Himalayan landscape

Following several days of field work in the Spiti Valley, we left Kaza for the long drive to Keylong.

Although the distance between Kaza and Keylong is less than 190 km, the condition of the road is so poor that the journey took us more than twelve hours. Along the way, we passed the beautiful Kunzum La at an altitude of 4590 m and adorned with colourful prayer flags and stupas. The bumpy road took us through an incredible mountain scenery inhabited by a number of characteristic birds (such as the Yellow-billed Chough and the Hill Pigeon) as well as the cute Indian Pika.

leaving the Spiti Valley

leaving the Spiti Valley

breakfast in Losar

northernmost Spiti Valley

northernmost Spiti Valley

nearing the Kunzum La

stupas at the Kunzum La (~4590 m)

little temple

stupas at the Kunzum La (~4590 m)

stupa at the Kunzum La (~4590 m)

prayer flags

prayer flags and a bell

prayer flags

high peaks in the clouds

Yellow-billed Chough

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Hill Pigeon

Hill Pigeon

Hill Pigeon

mani stones at the Kunzum La

mani stones at the Kunzum La

mani stones at the Kunzum La

mani stones at the Kunzum La

bridge on the way to Keylong

mountain landscape

snack place in Batal

mountain landscape

mountain landscape

mountain landscape

bumpy road

bumpy road

mountain landscape

glacier along the way

mountain landscape

traffic jam due to a car stuck among boulders in the road

traffic jam due to a car stuck among boulders in the road

Indian Pika

bumpy road

bumpy road

mountain landscape

Chhatru

Chhatru

a shrine

mountain landscape

water fall along the way

water fall along the way

mountain landscape

mountain landscape

muddy road

reaching the final stretch of the road before Keylong

We finally reached Keylong in the early evening where we stayed the night before continuing our journey on the next day.