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@SpitiValley |
Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley Bike Trip: Adventure, Route, Places to Visit & Costing
The 'middle land' Spiti Valley is one of India's most
visited destinations worldwide. The region is surrounded by snow-capped
mountains, breathtaking landscapes that will leave you in awe, and a
long-lasting impact.
As we've recently completed our bike journey from
Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley, we almost visited most of the places in Himachal
Pradesh like Kullu, Manali, Kunzum Pass, Key Monastery, Chitkul, and the famous
Chicham Bridge are a few of the many attractions that take your Spiti Valley adventure
to the next level. But due to extreme conditions, we missed some high-altitude
places like Hikkim, Sisu, Jispa, Chandrataal Lake, and Komic village.
I personally ventured into Spiti riding my Bajaj Dominar
250cc, encountering one of the most challenging terrains imaginable. The
landscape comprised high altitudes, water crossings, slush, mud, gravel, rain,
snowfall, and seemingly endless off-road paths. According to me, Bike with
250cc and above are the ideal bikes for these conditions. The suspensions and
bigger tires make it comfortable for off-road and have enough power to take you
through muddy and rock terrain.
You may
ask some questions now!
- How to Plan Bike Trip to Spiti Valley – How much
time is required for this complete trip
- What is the best route for Spiti Valley from
Bhubaneswar
- Which places did you visit during your trip to
Himachal Pradesh, and which ones were your favourites?
- Did you get a chance to explore any offbeat or
lesser-known destinations in Himachal Pradesh?
- How to calculate the cost of budget for Spiti Valley
Trip in 2023?
How to
Plan a Trip to Spiti Valley Bike Trip – How much time is required for this
complete trip?
Planning to Spiti Valley from Bhubaneswar is a challenging
ride. During your bike ride, you will encounter favourable and difficult
situations as you travel from a scorching location with temperatures reaching
40 degrees Celsius to an extremely cold place ranging from 2 to -10 degrees
Celsius. As you are travelling from Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley, you are
travelling around 5,350 KM. Spiti Valley is a remote and beautiful valley in
the Himalayas. It is a popular tourist destination, but planning a trip there
can be a bit challenging.
We planned a 15-days Spiti Valley Bike trip to cover almost
9 states: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh,
Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh.
We started our journey on 8 June 2023 from Bhubaneswar
around 7.30 PM and reached Faridabad, Delhi, on 11 June 2023 at 6 PM. On 12
June 2023, early morning, again, we started our journey from Faridabad with one
of our friends towards Manali. We stay at Kullu due to some medical emergency
and travel towards Spiti Valley.
How to plan a bike trip to Spiti Valley:
- We started travelling from Bhubaneswar to
Faridabad, with three main routes to choose from Jamshedpur, Rourkela, and
Bilaspur. The Bilaspur route is the most dangerous and adventurous, as it
involves driving on extremely poor roads, including forest tracks and village
roads.
- The best time to travel to Spiti Valley is from
March to June. For those seeking a relaxing vacation, this season offers
pleasant temperatures ranging from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius, lasting from March
through June. On the other hand, Spiti's winters are better suited for adventurous and daring travellers.
Also, read about Things to
carry before start travelling to Spiti Valley by Bike Essential tips for a Bike
Rider.
- Decide how you will get there. There are two
main routes to Spiti Valley if you travel from Delhi: from Shimla and Manali.
The route from Shimla is longer, but it is more scenic. The route from Manali
is shorter, but it is more prone to landslides.
- Plan your itinerary. There are many things to
see and do in Spiti Valley, so you must decide what to prioritize. Some popular
destinations include Kaza, Kibber, Pin Valley, and Chandratal Lake, and bike riding
experience at Spiti and Chicham Bridge.
- Book your accommodation online, or you will get
a homestay all over Himachal Pradesh. Accommodation in Spiti Valley can be
limited, so it is essential to book your stay in advance. There are a variety
of options available, from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious resorts.
- Get your permits. If you are not an Indian
citizen, you must get a permit to enter Spiti Valley. You can get this permit
at the tourist office in Shimla or Manali.
What is
the best route for Spiti Valley from Bhubaneswar
There are three main routes to Spiti Valley from
Bhubaneswar:
Route 1: Bhubaneswar - Rourkela - Mirzapur -
Prayagraj - Kanpur - Etawah - Agra - New Delhi - Ambala - Chandigarh - Manali -
Spiti - Kaza - Tabo - Shimla
This route is a good option for you as it has good road
conditions and passes through some of the wildlife sanctuaries in Jharkhand, and
some famous cities. The total distance of this route is about 2,720 kilometers.
You will pass through Rourkela, Gotang Forest (a Maoist area), Daltonganj
Forest Range, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Kanpur (known as the Manchester of North
India), and high mountain passes, including the Rohtang Pass and the Kunzum Pass.
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Route from Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley via Rourkela |
Route 2: Bhubaneswar - Barpali - Bilaspur - Shahdol -
Atarra - Bundelkhand Expressway - Agra - New Delhi - Ambala - Chandigarh -
Manali - Spiti - Kaza - Tabo - Shimla
This route is longer and has terrible roads, but it is also
more scenic, with many wildlife sanctuaries to explore. You will pass through
the Satakosia Tiger Reserve Forest, the Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, the
Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary, the Bandhavgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Chitrakut, and
Bundelkhand Expressway. The total distance of this route is 2,800 kilometers.
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Route from Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley via Bilaspur
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Route 3: Bhubaneswar - Cuttack - Baripada -
Jamshedpur - Hazaribagh - Purvanchal Expressway - Lucknow - Agra Lucknow
Expressway - Faridabad - Ambala - Chandigarh - Manali - Spiti - Kaza - Tabo -
Shimla
This is the fastest route, but you will have to cross some
of the most famous highways and high mountain passes in India, including the
Purvanchal Expressway, Agra Lucknow Expressway, NH 1, the Rohtang Pass, and the
Kunzum Pass. The total distance of this route is about 2,874 kilometers.
