Spiti Valley Motorbike Trip | High Altitude Himalayan Motorcycle Tour

• Welcome to India! Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, our team will greet you and assist 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.

• After an early breakfast at the hotel, we begin our journey towards the Himalayas.
• We transfer to New Delhi Railway Station and board a comfortable train to Chandigarh (Train distance: approx. 245 km | Duration: 3.5–4 hours).
• The train journey offers a glimpse of India’s changing landscapes — bustling cities slowly giving way to greener countryside.
• On arrival in Chandigarh, known as India’s cleanest and most well-planned city, we take a short break before continuing our journey by bus to Shimla.
• The drive from Chandigarh to Shimla (Road distance: approx. 115 km | Duration: 5–5.5 hours) is scenic and relaxing. As the road climbs higher, the air turns cooler, and pine forests begin to appear. Rolling hills, mountain villages, and winding roads mark your first real experience 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 rest or take a gentle walk nearby, enjoying the cool mountain weather.

Overnight stay in Shimla.

• 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.

• 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 drive 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 Sarahan (Approx. 190 km | 7–8 hours), a small Himalayan village dominated by the impressive Bhimakali Temple complex, known for its unique wooden architecture and twin towers set against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains.
• We spend the evening at leisure, soaking in the peaceful surroundings and fresh mountain air.

Overnight stay in Sarahan.

• 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 (Approx. 110 km | 4–5 hours), the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibetan border, is surrounded by high mountains and open meadows.
• Evening at leisure to explore the village or relax by the river.

Overnight stay in Chitkul.

• After breakfast, we leave Chitkul and drive 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.

• 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 valleys slowly fade into a high-altitude desert, with stark mountains, deep gorges, and wide open skies guiding the way.
• By afternoon, we arrive in Nako (Approx. 110 km | 4–5 hours), 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.

• After breakfast, we set off on a short but scenic drive 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 (Approx. 80 km | 2–3 hours), 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.

• After breakfast, we leave Tabo and set out on what is normally a short drive, 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 at 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 can 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 drive 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, 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 drive 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 extreme altitude. Enjoy time to walk through the villages, interact with locals, and perhaps share 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 (Approx. 60–70 km total | 3–4 hours).
• Evening at leisure to relax or explore the local market.

Overnight stay in Kaza.

• After an early breakfast, we leave Kaza and begin one of the most scenic and adventurous drives 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,” its 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 (Approx. 200 km total | 8–9 hours).

Overnight stay in 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.