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Old 13th March 2018, 17:12   #16
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re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

At Keylong town.

Problem with my friends was, they wanted to stick to pre-planned itinerary religiously. As per our itinerary, we were going to visit some temple in Udaipur Village.

I came up with a new idea. We were just 70 Kms away from mighty Baralacha Pass. We had an entire day, as our next night stay was also at the same hotel in Keylong.Instead of going to some temple, I proposed to visit BaralachLa Pass. During 2012 none of them been to Leh, none of them knew the magic of Leh- Manali road.

But, They Rejected my proposal, by three against two votes.

So, next morning, we went to visit Triloknath Dham in Pattan Valley.

Triloknath Dham.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-170.jpg

Triloknath Dham Temple.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-171.jpg

Udaipur Village.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-172.jpg

Pattan Valley.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-173.jpg

Late evening we came back to our hotel. There was a small farm just behind our Hotel. We had our dinner at that farm with a campfire. Next day morning was our last day of the trip. We were going to end our trip at Manali.

But, but before that We had to cross mighty Rohtang Pass.

Evening View from the farm.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-174.jpg

Keylong to Manali is just 120Km. Google baba says its just a 4-hour drive. I had a hard time convincing my friends that it's not just a four hours drive. If we get stuck in deadly traffic of Rohtang crazy tourist. It could take more than 12 hours to reach Manali. No one was listening to me. They wanted a relaxing late start from Keylong.

I wanted to start at 0500 just to avoid those Rohtang crazy tourist rush. Finally, we decided to move at 0645.

"A Big Mistake."

Last edited by SJM1214 : 13th March 2018 at 18:50.
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Old 13th March 2018, 17:31   #17
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re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

To Manali.

We started for Manali from Keylong at 0800.

The road to Rohtang Pass was rough but traffic less, within 2 hours we were at Rohtang top. It was 1000. There were very few tourists at Rohtang Top.

We started from Keylong.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-175.jpg

Rohtang Top.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-176.jpg

Yes. I, myself am an Alcohol Enthusiast, but this is not a proper way to discard your empty bottles.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-177.jpg

Tourists less Rohtang top at 1000.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-178.jpg

View from Rohtang Top.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-179.jpg

We spent more than half hour at Rohtang top. I was worried about another side of Rohtang Pass.

I was worried.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-196.jpg

It was cold at Rohtang Top.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-198.jpg

Exercise makes you warm.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-197.jpg

After one hour, we started getting down from Rohtang Top to Manali. We met two bikers, they were struggling in mud.

We asked them...
"whats up, hows the road ahead?"

They answered...
" very bad, with a big traffic jam"

There was indeed a big traffic jam. The road was in bad condition, the caravan of IOCL tankers and military supply trucks were making it worst. Motorcyclists were struggling to make way from that mud. A long queue of tourist vehicle was on both sides of the road.

Two Bikers.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-195.jpg

Start of Traffic Jam.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-180.jpg

This was just a beginning.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-190.jpg

IOCL tankers.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-191.jpg

Traffic Jam.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-192.jpg

Traffic Jam.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-193.jpg

It took us 5 hours to reach Palchan Village. Palchan was just 11kms from Manali. Still, we took 2 hours to reach Manali. All of us were tired. At 1930, we checked in at a hotel in Manali.

Frist View of Palchan Village.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-199.jpg

Welcome to Manali.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-200.jpg

We checked in at a hotel. View from the hotel room at Manali.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-201.jpg

Last edited by SJM1214 : 13th March 2018 at 18:52.
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Old 13th March 2018, 18:07   #18
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re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

At Manali & end of the Trip.

Our Volvo to Delhi was at 1800 and our flight, Delhi to Ahmedabad was at 1300 next day. We had an entire day in Manali.

We hired one Sumo(we were 5) and went to Solang Valley for Paragliding.

Paragliding at Solang Valley.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-205.jpg

Paragliding at Solang Valley.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-206.jpg

After Paragliding at Solang Valley, we asked our driver to rush to Kullu. We had breakfast en route Kullu. We reached Kullu and did water rafting. I never miss a chance to do water rafting. It's always fun.

Water Rafting in Beas river.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-207.jpg

Water Rafting in Beas river.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-208.jpg

At Beas River.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-209.jpg

I read somewhere about a Himalaya crazy Russian named Nicholas Roerich.

Nicholas Roerich, a reputed artist had chosen Naggar(HP) as his residence when he came to India in 1929. The house has now been converted into an art gallery. We visited Roerich House. Did some shopping at one of the factory outlets at Kullu and headed back to Manali. It was time to board in our Volvo To Delhi.

View of Kullu from Roerich House.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-202.jpg

View of Naggar Village.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-203.jpg

Roerich House.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-204.jpg

At Naggar Village.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-202.1.jpg

Next day, we reached Delhi and boarded in our flight to Ahmedabad.

A new Delhi every day.
Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue-del.jpg


"The End"

Last edited by SJM1214 : 13th March 2018 at 18:54.
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Old 13th March 2018, 23:16   #19
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re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!
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Old 14th March 2018, 10:33   #20
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Re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

Let me thank you for giving us an opportunity to experience such a visual delight.

Loved the way you have captured the terrain.

Thank you once again.
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Old 14th March 2018, 10:39   #21
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Re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

Quote:
Originally Posted by SJM1214 View Post

Spiti!?
Many thanks SJM1214 for this wonderful write up. Amazing photographs accompanied by a crisp but great write up.

