12 Days in Spiti Valley.

On 1st September 2017, I remember we were busy listing and arranging things that we might need for a camping and riding trip, that is when I realised I had never pitched a tent and had never been above 14000ft in my life, But there we were working out a plan to visit the place that everyone dreams about, Lahaul and Spiti Valley. Long winding roads and valleys that present unforgettable glimpses of cold desert and snow-crowned mountains also known as the ‘the middle land’ the land between Tibet and India. Just 2 days later we were on the bus to Manali that started at 5:00 pm from Majnu ka Tila. You can easily get a bus for Manali there and even without pre-booking rates are decent (click here to know the rates). Believe me when I tell you it was all a dream, and we were still to let the idea of being on this trip sink in, when at 5:40am we were already at Manali.
Why Manali?
You might ask. Well, Manali is always a perfect layover for acclimatization and there is only one Bus for Spiti at 4:30am from Kullu so either you break you journey at Kullu or Manali. We just wanted to spend some time in Old Manali.The next morning even before the day had started to light up we were walking down Manali’s street to reach the Bus stand just in time to catch a seat on the bus for Kaza, but for the day we were to deboard at Batal. Chandartaal Lake. . . .At 1:00 noon we reached Batal, base camp for chandartaal and also the only place where you will find a sweet elderly couple bringing smiles to everyone’s face with their delicious Rajma Chawal at the Chacha-Chachi dhaba. From here Chandratal is about 14 kms, you can either just hike your way or catch the supply vehicle that goes towards the camps at the upper Chandrataal basecamp. We got the supply vehicle and reached the basecamp just to be welcomed by bone chilling, freezing rain, and amidst that we pitched our first tent literally shivering. Camped in and with the cold outside and the lack of sleep the previous night got us asleep in no time. The next morning, 3rd day and undoubtedly the most beautiful morning, waking up in the middle of a beautiful valley with light snow covered mountains hovering around us.