The Himalaya Trail

We at Blazing Trails have been running our Himalayan tours through Spiti Valley (see below) since 2000 and it is this experience, allied to precise organisation, that allows us to take motorcyclists to places like no other. As with all our trips an experienced leader and support crew are with you every mile, providing expert guidance and mechanical or medical assistance should it be required. But despite our enormous local knowledge, a ride through the Himalayas is never going to be a piece of cake.

While we do everything within reason to make your trip as safe and enjoyable as we can, there are challenges implicit to travelling in the world's mightiest mountains that we could not remove, even if we wanted to. The environment is very much in charge here, the natural forces so great that human endeavours to tame them barely register. The Himalayas are still growing, and at the same time falling down – often overnight and across our route. For this reason, no itinerary is ever set in stone.

Each morning your tour leader will gather information and assess conditions ahead. If our planned route is blocked, we may have to detour around, or wait until a passage through can be forced. This happens often and is usually overcome, but there's always the possibility that routes and accommodation will have to change. If you want a normal package holiday, this ain't it! But if you're looking for the ultimate biking adventure, with the best back-up available and most fitting overnight accommodation, then please read on…

As a participant in our Spiti Valley tour you will be flown to Delhi , before being directed aboard trains to Shimla in the Himalayan foothills. There you will be handed 'your' bike, a carefully prepared, standard 500cc Enfield Bullet (with the addition of a front disc brake) and given instruction on its eccentricities. There will be a full briefing, plus a short familiarisation ride before we set off into the high mountains.

Whenever riding there will be a leader at the fore, guiding and trouble-spotting, and a 'sweeper' to the group's rear. A support vehicle will follow, carrying spares and a qualified medic, plus extensive medical kit.

Road conditions are often rough. Or very rough. So we recommend that you have at least two year's riding experience before taking on this challenge. You will also need a reasonable fitness level and there are certain medical conditions that preclude travelling at high altitude, so check with your doctor if in any doubt. Weather ranges from warm in the lower valleys, to conditions similar to an early winter's day in the UK at higher elevations – sometimes colder, very occasionally including snow.

Travelling here by bike brings you close to the environment and its inhabitants; close to the nature of this incredible place. 'The trip of a lifetime' is an expression most overused – but not in this case, we promise.

The bikes are as classic as the concept, and if you question the ability of a slow and unfashionable Enfield on far-away roads then consider this. The Enfields are made in India so spares are as common as holy men. They have no mysterious 'black boxes' or sealed units so we can always keep them going and although they are indeed slower than Oriental or Italian off-road metal, they are a perfect match for switchback roads edged with vertiginous sheer drops. If you want fast, then spend your money on track days. However if you want a biking experience, or indeed a life experience that few others will ever dare to fulfil, then read on and set yourself up for the world's greatest riding high...the Himalayas.

About Spiti. The Spiti Valley is among the most extraordinary places on Earth. Hugging the border with Chinese-controlled Tibet, the valley lies almost entirely above 3000m. Located in the rain shadow of the vast Tibetan Plateau, this region is classified as desert, which means there is less snow than elsewhere in the high Himalayas, so it's possible to hit serious altitudes. Climbing into this area is like visiting another planet – a near-treeless world where fairytale monasteries of great antiquity cling to impossible slopes. One of the first Westerners to clap eyes on Spiti was Rudyard Kipling, who said: 'Surely the gods live here; this is no place for men'. Things may have changed since then, but this is still a place less visited. Sensitive political territory, Spiti lies in a restricted border area requiring an 'inner-line permit', which we obtain on your behalf. Culturally Spiti is more Tibetan Buddhist than Hindu and a world apart from modern India.  

Day 1: Delhi to Shimla. Land in Delhi following an overnight flight, to be whisked across town and catch the air-conditioned express train (five hours) from New Delhi to Kalka. From here the journey is something of an event in itself as you transfer to a narrow gauge railway and the Himalaya starts to build. The train of ancient 'first class' coaches climbs nearly 7000ft in five hours, taxing the engine as the track loops through 103 tunnels and across numerous viaducts to cover the remaining 96km to Shimla, where you'll arrive in time for tea. At the hotel in the evening, you'll be given dinner and a thorough briefing on the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Shimla. A day of acclimatisation and familiarisation with your Enfield, including a morning's ride through the hills around Shimla. There is also a little time for some pedestrian exploration. At a cool 2025m of altitude, hilltop Shimla was the colonial 'summer capital' of India, so there's plenty to explore, from the picturesque colonial architecture to the vibrant bazaars that seem to tumble down the steep and narrow streets.

