Srihari’s Spiti Valley Family Adventure with Thrillophilia: Nine Days Through a Land of Mountains, Monasteries & Moonlike Landscapes

Thrillophilia Verified Booking
PNR: BKDDVV8KOXB
Traveller: Srihari Karanth (44), Vineeta Dewangan (38), Harish Kumar Dewangan (36), Priyanka Dewangan (35), Kamal Narayan Dewangan (67), Ramkali Dewangan (63), Advaith Karanth (4)
Trip Duration: 9 Days | 8 Nights
Destination: Spiti Valley
Date of Travel: 26 Jun 2026 - 04 Jul 2026
Package Booked: Spiti from Chandigarh

“Scary and beautiful at the same time. Each turn had a different landscape.”

Spiti Valley does not ease you into the Himalayas. The mountains rise suddenly, roads wind along cliffs, and every bend reveals something completely different.

For Srihari Karanth and his family, that unpredictability became part of the adventure. Their group of seven included adults, two senior travellers aged 63 and 67, and four-year-old Advaith.

Over nine days, they moved from the green valleys of Kinnaur into the stark beauty of Spiti. They discovered ancient monasteries, remote villages, high-altitude landmarks and the surreal waters of Chandratal. For Srihari, the experience was about more than simply seeing the Himalayas. It was about watching his family experience them together, from the youngest traveller discovering enormous mountains to the older members enjoying the journey at their own pace.

Here is how their family adventure unfolded.

Chitkul & Kalpa: First Feels of the Himalayan Range

The drive from Shimla to Chitkul was the family's first real introduction to the scale of the Himalayas. The road followed the Sutlej through Kinnaur, with forests and mountain villages slowly giving way to dramatic valleys.

As they crossed towards the Baspa Valley, the landscape became increasingly rugged. The towering peaks surrounding Chitkul made the destination feel wonderfully remote, especially after leaving behind the bustle of Shimla. The family stopped to explore the area around Sangla and the Baspa Valley before continuing towards Chitkul. A visit to Hindustan Ka Akhri Dhaba added a lighter moment to the long mountain drive.

By evening, the sound of the Baspa River became the backdrop to their stay. For Advaith, the mountains were something completely new to discover. For the adults, they were a reminder of just how far the family had travelled from everyday life.

The next morning, the family retraced their route towards Karcham before continuing to Reckong Peo and Kalpa. The drive brought back sweeping views of the Sutlej and the rugged Kinnaur landscape. Kalpa offered a quieter rhythm after the previous day's long drive. From here, the Kinnaur Kailash range dominated the horizon, creating one of those mountain views that demanded a little extra time.

The family could explore the village and its traditional surroundings before settling into their stay. After travelling with both a young child and older family members, having time to rest was just as valuable as another sightseeing stop.

Nako: Where Kinnaur Gives Way to Spiti

The landscape changed dramatically as the family left Kalpa behind. At Khab Bridge, they witnessed the meeting of the Sutlej and Spiti Rivers, marking their entry into the stark terrain of Spiti. The green landscapes gradually disappeared, replaced by barren mountains, deep valleys and small settlements scattered across the slopes. Nako offered their first real taste of this otherworldly landscape.

The family visited Nako Lake, where the mountains reflected in the still water, before exploring Nako Monastery. Its ancient murals and peaceful atmosphere offered a glimpse into the Buddhist culture woven into everyday life here. Their stay in Nako also meant they could experience the village without rushing through it. For the senior members of the family, that slower pace made the high-altitude journey more comfortable.

Tabo: A Thousand Years of Stories

The road from Nako to Tabo carried the family deeper into Spiti. The barren mountains stretched endlessly around them, making the small settlements along the route feel almost like islands in a vast wilderness.

Tabo brought a completely different experience. The village is home to the ancient Tabo Monastery, whose history stretches back roughly a thousand years. Inside, centuries-old murals and Buddhist artwork transformed the visit into something much more than ordinary sightseeing. The quiet surroundings made the monastery feel even more remarkable.

Pin Valley: The Green Surprise in a Barren Land

The route towards Kaza brought an unexpected change when the family entered Pin Valley. Against Spiti's otherwise dry and rugged terrain, the valley appeared surprisingly green.

They travelled through Mud Village and took in the surrounding mountains before continuing towards Kaza. Srihari later counted Pin Valley among the highlights of the entire trip. The landscape here felt quieter and more intimate. Small villages sat against enormous mountains, while the road continued winding through the valley. After several days of dramatic drives, Pin Valley offered the family a different kind of beauty. It showed that Spiti was not simply a land of barren mountains, but a place with surprising contrasts.

Kaza: High Above the Ordinary

Kaza became the family's base for exploring some of Spiti's most famous high-altitude destinations. Their sightseeing began at Key Monastery, dramatically perched above the valley. The monastery seemed almost part of the mountain itself. From its elevated position, the family could look across the vast Spitian landscape and understand why this remains one of the region's most iconic sights.

Then came Langza, where the enormous Buddha statue stood against the mountains. The village's fossil-rich landscape gave the family another reason to stop and explore. At Hikkim, the group reached around 15,500 feet and visited the famous high-altitude post office. Sending a postcard from such a remote location turned an ordinary activity into a travel memory.

Komik and Kibber added even more altitude and perspective to the day. For Advaith, these villages became a giant introduction to a world of mountains. For Srihari, they became some of the places he knew the family would talk about long after returning home.

Chandratal: The Most Anticipated Road of the Trip

The journey towards Chandratal was where the terrain truly tested the vehicles. The road became rough and demanding, but the experienced drivers handled the two Innova Crystas confidently. At Kunzum Pass, the family reached 15,059 feet above sea level. Snow-capped peaks stretched across the horizon, creating the kind of Himalayan scene that feels almost impossible to take in at once.

Then they reached Chandratal. The crescent-shaped lake sat quietly among the mountains, reflecting the surrounding peaks and sky. After the difficult road, the sight of the clear blue water felt like a reward. Srihari had specifically mentioned Chandratal among his favourite experiences. Looking at the family photographs, it is easy to understand why this became one of the defining moments of their journey.

Why Srihari Recommends His Spiti Journey with Thrillophilia

Planning Spiti for seven people across three generations meant getting the practical details right. The route had to work for a four-year-old, senior travellers and everyone in between. And with Spiti Destination Expert Vinayak Mathur coordinating the experience, the family had support behind the scenes throughout their journey. 

Our Thrillophilia team planned the journey as a private family experience with two Innova Crystas and experienced drivers familiar with the terrain. This gave the family flexibility while making long mountain transfers more comfortable. Srihari specifically appreciated how confidently the drivers handled the difficult roads. Even on the rough stretch towards Chandratal, they were able to navigate safely while allowing the family to focus on the scenery.

His words capture the experience best: “The drivers were experts and managed to drive fast and safe in those difficult terrains, allowing us to soak in the beauty of the valley.”

The itinerary also balanced adventure with practical comfort. Stays were arranged close to key destinations such as Nako, Tabo and Chitkul, reducing unnecessary travel after long days on the road. Most importantly, the trip allowed every generation to experience Spiti differently. The seniors could enjoy the landscapes without worrying about logistics, while Advaith got his own unforgettable introduction to the Himalayas. 

Srihari summed up the adventure simply: “Loved the weather, people and the places.” For a family that travelled across some of the Himalayas' most dramatic terrain together, that says quite a lot.

Also read: Reshma’s Spiti Valley Adventure with Thrillophilia