India 2016 (part XXXVIII): Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh:

impressive landscape of the Spiti Valley

After four long days of driving, we finally reached Kaza, the main town within the Spiti Valley and our base for the following days.

While Kaza lies at an altitude of ca. 3600 m, our research brought us to the high plateau east of the valley at altitudes between 4200 and 4500 m. The landscape surrounding the tiny villages of Chichim, Kibber, Gete, Tashigong, Langza, Hikkim, Komic, and Demul was really unbelievable. The clear sky, bright sun, snow-clad mountains, and rugged scenery were just fantastic. Apart from work, we could also visit the interesting Kye and Tangyud monasteries. Just click through the gallery, to get an idea of the magnificence of the Spiti Valley.

Spiti Valley

on the plateau near Langza

Langza

mountain scenery

a small glacier

Buddha statue in Langza

Langza

locals near Langza

Langza

panorama near Langza

in Komic (4587 m)

Tangyud Monastery in Komic

a stuffed snow leopard

Hikkim

Himalayan Blue Sheep

view towards Kaza

on the shortcut from Hikkim to Kaza

Kaza in the Spiti Valley

Tangyud Monastery in Kaza

Spiti Valley

on the road to Demul

Spiti Valley

on the road to Demul

mountain scenery

on the road to Demul

prayer flags

mountain scenery

Demul

view towards Demul

Himalayan Blue Sheep

earth pyramids

Hotel Deyzor in Kaza

road to the Kye Monastery

Kye Monastery

view towards Chichim

harvest

deep gorge in the mountains

bridge under construction

view towards Chichim

panorama near Kibber

Kibber

Gete

landscape near Gete

a yak

yaks

at Gete

yaks

a tiny flower

a lonely house between Gete and Tashigong

yaks

a lonely house between Gete and Tashigong

view towards Tashigong

Himalayan Blue Sheep

Kibber

Kye Monastery

Himalayan Blue Sheep

Langza

Kye Monastery

earth pyramids

Spiti Valley

Chichim

bridge under construction between Chichim and Kibber

landscape near Chichim

a pretty flower

a lizard

Spiti Valley

As you could see in the gallery, we were also lucky enough to spot a few wild Himalayan Blue Sheep and I took a few video clips of these beautiful animals.

After we finished our field work, we began our return journey and left the Spiti Valley towards the north, crossing the Kunzum and Rohtang passes to reach Manali.