Biker BT: Vinayak, let's start at the very beginning. Shimla-Kinnaur or Manali? Which gate did you knock on to enter Spiti, and why?
Vinayak Patil: I went in through the Shimla-Kinnaur side: Chandigarh, Shimla, Narkanda, Sangla, Tabo, Kaza, then back through Kalpa, Shimla, and Chandigarh. And honestly, for anyone doing Spiti for the first time, I can't recommend this route enough. The altitude gain is so gradual. Your body gets time to adjust, and the risk of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) drops significantly compared to riding in from Manali.
Now, my original plan was to do the full circuit. But May had other ideas. Chandratal road was closed, so I had to return the same way I came in. Disappointing? A little. But looking back, I got to experience that entire Kinnaur stretch twice, and it never gets old.
BT: Let's talk about the machine. Royal Enfield Himalayan. Was that always the plan?
VP: Always. No second thoughts. I've been on Royal Enfields for over 12 years now. The Himalayan is my go-to for adventure touring. It's built for exactly this kind of riding. When you're deep in the mountains, hundreds of kilometres from the nearest city, you want a motorcycle you trust completely. I trust the Himalayan. I trust the brand. That relationship matters more than any spec sheet when you're navigating broken mountain roads at altitude.
BT: Any special prep done on the bike before the trip?
VP: (laughs) People always expect a long list here, but honestly, completely stock. The only luggage I used were the official Royal Enfield panniers provided by the company. The one accessory I had fitted was an auxiliary fog lamp. But I had to remove it at the Sangla check post; extra fog lamps aren't permitted in Himachal Pradesh. So it came off. Lesson learned, and worth sharing for anyone planning ahead.
BT: Stock tires on a Spiti run. Bold move. How did they hold up?
VP: Better than most people would expect. The stock tires performed really well through the entire trip: smooth highways, broken mountain stretches, gravel sections, rough patches. They handled it all. Of course, you adapt your riding style to the surface, but I had no complaints. I didn't feel like I needed to swap them out at any point.
BT: Spiti dishes out some serious road challenges. Which section pushed you the hardest?
VP: Nako to Kaza. That stretch is the one that demands the most from you, not because it throws impossibly technical terrain at you, but because it tests your patience and focus over a long stretch. Some sections are narrow with steep drops on one side and barely any protection. There's no room for distraction. You have to stay present, stay alert, and respect what's in front of you. One lapse and you're in serious trouble.
BT: Any sections you'd flag as absolute no-go zones after dark?
VP: The same stretch: Nako to Kaza. I feel strongly about this. The road is remote, conditions can be unpredictable, and if something goes wrong, a breakdown, a fall, help could be very far away. There is no margin for error after sunset on that route. Plan your days so you never have to be on it in the dark. It's not worth the risk.
BT: Final question. If you had to hand a first-timer three golden rules for Spiti, what would they be?
VP: Three things. First: prepare thoroughly. Get your motorcycle serviced, your gear sorted, your documents in order, and work on your physical fitness too. Altitude is unforgiving to a body that's not ready for it.
Second: ride with patience. Spiti will punish you for being in a hurry. It's not a destination you rush through. Ride cautiously, don't take risks, and respect the mountains.
Third: no night riding. Plan your days with a buffer. Reach your stop before sunset, every single day.
Spiti rewards the riders who prepare well and ride with their head. The landscapes are unlike anything else in India. The roads are genuinely adventurous. And the journey, every bit of it, becomes something you carry with you for a long time.
A big thank you to Vinayak Patil (Desi Motovlogs) for taking the time to share his Spiti experience with the Route and Rider community. Whether you're a seasoned tourer or planning your first big mountain ride, his advice is simple, honest, and worth riding with.
Follow Vinayak's adventures on YouTube: Desi Motovlogs | Facebook
Interview conducted by Biker BT for routeandrider.com
