Spiti Reviews

Tushar’s Spiti Valley Thrillophilia Review: A Journey of Experiences Unimagined

Akshita

Apr 21, 2025 • 4 min read

The trip to Spiti had been a long-awaited dream for me. I had been collecting pictures of this place for years, including snapshots of moon-like valleys, blue lakes, and beautiful monasteries. As life went on, this dream sort of got put on hold, and I thought it would never become a reality.

One afternoon, my friend visited my apartment. While having a cup of coffee together and chatting, I learnt about her dream that aligned exactly with mine. She wanted to see the spectacular landscapes of the Spiti too, but could not visit due to work commitments.

And just like that, we finally planned to take a duo trip through Spiti Valley. We took the help of Thrillophilia to plan our entire itinerary. They took all our considerations and created a holiday that will stay with us forever.

A Road Trip from Delhi to Manali

We boarded the overnight bus from Manju Ka Tilla in Delhi to Manali. The journey started on a comfortable note. I saw that my friend had already curled up by the window with her headphones on and eyes closed.

After about 10 hours of journey, we reached Manali the next day. We could see several apples hanging down the trees, and the air was becoming a little cool. Wearing a light jacket, we headed towards our hotel and got ready to explore this lovely hill station.

Our first stop for the day was the Hadimba Devi Temple. We paid our respects in the temple and went to Siyali Mahadev Temple, Van Vihar National Park, and Clubhouse (Retreat House). Moreover, we drove through the roads of Old Manali and later went to a cafe to enjoy hot chocolate.

The Long Drive to Kaza Through Nothingness

The third day was when the actual trip began.

We left Manali after breakfast for a long drive through the Atal Tunnel. The landscape started changing from lush greenery to desert terrain. Soon, we crossed Chatru and Batal, which looked so beautiful that we could not even take our eyes off them. Then, we came across Kunzum Pass, which is a gateway to Spiti. Since it was around 15,000 feet, it was our first real test. Cold winds and the altitude were threatening, but we were excited.

In the evening, we reached Kaza just before sunset. The place was glowing under the Himalayan sun. We stood outside our hotel until the stars appeared.

Of Villages, Monasteries, and Quiet Lessons

My friend and I began to explore the villages around Kaza early in the morning. We visited Komic, the highest village in Asia. Our guide, Tenzin, told us stories of snow during the winter season and how the locals survived with what little they had.

At Hikkim, we sent postcards from the highest post office in the world. I wrote in my postcard, “If you ever feel lost, come find yourself here.” Later, we stopped at Langza, where a giant Buddha statue looked over the valley. We also visited the Key Monastery to pray among the monks.

Kibber and Gette were our final stops that day. Each of these places was isolated and peaceful. We soaked in the silence of nature, wrote our journals, and signed off for the day.

Tabo, Dhankar & Pin Valley…

On Day 5, we went on an excursion to Tabo and Dhankar. Often called the Ajanta of the Himalayas, the Tabo Monastery has murals from thousands of years ago. It was a spiritual bliss to walk along the premises of this monastery.

Moreover, the Dhankar Valley looked dramatic between the mountains. Situated on the cliff’s edge, its monastery took our breath away with its view and fragility.

The next destination was the Pin Valley. As we drove deeper, the landscape turned green. Kungri Monastery and the tiny hamlet of Mudh appeared, and no words could describe how beautiful they were. We walked along riverbeds and picked up stones as a souvenir.

Of Reflections in Chandratal

We left Kaza to see the Chandratal Lake and Sissu. When we reached the Chandratal Lake, our eyes could not believe what we saw. The lake changed its colour every minute. It looked like heaven on earth while being surrounded by the Chandra Bhaga range.

We sat by the water and watched the clouds move above and below in the reflection. Soaking in the silence and beauty for a while, we clicked countless pictures around the lake.

By the evening, we reached Sissu. Our campsite was quiet, and there were no lights. We sat outside our tent, wrapped in shawls, and watched the Milky Way. I placed my camera outside the entire night and took a time-lapse video of the stars moving by.

Back to the Beginning

We started the next day with a delicious breakfast amidst the soft mountain winds. On the way back to Manali, we passed through the Geypan Pass and the Atal Tunnel, and the landscape changed again.

We spent our last few hours in Old Manali, where we picked up lots of souvenirs and enjoyed momos. After about an hour or so, we boarded the bus to Delhi.

As I looked out of the window, the lights of small towns went by. I realised that this trip was a gentle reset that we needed. It was a beautiful journey that will remain in our hearts forever.