redspokes Adventure Tours

At the heart of the ancient Silk Road from China through the Middle East to Rome, redspokes cycling tour re-traces the footsteps of travellers and traders from a time when Uzbekistan was a well-trodden path. From Tashkent to Bukhara we travel through a desert landscape to Djizakh town. From here we cycle to Lake Turzkan and along the Pistalitau mountain ridge. Our route continues through scenic valley, passing stone and mudbrick houses towards beautiful Sob gorge before we tackle the toughest mountain climb of our trip to reach Fazilman Lake. At the end of our cycling we transfer to historic Bukara, with a rest day to enjoy the sights and the opportunity to visit magical Samarkand as we return to Tashkent by train. You have the option to travel on to Khiva on our extended itinerary. 

Uzbekistan can truly be described as a nation of contrasts. The double landlocked country is surrounded by other landlocked countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan). There are huge expanses of desert, pockets of verdant fertile valley and semi-arid grassland; the snow-capped Tien Shan mountains marking the south and eastern borders. In the 13th Century the country fell under Mongol rule, followed by a period of independent emirates and khanates of Bukhara, Kokand and Samarkand before becoming a part of Russia in 1865, and then the Soviet Union, most recently emerging as an independent nation in 1991.

There is little in the way of rain fall, summertime is very hot (+40), and winters extremely cold (-5). Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit. The redspokes Uzbekistan cycling tour is timed to run during optimal climactic conditions for adventure cycling.

On the redspokes Uzbeksitan cycle tour you will experience mesmerizing scenery, diverse historic and modern architecture, from the columns and intricate patterns of mosques and madrassahs to Christian churches and temples, and enjoy classic Uzbekistan cuisine.

At the cutting edge of adventure cycling, this journey offers a fascinating insight into ex-Soviet Central Asia.

Our cycle tour starts in Dushanbe, Tajikistan's sleepy capital; we transfer by vehicle up the Obkinghou Valley and over the spectacular 3,200m Khaburabot Pass. A precipitous cycling descent takes us into the deep cleft of the Pyanj valley where the massive Pyanj River marks the border with Afghanistan. Cycling through small villages, we follow the river upstream to Khorog, oasis capital of the Pamirs.

From Khorog, we set out riding along the Pamir Highway, cycling the pretty Gunt valley to the summit of the Koi Tezek Pass (4,200m). From the pass we descend onto the empty Pamir plateau, a Tibet-like region of snow-capped peaks and eerie turquoise lakes. Threading our way through the mountains we ride on to reach the small town of Murgab, not far from the Chinese border.

Leaving Murgab our Pamir Highway cycling route continues north. We ride up the 4,655m Ak Baital Pass, the highest point of the cycle tour. On the far side of the pass, cycling through a remote valley we reach the hauntingly beautiful lake at Kara Kul. From here, we ascend the Kyzl Art Pass and enter Kyrgyzstan. A very rough descent from the pass takes us out into the wide grassy Alay valley, studded with the traditional yurts of Kyrgyz nomads. Across the valley are spectacular views of the 7,000m summits of Pik Lenin and Pik Kommunizma.

We transfer from the Alay valley to Osh, Kygygzstan's second city. From here we take a flight to Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, where redspokes’ Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan cycling holiday ends.

Highlights

• Dushanbe: capital of Tajikistan.
• Khaburabot, Koi Tezek, Baital mountain passes.
• Pyanj valley, Gunt valley and Pamir Plateau.
• Khorog: capital of the Pamirs.
• Lake Kara Kul: highest Pamir plateau lake.
• Osh: the oldest city in Kyrgyzstan.

redspokes Indian Himalayas cycling holiday from Manali to Leh begins in Delhi. We transfer by vehicle via Mandi to reach Manali in the verdant Kullu Valley. We spend a couple of days here acclimatising. Manali is an interesting hill station in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh Situated at 1,950m (6,398 ft) and a popular tourist destination during the summer months.

