The trail makes you experience the warmth and hospitality of the people who are the beauty of this desolate patch of land between India and Tibet. We experience, first hand, what kind of lifestyle one has to adopt to thrive in these conditions. The harshness of the terrain and weather and the way people survive in those subzero temperatures is absolutely enthralling to witness. And of course the raw beauty of the valley itself. The dichromatic landscape with shades of white sprinkled across the shades of brown of the barren mountains!
Difficulty Level of the Trek:
Spiti Winter Homestay Trail is a level 4 trek on the Bikat Rating Scale.
About the BRS: The Bikat Rating Scale rates the difficulty level of all treks and expeditions in our portfolio after taking into account their geographical and climatic conditions.
According to this scale, if you are a beginner who is unsure of your fitness level and don’t know what to expect on a trek, a trek rated one will be a good place to start.
If you liked your very first trekking experience and are looking to test your limits next, the treks rated 2 or 3 will do the job for you.
A beginner who is sure of their fitness level on the other hand is welcome to skip the first two levels and directly start with one of the treks rated 3.
From 4 onwards, the rules change a little. It is mandatory to have trekking experience of the previous level to participate in the next level.
The Trails of Spiti Winter Homestay Trail:
It is not necessarily a challenging or a difficult trail, but it certainly holds a lot of stories in its folds. The pull of this trek is people and the experience of culture and tradition more than it is about the challenge of the trail. The winter trail is an immersive experience. You get to witness how the locals live their everyday life in such extreme and harsh conditions. It is also a chance to put yourself into their shoes, homes and lives, figuratively as well as literally. Having said that, the altitude and temperature do bring in some difficulties. We are listing them down in this article so you are better prepared for what’s waiting for you in this gorgeous land when you arrive here!
Challenge 1: Acclimatization
If you are a mountain enthusiast, you would be aware that the body takes a fair bit of time to adapt to new temperatures, altitude and terrain. While these altitudes are hard to adapt to in any case, the frigid temperatures of winters make it even more difficult to adjust to. This is especially true if you are coming from sea level. The trek starts from Shimla which is at an elevation of 2,276M and takes you to the highest altitude of 4,587M. This quick gain in height is likely to produce AMS-like symptoms. However, worry not! It is not all bleak because there are ways to lessen the chances of getting sick. Remember to drink lots of water, layer up as instructed by the leader and keep them informed of any irregularities you notice in your body so that necessary action can be taken as required.