“Adventure riding in Himalayas”
10 Day Guided Motorcycle Tour in Spiti Valley, India on Royal Enfield
Manali, India
High-Altitude Motorcycle Tour in India
Every biker in the world irrespective of gender dreams of conquering the Himalayas. Lush green landscapes, snow-clad mountains, and the rugged Himalayan terrain is something that will surely pump up your adrenaline. Lahaul Spiti is one of the largest districts in Himachal Pradesh in terms of area occupied. This place is so beautiful and opulent that one needs to rub his or her eyes in order to believe it actually exists. In some parts of Spiti, there are folk Flores of aliens visiting the famous Chandratal Lake so you can imagine how beautiful Spiti Valley is.
Key information
- Terrain: 70% off road and 30% asphalt
- Bike: personal or rental bike (Royal Enfield 350cc, Himalayan 411cc, Bullet 500cc)
- Daily rides: 110 - 120 kilometers / 63 - 75 miles
- Riding gear: available for rent: knee pads and elbow guards
- Meals: Dinner from day 1 to breakfast on the last day
Highlights
- Starts and ends in Manali
- Visit the world’s highest post office in Hikkim
- Feel the adrenaline rush during Chandratal-Manali route
- Admire the second largest glacier of Himalayas, Bara Shigri
- Ride from barren desert to lush green landscapes
- Service of a tour leader, mechanic, support car
- 8 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
8 riding days in English
The organizer also speaks: Hindi
Group size: 5-25 participants
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
09:01
Check-out Time:
16:00
The package includes accommodation in hotels / camps / guest houses on double or triple sharing during the motorcycle tour.
Program
About the Spiti Valley bike tour
Be prepared about the route you are going to take to understand what challenges lie ahead in the journey to Spiti Valley. The route from Manali to Spiti goes through Kaza. The roads and peculiar terrain are enough to make your heartbeat high with excitement. The journey begins from Manali in the morning. Cross the Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass to reach Kaza. The eatery points are Chatru, Batal, and Losar on the way.
Itinerary
Pre-tour day: Delhi - Chandigarh - Manali (560 kilometers / 348 miles, 12-13 hours)
Today, board a Volvo bus to Manali from Delhi / Chandigarh. It will be an overnight journey so make sure that you are well prepared.
Day 1: Manali arrival
On the very first day, one needs to reach Manali either by Volvo bus or by the hired cab. At bus stand Manali, you will meet the tour guide of Motorbike Expeditions. The tour guide will take you to the respective hotels, where one can rest for a few hours. After taking a short nap, the guide will introduce you to your motorbikes.
Arrival day in Manali is all about acclimatization to high altitude climate and understanding how the rugged terrain of Himalayas behave while riding. This day will help you connect your soul to the bikes which will be your partner for the next 10 days. You will cover all the major sightseeing points around Manali on this very day and later in the evening after having dinner, the day comes to an end.
Day 2: Manali to Shoja
On the second day, you will leave after having the local Kulluvi food towards your next destination Shoja. The route to Shoja from Manali is enough to feel the real vibes of the countryside road. Lush green mountains and gushing Beas River is the common sight on this route.
On your route to Shoja, you will cover places like Kullu, Bhuntar, Aut, Banjar and the famous town of Jibhi. These all places are among the most beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh, so just imagine how beautiful your journey is going to be.
Shoja is about 108 kilometers from Manali, and all this time the Motorbike Expeditions team will be just behind you in case of any help required. After reaching Shoja, you will check-in into your homestays, where local food along with a bonfire will be served to an entire member of the expeditions.
Day 3: Shoja to Kalpa
The third day of your journey is the most adventurous day as you will cross the famous Jalori Pass, which is the high altitude pass connecting inner Siraj to outer Siraj. It’s only after leaving Siraj, when one feels the real wrath of Himalayan roads.
The roads are offbeat, places are isolated and the presence of tribal lands marks the beginning of Kinnaur region. The entire route from Jalori pass to Kalpa cover places like Aani, Luri and the famous town of Rampur. The ride through these places is a dream ride for many but only a few are able to fulfill it.
