[Altocumulus]

Great Travelogue as usual and brilliant pictures !! One can easily picture themselves to be there in person.

We are seriously contemplating shifting to Gurgaon for a year or two so that we can cover this stretch and the western part of the country. However am very very skeptical about taking our latest acquisition to Ladakh and Spiti, am sure you understand why. Let's see, plans are being cooked up for a more appropriate ride to be added to cover such circuits.

[rameshnanda]

Brilliant Travelogue. Thanks for the excellent photographs as well. Spiti Valley is still on my to do list. Your travelogue is now tempting me to go for it as soon as possible.

[Wanderers]

Great photography from Samba as usual. This is the benchmark at Team-BHP and constantly raising level. Truly, can't say much in words.
I would have loved to meet you in person in Delhi. I live next to predatorwheelz.

[//M]

Wonderful travelogue and brilliant photographs. Spiti has always been so fascinating !

During my motorcycling trip to Spiti in 2015, I had to skip Tashigang and Pin Valley due to time constraints sadly. But now, I am already planning my next Spiti trip in September this year. This time I hope to cover the Pin Valley, Gete - Tashigang sector and maybe also do the Kanamo Peak trek.

Sad that you had to miss Chandratal though. But then there is always a next time.

[PointZero]

Simply awesome Samba Da and team. Fantastic pictures and informative writing. Planned for many times for similar route but did not get a chance to pay visit. Thanks for sharing.

[ajmat]

Nice travelogue, we were also on a similar route a week later but it was a more demanding pace. You'll see it up soon!

[mi2n]

That was fast, fun and fantastic!


Captivating narration and mind blowing pics. Made for a wonderful read and made me think I shouldn't have taken the Lucknow exit.

[Samba]

Thanks a ton everyone for the appreciation's. Means a lot to me.

Originally Posted by Samba

From Langza our next destination was Hikkim. Hikkim has the world's highest post office at an altitude of 14,567 feet. Here we all took the privilege of writing a letter to our residence from the worlds highest post office. Hope to receive the post cards soon. This can be kept as a token.

Feeling happy to receive the letter yesterday!

Originally Posted by ALTIMAed

You mentioned the diesel cars suffered from turbo lag. Were they emitting black smoke due to rarefied air??

Not really, the turbo was kicking-in a bit late and cars were lacking power till the turbo kicked in. The clogged air-filters can be the culprit too.

Originally Posted by dsnaveen21

Awesome pictures Samba. It will be great if you can share all hotels name
where u stayed during trip - will follow the itinerary for Spiti trip.
Thanks for sharing.

Fagu - Hptdc
Kalpa - Hptdc
Tabo - Tow Dhey Hotel
Kaza - Spiti Valley
Manali - Ride Inn

All the hotels were up-to the mark and can be easily recommended.

Originally Posted by cp171185

@Samba

My boss happened to be in the same hotel at Kaza with you guys. He met & had some chat with you guys as well. He is a bong and from Hyderabad. He was carrying a camcorder.
I just told him, you met with this red group, dint you? Instantly he told yes, these two SUVs were leading the group!!

I heard you guys had a tough time with food at Kaza Hotel.. Never mind, travelling taught us a lot!

I can recall whom you are talking about! Please convey my regards to him as a fellow traveler!

Actually we stayed on that hotel for 3 nights. For the first day they provided us non-veg and on the very next day they gave veg food to a strictly non-veg group! So we asked them to get us something in non-veg and Mr Jamican who was taking care of us was a very friendly man. He immediately took care of it. No complaints.

Originally Posted by DBeast

One quick question though, did you change your tyres before this trip or what is the acceptable age of the tyres for the kind of terrains you encountered during your trip?

Cheers!

I traveled with my 40,000 km, 3 years old Yokohama Earth1. Before the trip you must ensure the tyres have healthy treads & there are no cuts or bulges. Its not necessary to go for new tyres. My tyres still had good grip and treads, so i continued with it and the tyres really held up well. Not even a single puncture.

Originally Posted by sayakc

Quick question: How is the stretch from Kunzum Pass to Manali? Some description will be beneficial (if you have already answered it the complete thread, please ignore answering my question)

You can check out this post.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ml#post4410545

Originally Posted by Wanderers

I would have loved to meet you in person in Delhi. I live next to predatorwheelz.

Ah, i didn't knew that! Will buzz you for sure when am at Delhi next time.

Originally Posted by ajmat

Nice travelogue, we were also on a similar route a week later but it was a more demanding pace. You'll see it up soon!

Thanks, great to know that. Will eagerly wait to read your travelogue.

Originally Posted by mi2n

and made me think I shouldn't have taken the Lucknow exit.

Waiting for your travelogue! Lets plan a trip together!

Took this screenshot from one of the video clippings shot by wifey at Kunzum top!

[hikersoul]

Awesome Narration with profound content sharing for anyone who hasn’t been there before.

Did you get the chance to do Bawa pass beyond Pin Valley?

[mpksuhas]

Another superb travelogue with great pics.

A long vacation with big group materializing itself is an achievement.

[SouraC]

Chal Chal Himachal Again: Sailed through Lahaul & Spiti in hatchback, sedan and SUV


This time I am relieved out of writing the Travelogue as our Primary Blogger is back in the team and that’s why my contribution will be an addition to an already complete and successful TL.

For 4 Familes with kids this is a continuation to our earlier Himachal Pradesh trip of 2016 Pujas where we have covered Kinnaur.

The story of that trip is also engrossing and you can find it in the below link:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...-cuv-thar.html

Although this time we are a bigger group with 15 adults and 5 kids but selection of time for the Trip is still guided by the summer holidays of the kids. At the same time we also wanted to touch some snow and test our capabilities with our beloved steeds.

