A cold desert adorned by mountainous valleys is how one describes Spiti Valley in a nutshell but in its embrace, one can find some of the most surreal panoramic views, ancient monasteries offering you serenity and an abundance of trekking trails.
Life moves at a slow pace in the “middle land” with herds of Himalayan blue sheep nibbling on grass, the local farmers collecting their crops, and monks silently chanting the name of Buddha in the form of sacred prayer. The air is different in Spiti, pure and filled with peace. Simply breathing it in would rejuvenate your inner self and it’s an experience worth having.
However, with this Spiti winter expedition 4x4 - Guts on Wheels we show you a different side of Spiti. We take you to a different world altogether, a world where you get to witness the magic of nature in the form of mesmerizing valleys, majestic mountains, and wicked trails all covered in a thick blanket of snow that is spread throughout the land, as far as your eyes can see.
In this Spiti winter expedition, we spice things up even more by increasing the stakes. It is no secret that the roads of Spiti valley are hostile at best, the paths seemed to be carved out with a ruggedness that isn't found in many places, and yet there is no greater feeling than off-roading on these tough terrains.
It's a challenge worth taking up but only for those who are bold enough to do it. Since normal tempo travelers don't give the adventure enthusiasts the adrenaline rush that comes with driving on the rocky trails, we take things up a notch by taking you on a road trip to Spiti Valley by 4 wheelers which means it's a four-wheel drive to Spiti from Delhi in a vehicle that can overcome all the hurdles that the roads of Spiti has to offer.
Trust me, you would never want to miss this expedition to Spiti. That’s because it always offers something unique, something new which is difficult to encapsulate in words.
Come and experience yourself.
Arrival at Narkanda Our team at Treeline Cottage will welcome you. Freshen up and unwind in the cozy and warm rooms of Cottage, and soak yourself in the beauty of deodar forests and apple orchards. Narkanda is about 6 hours (185 km) drive away from Chandigarh airport. Followed by briefing and drinks, cozy up around flickering flames and the fragrance of the bonfire wood logs. After dinner, we’d call it a day.
After breakfast, drive back to Kinnaur Valley. A 60-minutes drive down the road will take us to Rampur Bushehr. From there, our caravan will drive along the roaring Sutlej River until Karcham. At Karcham, we take a left and drive into the Baspa Valley. The drive halts at the fairy-tale village of Sangla at an altitude of 2700 meters. Check-in to one of the premium properties. Post check-in, we drive further into the Kinnaur valley, with some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery breezing past us.
Make sure your camera is charged to capture the most stunning views and moments of your life.
On day 3, we’ll have ample time to explore the most beautiful valleys of Kinnaur – Sangla and Kalpa. After breakfast, drive to Chitkul. Chitkul is the last village before the Indo-Tibet border. Located on the banks of Baspa River, it is practically the end point of the famous Kinner Kailash Parikrama trek. The main attraction of Chitkul is small homes which have either slates or wooden plank roofs. It also houses a century-old Mathi temple and a small Buddhist temple.
In the evening, have dinner around the bonfire and share the road journey. Hit the bed early to recoup your energy reserve for the long haul drive the next day.
Day 4 will be a long haul. We will drive a distance of around 190 km and call it a day at Tabo. We will stop at Sutlej- Spiti river confluence at Khab and Kano to take a breather. Nako village is located near the Indo-Tibet border in Kinnaur district. Evening reach Tabo village Chackin beautiful local homestay in spiti Valley followed by drinks in front of hot fire 🔥 tandoor and dinner overnight at Tabo.
Tabo is a beautiful Spitian village nestled on the left bank of Spiti River. It is home to a 1000-year-old monastery and caves. The tiny settlement is well organized, with narrow paths and driveways leading to the courtyard of Tabo monastery. After visiting the monastery and exploring the village, we will hit the road and reach Kaza town by evening.
We go sightseeing and exploring places around Kaza for the next two days. The Tangyud monastery, Key (also pronounced as Ki) monastery, Kibber village, Komic village, Gete Village, and Langza village
— which is well known for its marine fossils, are among some of the Instagrammable places around Kaza we will explore today.
- Hikkim – the highest post office in the world
- Langza statue
- Kaza monastery
- Chicham bridge
On day 7 of the snow drive expedition, we’d drive back on the same route to Narkanda. En route, we might take a halt at places that we missed on day five and six (if time allows). By evening, we will reach Narkanda. As it is going to be a long and tiring drive, we call it a day at Treeline Cottage, Narkanda with a delicious dinner.
