The Road to Stillness: Tushar’s Spiti Valley Trip with Thrillophilia

Life has its own way of nudging you when you need it the most. One late evening, Tushar got into a casual conversation over chai with his friend.

They both shared their long lost dream to visit the Spiti Valley. It was a difficult decision for Tushar to leave everything and go on a vacation. Soon, they connected with Thrillophilia, and it indeed, as Tushar said, exceeded all their expectations.

A Slow Beginning

After about 10-12 hours of the bus journey, they reached Manali. The town was alive with the hustle and bustle of travellers and the chill mountain air. There, the Hadimba Temple, the Buddhist Monastery, and the Van Vihar gave them a strange sense of peacefulness. 

They spent the evening in Old Manali, where they sat by the river and watched the world pass by. The silence around was full of ease.

The Road to Kaza

Day 2 was when the real adventure started. As the vehicle passed through the Atal Tunnel and reached Lahaul, the entire scenery changed. The sky was stretching as far as the eye could see, and the mountains were all around them.

Tushar and his friend stopped at Chatru and Batal to admire the rough settlements against the barren landscape. But it was Kumzum Pass that took their breath away with its astonishing beauty. At Losar, they even took a tea break, where a local woman shared her story of living through six winters in the village.

Their trip was a complete contrast the next day. Tushar and his friend found themselves in some of the highest villages in Asia - Komik, Hikkim, and Langza. Each of these villages looked like a canvas painted with clouds, prayer flags, and serene beauty. 

In Komik, they stepped into a centuries-old monastery where the monk handed them butter tea and stories. Outside, a young boy approached Tushar with a handmade star map. Hikkim gave them a reminder of how far they have reached - literally. At the highest post office in the world, Tushar wrote a postcard to his future self. 

At Langza, the giant Buddha statue overlooked the village, with valleys spreading all across. They sat by the statue and spoke to a local monk. As the day came to a close, Tushar and his friend reached Key Monastery. It was the time of sunset when the entire valley was painted in copper and gold, and the air was filled with the prayer chants of the monks. 

According to Tushar: “The views throughout the trip were nothing short of spectacular, with awe-inspiring landscapes and tranquil environments at every turn.”

The Balance

The ancient walls of Tabo Monastery held murals that still looked alive. Since the monastery was over a thousand years old, it was drenched in silence and devotion. Tushar sat on the floor and stared at the dim frescoes by candlelight.

Dhankar Monastery was hanging like a nest on a cliffside. It was another peaceful place where they strolled for some time and left for the Pin Valley. 

As they reached the valley, they found the region to be barren but beautiful in its own way. In the Mudh Village, children chased each other through narrow lanes while a solar-powered school buzzed with energy. 

Tushar expressed his gratitude to the Thrillophilia team: “Our guide, Tenzin, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the region, offering insightful information and ensuring we made the most of our visit. Captain Jitender was equally commendable, expertly navigating us through challenging terrain with skill and ensuring our safety and comfort at all times.”

Stillness of Chandratal

The next day was full of surprises for the duo. Chandratal Lake, which is often called the Moon Lake, welcomed them in absolute silence. 

The lake glittered like a portal to another world. It reflected the peaks, the sky, and something within them. Tushar and his friend walked to the edge, sat on a flat stone, and stayed there for hours.

They observed that the clouds shifted every now and then, and changed the colour of the lake from silver to sapphire to glass. 

By the evening, they made their way to Sissu. While having their dinner, they scrolled through photos, and each image brought a scent, a laugh, a question, and a silence.

The silence stayed with them. So did the stillness.

In Tushar’s words: “This tour was a perfect blend of natural beauty, excellent service, and thoughtful planning.”

Read More: Thrillophilia Spiti Reviews