Our Spiti bike trip is a 9 night / 10 day circuit from Delhi to Delhi. You ride in through Kinnaur on the Sarahan, Chitkul and Shipki La route, cross Spiti to Kaza, and come out over Kunzum La and Chandratal to Manali. This is the route day by day, with the distance and riding time from the trip itinerary.
The route at a glance
Delhi → Bhuntar → Jibhi and Jalori Pass → Sarahan → Chitkul → Kalpa → Shipki La route → Nako → Tabo → Dhankar → Kaza → Kunzum La → Chandratal → Manali → Delhi. The trip lists 1,300+ km for the circuit, and the daily distances below are approximate. The highest point is Tashigang at 4,650 m (15,256 ft).
Day 1: Delhi to Bhuntar by overnight Volvo, about 500 km
No riding. You board the Volvo at the Delhi pickup point and travel through the night to Bhuntar near Kullu, about 10 to 12 hours.
Day 2: acclimatisation day in Bhuntar
A rest day with light activity such as a riverside walk, a team briefing, ride orientation and safety instructions. Bikes are not used today.
Day 3: Bhuntar to Sarahan, about 170 km
After bike allocation and final checks, you ride via Jibhi and over Jalori Pass at 10,282 ft, through Rampur to Sarahan, with views of the Shrikhand range. About 6 to 7 hours.
Day 4: Sarahan to Chitkul and Kalpa, about 175 km
Bhimakali Temple, then Karcham Dam and the Baspa Valley to Chitkul, the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibet border. You come back through Sangla to Kalpa. About 5 to 6 hours.
Day 5: Kalpa to Nako via the Shipki La route, about 160 km
An early start from Kalpa with views of the Kinner Kailash range, then Khab Sangam where the Sutlej and Spiti rivers meet, and the remote Shipki La route at about 12,894 ft. The route depends on permissions and weather, so carry your Aadhaar card. About 6 to 7 hours.
Day 6: Nako to Kaza via Tabo, Gue and Dhankar, about 140 km
Nako Lake first, then Gue and its mummy, Tabo Monastery and Dhankar Monastery, ending in Kaza. About 5 to 6 hours.
Day 7: Kaza local ride with Tashigang, about 50 to 70 km
Key Monastery, Chicham Bridge, Hikkim post office, Komic and Langza, then Tashigang and Pinjoor in the evening. About 3 to 4 hours of riding.
Day 8: Kaza to Chandratal over Kunzum La, about 80 to 110 km
A rough and scenic high-altitude track through Losar to Kunzum La at 4,551 m (14,931 ft), with a water crossing, then Chandratal Lake and a camp night. About 5 to 6 hours.
Day 9: Chandratal to Manali, about 110 km, then the Volvo to Delhi
Out via Batal and Koksar to Manali through the Atal Tunnel, about 4 to 5 hours. In the evening you board the overnight Volvo to Delhi. If you would like to stay on in Manali, we can arrange it at extra cost.
Day 10: arrive in Delhi
You reach Delhi in the morning and the tour ends. Road status can change the plan, so the captain confirms the route the day before each ride.
Questions
What is the route of the Spiti bike trip?
Delhi to Bhuntar by Volvo, then by bike through Jalori Pass to Sarahan, Chitkul, Kalpa, the Shipki La route to Nako, Tabo, Dhankar and Kaza, then Kunzum La, Chandratal and Manali, and the Volvo back to Delhi.
How many kilometres is the Spiti circuit bike trip?
The full circuit is listed at 1,300+ km. The riding days run from about 50 to 175 km each.
Which day do we cross Kunzum La?
On day 8, on the ride from Kaza to Chandratal. Kunzum La is at 4,551 m (14,931 ft).
Do you ride the Manali to Kaza road first?
No. We ride in through Kinnaur and come out over Kunzum La and Chandratal to Manali, so the high pass comes near the end of the trip.
