How to Plan a Road Trip to Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley creates many pictures in front of our eyes, situated in the trans-Himalayan territory is a place where a lot of activities is available for adventure junkies. From lush green forest to rich cultural heritage, from high altitude valleys and mountains to beautiful lakes, Spiti has everything we want for a perfect trip.
Now spiti valley road trip are taking so much limelight as it adds extra charm to a place when we explore it through our bike or car. Here we have tried to provide information that is needed to plan a road trip to mesmerizing and serene Spiti Valley.
Why should you choose Spiti for a road trip?
Spiti Valley tests your mental and physical toughness on every point as you move towards your destination. Spiti has layered mystery like an onion; every layer has its own charm that will blow your mind. It is like a roller coaster ride that will add more mental stability, blissfulness to the soul & adrenaline rush to your mind.
Why should you plan?
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A good plan helps you to make a normal thing good and good into best. Often it is said that Shimla to Kaza is the most dangerous road trip on our planet. So, planning for this type of journey well in advance is really important. In this type of trips, a comprehensive plan is required to make this a perfect spiti valley bike trip. You would be challenged by nature on every step but the tough the challenge the better would be the prize. So, planning for the self-drive road trip to Spiti needs minutest of the details to be covered.
What is the best time to visit Spiti Valley
Spiti is an all-round destination for a road trip but the majority places to visit in spiti valley of the tourists visit this place starting from June to September, as after September some of the places start receiving snowfall, and make it very difficult to drive on snow.
Permits Needed
Permit creates a lot of confusion in the mind of the travellers, but it is not at all required for an Indian National. All foreign nationals required to have a permit to enter Spiti Valley. And whatever your nationality is, you need to have a permit to enter Rohtang pass, if you are going to enter the valley from Manali.
Itinerary preparation for Spiti Valley Trip
The ideal duration to cover the famous places of Spiti would be around 09 to 12 days. If you are starting your trip from Delhi then 10 days are an ideal duration to spend your time with a medium paced itinerary.
The itinerary is very much needed for any trip, and in case of a road trip, it is a time saviour. Don’t overcrowd your itinerary by putting everything, choose your priority, do your routing along with itinerary preparation. Try calculating your budget also with itinerary, so that when you start your trip you have an estimate that how much money you need to have in your pocket to complete this spiti valley tour packages. Try to decide your pace and frame your itinerary according to it.
Use the advice of those who have already been on a road trip, as the experience of one is learning for others.
Places you can add in your trip to Spiti
· Key Monastery- It is the oldest monastery of Spiti dated back to 1000 years old, built-in 11th century
· Chandratal Lake- Also known as the ‘Moon Lake’, it is situated on ‘Samudra Tapu’
· Kaza- A major town of Spiti adjoining Tibetan Border
· Gue Mummy Village- Gue mummy is the only sitting mummy in the world
· Komic- Often known as the highest motorable village in the world
· Lahaul Valley- The valley is full of nature, hills, waterfalls, and the snowcapped mountain is just an unmissable part
· Pin Valley- A hidden gem of Spiti in Himachal Pradesh
· Langza Village- Called as the “Fossil village of India”. Buy one fossil for you also
· Hikkim- Send a postcard from the world’s highest post office
· Kunzum Pass- It offers a view of the world’s second-longest glacier- Bara Sigri
Routes
· The Shimla- Narkanda- Rampur- Powari- Puh- Chango route spanning 450 km which is open around the year
· Manali- Rohtang Pass- Gramphoo- Batal- Kunzum La route covering 220 km which remains open from June till October
Preparations for your trip
· Prepare your vehicle
Before going on any road trip this is the first step you should take is to know your vehicle well and prepare a checklist of the items you need for your journey. Check the working condition of tires and tubes; check the brakes, clutch etc. It is advised to get your vehicles properly serviced before 10 days. Do carry an emergency car kit, extra parts, extra fuel stored in bottles. Do not try to use car heaters in the night while sleeping to keep yourself warm as heat kills the oxygen present in the atmosphere and thus it could lead to a fatal situation.
· Prepare your suitcase
Depending on the month you are visiting, you should pack accordingly. As Spiti is seated on a very high altitude, you should carry enough clothes so as and when required you get everything handy. Do not forget to dress in layers. Pack first aid kit, gloves, woollen socks, extra day bag, reusable polybag for used and wet clothes etc. You must carry some games, prepare your playlist well in advance, must carry sufficient battery backup, portable chargers, equipment used in photography, paper map etc.
· Prepare your health
Health is a very big constraint in completing your itinerary as planned. Due to AMS- Acute Mountain Sickness, a lot of your time could be wasted and thus you won’t be able to complete your trip in time. These types of road trip look very amusing and easy but one must be fully prepared for it, as it required special attention. Do not try to overlook any symptom. Take good sleep, eat fibrous food, drink water in small portions, and just don’t put so much junk food in yourself.
Follow Driving Rules
For a smooth road trip your vehicle must smoothly run, and for smooth vehicle performance, you need to take some precautions and follow some rules for the completion of your journey. You must follow the driving speed limit, do not drink and drive, follow signages, maintain the speed, drive on the side, not at the center, do not try to take your car as a sports car and yourself as the Formula One race driver.
Interact with locals
A local of any place helps you to see another perspective of the place, which you won’t be able to see with bare eyes. To have a wonderful trip try to indulge with locals and live their culture. They try to help you unconditionally. So just grab every opportunity to interact with them and keep talking to them as they can help you with Dos and Don’ts of that particular place.
To experience the grandeur of Spiti, spend some time to gaze starry sky, camping by the river, eating local delicacies, and just don’t rush for every place. Words can’t describe the feeling when you will have a stargazing experience during your Spiti Valley road trip.
