I came to word ” Spiti” first time in 2015, when I was planning my family trip to Himachal Pradesh. It readily attracted me to explore it but I didn’t get much detailed information and reviews regarding exploring it, in comparison to major tourist places like Shimla and Manali, so it went to one corner of my subconscious mind. when we were planning a mountain trip at Himachal Pradesh in 2019, first name came from me, was ‘Spiti’.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Meaning of the word Spiti is – ‘middle land’, as it is situated between Tibet and India. Spiti valley is a cold desert mountain area, located at north-east part of Himachal Pradesh. Exploring this area is the big treat for nature lovers like me.
BEST TIME TO VISIT :
SUMMERS: April, May and June are the best time to visit this valley. Rhohtang pass and Kunzum pass get closed due to heavy snow fall in winters. During last two weeks of month may, chances to get them opened are high. These two pass are very important to complete the whole circuit of spite valley. So better to wait for their clearance. Temperature gets pleasant in daytimes and cold is less in night in comparison to winter.
MONSOON: July,August and September are also good options to visit it but sometimes due to cloudy atmosphere, one is not able to get clear views around. All the passes get opened during this time.
WINTER: If you want high adventure with nature, then these are the months- December, January, February and March. One can see white coloured spiti all the way due to snow fall. But at the same time, it will get very uncertain to travel as roads can be blocked by heavy snowfall. Its advisable to keep any local guide with, who can help you out in case of road blocks. Be ready to experience freezing cold temperatures. Do keep some buffer days to handle with landslides and road blocks.
HOW MANY DAYS ARE REQUIRED:
One requires at least 10 days if he/she wants to explore Spiti circuit including Chitkul and Kinnaur region. If you have only one week with you, then you can skip the later. But I will advise you to spare 10 days and explore these two also, as they are just heaven on earth.
MODE OF JOURNEY :
CAR : Best option it is. Weather remains very unpredictable in this region. Chances of landslides are also high. So car keeps you safe in such scenario. One can load the luggage with the help of carrier at the top of the car. This trip has long hours of journey almost all days. So better to hire Innova or any sport car like Xylo,Fortuner etc which are just perfect for family trips. Better to hire an experienced driver. One can choose option of self drive, only if he/she is having enough experience of mountain driving. Do try to keep some car repairing stuff also in car.
Those who want to travel in car but not enough members to hire a personal car, facility of shared sumo is also there. They usually start from the main markets of all the towns.
BIKE : This option is for those who love biking and want full adventure. Again, its advisable to choose this option, if you are an experienced biker. Join any biker community. They arrange frequent bike trips in this region. Its risky to go there alone because if you will have any problem regarding bike, its difficult to get help quickly. Be safe by using all safety measures like helmet n all.
BUS : This option is for those who are solo or duo and want budget friendly trip. Buses of Himachal state road transport, keep running in this region. Buses are not that much frequent in comparison to other states. Schedules may go uncertain depending upon the bad weather, sometimes. Better to keep 1-2 buffer days in case you miss any bus or any other reason like landslide etc. Another option of getting shared sumo is also there, if you miss any bus.
ROUTE :
I had choosen this route : from Chandigarh-Shimla-Narkanda-Chitkul-Kalpa-Nako-Gue village-Tabo-Kaza-Chandra tal via Kunzum Pass-Manali via Rohtang pass. one benefit is that you get very gradual acclimatisation.
One can start from Manali also depending on, from which region you are coming.
Nearest airports are Chandigarh and Kullu.
HEALTH:
Whole Spiti circuit is situated at high attitude, so oxygen level in air, remains low in comparison to non-hilly areas. Medical facilities are also very basic in whole area, so better to avoid travelling here, who are known case of LV dysfunction and lung disorders like severe asthma, pulmonary fibrosis etc. There would be no problem for healthy kids more than 4-5 years.