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Route from Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley via Jamshedpur
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The best route for you will depend on your preferences and
your time constraints. If you are looking for a scenic route, then Route 2 is
the best option. If you are looking for the fastest route, then Route 3 is the
best option.
We started our journey from Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley. One
friend began his journey in Jeypore and joined the group in Bilaspur,
Chhattisgarh. I rode a Dominar D250, while the other friends rode a Himalayan
and a Yezdi Adventure. Every day we almost covered 500-600 KM everyday.
Before embarking on our journey, we chose a different route
from other bloggers. This turned out to be an exciting and adventurous
experience for us. We planned this route from Bhubaneswar - Barpali - Bilaspur
- Shahdol - Atarra - Bundelkhand Expressway - Agra - Delhi – Ambala –
Chandigarh – Kiratpur Sahib - Bilaspur – Mandi – Pandoh - Kullu – Manali –
Bahang – Atal Tunnel – Koksar – Chhatru – Batal Mountain – Kunzum Pass – Losar
– Chichong – Spiti Valley – Pangmo Khas – Rangrik - Kee Gompa (Kee Monastery) -
Chicham Bridge - Kaza – Lingti – Tabo – Naka - Pooh – Karcham – Sangla –
Chitkul – Rampur – Singla – Fagu – Kufri – Katli – Shimla – Solan – Dharampur –
Parwanoo - Kalka – Panchkula – Delhi
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Lunch Break @Bilaspur, chattisgarh |
Which
places did you visit during your trip to Himachal Pradesh, and which ones were
your favourites?
Himachal Pradesh is one of the best locations in India for
adventure tourism and riding experience. Some examples of popular adventure
activities that it offers skiing, camping, trekking, paragliding, bike riding
on Kunzum Pass, and Rohtang Pass.
What are
the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh?
On our last, ride we traveled to Himachal Pradesh and
covered almost 50% of the areas in Himachal Pradesh. That sounds like an amazing
adventure! Spiti Valley is a popular destination known for its stunning natural
beauty and captivating landscapes. The snow-capped mountains, picturesque
valleys, and charming villages create a mesmerizing experience for visitors.
The tranquility and serenity of the region make it an ideal
escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Spiti Valley offers a wide
range of attractions for travelers to explore. Kunzum Pass, located at an
altitude of 4,590 meters (15,059 feet), is a breathtaking mountain pass that
connects Spiti Valley with Lahaul Valley.
- Kullu
- Manali
- Spiti Valley
- Kunzum Pass
- Key Monastery
- Chicham Bridge
- Kaza
- Tabo Monastery
- Chitkul – last village in India
- Shimla
Did you
get a chance to explore any offbeat or lesser-known destinations in Himachal
Pradesh?
You must explore these places in Himachal Pradesh.
- Batal
- Chichong
- Kalpa
- Kaza
- Sangla
- Tabo
How to
calculate the budget for Spiti Valley Trip in 2023-24?
The cost of a Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley trip by motorcycle
will vary depending on a number of factors, including the time of year you
travel, the type of motorcycle you are riding, your accommodation choices, your
route options, and your spending habits. However, you can expect to spend
anywhere from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 27,000 per person for a 15-day trip.
Here is a breakdown of some of the major expenses you
will incur:
- Bike / Motorcycle: If you are travelling
on your personal bike, then you are spending an amount of Rs. 4,000-7,000
for service costs for the total trip. Your biggest investment for this trip is Engine
oil, Chain Lube spray, and Chain cleaner.
- Fuel: Fuel costs from Bhubaneswar to
Spiti Valley are relatively high, so you can expect to spend around Rs. 1,000 per
day on petrol.
- Accommodation: There are a variety of
accommodation options available on this ride, from budget guesthouses to luxury
hotels. You can expect to pay anywhere from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2,000 per night for
a double room.
- Food: Food costs from Bhubaneswar to
Spiti ride are also relatively high, but you can still find some affordable
options. You can expect to spend around Rs. 500 per day on food.
- Other expenses: Other expenses you may
incur include entrance fees to attractions, permission, and laundry.
Overall, the cost of a Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley trip can
range from around Rs. 25,000 - 30,000 per person, depending on your budget and
travel style. If you're on a tight budget, you can save money by cooking for
yourself, traveling by public transportation, and staying in budget hotels.
However, if you're willing to splurge, you can enjoy a more luxurious trip with
better accommodation, food, and activities.
Here is a budget for a 15-day Spiti Valley trip for two
people:
- Accommodation: Rs. 7,000
- Food: Rs. 7,000
- Petrol Cost: Rs. 14,000
- Other expenses: Rs. 2,000
- Total: Rs. 30,000
This budget assumes that you're staying in budget medium-range hotels, eating out for most meals, and taking your own bike.
Here are
some tips for saving money on your Spiti Valley trip:
- Travel during the off-season: The Spiti
Valley is most crowded during the summer months (June-September). If you're
willing to travel during the off-season (October-March), you'll find cheaper
accommodation and transportation.
- Cook for yourself: If you're on a tight
budget, cooking for yourself is a great way to save money. There are plenty of
grocery stores in Spiti Valley where you can buy fresh produce and other
ingredients.
- Travel by public transportation: Public
transportation is a great way to save money on your Spiti Valley trip. Buses
are available between most major towns in the valley.
- Stay in budget hotels: There are a number
of budget hotels/homestays in Spiti Valley that offer clean and comfortable
accommodation at a fraction of the cost of more luxurious hotels.