Monday 8 August 2016

Road Trip around Spiti Valley in 10 Days

We had come back from our wonderful trip to Kerala and Lakshadweep in October 2015 and it was in the month of January 2016 when I started pondering on “where to go next?”

I was keen on revisiting Ladakh but had still not made my mind. That is when I saw a picture of Kee Monastery… and bang… I got the answer to my question..


Kee Monastery
Kee Monastery
By February I had researched quite a bit on Spiti and had decided to do a road trip to Kinnaur and Spiti Valley in the month of July. Spiti according to me is a world inside another world because of its remoteness. There is no airport in Spiti, closest airport being Shimla or Kullu. Spiti Valley is one of the gemstone in Himachal Pradesh, which most of the people are not even aware about.

Situated at the North East region of Himachal Pradesh, it is a part of Lahaul and Spiti District. Rohtang Pass at 13,045 feet (3,979 m) separates Lahaul and Spiti from Kullu Valley. And Lahaul and Spiti are separated by Kunzum Pass at 15,059 feet (4,590 m) which offers breathtaking views.

Calling it a paradise on earth won’t be wrong; as the world’s mightiest mountain range – the Himalayas – makes Spiti a perfect destination for adventure travel seekers.   

Home to a numerous Buddhist Monasteries, white washed houses, breathtaking mountains, Spiti feels even more remote and rugged than Ladakh. The valley is also home to one of the nest road trips in Asia – Spiti - Kinnaur Route.

What else do you need for a memorable holiday???

In the first week of July this year, five and a half of us – Pramod, Preeti, Taashi (half), Nikhil, Nikki (my sister – first time on our annual vacation) and me - embarked on a trip to the less popular but equally surreal cousin of Ladakh : Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh.

After our visit to Sikkim, finally I was back to where I belong, “The Mighty Himalayan Peaks”.

It is said that the journey is more important than the destination and this trip proves just that.

Before sharing my road trip experience in detail to Kinnaur & Spiti, I want to share a glimpse of our trip.


Tribal Circuit
Tribal Circuit
We did the Tribal Circuit – Entering from Shimla, passing through Kinnaur region, entering Spiti and exiting from Manali.

Our itinerary for this trip was as follows:


Day 1 - Chandigarh- Shimla- Kufri- Narkanda
Day 2 - Narkanda- Rampur- Sarahan- Wangtoo- Sangla
Day 3 - Sangla- Chitkul- Kalpa
Day 4 – Kalpa- Pooh- Khab- Nako- Sumdo- Tabo
Day 5 -  Tabo- Dhankar- Kaza
Day 6 - Kaza- Kye- Khibber- Kaza
Day 7 - Kaza- Hikkim- Komic- Langza-Kaza
Day 8 - Kaza- Lohsar- Kunzum Pass- Chandrataal Lake
Day 9 - Chandrataal- Batal- Chatru- Gramphoo- Rohtang Pass- Manali
Day 10 - Manali- Kullu- Mandi- Chandigarh- Mumbai


Some of the pics to give you a sense of the beauty:

Narkanda
View at Narkanda

Beautiful Hills
Beautiful Hills

Mesmerizing Himalayas
Mesmerizing Himalayas

Kalpa
Kalpa

Kibber Village
Kibber Village

Buddha Statue at Langza
Buddha Statue at Langza

Chandrataal
ChandraTaal

Kunzum Pass
Kunzum Pass
Stay tuned for the day by day detailed description of our trip to Kinnaur & Spiti. This is the journey to the roads less travelled… literally!!!


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