LITTLE TIBET TOUR
Through the Kullu, Banjar, Sutlej, Sangla, Spiti, Chandra Valleys & The Tibet Plateau in Himachal Pradesh, India
The Little Tibet tour is a stunning journey through the bleak and beautiful mountains of Lahaul, Kinnaur, and Spiti district, right on the border with Tibet. Known for its Tibetic culture, the journey goes through the ancient Hindustan-Tibet trade route. Every turn reveals stunning vistas of formidable glaciers, picturesque mountains, deep gorges, and turquoise blue waters. The journey is filled with many superlative moments- the last village before the Chinese border, highest villages in Asia, the coldest places in India, the highest bridge, and giant fossils from ancient times. For culture buffs, there are many historic Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples, including the much celebrated Kyi and Tabo Monasteries. You will also discover the local ways of living, a fascinating blend of Indian and Tibetan cultures adapted to the high desert.
RIDING SKILL :
Best for experienced riders
HIGHEST ALTITUDE :
5000 metres
SIGHTSEEING :
There will be at least 1 place of interest per day.
RIDE LENGTH & TIME :
Approx. 1200 kms over 16 days
ROAD SURFACE :
60% tarmac, 40% dirt roads
UPCOMING TOURS :
30th June 2024 - 15th July 2024: Bookings Open*
5th July 2025 - 20th July 2025: Bookings Open*
*We need a minimum of 7 participants for the tour to take place; and a maximum of 14 participants.
MOTORCYCLES AVAILABLE :
Royal Enfield: 2.595 € per Biker
Pillion : 1.995 € per Pillion
ACCOMODATION :
435 € Single Room surcharge on tour price
Overnight stays at handpicked hotels ;
double accommodation, with en - suite showers / WC
MEALS :
All meals (breakfast, lunches and dinner) from Naggar to Naggar and non-alcoholic beverages with the meals.
VEHICLE DETAILS :
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Enfield Bullet 500 cc motorcycle with comprehensive insurance.
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Support jeep for baggage and reserve seats for pillions.
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Touring gear, fuel, oil and all replacement parts.
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1 :
FLIGHT TO DELHI & CHANDIGARH
Arrive at Delhi airport and take the connecting flight to Chandigarh. Check-in to hotel and rest overnight so that we can get rid of our jetlag after savouring a delicious welcome dinner. For those with enough energy left, a short exploration of this modern Indian town will offer the feel of India.
DAY 2: CHANDIGARH TO NAGGAR
WARM - UP RIDE
Leaving Chandigarh early morning and arrive at Naggar late morning. Welcome brunch and relaxing day. Today, we will get familiar with the Royal Enfield, our trusted steed for the next few weeks, and also Indian traffic “system”. Short warm up ride around.
DAY 3 :
DAY RIDE AROUND VALLEY OF GODS (~100 KMS)
We will check all riding levels with challenges on off roads and paved winding country roads through spectacular nature and we’ll stop for an authentically prepared local lunch by the Jana waterfall.
DAY 4 :
NAGGAR TO BANJAR VALLEY (100 KMS)
We start the bike tour today with a ride to Banjar Valley. We will proceed down the Beas Valley, following the river’s left bank. We will then turn into the beautiful Tirthan Valley, which is also the home of the Great Himalayan National Park. We will stay at the Fisherman’s Wharf, on the bank of the Tirthan river.
DAY 5 :
JALORI PASS TO SARAHAN (160 KMS)
Today, we will ride over the Jalori Pass to reach Sarahan, a picturesque village 175 km northwest of Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. The village is known for the Bhimakali Temple, built in the Indo-Tibetan style along with shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Raghunath and Lord Narasimha. There is a small museum as well. We will spend the night in a Hotel.
DAY 6 :
SARAHAN - SANGLA - CHITKUL (120 KMS)
From Sarahan, we will ride into the pretty valley of Kinnaur, home to the mighty Kinnaur Kailash (6050 m) and the Sutlej river, which arises on the slopes of Mount Kailash in Tibet. We will visit Sangla, where people still live traditionally and which has a temple dedicated to Lord Nagesh. In the village of Kamru, 2 km from Sangla village, there is a traditionally built wooden five-storey Kinnaur fort and a temple dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi. Stay at a riverside resort at Chitkul, the last Indian village to the border.
DAY 7 :
CHITKUL TO KALPA (80 KMS)
Today, we ride from Chitkul to Reckong Peo, the HQ of Kinnaur Valley and where we shall obtain our Inner Line Permits from local authorities to ride further through the restricted border areas with Tibet in the Spiti valley. We will spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Kalpa, which lies 7 km above Peo, with its amazing view on Kinnaur Kailash Mountain.
