Spiti Valley: Discovering the Middle Land and Finding Myself
A Spiti Valley Tour Blog By Akarsh S
My Introduction to Spiti Valley
I had heard a lot about Spiti Valley from my friends who had recently visited the region. They raved about the breathtaking high-altitude landscapes, the warm hospitality of the local homestays, and their incredible experiences. As a professional living in the bustling city of Mumbai, I was eager to escape the daily grind and embark on an adventure of my own. After extensive research online (Wikipedia), I was convinced that Spiti Valley was the perfect destination for me.
Choosing YoloO.Life for My Spiti Valley Tour
After comparing various **Spiti Valley tour packages**, I found www.YoloO.Life’s itinerary to be the most interesting and comprehensive. Their focus on experiential travel and transformative adventures resonated with me. I prepared for the trip by shopping at Decathlon for essential gear like jackets and shoes. I had heard a lot about altitude sickness (AMS), so I contemplated buying Diamox, but Parminder, the founder of Mountaineerz, reassured me that his team plans for any contingency or emergency, which put my mind at ease.
This Spiti Valley Tour Blog is my first attempt at writing a travel blog. I’ll use the day-wise itinerary we did as an outline to describe my experience.
Day 1: Arrival in Manali and Hike to VanVaas
The adventure began as soon as I set foot in Manali, where the YoloO.Life’s team warmly welcomed me. We then embarked on a hike to Vanvaas, a cosy Himachali home nestled amidst apple orchards and tall trees in the quaint hamlet of Soil. The trail took us through charming villages, where friendly locals greeted us with warm smiles. Upon reaching Vanvaas, I was blown away by the beauty of the place. The fresh mountain air and the soothing sounds of the Pucknozz stream created a serene atmosphere. It was necessary for us to acclimatize for a night before heading to Spiti Valley and VanVaas turned out to be the ideal place.
That evening, we gathered around a bonfire, where great conversations flowed effortlessly. I was delighted to meet Parminder, the founder of Mountaineerz, who dropped in to share his wealth of experiences and introduce us to our guides. The bright sunny day with a brilliant blue sky, like I had never seen before, made the experience even more magical.
VanVaas, Soyal village, Manali
Day 2: Entering the Spiti Valley
The next morning, we set off on our adventure into the Spiti Valley. We departed from Manali and drove through the famous Atal Tunnel, which led us into the mesmerizing landscapes of Spiti. As we navigated along the Chandra River, I was captivated by its powerful flow. Our journey took us across the stunning Kunzum La pass, surrounded by majestic mountains. Our destination for the day was the picturesque village of Chicham, where we stayed in a beautiful local cottage called ‘Tethys Himalaya.’ I was totally blown away by the mesmerizing view of Mount Kanamo, a 6000-meter peak, right outside my window. I was quite inspired by Mohit, our host, who was from Delhi but lived here in Chicham and knew the entire Spiti Valley having led many high altitude treks in Spiti.
we stopped for tea at the famed chacha chachi dhaba in Batal on our way to Chicham in Spiti Valley
Day 3: Exploring High-Altitude Villages Of Spiti
On our third day, we crossed the renowned Chicham Bridge and explored the ancient monasteries and sights of Ki, Kibber, and Tashigang. These high-altitude villages offered a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region. While the group was busy exploring the monasteries, I had the opportunity to play cricket with some local monk kids for over half an hour. It was quite an experience, and I clicked a lot of pictures to capture the moment.
One of the highlights was visiting Tashigang, known for being the highest village in the area at an elevation of 4,650 meters. We were warmly hosted by two families in the village, including Tenzin, who shared a remarkable reception with a huge array of authentic local dishes and wine. Later, we all dressed up in local attire and danced around, making merry and enjoying the moment.
Downhill Cycling from Komic to Kaza
Day 4: Journey to Langza, Hikkim and Komic
Leaving Chicham, our next stop was the enchanting village of Langza. Here, we marveled at the serene statue of Buddha and soaked in the breathtaking views of the Chau Chau Kang Nelda peak. We also enjoyed a picnic hike in the fields, which was a moving experience for me, coming from a busy corporate job in a big city. The contrast between the barren landscape and the lush green fields was truly mesmerizing.
We continued our journey to Komic, where we visited the Tanggyud Monastery, famous for its unique architecture. As the day came to an end, we reached Kaza, where we were hosted by Lara and his family at ‘Lara’s Homestay’ in Langza. We rode yaks, hiked to green pea fields, and enjoyed the contrast against the barren landscape. The homestay had all modern amenities, and the food was fantastic, including pasta made with local sheep and yak cheese.
i sent beautiful postcards to my nephews and neices from the highest post office in Hikkimin Spiti valley
Day 5: A bit of History and Spirituality
On the fifth day, we immersed ourselves in the rich history and spirituality of Spiti Valley. We visited the ancient Tabo Monastery and the meditation caves, exploring the old monasteries of Dhankar and the Kungri Monastery. Each site offered profound insights into the region’s deep-rooted Buddhist heritage.
One of the highlights was a one-hour meditation session in a monastery perched right on top of a cliff. I was amazed to find how well-read and informed the head monk who conducted the meditation was, living so remotely away from the world. He shared a couple of tales from the time when the Sikhs had invaded the valley. Interacting with people outside the corporate world was alien to me, but it touched me in ways I can’t describe in words.
Day 6: Kaza and Cafe-Hopping
On Day 6, we started our journey back to Kaza, taking in the picturesque landscapes and savoring the tranquility of the valley. As I gazed out of the window of the comfortable traveler, my whole life passed by as I witnessed the high snowy peaks, glaciers, and the fierce Spiti River flowing to meet the Sutlej River. It was incredible to be in such high monasteries, watching the Spiti River like a thin streak in the valley down below as we rode up and down the winding roads.
Instead of stopping at cafes and restaurants along the way, we drove into villages to have tea and thukpa with our driver Bodh’s friends. They were ever so welcoming, full of smiles. This way, we explored deeper into Spiti and visited lesser-known villages like Lingti, Losar, Gette, and Tashigong. It was a truly incredible journey, very well planned by the Mountaineerz team, who knew the locals so well.
Day 7: Chandrataal and Back to the Grind
On our final day, we set off for the stunning Chandratal Lake, located at an elevation of 4,270 meters. We did a 3-4 hour circular trek around the lake, surrounded by towering peaks and glaciers. It was like being in an amphitheater, with the lake on a plateau. After reaching Manali at around 5 PM, we all went to Old Manali for a farewell dinner, where we pooled our resources. The vibe here was so contrasting with the live rock music and the bustling market, a stark difference from the tranquility of Spiti Valley.
We boarded the Volvo bus to Delhi, with Bodh seeing us off at the bus stand. It was a bittersweet moment, as I knew I was leaving behind a part of myself in the enchanting Spiti Valley.
Reflections and My Learnings
Coming from a high-profile corporate job, I often found myself caught up in the daily grind, focusing on deadlines, meetings, and the pressures of corporate life. However, this trip to Spiti Valley was a transformative experience that offered me a fresh perspective on life.
In the serene landscapes of Spiti, I learned the importance of slowing down and appreciating the beauty around me. The simplicity of life in the villages, the warmth of the locals, and the breathtaking views taught me to find joy in the little things. I realized that happiness doesn’t always come from material success but from meaningful connections and experiences.
The interactions with the locals, especially during our homestays, opened my eyes to a tough way of living. Their hospitality and genuine smiles reminded me of the power of community and the importance of nurturing relationships. I must say that I returned to Mumbai with a renewed sense of purpose.
This is the link to the Spiti itinerary i had booked.
