If Spiti Valley in the summers will treat you with glacial lakes and green landscapes, the winters will introduce you to the frozen beauty of the valley. With cold days and colder nights, you will still appreciate the rustic landscapes for what they are; a true marvel on earth. The whole valley is like a snow blanket at this time of the year, making it colder and even more stunning. But before you get lost in the dreams of a white paradise, you must know what its like to visit the valley in winters and what you need to prepare yourself for.
Only Dry Pits
Due to harsh weather conditions, pipe water freezes in Spiti Valley during this time. Therefore, toilets are locked for the season, and only dry pits are used. Unfortunately, dry pits also don't have any water available. Washrooms will also be sans water, so for people who can't live without taking a bath every day, you might want to sit this one out.
Basic Homestays
Hotels and guest houses are shut for the winters in Spiti Valley due to a lack of customers and harsh weather conditions. You will only get accommodation in homestays, where you will have to adjust with the locals. There will be no room service, filter water bottles, or mechanics at such places. You will have to be prepared for anything and everything.
Road Blockages
Roads in Spiti Valley can close for a few days up to several weeks and months. So, not only could this blockage derail your Spiti Valley trip, but it also has you stuck in the valley for longer than you planned. Although a month is rare, it has happened before. So, just in case, keep a few days spare for any misgivings if you're planning on visiting Spiti valley in winter.
Slippery Roads
If a road trip to Spiti Valley is what you've planned for this winter, then be ready to encounter a lot of snow and ice on the roads. This will make the roads slippery, and it will be difficult for anybody with less experience to drive on such a risky route. In addition, one hand brake could lead to a crash with no help in sight. So, only drive yourself if you're confident that you can do it.
Empty Roads
Since life is so difficult in the Spiti Valley in the winters, people usually skip a Spiti Valley tour if they want to take a trip in the winter season. With fewer tourists around, any hope of shared vehicles or public transports is gone. Even the buses working in this season will stop at any given point if the conductor feels there is a dangerous point ahead.
No Electricity
From a couple of days to weeks and even months, electricity is not available in these areas as the electrical poles either get swayed or get buried in the snow. So, remember to carry an ample number of batteries with you. Keep these batteries in a safe and warm place as they will also get frozen and exhaust themselves otherwise. This goes for your phones as well.
No Mobile Signals
Just like electricity, even mobile signals can be out for a few weeks or months. So, whenever you get the chance, contact your friends and family members and assure them of your safety. During your trip to Spiti Valley this season, take any chance you can get; WIFI in a bank or a hotel running a generator, etc. Also, it is better to contact through WhatsApp than to hope for a phone call.
Minimum Medical Help
Strive to carry your medical supplies, basic and ongoing, to last you a long time. Spiti Valley is low on medical facilities. Even if there is a medical emergency, a helicopter has to be used to drop the patient off to Shimla's nearest major help. If the helicopter will be available or fly off in these terrible weather conditions is still to be questioned.
Lesser Places to Visit
Most tourist destinations are closed in winter due to the blockage of the road. Tourist villages like Dhangkar, Lhalung, Demul, Langza, and Lhalung are all inaccessible to tourists. So, the number of places to visit in Spiti Valley in winters are less in numbers. Some of them can be reached on foot but don't count on it. Ki-Kibber is a surety, though, as the roads leading up to it are always open.
Trekking and Some more of it
Since most of the tourist destinations in Spiti Valley are closed for winters due to road blockage, many tourists prefer walking to these destinations if possible. Yet, don't take a solo backpacking trip to the villages, especially those on higher altitudes, as slipping on these icy roads is always the risk. Instead, take a tour guide or a local villager who knows how to navigate this route.
A Life-Changing Trip
Even with all these tough situations to deal with, Spiti Valley in winters is still one of the greatest decisions you will make in your life. The locals there are full of warmth and will make the stay for you as hospitable as possible. You will also realize what a challenge it is to live in such harsh conditions, and your life at home will seem much easier and pleasant after this trip.
We hope this list helped get more perspective on the kind of trip you will have and all the things you need to prepare for to visit the Spiti Valley. Even though a trip to Spiti Valley is a great idea for you next winter, a bike trip to Spiti Valley might not be the greatest option for people with less tolerance for cold. Instead, you can see how to reach Spiti Valley, Spiti Lah2ore packages, and itinerary for Spiti all here. You will also find several op6[-tions for Spiti Valley tour packages on Captureatrip.com. So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets now for a pleasant albeit cold trip to the valley of snow these winters.
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