After reaching Kalpa, a place famous for apples, you will check into the hotels. After having some rest, you will meet for dinner where your guide will lay plans for the next day.
Day 4: Kalpa to Nako
On the fourth day, after having breakfast, you will leave for the most beautiful village of Spiti Valley, Nako. This beautiful village is situated at a distance of 99 kilometers from Kalpa. On the way to Nako from Kalpa, you will cover villages like Ribba, Pooh, and Khab.
If one loves peace and nature at its best then nothing can be better than bike expedition to Spiti. The way from Kalpa to Nako binds India’s most beautiful barren terrain and cold desert. On one side one can hear the sound of gushing Satluj River and on the other, the cold surreal wind that rustles through one’s ear while riding.
After reaching Nako, you can explore the beautiful village and later check-in into the hotel. After having dinner, you go to sleep.
Day 5: Nako - Kaza via Dhankar
The fifth day of the expedition to Spiti is going to be of moderate level. On this very day, you will visit the two most famous monasteries of Spiti. The first one is going to be the Tabo Monastery which is also known as “Ajanta of the Himalayas” due to the presence of Thangka Paintings.
After visiting Tabo, you will head towards one of the oldest monasteries in the world, known as Dhankar Monastery. This day will be all about exploring the culture of Spiti.
What the Motorbike Expeditions team has experienced from their previous tours is that most people travel to these regions without having much knowledge of the cultural aspect, but Motorbike Expeditions teams believe in providing the cultural knowledge along with world-class motorcycle tour. After reaching Kaza, you will check-in into the hotel and later in the evening after having dinner you will wish each other goodnight.
Day 6: Kaza - Hikkim - Komic - Kaza
On the sixth day after having breakfast, you will leave towards the famous village of Hikkim. This village is located at a distance of 15 kilometers from Kaza and is famous for its location for the world’s highest post office.
The most unique thing which people do here is that they send a post from Hikkim to their relatives and loved ones so that this act stays in their memories for life. After that, you visit the famous Ki Monastery, the largest monastery in Spiti Valley. Komic village is the last village for the day and later by evening you return back to Kaza.
Day 7: Kaza - Chandratal
The seventh day of the bike expedition marks the visit to the world’s most beautiful lake, Chandratal. This lake is so surreal and calm that one has to rub his or her eyes in order to believe it actually exists. The most interesting thing which the Motorbike Expeditions team does here is that they take all the mobile phones from fellow travelers and insist them to just enjoy nature rather than clicking pictures.
The folk Flores related to this place also suggests that there have been several cases when people have spotted unidentified flying objects in the region. After spending some valuable time and exploring the sky blue Lake Chandratal you head towards your stay for the night.
Day 8: Chandratal to Manali
On the eighth day, after having breakfast at Chandratal, you will leave for the most dreaded Himalayan road that is the road from Chandratal to Manali. On this very day, you cross the number of water crossings feeling the real adventure.
The roads are offbeat, isolated and mostly clogged with water enough to submerge your bikes completely. If someone wants to understand the real adrenaline rush as a biker then Chandratal to Manali is a route for you.
After reaching Batal, you will witness the second largest glacier of Himalayas Bara Sigri on the way to Chatru. One more Interesting thing which one experiences on the way to Chatru from Batal is the famous Chota Dhara Nala, the most dangerous Himalayan Nala.
Chatru to Manali via Rohtang is the main high light of this bike expedition, the landscape changes from barren desert to lush green and riding experience to smooth. After reaching Manali, you finally end the trip by going for a complimentary dinner with all the riders of motorbike expeditions.
Day 9: Manali to Delhi
On the final day of your trip, you will greet all fellow riders and bid them farewell along with best wishes for life in the hope of meeting them soon again. The overnight journey of 12 hours will finally drop you in the nation’s capital Delhi, from where one can continue their journey back home.
If you are planning a trip to Spiti Valley then this itinerary is surely and undoubtedly the best itinerary you can get online. Motorbike Expeditions team has been running tours on the same plan for the past 3-4 years.
