Thread: Lahul-Kaza-Spiti 2010

Originally Posted by maverick.najju

Awesome pics man... Specially the view outside HATU... I was wondering how did you people manage to convince yourselves to leave from there?

Ya Man it was hard to resist kind of beauty. But we were consoling each other, it was like a kid resists leaving home.. only thing we assured each other that we'll ride to this place soon.

Thanks everyone for liking the log and pics. Will get the third day log up here soon

A very refreshing trip louge, that reminds me of our journey too.

Gr8 pics, nicely written blog. I wanted to ask you a question. I will be headed the same way and will come back to Delhi through the Manali route on my Ninja 250R. Will I get 91 Octane Fuel (SPEED/ XTRA PREMIUM) on this route. Please do shed more light on this issue and it will be great if you can let me know about the dos and donts, stay options, sight seeing options, etc...
Thanks in advance,
Gurpreet

Hi Gurpreet,

Its nice to know that you are travelling in that direction. I am sure you would not be disappointed. Now about the queries you had:

1- The fuel station are available without much problems on the way till Reckong Peo. Till there you shouldn't face issues in getting high-octane but there is not much surety after Shimla. On the Manali route, Manali only is the last place you can get fuel, but its with all options in terms of premium and standard.

After Reckong peo the next filling station is in Kaza, so better get tanks filled up there and carry minimum one litre bottle for on way fill. Because there is no station till there no open petrol sellers.
In Kaza there is only one petrol pump that works on time basis. That is the highest working petrol pump, so I won't bet my money on getting premium or high Octane fuel there.

2- Staying options are good till Reckong Peo/Kalpa with good HT resorts but they charge quite a sum. You can find economical and good options in local hotels nearby HT resort. After Reckong Peo the next place with staying option is Pooh. There also you have to depend on local hotels, no resorts. After this the next big place for stay is in Tabo, Although there is Nako, Sumdo where you might get accommodation but again no hotels and resorts, only local made homes. If you are not a comfort loving person you will be fine. Tabo has only one hotel but that is really good in terms of facilities and comfort. The charges are worth it, and the food is good. Since plan wise it’s the place most tourists stay, you'll find everyone whos travelling to kaza-spiti there. Its next to the 2000year old rare monesties, so its a good option for overnight hault. After that you'll get staying options in Kaza. Food will be mostly Spitian, people are nice and good and reasonable options for stay. We got 500-700 for one room per day.

3- Always carry enough warm cloths as the temp dips very low at night, infact after sun its chilli. Sunny Days might make you take your heavy cloths off during day. Rain wear is a must requirement.

4- Although you may find medical stores at few places, better to carry you own medicine bag and specially eye drops for infection or allergy.

5- Definitely be with riding gears as the terrain is not forgiving. Also less travelled destination, infact maybe tougher than Leh-Laddakh as people don't expect many tourists, so not much help available in case of emergency.

6- Maps and navigation systems will be absolutely necessary as not many people will be there to help you at bifurcations, also keep discussion you journey with locals, they might provide important information.

7- Cell phone network won't be there for all providers except MTNL-BSNL, so grab one if you can. Telephone lines can break down in bad weather so you might be devoid of PCO facility.

8- A bad weather down is not a guarantee of nice weather up, specially in case of Rohtang, if you are late then 03:00 PM better plan to cross it next day. If you are coming from Kaza you can reach Rohtang by 03:00-04:00 if the terrain does not tire you, plan ahead. BUT if you are planning to visit Chandra-tal it will be a issue as you have to plan your stay in the camps there or you have to plan your stay in camps at Chatru and then ride in morning to Chandra-tal and then move ahead for Rohtang. Plan photo-ops wisely as every time you loose is going to count.

9- All documents related to your identity and your bike's should be with you, as its close to border, Army controls the check-posts and you have to provide details. Also at some posts Army guys are bit blunt and non-friendly in providing information about the place,, so you have to live with not their fault its the close border with China.

call/message me anytime for anything specific....


