Spiti Valley Motorbike Trip | High Altitude Himalayan Motorcycle Tour

Arrival in Delhi | Rest & Orientation

• Welcome to India! Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, our team will greet you and assist you with a smooth transfer to your hotel. 

• After check-in, the day is kept easy and relaxed to help you recover from long international flights and adjust to the new time zone, climate, and surroundings. 

• Take some time to rest, freshen up, or enjoy a short walk around the hotel area. This is your first taste of India — vibrant, colorful, and full of life. 

• In the evening, we’ll have a brief orientation session where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travelers. You’ll receive an overview of the journey ahead, safety guidelines, cultural tips, and practical advice for traveling in India. 

• Dinner will be served at the hotel or a nearby restaurant, offering a gentle introduction to Indian cuisine, with options suited to European palates. 

Overnight stay in Delhi. 

Rest well — the adventure truly begins tomorrow.

Delhi to Shimla via Chandigarh (360 Km | 8–9 hours)

• After an early breakfast at the hotel, we begin our journey towards the Himalayas. 

• We set off from Delhi in comfortable cars for a smooth drive towards Chandigarh. 

• The drive from Delhi to Chandigarh takes you through the plains of North India, offering a relaxed and scenic start to the journey. 

• Upon arrival in Chandigarh, Motorbike allocation and a brief orientation will be conducted to prepare for the upcoming ride. 

• After the motorbike allocation, we begin our ride towards Shimla. 

• As we ride higher into the mountains, the air becomes cooler and the landscape transforms into beautiful pine forests, winding mountain roads, and charming hill villages — offering your first real glimpse of the Himalayas. 

• By late afternoon or early evening, we arrive in Shimla, the former summer capital of British India. 

• After hotel check-in, the evening is free to relax or take a gentle walk nearby, enjoying the pleasant mountain weather. 

Overnight stay in Shimla. 

Shimla Local Sightseeing

• After breakfast, we head out to explore Shimla, a relaxed hill town with old-world charm, colonial architecture, and beautiful mountain views. 

• Our first stop is Jakhoo Temple, set on the highest point in Shimla. Surrounded by cedar forests, it offers lovely views over the town and the distant Himalayas. 

• We then spend time around The Ridge and Mall Road, Shimla’s main promenade, where you can stroll past heritage buildings, small cafés, and local shops. A short walk brings us to Christ Church, one of the oldest churches in North India and a quiet reminder of Shimla’s colonial past. 

• Later, we visit the elegant Viceregal Lodge (Indian Institute of Advanced Study), once the residence of the British Viceroy, now set in peaceful gardens overlooking the valley. 

• The afternoon is free to enjoy lunch, relax at a café, or wander around Mall Road at your own pace. 

• In the evening, motorcycles are allocated to all riders, followed by a trip orientation session. We’ll walk you through the journey ahead, riding conditions, safety tips, and give you time to get comfortable with your bike. 

Overnight stay in Shimla. 

Shimla to Rampur Bushahr (150 km | 4–5 hours)

• Today, we begin our journey along the historic Old Hindustan–Tibet Road, built by the British to improve access to Tibet. This legendary route will guide us through some of the most remote and least explored regions of the Indian Himalayas over the coming days. 

• Leaving Shimla behind, the road winds past verdant Himalayan peaks, apple orchards, and cedar forests, gradually descending towards the Sutlej River, which will accompany us for much of the journey ahead. 

• As we ride deeper into the Kinnaur region, the scenery becomes quieter and more dramatic, offering a glimpse into a slower, mountain way of life. 

• By late afternoon, we arrive in Rampur Bushahr, a historic Himalayan town known for its rich heritage, traditional architecture, and its scenic location along the banks of the Sutlej River, surrounded by towering mountains. 

• We spend the evening at leisure, soaking in peaceful surroundings and fresh mountain air. 

Overnight stay in Rampur Bushahr. 

Rampur Bushahr to Chitkul (130 km | 5–6 hours)

• After breakfast, we continue along the Sutlej River and, at Karcham, enter the scenic Baspa Valley, leaving the Old Hindustan–Tibet Road behind. 

• We pass through Sangla, the largest village in the valley, overlooked by the historic Kamru Fort, a five-storey tower known for its traditional wooden carvings and striking mountain setting. 

• Continuing along the Baspa River, the landscape becomes quieter and more remote. 

• By afternoon, we arrive in Chitkul, the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibetan border, which is surrounded by high mountains and open meadows. 

• Evening at leisure to explore the village or relax by the river. 

Overnight stay in Chitkul. 

Chitkul to Kalpa (100 km | 3–4 hours)

• After breakfast, we leave Chitkul and ride back through the scenic Baspa Valley, retracing our route past Sangla and Karcham. 

• Rejoining the Old Hindustan–Tibet Road, we continue along the Sutlej River, with changing views of deep gorges, terraced fields, and dramatic mountain landscapes. 

