Himalaya, India To the Gateway of Tibet
TRAVEL DESIGNER Stephane Gautronneau BENJAMIN He splits his time between leading tours and running our Delhi office. But of one thing we re sure: his love for motorbikes is undivided! Travel into the remote Kinnaur and Spiti Valleys for an extraordinary adventure along the surreal trails bordering Tibet. 2
MAP A TRIP WITH UNIQUE SENSATIONS This out-of-the-way motorbike tour is one of our most exclusive Himalayan experiences. A demanding itinerary, accessible for just a few weeks in late summer, for bikers with nerves of steel. Between two worlds, you ll ride through changing landscapes from a lush green land to a rocky desert world. Slender mountains, deep valleys, high passes, and little Buddhist monasteries perched on mountain flanks and you ll feel you are touching the stars by Chandra Taal, a large high-altitude lake of indescribable beauty. 3
AT A GLANCE 6-8h riding a day Unexpected events on the road Remote regions Period September Duration 14 days including 10 days riding Level Demanding English-speaking tour leader Accommodation Standard From 2580 4
YOUR TRIP IN 14 STAGES STAGE 1 Arrival at Delhi: Your first day is a smooth arrival in Delhi: welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Delhi. Your room is available for check-in at noon. Overnight stay at the hotel. Delhi - Nalagarh: (300m) Stephane Gautronneau STAGE 2 Early morning departure for Nalagarh by private vehicle, across the green landscapes of Punjab, the most fertile province of the country. Arrival at Nalagarh, small village in the Himalayan foothills. Overnight stay at Nalagarh Fort. 5
YOUR TRIP IN 14 STAGES Nalagarh - Shimla [120 km 4/5H riding]: (2000m) We get our first glimpse of the Royal Enfield 500cc. First day of riding; drive to Shimla, on mountainous and hilly roads. Arrival in Shimla, a charming hill station at 2000 m in altitude. This town was the former summer capital of the English empire in India in the XIXth century: the weather there is much nicer than in Delhi during the monsoon season! Overnight stay at the hotel. STAGE 3 Shimla - Sarahan [170 km 6H riding]: (2300m) STAGE 4 The road winds across the Himalayan foothills until Sarahan at 2300m altitude. Sarahan is the gateway to mystical Kinnaur, with breathtaking landscapes. Its old fortified Kali temple is worth the visit. Overnight stay in a guest-house. 6
YOUR TRIP IN 14 STAGES Sarahan - Sangla [160 km 6/7H riding]: (2500m) STAGE 5 We climb up Sutlej Valley taking the famous Hindustan-Tibet road, an ancient route linking Lhassa and Punjab. We leave the main valley and take a track which winds its way deep into a vertiginous gorge, ultimately opening up into a scenic valley. We ride with the Baspa river flowing on one side till we reach Sangla, a beautiful fortified village. We will visit traditional Kinnauri villages of the Baspa Valley, including the genuine and remote Chitkul village. Overnight stay in a guest-house. STAGE 6 Sangla - Nako [180 km 7H riding]: (3500m) We ride through the Sutlej Valley, with Tibet right in front of us. As one rides towards the north-east, the green landscapes vanish and a more stark and naked scenery meets the eye. As the Spiti valley approaches, the Sutlej Valley gets narrower. We are now in the heart of the Great Himalaya s, just a few kilometers away from Tibet. The road is winding and the landscape gets arid. We arrive at Nako, typical Tibetan village, built around a small lake. The legend says that Padmasambhava, the Indian master who brought Buddhism to Tibet, left his foot print in this place. Overnight stay in a guest house. 7
YOUR TRIP IN 14 STAGES Nako - Kaza [120 km 4/5H riding]: (3600m) STAGE 7 We will visit the small monastery, reminiscent of the setting of Zurlini s The desert of the Tartars. Departure towards the north of the Spiti Valley. We will visit a few villages before arriving at Tabo. Tabo monastery, one of the most ancient Buddhist Tibetan sites (founded in 999 A.D), is no less mystical than its Tibetan contemporary, the Töling-Tsaparang. The tantric frescos, of cachemiry tradition, show a finesse rarely seen in the Tibetan world. Still heading north, we reach Kaza, the capital of Spiti at 3600m of altitude. Overnight stay at the hotel. STAGE 8 Kaza and surroundings [90 km 2/3H riding]: Short ride today. We go to visit Dhankar s impressive Gompa (monastery), which is perched high up on a ridge, before heading to the tiny village of Lallung. Back to Kaza for lunch. In the afternoon, we take a stroll in the town. This is the opportunity to bargain for jewellery, apricots, prayer wheels or continue the bike ride to the small monastery of Kaumik. Overnight stay at the hotel. 8
YOUR TRIP IN 14 STAGES Kaza - Kibber [50 km 2H riding]: (4200m) Another short riding day, which leads us to the high altitude village of Kibber. Visit of the wonderful Kye monastery, a few kilometers away from Kaza. We make our way up to Kibber, one of the highest villages of the Himalayan Range (4200m), on a winding mountain road. Visit of the village, surrounded by mountain tops over 5500m high. Overnight stay in a guest house. STAGE 9 Kibber - Chandra Tal Lake [180 km 6H riding]: (4200m) STAGE 10 We head back down to Kaza and head towards the north-west. We cross the Kunzum pass (4600m), which separates Spiti and Lahaul. We make a pit stop at the pass, covered with colorful Tibetan flags fluttering in the wind, and take in the breathtaking beauty of the glaciers surrounding us. We head on to discover Chandra Tal The Moon lake - surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. At this point we feel like we can touch the stars. If we are lucky, we might get the chance to meet the Gaddis, shepherds that move up from the lower valleys with their sheep every season. Overnight stay in a camp next to the lake. 9
