How Two Friends, One Suzuki Access 125, and Zero Planning Led to the Adventure of a Lifetime
The Crazy Beginning: When Midnight Rain Couldn’t Stop Us
It’s 2 AM in Mumbai, the streets are flooded from heavy rains, and two friends are loading up a Suzuki Access 125 with whatever bags they can stuff into the leg space and back seat. There is no detailed itinerary, no weather checks, no proper gear—just pure wanderlust and the confidence that “we know how to ride, we know the route, how hard can it be?”
That’s exactly how our 15-day Mumbai to Spiti Valley adventure began. What started as a casual “let’s just go” conversation became one of our most incredible journeys.
Day 1-2: Fighting Floods and Finding Gujarat’s Flavors
Mumbai to Vapi (Night Ride Through Floods)
Our first challenge came within hours. Navigating Mumbai’s waterlogged streets at 2 AM was like riding through a river. But by morning, we had conquered our first milestone – reaching Vapi, Gujarat, completely soaked but spirits high.
Pro Tip: Never underestimate Mumbai’s monsoon flooding. Check weather conditions and water levels before starting night rides.
Vapi to Ahmedabad: The Taste of Freedom
After warming up with hot samosas in Vapi (nothing beats roadside snacks when you’re cold and wet!), we experienced Gujarat’s dramatic weather change. Gone was Mumbai’s rain – hello, humid heat!
By evening, we rolled into Ahmedabad, tired but exhilarated. Our first day’s achievement: 500+ km on a scooty!
Ahmedabad Morning: Jalebi-Fafda Fuel
No Gujarat visit is complete without the iconic jalebi-fafda breakfast. We gorged on these crispy, sweet delights along with spicy bhajias before hitting the road again.
Day 3-4: Racing to Rajasthan and Reaching Delhi
Ahmedabad to Ajmer: Desert Dreams
The ride to Ajmer was our introduction to long-distance scooty touring. The landscape changed from Gujarat’s plains to Rajasthan’s desert beauty. We reached Ajmer by evening, checked into a budget hotel, and finally got a proper night’s sleep.
Ajmer to Delhi: The Capital Calling
The ride to Delhi tested our endurance. By this point, we realized our packing was amateur hour – bags shifting, uncomfortable seating, and constant readjustments. But the anticipation of reaching Delhi kept us going.
Delhi Interlude: Shopping, Sightseeing, and Smart Upgrades
The Game-Changer Purchase: In Delhi, we made the smartest investment of our trip – saddle bags and a backside extension for our scooty. This transformed our riding experience completely!
Delhi Highlights (2 Days):
India Gate: Evening photography session
Chandni Chowk: Street food paradise
Qutub Minar: History lesson with a view
Lotus Temple: Peaceful meditation break
Food Adventures: From street chaat to restaurant meals, Delhi fed our souls
Budget Breakdown Delhi:
Accommodation: ₹800-1200/night
Food: ₹300-500/day
Local transport: ₹200/day
Sightseeing: ₹100-200/person per monument
Day 7 Onwards: Hello Himachal, Hello Heaven!
Leaving Delhi meant saying goodbye to the plains and hello to the mountains. The moment we entered Himachal Pradesh, everything changed – the air, the scenery, the people, and our excitement levels!
The Mountain Magic: Narkanda to Pooh
Narkanda: Our First Mountain Stop
Narkanda welcomed us with cool air and stunning views. After days of heat and humidity, the mountain breeze felt like a blessing.
Pooh: Where Roads Get Real
As we approached Pooh, the roads started showing their true Himalayan character. Smooth highways became memories as we encountered our first taste of mountain terrain.
Spiti Valley: The Ultimate Test
Reaching Kaza: The Heart of Spiti
When we finally reached Kaza, we knew we had entered something special. The landscape was otherworldly – barren mountains, pristine air, and a silence that spoke louder than any city noise.
