Travelling solo was always going to be challenging for me as it was my first time. The hardest part about solo travel is the beginning. It’s about getting used to it. The concept of solo traveling in India is not alien but new, there are lots of things people tell when you travel solo like you should take someone with you or it is not safe, etc.
But there are numerous advantages if you prefer to travel solo like you can connect with new people get to know about them you miss out if you travel with group of friends.
Being from Himachal from my paternal side, i did not explore this beautiful side of Himachal much, and when i heard about the Highest Post Office in the world (Hikkim) and The last village in India (Chitkul), i started researching and then decided to visit these places.
The main push for me towards this trip was the itinerary provided by the Travel agent Classic Expeditions, it did cover the entire Spiti valley, i must say that i definitely enjoyed the trip.
Travel Guide - Mr. Yugesh Chauhan. Driver - Mr. Vijay Kumar Sharma.
On 21st September 2019 reached Delhi from Mumba via Flight where i had my Volvo bus to Shimla.
Reached Shimla on 22nd September and joined couple of members of the group there.
Chandra Taal - Rohtang Paas - Manali
Our final leg of the trip as we left from Chandra Taal around 5 am and headed to Rohtang Paas.
Rohtang Paas - situated at 13,050 feet above sea level provides a scenic view of snow-clad mountains.
The trip ended as we were being dropped to Manali.
Had a great time with the guide, driver and the group, it was an adventurous trip and enjoyed each and every moment of it.
Special thanks to Travel Triangle who provided me great quote through Classic Expeditions. Parasol Camps were superb, very well maintained and we did received great service.
Shimla to Baga Sarahan 160 km drive from Shimla - The trip took off at Shimla where I met the driver, guide and was accompanied with the group travelling along.
Baga Sarahan is a wonderful place located around 11,400 feet above sea level.
The camp location was scenic surrounded by the apple trees and a lot of greenery around with snow clad mountains.
Baga Sarahan to Sangla - Next morning headed to Sangla from Baga Sarahan crossing Rampur.
Hotel Rakcham provides an excellent view opposite snow clad mountains and the beautiful Baspa river. Absolutely thrilled with the day's stay there.
Sangla - Chitkul - Kalpa.
This was a great day as we visited Chitkul (last village on the old Hindustan-Tibet trade route) located at 11,320 feet. The village is very well maintained and looks pretty with scenic mountain view.
Headed to Indo Tibetan checkpost where the actual border is 70 km away uphill.
Then drove to Kalpa where we had an overnight stay at Hotel Rakpa opposite Mount Kinnaur Kailash view which was covered with snow.
Kinnaur Kailash snowy mountain view was the highlight of the hotel.
Kalpa - Nako
Left from Kalpa for Tabo. However as there was landslide near Spillow, stuck for 6 hours and then had to stay at Nako that night.
Nako - Tabo - Pin Valley - Kaza
Gue Mummy, pin valley and then Kaza. Had a stay at Village Shego located 5 KMS from Kaza for 2 nights.Visited
Gue Mummy - the mummy identified as that of monk Sangha Tenzon, was found inside a tomb at Gue Village in the cold and remote Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh about 6000 metres above sea level. Gue villagers have known about the mummy since 1975, when an earthquake struck the region and brought down a part of the tomb.
However due to remoteness of Gue, in a desolate mountainous area close to India's border with China - restricted to public and under the control of the paramilitary Indo Tibetan border police the mummy's existence has remained under wraps.
Visited an Monastery at Tabo had a lovely mountain view.
Headed back to Parasol camps @ Shego village - Kaza
Kaza - Langza - Comic - Hikkim
Headed to Langza from Kaza.
Langza is a beautiful destination, located in one of the most majestic in India 'Spiti Valley'. The picturesque village is blessed with ancient monasteries and buildings of the prehistoric era. It is surrounded by green pastures, snow-clad mountains and barren landscapes that awe-struck every person who visit this stunning location.
Langza is situated at an altitude of 14,500 feet above sea level.
The Langza Buddha Statue 35 feet tall is an amazing attraction here.
Headed to Komic Village which is said to be bmthe highest village in Asia and located at a height of 18,000 feet above sea level.
Post Komic drove to Hikkim - the highest post office in the world situated at 14,400 feet above sea level. We were happy to send some postcards to friends and family.
Kaza - Key Monastery -Kunzum - Chandratal
Key Monastery - Located at an altitude 13,668 feet above Sea level. It is the biggest monastery of Spiti Valley and a religious training center for Lamas. It is also one of the most scenic monasteries in the state.
Kunzum Pass is situated at 15,060 feet above sea level. It connects the Kullu Valley, Lauhaul Valley and Spiti valley. The place is famous for Goddess Kunjum (Durga / Parvati) temple, which is located on the top of Kunzum and keeps guard over the pass and wards of the evil power.
While at Kunzum pass could view the Glacier on the opposite side. It looks fabulous to the naked eye.
Crossed Chicham Bridge which is Asia's Highest Bridge.
Headed to the beautiful Chandra Taal Lake which was the last destination of the trip.
Chandra Taal also called as the Moon Lake, situated at an altitude 14,100 feet above sea level. We had to trek around 500 metres to get to the beautiful lake.
There is a belief by locals that Chandertal is the point from where Yudhistra (Eldest among Pandavas of Mahabharata) was taken to heaven in his mortal form.
While we had a night stay close to Chandra Taal lake, the temperature was chilling as and when the day progressed.
