Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley Bike Trip - Unveil the Hidden Gems of Himachal Pradesh

@SpitiValley 

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

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.

 

Route from Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley via Bilaspur

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.

Route from Bhubaneswar to Spiti Valley via Jamshedpur

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 every day.

 

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

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.

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