Naggar – Where Your Spiti Journey Begins

Kerstin Krause
May 8
3 min read

Before the high-altitude, serene passes and the barren beauty of Spiti Valley take your breath away, our journey begins in a place that feels like a gentle exhalation:

Naggar in Himachal Pradesh, 20 km south of Manali.

Snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky, overlooking a valley with scattered houses and mist, creating a serene landscape. — The serene Naggar village is nestled in the Kullu Valley

Perched quietly in the lush Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Naggar is more than just a starting point. It’s where the pace slows, the air feels fresher, and the magic of the mountains starts to seep in.

Once the proud capital of the ancient Kullu Kingdom, Naggar is now a peaceful hill town where tradition, creativity, and nature come together.

A warm welcome at base

Our base in Naggar is the charming Ragini Hotel, a family-run hideaway with panoramic views of the valley. In its basement, you find the town’s much-loved German Bakery, a cozy spot where you’ll find us sipping coffee and getting to know each other before we hit the road.

Wooden hotel entrance with glass door, pots of green plants, and "Hotel Ragini" sign. Warm, inviting atmosphere with yellow walls. — The cozy Ragini Hotel with the in-house bakery promises a relaxing start

Right from the start, you’ll sense how this place invites you to relax, take a deep breath, and release the tension from your journey here.

Bikes ready, spirits high

Outside the hotel, our motorcycles will be lined up and waiting—serviced, prepped, and ready for the road ahead. After a relaxed check-in and rest, you’ll be introduced to your bike: your companion for the epic ride through Spiti.

Person in orange shirt joyfully poses with eight motorcycles lined up in front of a stone wall with greenery, creating an adventurous vibe. — *Our motorcycles are prepped and ready for the Spiti Valley adventure*

There’s a quiet thrill in knowing the real journey starts here. The roads we’ll ride, the passes we’ll cross, and the friendships we’ll build all begin with the turn of your key in Naggar.

Soaking in the history of Naggar

Naggar’s beauty doesn’t shout—it gently unfolds.

When you wander its cobbled streets, framed by pine trees and old wooden houses, you’ll discover quiet corners rich in heritage and heart.

One must-visit is the Naggar Castle, a 16th-century structure a stone’s throw away from our hotel that blends Himalayan and European styles. Walk its ancient corridors and imagine the stories they hold.

Wooden houses with slate roofs in a misty forest village. Smoke rises from a chimney, surrounded by lush trees and a mountain backdrop. — The serene Krishna Mandir, showcasing exquisite stone carvings

High above Naggar lies the Krishna Mandir, a tranquil 11th-century temple adorned with beautifully intricate stone carvings. It invites stillness and awe as your gaze absorbs the stunning panorama below.

Art, culture, and quiet inspiration

What sets Naggar apart is its soul—this is a village where art breathes. The town is home to several local galleries and creative studios, where traditional Himachali styles come to life on canvas, wood, and fabric.

One highlight is the Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery, once the home of the Russian painter and thinker who made Naggar his muse.

His legacy lives on here in vibrant colors and mountain-dreamed landscapes.

Close-up of five paintbrushes with colorful bristles in blue, red, and teal. The brushes rest on a textured surface, evoking creativity. — Naggar is art

Golden light and good company

As the sun sets behind the ridgelines, Naggar transforms.

The sky blushes pink, the mountain peaks glow, and the town settles into a beautiful golden calm. It’s the perfect time to gather on the Ragini terrace, coffee in hand, watching the light shift while stories begin to flow among those who will hit the road together soon.

A gentle beginning to an epic ride

Naggar isn’t just a stop on the map. It’s the first breath of adventure—the calm before the climb, the connection before the challenge. Here, surrounded by history, creativity, and stunning Himalayan beauty, we prepare to ride into Spiti with open hearts and roaring engines.