From the Himalayas to the Heart: A Solo Journey Through Spiti Valley

A Journey I Never Planned, But Always Needed

It all started with a canceled group trip to Manali.

Frustrated but not defeated, I impulsively rented a Royal Enfield, packed lightly, and headed off solo toward the mystical Spiti Valley. I’d read about it, seen filtered photos, but nothing prepared me for what I was about to experience in this remote Himalayan desert.

Day 1: Shimla to Kalpa – Into the Unknown

As I left the crowded lanes of Shimla, the road to Kalpa was a mix of excitement and fear. Hairpin bends, tumbling rocks, and unpredictable weather reminded me that I was truly at nature's mercy. But every turn brought views I’d only seen on postcards.

By evening, I reached Kalpa—a serene village overlooking the majestic Kinnaur Kailash range. The cold stung my skin, but the silence healed my thoughts. This was the first time in months I could hear my own mind clearly.

Day 3: The Soul of Spiti – Tabo, Dhankar & Beyond

The next stretch was rugged but magical. I stopped at Tabo Monastery, one of the oldest functioning Buddhist monasteries in India, built in 996 AD. A monk, barely older than me, shared butter tea and stories of winters where temperatures dipped to -30°C.

Later, at Dhankar Monastery, precariously perched atop a cliff, I sat by myself watching the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. The landscape looked like Mars, but I’d never felt more grounded on Earth.

Home-Stays Over Hotels: The Local Connection

I stayed with a local family in Komic, one of the highest motorable villages in the world. No internet, no running water, but unlimited warmth. We shared meals of barley bread and thukpa, and I learned how they stored food for six months of snow blockade.

A young girl taught me to say “Julley” (hello) in Spitian, and her grandmother gifted me a handmade yak wool muffler.

These aren’t just travel memories—they’re soul imprints.

Riding Alone but Never Lonely

There were moments when the silence got deafening, especially between villages with no mobile signal or human sight. But in those moments, I understood the meaning of true solitude—not loneliness, but complete presence.

The Spiti Valley road trip taught me resilience, humility, and the fact that sometimes the best plans are the unplanned ones.

Tips for Your Spiti Adventure

Best time to visit Spiti Valley: Mid-June to September (when roads are open from both Manali and Shimla sides)

Must-see spots: Key Monastery, Chicham Bridge, Hikkim (world’s highest post office), Langza (fossil village)

Recommended itinerary: 7–10 days from Shimla or Manali with night stops at Kalpa, Tabo, Kaza, and Chandratal

Stay option: Choose home-stays for cultural immersion

Road condition: Rough and challenging—perfect for adventure bikers and SUV drivers

The Takeaway: Travel to Remember, Not Just to Escape

When people ask me why I chose Spiti alone, I simply say, “Because I needed to find myself where the roads don’t go easy.”

And I did.

If you’re seeking an offbeat Indian travel destination, one that rewrites your sense of awe and simplicity—Spiti Valley is where your heart will find its echo.