Manali - Spiti - Kinnaur Cycle tour
Trip Details
Trip Type: Cycling
Region: Kullu, Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur
Grade: Challenging
Duration: 11 days
Max Altitude: 4551m
Batch Dates: Custom Trips Only July - Mid Sept
Manali - Spiti - Kinnaur Cycle Tour Overview
An 11 day trip that takes you from Manali, over the Rohtang Pass and into the Lahaul valley along the Chandra river and onward over the Kunzum Pass to reach Spiti and ending in Kinnaur. The route is a mix of tarmac and rough un-metalled roads with beautiful views throughout. Biking through some of the remotest parts of Himachal Pradesh, this trip provides a myriad of experiences. Spiti is the cultural and a religious mirror to Tibet. Ancient monasteries dot the brown valleys, interspersed with green villages - it's the High Himalayas at their best. From here, it gradually gets green as you enter Kinnaur. A traverse unparalleled in the myriad of landscapes that it goes through.
Trip Cost
This is a custom departure tour and so please write to us for prices and more info on this trek.
Manali - Spiti- Kinnaur Cycle Tour Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Manali
The participants arrive in Manali. Take the day to get acclimatised with your bike and for last minute preparations.
Day 02: Manali - Marhi (3400m)
Distance: 35km
Duration: 5-7 hours
The journey starts from the smooth roads of Manali. We take a series of hairpin bends to leave the Pine and Deodar forests surrounding Manali, cycle through the villages of Palchan, Kothi and Gulaba to reach the alpine meadows at Marhi - the base of the Rohtang Pass. Camp here for the night.
Day 03: Marhi - Chatru (3400m)
Distance: 50 km
Duration: 6-7 hours
We start the day with a steep climb to the top of Rohtang Pass at nearly 4000m. The descent from the pass is the beginning of the mix of metalled and unmetalled roads that we go on for the rest of the trip. The road forks at Gramphu, one goes to Leh and the other leads to Spiti. We follow the Chandra river here on to reach the camping grounds at Chatru.
Day 04: Chatru - Batal (3900m)
Distance: 30km
Duration: 6-7 hours
We continue to ride along the Chandra river and pass numerous nallas on the way, including the infamous Pagal Nalla. The road today offers expansive views of the Chandrabhaga mountain range as we make our way to Batal. Overnight at Batal.
Day 05: Batal - Hansa (3700m)
Distance: 42 km
Duration: 7-8 hours
Our hardest day on the trip. We start the day from Batal, making our way up to Kunzum Pass at 4551m. We spend some time at the pass and view various glaciers and mountains from here. Kunzum Pass is the gateway to Spiti. Make our way downhill to camp at Hansa.
Day 06: Hansa - Kaza (3600m)
Distance: 45km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Today we cycle on the flat tarred roads of Spiti, and make our way to civilisation at Kaza, the biggest town in Spiti with plenty of restaurants and cafes. Overnight in a hotel in Kaza.
Day 07: Kaza - Tabo (3100m)
Distance: 48 km
Duration: 4-5 hours
We cycle through mostly flat terrain today. We pass the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers at Dhankar, the historical capital of Spiti and make our way to Tabo village. Tabo is noted for being the oldest continuously operating Buddhist enclave in both India and the Himalayas. Visit Tabo monastery, built in 996 AD and home to many priceless artefacts and spectacular murals.
Day 08: Tabo - Nako (3000m)
Distance: 65km
Duration: 7-8 hours
We cycle today to the picturesque lakeside village of Nako set in the foreground to Reo Purgyal which at 6,816 metres is the highest mountain in Himachal Pradesh. Nako Monastery established in 1025 AD adds another element of interest to this small village.
Day 09: Nako - Spillow (2400m)
Distance: 65km
Duration: 5-6 hours
We leave behind the barren, stark landscape of Spiti as we enter Kinnaur. The abundant greenery provides a stark foil to the Martian landscape we have left behind. Witness the confluence of the Spiti and Sutlej rivers. As we ride past Khab and Pooh the villages too start becoming bigger. We follow the road along the banks of the Sutlej and end the day in the quaint village of Spillow.
Day 10: Spillow - Kalpa (2950m)
Distance: 40km
Duration: 6-7 hours
Our last day of cycling, we ride through the heart of Kinnaur, along the Sutlej to reach Kalpa.
Day 11: Kalpa - Reckong Peo (2600m)
Our vehicles drop you from our hotel in Kalpa to the bus stand at Reckong Peo, a couple of kilometres away. Trip ends!
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Camping Tents, Kitchen tents, Dining Tents, Western Style Toilet Tents.
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Accommodation on twin sharing basis in tents.
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Insulated sleeping pads.
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Sleeping bags (Down Feather/ Primaloft).
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Nutritious, high-calorie, vegetarian food will be served.
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Cycling Guide, Cook and camp helpers.
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Logistics Vehicle like tempo traveller / SUV to carry all our equipment and Gear.
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Participants are not expected to carry any loads on their bikes other than your personal kit containing your hydration pack, Camera, trail layers and some trail food.
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Hotel accommodations in Manali and Leh as per the itinerary in high grade hotels.
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Good quality camp / guest house accommodations in Kaza, Tabo, Nako, Spillow, and Kalpa.
- All expenses of personal nature like drinks, tips, telephone calls, mineral water etc.
- Food in Manali and Kalpa
- Medical and evacuation expenses, we strongly recommend purchasing a suitable insurance cover.
- Mountain bike. (You could get your own cycles or could also rent from us.)
- Transport from Reckong Peo onward on Day 11
Clothing:
- Good quality waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Balaclava (thick fleece)
- Sun hat
- Cycle mitts
- Warm gloves - waterproof outer, fleece inner are good.
- Mid-weight fleece top
- Cycling tights (looser, "trackster" fit are better than skin-tight lycra),
- Shorts
- Long sleeved shirt
- Travel trousers
- 2 wicking tee-shirts (synthetic or merino wool)
- Cotton tee-shirt for around town
- Long sleeved thermal top
- Thermal long johns
- 2-3 pairs underwear
- 2-3 pairs of standard socks
- 1 pair warm sock
Footwear:
- Cycling shoes, e.g. SPD's, if applicable (bring spare cleats)
- Trekking shoes and climbing shoes
- Flip-flops, Crocs or Sandals to wear around camp.
Pack:
- Main bag - soft shell duffle bag to be kept in the logistics vehicle.
- Day Pack 15 - 20 lts - You will use this to carry your camera, water bottle, Trail layers, trail food etc.
Accessories:
- A bike helmet
- Dark glasses (the sun is very strong),
- Camera
- A couple of spare passport photos photocopies of key documents. e.g., passport (data and visa pages),
- travel insurance policy
- airline tickets
- Toiletries - Sunscreen SPF 40+, Moisturizer, Lip balm, Soap, Toilet paper
- Repair Kit (needle and thread).
- Headlamp/ Torch.
- Water Bottle- Ideally keep two bottles 1 litre each.
- Plastic Packing covers.