Motorcycle trip to Spiti Valley

 Motorcycle Diary – Spiti Valley (Indian Himalayas)

From the dryness to the greenery, we explored one of the most breath-taking valleys of the Himalayas and one of the less populated region of the world. 

From the dryness to the greenery, we explored one of the most breath-taking valleys of the Himalayas and one of the less populated region of the world.

Our motorcycle trip started from Manali to Chandratal. Roads are extreme but the landscapes we were discovering as we were entering in the Spiti Valley worth every effort. 

 

We reached Chandratal where we discovered an enchanting lake reflecting the surrounding ochre and pink mountains. First night in the middle of this wild hostile nature and in the morning, on a sumptuous sun rise revealing the snow-capped peaks far away was waiting for us.

We followed our adventure to Kaza through this cold desert. At “Key Monastery”, we had a Chai (tea) with the monks. At Kibber, the highest village of Asia, we met the inhabitants and experienced their exceptional hospitality. We tasted fried grains of wheat that an old woman kindly offered us.

Head to Komic, where the contrasted landscapes amazed us. On the roads, only few typical little houses. On their roof, the inhabitants use to keep the wheat which act as a natural insulation in winter. Some people of the area told us that if we are lucky, near some streams flowing down the snow peaks, we can find some fossils and… we were lucky!

On the road to Nako, an amazing change of scenery was awaiting us: green fields, apple orchards, scattered in the rocky Mountains and sparse yellow and green trees along a deep blue river. As we stopped to take some pics of this beautiful scenery, once again we were touched by the generosity of the inhabitants: a couple of workers harvesting apples in an orchard called us and kindly gave us 4-5 juicy apples.

We were immediately absorbed by the traditional atmosphere and architecture. The village looks like it hasn't changed in hundreds of years. Sat near the entrance of the Monastery, three old women kindly offered us to drink a Chai.  After experiencing one more time the kindness of the people, we had a walk near the small holy lake of Nako reflecting the village, the mountains and the yellow leafs of the autumn trees.

We take the road again in direction of Kalpa and its lush green valleys, picturesque village and incredible hospitable people.

 Hed to Sangla Valley (Kinnaur District), an heaven upon earth. 

On the way back to Home! We rode through Banjar Valley, through landscapes that keeps on amazing us!

Its picturesque villages, its millennial monasteries, the wonderful friendship of the Spitians, its amazing landscapes, the Spiti Valley experience will always remain engraved in our memory. It is another world, a world whose people’s lifestyle and philosophy have much to teach us.

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