Spectacular Spiti

The Spiti valley lies close to the Tibetan border following the Tibetan Hindustan Highway. It  is an amazing landscape in its strange starkness. Scree slopes, narrow gorges, raw rock and the raging Sutlej River below in a desert like dry environment that is emphasised by the brilliant green of the sporadic pea and apple orchard culitivated slopes. Little tibetan style villages and ageing buddhist monastries cling to cliffs. Its been incredibly hot, the dazzling light and the high-ish altitudes of 3000- 4700m make for challenging conditions not to mention the rough roads.

Munchkin at Kalpa village monastry

Typical roadside snack - Rs20, thats R3.50!

Just gotto love the Indian Road signs, here another from BRO (Boarder Roads Organisation)

The States of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir have both banned the plastic bag and the great thing is that since this law was passed last year, it is virtually impossible to find any plastic bags. So what does everyone use? Newspapers and magazines recycled into paper bags.

Little Nako girls

1400m acsent to Nako at 3550m

Leaving Nako

More zigs and zags

 

Cool dogs in Tabo ( I think these may be Chandra's offspring, Cass!)

Views from Dhankar monastry

Dhankar Monastery sits precariously on an eroded alluvial buttress above the Spiti river

 

Fresh sweet peas have been the perfect snack along the way

Fodder collection for animals during the winter is one of the main activities for Spitians during the summer, Pin valley.

Pea picker, Pin Valley

Little girl at Dhankar Monastry

Carlos on the way to Tashigang village (4 houses) sans panniers. Some of the highest villages in the world are found on the Spitain high pastures (notably Komik)

On the way to Tahsigang - high altitude Spitian Plateau

 

We stayed in Teshi Norzung's house in Komik. She looked after us well, feeding us homemade curd, tsampa (barley flower), homegrown veg. and plenty of chai and yak butter tea.

Komik girl

 

Beautiful late afternoon light in Komik village (4600m), Spiti

An incredible descent from the high pastures of Komik and Demel village, Spiti