What to pack for Spiti in June

A June ride to Spiti covers almost every kind of weather in ten days: heat in the plains, rain near Rampur, cold wind on Kunzum La and snowmelt crossings on the Batal road. Pack for all of them, but pack light.

Wear a three-layer jacket and riding trousers, waterproof boots and summer gloves. Pack winter gloves, a thermal top and leggings, a neck warmer and a rain shell. Above 4,000 metres the mornings are near freezing even in June.

For luggage, a 40 litre roll-top tail bag holds clothes and a sleeping bag. Saddlebags carry tools, a spare tube, a pump, chain lube, a tow rope and two litres of spare fuel. A tank bag keeps documents, a phone, sunscreen, lip balm, snacks and cash, because ATMs between Reckong Peo and Kaza are few.

Take a basic medical kit and give yourself a slow climb. Spend a night in Kalpa or Nako before going higher, and drink more water than you want to. Carry printed copies of your licence, registration and insurance, and permits if your route needs them.

Finally, leave room. Riders always come back with more than they took: shawls from Kinnaur, apricots from Spiti. Pack your bags at home, ride round Chandigarh for an hour, and remove anything you did not miss.