7 Day Biker’s Itinerary for Exploring Spiti on Two Wheels

The Spiti Valley bike trip itinerary should be planned and implemented methodically for anybody who likes to explore the mountains on two wheels. Nothing will feel better than venturing deep into the Himalayas on your own.

Biking to Spiti is a magical feeling. It will stay with you for a really long period of time. However, to make the most of your journey to this part of the world, try creating an all-inclusive Spiti Valley bike trip itinerary.

In the current Spiti Valley bike trip blog, I will share my itinerary. It will serve as a reference for all fellow riders who plan to explore Spiti in the near future. Also, my adventurous travel experiences to Indo-Tibet’s middle land – Spiti will be shared with you.

Spiti Valley Bike Trip Itinerary

Biking in the mountains, especially the Himalayas is very different from riding in the plains. Therefore, it is very important that you understand the terrain before planning a trip here. In fact, do a lot of research before planning your trip.

Undertaking a biking trip to Spiti had always been my long-lasting wish. So when it finally became a reality, I was thrilled. The first thing I did was understand the terrain and the route. It turned out that pursuing a good Spiti Valley bike trip itinerary was possible via the Manali route.

Now, there are bikers who take the Shimla route as well. But that is not what I wanted to take. However, as a biker, you can decide the best route for yourself between Shimla and Manali after knowing both these paths well.

My Biking Trip from Manali to Spiti

“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations” is the quote that perfectly fits my voyage from Manali to the land of serenity – Spiti. The bike ride to Spiti from Manali is definitely not for the faint-hearted but for adrenaline junkies.

The thoroughfare is narrow and steep. It forges through the frozen streams and small rivers, and spreads asphalts rocks, snow and loose soil. Therefore, the Spiti Valley bike trip itinerary should be prepared to keep in mind the terrain and weather conditions.

Riding on a bike from Manali to Spiti has been a high point in my life. The terrain all along was challenging and so was the weather. However, the route was so beautiful that I didn’t mind a little adrenaline rush. 

Before you begin planning your biking itinerary to Spiti, it is important that you understand additional travel information that will assist you as a biker. Therefore, as a way of introducing you to the region and helping you with additional tips, let me spell out the following details for you –

Best Time for Bikers to Visit Spiti

If you’re following the Manali route to visit Spiti on a bike, make sure to ride at any time between the end of June and the beginning of October. This route is shut for the remaining months. If you’re following the Shimla route, again the same time will be deemed fit for your visit. In the remaining months, it snows heavily and you won’t be able to ride a bike on snow.

Best Bike to Ride for Spiti Valley

Royal Enfield (350cc and 500cc) or the Himalaya bike (popular as an off-road bike) are good choices for riding with safety till Spiti

Renting Bikes till Spiti Valley

There are many shops in Manali renting out bikes. The tariff ranges anywhere between 1500 INR to 2000 INR  per day. A token amount of 5000 INR is taken as a security deposit.

Biking Guidelines for Spiti Valley

Get a carrier attached to the bike to keep your bag packed. Carry at least 3 liters of extra petrol along as the next petrol station after Manali is at Kaza which (200 kilometres from Manali). Also, make sure to cover your backpack with a plastic cover in case it rains.

My Day Wise Spiti Valley Bike Trip Itinerary

Now that I’ve spelt out all the introductory details as a biker, it is time that I share my itinerary with you. It needs to be mentioned here that my complete trip took a good 7 days. Those 7 days were magical. You surely will understand the feeling once you take a biking trip to Spiti from Manali yourself.

Find below the complete list of places that were covered by me on a day-wise basis. I hope that my itinerary helps you immensely in preparing and planning for your own Spiti Valley bike trip –

The above Spiti Valley bike trip itinerary was quite a comfortable one. I made my halts wherever needed and went sightseeing as well. The whole point of riding a bike in Spiti is accessibility to places. Therefore, breaking your journey is extremely important.

