{"id":6082,"date":"2016-05-22T17:58:59","date_gmt":"2016-05-22T21:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/?p=6082"},"modified":"2020-01-08T11:45:08","modified_gmt":"2020-01-08T16:45:08","slug":"bicycle-touring-in-the-indian-himalaya-spiti-and-lahoul-valleys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2016\/05\/bicycle-touring-in-the-indian-himalaya-spiti-and-lahoul-valleys\/","title":{"rendered":"Bicycle Touring in the Indian Himalaya: Spiti and Lahoul Valleys"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"bicycle
Rough and remote…just what you’d expect from a bicycle tour through the high Himalaya.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The high Himalaya looms large in cyclists\u2019 lore.  Over the years we\u2019ve been privy to plenty of tales of ferocious headwinds, debilitating altitude sickness, and freak summer snowstorms.<\/p>\n

Finally it was our turn to ride some of the world\u2019s highest motorable passes.<\/p>\n

The best place for bicycle touring in the Himalayas<\/h2>\n

For most cyclists, the big draw in the Indian Himalaya is the Leh-Manali highway and exploring Ladakh.  The Spiti and Lahoul valleys are just hitting the radar in the bike touring world.  But we think they\u2019ll soon become the hot spot in the Himalaya.  Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n

Really remote<\/h2>\n

First off, Spiti and Lahoul are actually more remote than Ladakh.  And for cyclists that\u2019s usually a good thing.  It keeps out the mass tourism that is so detrimental to a pleasurable bike trip.  You\u2019ll see very few of the annoying white tourist vans that increasingly clog the roads in Ladakh.  Most traffic is local or limited to intrepid tourists on Enfield motorbikes.<\/p>\n

Spiti and Lahoul also offer more opportunities to experience local life. While The Leh-Manali road is empty of permanent settlements, Spiti and Lahoul are dotted with tiny communities and monasteries.  It\u2019s almost always possible to stay with local families, or in small guesthouses.  Some monasteries even open their doors to guests.  If you time it right, you might even be able to take part in one of the many colorful festivals.<\/p>\n

Same scenery, lower altitude<\/h2>\n

Best of all, the scenery in the Spiti and Lahoul valleys is just as spectacular as on the Leh-Manali highway. But the good thing is that you won\u2019t have to deal with as many high altitudes passes. Climbing high passes is exciting, but it can take a big toll on your body.<\/p>\n

In Spiti and Lahoul valleys, Kunzum Pass at 4,590 m (15,059 feet) is the highest pass you\u2019ll encounter.  It\u2019s a rough and tough climb, but you\u2019re lungs won\u2019t suffer quite as much as if you bike the Leh-Manali stretch where you\u2019ll tackle daunting Tanglang La at a whopping 5,328 m (17,480 ft).<\/p>\n

For practicalities of bicycle touring in the Indian Himalaya, the best resource is the excellent Himalaya by Bike guidebook from Laura Stone.<\/a><\/p>\n

Now enjoy the slideshow of bicycle touring in Spiti and Lahoul!
\n