After time to acclimatise our cycling begins with a ride out of Manali; we cycle through an evergreen area of pine and deodar trees, tackling the first set of many hairpin bends and switchbacks on our way to the Rohtang pass. Over the pass our surroundings become more barren as we continue cycling into more remote areas with just a few sheep dotted here and there. On the horizon you will see the bleak, magnificent spectacle of the Higher Himalayan ranges as we traverse a high-altitude desert to reach the isolated mountainous Ladakh region, so remote and stark it is barely populated.

Riding mountain passes and river valleys we are soon tackling the twenty-one zigzag Gata Loops 15,030ft up the canyon wall to reach the Lachulung La, the second highest pass on the Manali to Leh road at 5059m. After passing the Tso Khar salt lake we tackle the world's second highest pass, the Taglang La at 5,328m. Over the pass we descent entering more verdant terrain with a few more climbs and downhills to reach Leh. We have a rest day to draw breath and explore the sites such as the Leh Palace or the Sakar Gompa monastery. Our cycling route from Manali to Leh in Ladakh covers 476km (296 miles) over 8 days and includes five major passes. The Manali to Leh road is an old trading route and although described as a highway, is extremely narrow in places. For much of the year it is closed due to extreme weather conditions.

You will encounter sacred and spiritual landmarks in this celestial landscape on some of the finest roads an adventure cyclist could wish for, riding switchback after switchback for hours on end, ascending into the thin air at an altitude of 5,000 m.

We visit Fort William, the Great Glen and Caledonian Canal cycling all the way to Inverness. You will enjoy traditional Scottish hospitality whilst taking in outstanding natural beauty, historic castles, ancient Celtic history and marvel at the wonders of Scottish engineering working in harmony with nature.

We begin with a Hebridean Island hop, enjoying the outstanding natural surroundings that have provided inspiration to the whisky islands for their varied flavours and character.  The Ardrossan ferry takes us to beautiful Arran. We cycle the Isle and catch another boat to the Kintyre peninsula, then cycle on as far as Tarbert. Curving around the west side of Kintyre with idyllic views of Jura we cut back to follow Loch Gilp and then cycle alongside the Crinan Canal. Heading inland we cycle past ancient ruins at Kilmartin Glen before riding the Road of Kings through beautiful Glen Lonan.  From Oban we set sail again to Mull circuiting the west side of the island cycling through a scenery of clear blue loch waters and deep green fields. We take a water taxi across the Sound of Mull to reach the Morvern peninsula.

A rest day at Ardtornish Estate gives us the opportunity to enjoy wildlife, adventure activities from kayaking to diving, or more cycling in the local area. Back on the bikes, we follow Loch Linne cycling to reach Fort William. From here we join the Caledonia Way riding the Great Glen, passing majestic Ben Nevis.  We ride on minor roads, canal towpath and forested paths to Fort Augustus.  Following the east side of the great Loch Ness we take a lesser known route on quiet back roads to reach our final destination, Highland capital city Inverness where redspokes HIghlands and Islands cycling holiday ends.

From ancient religious and cultural sites to rain forests, national parks, mountains, wildlife and stunning coastline, there is so much to enjoy and no better way to explore than by bicycle. For centuries adventurers and traders have been drawn to this jewel in the Indian Ocean. The island has been an inspiration to many adventurers from Marco Polo to Paul Theroux. Renowned for a rich variety of terrain and wild life within a small land space, species native to the island include monkeys, crocodiles elephants leopards and exotic peacocks. Moving forwards from a 30-year civil war which ended in 2009, Sri Lanka is fast becoming a popular area of the world for a cycling holiday.

The redspokes Sri Lanka North to South adventure begins in Colombo. We take a train to Jaffna and have time to explore the town and local islands. Dotted with deserted buildings and temples, we are surrounded by white sands, sea views, lagoons and an array of birdlife including Brahminy kites, flamingos and herons. Our next stop is Killinochchi; from here we cycle the eastern shores of Sri Lanka to Nilaveli. Prior to the civil war and tsunami this was a popular resort and the beautiful 4km stretch of golden sands is now enjoying a renaissance. There is time here for swimming, snorkelling and to visit the Pigeon Island national park.