If you don’t halt at places, not only will you end up being tired but also miss out on some of the most beautiful places in the region. Trust me, you don’t want to skip anything. So, follow a good itinerary and travel plan, make your halts, go sightseeing and even get to know the locals better.

Most places lie on the mainstream route. Others are slightly off-grid. But make sure to cover them as well. Do not get bothered by the travel time taken to visit these places because when you ride in the mountains, it does take time. The best thing is to ride consistently and enjoy the magnificent view.

The following map and route describe my journey in and around Spiti from Manali and back perfectly. All the following places were covered by me within 7 days. Have a look –

The complete travel and biking route from Manali to Spiti Valley and its adjoining areas. This current map has been created using Google Maps and the route layout and curation have been done by Akriti Mattu.

I will now elaborate on the day-wise Spiti Valley bike trip itinerary. All the places covered, accommodations bunked in and activities undertaken will be highlighted.

DAY 1 of My Spiti Valley Bike Trip Itinerary

I started my voyage early morning at 5:30 a.m. in the month of October to avoid any traffic jams. The exhilaration of riding the Royal Enfield through the narrow roads and beautiful landscapes cannot be put in words.

In about 1 and a half hour’s time, I reached my first halt i.e. Rohtang Pass. It also goes by the name of Rohtang La in the local language. Rohtang Pass is a beautiful spot with a mesmerizing view, snow-clad mountains and wide blocks of ice.

Besides the scenic beauty, Rohtang Pass also holds strategic importance as it is an ancient trade route between the people on either side of the Pir Panjal range. I stopped there to admire the beautiful scenery and to grab some hot tea along with a plate full of Maggi. 

Since I  had started off early on an empty stomach, I was quite hungry by the time I reached Rohtang. You too should stop by here and eat something because it will be a while till you find an eating place.

Biking from Rohtang Pass till Batal

After spending about an hour at Rohtang Pass, I continued further on my voyage. There was a slight drizzle as soon as I left. But I was enjoying the ride through the roads in the midst of the drizzle.

The drizzle soon came to a halt but the roads got steeper. I rode through the steep loose soils forging the freezing streams and rocks at about 4 degrees Celsius. Tired and exhausted I reached Batal and that is where I found this gem of a place the Chandra Dhaba (A Dhaba is a small roadside eating place in India).

The Chandra Dhaba – a small eatery is run by Dorje Bodh and his wife Hishe Chhomo. They are fondly known as  Chacha Chachi (Father’s younger brother and his wife are known by this connotation in India) and have been running this place for the past 44 years. They do it just out of love for the travelers. I was lucky enough to meet them personally.

I spent some time at the Dhaba hogging some hot rice and dal (lentils) prepared by Chachi. I also had a hearty conversation about their experiences of helping travelers who get stuck during landslides and heavy snowfall.

A visit to Chandra Dhaba is a must just to meet the lovely owners who have acquired legendary status. Listening to them while they share their experience while hogging onto some food is a delightful feeling.

Riding again from Batal to the surreal Chandrataal Lake

After spending some quality time with Chacha and Chachi, I finally left for the surreal wonder of Chandratal Lake. I could have skipped visiting Chandrataal Lake and rode right past my next stop. But only a fool will skip Chandrataal Lake.

I mean I was just 14 km away from Chandrtaal Lake (Batal is located at a distance of 14 Kms from Chandrataal Lake). So I could possibly not skip it. Hence, I decided to camp here overnight. The road continued to be challenging and uneven but I continued my journey. Finally, I reached Chandrataal at around 4:30 pm.

Chandrataal Lake as a travel destination is gorgeous. Nestled high up in the Himalayas, this natural wonder is fed directly by the glaciers. No wonder, its water is so fresh. By the way, the water here changes colour during different times of the day.

Even if you are not a biker, make sure to trek your way up to Chandrataal Lake. I can vouch for the fact that as a traveler, Chandrataal Lake will leave a deep impression on your mind.

