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Old 10th May 2007, 08:43   #16
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Originally Posted by yogesh sarkar View Post
600 bucks a night is luxury by our standards, we are more of Rs. 150-250 for a double bedroom shared by 3 guys kind of people .
Well you can get a dorm too for 150 a night in the same places.
I mentioned that because in season all the silly hotels start charging really really silly rates.
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Old 15th May 2007, 14:19   #17
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That’s true, will definitely check them out
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Old 18th June 2007, 22:23   #18
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Came back on friday, it was really fun.

Here is the brief trip log Spiti, where “ROAD” is a relative term… : BCMTouring
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Old 18th June 2007, 22:59   #19
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Yogesh, great account!

In 2004, during my Spiti-Lahaul-ladakh trip, I could never take the road beyond Spello (Powari-Nako sector), because landslides had closed down the road, resulting in my having to go all the way round Rohtang and Kunzum La to reach Kaza. How are the sections that were hit by the landslides - are they good now? After Powari, is the next petrol pump only at Kaza? What sort of hotel rooms did you get at 100-200 a night? Was the Chnadra Tal road open? And how bad was the roads leading to and fro Kunzum La?

Sorry for my inquisitiveness, I have been in this region only during Sep-Oct, no idea of road conditions at the time of the melting snows.

The road to Gette, the highest village - same as the Khibber road?

Thanks,
Kumar
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Old 18th June 2007, 23:29   #20
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Originally Posted by hvkumar View Post
In 2004, during my Spiti-Lahaul-ladakh trip, I could never take the road beyond Spello (Powari-Nako sector), because landslides had closed down the road, resulting in my having to go all the way round Rohtang and Kunzum La to reach Kaza. How are the sections that were hit by the landslides - are they good now?
Thanks Kumar, those areas are still landslide prone and there are landslides on a regular basis. Usually they are cleared up pretty quickly and there is blasting etc. done to prevent it.

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After Powari, is the next petrol pump only at Kaza?
Yes, but you can buy contraband petrol/diesel from local shops.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hvkumar View Post
What sort of hotel rooms did you get at 100-200 a night?
Comfortable enough to spend the night, here is a breakdown of the hotels:

Jeori: Rs. 200 = small guest house cum restaurant cum bar, room had fans and attached toilet with geyser, no TV.

Chango: Rs. 100 = even smaller guest house, attached toilet but no geyser and no tv

Kaza: Rs. 250 = Attached toilet, tv and geyser.

Losar: Rs. 100 = Common toilet, no tv.

Manali: Rs.450 = every thing except an ac and a fan.

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Originally Posted by hvkumar View Post
Was the Chnadra Tal road open?
Roads were open, from what I have heard they are in bad condition but doable on a motorcycle.

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Originally Posted by hvkumar View Post
And how bad was the roads leading to and fro Kunzum La?
Really bad, especially due to the melting snow. Took me 6 and a half hour to cover 100kms (Losar to Gramphoo), but this is what made the whole journey worth it.

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The road to Gette, the highest village - same as the Khibber road?
A km before Kibber there is a diversion, take it and it will take you to Kibber. Once you are in the flat grass land, Kibber is a short walk/off road ride towards the right of the road.
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Old 19th June 2007, 09:29   #21
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reminds me of my ride in 2005. Took us 11 hrs to ride from tabo to manali via gramphoo!
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Old 19th June 2007, 11:33   #22
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read the log. He he he.. i always told everyone, leh is a piece of cake for anyone whos done spiti. June 2005, that ride! I remember making me own road and all.
That lil lake looks awesome! why did u skip chandratal ? !
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Old 19th June 2007, 15:59   #23
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Thanks Bunny, skipped Chandrataal cause the bike was facing starting issues i.e. the battery was almost dead and she doesn't starts with a kick if she has been running for a while. With luggage and solo that would have become the issue had she stalled mid way, so had to leave it for some other day.
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Old 20th August 2008, 22:04   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trance_nut View Post
The Spiti Loop:
Karcham --> Recong Peo --> Nako --> Tabo --> Kaza --> Losar --> Baatal --> Chotta Darra --> Chattru --> Grampho -- Rohtang --Manali --> Kullu --> Aut --> Shoja --> Jalori Pass --> Luhri --> Rampur --> Jeori --> Wangtu --> Karcham.

You can enter the loop either from manali or shimla.
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Originally Posted by extreme_torque View Post
We did Delhi -- Manali -- Rohtang La -- Gramphu -- Chatru -- Chhota Darra -- Batal -- Chandertal
Quote:
Originally Posted by tsk1979 View Post
Spiti Loop is
Delhi - Manali - Kunzum Pass - Kaza - Tabo - Recong Po - Narkanda - Shimla - Chd - Delhi
Supposedly much tougher than Leh.

Thank you guys for the route.
Apologies but i do not intend to hijack this thread.

MODS :
I have a few last questions. Should I start a new thread for this?

1. Can I do this circuit in the 1st week of September from the point of view of the roads being open.?
2. How many days is required to complete this circuit.?
3. I intend to do this trip in my safari 4x4 and which will be the best route to take?
4. Are there places to stay or dhabas along the way... or is it possible to 'safely' camp?

