Chasing Dreams on Two Wheels: Suman’s Spiti Trip Review with Thrillophilia
“On two wheels, I danced with the winds of Spiti, the road ahead vanished into the sky, and I found freedom in the wild beauty that stunned my soul.
Every mile was a verse, every peak a silent witness to the journey within; each curve, a brushstroke on the canvas of my adventure.”
The mighty Himalayas have always called me, at regular intervals, in times when I needed to heal the most. One night, laying on my bed, I was listening to Salman Elahi and a line struck me,
‘Mera dil, kahin dur pahadon mein kho gaya, usko mile hue mujhko toh arsa ho gaya’.
I realised that it has been quite a few months since I took my last vacation to the mountains. Durga Puja was round the corner and I knew exactly where I wanted to go for a retreat, before the festivities began to take over my entire schedule.
It was my forever dream to hit the roads of Spiti on a two wheeler and let the Himalayas have all of me. But I knew this journey required more than just heart- it needed experience and a sense of safety. That's why I chose Thrillophilia for my adventure, joining a group that would offer not just guidance but companionship.
From the moment I met my fellow riders and our road captains, Maneet Thapa and Rajan Siddhu, I felt at home on the road. Rajan’s advice at the first briefing stuck with me: "The mountains demand respect, not speed. We ride not just with passion, but with wisdom." I was handed the keys to my companion for the next nine days– a KTM 390 Adventure.
Its roar was a promise of the freedom that lay ahead. The mountains had opened their doors, and the adventure had just begun!
Into the Apple-Scented Winds of Narkanda…
Our first stretch toward Narkanda, with its apple orchards and towering deodar trees, felt like riding into a dream.
The fresh mountain air, scented with apple blossoms, was intoxicating as we sped past Himachal's fruit bowl. Maneet’s local tales, shared over the roar of our bikes, added to the magic of the ride. Stopping at Hatu Peak to enjoy some breathtaking views, I realised this was just the beginning of the connection growing between all of us- a bond formed by shared roads and experiences.
That Last Village
"In the wilderness, I find something more dear and connate than in streets or villages."
As we took a diversion from Karcham, towards Chitkul, the last village of India, I couldn’t help but gaze at the transformation of landscapes- from lush to rugged. I felt I was nearing the end of the world but the surrounding beauty and the mighty Sutlej running parallel was consuming every bit of me.
Chitkul, located on the Indo-China Border was everything I had imagined- a serene, isolated village where time seemed to stand still.
Sitting at “Hindustan ka Akhri Dhaba,” the last eatery of India, with a simple meal of daal and roti, I soaked in the humbling remoteness of this place, feeling deeply connected to the earth and sky.
A Sacred Morning View
"The Kinnaur Kailash is said to be where Lord Shiva resides, and it is believed that he dances atop this sacred mountain, blessing all who seek him.", Maneet shared local folklore that echoed in the crisp morning air.
I stood in complete awe as I watched the first light of dawn kissing the Kinnaur Kailash peak. Kalpa truly brought me face-to-face with the divine. Watching the Shivling atop the peak change colours as the sun climbed higher, I was reminded of the fleeting yet eternal beauty of these mountains.
In that golden morning, I found a peace unlike any I had ever known. "Om Namah Shivaya," I chanted, with a complete disbelief of what I had just witnessed.
Into the Heart of Spiti
‘Get ready for the most exhilarating and exhausting leg of this journey’, shouted Rajan as we hit the road towards Kaza.
It was truly every essence of the adventure- The narrow mountain passes tested our endurance, but with our captain leading and the safety vehicle always nearby, we rode on, confident and eager to explore the heart of Spiti.
We stopped at Tabo, ‘The Ajanta of the Himalayas’ and it took a moment for me to process what I was seeing in front of me. The breathtaking architecture and ancient statues, embodied centuries of Buddhist art. At Key Monastery, the calm faces of the monks and the soothing chants offered a respite, reminding of the wisdom and peace that dwell in these high altitudes.
And then it was…the Lake of Dreams
I have always longed to sit by the banks of Chandratal, all alone and simply appreciating the beauty of the Himalayas. So, of course it had to be the most enchanting part of my journey.
As we reached the lake, the sight that unfolded before me was nothing short of a dream. The still waters of Chandratal reflected the surrounding peaks like a mirror, creating a perfect symmetry between earth and sky.
The plan was to spend the night camping under the stars, but the weather had other plans. A sudden snowfall on September 29th threatened to disrupt the experience. Yet, Maneet and Rajan’s quick decision to stay back and camp at Tenzin’s made all the difference.
The snowfall, instead of a hindrance, turned into a magical experience. The snow blanketed everything in white, and as we gathered around a campfire, stories were shared under the starlit sky.
The Road Back
As I journeyed back towards Manali, I couldn't help but feel a bittersweet mix of emotions. I tried to ignore the roar of my bike fading into the city’s hum but knew that the Himalayas had changed me, a lot.
Spiti had carved a space in my heart and made me aware that boundaries are not the ones created by external forces, but the ones that we create inside us!
My heart, like the nooks of the Himalayas, would safely hold the stories of this adventure with love, forever and always!
Read more: Thrillophilia Spiti Reviews