Team introduction and itinerary is obviously not necessary after a TL is already live for few days, hence let’s start with a map of our route. It is from Kalpa to Manali covering almost all the routes we have travelled in Spiti.



Few teaser pic and video from my side of the trip-

https://youtu.be/SJSrLEj4IC8

https://youtu.be/4S7bqXfYkCo

With this I start sharing my part of the Picture stories.

[SouraC]

As writing my part of the story again can clutter the overall Travelogue, I am creating a Photologue for everyone to enjoy without much of reading, Still I will be adding some while sharing the below pictures and videos

I will try and stick to the flow of our journey:

Our Stay at Fagu was HPTDC Apple Blossom



First view of Snow Peaks



Colorful Tree at NH5



Enjoy the panoramic view of green Himachal



Lineup at the Bridge




A Drive to Enjoy

https://youtu.be/O9rZZ7sOwzw

Up Close. Here we come




Shaded road of Himachal

https://youtu.be/usg7CkwWXrw

Majestic View of Kinnaur Kailash



Night Photography should be always tried in Himachal but this time Kalpa was the only place where we have seriously tried it.



A 20 min Star Trail




Coming down from Kalpa, feels bad and you start missing the Kailash instantly

https://youtu.be/30x0s1k-pwE

Drive by the Mighty Sutlej







Too Big too Small



Snow peaks Playing Hide & Seek with us



Crossing a Cable Suspension Bridge with wooden block, enjoy the sound

https://youtu.be/YPFAUIyUheU

The Nako Lake, beautiful but development around the lake is killing the Natural Beauty



After visiting Nako Lake we got an information that The Gue Monastery gets closed by 5pm, hence a forced spirited drive to reach in time.

https://youtu.be/dgcS__rHWow

After reaching we came to know that in summers they keep it open till 8pm. Of course we missed a slow drive to enjoy the beauty around

The Mummy Monk



He currently lives in the small white room, soon to be transferred to his newly made Palace.



Steeds resting for a while as day end is still a bit far at Tabo



We left Sutlej a long time back and for next few days beauty of river will be portrayed by Spiti river



An unscheduled stop before the days end, which Came soon.




We reached Tabo before dark and was forced to stay in two different hotels at least 2 kms apart. We never knew this will become our fate for next few days.

[SouraC]

Next Day started with a quick visit to Tabo Monastery & I must admit is the most diverse looking Monastery I have ever visited in my life.

It is a must for everyone who visits Spiti as it offers around 1000 years old Mud made Monastery with hand painted interiors , sadly photography is not allowed.



After visiting we started our day, target Dhankar and Pin Valley before reaching Kaza.

Now the Snow Peaks are unable to hide from us







A Panorama of Spiti river from Dhankar Monastery, you can see the road towards Pin Valley





A view of New Dhankar Monastery



Moonland welcomed us soon after we came back towards Kaza

https://youtu.be/gD94H2goR_Y

A Panorama



Soon we crossed river spiti to proceed towards Mud Village, Pin Valley




Roads are bad, but we knew it even before we started planning for Spiti, so Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/fKh82_j9jZE

https://youtu.be/I_q-bqIGWnc

A patented Pin Valley view from Mud Village



Find the road to this place if you can



Nature at its best



Enjoy the vastness of Pin Valley



A day end Photo-shoot to praise our Chariots




Reached Kaza with lot of daylight left but the news of getting 8 rooms in 3 different Hotels made us Mad.

Now that is life where we always try to adjust just to get the bigger picture going, hence Manage.

We completed our dinner early and called it a day.

[SouraC]

Next day started with Show-off, a World Highest.



Kids with our Spiti Drive uniform



View from Key Monastery











Now that is barren, but look closely you will find Kibber Village in it




Snow Peak Photography




Reaching Tashigong

https://youtu.be/R53LbHUN1p8

Its Tashigong



Enjoying wind at Tashigong




Beauty is yours to find





Swift Photography (Extreme Group-ism)




Sedan Hatch Photography (Moderate Group-ism)




Now this is a Team




Its our time to Show-off our Tees (or Cars)




Competitors Together




Tashigong is also about Trail driving, there are quite a few & I took all of them easily while coming down in my Swift

https://youtu.be/R_jtj7xoN3Q

https://youtu.be/kb2IyxNfUGs

Blue Sheep somewhere in wild, found them while doing some trail driving




At Kibber gate, we had our stomach full at Kibber before going forward to Asia's Highest Bridge




Reaching Chicham Bridge

https://youtu.be/xEsw_-ke3rI

The Chicham Bridge




The Thin Samba Lamba stream on which the Bridge is made




The Famous Key Monastery from Far away



Key Monastery Up Close




World Highest started today but to end the same we have waited for another day to reach another Two of them.

[SouraC]

The next day started with couple of Panoramic photos


A Panoramic shot of Kaza




A Panorama of Spiti river valley




Wildlife




Langza






Scripted Stone




Langza Village




Road towards Hikkim




One Wild Friend (Bugs Bunny ??)




Reaching Hikkim

https://youtu.be/FYCgA3HxtQ8

Reaching World's Highest Post office is a challenge and it could have been easily another 100 ft higher.
You have to visit it to realize it




Samewhere before the Worlds Highest Motorable Village




Komic Village (Its only 3 mt lower than Kunjom Pass)




Watch the angle of the Flags




My Steed still going Strong (with around 1.35 L in Odo)




Top View of Kaza, Looks great



The day ended early for us as the most challenging (Longest) day of our trip is just a Night away.

We planned for an early start around 6 am just to be sure that we get enough time at Kunjom top and less water in the dreaded water crossings of Kaza Manali Highway ?? (NH 505)