

Day two of the mountain biking expedition is from Lamayuru to Skurbuchan via Domkhar. The first 5 kilometers are all downhill, covering Moonland and multiple hairpin curves. The rest of the route is all flat, on the banks of the Indus river. We stopped at Domkhar for lunch and visited the Rock Art sanctuary. Post lunch we continued our cycling all the way to our next campsite at Skurbuchan. More on - Lamayuru to Skurbuchan

Skurbuchan to Shakar via Sanjak– Day 3

Day three of our cycling, from Skurbuchan to Shakar was another exciting one. Cycling next to the Indus river, the amazing landscape, cycling through the apricot farmland, river crossing, cycling next to the stream, cycling downhill and extremely tiring uphill followed by camping next to the stream. More on - Skurbuchan to Shakar

4000 years old Domkhar Rock Art Sanctuary

Domkhar rock art sanctuary is located at Domkhar village in Leh, next to the banks of the Indus river. The place is known for artwork that was made by travelers in pre-historic times. People in this region grow apricot and apple, which is the main source of income. This place is for those who love the historic artwork by our great ancestors. There are numerous rock-carved figures, thought to date back between 2000 and 4000 years.

Sakar to Haniskot – Day 4

Our stay in a guest house next to the stream at Sakar was great fun. We explored the place and started cycling, crossing small villages, till we reached national highway 1. The landscape around is so beautiful and looks like a painting with high contrast. The landscape is so unique, the soil erosion forms unique structures, untouched by humans. The mountains in the background, the green patch in between, and the river in the foreground look very much like the one from our primary school painting class textbooks. On day 4 we covered a distance of 38 kilometers from Sakar 2 to Haniskot via Sanjak. More on Sakar to Haniskot

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. More on this remote village Kanji.

Haniskot to Lamayuru via Fotu La - 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, Fotu La s the highest point in this high altitude mountain biking expedition organized by the YHAI - Youth Hostel India.

Mountain Biking video playlist

Here is the complete playlist of High altitude mountain biking or the Lamayuru cycling expedition. You will get a feel of how the place is and how enjoyable the place is, showing some of the extreme landscapes.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBtUUJUvar6rgtkL-WsWPY4t3ni4pgCIc

Mountain Bikes used

If you are with Youth Hostel then the gear cycles or MTBs will be provided and is part of the fee that you pay. Else, here are some of the mountain bikes that I would recommend - Firefox, Decathlon BTWIN, Polygon. I have been using Polygon and you may want to check how good it is in the blog post Cycling at Turahalli Forest.

Here is a playlist that I have created for each of those days and the 2 off-track places that we covered. One of the best cycling expeditions I have ever been to and made many new friends.

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.

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.

Skurbuchan to Shakar - (A wonderful cycling experience on day 3)

Day three of our cycling, from Skurbuchan to Shakar was another exciting one. Cycling next to the Indus river on Indus valley road, the amazing landscape, cycling through the apricot farmland, river crossing, cycling next to the stream, cycling downhill and extremely tiring uphill followed by camping next to the stream.

Check out the first two days of our cycling here

Day1 – Leh to Lamayuru

Day2 - Moonland to Skurbuchan

Where to stay in Skurbuchan?

If you are traveling solo to this beautiful remote village in Skurbuchan then you might want to consider staying at homestays at Aryan valley. There are places where you can camp and on the way you will find small shops where some of the rations are available which is good enough if you are planning to camp. Also, there is a government guesthouse. Watch this video below to know more.

About Skurbuchan

Skurbuchan village is located above the Indus in western Ladakh, approximately 125 kilometers from Leh. The name of the settlement comes from a native fruit called 'Skyur,' which is exclusively cultivated in and near the village. The village, with a population of over 2000 people, is one of the largest in the region. Beautiful river streams, lush green meadows, and delightful walks make this settlement a perfect addition to any Ladakh itinerary. The settlement boasts a big Buddha statue on a mountaintop overlooking the entire village, from where you can admire the grandeur of Skurbuchan. Skurbuchan is also significant as the entryway to the well-known Aryan communities.

Skur Buchan to Shakar

At Skurbuchan campsite, enjoy the morning walk around the apricot farm and the local village. Have breakfast, pack your bags, and check for tire pressure before cycling. Take the mud route till you reach the main road. The route is mainly flat or downhill next to the river Indus, crossing a few villages. It is a long ride with hardly any water source.