Day 3: Shimla to Sarahan. Leave Shimla, taking a combination of metaled and dirt roads into the mountains proper. Winding through isolated villages and riding beside raging rivers, our route carries us to the picturesque village of Sarahan, where charming accommodation is found in an ancient temple compound.

Day 4: Sarahan to Sangla. A short hop when compared to the previous day, but challenging nonetheless. From Sarahan we drop back into the Sutlej Valley, then head east along the Baspa River into a valley of indescribable beauty. At Sangla you'll find some very special tented accommodation in a stunning setting.

Day 5: Sangla. A day to rest, hike, or just enjoy the snow-capped views with a cup of tea in your hand. There is also the option of exploring (in a guided group) further up the dramatic valley towards the Chinese border.

Day 6: Sangla to Tabo. This is a big day, an epic ride, so an early start is in order. From Sangla, we once again head up the River Sutlej with the environment changing rapidly. At Jangi Police Post the Inner-line, and another world, is entered. Soon many-hued mountains rear all around… and on along one of the planet's most challenging roads, through to the magical scenery of Spiti itself. We spend the night at Tabo, where an ancient monastery (built in 996AD and one of the world's most important Buddhist sites) nestles in a valley of awe-inspiring grandeur. Rest is found at a surprisingly comfortable hotel, where you can reflect on what has been one of the most challenging and rewarding days of your life.

Day 7 : Tabo to Kaza. Spend the morning resting or exploring Tabo and its monastery, before a gentle ride along a boulder-strewn valley carrying a cobalt river. Again, assuming you have a heart in your chest, you will be reeling at Spiti's spellbinding beauty. Kaza is a small, but relatively modern (for the high Himalaya) trading town, where you'll find an abundance of shops, a comfortable night's rest and even an internet connection.

Day 8 : Kaza to Komic to Losar. Set above Kaza at over 4000m is Komic Monastery, our next destination, where we'll join the monks for morning tea in one of the world's highest human settlements. The ride up (and down) is via a steep, mainly dirt road and once again the views are of epic proportions. We'll nip back down for lunch in Kaza before following the Spiti River to the quaint village of Losar, around 80km further up the valley.

Day 9 : Losar to Manali. Early again to do a 'big one'. Today we will climb dirt roads over the highest point of the tour, Kunzum Pass, at 4550m. We travel on through remote territory, amid icy mountains with only a few scattered villages along the way, until the famous Rohtang Pass is met. Here we ascend again to nearly 4000m and as we plunge down the other side, everything changes… suddenly we are out of the altitudinous desert and into a greener, lusher world of pine forests and waterfalls. At the foot of Rohtang is Manali, gateway to the high Himalaya and a thriving trading and tourist town. A luxurious hotel with extensive menu awaits.

Day 10: Manali. Rest your rear. There is every kind of activity to be found in Manali, from shopping to paragliding and trekking. Eating is another favoured pastime.

Day 11: Manali to Shoja. A latish, brunchtime set-off leaves time to pick up shopping before we ride down the Kullu Valley's smooth tarmac, accompanied by views of gorges and waterfalls. Turning from the main road, we will soon be spiralling up into forested mountains to our overnight stop at Shoja and a relaxing drink with the sunset.

Day 12: Shoja to Shimla. Another day, another high pass – this time Jalori La (3223m), a different kind of Himalaya from the arid Spiti. All is moister and greener, though just as challenging to ride, as we track south and back to Shimla.

Days 13 & 14 : Shimla to Delhi. A reversal of the first day takes us back to the airport… and home. Once back you may try and explain what you've just done to Bob and Judy down at the Chain and Sprocket Inn. But even with your wad of do-no-justice photographs you will fail to convey the experiential magnitude of riding in the world's biggest place.