Home to the mountainous cold desert valleys with a backdrop of green pastures, country houses, quiet villages, dense forests, gushing rivers, fascinating gorges, and minesweeping landscapes; Himachal is nestled high in the Himalayas. It has an introversive culture where life remains focusing on monasteries. Famous for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, it is one of the top destinations in India for tourists and travellers. 

Amit Singh is 39-year-old and works in the Financial Services Industry. Apart from his professional life, he also is a YouTuber and a passionate traveller. Having profound love for solo trips, and road adventures, he set out on an 11-day journey, all by himself, into the unknown! 

Let’s walk down his memory lane!

Onset 

Starting his journey from Faridabad, Amit drove to Chail. This was his first stop. Known for its salubrious beauty and virgin Deodar forests, Chail is located in Solan Valley. Having the reputation of a hill station it is also known for its Palace. It was built as a summer retreat for the Maharaja of Patiala. It also has the world’s highest cricket ground. For hitchhikers, it offers a perfect landscape for trekking and camping. 

Amit explored nearby places and then checked in his stay, having driven all day he was tired and called it a day. 

Shimla – Rampur Bushahr

The next destination was Shimla. It took him about 2 hours to reach. Not to mention, being the capital of Himachal Pradesh, it is blessed with bountiful natural beauty, from snow-capped mountains to green hills. Moreover, there are tons of activities for you to indulge in. From Victorian-era, Heritage walks to River rafting and Paragliding, there is something in store for everyone. 

Next Amit moved on to Rampur Bushahr. Situated at the bank of the Satluj river it is famous for its ancient temples, lakes, and labyrinth markets. A small little town doesn’t offer major adventure activities but is filled with serenity and quiet. He took a halt here for the night!

Chitkul 

Starting the next day early, he left for Chitkul and managed to reach there within 4-5 hours. Amit was left awestruck by the sheer beauty of the place. A small village in the Kinnaur district, Chitkul is said to have the cleanest air in the country. Walking distance from the village, there is a Baspa River, which Amit says is beautiful to walk along. The sound of gushing water fills you with nothing but tranquillity. He stayed in Chitkul for the next 2 days. On most days, the village remains covered in snow, but there are few treks that you can enjoy. These quaint towns haven’t been commercialised yet, and that is what makes them special. You will find wooden houses and plentiful apple orchards. However, he found this setting perfect for his liking and enjoyed his stay here. 

Reckong Peo – Kalpa

Having one’s own mode of transport gives you the freedom to make, change, and adjust your itinerary! The next destination on Amit’s checklist was Reckong Peo and Kalpa. Not to mention, a blissful vacation spot, this area has a noteworthy setting that does the trick.

Situated at quite a high altitude, the terrain becomes a bit steep and difficult to drive, especially a motorbike. However, due to such a unique placement, you can enjoy several hikes and tourist spots throughout the village. Amit went to visit several monasteries where he thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance and the Tibetan culture. The most memorable one was Dhankar Gompa, he hiked to reach the top and the panoramic view of the Himalayas was breathtaking. Other beautiful monasteries that he equally enjoyed were Key Monastery, The Tangyud Monastery, Komic Gompa, and more. 

Nako 

Another nearby village, at a mere distance of 3 hours and so is Nako. Located near the Indo-China border, it has a belt of very famous Nako lake. You can enjoy the winter in one of the remotest villages in the Himalayas and connect with local people. The lake is a major tourist attraction, during summers you can enjoy boating, whilst in the low temperatures, it remains frozen and acts as a perfect skiing spot! The unique position makes the town quite a picture-worthy location and therefore attracts hundreds of photographers around the year. Amit spent a day here. 

The beauty of Himachal: Kaza

With majestic snow-covered mountains, bubbling rivers, clear streams, and lush greenery, Kaza is known for its colorful festivals and the Sakya Tangyud Monastery. Amit planned on staying next for the next 3 days here. From treks, wildlife spotting to enjoying fine culinary art, it is an all in all package for a sweet getaway!

He also explored places such as Hikkim, Dhankar, Komic, and other nearby places.  

Manali

Reaching the final destination of the long trip, he finally made it to Manali. A place that requires no introduction hosts thousands of tourists all year long for several purposes, including a variety of adventure sports and picturesque spots. Spending the remaining days of his trip here, he finally covered the complete Himachal belt, all alone!

Packing memories to last a lifetime, it was time to head home. And just like that, the trip was over!

If you loved the insights from Amit’s Himachal trip, check out more stories and pictures @the_solo_indian_biker. 

For more authentic and exciting travel itineraries, follow us on our Instagram handle @indiachalk.