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**The Monk** · 04-28-2014, 12:44 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Travelogue Approved

Wonderful stuff sir

**Hoodibaba** · 04-29-2014, 12:51 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

DAY 1 (24TH APRIL 2014)

DELHI TO SANGLA (630 KMS)

After only one ride in April-May last year to Bhutan, I had been too busy in office throughout the year turning the life monotonous and dull. To break this lull, in February this year I alongwith a friend who is based in Ghaziabad (but currently living in Kolkata) had planned to ride to Jaiselmer in April when he was expected in Delhi. Although the temperature was souring high day by day, making the Desert ride almost impossible, I looked for other options and what better choice than the mystique Himalayas. April coming to close and with no signs of my friend reaching Delhi, I had no choice but to do another solo ride (which I for some unknown reasons am not enjoying now {may be I am getting old}).

I also browsed xbhp tour planner section but could not come across any other such ride to Spiti valley during last weekend of April. With the only hope of coming across any rider(s) on the way I decided to make a 4 day ride to spiti valley from 24^th to 28^th April. My planning was to make it as far as possible on Day 1 and having daily stops on my way back.

On Thursday last, I hit the highway at 1 a.m. As you would agree once the rider hits the highway, he is a different breed whatever the time it may be and soon was riding at a constant speed of around 100. It was still dark when I entered the hills. After munching Aloo ka Parantha with hot tea (my second break) I reached Simla and faced early morning traffic jam and in the melee hit the wrong road and realized the mistake only when I was nearing Naldera. I lost precious time before I took the right route. I spotted three Bulleteers (one with UP 16 number plate and the rest with Gurgaon number plates). During the brief stop they informed that they were planning to go to Chitkul but with a stop over at Narkanda for that night. It was past noon and still a lot had to be covered. The roads were perfect. I offered a pillon ride to a young boy up to Rampur who reluctantly got down the bike at Rampur as he wanted to be dropped at Kinnaur. But having been driving for over 12 hours I needed the much needed rest. Rampur being a too congested city with lots and lots of traffic and no parking along the highway I had to move onwards and had the much needed break only after another 10-15 kms.

I was almost near Kinnaur district. Now with the Sun crossing over the western side I was having a bit of problem with the bike, may be the clutch plates were getting hot or some other reason. I have had to stop after every half an hour ride. With no metalled roads after Wangtu one thing was clear that I cannot move too far as I had originally decided. I had to reschedule my plan and decided to turn to Sangla where I thought I could reach safely. Although the road conditions were worsening (not to talk of final track from Karchham to Sangla where a lot of off riding had to be done) I reached Baspa Guest House (with comfortable room @ 250-300 per day) at Sangla by 5 p.m. with no big issues with the bike and hit the bed soon.

Attached Files

**Hoodibaba** · 04-30-2014, 06:27 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

DAY 2 - 25TH APRIL, 2014

SANGLA AND CHITKUL

With the night rest in cozy and comfortable double-bed (which I like to sleep on) although with empty stomach (as I had gone to bed right after reaching Sangla) I got up early to have some hot tea in the restaurant in the market (when the locals might still be in their beds). One gets awestruck with the beauty and serenity of this place with very few tourists making this place vulnerable like they have done to other hill stations. Naturally I went back to my room to fetch my Camera to capture some early morning shots.

Rest of the travelogue will follow. Till then enjoy the beauty of this place as I did through the eyes of my Canon :

(To best view the Panorama shots PLEASE CLICK ON FULL SCREEN)

A close up shot of Snow Peak Mountain from Sangla Market

Close up of The Kinner Kailash Parbat from Sangla Market

Another Close up Shot of one of the Mountain Peak from Sangla Market

View of Sangla Valley from Hotel Balcony

A close up Shot of Kinner Kailash

The Mountain Range on the Left side of my Hotel

Kinner Kailash

**ArnabC** · 04-30-2014, 07:49 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Nice pics sir.

Just a small quetion... when is the correct time of the year to ride through Lahaul-Spiti from Shimla side and coming out by the Rohtang Pass side?

**Hoodibaba** · 04-30-2014, 08:23 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Originally posted by ArnabC View Post

Nice pics sir.

Just a small question... when is the correct time of the year to ride through Lahaul-Spiti from Shimla side and coming out by the Rohtang Pass side?

