13 Day Hidden Himalayan and Little Tibet Motorcycle Tour in Indian Himalayas

Overview

Motorcycle ride on one of the most demanding routes that Himalayas have to present. This tour will take you from Dharamsala to Manali. You will ride through many different attractions in the state of Himachal Pradesh including the Pir Panjal Mountains and Little Tibet. Enjoy this fully guided motorcycle tour and discover the remote, high and exclusive, hidden Himalayas.

Highlights

• Starts in Dharamsala and ends in Manali
• Varied colours of Himalayan culture - Kangra, Pangi, Spitian, and Kinnauri
• Across Pir Panjal mountain range to hidden Pangi valley
• Cliff hanger rides, adrenalin pumping across Kinnaur and Pangi
• Ride to Spiti valley which is quite similar to rural Tibet
• Visit some of the world’s highest villages and post office
• Centuries old monasteries of Tabo, known as Ajanta of Himalayas
• 12 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive Manali

   Arrive Kullu–Manali Airport (KUU), meet on arrival and transfer to your hotel in Manali. Morning free. In the afternoon, assemble at the hotel for a small briefing about the tour and then we meet our Royal friend – The Himalayan. Later, you will be taken on a test ride to Sollang Valley and Atal Rohtang Tunnel which is longest tunnel in world at 3000 m. Ride back to your hotel for a relaxed evening. Overnight at hotel.

2. Day 2: Manali - Tirthan (110 kms/ 3 - 4 hrs)

   Morning after breakfast, you will start your motorbike adventure on your Royal Enfield bikes from Manali to Tirthan Valley. Ride from Manali on NH 21, crossing Kullu town and after crossing tunnel at Aut, you will turn to enter Tirthan valley. You will ride along Tirthan river entering the valley to your abode by the river bank. Enjoy the gurgling river or ride further deeper into Tirthan Valley to explore its scenic views and villages. Overnight at guest house.

3. Day 3: Tirthan - Sangla (209 kms/ 8- 9 hrs)

   Start your ride in morning, climbing up and crossing over Jalori Pass from where on a clear day, a long necklace of Himalayan Range can be viewed including peaks of Kullu region like Deo Tibba, Hanuman Tibba etc. You will now descend down towards Satluj Valley. You will ride crossing Rampur and continue riding Satluj Valley, entering Kinnaur and taking a detour entering the beautiful Sangla Valley from Karcham. After a long and a very interesting ride we halt for the night in a camp/ guest house at Sangla.

4. Day 4: Sangla - Chitkul (90 kms) - Kalpa (51 kms)

   Today, you will ride to explore the Kinnaur belt, riding to Chitkul the last remote village towards Indo China border. You will then return to Snagla and continue our ride further to Kalpa Village. Kalpa Village is located in backdrop of Kinner Kailash mountain range. On arrival, check in at hotel. Rest of day free to explore Kalpa village. Overnight at hotel.

5. Day 5: Kalpa - Nako - Tabo (190 kms/ 8 hrs)

   Another day of an interesting ride. Its exciting riding the narrow Satluj Valley till Khab where Satluj River meets Spiti River and this points is also the reference where we enter the Spiti Valley. You will ascend up to Nako village, the last among Kinnauri Villages located on banks of a small lake. You will walk around village and later continue further towards Tabo. Tabo Monastery was founded in 996 AD by the great teacher Richensang-po. Tabo is renowned for its breathtaking murals and stucco images – and is often called “The Ajanta of the Himalayas”. The largest monastic complex in Spiti,

6. Day 6: Tabo - Dhankar - Pin Valley - Kaza (105 kms/ 06-07 hrs)

   Today, you will ride around Spiti Valley, exploring the mesmerizing landscape, varied colors of mountains and remote villages and gompas. We start the ride in morning towards Dhankar village and monastery. This monastery at Dhankar rests high over the valley and is a stupendous example of local architecture. It is regarded to have once been a fort and was also the residence of the ruler of Spiti – the Nano. You will ride further towards Pin Valley, the land of Ibex and Snow Leopards. You will end the day upon reaching Kaza, the main town of Spiti valley. Evening free to explore Kaza town and m

7. Day 7: In Kaza - Touch the Sky

   In the morning, you will ride to visit Comic which is among the world’s highest permanently inhabited village and then later visit Hikim, boasting of the world’s highest post office and Langza village located in backdrop of Chao Chao Kang Nilda Peak. Evening free to explore Kaza town and market. Overnight at hotel.