MEDICINES :
Tab.Diamox is the key medicine to prevent high altitude sickness. Dose is 250 mg two times or 500 mg once in a day. One must take it if you are going first time at such high altitude. Its optional if you travel frequently at high altitude places.
Other medicine is tab.dexamethasone, to be taken under guidance of any doctor, in emergency situation if symptoms are not controlled with tab.diamox.
Those who are known cases of motion sickness, they can keep their routine medicines like tab.avomine, tab.meclizine, tab.promithazine, tab.phenergan or can have scopolamine patch.
Do keep some basic antibiotics and other conservative medicines like ORS packets, tab.emeset for vomiting, tab.pantocid D for acidity etc. Oxygen bottles are not required as such, but can keep them in car if you have kids or elderly persons with.
PERMITS :
Only foreigners need to take permit to enter into Spiti region, at Reckong Peo near Kalpa. Indians are allowed without taking permits. Do keep photo ID with you like Adhar card or voting card if required at several check-posts.
CAMERA :
If you love photography, this region is perfect to fulfill your hobby. GoPro is very good option for taking videos in route. Sometimes, you need to take videos from inside the car only or if you are biker, GoPro gives excellent results. For photos, any Nikon,canon or Sony DSLR are good. If you don’t have these cameras or don’t want to take them with due to luggage issues, then google pixel 2xl, one plus 6 and 7, I phone etc are perfect options.
Each and every frame of the camera is just breath-taking at our magnificent Himalays.
STAR GAZING :
If you are fond of star gazing, spite valley is perfect location if weather is clear. one will require to bring kaleidoscope to carry with. Sky is amazing with its milky way.
PACKING :
Spiti is cold mountain desert, so weather remains chilly around the year. Summers are pleasant. Temperature is enough warm in presence of sun but it gets very cold after sunset. So do your packing accordingly.
Clothes : Layering is important. In daytime, one to two layers like cotton camisoles and t shirts are enough. After sunset, one need warm sweater or jacket. As you reach higher altitudes gradually from Kinnaur to Kaza, one requires woolen warm clothes during daytime also. Scarf, hand gloves, socks, woolen caps, inner warmers are must.
Shoes : If you are fond of hiking, then good quality shoes are necessary. If not, casual shoes are also okay. They keep you protected from cold and make your hiking very comfortable.
Toiletries : Do keep basic toiletries with you like soap, shampoo,towel,brush,toothpaste etc. There are good options of accommodation at most of the places, but in case, if you get very basic accommodation like homestay, this kit will be helpful.
Torch : Almost all cell phones have this option inbuilt, so no need to take it separately.
Snacks: Keep some dry snacks with you. In case of landslides or long journey on barren mountains where there is very less availability of food stalls, snacks will be very helpful in such scenarios.
Water bottles : wherever you travel, its always better to carry a good quality water bottle with, to minimise the single use plastic bottles. There is full availability of the drinking water at each and every hotel and restaurant to refill the water bottle.
Small heater : It will be helpful if geyser of your room is not working. Its so cold there, one can skip the bath also if hot water is not available 😛.
HOW TO BOOK:
There are two options. One can arrange the trip by their own. Enough information and booking facilities are available now a days online. Mine was self organized trip. Its cost saving. and you can customise it according to your preferences.
Many tour companies are also there, you can book Spiti trip through them, like alifetimetrip, etc.
TRAVEL RESPONSIBILITY :
Spiti has very extreme weather and very difficult lifestyle for its local residents. They are already facing water scarcity and other changes of climate change. In such scenario, we must act responsibly. Do try to not waste water. Its not necessary to bath every day in such cold climates. You can wash your clothes after returning to your actual residence. Do avoid, bone fires, as they produce more carbon dioxide, in already low oxygen air levels. Don’t use single used plastic bottles.
BE SAFE: please be safe from landslides, shooting stones from the mountains, acute high altitude sickness, etc
Here, is my Instagram profile link. Do visit it for detailed instablog. @dr_heenapatel.
Thank you 😊.