The best person to answer this question is Oldfox who among all the riders has spent more time in this region than any other place

As far as I can answer, by 'correct time' you mean not heavy snow but still small patches to remember then August end or September AND if you want to see a lot of snow but remote chance of rain then Mid June is best. But there is no guarantee of not getting caught in Heavy Rain on Rohtang Pass during June. Don't forget yo visit Chandertal on your trip. More authoritative answer if Oldfox is reading this blog.

**ArnabC** · 04-30-2014, 09:03 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Originally posted by Hoodibaba View Post

The best person to answer this question is Oldfox who among all the riders has spent more time in this region than any other place

As far as I can answer, by 'correct time' you mean not heavy snow but still small patches to remember then August end or September AND if you want to see a lot of snow but remote chance of rain then Mid June is best. But there is no guarantee of not getting caught in Heavy Rain on Rohtang Pass during June. Don't forget yo visit Chandertal on your trip. More authoritative answer if Oldfox is reading this blog.

Yes sir. I don't wanna ride the area during the rains.

So I guess August end or September would be great. I am planning to do a Ladakh-Lahaul-Spiti trip, starting from Jammu>Kargil>Leh>Chandertal>Kaza>Sangla>Shimla. So I am a bit confused about when to do it. I am ready to ride for a month but am trying to avoid rain as much possible.

Old Fox sir: Any help/suggestion would be a huge tension relief for me.

**manjuadiga** · 04-30-2014, 11:39 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Superb pics sir:thumbup:

Sent from my GT-I8262 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**Ashish Sahay** · 05-01-2014, 12:29 AM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Superb trip

never thout before that sangla can be reached within 16 hrs. Awesome.

Sent from my GT-S5302 using Tapatalk 2

**Old Fox** · 05-01-2014, 04:24 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Lovely photos and an equally engaging triplog sir! Sangla is as pretty as it ever was.

Originally posted by Hoodibaba View Post

I had no choice but to do another solo ride (which I for some unknown reasons am not enjoying now {may be I am getting old}).

On Thursday last, I hit the highway at 1 a.m. As you would agree once the rider hits the highway, he is a different breed whatever the time it may be and soon was riding at a constant speed of around 100.

'Old men' don't hit the highway alone in the middle of the night

It is the world around us that's slowing down you know! Great going. Looking forward to the rest of the story.

Originally posted by ArnabC View Post

Nice pics sir.

Just a small quetion... when is the correct time of the year to ride through Lahaul-Spiti from Shimla side and coming out by the Rohtang Pass side?

Arnab: anytime between June and October. Early June is pretty slushy between Kunzum and Gramphoo due to the winter snows melting. July, August and till about mid-September the rains make roads vulnerable to landslides, especially the Jeori-Puh section between Shimla and Kaza. End Sept till end Oct is probably the best weather wise. But June gives you lots of views of snow around. So take your pick. Only remember that this high road is never really easy on the rider. There's always an element of uncertainty and struggle involved.

**Hoodibaba** · 05-02-2014, 02:43 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Originally posted by Old Fox View Post

Lovely photos and an equally engaging triplog sir! Sangla is as pretty as it ever was.

Originally posted by Old Fox View Post

'Old men' don't hit the highway alone in the middle of the night

It is the world around us that's slowing down you know! Great going. Looking forward to the rest of the story.

Thanks 'OLD FOX' for appreciating the pics and the triplog. Am grateful for helping me in replying the query of Arnab. What better person than you could give the final word about Spiti.

Coming to the Triplog:

DAY 2 FRIDAY 25TH APRIL 2014

As I was feeling fresh like a bird after a full night rest, during a casual walk round the place early morning I met a sikh gentleman who alongwith his friends had come to Sangla in his Car from NOIDA, Gaziabad . He was awestruck when he came to know that I was also from Gaziabad and had been on soloride on bike.