Apologies for following stupid questions!!

I understand you mentioned that this is around 5 years old journey, will you be able to recall & Share the tariffs that the Cabs (TT & Sumo) Charged you?
Any hints what might be tariffs today, If I were to do it this year.

Any specific reasons to chose a TT for Delhi-Shimla drive? Can your entire trip be done by a TT? Asking this because I have a joint family of 6 Adults & 3 toddlers. SO we wont fit in one car. TT seems a viable option. So even if my Brother's family ditches this trip out, My parents under no circumstances will allow me to take my car there, if they are along. They will insist me to enjoy the trip with them rather than stressing out myself while driving.

Saurabh
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Old 14th March 2018, 11:13   #22
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Re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

Quote:
Originally Posted by prithm View Post
Loved the way you have captured the terrain.
Thanks, prithm.

Quote:
Originally Posted by saurabh2711 View Post
Many thanks SJM1214 for this wonderful write up.
Thanks, saurabh2711

Quote:
Share the tariffs that the Cabs (TT & Sumo) Charged you?
I don't remember the exact rates of Tata Sumo. However, it was on per Km bases. Nowadays, taxi operators in Leh and Spiti region don't operate on Per km bases. They quote for packages like Shimla- Kaza- Shimla or Shimla-Manali.

Quote:
Any hints what might be tariffs today, If I were to do it this year.
Currently, TT rates for Delhi to Shimla is Rs.15/Km( with AC, However they will switch off Ac in the hilly area)

Quote:
Any specific reasons to chose a TT for Delhi-Shimla drive?
It was a mistake. An Innova makes more sense for 5 persons. Back then, we didn't think much and hired the first vehicle we saw at Delhi Airport.

Quote:
Can your entire trip be done by a TT?
Yes, I have seen many TTs on this route, even on Manali-Leh and Leh Pangong routes. Chandra Tal can be a bit tricky for a TT. Shimla to Manali (Via Kaza) can be done by a TT easily.

Last edited by SJM1214 : 14th March 2018 at 11:30. Reason: Minor change
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Old 14th March 2018, 14:30   #23
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Re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

Hi,

Awesome pics, just want to check is it possible to share the itinerary, I plan to go.

Thanks,
Naveen
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Old 14th March 2018, 14:46   #24
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Re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

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Originally Posted by dsnaveen21 View Post
Hi,
Awesome pics, just want to check is it possible to share the itinerary, I plan to go.
Thanks, dsnaveen21.

Please check your personal message at Team-BHP. I sent you a rough itinerary, which I designed for one of my friend's Spiti trip(Ahmedabad to Ahmedabad by SUV). Please note that status of Kunzum pass is very crucial for Shimla to Manali route.
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Old 17th March 2018, 14:55   #25
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Re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

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Originally Posted by SJM1214 View Post
Please .... route.
Awesome travelogue! Read in one go.

Ladakh, Kinnaur and Spiti have always been on my must drive to list but plans have not materialized till date.

Are all the routes you took on your trip doable in an Innova?

Last edited by Shanksta : 17th March 2018 at 14:58.
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Old 17th March 2018, 15:10   #26
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Re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

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Originally Posted by Shanksta View Post
Awesome travelogue! Read in one go.
Thanks, Shanksta.

Quote:
Are all the routes you took on your trip doable in an Innova?
These routes are very much doable even with a hatch. Altos and Swifts are extensively used by locals on this routes. Innova is one the best cars for this route.
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Old 17th March 2018, 22:40   #27
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Re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

I was just planning and getting confused between doing a road trip to Nepal or to Spiti valley, and boom!! pops up your Tlog. I guess I've pretty much made up my mind now.

Kudos to you for being able to pen down a Tlog about a journey you embarked on 5 yrs back. I may not have as many days at disposal as you had or a car with a GC as high as yours, but still I'm hopeful that none of these factors will play spoilsport.

Loved your travelogue
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Old 19th March 2018, 11:07   #28
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Re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

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Originally Posted by Avalanche2409 View Post
Spiti valley, I guess I've pretty much made up my mind now.
All the very best for the trip!

Quote:
I may not have as many days at disposal as you had or a car with a GC as high as yours, but still I'm hopeful that none of these factors will play spoilsport.
IMHO, ten days are enough to cover this circuit. This circuit can be done easily by a hatch or Sedan. Higher GC is not a must.

Quote:
Loved your travelogue
Thanks, Avalanche2409
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Old 19th March 2018, 21:12   #29
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Re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

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Originally Posted by SJM1214 View Post

IMHO, ten days are enough to cover this circuit.
Well, I'll do the journey in fragments and not in a single stretch. My hometown is Shimla and village is near Rampur so I guess I can do multiple trips to all these places esp. Chitkul and Kaza which I haven't done before.
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Old 20th March 2018, 16:15   #30
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Re: Lahaul and Spiti : A Photologue

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Originally Posted by SJM1214 View Post
Thanks, Shanksta.

These routes are very much doable even with a hatch. Altos and Swifts are extensively used by locals on this routes. Innova is one the best cars for this route.
Nice pictorial sirjee, enjoyed!

The last leg near Manali, looks so mentally draining.

I am sure these tracks are doable on heavy'ish tourer motorcycle; but on the scale of 1-10 (10 being the toughest), how much would you rate the difficulty level of Lahual and Spiti for an experienced rider?
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