My accidental road trip to Spiti where I got bitten by the travel bug.
Are you traveling alone? Have some doubts? If yes, then this post is definitely for you.
In the year 2019, I took a bold step. I quit my high-paying job just to get my master’s in tourism and hospitality (I love the tourism industry and have served it for years).
And just like any other aspiring Indian study accidental road trip to Spiti was where I got bitten by the travel bug.
Are you traveling alone? Have some doubts? If yes, then this post is definitely for you.
In the year 2019, I took a bold step. I quit my high-paying job just to get my master’s in tourism and hospitality (I love the tourism industry and have served it for years).
And just like any other aspiring Indian student, I was fascinated by those European universities with their fancy architecture and manicured campuses. Guess what? I applied and what do you know, I got the offer letter too.
Yay! 3 Not really. My parents disapproved of me going to Spain. Yes, we Indians have to get our parents’ permission even in our 30s. What am I talking about? not mention I was thirty by then (33 now)? Yes, I was in my thirties and wanted to make it big. I wanted to live out my abroad fantasies and Blah Blah!!
And what is the next best thing you do when you have had a traumatizing moment in your life?
You travel. Yes, just like a Bollywood movies female lead, I booked my ticket to Delhi, took my backpack, and straight-headed towards my solo road trip to the astounding hidden gem of the Himalayas: The Spiti Valley:
Now the journey begins!
It was a 7-day road trip. I booked a group of solo female travelers whom I had never met in my entire life.
So here we are, seven women from extremely different states in India, waiting in the lounge for the bus that will take us to Shimla.
Yes, that is the same route we follow, but we took a night halt at almost every beautiful spot along the route.
After a 14-hour long drive from Delhi to Manali, I finally reached Narkanda. What a relief! And what a start to my solo road trip!
Day one: Narkanda, Aaramgarh
No words for such a beautifully well maintained and well-managed farm stay. All you could see was greenery, mountains, and, of course, the mouth-watering apple trees.
The first thing that popped into my mind after seeing thousands of orchid trees was “Woly Sh***.”
And the breathtaking morning view was a luxury for someone like me who lives in a 49-degree, highly polluted region of India.
And now hold your breath to see this mysterious MAN-MADE LAKE. Yes, the below lake is MAN-MADE. Can you believe it? I didn’t and I couldn’t still.
Tani Jubbar Lake looks exactly like a romantic scene from a Bollywood movie whose shooting was done outdoors. India is no less beautiful than any foreign destination. It’s just that you have to keep on exploring new places.
The Aha Moment
Believe me, as a Twilight Movie aficionado. I felt like I was Bella, looking forward to it in the dense long trees.
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The very first selfie of mine with strangers turned friends and fellow women travelers.
And the best part is the food!
In a hippy cafe, we stopped by and fed ourselves.
Day two
Sangla “The Sangla Mornings”
Sangla Valley, one of the most attractive valleys in the Kinnaur District, is an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. It’s called after a lovely hamlet of the same name. Even though we didn’t stay there for very long as we had a couple of locations to cover in limited time, even those 30 minutes were worth a lifetime memory.
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So we started our day trip after a delicious breakfast, visiting the local places, and then came back to our camps.
Again, I was lucky to eat the food that makes you go dancing.
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Day 3: Chitkul, “The Last Village of India”
It is India’s final village because Tibet begins after that. The village is on the India-Tibet border.
You may have visited numerous hill stations in your life, but one spot stands out above the rest: Chitkul. This is one of the most beautiful sites you’ve ever seen. Chitkul, hidden in the Himalayan foothills, is known as India’s “Last Village.” Chitkul is most renowned for its enthralling beauty and bucolic setting. The attractive position and scenic features of the area are what attract visitors.
Trust me, we went crazy taking pictures and highlighting in our story “The Last Village of India”.
A little bragging never hurt anyone, right?
And the lady with the ship?