I will finalize my exact travel dates shortly.

I appreciate all the advice and the help.
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Old 20th August 2008, 22:31   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaysmokesleaves View Post
I have a few last questions.
1. Can I do this circuit in the 1st week of September from the point of view of the roads being open.?
2. How many days is required to complete this circuit.?
3. I intend to do this trip in my safari 4x4 and which will be the best route to take?
4. Are there places to stay or dhabas along the way... or is it possible to 'safely' camp?
Jay, here's a possible route plan, ex-Delhi:
and yes, early Sept should be OK.

Delhi - Narkanda
Narkanda - Sarahan (gateway to Kinnaur)
Sarahan - Chitkul (that's the end point of Sangla Valley)
Chitkul - Recong Peo/Kalpa
Kalpa - Tabo (do visit Nako lake en route. It's a small diversion of about 6 kms from NH22)
Tabo - Kaza ( go see Kibber & Gette. Also opportunities for off-roading)
Kaza - Manali (tough day. Kunzum Pass stretch. Losar to Gramphoo is tough!)
If you want to have a bash at Chandratal Lake, you'd have to amend this part accordingly, and add another day.
Manali - Delhi. (long day's drive)
To add more adventure, time permitting, you could do Manali - Jalori Pass - Narkanda.
Narkanda - Delhi.
You'd be back where you started.
That's a minimum 10 days plan, ex-Delhi.
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Old 20th August 2008, 23:27   #26
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Note from mod, threads merged

My advice on the trip regarding travelling times
1. Delhi - Manali= 14 hours with high speed driving. Try starting from Delhi between 3am and 7am, any other time can mean jams at border
2. Delhi - Narkanda = 10 hours high speed driving. However if you hit Kalka on Fri/sat/sun between 8am and 9pm you can get stuck for more than an hour.

If you are 2 guys or more, there are safe camping oppurtunities at chandertal, but you can stay in proper hotels from 100rs-2000rs a night, depending upon your budget.

About your 1st week of september route, I have no idea about Malling Nullah.
If thats not open, then do Manali - Malling Nullah, and come back the same way, like trance_nut did(they did not go till Malling though)
That is the spiti stick and not the spiti loop
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Old 20th August 2008, 23:43   #27
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Malling Nullah status varies from time to time! Already closed and reopened a couple of times this season already.

My schedule would go as follows:
Delhi-Narkhanda
Narkhanda-Recong Peo/Nako
Nako-Kaza
Kaza-Manali
Manali-Delhi

Roads should be at their best behaviour now, getting into September.

In the event Malling is closed, and you get to know only after you get there,
Full day drive from Recong Peo to Manali
Manali-Kaza
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Old 21st August 2008, 07:14   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hvkumar View Post

My schedule would go as follows:
Delhi-Narkhanda
Narkhanda-Recong Peo/Nako
Nako-Kaza
Kaza-Manali
Manali-Delhi
And not do Sangla Valley at all?

I would imagine that Sangla Valley is at least half the charm of this trip. And it is half of Kinnaur too!
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Old 21st August 2008, 07:23   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tsk1979 View Post
Note from mod, threads merged

My advice on the trip regarding travelling times
1. Delhi - Manali= 14 hours with high speed driving. Try starting from Delhi between 3am and 7am, any other time can mean jams at border
2. Delhi - Narkanda = 10 hours high speed driving. However if you hit Kalka on Fri/sat/sun between 8am and 9pm you can get stuck for more than an hour.

If you are 2 guys or more, there are safe camping oppurtunities at chandertal, but you can stay in proper hotels from 100rs-2000rs a night, depending upon your budget.

About your 1st week of september route, I have no idea about Malling Nullah.
If thats not open, then do Manali - Malling Nullah, and come back the same way, like trance_nut did(they did not go till Malling though)
That is the spiti stick and not the spiti loop
I am driving from Mumbai. Is there a Delhi byepass to reach Manali. Or do I have to enter Delhi ?
I have no idea about roads inside Delhi and I am concerned about getting stuck in city traffic. If entering the city is unavoidable then I will plan so as to drive through Delhi at midnight or early morning.
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Old 21st August 2008, 08:08   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaysmokesleaves View Post
If entering the city is unavoidable then I will plan so as to drive through Delhi at midnight or early morning.
That would be the best way to do it.

BTW, Jay, you have not mentioned how many days you have at hand.
Also, to what 'depth' do you wish to cover Spiti? What kind of 'adventure quotient' are you looking for?

There are the remote areas which are diversions from the main route: Dhankar and Pin Valley. One extra day at least.


Regarding the Malling slide area, yes, that is a very uncertain patch.
e.g.: I have been twice to Spiti.
Once was going and coming via Malling, because Kunzum was closed and the next time was both ways via Kunzum because Malling was closed! We even waited at Sumdo for 2 days for the malling slide to open so that we could complete the LOOP. Alas, it was not to be.

Last edited by anupmathur : 21st August 2008 at 08:12.
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