Pristine Uttarakhand Cycling Tour

Dhanachuli is a pristine hamlet located close to the better-known town of Mukteshwar. On this day you will be picked up from Pant Nagar airport and driven to Dhanachuli, some 80kms due north and high up in the Himalayas. At 2100m above sea level, Dhanachuli is home to apple orchards, lush green forests, and some great vistas of the western Himalayas. In case you arrive early, we recommend taking a stroll around the village to take in the crisp mountain air and clear blue skies. In the evening we meet over dinner for a briefing and to perform a bike fit.

Today the route takes you through winding mountain roads surrounded by dense pine and oak forests, offering a refreshing start to the journey. The crisp mountain air, combined with the chirping of Himalayan birds, creates a truly immersive experience. The ride features a mix of moderate ascents and exhilarating descents, making for a balanced and enjoyable cycling day. Along the way, you’ll pass through traditional Kumaoni villages, where locals can be seen tending to their terraced farms and fruit orchards. These orchards, rich with apples, peaches, and plums in season, add a burst of color to the landscape. As you continue, the terrain varies between smooth tarmac and slightly rugged paths, keeping the ride engaging. Wildlife enthusiasts might spot Himalayan langurs swinging between trees, barking deer darting into the woods, or even an eagle soaring overhead. The region is also home to the Himalayan Monal, Uttarakhand’s vibrant state bird, making this a paradise for birdwatchers. Midway through the ride, you’ll come across breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the valleys, where a short break is perfect to soak in the scenery. The final stretch towards Lamgara involves a gradual climb, rewarding you with mesmerizing views of distant snow-capped peaks. As you arrive at Shivoham Himalayan Resort, nestled in the tranquility of nature, the serene surroundings make for a perfect place to unwind after an exhilarating first day of cycling.

The ride begins with a gentle descent through forested trails and open valleys, offering stunning morning views of the Kumaon hills. As you cycle deeper into the mountains, the air grows crisper, and the landscape transforms into a mix of pine, oak, and rhododendron forests, home to a variety of Himalayan birds and wildlife. Keep an eye out for barking deer, langurs, and the elusive Himalayan black bear in the denser patches. The route soon introduces rolling ascents and thrilling downhill sections, with traditional Kumaoni villages dotting the way. Passing through small settlements, you'll witness daily mountain life—locals carrying firewood, shepherds tending to their flocks, and terraced farms cascading down the hillsides. The ride follows well-paved mountain roads with a few steeper climbs, requiring steady effort but rewarding you with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, and winding rivers below. Approaching Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, the climb becomes more challenging, but the surroundings turn even more pristine. The final stretch to Khali Estate is through a serene forest road, with occasional glimpses of the Himalayan ranges, including Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Panchachuli. Arriving at the estate, a historic colonial-era retreat, you are welcomed into a peaceful haven amidst the wilderness—an ideal place to relax and prepare for the next leg of your Himalayan cycling adventure.

We give our bikes a rest to go hiking through the Binsar wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary was built to preserve endangered Himalayan flora such as the Himalayan broad-leaf oak and the rhododendron. It is home to some 25 varieties of trees, 200 bird species, and wild animals such as leopards, the Himalayan goral, the red giant flying squirrel, and the pine marten. The hike through the sanctuary takes up to 4 hours. You are in the august company here, for the hamlet of Kasar Devi in which our hotel is located was once an important node in the 1960s counterculture movement, having played home to singers Bob Dylan and George Harrison, the psychologist Timothy Leary, the poet Allen Ginsberg, and the writer D.H. Lawrence who spent two summers here. We highly recommend that you sit back and enjoy the vistas that inspired the creativity and inflamed the passions of some of the greatest artists, thinkers, and scientists of the twentieth century.

Leaving Khali Estate, the ride begins with a fast descent through forested roads before opening up to expansive valley views and terraced farmlands. The route gradually winds through the Someshwar Valley, a region known for its lush rice fields, meandering rivers, and vibrant village life.

The ascent towards Kausani is steady but rewarding, with occasional roadside temples and local tea stalls providing perfect resting points. As you climb higher, the majestic snow-capped peaks of Nanda Devi and Trishul begin to dominate the skyline. Approaching Kausani, the air grows cooler, and the pine-scented breeze signals your arrival at one of Uttarakhand’s most scenic hilltops. The day's ride ends at Hotel Jeetu, where you can unwind with breathtaking sunset views over the Himalayas—a perfect conclusion to a day of challenging yet deeply rewarding cycling.

The day begins with a thrilling descent from Kausani, offering sweeping views of the Himalayan range and deep forested valleys. The crisp mountain air and winding roads make for an exhilarating ride as you pass through tea gardens and traditional Kumaoni villages.

After reaching the valley floor, the route follows a series of gentle rolling hills, passing through pine and deodar forests that are home to Himalayan langurs, soaring eagles, and colorful pheasants. As you approach Ranikhet, the climb gradually intensifies, with winding switchbacks leading into the cantonment town.

Ranikhet’s colonial charm comes alive as you arrive at Windsor Lodge, a heritage property surrounded by lush greenery and panoramic mountain views. This ride blends fast-paced descents, moderate climbs, and tranquil forest stretches, making it an exciting and rewarding journey through the heart of Uttarakhand.

After breakfast, we ride due west to the world famous Jim Corbett national park. Named after the legendary British conservationist and hunter, it is the oldest national park in India and home to the endangered Bengal Tiger. Jim Corbett is located at an average altitude of 800m above the sea level so today’s ride has quite a few spectacular down hills that we are sure you will enjoy zipping through.

The Jim Corbett national park needs no introduction. Synonymous on the one hand with tales of splendor of the Raj and royalty, and on the other hand with the spectacular diversity of wildlife that India has to offer, the park is in many ways, the highlight of this mesmerizing trip. Spread over 520 sq kms of forests, rivers, swamps, and hills, Corbett is home to 50 species of mammals including the Bengal tiger, the wild Indian elephant, the Himalayan Black Bear, and leopards. We take a Jeep Safari into the national park on this day and enjoy our tryst with wildlife. In the evening we meet to celebrate the culmination of a fantastic adventure.

Late morning, we will make arrangements for a drop to the Pantnagar airport.