From Solo Traveller to New Friends: Sanjana’s Spiti Adventure with Thrillophilia

Thrillophilia Travel Story
PNR: BKDUUUOYKX2
Ratings: ★★★★★
Traveller: Sanjana Gondane
Trip Duration: 8 Days | 7 Nights
Travel Date: 14 Feb 2026 to 21 Feb 2026
Destination: Spiti Valley
Travel Style: Solo Traveller | Group Tour
Sales Owner: Arpit Sharma
Package Booked: Spiti Bike Tour Winter Special

Sanjana Gondane travelled to Spiti solo, joining a Thrillophilia group tour from Delhi. Over eight days, she travelled through Shimla, Sangla, Nako, Kaza and Kalpa, moving from the green valleys of Kinnaur into the stark, high-altitude landscape of Spiti.

Along the way came ancient monasteries, remote mountain villages and some seriously high-altitude stops. More importantly, Sanjana made new friends within the group, turning what began as a solo trip into a shared Himalayan experience.

Sangla and the Baspa Valley

The first stretch into Himachal's mountains took the group from Shimla towards Sangla. The landscape changed quickly as they entered Kinnaur, with pine forests covering the slopes and the Baspa River winding through the valley.

At around 3,500 metres, the group stopped at the famous Hindustan Ka Aakhri Dhaba for a Himachali meal before continuing towards Sangla. Surrounded by enormous mountain walls, the valley offered the first real sense of how remote this journey was going to become.

Nako at 3,662 Metres

The drive towards Nako brought the group deeper into the high Himalayas. At Khab, they stopped to see the confluence of the Sutlej and Spiti rivers, where the two rivers meet amid an otherwise stark mountain landscape.

Further ahead, Nako Lake sat quietly at approximately 3,662 metres, surrounded by willow and poplar trees. The group explored Nako Monastery and visited Nako Chango Gompa, where they saw a 500-year-old prayer wheel made from yak skin.

It was one of those stops where the landscape and the history were equally striking. The tiny settlement, ancient monastery and high mountain surroundings made Nako feel far removed from the world Sanjana had left behind in Delhi.

Gue, Tabo and the Story of Spiti

Spiti's history came alive at Gue Monastery, where the group saw the remarkably preserved remains of a mummy believed to be around 500 years old.

They continued to Tabo Monastery, one of the oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas. Founded in 996 AD, the complex contains ancient temples, murals and sculptures and is popularly known as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas.”

After spending time around these centuries-old monasteries, the group continued towards Kaza, surrounded by the barren mountains and wide-open valleys that define Spiti.

Above 4,000 Metres

The high-altitude day around Kaza was perhaps the most extreme part of the journey.

The group began at Key Monastery, perched at around 4,166 metres, before heading even higher to Hikkim, where the famous post office sits at approximately 4,440 metres. Sanjana could send a postcard from one of the world's highest post offices before continuing to Komic, located at around 4,587 metres.

The landscape at this elevation was almost completely bare, with enormous mountains stretching across the horizon and tiny settlements appearing against them. The final stop was Chicham Bridge, where the road crosses high above a deep Himalayan gorge.

From Spiti to Kalpa

Leaving Kaza meant gradually leaving the starkest landscapes of Spiti behind. The group stopped at Dhankar Monastery, dramatically positioned above the valley and believed to be more than 1,000 years old.

The road eventually brought them into Kinnaur, where the scenery became greener and the mountains were dotted with villages and apple orchards. In Kalpa, the group had views of the snow-covered Kinnaur Kailash range, a striking contrast to the barren terrain around Kaza.

After days of high-altitude travel, the journey back towards Shimla marked the final stretch of Sanjana's Spiti adventure.

Why Sanjana Chose Thrillophilia

Sanjana chose to explore Spiti as a solo traveller but joined Thrillophilia's group tour, where she made new friends during the journey. The group setting gave her company through the long mountain drives, sightseeing and high-altitude experiences.

The trip was planned and coordinated with support from Arpit Sharma, Thrillophilia's Sales Owner, and the Thrillophilia Destination Expert. With the major travel logistics organised, Sanjana could concentrate on exploring Spiti and enjoying the group experience.

By the end of eight days, the solo traveller had made new friends and experienced some of the most remote corners of Himachal Pradesh. Her review summed it up perfectly: “Best trip of my life. Thanks Thrillophilia!”

Also Read: Subharthy Deb’s Journey Into the Himalayas