SIGHT SEEING:

Well there are so many places you can visit, depends on the days you have in hand. Refer to the spiti planning thread you might find some places. I had this list, you can follow this if you like:

Days
To-From
Via
Distance kms (approx)
Day 1
Delhi - Jeori/Sarahan
Chandigarh, Shimla, Narkanda, Rampur

526

Day 2
Jeori/Sarahan-Chitkul-Kalpa
Recong Peo, Sangla

201

Day 3
Kalpa - Tabo
Powari,Spello, Puh, Nako, Chango, Sumdo(Geyu famous for mummy)

177

Day 4
Tabo - Kaza
Dankar Monastary

54

Day 5
Kaza
Ki, Kiber, Kaumik, Gete, Langza

70

Option 1


Day 6
Kaza-Tandi/Keylong
Losar, Kunzum Pass, Chandra Tal, Gramphoo

197

Day 7
Tandi/Keylong - Killer
Triloknath, Udaipur

138

Day 8
Killer - Chamba/Nurpur
Sach Pass

200

Day 9
Nurpur - Delhi
Pathankot, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Ambala

520

Natural Beauty Places: Narkanda, Reckong Peo, Kalpa, Sarahan. I missed out on Chitkul because of lack of time, but its said to be very beautiful and the peaks give you amazing views.
Chandratal is amzaing experiance but you have to contact someone who can help you with camp guys contacts in Kaza. Few of them have base in manali, so try googling out.

Monesties at: Keylong, Tabo are oldest, but Tabo monesty is oldest and mesmarising so must watch. Also you will never forget the overnight stay under the beautiful star filled skies of Tabo.
Nako and Chabo are Monesties again, you might feel riding up the mountains and then back down a bit of overwork but its worth it. Nako has a manmade lake if you like lakes you can visit it, I personally would not rate it high. For monesty there you have to trek, and that would not be easy at such height so its your choice.

Peaks:

Two peaks Comic and Kibber are two highest altitudes and are amazing. Ride till you bike can breathe and view the amazing panoramic views. Also before riding up there ask locals for definite directions as there are no marked ways (when we visited) and small but beautiful villages are up there, plan your stay there, if you have contacts in village below.

Directions to Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India - Google Maps

fuel is available at tabo monastery in a hotel -- premium of 5-10 rs. more

we know since we didn't buy & got stuck in kaza for 2 days as the petrol tanker broke down enroute

Thanks brother for the detailed writeup. Lets hope for the best. My tentative plan is:-
Day 1 Delhi - Narkanda420

Day 2 Narkanda- Kalpa- Nako Lake
272

Day 3 Nako Lake- Kaza
101

Day 4 AT KAZA

Day 5 Kaza- Chandrataal85

Day 6 Chandrataal- Manali125

Day 7 Manali- Delhi580

Beautiful pics&nicely penned down log too!
I still feel the P200 was a great bike...
Lovely Himalayas-sigh! When will I get to see them up front...

Originally Posted by GuRpReEt SiNgH

Thanks brother for the detailed writeup. Lets hope for the best. My tentative plan is:-
Day 1 Delhi - Narkanda420

Day 2 Narkanda- Kalpa- Nako Lake
272

Day 3 Nako Lake- Kaza
101

Day 4 AT KAZA

Day 5 Kaza- Chandrataal85

Day 6 Chandrataal- Manali125

Day 7 Manali- Delhi580

Thanks Gurpreet, seems almost like our plan. Best wishes. Don't forget to carry a nice camera. The views you'll get are rare and beautiful. Specially Chandratal.

@Saravjit: Thanks man. P200 is a great machine spl in tough terrain and himalayas. P220-FI is good too for such places as its got FI that really helps saving fuel.

P200 was a great bike

sad to see was with it, but mine will always be is

A very refreshing trip louge, that reminds me of our journey too.

Thanks L.P.

@darkknight: Thanks for adding Info. Any such rare incident puts the rider in problem and plan goes for a toss. Good you got help from Tabo, the hotel guy had many things available with him.

The pics are awesome!!!

Brother, long time no updates

Write something, even my blog is atleast 2 days ahead of your, would love to hear your story too....