India 2016 (part XXXV): Sarahan-Nako

Sarahan-Nako, Himachal Pradesh:

Bhimakali Temple in Sarahan

The second day of our fantastic road trip through Himachal Pradesh brought us from Sarahan to Nako.

Because we had arrived in Sarahan (~2300 m) only after sunset, we had not seen anything of the village yet. In the morning, clouds drifted low above the trees enshrouding the surrounding mountain tops. We went on a small walk to the famous Bhimakali Temple, built in the typical architecture of the Kinnaur District.

view from the balcony

clouds drift over Sarahan

Hotel “The Shrikand”

Bhimakali Temple

entrance to the Bhimakali Temple

outer courtyard

detail of the door

King’s Palace

Bhimakali Temple

Bhimakali Temple in clouds

After breakfast, we left Sarahan and started our 185-km-long drive to Nako (~3600 m). While the vegetation was still green and lush at the beginning, with higher altitude the scenery became more barren. In the afternoon, we passed the Kinnaur Kailash, a 6050 m high sacred mountain. Only a few kilometres from the disputed border with China, we reached the place where the Spiti River flows into the Sutlej. Due to the proximity of the border area, photography was not allowed, but the scenery in the narrow gorge was dramatic. The Spiti Valley widened again just before we reached Nako in the late afternoon (click here for a video of the journey).

scenery east of Sarahan

panorama of the Sutlej River valley

valley of the Sutlej River

scenery

steep gorge of the Sutlej River

road along the Sutlej River

water fall

Sutlej River

a bridge across the Sutlej River

Kinnaur Kailash (6050 m)

further into the mountains

steep gorge of the Sutlej River

a bridge across the Sutlej River

road along the Sutlej River

Sutlej River

lunch break in Spillow

Sutlej River

narrow gorge of the Spiti River

Spiti Valley near Nako

Nako

view of Nako from the hotel’s balcony

moon above Nako

We enjoyed the calm atmosphere in tiny Nako with the many colourful prayer flags flapping in the wind. On the next day, we would continue our drive into the Spiti Valley towards Tabo, but you will have to wait until the next post to read about that.