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A trip from Shimla to Manali via Spiti valley, to be covered on a bicycle was on agenda. A longer route but with abundant places to visit, landscapes to ogle at and mountains to climb all along this route. We had with us a checklist with a must-go-to places to see such as Kalpa, Geu Monastery, Tabo Monastery, Pin Valley, Kaza amongst others that were added on as we progressed along with our trip. Plan for a recce of the route from Shimla to Manali via the Spiti valley was put down by my friend Guru. Five friends came forward to join this trip but three of them dropped out due to unforeseen reasons leaving with just my friend Guru and me. This change significantly increased the cost per person which I wasn't too happy about but a trip I wanted to do nevertheless.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Morning came and we were up and ready to ride. We had breakfast, took pictures and started riding by 9:40am. Rode back down the same route to reach Karchham by noon. Dan lead us to an eatery located in a narrow lane closeby (where he had had his lunch the previous day). Continued on from here and then started the climb to reach the town of Reckong Peo. Guru decided to not ride from here and drive ahead to Kalpa to figure out place of stay. Good roads on this stretch but strong headwinds made the last couple of kms an intense climb. I was on the verge of giving up, but something about the place encouraged me on and finally reached Kalpa after having covered 72km in total for today.
Day 4
Dan had to head out to get his permit. So Guru and I bid him farewell and continued on our way. Bad gravel roads all the way till we reached a small settlement named Spillo by 1:15pm having covered 50km. We had lunch here. After confirming with the locals about the road conditions ahead, I decided not to ride any further and this was a good decision. From here, we loaded up our bikes and headed to Pooh. Finally reached Nako at about 5:30pm and settled into a hotel facing a small lake. Here we met a French couple and their 3 kids who were on their bicycle tour.
Day 5
Started at 8:45am after breakfast consisting of porridge and locally made apple juice. Initial 5km climb followed by a descent. We noticed a few cyclists below and much ahead. We got to the base of the hill to catch up with these cyclists only to realise they were from the Indian Army who were on a training/outing exercise. After having spoken to them, we continued on riding on further broken roads to reach Sumdo and further on till Geu. Finally reached at 2:30pm with a distance of 49km covered.
Day 6
Start from Geu at 8am after breakfast and settling accounts with the person incharge of the homestay. Rode on for 34km to reach Tabo by 11am. Visited the Monastery and then packed some lunch at the hotel next door. From here we continued on to reach the road diversion leading to Pin Valley and from there rode on till we got to Mud (pronounced as Moodh).
Will be posting the second part/conclusion of this trip soon after am done sorting through the many many pictures that I took during the trip.
More details can be found on my blog/website : http://www.frozenmercury.com
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Morning came and we were up and ready to ride. We had breakfast, took pictures and started riding by 9:40am. Rode back down the same route to reach Karchham by noon. Dan lead us to an eatery located in a narrow lane closeby (where he had had his lunch the previous day). Continued on from here and then started the climb to reach the town of Reckong Peo. Guru decided to not ride from here and drive ahead to Kalpa to figure out place of stay. Good roads on this stretch but strong headwinds made the last couple of kms an intense climb. I was on the verge of giving up, but something about the place encouraged me on and finally reached Kalpa after having covered 72km in total for today.
Day 4
Dan had to head out to get his permit. So Guru and I bid him farewell and continued on our way. Bad gravel roads all the way till we reached a small settlement named Spillo by 1:15pm having covered 50km. We had lunch here. After confirming with the locals about the road conditions ahead, I decided not to ride any further and this was a good decision. From here, we loaded up our bikes and headed to Pooh. Finally reached Nako at about 5:30pm and settled into a hotel facing a small lake. Here we met a French couple and their 3 kids who were on their bicycle tour.
Day 5
Started at 8:45am after breakfast consisting of porridge and locally made apple juice. Initial 5km climb followed by a descent. We noticed a few cyclists below and much ahead. We got to the base of the hill to catch up with these cyclists only to realise they were from the Indian Army who were on a training/outing exercise. After having spoken to them, we continued on riding on further broken roads to reach Sumdo and further on till Geu. Finally reached at 2:30pm with a distance of 49km covered.
Day 6
Start from Geu at 8am after breakfast and settling accounts with the person incharge of the homestay. Rode on for 34km to reach Tabo by 11am. Visited the Monastery and then packed some lunch at the hotel next door. From here we continued on to reach the road diversion leading to Pin Valley and from there rode on till we got to Mud (pronounced as Moodh).
Will be posting the second part/conclusion of this trip soon after am done sorting through the many many pictures that I took during the trip.
More details can be found on my blog/website : http://www.frozenmercury.com
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