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Travelling from Manali to Chandratal and then to the Spiti River Valley is special in itself. The first remarkable feature of Spiti Valley bike trip is that it introduces you to diverse regions of Leh-Ladakh while being in Himachal Pradesh. Barren mountains, high snow-capped peaks, and unbearable cold are the geographical characteristics of this area.
Spiti Valley is undoubtedly one of the best Himachal road trip destinations. The rivers remain clean, and the glass-like clear water helps calm your mind with the sound of its flow. The numerous large waterfalls throughout the region compel you to pause and enjoy nature.
The roads in Spiti Valley are smooth and do not disrupt your journey, but there are no proper roads on the way to Chandratal, making it one of the most challenging bike trips of your life. The Sp...
Chandratal is an incredibly beautiful lake, like entering a true paradise. Beyond Kiato, you leave the main road and enter the rural area, passing through Martian Mountain Terrain, Chicham Bridge, and Key Monastery to reach Spiti Valley Bridge.
A few metres from here, you enter rural areas again, passing through Langza, Hikkim, and Komic to reach Spiti Ice Stupa. From there, you can accelerate your journey again on the main road and proceed towards Dhankar Village.
The Lingti Frozen Waterfall is located a few kilometres before reaching Dhankar, so you might want to experience the frozen waterfall. Needle Rock Formations, Tabo Caves, and Moonland Chango are amazing natural wonders. Near Malling, at Khab, the Spiti river meets the Sutlej, so you can either turn back from Khab or continue your journey further towards Reckong Peo at your convenience.
Overall, the S...
Own Bike/Rented Bike: The rider must have a well-maintained bike that can be taken on this road trip. Make sure that the engine capacity is enough to ride hundreds of kilometres continuously. It must be an off-roading bike which can be driven on dirt and concrete paths. Either you can ride your bike to Manali to start this road trip, or you can rent a bike from a reliable source in Manali.
Tip: Parcel your own bike to Chandigarh through the Indian Railway parcel facility if you want to ride your own bike.
Note: Check the online reviews and ratings of rental bike providers in Manali for the best experience before confirming the deal.
How to Reach Manali: Manali boasts excellent road connectivity with the plains, with buses and private taxis operating from various locations such as Delhi, Chandigarh, and Shimla. Chandigarh serves as the nearest railway station to Manali, facilitating convenient travel options for adventurers.
Bhuntar Airport is the nearest to Manali, offering convenient public and private transfer facilities.
Route: Chandigarh - Manali - Gramphu - Chhatru - Batal - Chandrataal - Kunzum La (4551 m) - Losar - Kiato - Chicham Bridge - Langza - Hikkim - Kaza - Samling - Pin Valley - Tabo - Malling/Nako
Spiti Road Trip Itinerary: Depending on the starting point, you can either make a circular via Manali and Rohtang Pass or take the straight route via Reckong Peo and Nako. You can ask us for an itinerary by filling the form given below.
Our Recommended Chandigarh to Spiti Valley Itinerary:
Day 1: Chandigarh to Narkanda (170 km | 6-7 hrs)
Day 2: Narkanda to Kalpa (160 km | 6-7 hrs)
Day 3: Kalpa to Tabo (190 km | 7-8 hrs)
Day 4: Tabo to Kaza (50 km | 2 hrs) via Dhankar
Day 5: Kaza Local Sightseeing
Day 6: Kaza to Chandratal via Kunzum Pass (100 km | 5-6 hrs)
Day 7: Chandratal to Manali (120 km | 6-7 hrs)
Day 8: Manali to Chandigarh (300 km | 8-9 hrs)
Best Time for Spiti Valley Bike Trip: Experts recommend to choose June and July months to explore Spiti and upper regions of the Himalayas in Himachal and Ladakh. Clear skies in these months allow riders to ride safe and enjoy the scenic beauty of Spiti Valley.
Rohtang Pass: This is a high mountain pass located on the eastern edge of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. The pass stands at an impressive height of 3,978 metres (13,058 feet) and is 50 kilometres away from Manali.
Travelling through Rohtang Pass boasts breathtaking mountain vistas, snow-capped peaks, and stunning landscapes. The Beas River emerges from underground on the southern side of the pass.
Chandra Taal: Manali to Chandratal is approximately 110 km, and you can take a whole day to reach there. Passing through the Atal Tunnel is easier than passing through Rohtang Pass, but passing through Rohtang Pass helps you enjoy stunning views.
Your bike can reach campsites located a few kilometres before Chandratal or slightly beyond. However, to reach Chandratal Lake, you have to trek 2-3 kilometres. This vast and beautiful lake is fully capable of filling you with peace, curiosity, and excitement.