YOUR TRIP IN 14 STAGES Chandra Tal Lake - Naggar [200 km 7/8H riding]: (1800m) STAGE 11 We head back down in the Chandra Valley, in the Lahaul province, before taking the Leh-Manali road. We cross the Rothang pass (3900m), which forms a barrier between two worlds: on one side, the stark beauty of the Tibetan culture, and on the other side, the gorgeous Kullu Valley. The way down to Manali is impressive with its incredibly serpentine road. Be on the lookout: The roadsides are home to huge bearded vultures! Overnight stay at the hotel. STAGE 12 Naggar & Manali [80 km 3H riding]: By motorbike, we visit the green and charming Kullu Valley. Visit of the fort and the Naggar temple, before having a break for lunch. Back to Manali in the afternoon and overnight stay at the hotel. Historically, known as «Kulanthapitha» which means «the end of the inhabitable world, the Kullu Valley is famous for its gods, the hospitality of the local people, its beautiful pine and cedar forests, its rich orchards and its excellent hashish. The valley is today named Valley of Gods because of the numerous divinities and temples to be found in the villages. 10
YOUR TRIP IN 14 STAGES STAGE 13 Naggar - Delhi: Free day in Manali (extra day in case of any delays). Then return back to Delhi by the end of the afternoon, with a Volvo deluxe night bus. Delhi - International Airport: Stephane Gautronneau STAGE 14 Early morning arrival in Delhi. Transfer to the hotel. Free day in Delhi. In the afternoon, we will retain only one or two hotel rooms (according to the number of participants) for storing luggage or taking a shower before the late night transfer to the airport. End of our services. *Riding distances are indicative. 11
HOW DO YOU WANT TO GO? Book your trip and join a group From 16/09/17 to 29/09/17 From 15/09/18 to 28/09/18 2750 / pilot* 2450 / pillion* Book now : contact@vintagerides.com *Prices are indicative. Please refer to our general terms & conditions. Create a new group Personalise your motorbike trip by creating your own dates and group! ''A la carte'' trips don't depend on the number of bikers in the group - you can even set off in a duo! From 2 to 3: 4190 From 4 to 5: 3540 From 6 to 8: 3000 From 9 to 10: 2750 From 11 to 12: 2580 And enjoy 5% off your second trip 10% off your third trip and more Always in the limit of 300 12
MORE INFO PRICE INCLUDES A Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle is provided with full mechanical assistance and all spare parts Domestic transfers as appearing in the program, by private vehicle An English speaking Tour Leader (from day 3 to day 12) Fuel expenses An expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorcycles A support vehicle with driver for groups with more than 4 participants; side luggage carrier for groups of less than 4 participants. Lodging in standard hotels and guest houses + 1 night at a camp, in double bed rooms on a twin-sharing basis. If you wish to stay in a single room (extra), please inform your travel advisor at the time of registration. Meals: Full board during riding days Third party motorcycle insurance PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Compulsory insurances, such as repatriation assistance which covers you in case of a motorbike accident in India legal assistance International flights and airport taxes Visa fees A refundable security deposit of 400 for the motorcycle (to be paid on cash upon arrival) Lunch & Dinners on non-riding days (day 1, day 2, day 13 and day 14) Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc. Drinks and personal expenses Tips 13
MY CHECKLIST Appropriate equipment is a component of a successful journey! Travel lightly, TRY TO STAY UNDER 45LBS (20 KGS) BAGS: A sailor bag would be perfect, a walker's bag too (without steel bar). You can close it with a padlock if you want to. Don t forget to tag it before leaving with your address. Also with the address of Vintage Rides in India. A small backpack of 20 litres is advised for daily necessities such as camera, sunscreen lotion, etc. SLEEPING BAG: For people sensitive to the cold: a warmer sleeping bag, e.g., suitable for -10 ºC, or an extra duvet. Sleeping bag liner (recommended). To know: beds, mattresses and duvets will be provided on the site. Other sleeping material is optional and depends on the individual needs of every traveller. SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE EQUIPMENT: CLOTHES AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Motorcycle boots are strongly advised or trekking shoes (waterproof) Warm motorbike jacket (synthetic preferred) A rain suit (just in case!) Gloves Helmet Bandana PERSONAL MEDICINE: Sunscreen lotion Lip balm Broad-spectrum antibiotic Paracetamol Anti-diarrhoea Elastoplast Skin disinfectant Bandages and special blisters bandage 2 light pants 4 shirts (including some with long sleeves, to protect yourself from the sun) 2 warm sweaters or jackets Sunglasses Hat Sport shoes or trekking shoes 1 liter canteen (flask) and a flashlight (don t forget the battery) Some sweets and cereal bars 14
CONTACT US Copyrights photos: Christophe Gandy - Stephane Campo - Jerome Tessier - Pierre Chaix - Benjamin Benini - Adomas Baltagalvis VINTAGE RIDES INDIA C-65 Okhla phase 1 New Delhi - 110020 Tel: +339 70 44 01 30 VINTAGE RIDES FRANCE 98 Rue Baudin - 92300 Levallois-Perret By appointment only Tel: +337 68 13 89 07 CONTACT@VINTAGERIDES.COM www.vintagerides.travel 15