Spiti Valley Expedition Part 2 - In & Around Kaza Spiti Valley

 

Day 5 - 28th September 

Kaza - Langza - Komic - Hikkim - Kaza 
Distance: 46.1 Kms; Time: 5 Hrs 10 Mnts ; Breaks : 2 Hrs 36 Mnts

We were in Kaza, in Spiti valley woow. We could not believe it as we woke up after a good night sleep in the comfortable HPTDC hotel. Surprisingly it was not very cold at Kaza. It was pleasant.

Our Body had acclimatized & felt normal, with no signs that we were at 3800meters elevation. Eagerly we got ready & went for a good buffet breakfast.

If we thought the roads reaching here were tough we got a big surprise. We drove where we thought it was not possible for us, went over incredible inclines & came down steep trails that we had never imagined we would be doing one day. All this Duster took it in its stride.

Over two days around Kaza, we had explored the ultimate beauty of Spiti valley.

Kaza (3800m) to Langza (4358m)

We started at 8:30 am towards Langza village. Couple of km later the road deviated towards Langza & immediately we started climbing steeply & over multiple switchbacks. The road was Narrow, broken & gravel. There was no guard rail on the narrow road, and we could see the Spiti river way down below. It was scary at each turn but the view was magnificent. It was a very difficult to keep the eyes on the road with such beautiful views.

After a nerve-racking 15km drive which took us 57mins, we reached Langza Buddha Statue. The Statue itself was down a very steep path & we had to take the car down a gentle as a leaf.

Langza was in a valley with 20 odd houses that formed the village. A 35 feet tall golden Buddha sat facing the valley. The ground fell steeply beyond the statue to a large valley ending at a snow peak. Cattle, sheep & some horses were grazing peacefully far away & below. It was indeed peaceful & surreal. It became suddenly cold as clouds came in & wind had picked up. Had some hot lemon & ginger tea sold by a vendor.

Spent some time admiring the beautiful vista that was Langza and started for our next destination Komic.

The climb from the parking to the road was crazy. Check the video of Kaza to Langza.

Langza(4358m) to Komik (4587m). 9.6km - 35min

For couple of km the road was under construction. After that up to Komic road was newly laid & It was smooth as silk for the next 7km. It went snaking across the twists & turns on a slight gradient. Kudos to Border Roads Organization. I think by next year the whole circuit would have a beautiful road.

Komic Village is known as the Highest Village in the world with a Motorable road at 4587meters. This was the highest altitude we had ever reached. It was a small village with few houses spread across the valley.

There were two Monasteries one old & a new one with nice architecture. A small hotel stood nearby known as the highest restaurant in the world. Had a drink called Seabuckthorn Tea made from a local flower. A few pics later we started off towards our next destination Hikkim village.

Komic (4587m) to Hikkim (4440m). 3.5km - 15min

A short smooth drive brought us to Hikkim village. Again a typical spiti village in a valley with few houses spread across. This village boasts of having the Highest working Post office in the world. A walk down a steep narrow trail from the road brought us to the post office. Luckily the Post master was in & we had a quick chat. Bought some postcards which he stamped with "Hikkim" stamp for us. We posted them but only two arrived.

Hikkim (4440m) to Kaza (3800m). 15km - 1hr 6min

This was the most difficult part to drive. Drive was all downhill but incredibly steep, no road, no guard rails & multiple switchbacks on narrow track made it tough. At one point we thought that the car would just slide down over the loose gravel, such was the angle. Luckily Duster stood its ground and slowly brought us down. At mid point we had an incredible view of Kaza town alongside Spiti river hundreds of meters down. After an hour of one of the most tense drive ever we reached Kaza.

Night at Kaza.

Rest of the day we spent shopping apples & local garments around kaza town had snacks at overhyped "Himalayan Cafe"

As the night fell, the sky was incredible. Millions of stars showed up with the very prominent Milkyway looking bright beautiful and so close that seemed we can touch it if we reach out. Took some long exposure shots of the sky. This was an amazing experience like a visit to a live planetarium.

Day 6 - 29th September 

Kaza - Key Monastery - Chicham Bridge - Kibber Village - Kaza

Distance: 62 Kms; Time: 4 Hrs 46 Mnts ; Breaks : 2 Hrs

Kaza (3800m) to Key Monastery (4166m)

Today was the last day for us in Kaza and we were eager to make most of it. Enjoyed a lovely buffet breakfast.

First Stop was at Key Monastery. it was a short 13km / 30min drive from our hotel. The Monastery was Majestic perched over a mountain. The views of the Spiti River and surrounding mountains were wonderful. After taking in the vistas we entered the Monastery. There were two temples inside, one immediately after entering the Monastery and other on Upper floor. Going to the upper floor temple was like climbing though a tunnel. There was a Canteen in the first floor, but since it was early, we did not see any one.. We were there for about half an hour and started for Chicham Bridge.

Key Monastery (4166m) to Chicham Bridge (4245m)

This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. The climb to Chicham was steep but after previous day’s climb to Langza and Hikkim, this seemed a bit easier, but still tough. 

Chicham bridge suddenly appeared after a blind turn. It was magnificent. Asia’s highest suspension bridge at 4245 meters, was an engineering marvel. We crossed the bridge and parked the car on the other side. 

Only thing was, we were already late for the party. There were at least 100 tourists taking selfies in every angle possible & in every Yoga Pose they could imitate. We had time so we waited till they left in their Innovas & tempo travellers. We had a leisure walk along the bridge took many pics of the bridge & the deep 200 meter gorge below & also had coffee made from our kit. 

The rocky mountains with the imposing bridge were a sight to behold. The Bridge is over Samba Lamba Nalla almost 200 meters below which connects Kibber with Chcham and provides an alternate route to Losar. This reduces the distance between Kibber and Chicham by good extent. 

Chicham Bridge (4245) - Kibber Village (4270m)

After about an Hour we left for Kibber, which is most populated village in Spiti Valley. The drive was beautiful to Kibber which was  just 2 ,3 Kms away. OWe halted for about 20 minutes in Kibber village and then turned back towards Kaza. Spent some time in Kaza did a bit of Star gazing & hit the bed.

Next day we started our return to Noida the same way.

Day 7 - 30th September - Kaza - Tabo - Kalpa

Distance: 216.6 Kms; Time: 9hrs ; Breaks : 1 Hr 55mins

Day 8 - 1st October - Kalpa - Shimla

Distance: 224.7kms, Time: 8hrs 27mins, Breaks: 1 hr 20 mins

Day 9 - 2nd October - Shimla - Noida

Distance: 430 kms, Time: 8hrs 39 mins, Breaks: 1 hr 22 mins

Thanks for reading through & hoping you enjoyed the pictures