After completing my daily chores and taking first hot water bath (I take cold water bath at my home all time of the season), I came out to have my break fast. I observed some cloud cover in the sky. Although I had planned to ride to Chitkul in the afternoon, I finished my Alloo Ka Parantha with Hot Tea immediately and started to ride to Chitkul along with my all important Canon. I saw old men basking in the courtyards under the fruit trees. I could still find some houses having slate sheet roofs. The snow capped mountain ranges were all around with lush green meadows. Soon I was crossing through water streams and snow walls as I had reached Rakchhum. The snow clad mountain ranges all along the route were awesome. I could now hear the sound of clear blue-green water flowing down the Baspa River meandering down its natural route. After crossing Rakchhum, the landscape completely changes. The huge vista all around is now covered with snow with glaciers appearing so close as one could touch them if he has time to trek along the high mountain ranges. I took lots of stop overs to capture the beauty of this place. When I reached Chitkul, I was awestruck to see the beauty of this place giving the feeling of having travelled to the end of civilization with vast expanse of inhospitable mountain terrain as far as one could see. The fields all around were covered with thick layer of snow. Most of the houses here were build with wooden planks with slate roofs. The village was sparingly populated with few hotels.The Tibetan influence was very much apparent since lied on the old trade route to Tibet. I met a French Couple who were all praise for this heavenly place. I spent couple of hours here and had the staple food of bikers

i.e. hot maggie which is available in these far of places with hot tea.

As every good thing comes to an end, so also I had to return to Sangla. One thing I would like to mention is that the roads were in better condition from Sangla to Chitkul unlike the one while coming across Karchham to Sangla as here I could find Tarred roads almost all along although they were a bit damaged due to heavy snowfall in recent past. The distance from Sangla to Chitkul is around 26 kms but the picturesque beauty all along compels you to stop at every corner extending the time taken by almost double if not more.

Time to appreciate the beauty of this place through the eye of my Camera

(Please view the panorama shots on full screen)

Passing through the Alpine Meadows sprinkled with snow and water streams

Another shot through the Alpine Meadows

Passing through the snow sheets all around

The snow clad Peaks all around

Chitkul is not Far now

Another shot near Chitkul

The white carpet of Chitkul

The high snow walls on the way

The snow peaks from Sangla market

A close up of the above peak

A much closer shot

A long shot (comparing to the above shots)

The panorama view from Sangla Valley

Closer panorama shot of Kinner Kailash from Sangla Market

A panorama shot on the way to Chitkul

A close up of the above shot

Another panorama on the way to Chitkul

Panorama near Chitkul

Another close up panorama near Chitkul

The snow carpet of Chitkul

Another panorama on the way

Another beauty

**ArnabC** · 05-02-2014, 03:59 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Originally posted by Old Fox View Post

Arnab: anytime between June and October. Early June is pretty slushy between Kunzum and Gramphoo due to the winter snows melting. July, August and till about mid-September the rains make roads vulnerable to landslides, especially the Jeori-Puh section between Shimla and Kaza. End Sept till end Oct is probably the best weather wise. But June gives you lots of views of snow around. So take your pick. Only remember that this high road is never really easy on the rider. There's always an element of uncertainty and struggle involved.

Thanks a lot Old Fox sir for replying. So if I may ask you another small but repeatative query - Is it ok to make the whole trip (Jammu>Kargil>Leh>Chandertal>Kaza>Sangla>Shimla) during September last fornight and October first fortnight? It is just to make my confused mind clear so that I don't end up taking some wrong decisions.

Hoodibaba : We want the whole trip sir. Please post the rest of the story.

**Old Fox** · 05-02-2014, 04:50 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Originally posted by ArnabC View Post

Thanks a lot Old Fox sir for replying. So if I may ask you another small but repetitive query - Is it ok to make the whole trip (Jammu>Kargil>Leh>Chandertal>Kaza>Sangla>Shimla) during September last fortnight and October first fortnight? It is just to make my confused mind clear so that I don't end up taking some wrong decisions.

Yes, that would be good. You should, in all probability, avoid rain during the entire trip though it will be pretty cold at all places above 12,000 ft or so. Tanglang La, Sarchu, Baralacha La, Lachulung La, Kunzum La all experience freezing temperatures beginning October. Avoid early morning starts from Pang, Sarchu, Batal etc and you'll avoid any possibility of black ice on the road. The photos though, with those browns, whites and blues come out great.

**ArnabC** · 05-02-2014, 06:02 PM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Originally posted by Old Fox View Post

Yes, that would be good. You should, in all probability, avoid rain during the entire trip though it will be pretty cold at all places above 12,000 ft or so. Tanglang La, Sarchu, Baralacha La, Lachulung La, Kunzum La all experience freezing temperatures beginning October. Avoid early morning starts from Pang, Sarchu, Batal etc and you'll avoid any possibility of black ice on the road. The photos though, with those browns, whites and blues come out great.

