Help needed --- trip to Himachal Pradesh in Oct

[Ruma]

Hello,

Me and my husband are planning a trip to Spiti Valley in October. 13-14 days.

We have visited Uttarakhand twice and also Ladakh. This will be our first trip to Himachal.

We want to avoid the crowds and seek more of mountains and prefer being away from civilization, in nature.

I feel Spiti Valley is fascinating. Beginning from Chandigarh to Chandratal and back.

Am I missing a lot if I restrict my trip only on this part?

Can you please work out an itinerary for us, where we get to meet locals, visit villages and maybe a one-day trek also thrown in! This is a wish list..

We plan to go for this trip with a 4x4 vehicle…

Any guidance on this would be of great help…

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

When in October are you planning to do this trip?

October is end of season in Spiti, hotels as well as road to Chandertal and Kunzum begin to close by the second half of the month.

 

[Ruma]

I was looking from 6th Oct to 20th Oct. I guess by then many of the passes will be closed ?

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

If that is the case, then my suggestion would be to do Chandertal and Kunzum first, in the later half, they become quite risky, even if they are open.

Having said that, preponing the trip would be a good idea. As it will help you do the circuit from Shimla side, which will aid in high altitude acclimatization.

 

[Ruma]

Unfortunately work does not permit to take a vacation before 2nd Oct... officially after second quarter closing, which is 30th Sept.

Do you think I should work out a different itinerary for Himachal. But my worry is, would it be as exciting and scenic as Spiti?

If you have any suggestions or an alternate itinerary, kindly let me know.

And Yogeshji, congratulations on completing 11 fantastic years! In this era of "flash in the pan" this is a great achievement.

Wishing that the BCM family only continues to grow.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart as all my trips to Uttarakhand, Ladakh and even Bhutan to some extent have been thanks to only BCM.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Thank you, Ruma.

Like I said, you can certainly plan for Spiti. The only trouble spots are Chandertal and Kunzum, which you can cover early on in the trip, by going via the Manali route. Night at Chandertal would be uncomfortable due to rise in altitude as well as cold. However, apart from that, you ought to be fine for the most part. Unless there is bad weather at that time.

 

[gkapoor]

+1 to YS. It is too early right now to predict weather and closing of camps at Chandrataal in October. Last year, most of the camps at Chandrataal were packed up by 20th.
Jamaica had wound up 25th Sept. So plan according to conditions in Sept.
As YS already said, go via Manali side which includes climbing Kunzum and come back via Kinnaur-Shimla.

 

[jjamwal]

Try this:

Chandigarh -Manali
Manali-Rohtang-Batal.
Batal-Kunzum. Kunzum - Chandrataal trek.
Chandrataal - Losar - Kaza
Kaza . From Kaza, cover Hikkim, Kibber, Ki, Dhankar and other nearby places.

I had done something like this but didnot finish writing the complete travelogue

But anything going in to 2nd week of October is a risk.

 

[Ruma]

Hi,

I am more and more convinced now that I am taking a risk going to Spiti in October.

Is Kinnaur then a good option?

 

[gkapoor]

Hi,

I am more and more convinced now that I am taking a risk going to Spiti in October.

Is Kinnaur then a good option?

Its a risk as in you can be forced to make a change in plan at the moment. But nothing that is impossible.
Kinnaur has it own charm.