India 2006

H i m a l a y a E x p e d i t i o n 2 0 0 6

This year's plan is to cycle through the highest mountains of the world – the Himalayas. It will lead us trough the northest states of India, called Jammu-Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Starting at the holy river of the Indus, the first steps go trough the buddhist state of Ladakh-Zanskar. The road is considered to be the highest road on earth, for it has severeal passes above 5000 m. Highest of them is called Khardung-La, at an altitude of 5602 m. In addition we plan to climb the peak Stok Kangri, 6121 m. Highest road of Earth, furthest limit for cyclers. Lets give it a try...

m e m b e r s

A n n a m a r i a
Either she paints some crazy drawings, which supposed to be aqurels or she runs like a mad through mountains. In the meantime it's all right - she studies architecture, some kind of projects of never constructed buildings. Besides, she never eats chocolate and never drinks coffe...two things which make her very suitable for a trip - more coffe and sweets for others

Weronka

assisting In the kitchen – helping hand;
writing hundreds of letters;
posing for camera;
weather forecasting;
keeping the expenses low;
showgirl;
delaying morning wake ups;

P e p e
He really doesn't like long, "flat", boring parts of mountain's tracks wchich have to be done on foot. That is why he decided to take a bike for it :). Man who is mad about kumys.

Pepe

cold vulcanization;
reducing luggage weight by eating the food;
taking photos;
gathering new native friends;
checking the destination;
watching stars and the sunset;

t h o s e w h o s u p o r t u s

Brave projects need a lot of effort and sacrifice from the participants, but they are a result of the cooperation with people from outside, too. At this moment we negotiate with companies, who can offer us professional advertisement publicity.

We are grateful to A Z Y M U T bikeshop (Przemysl, ul.3go-Maja 12, tel. 016 679 02 10; big thanks to Waldek & Andrzej :)) for a special prices for bike parts and preparing Ana's bike for the expedition.

i t i n e r a r y

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exploration of Ladakh

We are planning to spend the first days of our expedition in Leh – the capital of Ladakh chosen as our acclimatisation base at the altitude of 3500 m. during those days we are going to explore on bikes the Indus valley.

Khardung La – cycling above the altitude of 5000 m.

Next step is a trip to Nubra valley though the highest road pass of the world - Khardung La 5602 m.

climbing the peak Stok Kangri

Stok Kangri 6153 m is the highest peak in the region Ladakh. When the weather is good the peak K-2 can be seen. We hope to see this one of the most famous mountains of the world.

Leh - Keylong: high-mountain marathon

On this part we are going to spend the longest time above the altitude of 4000 m, completing three more passes:

Tanglang La 5360 m;
Lachulang La 5065 m;
Baralach La 4892 m;

secound part of marathon – subregion Kinnaur

From Keylong'u, cycling through passes Hamta Pass 4270m and Kunzum Pass 4551m, we will visit Lahalu and Spiti valleys of the subregion Kinnaur, at the very border of Tibet. Being restricted until 1992, today foreigners can enter the area with a special permit. On the Chinese-Tibetan side a Pilgrim's Road leads to Lhasa or Nepal. Unfortunately, at present date there is no possibility to cross the border and enter Tibet.

d a n e w y p r a w y

Exploration area

date: second half of August 2006
duration: around 5 weeks
participants: Pepe and Annamaria
country: India
regiony: Ladakh-Zanskar; Himachal Pradesh; Uttar Pradesh
transportation: bike :: India;
plane :: Warszawa - Delhi - Leh and Delhi - Warszawa;
accomodation: tent
route: Leh - Upshi - Rumtse - Tanglang La - Pang - Lachulang La - Takh - Sarchu - Baralach La - Zing zing bar - Jipsa - Keylong - Tand - Gondla - Sissu - Gramphoo - Chhatru - Chhota Dara - Batal - Kunzum Pass - Losar - Hanse - Rangrik - Kaza - Attargo - Tabo - Hoorling - Sumdo - Jangi - Narkanda - Fagu - Shimla;
route lenght: on bike - around 1200 km;
goals: The journey itself, on the highest road trough the highest passes of the Himalayas. But there are some other reasons and goals as well.
other goals:

; getting a flavour of nature;
joyride :) on the highest pass in the world- Khardug La 5602 m;
making a few standard trekking trips on a bike;
climbing on Stok Kangri 6153 m
exploring the possibilities and characteristics of the country for future bike expeditions
taking photos and recording our journey though a movie

s u p p o r t i n g m e d i a

BikeWorld.pl is the official media patron of our expedition.

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.