Shimla/Nako/Malling/Tabo/Spiti/Kaza road

MotorbikerCA

Hi genesis, looks like a fabulous trip.
Can I seek your advice on the road conditions between Tabo and Nako down to the Sutlej valley? I see you have (amazing!) pictures of this road and wonder if it is completely open when you were there (in Sept 2007?) and passable by motorbike?
I am planning a motorbike trip on Enfield Bullet from Shimla->Reckonpeo->Tabo->Spiti->Manali in July 2008.
I know the road takes a beating each year especially so in 2005.

Moderator note: This, and Genesis's answer to it, was originally in reply to Pictures From Himachal Road Trip To Kinnaur, Spiti and More.

Members are kindly requested to read the site's Forum Rules on multiple posting, which isn't allowed, as it can only serve to confuse and frustrate people.

Thanks.

MotorbikerCA

Does anyone know the current condition between the Sutlej valley up to Nako and Tabo and if it is passable by motorbike?
I know the Malling section is notorious.
I am planning a motorbike trip on Enfield Bullet from Shimla->Reckonpeo->Tabo->Spiti->Manali in July 2008.
I know the road takes a beating each year especially so in 2005.
Thanks for any advice.

genesis

Overall the road is eminently motorable...a motorcycle will definitely make it, we saw quite a few enfields.
When we were there in Sept it had opened after the Aug 15 floods.Areas which are a bit tricky are: The malling pass (which is still a wee bit dicey) and the road between Kaza and Manali which is boulder strewn and painful to travel. There is a new bypass road across Malling built after 2005 which is decent other than the pass itself which is always crumbling. Only thing to watch out for in July will be the rains which cause landslides and may cause temporary blockages. So you have to be prepared for some unscheduled stops. If you are doing that road I would also do a quick detour to sarahan and stay in kalpa instead of reckong peo. Do let me know if you have other questions

charly26

High Motorbiker,
we made this tour on oct.2007 (by jeep) an I think normaly the road is o.k. on summertime by bike. Unfortunately we had to much rain from Shimla to Rekong Peo and up to Puh and on the road was to much mud. From Puh to Nako and Tabo the road was dry and the only problem was a lanndslide where we had to wait for some houres. Before you start from Rekong Peo (where you get your innerline-permit) you can ask the trafficpolice for the roadcondition to spiti. We had to wait 1 day because the road was closed. If you need more information, please let me know.

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Yogesh Sarkar

The route is bike able and is one of the few routes that I would recommend for every tourer! I went to Spiti in June last year; there is now a bypass to the notorious Malling Nallaha and the old route is closed now.

The roads at most places are good and some places just dirt trails which are easily do able on a motorcycle. Though Losar - Gramphoo stretch is a bit tough, but you will love it if you love to do off road riding.

I wouldn’t recommend going there in July since the chances of rains increases at that time and quite a few places in Kinnaur are land slide prone. Better make the trip in June or August/September.

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waisahmad_1234

I want to complete circle of delhi-narkanda-tabu-kaza-gramphoo-manali-delhi in 5 days in last week of June 2008 with my family in Tata indica Xeta car.
My query is
1. what is the road condition?
2. can anyone give me the detail of hotel/tent and which place?
3. Is last week of june is safer for weather condition, if not, suggest me the other month?
4. Can i complete this circle in 5 days?

My other query is that an Indian ceitizen is required a inner line permission in this route? if so, please advise me how and where to get?

Dilliwala

No...

soledad

Hey charly26
Just came across your post above and was wondering if you can be of some help in telling me which are the places those inner-line permits are needed to be made for foreign nationals,right from New Delhi on to Shimla/Nako/Malling/Tabo/Spiti/Kaza/Batal/Keylong/Sarchu/Leh road, since you had been there recently? And are the process too time consuming?

Infact,I am planning a trip later this year for which I have made a preliminary itenary here:- http://www.indiamike.com/india/himac...8-days-t53465/. Please have a look,and let me know,if you think those official process of getting the innerline-permits and all might pose any threat to that hectic tour [as it is already too fast with little time to spare in between] that I am thinking of undertaking?
Would be looking to hear from you soon or anyone with any further advice.

gobbledegeek

Anyone done Shimal - Kazza - Manali circuit on Pulsar180 mobike?
I am planning this in May

Cheers

Yogesh Sarkar

Did it last year on my 180 classic, apart from Losar - Gramphoo, rest ought to be pretty easy. Though in May Kunzum might not be open.

charly26

Hi "soledad",
nice tour you want to make. At first you should inform yo if a indian citizen needs a innerlinepermit for RekongPeo to Tabo. I dont think so. It should be no problem to make this tour in 8 days.
Here my tip:
1. Kalka to Sarahan.
2. Sarahan to Rekong Peo and Kalpa.
3. Kalpa (Rekong Peo) to Tabo (8-10hours).
4. Tabo (visit the monastery an relax)
5. Tabo to Kaza (visit Dhankar-monastery on the way).
6. Kaza (make a tour to Ki-gompa, Kibber and Komik).
7. Kaza to Keylong (8-10hours).
8. Keylong to Leh (8-10hours).
if you need more informations, please let me know.

soledad

Hi charly26,
Thank you very much for your input about the trip; Well,few things that I am still willing to know are the following :-

1] On way to Tabo from Kalpa,I am planning to see like the Khab village,Namgiya and a view of the Shipki La pass from far;So,I wonder if that is possible or not,in that day's trip;Or,would it be ideal to give a halt in Nako or not.

2]Have you any idea if one can visit Chandra Tal on way to Keylong,is possible or not? If yes,any tips on the special visit.

3]And,is Keylong to Leh really possible in a day? Isn't the distance too much for a day? And isn't there a need for accilimatisation or anything so,a night's halt somewhere in between ?

Thanks for your feedback again

referido

Inner Line Permit

Can Inner Line Permit be obtained on a Saturday in Rekong Peo?
How long does it take to obtain this permit through travel agents?

If you have contact e-mail of National Travelers at Rekong Peo (agent listed by Lonely Planet) or any other agent securing the permit in Rekong Peo, please provide me.

Dilliwala

Yes, except the second Sat of the month.

Don't bother with agents. If need be, go to the Tourist Info Centre.

More here.

gobbledegeek

Last week of May - kunzum La should hopefully be open .. or does it normally open in June?

Regards