• By afternoon, we arrive in Kalpa (Approx. 100 km | 3–4 hours), a peaceful Himalayan village known for its apple orchards and stunning views of the Kinnaur Kailash range. 

• The rest of the day is free to relax, explore the village, or enjoy the sunset over the snow-covered peaks. 

Overnight stay in Kalpa. 

Kalpa to Nako (110 km | 4–5 hours)

• After breakfast, we continue north along the Old Hindustan–Tibet Road, following the Sutlej River as the landscape becomes drier, more rugged, and increasingly dramatic. 

• The green valley's slowly fade into a high-altitude desert, with stark mountains, deep gorges, and wide-open skies guiding the way. 

• By the afternoon, we arrive in Nako, a small and remote village that feels like stepping back in time. Set at an altitude of 3,660 meters, Nako is built around a serene turquoise lake and surrounded by barren yet striking scenery. 

• The rest of the day is kept relaxed to allow time to settle in and adjust to the altitude. Gentle walks around the lake or through the village are recommended. 

Overnight stay in Nako. 

Nako to Tabo (80 km | 2–3 hours)

• After breakfast, we set off on a short but scenic ride towards Tabo. At Sumdo, we leave the Sutlej River and turn into the Spiti Valley — welcome to Spiti. 

• By late morning, we arrive in Tabo, a quiet village set at an altitude of 3,050 meters. Tabo is best known for the historic Tabo Monastery (Tabo Gompa), founded over a thousand years ago and believed to have been established by Rinchen Zangpo, the Great Translator. 

• The monastery complex is the oldest continuously functioning monastery in India and the largest in Spiti, known for its remarkable murals, ancient statues, nine temples, numerous stupas, and meditation caves. 

• The afternoon is free to explore the monastery and the surrounding village at a relaxed pace. 

Overnight stay in Tabo. 

Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar (80 km | 3–4 hours)

• After breakfast, we leave Tabo and set out on what is normally a short ride, but one we extend with a rewarding detour through the heart of the Spiti Valley. 

• Our first stop is Dhankar Monastery, dramatically perched on a cliff over 3,800 meters. Once a guard fort of the Spiti kingdom, the monastery offers phenomenal views across the Spiti Valley and is known for its traditional architecture and beautiful thangkas. 

• From here, those who wish to take a short trek to Dhankar Lake 
  (Approx. 2 km one way | 1–1.5 hours). The trail leads to a quiet high-altitude lake set above the valley, offering stunning views and a peaceful break amidst the stark Spiti landscape. 

• After the visit and trek, we continue our ride towards Kaza. 

• By afternoon, we arrive in Kaza (Approx. 50 km | 2–3 hours), the main town of Spiti Valley. 

• The rest of the day is free to relax, explore the local market, or enjoy the calm rhythm of life in Spiti. 

Overnight stay in Kaza. 

Kaza | Langza, Komic & Key Monastery

• Kaza, the largest town in the otherwise vast and empty Spiti Valley, is the perfect base for exploring the remarkable high-altitude villages around it. 

• After breakfast, we ride to Key Monastery, dramatically perched on a hill overlooking the Spiti River. Home to over 300 resident lamas, this is the largest monastery in Spiti. Inside, a maze of corridors and rooms reveals ancient thangkas, murals, and traditional musical instruments, all set against breathtaking valley views. 

• We then continue to the high villages of Langza and Komic, recently connected by road and still deeply rooted in traditional Tibetan-Spiti culture. These quiet settlements offer a rare glimpse into life at an extreme altitude. Enjoy time walking through the villages, interacting with locals, and perhaps sharing a warm cup of local tea. 

• The area is also known for its wildlife, including ibex, red fox, and griffon vultures, often seen along the slopes and ridgelines. 

• By afternoon, we return to Kaza. 

• Evening at leisure to relax or explore the local market. 

Overnight stay in Kaza. 

Kaza to Manali via Chandratal Lake (200 km total | 8–9 hours)

• After an early breakfast, we leave Kaza and begin one of the most scenic and adventurous rides of the journey. 

• The road takes us through the rugged landscapes of Spiti, crossing Kunzum Pass, where we pause to take in the dramatic high-altitude views before continuing towards Chandratal Lake. 

• From the road head, we take a short walk to reach Chandratal Lake (Approx. 14 km off-road + 1 km walk | 45–60 minutes' walk), a stunning high-altitude lake set against barren mountains. Known as the “Moon Lake,” it's clear blue waters and peaceful surroundings make it one of the most beautiful spots in the Himalayas. 

• After spending time at the lake, we continue our journey towards Manali, descending gradually from the high-altitude desert into greener valleys and forests. 

• By late evening, we arrive in Manali. 

Overnight stay in Manali. 

Departure from Manali

• After breakfast, check out from your hotel. 

• Depending on your schedule, you can explore Manali town, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy a final walk in the mountains. 

• Transfers to the airport or bus station are arranged according to your onward travel plans.
• As you leave, take a moment to reflect on the incredible landscapes, winding roads, and unforgettable experiences of your Himalayan adventure. 

Trip ends.