Lahaul & Spiti : A sublime beauty

I’ve been mesmerised by the sublime beauty of the Himalayas since my first trip more than a decade ago! The sheer size of the gigantic mountains, the snake-like winding roads (sometimes just dirt-tracks) and the adventure of living in one of the most sparsely populated regions on earth is thrilling! Perspective gets skewed, as there is usually nothing to compare the size of the landscape with. A huge gushing river looks like a trinket against the huge mountains! It’s surreal being in a place with almost no life and no connection with the rest of the world and where only nature rules! Kinnaur Kailash parikrama trek in Himachal was ‘once in a lifetime’ experience for me.

Himachal Pradesh in India has some gorgeous places and Lahaul & Spiti valley, beyond Manali is breathtakingly beautiful! Lahaul & Spiti are two different valleys and lie north of Kullu – Manali. Via Rohtang pass is Lahaul valley and beyond Kunzum La (15,000ft), one of the highest motor able mountain passes, is Spiti valley. The mountains here are eroded & barren with no vegetation and the white glaciers look stark against the brown mountains. Rohtang and Kunzum passes are closed in winters and the valleys are accessible only from May to October.

Images from a road trip to Lahaul & Spiti valley in black & white.

The winding roads and hair pin bends

Dhabas on the way with awesome views  of the landscape

A Chatwala in the middle of the mountains!

Against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas

Kunzum La pass and Kunzum devi temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga

Lahaul & Spiti : a sublime beauty

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