Shimla, Sep 17 - Covering the most rugged and inhospitable terrain, a cycle expedition billed as India's 'toughest' will be flagged off in Shimla this month and and will see 70 participants from the country and abroad.

'The fifth Hercules MTV Himachal, which has 70 cyclists, including 15 foreigners, would be flagged off from here Sep 27,' Mohit Sood, president of the Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association (Hastpa), told IANS.

'In the next 10 days, the cyclist will cover around 700 km,' he said. Hastpa is organising the adventure event.

The rally would cover Shimla, Mandi and Kullu districts.

'The rally would also pass through the Jalori Pass (at 3,223 metres), the highest point in the rally in Kullu district,' said Sood.

The 15 foreigners taking part are from the US, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Nepal. The Indian cyclists include teams from the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

The rally will conclude at Manali Oct 6.

Hercules cycles and the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department are the sponsors of the event.