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Zanskar Mountain Biking

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Zanskar 12 DAYS starting at $4,689
MAY - OCTOBER

Overview

Riding in Ladakh, and more specifically in Zanskar, is beginning to make headlines but has been mostly reserved for those who are sponsored with big budgets to ride in extreme locations. It takes insider knowledge to find more than just a 300 meter line with a cool backdrop for Outside Magazine. Riding the Western Himalaya is unparalleled. 

The trails here are raw. They are not exclusive MTB trails, but trails used by locals to move between villages or move their herds of yak or flocks of goats up and down the mountain. There are historical and cultural elements to these trails. 

Above and beyond the trails are scree slopes that have never been touched by a bike. Free riding is abundant in the region and with our local guides you can be sure to to drop in and finish up in the right spot, allowing for minimal interruptions to riding in such an untouched place. 

From airport pickup to dropoff, our guides and local specialists will take care of your every need so you can focus on the adventure at hand. Mountain biking combined with cultural immersion and the biggest landscapes you've ever encountered will bring you a new perspective on sport and travel. 

 

Leh

Leh is the capital of Ladakh and will serve as your first introduction to Ladakh as well as a place of closure for your time here. In many ways it feels like an overgrown village. The bustling streets and marketplace alleyways provide a vibrancy to the small city that is contagious. Shopping is abundant but finding something unique takes a bit of extra effort. The food is great. The guesthouse here feels like an oasis whether you are experiencing it as the first stop after hours of air travel or again on the back end, where what once felt like the most remote place you can imagine suddenly feels like home in a bustling metropolis. 

Mountain Biking in the Western Himalaya

Ladakh is where the Himalaya run all the way up to the Karakoram. Zanskar is one of the least touched valleys of the region, creating incredible opportunity for pure adventure. We have a few things that we keep in focus at all times. One is your safety and with altitudes pushing 16,000 feet above sea level, we pay close attention to the acclimatization process. We ease our way into activity! What may seem as unnecessary slowness is a proven method to make sure you don't flame out on day 2 and miss out on the rest of the trip while you recover in a hotel, or even worse...a hospital. Scroll down as we talk about culture and environment. 

Local Culture and Customs

Ladakhi culture is very hospitable. You will enjoy your time here. Our guides are not just there to guide you on the trail, but they invite you into their own relationships and sometimes their own family. This is what makes an experience with Adventure Access so meaningful. Are there things you need to be aware of? Absolutely! Will you be well taken care of and informed along the way by your guide? You bet! We encourage you to learn as you go and leave better than when you came. 

The Environment

Water is life and this is becomes clear once you spend some time in the region, especially while exerting yourself on a bike. But the last thing we want to do is pollute this amazing place with hundreds of plastic bottles. We take care by providing you a more sustainable solution while we travel, while ensuring the purest water to keep you healthy and strong. 

Not just anything goes! We work closely with local partners and take our cues from them as well as our own knowledge base for what is good for long-term sustainable travel in the region. We are careful about where and how we ride. We welcome you into this mentality and aim to do what is best for you and for the environment. 

Downhill, Freeriding, and Technical Trails

Riding in Ladakh is generally diverse! This is especially true of Zanskar where we are riding on trails that were not developed as MTB trails or where there is no trail at all.  We aim to hit various types of terrain but most all trails are for experienced riders. This is not for beginners. Steep descents, scree filled slopes, and rocky technical terrain will be the experience of the week. Backdrops to all our rides will be towering peaks, deep valleys, and cultural monuments that date back hundreds of years. It is a setting that inspires epic riding. 

Education is an Amazing Adventure

Adventure Access is committed to doing good things in the places you travel. Through our partnerships with local business leaders and others in the community around Zanskar, we give 3% of general revenue to sponsoring local children. This allows Zanskari children to attend school and embark on an amazing adventure through learning.