From Watching Vlogs to Living the Dream
A year ago, I would never have imagined myself riding through Spiti Valley. My dream of riding a bike in the mountains began in 2017, when I started watching Mumbiker Nikhil’s YouTube channel. I would eagerly wait for his vlogs to be uploaded at 9:30 AM and immediately share them with my friends.
Back then, it felt like a distant dream. I never imagined that one day I would experience it with those same school friends.
The ride through Spiti was beautiful, but it was far from easy. There were moments of breathlessness, freezing weather, difficult roads, and even a few occasions when we nearly fell off the bike. It was challenging, exhausting, and unforgettable—and it became the first bike trip of my life.
Starting the Journey with Friends
Six months before this trip, I was on bed rest recovering from ACL surgery. I didn’t even know how to ride a bike. Just three months before we left, a friend taught me the basics on his Splendor. I never imagined that soon afterward, I would ride a 411cc Royal Enfield Himalayan through the mountains.
I still have a long way to go before I become a confident rider. For most of the trip, I travelled as a pillion admiring the views, capturing moments, and occasionally riding when the roads were easier.
Travelling with friends feels very different from travelling alone. Both have their own joys, but with friends, even the stupidest moments become lasting memories. Far away from crowds, work, and the constant noise of news and notifications, we lived inside our own little bubble laughing, exploring, and simply enjoying the moment.
A Landscape That Never Stayed the Same
Spiti’s landscape changed dramatically as we travelled from one region to another. We encountered green valleys, flowing rivers, dry mountains, snow-covered peaks, and vast barren terrain.
1. Jibhi
Jibhi welcomed us with lush greenery, peaceful roads, and clear blue skies. It was a gentle beginning before the landscape became increasingly rugged.
2. Sangla and Chitkul
This was among the most beautiful parts of the journey. Green mountains and snow-capped peaks surrounded a river flowing through the valley, with small settlements resting between them.
3. Nako
The landscape gradually became dry and barren as we approached Nako. The well-built concrete road and uninterrupted mountain views made this stretch especially enjoyable.
4. Kaza
Kaza’s enormous barren mountains made us realise how small we were. Key Monastery looked extraordinary against the rugged landscape, although the extreme cold and strong winds made staying outside difficult.
Spiti’s landscape was once part of the ancient Tethys Sea. Marine fossils found across the valley still reveal its underwater past. You can read more about Spiti’s geology on Wikipedia.
5. Chandratal
Chandratal revealed the wildest and most isolated side of Spiti. The journey involved rough off-road terrain, water crossings, freezing winds, and difficult riding conditions. It was exhausting, but the untouched wilderness made it unforgettable.
The Most Difficult Part: The Road to Chandratal and Back to Manali
The road to Chandratal was completely off-road and easily the most difficult part of our journey. Riding continuously over rough terrain made our knees and legs ache. The freezing weather, limited water, and high altitude made it even more exhausting.
Chandratal is a high-altitude lake in the upper Chandra Valley of Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti district. Its appearance in the movie Lootera may be one reason it has become so popular. The area was extremely crowded, with SUVs and tempo travellers blocking the narrow roads and causing long traffic jams.
After reaching the parking area, we still had to walk around 500 to 800 metres to reach the lake. The distance may sound short, but it was difficult for me. I was walking at a high altitude while carrying a bag, after travelling continuously for four days and sleeping for fewer than six hours each night.
Despite the difficult journey and heavy crowd, the view was truly magnificent. Surrounded by mountains and open wilderness, the lake made the exhausting ride feel worthwhile. The journey back to Manali remained equally challenging, but reaching Chandratal became one of the most memorable parts of the entire trip.
A Quieter Mind
At Nako, I took some time away from the group to sit quietly, absorb the landscape, and clear my mind. I tried to think about my career, health, future goals, and everything I wanted to achieve. But in that moment, I did not want anything.
People often say that travelling gives you clarity and helps you find answers. Sitting there, however, I had no answers and not even many questions. My mind was simply quiet.
So I stopped forcing myself to think. I sat there without chasing a conclusion, took a few photographs and videos, and admired the mesmerising view. Perhaps clarity does not always mean knowing what to do next. Sometimes, it is simply the ability to be present without needing an answer.
Stargazing
At Jibhi, I saw the Milky Way with my naked eyes for the first time. Having watched documentaries about space and the cosmos since childhood, the experience filled me with childlike joy.
Something I had only ever seen on television was suddenly right above me in the night sky. For a few moments, I simply stood there in awe, trying to take it all in. It felt surreal to finally witness in real life something that had fascinated me since childhood.
The Part I Didn’t Like
At almost every location, taking photographs seemed to become more important than pausing to experience the place itself. We rarely put our phones away, sat quietly, and allowed ourselves to absorb what was in front of us.
I am naturally a quiet and observant person. I enjoy sitting with a view, thinking about life, having meaningful conversations, and writing down my thoughts. During my solo trip, I could stop wherever I wanted and stay for as long as I wished. Everything moved at my own pace. I knew that kind of freedom would not be possible in Spiti. The region is remote and difficult, with limited network connectivity and medical support. We had to follow a strict schedule and stay with the group for our own safety.
Still, I sometimes felt that social media—especially Instagram—had turned these beautiful places into items on a checklist. Every destination came with an unspoken pressure to capture the perfect photograph before moving on. It creates a sense of FOMO, as though not visiting a place means missing something essential. Perhaps we are not missing out by staying home. Perhaps we miss out when we finally reach somewhere beautiful but experience most of it through a screen.
Closing Thoughts
This trip made me realise just how diverse and beautiful India is. In Spiti, the landscape changed every few kilometres. The colours, textures, mountains, rivers, and valleys constantly transformed, making each part of the journey feel completely different.
At the same time, it was disappointing to see how carelessly we sometimes treat our own country. A place this beautiful deserves greater respect and responsibility from everyone who visits it.
Travelling with friends made the experience even more memorable. We argued, played pranks on one another, laughed at stupid things, and occasionally got on each other’s nerves. Yet, through every difficult road and exhausting day, we stayed together.
I returned with a greater appreciation for India’s natural beauty, the friendships that survive both laughter and disagreements.