Chicham Bridge: About one and a half kilometres ahead of Kiato, you leave the main road and enter through the gate of the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. As you continue ahead, you first pass through Martian mountain terrain and head towards Kibber village.
Here, you cross the Chicham Bridge, which is the highest bridge in Asia. A few kilometres ahead is the famous Key Monastery, where you can learn about Tibetan deities, tantra, and Buddhism.
Kaza: Located at an altitude of 3650 metres (11,980 ft), Kaza is the largest township and commercial centre of Spiti Valley. Kaza boasts a rich cultural heritage influenced by Buddhism and Tibetan traditions. Langza and Hikkim are the main attractions that can be covered before Kaza. You can also fill the fuel tank of your bike at Kaza, as no fuel stations are there ahead of you on your journey.
Dhankar: The Spiti and Pin Rivers converge near the village, creating a dramatic landscape. Dhankar was once the capital of the Spiti Valley Kingdom during the 17th century. Sitting at a staggering elevation of 3,894 metres (12,774 feet), the village boasts a rich cultural heritage with strong Buddhist influences.
A small but scenic lake, Dhankar, located near the village, offers a tranquil spot for nature lovers. Moreover, the surrounding hills contain fossils, a testament to the region's geological history of the Tethys Sea.
Needle Rock Formations: As soon as you cross the Dhankar village and travel about 15 km, you will see some rocks that appear to be sharp from the top. This is one of the rare examples of nature found in this valley.
Wander into Gorgeous Mountain Ranges:
It is evident that you enjoy exploring mountains, as you chose the Himalayas for your bike touring. Exploring from Solang Valley to Chenab Valley and then Spiti Valley introduces you to mountain ranges beyond imagination. These mountain ranges are filled with numerous glaciers situated at high altitudes.
These mountains appear not only bizarre but also filled with mysteries. According to some reports, unidentified flying objects have also been sighted in these mountainous areas. Overall, this region enhances our curiosity about life on Earth and our existence in the universe.
Confront Extreme Nature Conditions:
This region of the Himalayas appears barren and desolate. However, due to the existence of some constantly flowing rivers, life seems possible here. The rocky, sandy, and stony terrain seems unsuitable for any kind of agriculture. The winter cold is unbearable and disrupts daily life.
A few decades ago, during trade with Tibet, these areas used to prosper, but now human life here is very difficult. You can adopt some practices from the lifestyle of this region that are suitable for environmental conservation.
Enjoy Clear Night Skies Every Day:
Since human activities in this region are very limited, there is almost no pollution and dust in the atmosphere. Due to the clear atmosphere, the sky remains very clear. During the day, the sky is a deep blue, and at night, the constellations appear very bright. If you are a fan of night photography or astrophotography, this region provides a great atmosphere for taking stunning photos.
Experience Most Beautiful River Confluences:
Throughout the nearly 900 km journey, you always travel alongside a river. Since this is a journey through the Spiti Valley, you mainly travel with the Spiti River. During the entire journey, you pass through three river confluences: the Spiti-Pin River confluence, the Spiti-Sutlej River confluence, and the Spiti-Parchu River confluence. These three river confluences are immense and magnificent, where you would want to stop for a while and definitely capture the view with your camera.
Explore Indo-Tibetan Culture and Buddhism:
This entire region is home to Tibetan communities where they follow their ancient practices. Just like Hindus, Tibetan communities also exhibit an influence of deities. Many communities also follow the teachings of Buddha.
Since you will be visiting Tibetan temples, called gompas in the local language, you can gather information about these communities and their beliefs. This can not only be very interesting but also provide a new perspective on the world.
Tips to Consider When Planning Spiti Valley Road Trip:
● Riding carefully is highly recommended as the road conditions in the Spiti Valley change suddenly, which may cause accidents.
● The rider must prepare an itinerary before starting the journey according to the days available in hand.
● It is recommended that riders cover all places while going to Khab and then return directly to Manali without making any stops.
● It is recommended to also cover Reckong Peo, Kalpa, and Chitkul if you can extend the trip for two more days. (not a part of Spiti Valley and located 80 km from Khab)
● You can also make it a round trip by driving through Tapri, Bhuntar, Kullu, and Naggar.
● Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and carry medication to manage them.
● Pack layers of clothing to adapt to varying temperatures. Include thermals, waterproof gear, sunglasses, and a hat.
● Practise responsible tourism by minimising waste, disposing of garbage properly, and respecting local customs and traditions.
● Take breaks, soak in the scenery, and enjoy the adventure.
At Places to Visit India, we've a team of travel experts. Whether it's a Himalayan in the north or coastal in the west, team Places to Visit India can make plan you can't imagine.
The tour planners at Places to Visit India consider your specific requirements and budget and create a customize tour pindari glacier trekking package that you actually look for.
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