From Spiti we crossed our first high pass, the Kunzum-la (4600m) and enjoyed the change from high altitude desert to cascading waterfalls, grassy slopes and snow peaks in the distance. The wild Chandra river and precipitous drop-offs kept us on guard all the way to the junction of the Manali-Leh highway.
Lahualian summer flowers below the Rohtang pass.
It rained all night, but this dear dhabba dog found some shelter under our bikes. Chatru.
Campsite, Chatru.
Roadside dhabbas (hotels) are a cyclists saviour. We revived ourselves with chai, chowmein and lots of 'biskoots'. Chatru, Lahual.
Roads become rivers. Chandra valley.
Chandra/Chatru valley, Lahual.
The best water ever was available on every bend! Note the superb road surface! (pity the majority of tourists still insist on filling the himalayas with plastic water bottles!)
The amazing Chandra river valley is boulder strewn, backdropped with jagged peaks and decorated with gushing waterfalls and sprinklings of summer flowers
Our first high pass, the Kunzum-la (4600m) that separates the dry Spiti valley with the lush Chattru valley in Lahaul. Prayer flags for Aidan.
Campsite, Chandra tal. Even soaking lentils for the day did little to soften them - cooking at 4200m takes a while!
Chandra tal, 4200m.
Flora is adapted for the high altitude desert
Spitian roads
