Into the Heart of Himalayas- My first Bike Ride to Spiti Valley

Today, I am eager to recount an embarking experience that is not only a "must-share" but also a truly extraordinary journey, marked by challenges, awe-inspiring landscapes, and profound life lessons.

A year ago I went on a 10 day Super Non-Leisure, adventure filled arduous bike ride to Spiti Valley with my Husband and 11 other riders. My On-Bike journey as a "first time pillion rider" started from Chandigarh and we completed approx. 3000+Kms on our Motorcycle (Chandigarh-Spiti-Chandigarh). 10 days, 10 different cities, 10 different halts and 'n' number of lifetime experiences.

In this Blog I will be sharing travel experience of my motorcycle expedition to Spiti Valley, the hurdles faced during the bike ride to Spiti and the resilience required to conquer the Himalayan highs. And why am i sharing it? Because the life lessons that I learned & earned are something that can be useful to pursue in our personal as well as professional Life too.

The Place

Nestled between India and Tibet, the cold deserted, landlocked mountain valley "Spiti" has a unique vibe that made me almost awestruck. Spiti Valley is a remote and mystical destination that beckons adventurous souls and nature enthusiasts alike. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, ancient monasteries, and vibrant culture, Spiti Valley offers a unique and unforgettable experience for those willing to venture off the beaten path.

Surrounded by towering peaks and barren landscapes, this cold desert is characterized by high mountain ranges, deep gorges, and pristine rivers. Its altitude ranges from 3,600 to 4,500 meters, making it one of the highest inhabited regions on Earth.

To put it simply, Spiti is not just a place, it is a feeling!

The Hurdles

During our ride, taking risks became a habit, as each day was a different day of struggle with backaches, injuries, tiredness and yet every morning with the same passion & smile on our faces we left for the next destination on our bikes with the same level of energy & excitement with new on-road & Off-roading challenges like paved roads, gravels, rocks, boulder strewn & water crossings.

Not to mention the extreme weather conditions (rainfall, mild snowfall, heat) that we experienced altogether in a span of kilometers away with thankfully no landslides.

Speaking of Weather conditions, how can I not mention some of the adverse stay conditions that we experienced during our ride. Among the most challenging halts we experienced was our stay at Chandratal, at an altitude of 14,100 ft. This was by far the highest altitude that we had to halt in, gave us a tough time to stay in Thin layered tents with zero connectivity and freezing cold temperature dropping to as low as -5°C or more at night. There was a point at midnight where I woke up struggling to catch my breath due to the harsh combination of temperature and altitude. Scary as so, kept me up all night eagerly awaiting the break of dawn and the opportunity to move on from our picturesque yet daunting surroundings. In the darkness of that night, I found myself questioning the purpose of embarking on such a challenging journey, only to realize later the immense strength within me that I hadn't fully recognized before.

One key element during the ride was the connectivity & communication of all 13 riders with each other during the entire circuit of ride. We rode for a minimum 6-8 hours a day. The importance of connectivity among the riders, facilitated by Bluetooth SENA device installed in every helmet, not only ensured safety on treacherous roads but also fostered a sense of camaraderie within the group. This helped us to track and keep each other guided through the road traffic, warned of the road conditions and entertained us with silly jokes, discussions & laughter. This brought us closer as a group.

At times we had to route, de-route or make on-spot decisions for the path ahead. The collective decision-making process helped a lot, wherein everyone's opinions were valued, strengthened the bond among the riders, creating a shared experience that goes beyond the physical journey.

The Destination

As you can see in the above Picture, with all our tired but smiling faces we successfully managed to complete our ride milestone by traveling through the world's most treacherous roads, in the World's Highest Village (Komik,Kaza) connected with motorable road, to sending letter home from the world's highest Post Office (Hikkim) to peeking from the Asia's Highest Bridge (Chicham Bridge) and halting in the Last Inhabited Village of India (Chitkul) where the Indian roads end, this is nothing less than an achievement for me!

This Bike ride & the rugged terrain presented situations that taught me resilience and the ability to overcome adversity and come back stronger when we faced tough situations in the highest Altitude places like Shortness of Breath, nose bleeding and Altitude Sickness.

It made me a much humble person when we halted & did Home-stays in cities with the localites having limited access to everything and yet are peacefully enjoying their simple life to the fullest, encounters with such simplicity of life during home-stays added a layer of humility, emphasizing the beauty of a less cluttered existence. I now believe less is definitely more.

For those who are the planning for such rides for the first time, I would suggest the most important thing to pack with yourself for the ride is Absolute Willpower, Self-Confidence and the Never Give-Up attitude. The rest will come along and you will be through.

To give an insight of the cities & Places that we went, I am sharing a glimpse of the diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes that I encountered during the ride.. starting from Chandigarh our first halt to Rampur-Karcham Dam-Chitkul-TABO-NAKO-KAZA-Key Monastery-Hikkim-Langza-Komic-Chicham-Kunzum Pass-Chandratal lake-Manali back to Chandigarh.

At last I believe, Heaven lies in the unknown places, you just need passion to explore that.

This trip was my first as a pillion rider but certainly not the last, thanks to my husband for letting me have this lifetime experience with him. Who knows my next trip can be my first trip as a budding rider..;)

See y'all until my next ride blog ;)