Himalaya by Bike

Laura Stone graduated from Cambridge University with a Classics degree. An intrepid cyclist, for most of the research across the Himalayan countries in this book she cycled solo.

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 information Tour 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]