Chandrataal Lake, also known as the Moon Lake is a surreal place located high in the mountains of Spiti. The water here is so clear that the entire reflection of the landscape surrounding it can be seen in it clearly.

DAY 2 of My Spiti Valley Bike Trip Itinerary

After waking up early and spending some time by the Chandrataal Lake, I hiked back to my camp (which was situated 3 Km away) and started my journey to Kaza – my next destination. But first, I rode to Batal and from there I biked my way to Kunzum Pass.

Once I reached Kunzum Pass, I was happy that I was getting closer to my destination. However, that was not the case. because it took me around two and a half hours to cover a distance of only 75 km. After, all I was amidst the rugged Himalayan terrain. 

I kept riding my bike and finally reached Kaza – the commercial Hub of Spiti and its headquarters. There are many budget hotels and homestays available around. I checked into this place known as the Nyingma House located in the main market of Kaza. It was a cosy and comfortable room with a clean washroom and cordial staff. 

I knew for a fact that there were many places to visit near Kaza. Two important ones were Key Monastery and Kibber. Hence, I regained my energy and drove to both of these places.

Riding to Key Monastery from Kaza

Riding from Kaza to Key Monastery is a beautiful experience. The terrain is breathtaking. On seeing Key Monastery from a distance, I felt awe-inspired. It looked like built deep into a cliff. In actuality, Key Monastery is located on top of a hill at 4166 meters above sea level. It is the biggest monastery in Spiti Valley and a religious training centre for the Lamas.

Key Monastery is a place where faith meets expedition for travelers. This place will give a very soothing and sedate feeling. You’d want to just sit back, close your eyes and feel the positive vibe around. If you’re interested, you can even stay at Key Monastery and get to know the Buddhist monks’ way of life. I plan to do so next time.

 Riding from Key Monastery till Kibber Village

 The next stop after Key Monastery was Kibber Village.  I kept riding and upon reaching there, the locals told me that Kibber was the highest motorable village in the world. This sounded fascinating since I had reached this highest place.

The infrastructure of the Kibber village is strongly influenced by Tibetan architecture. The houses here are made out of stones instead of mud and bricks. I  spent some time strolling down the streets interacting with the locals and exploring the beautiful village of Kibber.

I rode back to Kaza in the evening.

Nestled high up on a cliff is the lovely Key Monastery. It is difficult to reach this place but once you’re here, it’s so positive and peaceful. The monks here allow travelers to stay with them and witness their way of life.

DAY 3 of My Spiti Valley Bike Trip Itinerary

I got up a bit late in the morning after too much beer last night and decided to explore the local market. You get a wide variety of immaculate quality shawls and woollen garments. The quality of the products is unmatched. If you manage to bargain correctly, you will get a great deal for a reasonable price.

Riding from Kaza till Komic – the Fossil Village

After exploring the local market, I rode my bike to Komic Village. It was past noon by this time. The place is more like a small hamlet and has a small beautiful monastery. The things that really fascinated me here were the fossils. This place is also known as the village of fossils, by the way.

The villagers tempt you to buy fossils but don’t fall for it as it is illegal to carry them back. I then came back to my place of stay at Kaza, ate dinner and slept.

The giant statue of Lord Buddha on the way to Komik. This place is also known as the Fossil Village and you can easily find tons of fossils lying in this area. This is fascinating for travelers and bikers. Don’t get trapped by local sellers here.

DAY 4 of My Spiti Valley Bike Trip Itinerary

Day four began with me riding straight to Pin Valley early morning. A village by the name of Mud is the last village in Pin Valley accessible by a motorable road. Therefore, in order to reach Pin Valley, you first need to reach Mud Village.

Spending time at Pin Valley National Park

Pin Valley National Park is a beautiful Himalayan wildlife reserve. The place has been recognized by UNESCO as well. It’s famous for snow leopards and Alpine Ibex. If lucky you might spot one. I didn’t (since I was here for just over an hour) but you never know you just might if you visit this beautiful place. If you have the time, please stay overnight here.

