Posting after long time, a quick summary from our drive to Spiti valley.
It was a drive pending for long time with family, I guess planned couple of years back but but got cancelled all the time. Last we attempted it in March 2013 as family, but a big stone and a bad land slide restricted us to Kinnaur and returned back sad,
But this time we were determined, motivated with all forces with us.
Day 1 - 28-May-2016 : Delhi to Rampur
A very casual drive with no drama on the way, except for a short but heavy rain while we were crossing the Narkanda to Rampur stretch. Our majot stop was at Narkanda for food.
We reached Rampur by around 6 Pm, and checked into our hotel with a clear car parking. It rained at night which kept me worried about the bad section between Wangtoo and Karcham and then to Powari.
Not many pics today, camera was comfortable inside the bag for the most of the day.
Day 2 - 29-May-2016 : Rampur to Nako.
While we started for the day, I was doing multiple calculation in my mind.
what if we get a bad stretch?
what if the Tapri section is completely closed due to last night rain?
What is we could not reach Nako? will we stay at Kalpa? Spillow or Pooh.
We will worry about it later, lets first have wonderful morning drive upto wangtoo atleast. Except of few small bad stretches and stone laden, wangtoo - Karcham section, we had no issues reaching Powari. Fortunately the petrol pump at Powari was functioning and that saved us from driving upto Peo to get the tank filled.
Lunch at Spillow around 2 Pm, means which we were very well placed to reach Nako by 6 Pm. Ka-zigs were crossed in jiffy, though it can scare the hell out of someone sitting on the valley side.
Nako we were at around 5:30, checked into the first hotel we saw, right as to hit the first cross section at Nako. 800 INR per night is a sweet deal, with a wonderful window view of Nako village.
But it was cold, second layer of cloths were forced onto to kids, which they didnt liked at all.
Day 3 - 30-May-2016 : Nako to Mud
It was a short drive, or relatively short drive
Out first hurdle was Malling nalla, which anyway was quite tamed, except that we had to wait right next to Malling because of the repair work.
As we got down from malling, its almost a drive in plains, crossing Chango, Sumdo, we took a diversion for quick look at the mummy of giu. It was quite windy at the top and clouds while almost threatening our plan to reach mud. While crossing Attargo we decided to skip Dhankar for now and drive straight to Mud crossing mikkim, Gulling and Sagnam villages on our way.
Night stay was booked at a good friend's place, Tara guest house. Cozy rooms and lovely view. But we had plans for camping, may be tomorrow, for today, we were hungry like a pack of wild dogs. We wanted to eat anything possible around us, Thankfully the lady cook of Tara Guest house prepared some lip smacking food for us, including Tibetan Pizza for kids
Day 4 - 31-May-2016 : Around Pin Valley
Today was relax day after three days of non stop drive. There was no plan for today, we just drove around at few villages and upto sagnam and took pics here and there. We were back at Mud by 2 Pm and it was time for pitch our tent. Nandini, my daughter was very excited to pitch her own tent.
Night was windy, but thank to the land owner who gave us plenty of wood for the fire, we we quite cozy all the time we were sitting outside. Night was surely cold
Day 5 - 01-June-2016 : Mud to Kibber
Mud to kibber was a very comfortable drive I had done couple of times in past, hence there was no need to hurry. We started around 10 Am from Mud, and reached Kaza by 12:30, filled up the fuel tank and we decided to skip Kaza and reach kibber straight. by 3 Pm we were at kibber, checked in at Tashizon guest house, which is the first thing you see as you arrive at Kibber. But before we settle down in the comfy of our rooms, we decided to give a short drive to one of my most favorite place in Spiti, the Tashigang palteau and Demul village.
What a delight it is to stand right on top of the world and watch the bird's-eye view of Kye monastery.
Night was spent inside the kitchen with some lovely food, noodles for kids :P