Manali to Jispa over the Rohtang Pass — 145 km across three days, ending at a riverside camp in the Bhaga valley at 3,310 m. Our recommended first multi-day Himalayan ride.
The Jispa expedition is the natural next step after a day tour. Across three days you climb from Manali at 2,050 m over the Rohtang Pass at 3,978 m, drop into the Lahaul valley, and follow the turquoise Bhaga River north to Jispa. It covers the most scenic third of the classic Manali–Leh route without committing you to ten days in the saddle.
Day one is the hardest — roughly 65 km with 1,300 m of climbing through pine and deodar forest to Marhi. Day two takes you over Rohtang and down into a completely different landscape: bare, wide and beautiful, with the mountains stepping back and the river doing the navigating. You camp that night at Jispa beside the water.
Day three is deliberately easy. The morning is free to ride short distances along the river, take photographs or sit still, and after lunch the support jeep drives you back to Manali through Rohtang in about three and a half hours. If you would rather cycle back, we can extend the trip by a day.
Two cycling days and one rest day, with a vehicle transfer back to Manali on day three.
~65 km · 1,300 m gain · Marhi 3,400 m · Hard
Gear fitting at the shop, then the expedition begins. You cycle through dense pine and deodar forest with the Beas River below. The climb is relentless but every switchback opens up more of the range. Pace yourself — there is more tomorrow.
~80 km · Rohtang 3,978 m · Jispa 3,310 m · Hard
Cross the Rohtang Pass surrounded by snow-capped peaks, then a long descent into the Lahaul valley. Follow the Bhaga River through increasingly barren and beautiful terrain to Jispa, a remote riverside village on the edge of the high Himalaya.
Morning free · Afternoon transfer · ~3.5 hrs · Rest
The morning is yours at Jispa — optional short rides along the river, photography, or simply the silence of Lahaul. After lunch you return by support jeep to Manali through Rohtang. Optional: extend by one day and cycle back instead.
It is genuinely demanding on the first two days. Day one is about 65 km with 1,300 m of climbing, and day two crosses the Rohtang Pass at 3,978 m. You should be riding regularly before you come and be comfortable with several hours in the saddle on hills. The support vehicle is there throughout, so you can ride part of a stage and take the jeep for the rest.
Spending a night or two in Manali at 2,050 m before you start helps a great deal. The route gains altitude gradually, which is the right way to do it, but 3,978 m at Rohtang is high enough that some people feel it. Our guides watch for symptoms and carry a first aid kit, and the vehicle can descend quickly if anyone needs it.
Night one is a guesthouse or homestay at Marhi — basic but warm, with hot food. Night two is a tented camp at Jispa beside the Bhaga River, with full bedding provided. Neither is luxurious. Both are clean and the food is good.
May to October. The Rohtang Pass is closed by snow outside those months. Late May to June and September give the most reliable weather; July and August bring monsoon rain to the Manali side, though Lahaul beyond the pass stays largely dry.
Yes. Tell us when you book and we will extend the trip to four days so you can ride the return leg. It changes the price, and the return over Rohtang is a serious day, so we usually suggest it only for riders who have handled the first two days comfortably.
Layers you can add and remove quickly, a windproof and waterproof outer, gloves, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream — the sun at altitude is fierce. Padded shorts make a real difference over three days. We carry the rest in the support vehicle, so you ride with only what you need for the stage.
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Tell us your dates and cycling background and we will confirm availability and talk you through the fitness required. Most enquiries are answered within two hours.