Riding from Pin Valley National Park to Kungri Monastery

The place I visited after Pin Valley National Park was the Kungri Monastery. The monastery is right in the middle of the desert landscape and behind the monastery flows the Pin river. I spend some positive time here meditating and contemplating life.

Biking from Kungri Monastery to Tabo Village

My last destination of the day was Tabo Village. I decided to visit the Tabo village to just lay back and relax. I stayed at a local small hotel and tried out the local traditional Tibetan butter tea and also the native food. It was amazing. You cannot visit Tabo Village and miss Tabo Monastery. It’s beautiful.

Pin Valley National Park is a UNESCO-approved wildlife reserve. It’s not only quite large but also very beautiful. Pin Valley is home to the Snow Leopard and various other animals. If you have the time, do camp here overnight.

DAY 5 of Spiti Valley Bike Trip Itinerary

Day 5 was going to be a long and tedious one because I had to ride all the way till Sangla Village. This village isn’t in Spiti but in the adjoining Kinnaur district.

The journey from Tabo to Sangla village was long and finally, after riding for almost 5 hours, I reached Sangla village and checked into a small hotel known as the Praksh Regency. It was nominal as compared to others and quite comforting.

I then spend the rest of my day visiting the alluring Badri Temple, Mata Devi Temple and Bearing Nag Temples. I also visited the magnificent Kamru Fort which has been embellished out of wooden carving.  If you have the time, please visit nearby Batseri Village as well. It’s really beautiful.

Sangla is one of the most beautiful valleys in Himachal. As a traveller and a biker, you can spend hours and hours here just gazing at the beauty that the snow-clad Himalayan peaks have to offer. This place is pure serenity.

DAY 6 of My Spiti Valley Bike Trip Itinerary

I woke up early the next morning and rode to Shoja Village – my first destination of day six. Shoja lied on the way back to Manali. I checked into a homestay there. This halt was there to take a break and rest my body after hours and hours of long bike rides.

Shoja village is an alluring place with verdant greenery and the chairs and tables around here are made out of tree trunks. I spent the first half of the day relaxing at my homestay. In the evening I just strolled around the village enjoying the lush greenery, fresh air and the calm and composed atmosphere. 

Shoja links the Shimla and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh. It is an offbeat location and should surely be covered while you want to explore regions beyond Spiti. Life here is so simple and the people so warm and hospitable.

DAY 7 of My Spiti Valley Bike Trip Itinerary

The next morning was the last day of my trip. I left for Manali passing through the beautiful Tirthan Valley. The ride almost felt like a dream with mountains kissing the clouds, and verdant greenery consisting of a long stretch of pine trees.

This was definitely a very difficult goodbye, memories of which will be cherished and relished throughout my life.

If motorbiking is your passion and adventure is what you crave then a bike trip to the magical land of Spiti is a mandate. The virgin beauty, great hospitality and picturesque landscape will leave you craving for more and you will take a part of Spiti along with you and treasure it in your memories till the end.

Now that I’ve shared my Spiti Valley bike trip itinerary and detailed route with you, let me throw some light on the must-carry documents for your journey.

Must Carry Documents Needed for a Legit Spiti Valley Bike Trip 

If you need your Spiti biking trip to go smoothly, please make sure to carry the following documents with you at all times.

Must Carry Clothes for your Spiti Biking Trip

What you wear is important on this route to avoid you being affected by hypothermia. Therefore, keep yourself warm at all times during the trip.

The seven days spent on a bike amidst the snow-clad mountains, rugged terrain and gorgeous landscape will always be memorable for me. Spiti is such a serene place that I would surely want to revisit here again in the future. In addition to all the above things, do carry medication for treating AMS in case you suffer from it. AMS stands for Acute Mountain Sickness. Dealing with it is important.

Happy wayfaring 🙂