We head inland towards Habanara in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, cycling through Kaudulla National Park: a wild life haven. A rest day in Habanara gives us time to visit the nearby extraordinary Sigiriya fortress with its series of moats, ramparts and water gardens. Moving on to Polonnaruwa we have more time to explore this cornerstone of the cultural triangle, discovering medieval ruins and sacred temples. Cycling through more beautiful scenery we reach Mahiyanganaya at the foot of the Knuckles mountain range.  We head into the highlands reaching the temperate climes of tea plantations and areas characterized by colonial British culture, on a journey through hillsides blanketed in green with stunning views. Our Sri Lanka: North to South cycling tour ends in Kandy, the island’s second largest city and capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom.

This spectacular area, featuring both strong European influences and indigenous cultures, spans 300km from north to south and overlaps the dramatic Andean Mountain range between Chile and Argentina.

The ever-changing scenery has been shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity. Smouldering peaks dominate the skyline alongside snow-capped mountains and towering granite summits along our cycling route.  The lower slopes of the Andes are blanketed with ancient rainforest and lush vegetation. Deep valleys are filled with icy fjords, emerald lakes and tumbling waterfalls in a landscape of outstanding natural beauty. What better vantage point could there be than the saddle of a bicycle?

From Frutillar we cycle along the shores of the Llanquihue Lake with views of Orsorno, Puntiagudo, Tronador and Calbuco Volcanoes. Crossing the border into Argentina, our holiday continues as we mountain bike on to Bariloche, the adventure capital of the Patagonian Lake District, for a rest day with the option of tackling the famous circular cycle route. From here we embark on the stunning Seven Lakes Route (one of the most scenic in Argentina) to San Martin de los Andes with its breath-taking lakeside setting.  Crossing back into Chile riding along the Huahum path, we cycle through the Villarrica national park to Puc√≥n, the main adventure tourism hub of the Chilean Lake District, with Volc√°n Villarrica as a simmering backdrop. Our holiday ends at Parque Conguillio.  Chile’s first geo park is home to underground lakes, deep water lagoons and South America’s most active volcano: Llaima. Encompassing some of the most awe-inspiring panoramas in South America, redspokes Chile Argentina cycling holiday offers an array of contrasts and will leave you with lasting memories.

Our Peru cycling holiday begins in beautiful Arequipa. Peru's second city, Arequipa is also known as La Ciudad Blanca - the White City - for its gleaming colonial buildings built of sillar: a shining volcanic rock. The town is set in stunning mountains and overlooked by the snow-capped El Misti Volcano. As we enjoy teh start of this challenging Peru Cycling Tour from Arequipa to Cusco you will experience close encounters with wildlife and travel through colourful, bustling market towns.

We Cycle along, leaving Arequipa with a dramatic descent of 2,100m, mountain biking down El Misti, a breathtaking cycle ride along the Colca Canyon (reputedly the deepest in the world), unforgettable scenery and glimpses of a way of life that has barely changed in the last 500 years. You will cycle more peruvian trails and visit thermal hot springs, the dramatic salt plains of Salinas, and the fascinating town of Cusco. The final days of our Peru Cycling Tour provides an opportunity to ride right off the beaten track to the high Andes and witness the lifestyle of Peru's indigenous people, which has remained the same for centuries.

For those who wish to dismount the bike and trek the 4 day Classic Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek we can put you in contact with a local agency to arrange this. Please note permits for the Classic Inca Trail for May are usually fully allocated by January of the same year so it is important to book early.

Sri Lanka is a fantastic cycling destination, with well-surfaced roads and diverse, beautiful natural surroundings. From ancient religious and cultural sites to rain forests, national parks, mountains, wildlife and stunning coastline, there is so much to enjoy and no better way to explore than by bicycle. For centuries adventurers and traders have been drawn to this jewel in the Indian Ocean. The island has been inspiration to many adventurers from Marco Polo to Paul Theroux, renowned for a rich variety of terrain and wild life within a small land space. Species native to the island include monkeys, crocodiles elephants leopards and exotic peacocks. Moving forwards from a 30-year civil war which ended in 2009, Sri Lanka is fast becoming a popular cycling holiday destination.

