Three friends, one road, and a trail full of Himalayan stories. Friendship floating in the wind, memories buried in the dust, and landscapes that spoke louder than words.
Hi, and welcome back. This is Part 3 — and the final leg — of our Lahaul Series. In this episode, I take you to a place where snow, silence, and surreal beauty come together — Deepak Tal.
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From Delhi to Manali: Escaping the Noise
Our journey began in Delhi. After leaving behind the chaos and traffic, we made our way to Manali, a place that isn’t just another tourist hill town — it’s the beginning of real Himalayan adventure. Manali marks the transition from the known to the wild, where every kilometre forward feels like diving deeper into a different world.
After a day’s rest in Manali, we hit the road again — this time aiming for Jispa, about 45 km away. A peaceful drive through pine forests and winding valleys brought us to this quiet village tucked into the Lahaul-Spiti district.
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Jispa: The Gateway to Lahaul’s Soul
Jispa is where the culture of Lahaul truly begins. Most people here follow Buddhism, and languages like Lahauli, Bhotia (Bhooti), and Hindi are commonly spoken. The calm energy of the place, combined with stunning scenery, made it feel like we had truly arrived in the heart of Himachal’s mountain soul.
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Deepak Tal: Where the Mountains Fall Silent
Roughly 20 km ahead of Jispa lies Deepak Tal — a small lake sitting at 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) above sea level. Half frozen, utterly quiet, and completely beautiful. For most travellers on the Manali-Leh route, it’s a quick stop — but even 20 minutes here feel like time slows down.
Surrounding the lake are rugged Himalayan peaks, and one of the tallest in the region — Mulkila Peak — towers at 6,571 meters (21,379 feet). You can spot it from multiple points along the route, and its presence adds to the wild, untouched charm of the region.
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Snow Walls, Quiet Roads, and Childlike Joy
By the time we reached Deepak Tal, snow walls had started lining the road — at some places up to 3 feet high. We were travelling in early season, so beyond a point (about 15–17 km before Baralacha La), the road was blocked, and we had to turn back. But not before making the most of it — running across the snow, playing like kids, and soaking in views that made us fall completely silent.
Something about snow, silence, and the Himalayas makes you reconnect with your inner child. We weren’t just travellers here — we were kids again, wide-eyed and alive.
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Where to Stay & How to Travel
If you’re planning this trip, there are good homestays and hotels in Jispa. Some stays are available in Darcha too, though not all match up to comfort or cleanliness standards. For anyone travelling with a pet, you’ll be happy to know — almost all mountain properties are pet-friendly, and we weren’t charged a single extra rupee.
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Quick Itinerary & Tips: Delhi to Deepak Tal
• Route: Delhi → Manali → Jispa → Deepak Tal → Return
• Distance: Approx. 1,300 km round trip
• Ideal Duration: 3 to 4 days
• Food: Limited options — think soul-warming Maggi and momos.
• Transport: Don’t have a personal vehicle? Take a bus from Delhi to Manali. From Manali, early-morning buses go to Jispa or Darcha.
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Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just a road trip. It was a reminder of how beautiful life can be when shared with friends — chasing views, eating snow (yes, really), and sitting still with nothing but mountains around.
If you’re looking for a quick but powerful escape from city life — with adventure, snow, and soulful moments — then this Delhi to Deepak Tal loop is the perfect plan.
Got any questions about the trip? Drop them in the comments. And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe — because there’s always another story just around the bend.
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