Mountains, Miles & Moments: Tushar and Srishti’s Unforgettable Spiti Adventure with Thrillophilia
The idea started over a coffee catch-up. Srishti and I, old college buddies who turned travel addicts, were flipping through photos from our last trek in Himachal, earlier this summer. With snow-capped peaks glowing on the screen and wanderlust in our hearts, one name came up again and again—Spiti.
I looked at her and said, “It’s time.”
She asked, “Half-circuit?”
“Absolutely.” I nodded with excitement
And just like that, we booked our Spiti Half-Circuit Tour with Thrillophilia, a travel company that promised not just a trip but an experience—and it was the best decision we ever made.
Whispers of Manali
The journey began with an overnight bus ride, around 12-14 hours from Delhi to Manali, leaving behind the chaos of the city. When we reached Manali, the crisp mountain breeze felt like a splash of freedom.
The next day, we started exploring and visited the iconic Hadimba Temple, nestled among towering cedar trees. With its sloping pagoda-style roof and stunning surroundings, it felt like stepping into an old Himachali legend. From there, we headed to the Tibetan Monastery, where spinning prayer wheels and the stunning murals were present.
Later, we strolled through Van Vihar National Park and rented a paddleboat, laughing as we zigzagged clumsily across the tiny lake. The evening was spent exploring a small café in Old Manali with fairy lights, live music, and the smell of wood-fired pizza.
Journey into the Rugged: Manali to Kaza via Kunzum La
The next morning was a ride I’ll never forget. We were headed toward Kaza, and the drive via Kunzum La at 4550 meters was equal parts surreal and thrilling. As we crossed the Atal Tunnel, the landscapes became more dramatic with bare cliffs, snow patches, wild turns, and riverbeds that looked untouched for centuries. Next, at Kunzum La, one of the highest motorable passes, we got off, folded our hands at the small temple, and let the cold wind wake us up completely. By the time we reached Kaza, the terrain had completely changed from green hills to lunar-like slopes and brown desert cliffs.
A Day of Monasteries, Fossils & Quiet Villages
We spent the next day exploring the villages and monasteries that define Spiti’s soul. Key Monastery was our first stop—a stunning fortress of white and red, perched like it was guarding the whole valley. We sat with the monks for a few minutes, sipping butter tea and taking in the view from the rooftop. From there, we went to Kibber, a tiny village that looked frozen in time.
We were invited to a local family’s home, where they served us hot thukpa, and we talked about winters, yaks, and how silence is a way of life there. Then, we went to Langza, home to a 30-foot Buddha statue looking out across the valley. We also found a fossil in the rocks, a spiral imprint of something that lived millions of years ago. And then came our final stop, Hikkim, where we wrote postcards to our friends and family from the world’s highest post office.
In the Lap of Legends: Dhankar & Pin Valley
The drive to Dhankar Monastery was very cinematic. Built into a cliff, it seemed to defy gravity. Upon reaching, we went inside and witnessed the old murals and clay walls whispering stories from another era. From there, we moved into Pin Valley, a surreal place offering stunning views, and we sat for a long time on a rock, just watching the landscape breathe.
That was the moment I realised: this wasn’t just a vacation. It was healing.
Blue Mirrors and Starry Nights: Chandratal to Sissu
Leaving Kaza felt like leaving a part of ourselves behind. But the road ahead held something special—Chandratal Lake. Getting there was an adventure in itself. Narrow dirt roads, sudden streams, and endless silence. But when we finally reached the lake, I was speechless. The water was glassy, reflecting snow-capped peaks and a sky that seemed almost too blue. Later, we sat by the lake for what felt like hours. No photos, no talking—just watching the light change on the water. By nightfall, we arrived in Sissu, a quiet village in the Lahaul region. We lay in bed, watching the stars through the window, both of us too moved to speak much.
Back to Where It All Began
Our final day was a soft goodbye. The descent was slower, almost reluctant. We stopped for chai at a roadside stall, sharing it with fellow travellers who swapped stories of river crossings and landslides. By the evening, we boarded the overnight bus to Delhi.
A Journey Etched in Us
As we reached Delhi the next morning, I asked Srishti, “Do you think we’ll ever go back?"
She nodded. “Definitely. But next time… full circuit.”
Spiti wasn’t just an experience; it was the memories, landscapes, and quiet moments that stitched themselves into our hearts—raw, real, and unforgettable. We returned with hundreds of photos, but the real souvenirs were the people we met, the peace we found, and the parts of ourselves we discovered.
Back home, as we sorted our memories into albums, Srishti smiled and said, “We didn’t just visit Spiti… we lived it.”
And I nodded, already dreaming of the next ride into the mountains.
Read More:
Thrillophilia Spiti Reviews