This is a standard Spiti Valley Bike tour itinerary and can be modified on the request if needed. The itinerary has covered all the major aspects, but if you feel like you want to add a place or two you can send an inquiry to the Motorbike Expeditions team 24/7.
About Motorbike Expeditions
Motorbike Expeditions has been designing motorbike tours since 2014. Motorbike and touring came into their lives slowly and later became an addiction. The next thing was to connect and share our routes, experiences with like-minded people. And more importantly, to encourage more people to take up motorbike travel.
Motorbike Expeditions is an Indian owned company that has always operated with the aim of combining expert local knowledge with high western standards. It is this winning combination that has resulted in their success of running truly world-class motorbike adventure tours.
Note
- The advisable maximum size of baggage should not exceed 60 liters. Remember that you have to carry the luggage to the backup vehicle and into the accommodation.
- Consumption of alcohol/drugs and smoking during the bike ride is strictly prohibited.
- Children are not allowed on bike trips, only people above the age of 18 and holders of proper licenses.
Motorcycles available for this tour
For this tour, you can bring your own motorcycle (for local riders) or rent one from the Motorbike Expeditions team (for international travelers). If you decide to rent one, you have options between Royal Enfield 350cc, Himalayan 411cc, or Bullet 500cc. The price depends on the type of bike you choose.
If you decide to rent, the price includes motorbike rental, standard size helmet for rider and pillion ride (used helmet not new) from day 1 to day 8, and extra fuel for back up.
Skill level(s) required for this tour: intermediate, advanced
Intermediate:
- can ride for 3-4 hours
- average riding experience
- little assistance required
- comfortable with extreme curves and leans
- average experience with unsurfaced roads
- steep ascents and descents
Advanced:
- can ride for 5-6 hours
- extensive riding experience
- assistance on demand (if required)
- experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
- comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions
Location
This tour takes place in India. From Delhi, you will board a bus to Manali, the starting point of the tour. The route includes Shoja, Kalpa, Nako, Kaza, Chandratal, then back to Manali then Delhi.
Please note that you will spend one night on the bus on the way from Delhi to Manali. You will have overnight accommodation starting from Manali.
Food
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- Accommodation in hotels / camps / guesthouses on double / triple sharing from day 1 to day 8 on twin-sharing basis
- One motorbike mechanic from day 1 to day 8
- Environmental and permit fee
- 1 backup vehicle to carry luggage and mechanic from day 1 to day 8
- First aid box and oxygen cylinder
- Return volvo tickets from Manali to Delhi / Chandigarh
- Spares parts change in bike during the tour - front tube / rear tube / spark plug / clutch and brake wire / clutch and disc brake pads / engine oil /clutch plate
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner (dinner from day 1 to breakfast on the last day)
- Experienced English-speaking road captain
What's not included
- Personal expenses like telephone, laundry, tips and table drinks, etc.
- Any type of insurance: medical, accidental, theft
- Any airfare / rail fare other than what is mentioned in “Inclusions”
- Airport, railway station or bus stop pick up or drop off
- Cost of any spare part which will be used due to the accidental damage incurred when the motorbike is in rider’s possession
- Cost incurred to transfer or tow the motorbike in case it is dropped on the way
- Vehicle servicing or maintenance cost
- Any lunch and other meals not mentioned in package inclusions
- Security deposit per motorbike of 10,000 INR / 140 USD as per the deposit policy (this is refundable at the end of the trip if there is no damage or spare parts used)
- Parking and monument entry fees during sightseeing
- Any cost incurred due to extension, change of itinerary due to natural calamities, roadblocks, vehicle breakdown, union issues and factors beyond Motorbike Expeditions' control
- Anything that is not mentioned in the inclusion section
- Riding gears for riders which can be hired (knee pads and elbow guards – 750 INR / 11 USD for the whole trip
- Additional accommodation / food cost incurred due to any delay
How to get there
Recommended Airports
DEL
Indira Gandhi International Airport
408 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Then, you will have to board an overnight bus to Manali, which is the starting and ending point of the tour. Return volvo bus tickets from Manali to Delhi / Chandigarh are included.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookMotorcycleTours.com. All major credit cards supported.
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