![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Quaint Old Manali and Doongri village, mark the start of once more of the legendary Manali-Leh highway.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-rUuceu.jpeg)
Quaint Old Manali and Doongri village, mark the start of the legendary Manali-Leh highway. Although my 5th time along this 600km epic route it never ceases to leave me in awe and amazement.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Our friends and tour partner Ravi Thakur with his wife Rekha and little Reva, Aba-le and Abi-le at home.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-zjzr4H.jpeg)
Our friends and tour partner Ravi Thakur with his wife Rekha and little Reva, Aba-le and Abi-le at home.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Little Reva like all himalayan babies has been potty trained since birth and never wears a nappy! Hard to believe but i witnessed this little 8mth old show me her impressive training myself - Yay for Himalayan moms!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-9ZYL5p.jpeg)
Little Reva like all himalayan babies has been’ potty’ trained since birth and never wears a nappy! Hard to believe, but I witnessed this little 8mth show her amazing ability to wee when prompted – Yay for Himalayan moms and their sustainable choice!
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) And then the cycling began up the 60km Rhotang pass climb.... Richard and Colleen making good headway.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-9_9CJB.jpeg)
And then the cycling began up the 60km Rhotang pass climb…. Richard and Colleen making good headway.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) We shared our first campsite with about 30 young lamas (young monks) who were paying tribute to one of their monks who had died recently on the pass.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-OeFKxz.jpeg)
We shared our first campsite with about 30 young lamas (young monks) who were paying tribute to one of their lamas who had died recently on this notoriously perilous pass.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Of course a few dog friends are obligatory on these trip. 'Marhi' camp dog gets a pat from Cliff and scrambled egg and toast from me.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-20Ctv0.jpeg)
Of course a few dog friends are obligatory on these trips. ‘Marhi’ camp dog gets a pat from Cliff and scrambled egg and toast from me.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) The passing Tata truck. Hold you breathe and hang on, that's what I do and I think Colleen did the same.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-O17ujd.jpeg)
The passing Tata truck. Hold you breathe and hang onto your bike. That’s what I do, and I think Colleen did the same.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Goaties on their way up as we hurtle down the 20km descent on the other side.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-Q4kL9t.jpeg)
Goaties on their way up as we hurtle down the 20km descent on the other side.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Following the Chandra river to the Baralacha-la pass.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-4vgFLQ.jpeg)
Following the Chandra river to the Baralacha-la pass.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) At a rest stop en route we met cycle tourers Cat (US), Niels (Belgium) and Tim (UK) all on their own journeys. We teamed up for the rest of the way and enjoyed the company of these 3 intrepid explorers.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-qmf4HR.jpeg)
At a rest stop en route we met cycle tourers Cat (US), Niels (Belgium) and Tim (UK) all on their own journeys. We teamed up for the rest of the way and enjoyed the company of these 3 intrepid explorers.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Slowly we edged along the winding highway into the rain-shadow of the himalayas.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-c6JxS3.jpeg)
Slowly we edged along the winding highway into the rain-shadow of the himalayas.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Paul and Carlos marvel at the hanging glaciers which typify this section of the route.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-dIXNgR.jpeg)
Paul and Carlos marvel at the hanging glaciers which typify this section of the route.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) One of my favorite campsites. Most of the summer flowers were over this year, however these pinks were still colouring the mountain slopes shades of mauve.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-DMtWAN.jpeg)
One of my favorite campsites. Most of the summer flowers were over, however these pinks were still colouring the mountain slopes shades of mauve.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) The Baralacha-la pass is a 28km climb from Patseo and although now completely tarred comparing with the gravel i cycled up 5 years ago, still feels as hard.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-XzKDHy.jpeg)
The Baralacha-la pass is a 28km climb from Patseo and although now completely tarred, comparing with the gravel we cycled up 5 years ago, it still feels really hard.
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Baralacha-la (4980m)This year I decided to fly the Eco-Schools flag on every high pass I cycled over. It is also seemed auspicious as India had just become the 52nd country to join this International programme!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-2qk0Wi.jpeg)
Baralacha-la (4980m). This year I decided to fly the Eco-Schools flag on every high pass I cycled over. It is also seemed auspicious as India had just become the 52nd country to join this International programme!
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Beautiful Baralacha-la](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-glWIw0.jpeg)
Beautiful Baralacha-la
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) The rewards are sweet: when you go up you must come down. Sandra and my most favorite green, purple, red and orange moutains (coming down Baralacha-la)](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-E9I9vB.jpeg)
The rewards are sweet: when you go up you must come down. Sandra and my most favorite green, purple, red and orange moutains (coming down Baralacha-la).
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Bicylce blips on the landscape](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-2YVAbJ.jpeg)
Bicycle blips on the landscape
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) More rewards - superb campsites with beers included - Paul, Graham and Cliff soaking up more than just the landscape!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-XXXT9M.jpeg)
More rewards – superb campsites with beers included – Paul, Graham and Cliff soaking up more than just the landscape!
![Manali-Leh Highway 2013: Rhotang Pass (4000m) to Baralacha-la (4980) Sarchu plains at 4300m.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/66/668306/manali-leh-highway-2013-rhotang-pass-4000m-to-L-IVECMG.jpeg)
Sarchu plains at 4300m.