One road trip to Spiti, and all you want to do is ‘Let’s go again!!’
Making up our minds for doing the 11 days road trip with a little baby was not easy at all. It was the first time ever that we were so anxious about our ‘Travel’ plans!! Post baby, the lifestyle changed every bit and traveling together (particularly the adventure trips) became like dream in a glass bottle. However, our zeal for road trips couldn’t keep us away for a very long time and after a break of a year we decided to pack our bags and set out on a road trip along with our 11 months old little love to the revered Spiti Valley, the Land of Lamas in India. Spiti is as stunning as it name sounds!! Lahaul–Spiti lies in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Spiti is predominantly occupied by Tibetan refugees and hence the region has pretty much feel of Tibet. Read a deep conversation with a Tibetan Refugee ‘Jampa’!!
Spiti is a cold desert mountain valley – the middle land between Tibet and India. Itinerary – 11 days from New Delhi – Spiti Valley – New Delhi
We had no idea that we had signed up for the most challenging, surprising and oddly pleasing odyssey. The road trip to this wonderland was an unforgettable journey, the memories are still fresh and though it was freaking difficult we would love to do it again!!
The resplendent Spiti will leave you spoiled, and here is why –
- Exigent Roads – There are two ways to reach Spiti – one via Manali and the other one that lets you through the Trans Himalayas via Shimla – Kinnaur – Spiti. We covered the region via scenic Kinnaur route, the National Highway 22 (NH -22) and the Hindustan Tibet Road. It was thrilling as well as challenging to drive on these roads. The transcendent roads are something you would have never seen or experienced before. These roads are touted as one of the most treacherous and dangerous in the world. The NH 22 will drive you insane for lot of reasons but you’ll love the adrenaline rush and thrill.
The hairpin bends of NH – 22, the narrow dimensions, encountering natural waterfalls, close encounters with trucks and buses, the frequent bad patches will make you feel ecstatic and sometimes insane too. Take a virtual tour of the roads here.
- Insane Landscapes –The gigantic rustic brown mountains, sometimes chocolate dipped and sometimes covered with snow with extra effect of pristine blue waters flowing. The jaw dropping views of sunset and sunrise will begin around Kalpa. As you keep moving forward the lush green hills will gradually transform to dusty and big sand like mountains. You are going to miss the greens!! But you will be able to embrace the change too.
- Get High! –The high altitude is not just high is really quite high to handle. Once you cross Sarahan and approach Kalpa, the excitement begins. All the villages in Spiti Valley feel like perched on top to name a few – Totally Tabo (3050 m), Dhankar Heights (3894 m), Key(4166m)!! All wobbly and super windy. Interestingly the route till Tabo is challenging but the one from Tabo to Kaza and Kaza to surrounding villages is not bumpy. You will fall in love with the views from such altitude. However, the wind at such height is strong enough to hurl your car to wobble. We experienced it so many times, while approaching Dhankar, again while visiting Key Monastery and then Gue village.
- Intriguing History – The place is inundated with attention-grabbing stories and they will govern you mind space for long as you will keep thinking about it while you drive on empty roads wondering are you the only soul loitering around.
For instance, Gue is also known as the village of mummified lama!! Sangha Tenzin, was a Buddhist Monk, who adopted a process of natural mummification for salvation of cure his village from scorpions scourge and his soul abandoned the human body more than 500 years ago. There is a process of self mummification which is really complicated and extremely rare phenomena. The process is known as ‘Sokushinbutsu’. We had no idea about all this till we covered Gue village.
Then, the Key Monastery, one of the highest and oldest monasteries, had been attacked so many times in past that only box like structure as it exists today could survive. It looks beautiful though.
- Oldest Monasteries – Spiti Valley is home to oldest and largest surviving monasteries in the world. For instance, Tabo Monastery was built in 996 AD (more than a millennium back!!); Key Monastery was founded by Dromton around 11th century, Tangyud Gompa, one of the highest monasteries, at an elevation of 4,587m, is over 500 years old!! The fusion of Indo-Tibetan art at the monasteries in just amazing.
- Contagious Smiles – The people you meet on your road trip whether at Monasteries, Restaurant or in the villages, will win your hearts with their smile!! They are remarkably warm and helpful, may be because the region is not highly commercially exploited plus for at least four months in a year it’s totally cut off from the world.
- Incredibly Unpredictable – So, you are busy driving lost in the inviting roads and suddenly you spot a ‘Red Fox’ or a ‘Golden Eagle’ or may be some animal more exotic (if you wait for few hours). Do carry your binoculars. We spotted both but couldn’t capture the perfect one. Next, you are at Langza, and you discover a fossil!! Whoa, exciting!
Spiti can get as stirring as you want it to be. Moreover, there are so many places to explore within the region, it’s difficult to reach and cover everything.
Don’t miss out on critical information about Spiti here, also happens to be one of most popular posts in Spiti section – Things you must know, before you go!!!
Happy Traveling Bring back loads of happy memories!!
Happy Exploring!!
Great photos and background of the area. Loved the smiling photo of the women!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fascinating report on Indo-Tibetan culture decorated with outstanding photography. You are using a very appealing theme, which I am interested in for my own blog. Would you tell me which one you are using. Thank you in advance! Peter
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Peter ☺️☺️☺️ for kind appreciation. This is an ‘Adventure Theme’, available under free category. I applied this more than a year back. Hopefully it’s still available.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful trip, place and pics
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you ☺️☺️ glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
lovely shots.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Maureen ☺️☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Again some really beautiful pics. Look forward to more travel stories.
