Himalayan Colors: Shivangini's Adventurous Spiti Trip with Thrillophilia
Sitting on a wooden bench, sipping tea while admiring the majestic Himalayan range in Spiti, I told my partner -
"So it's true then...Himachal is more than a place...it's a feeling."
"A feeling that you're going to carry all your life, as a part of you," he said.
I couldn't help but think about the times when I would long to visit Spiti. Every time I would hear someone talk about the experiences they had there, I'd want to leave everything immediately and head out on a trip. There's something very simple yet fascinating about making plans, especially when the plans are about visiting Himachal.
Himachal ki Chai, Himachal ki Maggi, Himachal ke views, Himachal ke log...the list is endless. But we knew one thing for sure, it's the place that is turning everything so special. It was March, and we really wanted to make our Holi special.
"What's keeping you from visiting Spiti?" my partner asked me
"Well, it's Holi, and I'm not sure if I want to be away from home for the festival," I told him.
"What if we could just blend the two things?" he asked.
He searched for Spiti Holi Tour packages on his phone, and guess what? Thrillophilia had a special Holi package for Spiti and Sangla. What more could I ask for? Two of the best things in the world rolled into one - An adventurous trip to Spiti, and Holi Celebrations.
And that was it, I booked a week-long getaway to Spiti with my partner and began my first-ever trip to the mountains.
Celebrating the Festival of Colours
I had always seen Instagram reels where people would wake up to beautiful scenery all around them. They'd step out of their room and the camera would pan to show the surrounding natural beauty.
This time, I got the chance to experience it for real. After a long overnight journey, we were welcomed with fascinating views of deodar trees and chilly winds in Rakcham.
Sunil Bhaiya, our guide for the trip, joined us for a delicious breakfast. As we ate, I told him that it was my first trip there, and I was so glad that I did. For the next few minutes, he went on to describe the beauty of Holi in the mountains. By the time we finished eating, I had already started falling in love with the things I was about to see.
Soon after, we saw a group of 5 travellers almost of our age, coming toward us. Covered in Gulaal from top to bottom, they yelled in joy "Happy Holi!".
And it began, my first trip to Himachal, and my first Holi in the middle of the mountains. One after another, people started gathering and the Gulaal started turning the sky into a rainbow.
From grooving to the beats of 'Balam Pichkari', dancing with locals to traditional music, to munching on yummy snacks - we did it all.
Hands down the Best - Holi - Ever.
Mother Nature, Her Majesty
“You are not in the mountains. The mountains are in you.” - John Muir
By now, I had started believing in this quote. The more I observed the locals around, the more I understood what was so compelling about the mountains. And it goes way beyond the breathtaking scenery, it's about the simplicity of life there. It's also about how the people and the travellers, despite the challenging terrains and high passes, keep up with their journey.
To be honest, sometimes the grandeur of Mother Nature felt too intimidating. But thanks to our driver Jeetu Bhaiya, who was a pro at navigating through all kinds of roads and terrains along the way. We drove through the Indo-Tibet Highway and passed through the Khab Sangam Bridge, where I got to see the Satluj and Spiti Sangam.
Personally, the most thrilling part of the journey for me was the Ka Loops. Jeetu Bhaiya made it look like a piece of cake as we crossed the loops in no time. And then we made a stop for what I've been waiting for all this while - Pahado wali Maggi! I wasn't sure why it tasted better. Was it because we just got across a challenging high pass? Or was it my longing for it?
Regardless, I enjoyed every minute of savouring the 2-minute noodles, while admiring the scenic views.
We also visited the Tabo Monastery in Spiti Valley. Sunil Bhaiya told us that it's also known as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas' as it's the oldest functioning Buddhist enclave in India. He even took us to the Lamas (Buddhist Gurus), who told us about the importance of Buddhism, as we enjoyed a cup of tea with them.
To Spiti, With Love, From Shivangini
Dear Spiti,
This was the first time that I met you, but I believe you're my BFF now. From the Holi celebrations with newfound friends, the hot tea in the middle of nowhere, and the quiet moments of introspection - every moment was worth it. Every sunset and sunrise in the mountains felt like a gift, reminding me of the little joys of life.
You're already friends with my partner, so I guess he and I have you as a mutual friend now. I miss you so much already, but I promise to come back to see you as soon as I can. There's so much more that I want to know about you, and so much more that I want to tell you about myself. Until that happens, take care and stay the same!
Love,
Shivangini
Read More: Thrillophilia Spiti Reviews