If you crave the mountain roads and offbeat adventure that make your soul go “Yasss!”, then buckle up (or helmet up?), because the Spiti Valley bike trip is calling you!
Located in the high altitude of Himachal Pradesh, Spiti is the land where nature comes to life, monks meditate in peace, and your phone signals waves goodbye! This photogenic journey takes you through dense forests, mountain streams, and stunning vistas. From Manali, you will be riding high in the Himalayas, taking in the best views possible. Also, the Spiti bike trip will give you a closer look into the unique culture and lifestyle of the locals.
So, let’ take you through the best places to visit on Spiti bike trip - from tiny villages frozen in time to monasteries that hold so much significance. Grab your jacket, charge your phones and get ready to hit the road.
Best Time for Spiti Bike Trip
The best time for a Spiti bike trip is from mid-May to mid-October and during this time the weather is mild and every road is accessible. So, you can have a great and adventurous time in the rugged terrains! Make sure you book your Spiti bike trip during this time span, as it could really help you in making lifetime memories from a trip.
Suggested read: Best hotels in Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley Itinerary Bike Trip
Delhi – Tirthan Valley – Aut – Chitkul Valley – Kalpa – Kaza (Key Monastery, Hikkim, Komic, Langza) – Chandra taal lake – Manali – Delhi This is the Spiti Valley bike trip itinerary that is usually followed! You can plan your journey accordingly because it is for 9 days.
Best Places to Visit on Spiti Bike Trip
So, make sure you are not missing out on the best places to visit on Spiti Valley bike ride! Let’s get started with the Spiti Valley road trip guide.
Kaza, the tranquil corner of Spiti, is packed with snow-covered mountains, beautiful rivers, mesmerizing views, shimmering sky, and much more. The town is divided into two parts – New Kaza and Old Kaza. The old Kaza is known for the King’s palace and the new one is home to several government offices. But, the presence of historical wonders, monasteries, and gompas adds a sense of magic to this dreamy paradise. It is one of the most popular places to visit on Spiti Bike trip!
You can access Kaza from Lahaul Valley and Kinnaur Valley, while the latter route stays open all year round. And, the Lahaul Valley route is only open during the summer season. You should know that Spiti comes with extremely low temperatures.
Also, it is the only town in Spiti Valley that comes with diverse facilities and food outlets if you really want to have something relaxing other than adventure.
- Distance from Manali: Around 202 Kilometers
- Places to eat: Sol Cafe, The Himalayan Cafe, Taste of Spiti, Hotel Deyzor and Tara Travelers’ cafe
- Places to Stay: Winter white guest house, Nyingma House, Wanderer’s Nest, Spiti Sojourn and Moustache Hostel Kaza
Dhankar Monastery, also known as Dankhar, Drangkhar, or Dhangkar Gompa that are located in the district of Lahaul and Spiti. At an altitude of 12,774 feet, it is located unbelievably on the edge of a cliff and offers a great view of the Spiti Valley!
Now, this monastery has become one of the must-visit places during Spiti bike trip! Besides the mesmerizing views, there is also a statue of Dhayan Buddha and a small museum that stores scriptures and murals.
- Highlights: Collections in Dhankar Gompa
- Time required: 1-2 hours
Key Monastery or Key Gompa, the largest monastery in Spiti Valley! This place holds a spiritual significance and also is home to the revered reincarnations of Lochen Rinchen Zangpo. Located at an altitude of 4,166 meters above sea level, it is very close to the Spiti River in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
Also, this stunning monastery is over a thousand years old. It survived and celebrated the completion of its thousand years in the presence of the Dalai Lama. Make sure you are witnessing one of the best places to see on Spiti bike trip.
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry fee: NIL
- Highlights: Cham Festival
Suggested read: Chicham Bridge in Spiti
Chandra Taal lake – It is a popular choice for trekkers and is reckoned as the most beautiful lake in Spiti. Make sure you witness the beauty of one of the best tourist spots to see on Spiti bike trip. Situated at an altitude of 4300 meters, it comes with the most splendid views of the Spiti region.
This lake is crescent-shaped and that is how it got its name. So, if you are looking for a perfect combination of a relaxed time and adventure, there could not be a better site to witness on your Spiti bike trip.
- Time required: 2-3 hours
- Best time to visit: July – August
- Highlights: Chandratal Lake trek
Tabo Monastery, located in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the oldest monasteries in India, dating back to 996 AD. Known as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas,” it is famous for its ancient murals and beautiful frescoes that depict Buddhist teachings and art. Surrounded by stunning mountains, the monastery has a serene and peaceful vibe, making it a perfect place for meditation and reflection. It also houses sacred scriptures and is a center for learning Buddhism. Tabo Monastery attracts travelers and spiritual seekers from around the world who want to experience its rich history and tranquility.
- Time: 6 AM – 7 PM, Morning prayers at 6 AM, Classes for monks from 8 AM – 9 AM
- Entry fee: NIL
- Founder: Rinchen Zangpo
- Prices to stay: Dormitory facilities: INR 120 Per head and INR 850 for a room.
Langza Village is located 4400 meters above sea level in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This beautiful place in Spiti attracts tourists to the village during summertime.
It is one of the best tourist spots to see on Spiti bike trip! But, the most notable attraction of the village is the giant Buddha statue which overlooks the valley. Also, the locals here come with a belief that the statue protects the village and its inhabitants from the harsh climate.
- Distance from Delhi: 729 Kilometers
- Nearest Major town: Manali
Hikkim Village – Housing World’s Highest Post Office! Besides this universal fact, this serene location of the place makes it the best holiday destination for those in search of tranquility. Also, because of its high elevation, the village remains snow-capped for a good amount of time.
At an elevation of 4,400 meters, the village is connected by a 46-kilometer road stretch to Kaza. Most of the people living in the village follow Buddhism.
- Things to do: Visit the Hikkim post office, Explore fossils
- Best time to visit: Summer months
Suggested read: Photography spots in Spiti Valley
Komic village, one of the best places to visit on Spiti bike trip! It is really the highest village in the world connected with a motorable road, this village is quite a destination for most people traveling to Spiti.
The best time to visit Komic village is during the summer months. As during winter, the village is completely cut off from everything else and is covered with excessive snow and road blockages.
- Things to do: Komic monastery, trek to komic village, stargazing, yak ride
