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Himachal Bike Safari Tour
Duration : 13 Nights / 12 Days.
Destination : Delhi- Shimla - Sarahan - Sangla - Kalpa - Tabo
- Losar - Jispa - Sarchu - Leh - Nubra Valley – Leh.
Day 01 : Delhi to Shimla (340Km)
Start early in the morning to avoid city traffic on your drive to Shimla. En-route,
stop for lunch at picturesque Parwanoo. Continue your drive to Shimla. Check
in at hotel on arrival. Shimla is one of the finest hill resorts of India and
the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Situated at an altitude of 6,900ft, it was
once a small village surrounded by splendid forest. Later, the British converted
it into a hill resort and as the Summer Capital of British India. In the evening,
enjoy strolling around the Mall. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 02 : Shimla to Sarahan (185 Km)
After breakfast, drive to Sarahan. The former Capital of Bushahar Empire, Sarahan
is a wonderful little village located amidst lush green and beautiful surroundings
of Deodar forests. Visit the historical Bhimakali temple, having an unusual
architecture and wealth of carvings, a fine example of Hindu-Buddhist architecture.
Deep down in the alley flows the river Sutlej and across lies the scenic snow-clad
Shrikhand Peak. Overnight stay at Sarahan.
Day 03 : Sarahan to Sangla (92 Km)
After breakfast, we move on from Sarahan, delving deeper into the breathtaking,
secret world of the Kinnaur and Spiti Valleys. Ride on to Wangtu and further
to Karchham and move down to right to Sangla, a picturesque little village with
a small population, famous for its trout fishing possibilities. Situated on
the slope with houses rising one above the other, and the Kinner-Kailash Peak
towering behind, Sangla is also known for the impressive and historical Kamru
Fort, which has now been dedicated to the Kamakshi Temple.
Day 04 : Sangla to Kalpa (57 Km)
After breakfast, at leisure backtrack to Karchham and drive to Kalpa. En-route
cross Powari and proceed to Recong Peo ( 7 Km). Both places have the most stupendous
settings in all of Himachal Pradesh. Enjoy a spectacular view of the mighty
Kinnaur Kailash Mountain Ranges from anywhere up the road. Located at an altitude
of 2,670m, Kalpa is also famous for good quality Chilgoza. Dinner and overnight
in tents.
Day 05 : Kalpa to Tabo (163 Km)
After an early morning breakfast, start riding on Sutlej Bed and in the surrounding
lush green forest. Drive 18 km from Powari to Ribba. This region is also known
for the famous Kinnaur apples, grapes and the alcohol distilled from grapes.
There are a number of bridges you will cross en-route. Then drive to Ribba to
Puh (40Km) while riding on the paved road on the Bank of the Sutlej River, known
as the Indo-Tibetan road. In northwest direction one can distinctly see some
snow-covered peaks in the Pin Valley Range (subject to clear weather). After
crossing the cantonment of the Puh, come out of the Gorge of Khab (another 11
Km). Khab is the point where two rivers, Tabo and Sutlej merge, producing the
resounding sound. Navigate the hairpin bends and ride ahead for 24 km on paved
road till Yangthang. Descend to Yangthang, considered as the ideal entry point
in the Land of Lamas.
From Yangthang the road condition also deteriorates to unpaved in between some
loose mud and mountain river crossing till Chango (3,658 m). From Chango drive
another 8 Km in arid landscape till Sumdo. Another 9 Km drive in the plateau
area, takes you to Hoorling and from here 24 Km ride ends up in Tabo.
Visit Tabo Gompa (temple). Founded in 996 AD, the Gompa has some of the best-preserved
examples of Indo-Tibetan art remaining in the world. Dinner and overnight in
the tent.
Day 06 : Tabo to Losar (171 Km)
In the morning, leave for Kaza (3,600 meters), at about 47 Km from Tabo and
then to Kibber, 18Km up. Visit the scenic Kibber Village (4,025m) and the famous
Ki-Monastery (4,116m). Though the distance to Ki is not much, but you have to
ascend a height of more than 1,000 M on a difficult road. Ki is the oldest and
largest Gompa in Spiti having a spectacular location. Later, ride down to Rangrik
and then into the barren landscape in a gorge for next 30 Km to Hanse (3,950m)
clinging to the road cliffs and the unpaved stretch of roads with not many villages
falling en-route. Then, ride further 20Km to arrive at Losar (4,079m). Dinner
and overnight camping at Losar.
Day 07 : Losar to Tandi (174Km)
Enjoy an early morning ride up to Kunzumla Pass (4,551 m) & then proceed
to visit the picturesquely beautiful Chander Tal Lake (4,270m), about 12 Km
from the Pass. Spend some time and enjoy the spectacular beauty of the surroundings
around the lake.
Thereafter, drive to Batal-Chhatru-Gramphoo and then to Tandi. Dinner and overnight
in the Drilbu Retreat, Tandi.
Day 08 : Ride to Sarchu (104 Km)
After breakfast, drive to Jispa-Darcha and proceed through the hairpin bends
entering into the Higher Himalayan Range. After reaching the top of the gorge,
drive straight to Himmatnagar Cantonment. It is again an unpaved stretch of
the Patseo & ZinZing Bar hairpins bends, as you get closer to Suraj Tal.
Then, proceed to Baralacha La (4,883m). Later, descend down to arrive at Bharatpur.
Enjoy your packed lunch and enter to the gorge of Sarchu. Come out of the gorge
after crossing the bridge and enter the Sarchu Plateau (4,100m). Here you can
enjoy a cool and refreshing breeze, soothing your body and nerves. Dinner and
overnight in tents at Sarchu.
Day 09 : Sarchu to Leh (246 Km)
Today, you will enjoy a long but pleasurable ride. Ride in the plateau area
for next 30 Km with a good speed but be cautious of the bad patches en-route.
Ascend the road bends of Gata Loops early in the morning to beat the uphill
traffic and scale the height of Takh (3,950m) and then it is a downhill. Cross
over the low-lying road in the stream and ascend uphill again to the height
of Lachung La Pass (5,060m) about 54 km from Sarchu. Then, drive downhill for
25 km till you hit the base of bridge before Pang (4,630m). Ensure to cross
over Pang before 12.00 noon as traffic is not allowed in afternoon. Later, cross
Tanglang La (75km from Pang) and another 30 km to Rumtse. Thereafter, proceed
further to Leh, the saddle of Buddhist Culture. Dinner and overnight in the
hotel in Leh.
Day 10 : Leh
Day at leisure for own personal activities. Bike Maintenance.
Leave the bike with the mechanic and explore the delights of Leh on your own.
Visit the 16th Leh Century Palace (once the seat of power), the splendid World
Peace Pagoda and the busy marketplace.
Optional: Half-day River rafting can also be arranged on request.
Day 11 : Ride to Sumur (Nubra Valley) (120 Km)
Ride to the world's highest motorable road, Khardung La. At 18,380 feet (5,602m),
the ride will take a few hours of climbing out of Leh. Capture the unforgettably
beautiful view in your camera at the top, and then ride down into the beautiful
Nubra Valley. Tonight stay in Silk Route Cottages for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12 : Nubra Valley to Khardung La to Leh
From Nubra Valley, backtrack to Khardung La and then Leh. Enjoy free time at
Leh. Overnight stay at Leh.
Day 13 : Departure from Leh
After breakfast take flight back to Delhi or continue the journey to other destination.
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