Stay updated with the latest expeditions in 2026
Level
Intermediate +
Duration
07 days / 06 nights
Riders (max)
15
Region
Ladakh
Investment
Rs45000 exc.GST
+8000 Bike rental opt.
Your First Ride Into One of India's Most Remote Valleys
Zanskar is not a place you drive through and photograph from a window. It's a place you earn one pedal stroke at a time.
This is a 7-day supported bikepacking trip designed for cyclists who want to experience the raw, unfiltered Himalayas without needing a month off work.
Six nights. Real mountains. One of the most dramatic valleys in India.
But let's be honest with you before you sign up: this is not an easy trip. You will climb mountain passes. You will ride 50-60km some days on unpaved terrain at altitude. You will be tired in ways your city life hasn't prepared you for.
And that's exactly the point.
Temperatures
0 to 10C
Duration
07 days / 06 nights
Payment:₹20,000 deposit to reserve your spot.
Balance due 25 days before departure.
Deposit is fully transferable to the next season if your plans change
Tour Dates
September 28 – October 4, 2026
Only 15 spots available
What ₹45,000 Actually Gets You
₹45,000 for 7 days in the Zanskar Valley works out to ₹6,400 per day. That covers your stay every night, all meals while riding, a support vehicle behind you the entire route, a mechanic on standby, first aid support, and a guide who has ridden every kilometre of this terrain personally.
You handle the flights to Manali. We handle everything else.
The Route
Sumdo
Shinku La
Purne
Phuktar monastery
Jispa
Kangsar
Padum
Gonbo ROnjon
Sissu
Manali
Day-Wise Itinerary
Day 1 : Manali (Briefing & Transfer to Sissu)
Our journey begins in Manali, where riders meet the crew and prepare for the days ahead. After a short briefing and gear check, we travel through the Atal Tunnel a gateway from pine forests into the barren majesty of Lahaul in our support vehicle.
By evening, we arrive at Sissu, a quiet village framed by glaciers and waterfalls. There’s time to unwind, share a meal, and let the mountains begin their quiet work of slowing you down.
Day 2 - Sissu to Jispa (Ride starts)
We start pedalling today an easy, rolling ride that follows the Chandra and Bhaga rivers to Jispa.
The air feels different here: thinner, colder, cleaner.
We ride past prayer flags fluttering over bridges and the sound of the river rushing below. In Jispa, we settle into a cosy riverside camp a perfect place to rest, stretch, and prepare for higher climbs ahead.
Day 3 - Jispa to Zanskar Sumdo
This is where the world starts to feel remote. Leaving behind the last signs of civilisation, we ride through Darcha and Palamo, climbing gently toward Zanskar Sumdo. The road winds through wild valleys and hanging glaciers the landscape growing quieter, harsher, and more beautiful with every turn.
Tonight, we camp under an ocean of stars, the mountains humming around us in silence.
Day 4 - Zanskar Sumdo to Gomboranjan
We begin before sunrise. The road rises steadily, and soon the oxygen thins as we approach Shinku La our first major pass at 5,040 metres. The climb is relentless but meditative. Snow often lines the trail, and every breath feels earned.
Crossing the pass, we descend to the foot of Mount Gomboranjan a sacred rock face that commands the horizon. We camp beneath its shadow, where silence feels almost holy.
Day 5 - Gumbak Ronjon to Phuktal Monastery and
Return to Purne
The terrain softens into barley fields and riverside villages. By midday we reach Purne. After lunch, we ride to Phuktal Monastery - a 2,500-year-old cave monastery carved directly into a cliffside.
The approach is narrow, the view is unlike anything in India. Return to Purne for the night.
Day 6 – Purne to Padum to Karsha Monastery
Today’s ride is long but easy-going. The valley opens up and the path winds through a string of remote settlements before reaching Padum, the cultural centre of Zanskar.
We set up camp near the village and enjoy the warmth of community life local kids, prayer wheels, and the rhythm of daily life in this remote world. A perfect day to rest and reset.
Day 7 – Padum to Manali (Support Vehicle Transfer)
The bikes go on the roof. You sit inside. A long but scenic drive back through the valley you just rode watching it pass from the window hits differently when you know every turn of that road from your own legs.
Be Honest With Yourself Before You Sign Up
-
This trip is for you if:
→ You ride regularly — at least 3-4 times a week
→ You can comfortably cycle 50-60km in a day
→ You're okay with basic homestays and camp conditions
→ You want a real Himalayan experience, not a resort holiday
→ You have 7 days free between September 28 and October 4 -
This trip is not for you if:
→ You haven't been on a bike in months
→ You're looking for comfort and predictability
→ You want to experience Zanskar without the physical challenge -
We won't sugarcoat it — Shinku La at 5,050m is hard. The roads are rough. The days are long. But every rider who has done this with us has come back different. That's not marketing. That's just what Zanskar does.
Looking for a longer expedition? See the full Zanskar Traverse — 12 days.
What’s Included / Not Included
Support vehicle following the entire route every day
Experienced driver who knows this terrain
On-call mechanic for all bike repairs
and adjustments on route
Basic spare parts and tools carried in
the support vehicle
All meals while cycling - breakfast, lunch, dinner every day on trail
Snacks, refreshments, water, juice, and
energy food throughout the day
All homestay and camp stays (6 nights)
First aid kit and basic medical support
including pulse oximeter
Oxygen support available on the vehicle
for altitude emergencies
Route guidance and daily briefings by Sudhanshu
Transfer from Padum back to Manali on Day 7
Flights or travel to Manali
Your personal cycling gear (helmet, gloves, riding clothes)
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Bicycle you can bring your own or rent from us
(₹8,000 for 6 riding days)
Personal expenses and shopping
Any meals in Manali on Day 1 or after return
Note for the founder
Hi, I'm Sudhanshu - founder of Wildly Radical.
I've been riding Ladakh and Zanskar for five years. I've crossed Shinku La multiple times, guided riders through Phuktal and Gomboranjan, and spent more nights camped in this valley
than I can count.
Intro to Zanskar is designed for the rider who is serious about cycling but doesn't have three weeks to spare. Seven days is enough to go deep into this place if every day is used well.
That's what I've built here.
Want to compare routes? Visit our Flagship Expeditions page.