DAY 8 :
KALPA TO NAKO (110 KMS)
Nako is the last village of Kinnaur Valley on the Indo Tibet highway and is famous for its lake which forms the lifeline of the village. We will notice the landscape gradually changing into a high altitude desert region. Spend the night in a guest house in Nako village.
DAY 9 :
NAKO - GIU - TABO (90 KMS)
Giu is the most isolated village of Spiti, lying close to the border with Tibet . It is also famous for an old mummy of a monk sitting in meditation, still intact today.
From Giu, we proceed to Tabo. Situated at 3050m, it is the largest monastic complex of Spiti and is famous for its more than 1.000 year old Monastery. In 1996, the Tabo Monastery celebrated its thousand years with a Kalachakra ceremony, presided by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We will explore the Monastery and its numerous temples.
Overnight in a comfortable hotel near the famous Tabo Monastery.
DAY 10 :
TABO - DHANKAR - KAZA AND PIN VALLEY (130 KMS)
From Tabo, we will ride to Dhankar village, the ancient capital of Spiti and home to an ancient Monastery. We will visit the remnants of the Dhankar Fort, which housed the royal family of Spiti. A visit to the Monastery, Fort and other subsidiary temples leaves one spellbound at the traditional architectural marvels, wall murals and thangka-paintings.
We will continue riding to the remote and hidden pearl of Lalung, one of the earliest Monasteries of the region. If time permits, we’ll venture deeper into one of the sub-valleys of Spiti, the Pin Valley, famous for its unique culture and its WildLife Reserve, home to the snow leopard. At the end of the day, we will check into a comfortable Hotel in Kaza.
DAY 11 :
KAZA - KYE - CHICHAM - KAZA (80 KMS)
Today we will visit Kye monastery, the largest in Spiti and situated at 3686 m. We will then ride up to the remote Chicham village at the other side of the deep gorge, recently connected with a very unique hanging bridge, the highest in Asia (4200 m). These tiny, surreal looking villages are famous for Spiti horses, bred for trade with the nomads of Ladakh in exchange for the valuable Pashmina wool.
Free late afternoon for visiting cosy remote Kaza town and for some souvenir shopping.
DAY 12 :
KAZA - LANGZA - DEMUL - KAZA (110 KMS)
Today is going to be a spectacular day as we will ride to the end of the world at 5,000 metres. After breakfast, we will go to Langza village, located in a large high mountain meadow with a beautiful mountain peak, the Chau Chau Kang Nilda, towering over this village. Here, you can find ancient sea fossils, evidence of the Tethys Sea which existed before the Indian mainland collided with the Tibetan plateau and formed the Himalayas (still rising today). Thereafter, we will continue to Asia’s highest villages connected by road, Komik, which houses a legendary monastery not to be missed. We then ride deeper into this remote plateau abundant with wildlife; yaks, wild blue sheep and if lucky, we might even spot some snow leopards. No stopping us, we will proceed to the remote and mystical village of Demul, connected by road only 2 years ago. Return to Kaza for the night. The day provides a fascinating insight into the Spitian way of life.
DAY 13 :
KAZA - KEYLONG (200 KMS)
Today, we will start early and ride over the Kunzum pass (4551 m), which separates Spiti from the Lahaul valley. We will then descend into the magnificently beautiful valley of the Chandra River. We will ride through the most scenic and unspoilt part of the Western Himalayas with no villages or settlements to be found anywhere. You will agree that this part of our roundtrip is mind blowing, no words can describe it…
Stay in a well-deserved comfortable hotel after a long day's ride.
DAY 14 :
KEYLONG - NAGGAR (90 KMS)
From Keylong, we will ride through the newly opened Rohtang tunnel, and back into the lush green Kullu valley. For lunch, we’ll divert to the ski slopes of the Solang Valley, from where it will take us an hour and a half to our home base in Naggar. We will spend the night back at the cosy rooms of Ragini.
DAY 15 :
FREE DAY IN NAGGAR
If your return flight is scheduled for the next day, we suggest you take the comfortable tourist bus which goes overnight back to Delhi. Alternatively, we can organise a taxi for the same way (12 hours).
DAY 16 :
NAGGAR
For those who prefer the early morning flight from Kullu to Delhi, we will drop you at Kullu Airport (1 hr drive). Or, you can stay on for more relaxing days in our Home Stay and continue exploring the Kullu Valley with its high altitude Bhrigu lake and Chanderkhani Pass. If this is goodbye, we are positive that you will return home with lots of memories.