Yes sir. Mainly it's for the photography I'm making this trip. And along with that the sheer pleasure of riding my bike and test myself as a rider.

And, is it ok if we leave those places at 8am to avoid black ice?

Old Fox: Sir, I will PM you with my tour itinerary. Could you please go through it once and let me know if it is ok or I have made planned stressful strectches. I would like to make this tour a memorable one, with beautiful landscape photography and also enjoy the ride without getting into too much worries (as much possible).

**Hoodibaba** · 05-04-2014, 12:11 AM

Re: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerlan

Sangla has a small market having all basic necessities. Although it has few shops having Tibetan jewellery, pots, ward robes but could not finalize a single item. Moved on to have some local woollen item which is available in select few shops. Did not like to go for the traditional hand woven socks so opted for local traditional shawls. Though a bit costly minimum range being Rs.2000 but are worth every single rupee.

Sangla doesn’t have much option to eat so went to bed after having the same Alloo Ka Parantha

.

DAY 3 - SATURDAY 26TH APRIL 2014

Got up early as usual and went to the same shop to have hot tea. Had a long walk for one more time as I never wanted to leave this place so early and wanted to spend more time in Sangla but as the rider never says ‘last time’ came back to hotel. Packed the luggage in the side boxes and bid good bye with the promise to come back again

As there was no urgency so was riding at a comfortable pace along the deep gorges enjoying every moment in the mountain ranges. The return ride normally brings boredom to me so this was not an exception. Don’t know when I went past the wooden Padam Palace in Rampur Bushehr and was soon gaining height again as I was approaching Narkanda. Although a tourist spot, but no match to Sangla hence never thought to stop there although I had one day in spare as it was Saturday. Soon left behind the maddening crowd of Simla as well and stopped for a delayed lunch break near Solan (I think it was Hill View restaurant). Asked for Kardi Chawal or Rajma Chawal but both had been finished so ordered the ever available Maggie L
Sun was setting in the western hills so moved on and soon it was dark with the headlights of incoming vehicles making it difficult to ride

. As the time passed I was feeling it almost impossible to ride in the glaring headlights of incoming heavy vehicles. I prayed that soon the hills be over. In fact, on few occasions I had to just stop the bike. May be my earlier admission that I might be getting Old was not an understatement. I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw bright lights of toll plaza near Kalka.

Soon the confidence was back and I was cruising at a reasonable speed. Near Panchkula one young boy carrying a hand bag asked for lift. As it was around 10.15 p.m. and I thought being weekend he might be heading for home towards NH 1, I obliged. Since I have no problem to ride on Highway in plains any time of the day, I was riding at a speed of 85-90 kms. After riding with the pillon for over 50 kms when I dropped him after crossing the Majar on the left side, he offered me Rs. 50, the amount he had to pay had he boarded the bus. I was amused a bit over his gesture. Thanked him for his offer and asked him to keep the money and moved on.

Was riding at a comfortable speed (having no problem with the bike) although there was heavy traffic even at that late hour. After crossing the Toll plaza near Panipat was forced to control my bike as one Volvo (make Mercedes Benz) crossed over from left (wrong side) at high speed

. Although I normally would have left him unnoticed but since I was a bit late and I was riding on NH 1 where one has to earn his respect if he messes with me any time of the day, I picked up the speed of my Suzuki. In no time I crossed him from right side. Now the game was on

. With all kinds of vehicles cruising at good speed the race had begun amongst two of us. Although I never overtook the vehicles from extreme left, the Volvo never missed any opportunity to overtake from whatever side it may be. We were cruising at 100+ now. I had enough spare thrust in store but I drove along. It carried on for over half an hour and any time we were going to enter Delhi. Now I thought enough is enough, I zoomed past two Cars at 115+ kms and there was no looking back now. Heard some deafening horns of Volvo from a distance but who cares. As I told one has to earn his position if he messes with me on NH 1, (although I am getting old

). Bhai logo I belong to Zila Gaziabad to Ye to Khoon Main Hai

I was in my sweet home greeted by my sweet daughter who was still awake preparing for her University exams.

As for my Bike, it is all praise. I think in 150 cc class, this is one really good bike.

Some Random shots:

More will follow soon

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Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerland)

[Photo Feature]: Wandering soul does 3-Day ride to Snowland of Chitkul and Sangla (Mini Switzerland)

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