Sept 4, 2019:  We reversed our path and bussed out of Manali back over the Rohtang pass.  The road is essentially a one lane road, but we many passing spots.  At one point there had been a significant slide a few days earlier which mean there was a longer single lane section and since many of the drivers are fairly aggressive, two vehicles ended up nose to nose and the traffic filled in quickly behind each.  This is serious gridlock.  The police were called and various vehicles backed up ( a half a mile).  End result was a small delay of 2 hours.

Apparently Rohtang pass roughly translates into “pile of dead bodies”.

Having now completed the Leh Manali section, our next challenge is the Spiti valley.  We entered the Spiti Valley by coming over the top at the high end.  We supposedly get some easy downhill riding days - but I suspect we will be working for it.

We are now within about 10km of Tibet (China)

Riding day #10, Sept 5, 2019:  Losar to Kaza (bus’d from Manali to Losar):  900M up, 62km, 4,313 ( 14,150ft.) max, 3,661m (12,011ft) end.

We are supposedly riding down the Spiti Valley, but today involved a serious climb ending up at Kibber village.  This is the highest year-round inhabited village in the world.  It is at an elevation of *4270M (14,010ft).

Reminder:  If you click on any of the pictures, you'll get a higher res version.

Kibber Village