The river water is all silt and cannot be used for drinking. It is dangerous to get all the way down to the river and also, the rapid flow of water, doesn't make this a safe place to get to the water. It is hard to find any shop on the way and we stopped at Indus cafe for a small tea break which is just before the Sanjak bridge.

Places to visit in Skurbuchan

When you go on a cycling expedition, it may not be possible to cover all the places as you need to stick on to the time and the scheduled plan. With YHAI it is strict and you cannot deviate from the plan unless you have approval from your guide, else you may be out of the expedition. But, if you are going solo which I recommend, or if you are on a casual vacation visiting on your own then you might want to consider visiting Buddha Statue, Skurbuchan Monastery, Indus River, Dah, and Hanu (Aryan Villages).

Sanjak Bridge - Crossing the river Indus

Continue to pedal further till you reach a bridge that takes you to a village. The route from this place to our campsite is all uphill and is extremely tiring. We managed to pedal switching between first and second gear, with multiple breaks till we reached the next village. We had packed lunch and explored the place and had some fresh juicy apricot.

Post lunch we continued further uphill, but not too steep, next to steam. The landscape here isn't too dry and is full of trees and farmland. After cycling for almost 2 hours we crossed the stream and stayed at an under-construction government guest house. It was almost dark and we spent some time next to the stream. The place is now called the Tourist facilitation center, where you will have an option to stay. Also, just outside this place, you can even camp adjacent to the facilitation center on the river bank.

https://youtu.be/IseSHssSDMo

On day 4 we went further from Shakar to Haniskot with some stunning and scenic landscapes. 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.

Arrival at Panjim and our great expectations - Goa Trek - Day 1

Day one of the National Trekking Expedition in Goa with Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI) consists mostly of reporting at the Youth Hostels base camp, which is located near the Swimming Pool in Campal, Panaji, and is approximately 3 to 4 kilometers from the Panjim Bus Stand. If you have already booked this excursion online or over the phone, you may arrive at the campground at any time of day.

Where is YHAI Panjim Campsite located?

The campground is in a fantastic location, near to the Mandovi River, and offers good connectivity. Just outside the campground is a shop where you may get any last-minute supplies. It takes around 5 to 10 minutes to go to the campground from the Panjim bus station, and they charge about 8 to 10 rupees. Get out at the Swimming Pool station or shortly before the Times of India building. Cross the road and go about 50 meters to the YHAI campground on the right.

Exploring Panjim Campsite

If you arrive early, you will have the entire day to yourself. The market, which is located between the campsite and the Panjim bus terminal, is a great spot to wander around near to the campsite. You may take the bus or go for a long stroll along the Mandovi River. You will be able to watch the casino and cruise as they prepare for the late-night festivities.

On the other side is Miramar beach. Visit in the evening and enjoy the low tide walk along the coastline and the sunset. You can spend more time till it's dark at Miramar beach which is at a walkable distance from the campsite. Or, you can be at the senior citizen park next to our campsite and enjoy the evening view of sailboats.

It's worth noting that there's a swimming pool immediately behind the campground. You may visit this location on day one since you will have plenty of time to explore while we wait for another trekker to join us. You may also enjoy Goa's nightlife on a boat party tour, which is not far away.

Where to stay in Panjim?

Hotels in Panjim? – Because Goa is a tourist destination, staying there should not be an issue. Even during peak season, especially around the holidays, hotel prices can rise. The cheapest option is to get a dorm room at a hostel, of which there are several, but you must plan ahead of time. Last-minute booking is a flat No, else be ready to pay more.

If you are coming directly to the YHAI campsite, you do not need to worry about a hotel stay before or after because your booking with YHAI trekking, cycling, sailing expeditions, family events, or nature study will cover your stay, but if you want to explore Goa, which you should, you may need a few more days.

Also, if you are a YHAI participant, you can extend your stay before or after the program by speaking with the local staff or the camp leader. We received assistance from them and stayed at the campsite for one more day, paying only 300 rupees more for meals and celebrating the New Year after finishing the hike. Hotels in Goa will undoubtedly be much more expensive at this time of year.

Keep things ready for the next day - day 2 where we go for an acclimatizing hike from the campsite to Raj Bhavan via Miramar beach. Then to Dona Paula and back to the campsite for lunch. Post lunch you may go for a river walk. Check Goa Trek – Day 2 – Miramar Beach to Dona Paula for more details.

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. Consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.