Ausi | http://www.wanderfulweekendz.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ausmita💛hope to keep you interested
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved the post, Amazing pics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you buddy ✌️✌️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Any one of those reasons on its own would convince me but together … I am absolutely convinced I have to do this. Now to work out how …. thank you for the wonderful pictures and the great narrative. You’ve made my day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you💛Thank you💛 your comments are so encouraging!! If you do plan let me know… Would love to help
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a delight for me to read your posts so making nice comments is very easy! I will certainly call on you for help when I make the trip because I do believe that I will. Mountains call to me and they do not get more magnificent than these!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you☺️☺️That is one of my favorites too… The Smiling Women.
LikeLike
This is so beautiful!! What a blessing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by at my end.
Love the picture, with mountain cut delicately to make a road.
LikeLike
You have beautiful blog… Will keep coming back 🤘🤘
LikeLike
Thanks I got so much to share. I get loads of inspiration from your blog. To post my travelogue, but the shortage of time, and editing making me delaying it. Time and again.
So write my main objective is to keep writing, and create solid content later or from time to time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stunning photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic depiction, you make me want to go there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you friend🤘🤘
LikeLike
Aw. I love the photos 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you… Happy that you liked the pictures 🤘🤘💛💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsThanks for your like of my posts; you are very kind. Please have a good day.
LikeLike
Welcome to that little voice and Thank you for following my blog.
LikeLike
Hey! Great blog! Thanks for all the likes on my blog 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Christy 🤘🤘
LikeLike
Love your photos! This is definitely a route which I must discover with my motorcycle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh you must, on a Motorbike this could be the most thrilling route you have ever done!! All the best 🙂 Thank you for visiting.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh! Wonderful landscape! Never heard of this place before but will definitely visit when i go to Tibet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! Indeed it’s beautiful! This part lies in India though feels like Tibet🤘🤘
LikeLike
Hats off to you for taking this road trip with the baby 🙂 Beautiful photos! Spiti is one place I can’t wait to go 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Chandrika 🙂 Yes, while returning from Spiti, even we were thinking same – How did we do such difficult route with a little baby!!
LikeLike
Omg the roads look like a big adventure 😀 😀 I love that you decide to travel with a baby, I see so many people to not travel because of kids, but it is definitely possible, you proved it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was one the most challenging trips we had ever done 🙂 but all worth it. Travel exposure is good for child’s development too 🙂 Thank you for visiting Untraveled Routes. Cheers.
LikeLike
That’s cause its Spiti Valley and it is sure to spellbind anyone visiting it.
One of my bucket list travel destination😍😍😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Nikita!! 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful pictures! This blog makes me expedite my travel plans to Spiti. Thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you friend 🙂 I hope you are able to plan your visit soon, do get in touch if you need any help.
LikeLike
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jshttp://i0.poll.fm/js/rating/rating.jsWow that’s a beautiful area. Thank you for sharing! This area has been on my bucket list for a long time and it seems like such an incredible, welcoming culture
Alex Gulsby | wanderwritings.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Alex🤘🤘the region has it’s set of challenges but must visit once in a lifetime ☺️☺️
LikeLike
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsThis road …reminds me my travel throught Maderia island (in Portugal) 😀 it’s dangerous but cool with this awesome views 🙂 I’d like to be in this Spiti !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Halina🤘🤘I hope you do visit soon. I will look forward to read your stories on Maderia Island.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you have an issue with altitude sickness while traversing through this area? I’ve gotten it pretty bad in a few places throughout south America and Europe myself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mason, I agree the mountain sickness syndrome can ruin the best of the vacations, I had lot of difficulty once we crossed Kalpa, had to take diamox tablets to get me through the day.
LikeLike
Really great pictures! Wow! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🤘🤘🤘glad you liked it
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so beautiful there:-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Anna💛💛
LikeLike
OH my gosh, this is beyond stunning!
I’ve been living in India for six years and we are in the final countdown before we leave. There’s so much in this general area of Asia that we didn’t get to, and these photos are just one more place to add to my list of, ‘I didn’t know about it and am now regretting I didn’t make it.’
Lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🤘🤘this region is not active for almost 5 months in a year, it’s cut due to heavy winters in Spiti. But it’s really beautiful. I hope you do get to visit someday. Cheers, Charu
LikeLike
I’ve done most of Himachal but Spiti is still left. I thought one trekked to spiti !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi there, thank you for checking out Untraveled Routes 🤘🤘led me to your beautiful blog. You write beautifully. SPITI is the most challenging road trip we had ever done, reason being our 11 months old baby boy accompanied us 💛💛 there were ups and downs but totally worth it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great ! my little girl in 8 months
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh!! I watch Aayansh’s old videos and feel like wow kids grow so fast!! He is now 2💛💛
LikeLike
Wow.
It is a very good post keep posting.
https://akshayjoshinet.wordpress.com/2017/05/20/life-is-a-long-lesson-to-learn/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: An epic road trip to Spiti Valley, the Land of Lamas in India | Untraveled Routes
How brave of you to travel with your sweet baby. You are sharing your love of travel and that is a great start to baby’s education. BRAVO !!
Ip learned a lot from your post. Thank you, Jan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank so much😃😃 I have seen him learning so much when he travels!! It’s challenging to travel with such a little love but it’s worth it..
LikeLike
We are a group of 7_8 people to visit spiti and lahul in March 2019. To all days 10. From Chandigarh, or Shimla.
LikeLiked by 1 person