Sometimes, you hear a place and mark it to your wish list. That is how our Spiti saga started in 2013. And we never knew a single visit there will make the place become our second home. Yes, we are absolutely in love with Valley and now want to see it in in every color, in every season. We have traveled to Spiti Valley multiple times in summers and the wish list was to do a Spiti winter trip now.
There is a common thought among people that travelling to Spiti Valley in winters is not possible – as the roads get snow covered and becomes inaccessible, temperature falls extremely low and survival gets tough. But the question was then how do locals survive. We wanted to see the challenges they face during winters and how they tackle them. So, we took a self-drive road trip to Spiti valley in winters (i.e. in January).
Before leaving from Delhi, we checked the MET department forecast, rain and snow both were predicted in the upper hills. There were high chances of getting struck but our spirits were much higher than the thought of getting struck.
Route for Spiti Valley in winters
There are two routes to enter Spiti – one from Shimla and other from Manali. In winters i.e. by October end, Rohtang La and Kunzum La both get covered with heavy snow, so one cannot enter through Manali and complete circuit via exit from Shimla. So the only viable option is to enter and exit through Shimla.
Our route – Delhi – Shimla – Rampur – Rekong Peo – Tabo – Kaza
Beyond Kaza, towards Kunzum La and Chandratal roads gets closed. So, the farthest one can reach is Kaza and the villages around it i.e Kibber, Komic, Langza, Hikkim, Tashigong.
What to expect while doing winter Spiti Trip
By October
end or November first week the valley start receiving snow and the temperature
dips down to negative around -10 degree Celsius. Public transport service decreases
and the only moving vehicles you get to see are of local Spitians, local taxis
and of government officials.
1. Snow on the road
Expect fresh or old snow on the roads between November to March in the Spiti Valley. So, roads will be slippery and one needs to drive very carefully. Snow cutters are there but not on the moves always, so there are high chances of getting struck in between too and if weather conditions worsen than there are chances of roads getting closed for several days.
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<p><strong><em>Preparation</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Remember our vehicles usually don’t have snow tires; so drive with full concentration and as slow as possible; only during the day time</li>
<li>Try travelling by 4*4 only and if you don’t own one, do tie snow chains for extra traction</li>
<li>Don’t try to apply hard brakes, especially on the black ice as there are high chances of vehicle getting slipped</li>
<li>Reduce Tyre pressure and add more weight in your car by luggage or add stones</li>
<li>In case your car loses control, don’t apply brakes. Release the accelerator and let the car go to intended direction</li>
<li>Also keep a towing cable and shovel, in case you need to clear snow on the way</li>
</ul>
<h4>2. <strong>Limited food joints on the way </strong></h4>
<p>Finding a food joints while taking the winter Spiti trip is a challenge in itself. </p>
<p>After Rampur the places which serves you food are at Tapri, Spillow and Nako. Between Nako to Kaza, there is no food joint option.</p>
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One of the rare #picture of us; together in a frame with a #starburst effect. #allgudthings P.C- @lighting_experiments . . Picture clicked on the way to #tashigang near #kaza in #spitivalley #himachal #india . . #travel #traveller #travelgram #travelstory #couplegoals #coupletravel #crazyus #explorer #wanderlust #indiapictures #spiti #letsgo #coupletravel #coupletraveller #couplelove #travelislife #travellove #travellover #mytravelgram #mytraveldiary #couplelife #himalayasarecalling
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Preparation
- Wear clothes in 3- 4 layers, with a warmer / thermal inside to fleece to thick feather jacket to wind cheater outside.
- Keep your head, hands and feet covered.
- Also keep snow and ice proof, warm boots which have enough traction for walking on slippery surface
- Carry a pair of sunglasses to avoid snow glare / blindness
- Keep drinking something warm
- When inside sit inside the kitchen around Angithis
- Never touch metal with bare hands as there are high chances of your skin sticking to the metal. If in any case, that happens, don’t pull your hand away. Instead, pour hot water to detach your hand
- Keep camphor and cotton handy to light fire, if struck anywhere on the road,
4. Limited Accommodation and Resources
As the winters set its feet in Spiti Valley majority of the hotels, guest houses and home stays close down. Only few home stays are operational and ready to host you. So, it’s always advised to go with a pre-booking in winters.
Preparation
- Don’t park your car in the open. If there is no other option, at least cover the bonnet/ hood of your car
- Mix appropriate portion of anti-freeze in the diesel to avoid diesel freezing. And still expect that diesel can freeze and it happened with us during our Spiti winter trip
- Wait for the sun rays to melt the frozen diesel or use a cylinder with the local’s help. Also you can throw boiling water over the engine
- There will be more wear and tear of vehicle in the snow as compared to summer trip
- Always keep a towing cable in your car
7. Getting struck anywhere
Spiti is a land full of challenges so be prepared for the undue situations. Landlines or snow can make you struck here for several days. So, only move on the route after local’s guidance and stay in touch with them.
Preparation
- Always carry the contact details of a
local person with you and inform your homestay owner where you will be
travelling for the day - If you see the unlikely condition, ask
immediately for help
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<h4>8. <strong>Limited Medical Help</strong></h4>
<p>There is a hospital in Kaza but you can ger only limited medical help. Many times electricity is not there, although during our last trip electricity was there for majority of time in Kaza. Hospital has ambulance service, but if the roads are closed it is of no use.</p>
<p><strong><em>Preparation</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Carry all the basic medicines (like<br />
Disprin, D- cold, Chestron, Noroflox, Betadine etc) and a first aid kit with<br />
you</li>
<li>For any major complications, you will be<br />
referred to the Rampur Hospital</li>
</ul>
<h4>9. <strong>Chances of AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness)</strong></h4>
<p><strong>AMS</strong> (Altitude motion/ mountain sickness) can surely hit you at this extreme altitude. So, be prepared and if you see any of such symptoms i.e. a headache, nausea, breathless during Spiti winter trip it is AMS. Seek help immediately. </p>
<p><strong><em>Preparation</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Give<br />
yourself some time to get acclimatized </li>
<li>Keep<br />
sipping a lot of hot water</li>
<li>You can<br />
start a <strong>DIAMOX</strong> course prior to the trip, only after<br />
the doctor’s consultation<strong><em></em></strong></li>
</ul>
<h4>10. <strong>Fuel and Cash Availability</strong></h4>
<p><strong>ATM service is a</strong>vailable at Kalpa, Tabo as well Kaza but don’t expect them to have enough cash as well many of them will not be in working conditions. </p>
<p>There is a <strong>Fuel station</strong> at Kaza which opens only<br />
between 10 am to 5 pm and if it snows then it doesn’t open up. Also at times,<br />
the fuel tank doesn’t reach Kaza on time. So, there won’t be fuel for a day or<br />
more.</p>
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