I became a fan of this lady in the below picture. She was so cute to come and ask me, “Can I take a picture with you?” Awww. I said, of course, and look at her smile just by getting clicked by a camera.
I don’t even remember the last time I smiled like this. When I got my new laptop, umm, Nah! Not really.
Anyway, the important thing I learned that day was that I was going to find a reason to smile in the tiniest of moments. And guess what? I FAILED.
See, it is fine to be not so happy and lucky all the time. It is fine, but we should always try to improve every day.
When you improve a little every day, eventually big things occur. “-John Worden
Day 5
Hotel Deyzor “A sweet killing monster”
Yes, because the food was so delicious that anyone who didn’t lose weight felt like they were in hell.
It was yummy.
And also in their book collection are the handwritten letters of famous people.
Astonishing! treat for a book worm like me
Once a reader, always a reader.
Day 6
The POST OFFICE “SIKKIM
In today’s world, where everything is digital, such things keep you grounded and bring you closer to these long-forgotten treasures.
The Hiking Feast
People go hiking for mountain views, expeditions, and possibly even Instagram stories, but we went hiking just to eat that deliciously made food from the “Iranian Lady” we met there.
This is delicious food cooked with love. Here we had the luxury of such food when you can’t even accept a normal range of food.
Rosy Aunty, “the star of the day.” She was nice to make such a delightful treat for us.
Day 7: Chicham “The Bridge, the village walk and the old house
During a village walk, you come across the oldest house and its owner, who is showing you their prized possessions and an old pot used for cooking food. You feel thankful for your life when you meet such happy and sweet people. No words for his hospitality and kindness.
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Chesham Bridge is home to Spicy. The bridge, which stands at a dizzying height of 13596 feet, joins the communities of Chicham and Kibber. If you look down this one, you’ll find yourself gazing at a 1000-foot-deep gorge! The gorge below is known as Samba Lamba Nallah; the construction of this bridge shortens the travel from Kibber to Losar by 40 kilometers.
Let’s move on to another spot.
DAY 8
kUNZUM Pass “Snowy Scene”
The mountains were blanketed in snow, and it looked exactly like ice cream to me, as I adore ice cream.
Day 9
Chandratal lake, “The Essence of Spicy Valley
As they say, the best one is saved for the last, and we did exactly that. We saved it for the last spot.
The camping was at a height of 14000 ft. The food was great, and we had lakeside camping.
Its source is the glacier at Baralacha Pass, but how the water travels from the glacier to the lake is a mystery in itself. Chandratal is believed to be named after Chandra and Suraj Taal after Bhaga, who is the son of the sun god.
Chandratal, literally meaning “lake of the moon,” is believed to have been named so due to its crescent shape. Its water source, however, is not the only mystifying fact about this lake. There is also a beautiful tale of two lovers who decided to meet at the Baralacha Pass and merge into each other to remain one forever.
And that is how we ended our road trip. I went on a road trip based on a compulsive reaction towards my parents’ disapproval, but it turned out to be the best trip of my life so far. Of course, it is the best, but not the last, as I want to travel the world and I will.
Final words
When you think of a solo trip, it kind of feels like a new thing to you in the beginning, as we all have that very first experience before we become travel junkies.
I know it can be scary the first time as we do not know what to expect.
And especially for us women, we know the biggest concern we have for a road trip is
Where the hell did I go pee? And what if it is unhygienic? Should I have to pee in the open?
No, you do not have to pee in public, but you should be able to use a public restroom, which can be a nightmare for any woman.
But that’s okay because such trivialities are the essence of a trip, right? I mean, imagine what it would have looked like if we had comfortably begun and ended a journey.No seriously, No flat tire, no trouble with our blader, no cash at times. No, it’s not boring!
So just accept everything as a part of your first solo trip. Learn from it and don’t stop there.
Some journeys can only be traveled alone.
I am sure I motivated you guys enough to take out your bag and go on a solo trip.
Share your experience in the comments. I would love to hear from you.
