Chandigarh, Chandigarh, IndiaAfter 4 days and 2700 kms, I'm finally ready to "begin" my trip. I am in Chandigarh, the gateway to the state I am going to explore this time - Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh is one of the most touristy of states. Hordes of Indians invade this state , especially in the summer months. They all go to Shimla, Kulu and Manali and go back. Little surprise that I am going to none of these places !
My romp is going to largely be in the rugged, exotic and wonderful districts of Kinnaur & Spiti. These are the high mountains and some of the highest altitude human habitations anywhere in the world. They have now become a magnet for the seasoned traveller, although the average holiday maker does not come here. Spiti is contiguous to Ladakh but more barren, more wild and with incredible mountains and landscapes. Its a cold desert. Tibetan Buddhism predominates. Kinnaur , by contrast is green even though these are high mountains as well. These are where the best apples in India are grown (and this is the harvest season)! Large parts of it border China. Both districts will be freezing cold, even now (in winter they are often not reachable and buried in snow) My car is heaving with all the heavy woolens I possess. Its hot now in the plains, and so if anybody opens the boot of my car and sees all the stuff, he'll shake his head in disbelief !
Tomorrow, I'll enter the state and go to the only "touristy" place I will visit this time. A place where a Holy Man resides and one I want to go to. Its in the opposite direction to Kinnaur and Spiti, but I'll take a couple of days to touch that place and then move on to Kinnaur.
The Himalayas beckon.
RampiK
2018-09-16
Looks like you’re having a great trip!
MCS
2018-09-16
Have a great and safe trip Ramesh, look forward to your travelogue
Vishal
2018-09-16
How high you plan to be :P
M N. Ravi
2018-09-16
Ramesh, have a safe trip ! Nice write ups. Best to you. Ravi
Shachi
2018-09-16
I have a month off in June next summer and was thinking of Ladakh. This travelogue will help me finalize my itinerary. Thank you :)!! Himalayas are going to be amazing. I’ve read some blogs on Spiti - some friends have visited in recent past. Wishing you a fun and adventurous journey.
Emma
2018-09-17
Wow! So Himachal it is! Enjoy and be safe.
Rajesh Tiwari
2018-09-17
have a wonderful trip sir.. a road trip to spiti and ladakh is something every road lovers dreams of..
The Milion Miler
2018-09-17
Drive safe.
indigoite
2018-09-17
@ Rampi - Thanks for dropping by. Trip is just starting !
indigoite
2018-09-17
@MCS / Ravi - Thanks for stopping by and your wishes. How did you come to know of this !!
indigoite
2018-09-17
@Vishal - Hopefully 4000 mtrs or so
indigoite
2018-09-17
@Shachi - A whole month in India ? Nice. Have fun yourself. AND WRITE A BLOG :)
indigoite
2018-09-17
@Emma - Indeed its Himachal . Skipped Ladakh - has become way too popular !
indigoite
2018-09-17
@Kiwi - Thanks man
indigoite
2018-09-17
@Rajesh - Yes, these parts are much favoured by road travellers. Especially bikers. I'm sure I'll meet scores of bikers in Spiti. There are some crazy guys who are even bicycling !!
Emma
2018-09-17
Ramesh, but you must do Ladakh. Do the off-peak season if you must, but the place is a must do atleast once in life.
indigoite
2018-09-17
@Emma - You've obviously been to Ladakh. Yes, its a great place, but fascinated by Spiti more. Maybe some other day !
Dada
2018-09-17
Mwahahahahahaha
Sandhya Sriram
2018-09-18
Finally the suspense reveals... we are gonna get to see beautiful pics and get some real feel writeups of some amazing places which we may never dare to visit....yipppeee
indigoite
2018-09-18
@Dada - Mwahahahahaha back :)
indigoite
2018-09-18
@Sandhya - What do you mean "never dare to visit". S will bring you here one day !!
Anne in Salem
2018-09-19
Such marvelous adventures ahead. Most envious!
indigoite
2018-09-19
@Anne - If you right a blog about any of your travels, I will be the one envious !
Suja
2018-09-19
How interesting! You are visiting places I have never even thought to visit! I'll enjoy my armchair travels for sure :)
indigoite
2018-09-20
@Suja - Oh; you have bn to more exotic places ! But glad to have you following my trip.
Vincy
2018-09-26
I was supposed to be on a trek to Hampta Pass which also covers Spiti valley in July 2018. Circumstances threw a big surprise and i couldn't make it. happy to be seeing those places through you.
Gils
2018-09-28
Recent a Rajinikanth went there aduthu namma thala.. HP has hit the jackpot in tourism map
indigoite
2018-09-28
@Vincy - Really ? Hampta Pass ? What other hidden talents do you have that we don't know. I am totally bowled over.
indigoite
2018-09-28
@Gilsu - How do you know where Rajnikanth goes ?
Gils
2018-09-28
It was headline news
Vinod
2018-10-03
China border with HP at Kinnaur - must be an interesting confluence of cultures! Someday, i too shall!