Spiti Valley Bike Trip

Arrive in Manali, the Himalayan town where your adventure begins. Check into a hotel and acclimatize and receive a full briefing on safety, routes and gear checks. Explore Old Manali, visit Hadimba Temple or walk along the pine lined trails along the Beas River. The mountain air and the vibe is a perfect warm up to your high altitude adventure.

The real biking begins today as we head to Jibhi, a peaceful hamlet in Banjar Valley. We pass through the villages of Naggar, Kais and Bhuntar and get introduced to the lush landscapes and unique architecture of Himachali homes. Get ready for Jalori Pass at 10,800 feet, a steep climb through dense forests and get rewarded with stunning views. After descending we reach Jibhi where meadows and cafes by the river welcome you.

Ride through the Outer Seraj Valley, a pristine route with apple orchards, terraced fields and traditional homes. As we approach Sarahan get a panoramic view of Shrikhand Mahadev Peak. Arrive in Sarahan and explore the ancient Bhimakali Temple, a beautiful wooden temple with intricate architecture that is a mix of Hindu and Buddhist styles. Walk through the rustic bazaar and soak in the culture of the highlands of Himachal.

Today’s ride is along the legendary Hindustan-Tibet Highway along the Sutlej River with cliffs and valleys on either side. En route stop at Karchham Dam and then ride up to Sangla Valley, a beautiful and secluded valley famous for its apple orchards and Baspa River views. Finally, reach Kalpa where the Kinner Kailash range dominates the skyline. Kalpa is famous for its Golden Apple orchards and you will have time to relax in the town as the sun sets behind the sacred Kinner Kailash peak.

Start to venture deeper into the Kinnaur Valley and pass through the villages of Riiba, Jangi and Pooh, each with its own style of wooden houses and prayer flags flapping in the wind. At the confluence of Spiti and Sutlej rivers, stop and take in the raw beauty of nature and then head to Nako Lake, a peaceful lake surrounded by mountains. Then to Tabo, a 1000 year old village and home to the historic Tabo Monastery, also known as the Ajanta of Himalayas. This monastery has ancient frescoes and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today we enter the spiritual heart of Spiti. First, we visit Dhankar, a stunning cliffside village that was once the capital of Spiti. The 1200 year old monastery here is precariously perched on a cliff and offers breathtaking views of the Spiti Valley. Then to Kaza, the capital of Spiti and visit the vibrant Langza village where you will find marine fossils over 200 million years old. From here visit Hikkim, home to the highest post office in the world at 14,400 feet where you can send a postcard from the top of the world.

Today we ride to the famous Key Monastery, the largest and most important Buddhist monastery in Spiti. Located on top of a hill, Key Monastery offers stunning valley views and the historical murals and ancient artifacts here tell the story of Spiti’s deep Buddhist heritage. We ride past Rangrik, Pangmo and Losar villages to Kunzum Pass at 15,060 feet. Here we perform a traditional prayer for safe passage and then descend to Chandratal Lake, the Lake of the Moon, a crescent shaped lake with crystal clear waters. Camp under the stars surrounded by towering peaks.

On the last day of the bike ride enjoy the views of the Chandra River as we ride back. We pass through Batal, Chota Dhara and Chatru and then climb to the famous Rohtang Pass, known for its breathtaking views of the Pir Panjal and Himalayan ranges. Rohtang’s surreal landscapes is a perfect finale to this Spiti Valley bike ride. Descend to Manali and a farewell dinner awaits. Share stories, laughter and memories with your new friends and celebrate an amazing journey in the Himalayas.

Say goodbye to Himachal Pradesh with hearts full of unforgettable memories of Kinnaur-Spiti Valley, we depart Manali in the evening and board the overnight Volvo bus back to Delhi.