Between Prayer Flags and Quiet Roads: Tushar Mishra’s Spiti Trip with Thrillophilia

When Tushar signed up for the Spiti Valley trip with his close friend, he was not chasing dramatic landscapes and Instagrammable sunsets. He had seen enough of those online. This time, he was searching for something quieter and something less tangible.

Tushar hoped that the isolation of Spiti and the promise of slow days would give him a chance to reconnect with silence, simplicity, and perhaps, himself.

“I don’t know what I am looking for,” he had told his friend, “but I will know when I find it.”

Little did he know, what he was looking for was not a view, but a voice.

Moving Through Stillness

The journey began like most Himalayan adventures - an overnight bus from Delhi that made its way toward the pleasant weather of Manali. The air felt different there, fresher and filled with possibilities. The next day was completely occupied with sightseeing - Hadimba Temple, Van Vihar, and Old Manali.

But everything changed on the third day, as they crossed the Atal Tunnel and began their ascent into Spiti. The landscapes were vast and raw, and it was absolutely silent amidst the mountains. It was unlike anything he had ever heard.

They reached Kaza after passing Kunzum Pass and the remote village of Losar. That night, as he stepped outside the guesthouse and looked up at the star-studded sky, he felt a life which could not be felt in the chaos of city life.

Echoes of the Monasteries

The next day’s itinerary was packed with Komik, Hikkim, Langza, Kibber, and the famed Key Monastery. But for Tushar, it was not just about ticking off attractions. It was about listening to the chants, the laughter of children, and the rustle of prayer flags in the wind.

Komik, the highest village in Asia, felt like a special place in the clouds. He met a boy who was running barefoot across the rough terrain. “Don’t your feet hurt?” Tushar asked, amused. The boy smiled. “Not if I am chasing the wind.”

At Hikkim, he sat with the postmaster who had been delivering letters for over 30 years from the highest post office in the world. Tushar asked him why he had not left for an easier job. The man smiled gently, “Who will carry people’s words to the mountains if not me?”

But it was the Key Monastery that stayed with him. Situated on a hilltop, it looked like something out of a dream. A young monk invited them in for butter tea. Tushar hesitated, then accepted.

The Ancient Breath of Tabo

On Day 5, they travelled further to Tabo, which is home to the thousand-year-old monastery often called the "Ajanta of the Himalayas." The monastery’s age and weather-worn murals gave it a wisdom that felt ancient and grounded.

Inside a dark room lit by a single butter lamp, Tushar sat cross-legged beside a monk who was meditating. He tried to match his breathing and slow himself down. For a moment, he forgot where he was. He was not thinking about work, responsibilities, or even the lake they were supposed to visit next.

He was simply breathing with the earth, with the mountains, and with everything.

Dhankar and Pin Valley were equally mesmerising, but the serenity he had found in Tabo stayed with him for long.

The Highlight. The Chandrataal.

They finally reached Chandratal Lake on the 6th day. It was beautiful, or rather, stunning to look at the blue waters, the surrounding peaks, and the changing sky. But for Tushar, it was the reflection of everything he had already gathered.

As Tushar stood by the lake, he did not feel the need to take many pictures. Instead, he closed his eyes and let the wind brush his face. He felt grateful for everything the journey had shown him, including the wisdom in simplicity, the joy in small conversations, and the richness of silence.

The Descent

The night at Sissu was spent around a campfire. Tushar and his friend spoke about how different they both felt.

“I came here to disconnect,” he said. “But I think I actually connected to something I did not know I was missing.The views throughout the trip were spectacular, especially the beautiful Chandratal Lake. Even the stay and food were top-notch. Thanks to Captain Jitendra! He took care of every single detail and made this trip enjoyable.

Their journey back to Manali and then Delhi was smooth. The bus was filled with laughter, shared playlists, and sleepy smiles. 

In Tushar’s final words about the trip, “Overall, our trip was a mix of natural beauty, excellent service, and thoughtful planning. If you are looking forward to exploring the Spiti Valley region, I highly recommend choosing Thrillophilia.”

Read More:
Thrillophilia Spiti Valley Reviews