Some people are happiest close to nature, the mountains, the valleys, and its people. The youthful and rugged terrains of Spiti Valley seem like a world within a world. But staying in the shadows of these hills doesn’t have to be just a dream. Before the winters pass by, explore the spellbound Spiti.

Mrinmoy is a Product/User Experience Designer based in Pune, who aspires to be Cinematographer. His spirit to travel is always ignited and that’s how he came about an unplanned month-long workation in the Valleys of Spiti. 

Here’s how the plan of action came about- rent a vehicle and a homestay for a month. Temporarily live a life in the enchanting town of Himachal. So, the calendar was set from 1st August to 15th September 2021. And when four of his friends agreed to tag along, they left from Manali to Jispa. 

On his bike, Mrinmoy went through the swift regions of Jispa. The roads that gave an effortless drive at first soon turned out to be tricky ahead. On a two-wheeler, it’s highly advisable to wear waterproof shoes. When they reached Jispa, the locals suggested going off-roading.

Although the view was spectacular, the weather had planned otherwise. In -15 degrees celsius, the rise of white fog made it a risky journey altogether. In the middle of nowhere, they encountered snow so the road trip was nothing but a scenic and scary venture. The next day they traveled to the infamous mountain pass- Shingo La and soon enough returned to Manali.

From Manali to Kaza taking the new roads that connect via Atal Tunnel. The cruise along the hills was a peaceful beauty itself. His stay was located between Kaza and Tabo- in the small village of Shichling. The locals rented out this budget-friendly house that was in one of the most deserted areas of the city. During their stay, they managed to cook food themselves and went out on weekends. 

‘ये हसीं वादियां, ये खुला आसमां’

Here began the ‘live like you are local’ adventure. While working during the day, they managed to explore the off-beat places of Spiti. On their list of places, was a sunset point that they loved to visit. Nearby Dhankar, there is a helipad amongst the huge mountain ranges of Himachal. A cup of kadak chai and the view was their elite way of ending a tiring day. 

Every other day they went for a new expedition. Checking off all the surreal Monasteries, he first encountered the Gue Monastery. Another perfect spot to unwind the day was at the Pin Valley. This cold desert area is the last of Spiti’s villages that make up to be an exceptional landscape. The starting point of the Pin Paravati Trek was where Mrinmoy spent hours with his friends. 

Yet another day with these bunch of wanderers was at the Hansa village. When the homestay’s owner was working on his son’s admissions in a school, the group tagged along. Chatting with the locals and mischief with kids. 

The beauty of Spiti will never disappoint!

Destination: Chicham Bridge. The highest bridge in Asia surely was a spectacle. After taking in the riverscape, they crossed the bridge and headed to Kibber. The gallery was soon enough filled with the picturesque sights of Spiti. And, the final must-visit charm of Spiti was the Key Gompa. The Tibetian Buddhist Monastery is tucked in the unique landscape and serves as the biggest and oldest learning center for Lamas. The entire day was soulful and Mrinmoy did his best to soak up the Spiti vibes. 

Next weekend, they visited Langza and Hikkim. Once again, the company of such friends along with sunset and the refreshing tea was all they needed. Talking about the local food, Phaley is a yummy bread stuffing with meat/potatoes that one can find in Rangrik. Along with this, they loved the Mango Shake at the Himalayan Cafe of Kaza. 

Expect the Unexpected

On their last night, they went to the Pin Valley where surprisingly they came across a fox. So curiously they watched him from afar but he just happened to drink water, pee, and leave. Mrinmoy recalls it as a fun incident to add to his ever-growing memory at Spiti. 

The clear-skied view of the milky way was also an experience of that night. While they starred at the moon above, Mrinmoy pointed out how even Mars was visible so brightly in the dark sky. Soon enough a month passed by and their once-in-a-lifetime trip came to an end. 

Budget: INR 60,000 per person

This was Mrinmoy’s trip to Spiti as he celebrated his undying thirst for exploring as a traveler.

For more photos and videos check out his page @ami_mrin and @travelasign

To indulge in more exciting travel stories and detailed itineraries, follow us on our page @indiachalk.