The cycling expedition from Shimla to Manali is one of the ultimate challenges and full of fascination. This pioneering tour takes you through the most beautiful places of northern India – the former Kingdom of Spiti. Most people in Spiti are Buddhists. Colorful gompas dominate the villages and village life.
Lahaul and Spiti is the largest district in Himachal Pradesh with high mountains and narrow valleys bordered by Ladakh to the north, Tibet to the east, Kinnaur to the southeast and Kullu valley to the south.
Upon arrival at Delhi airport meet our representative and then transfer to hotel for overnight stay .
Board the morning Shatabdi express train to Kalka at 07:40 AM and change at Kalka for further ride on Toy Train at 12:10 PM to Shimla. Arriving at 05:20 PM .
In Shimla Day at Leisure in Shimla. Take a stroll at the Mall Road, visit nearby bazaar.
Drive to Sarahan; famous for the Himalayan views it offers and the Bhimakali temple. Here we assemble our Bikes and road test those around the Village
The Gods were generous when they gave Sarahan its settings. Located halfway up a high mountainside, the road to Sarahan winds past flowering pine trees that give way to stately oaks. The fields and orchards that surround the small villages with their slate roofed houses, compose pictures of pastoral perfection. Above Sarahan, a many deodar trees rides the slopes and higher still, encircling the Bashal peak, are trees of smooth birch and variety of wild flowers and rare medicinal herbs.
Today we cycle on the Road to Bhabha Nagar whole terrain is Smooth , Normally a transit point for Bawa Pass Trek. Its our first day on wheels.
For six months every year, the Himalayan valleys of Kinnaur and Spiti emerge from a thick cloak of snow to reveal a different, secret world to man
Your discovery of the lesser – known Himalayas can begins in the Sangla Valley. Overnight stay in tent.
One can walk to Rakcham village (the signature walk of the valley) or optionally ride to Chitkul 3460m; the last border village (20 kms one way).
Kalpa was known as Chini back in the days when it was the regional capital; Kalpa has changed little in the last 500 years. It is said that as and when Lord Dalhousie wanted to take a break from his hectic schedule in Shimla, he would come here on his horseback.
Cycle to Pooh. Pooh is a small village in Spiti valley with a small cantonment. We ride through barren mountains
Overnight in Pooh.
Nako lake, although small in area, it is one of the lakes in the high altitude in this region. Apart from the lake is the village of Nako another gem. You can hike around the lake and town. Climb from the road, so on to point where the Spiti river visible.
We enter the Spiti valley today. The terrain will leave you breathless and speechless. From lush green valley of Kinnaur, we move to rock-hard cold desert mountains, torrential rivers and icy cold winds that account for the sparsely populated villages. At a height of 10,500 ft this high altitude desert is home to the second most important Buddhist monastery in the entire Himalayan region – the Tabo Gompa. It is now 1008 years old and is rumored to be the place the Dalai Lama will finally settle in.
Ride through Kaza, the capital of Spiti Valley. Rudyard Kipling describes Spiti in “Kim” in these words: “At last they entered a world within a world – a valley of leagues where the high hills were fashioned of the mere rubble and refuse from off the knees of the mountains… Surely the Gods live here.
Optional Cycle to Ki monastery, Kibber. Later ride back to Rangrik for overnight stay.
A long day in the cold desert of Spiti. Overnight camping in Losar.
We enter the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh after crossing the 4500M high Kunzum La. Chandra and Bhaga rivers confluence at Gramphoo to Chandrabhaga River.
After lunch at Batal pack our bikes and drive to Manali over the 3978M Rohtang pass and enter the Kullu district of Himachal. Today we move from the barren landscape of Lahaul to lush green landscape of Manali. Overnight stay in hotel.
After breakfast drive to Delhi. Upon on arrival check-in hotel.