Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION Cycling in the Himalayas – How to use this guidebook (1) PART 1: PLANNING YOUR TRIP, Route options [map 1] Routes and levels of difficulty – Road conditions – Sample itineraries for 3 weeks / 6 weeks / 2 months / 3 months / 4 months / 6 months When to go (Seasons – Monsoon – Climate & Average Temperatures) Independent versus organized tour (Pros & Cons – Tour Operators in UK / N America / Europe / Australasia / Asia – Sample fares & packages – Cycling solo) Visas and permits Visas – Permits – Other permits ) Costs and money What to take (Choice of bicycle – Bicycle equipment – Kit – Clothing – Maps – Guidebooks – Photography equipment ) Health & safety (Before you go – Vaccinations – Medical supplies – Training – Political hotspots – Hazards – Women cycling solo – Altitude – Nutrition - Staying sane – Travel & health insurance) Background information (Books – Films – Websites) (2) PART 2: THE HIMALAYAS History – Geology & topography – Plants & animals – People & religions of the Himalayas – Environmental issues (3) PART 3: THE KARAKORAM HIGHWAY Facts about the region(Introduction [map 9] – History - Geography – Climate - People - Religion - Economy – Education) Practical information (Introduction to the ride - History of the road - Which direction? - Restrictions - Safety) Islamabad (Introduction - History - Arrival - Information - Maps - Services - Where to stay - Where to eat - Bike shops - Moving on – Listings) Route guide Introduction [maps 3 & 4] - Islamabad [map 5] - Rawalpindi & Islamabad to Chilas [map 6] - Chilas to Gilgit [map 6] - Gilgit to Khunjerab Pass [map 7] – Alternative routes [map 8] - Khunjerab Pass to Kashgar via Lake Kara-Kul [map 10] – Kashgar [map 11] Kashgar (Introduction - History - Arrival - Information - Services - Where to stay - Where to eat - Bike shops - Moving on - Listings (4) PART 4: LADAKH & THE INDIAN HIMALAYA Facts about the region (History – Geography – Climate – People – Religion – Economy – Education) Practical information: Delhi (Introduction - Arrival - Where to stay - Where to eat - Bike shops - Moving on – Listings) Manali (Introduction - Arrival - Where to stay - Where to eat - Bike tour operators - Moving on – Listings) Leh (Introduction - Arrival - Where to stay - Where to eat - Bike shops - Moving on – Listings) Srinigar (Introduction - Safety - Arrival - Where to stay - Where to eat - Bike shops - Moving on – Listings) Route guides: Lahaul, Spiti & Kinnaur Valleys Introduction [maps 14 & 15] –Manali to Kaza [map 17] – Kaza to Recong Peo [map 18] – Recong Peo to Manali / Shimla [maps 19 & 20] – Shimla [map 21] Manali – Leh Highway Introduction [maps 22 & 23] – Manali to Keylong [map 24] – Keylong to Upshi [map 23] – Upshi to Leh [map 24] – Leh [map 25] Leh – Srinigar Highway Introduction [maps 26 & 27] – Leh to Kargil [map 29] – Kargil to Darcha via Suru & Zanskar Valleys [map 30] – Kargil to Srinigar [map 31] – Srinigar [map 32] Crossing to Nepal Suggested routes [map 33] – Transport options – Uttaranchal (5) PART 5: TIBET & THE FRIENDSHIP HIGHWAY Facts about the region (History – Geography – Climate – People – Religion – Economy – Education) Practical information (Introduction to the ride - History of the road - Which direction? - Restrictions - Safety) Lhasa (Introduction - Arrival - Where to stay - Where to eat - Bike shops - Moving on – Listings) Route Guide Introduction [maps 35 & 36] – Lhasa to Pede Dzong [map 37] – Pede Dzong to Gyantse [map 38] – Gyantse to Shigatse [map 39] – Shigatse to Lhatse [map 40] – Lhatse to Dingri [map 41] – Dingri to Everest Base Camp [map 42] - Dingri to Dram (Nepali border) [map 43] - Dram to Kathmandu [map 53] Kathmandu (Introduction - Arrival - Where to stay - Where to eat - Bike shops - Moving on – Listings) Crossing to India Introduction [maps 53 & 54] – Kathmandu to Pokhara [map 55] – Pokhara to Banbassa [map 56] – Banbassa to Shimla [map 57] (6) PART 6: SIKKIM Facts about the region (History – Geography – Climate – People – Religion – Economy – Education) Practical information: Darjeeling (Introduction - Arrival - Where to stay - Where to eat - Bike shops - Moving on – Listings) Gangtok (Introduction - Arrival - Where to stay - Where to eat - Bike shops - Moving on – Listings) Route Guide Introduction [maps 26 & 27] 2- Darjeeling loop [maps 28 & 29] - Gangtok loop [map 30 & 31] PART 7: BHUTAN Facts about the region (History – Geography – Climate – People – Religion – Economy – Education) Practical informationTour operators - Suggested routes [map 59] APPENDICES Religions of the Himalayas: Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism) Languages (alphabets, numbers and useful phrases for cyclists ) Trekking in the Himalayas [map 60]