Spiti Valley – THE WORLD WITHIN A WORLD
As a child, I used to admire mountains a lot, its deep valleys, river flowing alongside, fresh air and environment fascinated me a lot.
This year decided to make a trip to SPITI – mostly known as the cold desert situated at a height of 14,010ft.
My trip started from my hometown Kanpur and I had to total cover a distance of 1230km approx.
A lot of excitement and thrill was going in my mind, could not wait to witness the beauty of spirit.
So packing was done away before the travel date and the wait was on, finally, the day came when I have to leave home and go to my second home that is mountains.
Reached Delhi and from Delhi took an overnight bus to Shimla, explored Shimla by the day time and made an overnight stay in Shimla.
The next morning, I took a bus to Reckong Peo from Shimla. The distance to cover was about 229km.
After a long journey of nearly 10 hours reached Reckong Peo in the evening, The excitement level was too damn high, halted for a night at Reckong Peo.
There is just one and the only bus that goes to SPITI Kaza from peo, Boarded the bus in the morning at around 7 am, From here the real journey started, The journey which will take me to the cold paradise – SPITI Valley
The bus was nearly full no place to seat but I managed. Some how to cause the only thing which was on my mind was Spiti valley.
Suddenly heard the news of landslide ahead from the bus conductor, He said you will have to cross the landslide on your own and board the bus waiting on the other side, It was quite a thrill for me at first, I took my luggage started to cross the landslide when I was in between crossing landslide a rock fell next to me, Believe me, it was a narrow escape.
Boarded the second bus after a while had a brunch, For the first time, I got to taste the Tibetan dish called ‘Thukpa’ it is made with some vegetables and noodles in it.
The bus started after a halt and then again after 1 hour or so another Landslide stopped our way, now again this time also we have to follow the same procedure cross the landslide on your own but now have to walk 1 km to catch the bus waiting on the other side of Landslide.
The sun was at its peak and the same was my excitement, so this all things didn’t bother me.
Then after crossing so many beautiful and picturesque landscape finally reached Kaza by around 8 pm, had nothing pre-booked there, just to tell you there are no fancy hotels in Kaza, just beautiful Homestays serves there.
Were juts unloading my luggage from the bus a guy named Tenzing came next to me and said sir do you want a Homestay, The night was pretty cold, was exhausted too by the long bus journey, so without giving a second thought I said Yes, Then Tenzing drove me to his home, it was a really beautiful place it was night time so didn’t get to see much at that time, I really had a warm welcome by Tenzing and his family, they were so amazing it actually feel I came home? I could hear children playing laughing such a cosy environment I got there. They served me a tasty dinner and a hot soup.
The next morning when I woke up to a view like this with a decent cup of tea in my hand, I thought all my efforts and crossing landslide having a narrow escape were all totally worth. I have heard a lot that Difficult roads often lead to a Beautiful destination but this time I experienced it on my own.
I planned to visit Hikkim and Komic followed by kibber, On my way to kibble I visited key monastery a beautiful place to find peace, Then headed to ‘Chichum’ bridge – The worlds highest bridge, believe me, it was a worth a visit.
The worlds highest bridge- Chicham Bridge
Then on my way to ‘Kibber’ i was really lucky to spot ‘Himalayan Ibex’, it was so exciting to witness such a rare animal.
Then went to worlds highest Post Office which was located in ‘Hikkim’ from there I posted a postcard to my loved ones,
Then headed to ‘Komic’ worlds highest motorable Village with a population of just 114 people, it was so freezing cold there and the oxygen level was also very low, It was a beautiful small village. Komic is one of the best places to visit in Spiti Valley.
I nearly spend 7 days in Spiti valley explored each and every place,
SPITI And its People taught to how to be strong, face all life problems with a smile worry less care more, Spiti changed my perception in many ways.
Now when I came back home I have some beautiful memories to cherish, Moments to feel for, and an experience to share.
This was EXPLORER’S experience of SPITI VALLEY
