🏍️ Delhi to Chitkul Bike Ride: My First Long Ride Experience
(11th – 15th April 2026)
🌄 Day 1: Delhi to Narkanda – Nerves, Wind & a Long Start
This Delhi to Chitkul bike ride was my first long motorcycle journey through the Himalayas, filled with changing weather, rough terrains, and unforgettable experiences.
Day one started even before the ride.
I was already anxious — it was my first long ride, and I hadn’t ridden this distance before. I woke up almost two hours before the meeting time to get everything ready.
For this Delhi to Chitkul bike ride, I had to prep my bike, so everything felt a bit rushed. We were a group of 11 riders, and we finally started around 3:30–4:00 AM — already running about 45 minutes late.
The weather didn’t make it easy. It was cloudy and windy, and at times I could actually feel the wind pushing the bike. That was something new for me.
After about 6 hours of riding, we stopped around 11 AM at a dhaba for breakfast (which honestly felt more like lunch). Parathas and chai never tasted better.
From there, we continued towards Narkanda. It turned into a long day — we covered around 450 km, and it took us over 14 hours to reach.
Just 10 km before Narkanda, we refueled our bikes — something I quickly realized is very important for mountain rides.
The hotel stay was interesting. We had to park our bikes on the roadside, which made me a bit nervous (first trip thoughts 😄), and then climb about 15–20 steps to reach the hotel.
But the view from the room made up for it — it opened towards the valley.
For dinner, we walked about 100–150 meters downhill to a small family-run place serving simple home-style food. It was warm, comforting, and exactly what we needed after such a long day.
We wrapped up around 10:30 PM — tired, but ready for what was coming next.
🏔️ Day 2: Narkanda to Chitkul – Reality Check
I woke up early again — partly excitement, mostly anxiety.
Got ready, packed up, and made sure everything was set before others. After breakfast (parathas, poha, and chai again), we started around 8 AM towards Chitkul.
We expected it to take 6–7 hours.
It didn’t.
As we moved ahead, the temperature dropped, and the roads got tougher. Narrow stretches, off-road patches, and loose gravel made the ride more demanding.
There were moments where some of us had minor falls. A few times, we even had to push bikes to help each other out. That’s when you realize this kind of ride is not just about skill, but also about teamwork.
We also learned something important — fuel planning is critical. The last fuel station is at Sangla, a couple of hours before Chitkul.
Because of delays and terrain, we finally reached Chitkul around 6 PM, with temperatures dropping to around -6 to -7°C.
Before checking in, we stopped at the “Last Village of India” board — a small but satisfying moment.
That night was simple — basic food, slow service, and quiet surroundings. But that’s what made it real.
❄️ Day 3: Chitkul – Slowing Down
We had initially planned to ride further, but decided to stay back — and it turned out to be the best decision.
The night had dropped to around -13 to -14°C.
We started the day with coffee at a café near our stay, with a clear view of the mountains. It was calm, quiet, and one of the most peaceful moments of the trip.
Later, we rode to the Indo-Tibet border viewpoint. After a quick check at the ITBP post, we rode ahead through snow-lined roads.
It was one of the most scenic short rides of the trip.
After coming back, we went to the famous “Hindustan Ka Last Dhaba.” The food was simple, but after skipping breakfast, it felt amazing.
Behind the dhaba, there’s a river. We walked down, crossed over, and spent time on the other side — surrounded by snow.
That’s where we just slowed down — played in the snow, clicked pictures, and even made a small snowman.
No rush. Just enjoying the moment.
🔥 Day 4: Chitkul to Fagu – The Perfect Last Night
We started early and made our way back, stopping at Sangla to refuel.
As we descended, the weather started getting warmer.
We reached Fagu by evening, and the stay here turned out to be one of the best.
The place was small, run by locals, but the hospitality was excellent. They prepared fresh food and even arranged a bonfire for us.
That night became one of the best parts of the trip — music, laughter, and just enjoying the last evening together.
Sometimes, unplanned moments turn out to be the best ones.
🌇 Day 5: Fagu to Delhi – Back to Reality
We started around 8–8:30 AM.
At first, it was cool — around 9°C. But as we descended, the temperature rose quickly.
We stopped for brunch around 11:30 AM, took a long break, and then continued.
Once we crossed Chandigarh, the heat hit hard — jumping from cold mountains to 30–40°C.
At that point, the goal was simple: reach Delhi before traffic.
We skipped our final stop and pushed through.
By evening, we were back.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This trip was more than just a ride.
Being my Delhi to Chitkul bike ride, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me a lot — about endurance, patience, and handling different conditions.
It wasn’t always easy, but that’s exactly what made it worth it.
And somewhere along the way, I realized:
👉 You don’t need to be fully ready.
👉 You just need to start.
And once you do… you’ll want to keep going.