The Spiti Circuit: Kaza to Batal to Manali
This was where our adventure became an expedition:
Water crossings that soaked our feet in glacier-cold water
Bad patches that tested every bolt on our scooty
Waterfalls cascading directly onto the road
Fellow travelers who became instant family, helping each other navigate the treacherous paths
The Unforgettable Moment: Getting our scooty out of a river-like path, feet numb from glacier water, but surrounded by travelers who immediately came to help. This is the spirit of the mountains!
The 15-Day Mark: Connection Restored
After 15 days without proper network connectivity, reaching Manali felt like returning to civilization. The first call home was emotional – our families had been worried, and we had stories to last a lifetime.
The People: Strangers Who Became Stories
Some of our best memories weren’t about places but people:
Truck drivers sharing their road wisdom and travel struggles
Fellow travelers bonding over rajma chawal and maggi
Locals offering chai in freezing weather
Unknown faces who became friends over shared meals and adventures
Complete Itinerary for Future Adventurers
Phase 1: The Foundation (Days 1-6)
Route: Mumbai → Vapi → Ahmedabad → Ajmer → Delhi
Distance: ~1,400 km
Budget: ₹8,000-12,000 for 2 people
Key Stops: Gujarat food tour, Rajasthan culture, Delhi shopping
Phase 2: The Preparation (Days 7-8)
Location: Delhi
Activities: Sightseeing, gear shopping, scooty modifications
Budget: ₹5,000-8,000 for 2 people
Must-buy: Saddle bags, rain gear, warm clothes
Phase 3: The Adventure (Days 9-15)
Route: Delhi → Narkanda → Pooh → Kaza → Spiti Circuit → Manali
Distance: ~1,200 km
Budget: ₹10,000-15,000 for 2 people
Highlights: Mountain roads, Spiti Valley, glacier crossings
Budget Breakdown (Total for 2 People)
Fuel 8,000-10,000 Accommodation 12,000-18,000 Food 10,000-15,000 Miscellaneous 5,000-8,000 Total 35,000-51,000
Essential Packing List
Clothing:
Multiple layers for temperature variations
Rain gear (absolutely essential)
Warm clothes for Spiti Valley
Comfortable riding clothes
Equipment:
Saddle bags and luggage extensions
Basic toolkit for scooty
Power banks and chargers
First aid kit
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Food & Water:
Water bottles and purification tablets
Energy bars and dry snacks
Thermos for hot drinks
Lessons Learned (The Hard Way)
Proper planning isn’t boring – it’s essential for safety
Weather can change everything – pack for all conditions
People are incredible – trust in human kindness
Flexibility is key – rigid plans break on mountain roads
Memories matter more than comfort – embrace the struggle
Why This Trip Changed Everything
This wasn’t just a ride; it was a transformation. We learned that the best adventures happen when you step out of your comfort zone. We discovered that strangers can become family over a shared meal, that nature can be both beautiful and brutal, and that a simple scooty can take you to places that change your perspective forever.
Planning Your Own Epic Scooty Adventure?
Best Time to Visit:
Avoid: Monsoon season (July-September) for mountain regions
Ideal: May-June or September-October
Winter: Only for experienced riders with proper gear
Vehicle Recommendations:
Suzuki Access 125: Proved reliable for our entire journey
Alternatives: Honda Activa 125, TVS Jupiter 125
Essential: Good condition, recent service, spare parts kit
Final Advice:
Start with shorter trips to build confidence, invest in good luggage solutions, and always inform someone about your route and timeline.
Have you ever taken an epic scooty adventure? Share your stories in the comments below! And if this inspires you to plan your own Mumbai to Spiti Valley journey, we’d love to hear about it.
Follow us for more crazy travel adventures and budget travel tips!
#ScootyAdventure #SpitiValley #BudgetTravel #RoadTrip #HimachalPradesh #TravelBlog #AdventureTravel #IndiaTravel