I have been wanting to visit Spiti valley ever since I fell in love with the Himalayas. But, due to inevetable circumstances, and some personal day to day chore, I just could not take any time out.
But now, things seem to change, for the better; well, as far as my travel plans to Spiti is concerned anyway. Ofcourse, at the professional front, it’s still a tough nut to crack but the sheer excitement to visit a place which I had been dreaming to ‘conquer’ for long just takes precedence at this moment of time.
Spiti Valley, if you do not yet know is actually a desert, rain-shadow area of moutains located high up in the Himalayan ranges. It possesses a distinctive Buddhist culture similar to that found in nearby Tibet and the Ladakh region (of India). The valley and surrounding region is one of the least populated regions in the whole of India and is the gateway to the northernmost reaches of the nation. Along the northern route from Manali, Himachal Pradesh or Keylong via the Rohtang pass or Kunzum pass respectively, the valley lies in the North East of the Indian hill state of Himachal Pradesh, and forms part of the Lahul and Spiti district. The sub divisional headquarters (capital) is Kaza, Himachal Pradesh, which is situated along the Spiti River at an elevation of about 12,500 feet (3,800 m) above mean sea level.
However, there is yet another route through which one can reach the Spiti Valley, and this is precisely the one I’ll be taking come Wednesday when I finally start my long and arduous (as far as the Spiti terrain is concerned) journey towards the ‘heaven’. I’ll be riding through Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri, Fagu, Jeori, Sangla, Chitkul, Recong Peo, Kalpa to finally reach the Spiti Valley viz, Nako, Tabo, Kibber and Kaza!
Ofcourse, this mammooth journey cannot be completed in a mere 2-3 days. Hence, I’ll be out on the road riding, meeting new people (localites), discovering new places, exploring the already discovered ones(!!) and ofcourse making a few friends and loads of memories on the way. My total journey time would approximately be about 6-7 days before hitting back home (Delhi). I am way too excited for this trip, and ofcourse fully prepared (both me, and my machine).
Following is the rough iternary that I have in my mind. However, if my rider buddies (3 bikers, 4, including me) decide otherwise, then we would need to change this a little. But, more or less, the following would be my ideal way to explore the wonderful beauty that is Spiti Valley.
1.Delhi- Sangla
2. Sangla – Nako
3. Nako – Tabo – Kaza
Rest of the 3-4 days would be for returning back to Delhi.
I hope this trip turns out to be as adventurous and ofcourse as successful as I had always dreamt of.
Ride on!