This morning, we pack our bags to return to our homes, taking with us all the memories to cherish for life
- Stargazing and Milky-way spotting 🌌
- SnowTrekking to old Monasteries.
- World’s highest motorable village
- Indulge in local food, culture and traditions.
- Snow fall / snow leopard spotting/ ice skating (subject to availability)
- Explore snow capped mountains, Experience -30°C, unlimited snow bashing.
- Promoting Quality Tourism, Adventure, Heritage, Culture & Wellness in remote Himalayan villages.
- Group size - 15-20 people .
- All transfers from Chandigarh/Shimla to Shimla/Chandigarh.
- Meals (Breakfast and dinner).
- Accommodation at local Homestays properties .
- Experienced Guide/Lead Car .
- Off road trail experts .
- Back up vehicle.
- Insights of travel filmmaking and content creation
- Day backpack (20 – 30 Ltrs): When you are on a local sightseeing tour, you are required to carry only a few necessary items and for that, you need a day backpack as you will leave your bigger one at your designated stay.
- Floaters or Sandals: When you are spending your day at leisure, a good pair of sandals and floaters will help you to move freely.
- 1 Down Jacket / Main Jacket: It’s emphasized that you need to carry proper layers so you can avoid getting cold which is why you need to carry an insulated jacket that you can put on over your other clothes.
- 1 Pair of Thermal: Thermal is a piece of garment that helps in keeping your body warm in cold temperatures. It is a necessary item that you need when traveling to cold regions.
- Outdoor Shoes: A comfortable shoe is required when traveling outdoors, especially in the mountains. They shouldn’t be chunky, instead, they should be lightweight and sturdy.
- 3 Quick Dry Tees: You must keep at least three pairs of quick dry tees so that you can wash them in between stops for proper hygiene.
- 3 Pair of Cotton Socks: Cotton socks are extremely comfortable to move around in and are lightweight as well which is why you can always count on a good pair of cotton socks while trekking. However, keep in mind to change them and avoid wearing them when they are wet.
- 1 Pair of Woolen Socks: A good pair of woolen socks, especially merino, are comfortable, limit odors and provide adequate insulation from the cold so you can wear them at night.
- 1 Poncho: A poncho is an evolved form of a raincoat that provides coverage to your body as well as your bag and ensures total water protection from the rain.
- Quick-dry towel: A quick dry towel will help in maintaining proper hygiene. It must dry quickly because the wet fabric will only increase the chance of bacterial growth.
- Gloves: Insulated gloves help in maintaining proper body heat in your hands.
- Sanitizer: Prevent the risk of infections and maintain proper hand hygiene by making sure you carry a hand sanitizer.
- Sun Cap: A lightweight sun cap with side flaps is perfect to keep your head cool and avoid sunburns on a sunny day.
- Lip Balm: Your lips can become chapped due to the harsh cold winds so it's important to keep them moisturized.
- Cold Cream & SunScreen (SPF 40+): To avoid sunburns and chafing, you need to put on sunscreen as well as cold cream.
- Water Bottle 1 Lt.: Hydration is extremely important when it comes to traveling To carry a water bottle that you can refill with Himalayan water is a must.
- Bag for all your Toiletries: A bag with all your essentials including napkins, toothpaste, sanitizers, paper soap, etc should be carried in a ziplock bag.
- Personal Basic Medical Kit: Carrying a medical kit with bandages, Dettol, medication for headache, nausea, etc is necessary.
- Sunglasses / People who use spectacles (Use Photochromic glasses instead of contact lenses): Photochromatic glasses are specs that are designed to transform into anti-glare shades depending upon exposure to the sun. They are good when it comes to eye protection but one can also opt for clip-on glasses etc.
- Mobile charger / Power bank: Although you'll get electricity at most places, it is always advisable to carry a charged power bank in case of emergencies.
- Documents: Identification proofs like Aadhar Card, and driver's License.
- Extra Polythene: In case your clothes get wet or your garments don’t dry, you can carry them in polythene. However, make sure that all the plastic that you are carrying into the woods leaves with you. Don’t litter in the mountains.
- Camera: This should be obvious. To make sure that you get to capture all the great moments from your trip. Make sure that you have enough storage and some extra batteries as well.