The redspokes Sri Lanka Classic bicycle tour begins in West coast Negombo with beaches and sea views. We travel through ancient capital city Kurunegala, surrounded by imposing mythological 'animal rocks' and on to the extraordinary Sigiriya fortress with its series of moats, ramparts and water gardens. We explore the cultural triangle, the ‘King's Land’ of the ancient Sinhalese by bicycle, discovering medieval ruins and sacred temples.  Our cycling tour continues on into the highlands through cloud forest and hill stations arriving at Udawalawe National Park.

We ride on to reach the southern tip of Sri Lanka, arriving at Mirissa, a coastal resort and fishing port with idyllic palm fringed beach. After making a stop in historic Galle, you will be transferred back to Negombo where the tour ends.

In Yangon we begin with a sunset trip to the splendid Shwedagon Pagoda. Locally known as Shwedagon Zedi Daw the shimmering golden temple is 99 meters high and can be seen from most areas of Yangon, day and night.

Travelling north we visit Inle Lake in the Shan Hills, enjoying a memorable boat trip. The lake is famous for its floating villages and gardens and minority communities. You will witness the unique Intha oarsmen navigating their traditional leg-rowed boats and encounter Pao hill tribes who come to the area to trade their wares.

Our cycling begins with a ride along picturesque road. We visit the Pindaya Caves; a magnificent Buddhist pilgrimage site with over 8 000 statues, located within limestone ridge. Many legends are told about the caves, including a tale of seven princesses bathing in a lake, who were captured by a giant spider and trapped in the cave only to be rescued by Prince Kummabhaya of Yawnghwe. Our holiday continues as we cycle along a rural inland route through forested areas of banana and coconut trees and farmland with a wide variety of crops from rice fields to peanuts, sesame and peas to reach the mighty volcanic Mount Popa. You can ascend all 777 steps to the summit to experience panoramic views, sacred symbolism as you mingle amongst pilgrims and encounter the local population of monkeys.

We cycle on to reach the ancient holy city of Bagan. Set on the banks of the Irrawaddy River over 2000 temples spread across the plain.  Dating back to the 11th Century, Bagan is one of the world's most significant historic and religious sites and the former capital of the ancient Kingdom of Pagan. Here you can explore the many stupas, the old town, Nyaung Oo Market and the shimmering Shwezigon Pagoda.

As we head on to the west, we fly to beautiful Ngapali Bay. Located on the Bay of Bengal, Ngapali has a relaxed fishing village atmosphere and unspoiled white sand beaches, framed by coconut tree palms that look out at cobalt blue seas. We have a few days to relax and explore the area around Ngapali.

We return to Yangon for the penultimate day of redspokes Mountains Beaches and Stupas, Burma cycling holiday. There is time this afternoon to see more of the city.

You will be left with lasting memories of Myanmar culture, rural landscapes and intriguing cities.

Our Tibet cycle tour travels between two of Asia's most exotic cities. We ride 4 major passes above 5,000m and traverse a distance of 1,000km over the backbone of the Himalayas.

Starting in Nepal, after a couple of days exploring Kathmandu we take a dramatic flight across the great Himalayan range to Lhasa, capital of Tibet. This is one of the most interesting, remote and spectacular parts of the world. We have three days of sightseeing and acclimatising before cycling across a beautiful landscape of snow-capped summits. All around us are signs of religious devotion; prayer flags fluttering on the tallest mountain passes and processions of devout pilgrims travelling to the numerous monasteries and temples.

Riding to Everest Base Camp is a spectacular feature of our tour and a major cycling challenge, as the road climbs almost fifty hairpin bends over the Pang La Pass. Here at 5,205m we see the magnificent views of the Himalayas and of Mt. Everest itself. Finally reaching Base Camp is an experience few will ever forget. From here our journey continues as we return to Nepal completing a marathon downhill cycle in the world. 

redspokes Tibet cycling holiday offers great physical challenges: extreme mountain biking through breath taking scenery as you cycle the "Roof of the World".