8. Day 8: Kaza - Keylong (200 kms/ 8 hrs)

   Morning after breakfast, you will start your ride towards Kibber village at 4205 m which has now become famous for Snow Leopard sighting in winter months. You will cross Chichim Bridge which is the highest bridge in Asia. What a ride is going to be from here onwards, hold your breaths to ride into the Himalayas. Now, you will ride inside deep into Himalayas. From Chichim, you will ride towards Losar which is the last Spiti village and from here, start the ascend towards Kunzam Pass (4558 m) which lies on main Great Himalayan Range. You will get beautiful views of CB ranges. You will ride throu

9. Day 9: Keylong - Udaipur - Killar (135 kms/ 6 hrs)

   Post breakfast, start your ride into Pattan valley and crossing villages to reach Trilokinath Temple which is revered alike by Hindus and Buddhists of the region. You will ride to Udaipur to visit the beautiful wooden Pagoda temple of Mrikula Devi temple. From Udaipur, start your exciting ride to Pangi valley. The road is along Chandra Bhaga river and perched and cut across high on cliff. This road is also famously known as The Death Road among travelers. Pangi is a remote valley tucked inside Himalayas and still remain untouched and with basic infrastructure. You will reach Killar the main vi

10. Day 10: Killar - Sach Pass - Chamba (160 kms/ 7 hrs)

    Early in morning, start your ride to Chamba town from Pangi. From Killar, you will ride down to valley floor from where you will start the ascend through thick woods up towards Sach Pass, a steep and treacherous ascend. Cross the tree line and drive in barren rocky surroundings up to Sach Pass at 4414 m. Pay your respect at the temple at the pass and descend to its meadows which are full of numerous Himalayan flowers in July August. Continue the drive down the mountains, passing lush green villages like Bairagarh, Tissa, and many others to reach Chamba town located on banks of Ravi river. Chec

11. Day 11: Chamba - Dharamshala (190 kms/ 5 hrs)

    Today, you will start the day with a climb to Jot from where you will ride down to Kangra Valley and following a highway reach Dharamshala. Dharamshala a famous hill station in Kangra valley is also home to the Tibetan refugee community and is home to His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Evening free or spend time walking around the colourful Mc Leodganj market before heading back to our hotel to retire for the night.

12. Day 12: In Dharamshala – explore the town

    Today, you will spend the day riding around Dharamshala, we visit Norbulingka Institute which was set up to preserve Tibetan Handicraft and has workshops of metal work, embroidery, doll making, and Thanka making. Also visit Karmapa monastery, St Johns Church in the Wilderness, and Dalai Lama temple. Overnight at hotel.

13. Day 13: Depart Dharamshala

    In time transfer to Dharamshala airport to connect flight to Delhi. End of tour.

Ride Details

Terrain

50% pavement 50% off road

Bike

Royal Enfield Himalayan or Standard 500 bike rental

Mileage

1,332 kilometers / 828 miles

Daily rides

100 - 220 kilometers / 62 - 137 miles

Riding gear

not included: helmets / knee guard / elbow guards / shoes / biking trousers and jackets; mandatory: helmet

Meals

breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the tour

Accommodation

Your accommodation will be on twin sharing basis in A category hotels / guests houses / camps / tents.

Food

Breakfast, and dinner during the tour are included. Menus or food choices are limited in remote areas. Freshly prepared breakfast and dinners are served. During your ride in remote areas, lunch can be at a local dhaba / restaurant and we will stop for meals, tea etc. and you may order as per your choice on direct payment basis.

Getting There

You will start the tour with a ride around Manali town across Atal Rohtang Tunnel which is 9 kms long and at 3000 m is the longest tunnel in the world. Your will start the ride down the Beas Valley, crossing Jalori pass to enter the middle Himalayas riding up the Satluj Valley, taking the challenging roads of Kinnaur region to the beautiful Sangla and Kalpa Villages. You will keep riding taking ro