1. Choose the Right Motorcycle
2. Have Your Bike Serviced Before the Trip
Ensure that your motorbike is in the best condition before embarking on your trip. Have it serviced duly — check the clutch, brakes, tyres, lights, oil, and chain. Bring along some spare spares such as clutch cables, spark plugs, and tubes since you might not find good service centres in interior areas.
3. Plan Your Route and Stages
Spiti Valley is huge, and mobile connectivity is generally patchy. It is necessary to finalize your daily schedule, accommodation points, and petrol pump refilling points beforehand. Plan a day-wise itinerary with principal attractions such as Key Monastery, Tabo, Dhankar , Kaza, and Chandratal Lake. Take note of where the next petrol pump is located, as they are few and far between and well spaced out in this valley.
4. Acclimatize to High Altitude
Spiti Valley is at a high altitude, and the riders suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Avoid it by gradual ascension, take good breaks, and stay hydrated. Stay for two days in cities like Shimla or Manali to acclimatize your body to the high altitude before heading to Spiti.
5. Pack Smart and Light
Light packing is the watchword to adhere to on any motorbike tour, particularly in the case of taking a ride to Spiti Valley. Dress in mandatory gear — water repellents, insulators, riding gloves, shin and knee pads, and rugged footwear. Don’t forget your first aid kit, prescribed medicines, power bank, and hygiene kit. Good helmets and riding gear are essentials to be safe as well as comfortable.
6. Fill Up Whenever Possible
Petrol pumps are not readily available in Spiti Valley. Alternatives after Kaza are almost none. Keep your tank full as much as possible and bring extra fuel in jerry cans or fuel storage-approved bottles. Getting out of petrol in the middle of nowhere is risky and expensive.
7. Check Weather and Road Conditions
Spiti weather is unpredictable and may change at once with instant snow or rain even in summer. Always check the weather and road conditions before starting your day’s travel. Roads are closed because of landslides or snow, and it is always advisable to get the latest updates for safety reasons.
8. Respect the Terrain and Drive Slowly
Keep in mind that the Spiti Valley roads are not normal highways. You would be travelling on landslides, water fords, gravel, and narrow roads. Drive carefully, and particularly through blind spots. Avoid driving at night and travel cautiously to delight in the natural scenery without putting your life in danger.
9. Travel with Cash and Proper Permits
ATMs are not available, as a general rule, in the remote parts of Spiti. Keep enough cash to meet your travelling costs. Also, verify if an Inner Line Permit is needed for some areas, particularly if you are visiting near the Indo-China border. Keep a few photocopies of your identification documents and permits.
10. Remain Connected and Inform Someone of Your Plan
As cellular connectivity is bad in Spiti, it is always a good idea to inform a family member or a friend of your plans. You can also have a BSNL postpaid SIM, which proves useful in some of the outlying areas. Locals and fellow bikers will always be more than happy to assist you if something does go wrong, but attempt to stay in touch as much as possible.