TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
DURATION: 14 Days
BEST TIME: May till September.
BIKES: Enfield Classic 500cc or Himalayan 411cc.
GROUP SIZE: Min 4 to maximum 15 riders.
TOUR COST: US$3400/p onwards for 4+ Pax.
Spiti Valley lies in the northern part of India close to Kashmir along with Kinnaur, Lahaul, Sangla and Pin Valleys in Himachal Pradesh state. The entire region is covered by high mountain ranges and is considered sacred due to being one of the oldest centres for Buddhism. The desert mountain landscape and the spectacular scenery of the region are extraordinarily beautiful. Starting from Shimla all the way to Manali, the interesting combination of roads such as dirt, blacktopped, road that are carved out of rocks makes the area a paradise for adventurer tourers.
DETAIL TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrive in Delhi. Transfer to Hotel (5 star).
We will meet you at Delhi Airport and transfer you to our hotel. Room and breakfast only. Complimentary use of Swimming Pool and Sauna. Meet and greet at the bar before dinner. Meet, greet and get to know each other over dinner.
DAY 2: Fly to Jubarhatti Airport. Drive to Shimla.
Early morning drive to airport and fly to Shimla. 1 hour flight time.
Option B: Drive to Shimla by a private AC van. 8 – 9 hours drive. Check into hotel and rest. Our bikes will be ready and waiting for us at the hotel. Breakfast & Dinner only.
DAY 3: Ride to Sarahan Temple. 160KM.
Breakfast at 7:30am. Ride starts at 8:30am. Ride to Sarahan Temple. Overnight in hotel. BLD included. Beautiful winding road thru pine forest and numerous apple orchards.
DAY 4: Ride Sarahan to Sangla Valley with a detour of Chitkool Village. 132km.
Breakfast at 7:30am. Bike ride starts at 8:30am. Ride to Sangla Valley. Overnight in Apple deluxe camping accommodation. We will be riding thru some really amazing road carved on the rocky cliff with low rock ceilings and the raging Sutlej river a few hundred meters below. The area is mostly wet and green and the hills very steep yet the entire landscape is simply jaw dropping. Some of India’s monster hydro projects are also located around this area such as Karcham and Rakchham. Our Apple Camping is beautifully located inside a beautiful apple orchard and is surrounded by beautiful nature. You will be woken up by the chirping of the birds early morning. Chilled beer is available and dinner is served inside a beautifully decorated dining tent. Camps have attached bathroom and hot shower facility. B&D.
DAY 5: Ride Sangla Valley to Nako via Reckongpeo. 170km.
Leave the camp around 8:30am after breakfast. Once again we are on a beautiful winding road to Reckongpeo where we will obtain permit for Spiti Valley at the tourism office. Tea or coffee break while waiting for our permit. We continue our ride till Dabling bridge where we will make our first permit entry at the check point. Pass Dabling bridge, we will see a beautiful confluence of Sutlej and Spiti river. From this point onwards we will be officially entering the magnificent Spiti valley. The scenery and landscape along the road will blow you away offering you one of the most beautiful riding experience. Arrive at Nako and check into a hotel. Nako is a beautiful old village established around a small lake with Tibetan influence. A walk thru the village and a visit to the village monastery is worthwhile. B&D.
DAY 6: Ride Nako to Kaza via Gue Monastery and Tabo. 145km.
Start riding around 9:00am after breakfast. Roughly two hours ride and we will arrive at Sumdo where we will detour to visit Gue monastery housing a mummy of a high lama (monk). The monastery is located 17km off the main highway on a hilltop offering yet another amazing views of the valley. A quick tea break and we return back to the highway to continue towards Tabo Monastery. Tabo monastery established in the 9th century looks more like an ancient museum. The rustic smell, the simple mud-plastered walls and the deity statues hanging off the walls offers you a sneak peek into ancient art and culture that has survived the modernization. Visitors are requested to maintain pin drop silence. We will enjoy lunch outside the monastery in one of the restaurants offering Tibetan dumplings and other exciting local dishes. After lunch we will continue ride to Kaza, the district headquarter of Spiti and check into Hotel Sakya Abode. B&D
DAY 7: Stay in Kaza. Ride to Dhankar Monastery, Pin Valley. 90km round trip.
Stay in Kaza. Leave all our shit in the hotel. After breakfast we ride to Dhankar Fort Monastery perched atop a hill that looks like ant’s hill. From the monastery, enjoy the magnificent views of the entire Kaza Valley and Pin Valley and the Spiti river. From Dhankar we will ride to the most beautiful and colorful Pin Valley. Approximately 90km round trip. If time allows, we will ride to Hikkim and the world’s highest Post office and send a postcard each back home. If not we will do the ride next day. Back to the hotel to enjoy some celebration drinks. B&D
DAY 8: Stay in Kaza. Ride to Key Monastery, Kibber and Hikkim Village. 50km round trip.
After breakfast ride to Key Monastery, Kibber village and Hikkim. Return back to hotel and take some much needed rest over chilled beer. B&D
DAY 9: Ride to Chandrataal or the Moon Lake. 110km.
Ride to Chandrataal or the Moon Lake and spend a night in deluxe camps watching the moon and the stars. On a clear evening, the milky way is visible. If not we will enjoy walk to the lake and back. The entire ride from Kaza to Chandrataal is so much enjoyable due the amazing sceneries unfolding one after the other. We will stop at Kunzum Pass at 4551m and enjoy the spectacular mountain views. B&D
DAY 10: Ride to Manali over Rohtang Pass 4000m. 124km.
Last lapse. After breakfast, start riding roughly around 9:00am. Head down towards Batal and Gramphu and climb over numerous bends to reach the famous snowy Rohtang Pass situated at 4000m from the sea level. From the pass, it is roughly 45km to Manali, another famous hillstation established during the British era. Park our bikes and check into Banon Resort just outside the town surrounded by nature but close enough so that walking down to the Manali town is just 15 minutes. Time to hug each other and congratulate each other and pat our bikes. B&D
DAY 11: Rest day in Manali. Complete rest at Banon Resort.
Rest day in Manali in the beautiful Banon Resort. Evening walk to the Mall Road to see the colorful Manali market. B&D
DAY 12: Fly to Delhi. Catch your flight back home.
Early morning flight back to Delhi. Either stay in Delhi or catch your flight back home. Domestic to International distance is only 30 minutes drive.
INCLUDES: Airport pickup and drop in Delhi, 500CC Royal Enfield or RE Himalayan 411cc with electric start and universal 5 gear, support SUV, mechanic support and spare parts, fuel for the entire trip, hotel with breakfast and dinner on twin sharing basis as per itinerary. All temples and monastery entrance fees, all ground transportation, air tickets to and from Delhi (Domestic flight with 20kg luggage), permit for Spiti and Pin valley.
EXCLUDES: International airfare, Indian Visa fee, lunch and dinner in Delhi, lunch during the tour, bar bills and soft drinks throughout the tour, laundry, insurance, emergency rescue, repair charge of physical damage to the bike (if any), extra luggage charge in domestic air (allowed 20kg only) etc.
OUR BIKES: We have 500CC Royal Enfield Classic or 411CC Himalayan with left gear shift & electric start.
NOTE: Please note that we are climbing to 4551 Kunzum pass, you must consult your doctor and seek advice regarding the health. No need of international driving license as long as you have a valid driving license from your own country. Riders must bring proper riding gears.