Himachal

Nako – High Altitude Destination in Kinnaur Valley, Himachal Pradesh

On morning of 6^th May 2014, we left behind Kaza, commencing our return journey. We were headed for Nako ( 11,800’) - a high altitude destination belonging to Pooh divisions of Kinnaur district. Going along NH22, a diversion road from Yangthang going 7 km uphill leads us to Nako.  As we ascend, the topography resembles more like that of vegetation less Spiti region rather than lush green valleys of Kinnaur to which Nako belongs. Having acclimatized for harsh cold climate and high altitude at Kaza, Kibber and ..........more........

Kibber Village & Wildlife Sanctuary – Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

On morning of 4^th May 2014, leaving Kaza behind, we traveled further 7 km northwards to Kee village for our first sightseeing break.  At the fringes of Kee village, the single and two storied houses looked similar to almost everywhere we have seen in Spiti  Valley. The pyramidal external contours of eight storied kee monastery - the largest in Spiti valley at the altitude of 13,728’ elevation looked magnificent on a bright sunlit day. On the left side at a distance...........more.........  

Kaza - The Premier Destination In Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

By noon of 2^nd May 2014, we left behind Dhankar for our onward journey through Pin valley planning to go as far as Mud. Going down towards the river bed of Spiti valley, we had a break for watching the confluence of rivers Spiti and Pin from Close proximity. Though water volume of both the rivers was low, they had a distinctive color of their own. ...........more............

Tabo – Our First Destination in Spiti valley – Himachal Pradesh

On 30^th April 2014, leaving behind Kalpa – the finest of destinations in Kinnaur valley, traveling along NH22, we were looking forward to stepping into Spiti valley at higher elevations and freezing weather in early summer. We had a short break at Rekong Peo for purchasing the essential food items for the journey – mostly fruits and biscuits and ready to eat snacks  – one gets every commodity in this place. Crossing Poari, our car had a sudden halt behind a few cars overlooking a lot of activity on road ahead. Boulders and rocks of various .............more...............

 

 

Kalpa In Flowering Season - Himachal Pradesh  

Visiting Kalpa in end April, as a part of my Kinnaur & Spiti valley tour itinerary, did not happen as per preference but due to other commitments in peak summer. None the less, Kalpa had to happen as my trip to the same destination in June 2013 was aborted due to road collapsing in Kinnaur region. In the same year our hotel booking at Kalpa with advance payments remained unclaimed in spite of some efforts. One more effort at contacting Hotel ..........more..........

 

 

 Narkanda In Early Summer – Himachal Pradesh

Some minutes before Noon of 27^th April 2014, found us at Chandigarh airport on a bright sunlit day, to begin our journey through Kinnaur and Spiti regions of Himachal Pradesh. As we get a pick-up in an air-conditioned Innova and cruise through some of the finest roads on NH22, I reminisce about our maiden journey through Himachal in the month of June a year ago. The extreme vagaries of weather then, with downpour and rock slides, a large tract of hill roads caving in or dispersed with builders, disrupting the Kinnaur region road traffic ..........more.........

 

 

First Lap of Maiden Himachal Tour – Shimla, Fagu & Sarahan

My maiden visit to Himachal Pradesh in June 2013 went awry midway through the trip and the unforgettable second half of the story has been told in earlier blogs. The first part of the trip being smooth sailing, it is worthwhile recounting it now. Arriving Chandigarh airport from Mumbai in morning of 12^th June, expecting a hot and dry weather and not finding it, was a pleasant surprise.  Our hired car driver dutifully came to receive us at airport, hauling a part of our luggage, informed us that the rainfall the day before made the climate pleasant for the trip ahead.  Settling down in front ..........more...........

 

 

Trek to Sangla & Helicopter Evacuation – Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh

 The saying goes, ‘man proposes and God dispose’. The summer of 2013 will rank as one of the worst experiences to the visitors to Uttarakhand and to lesser extent the neighboring state of Himachal Pradesh. Having watched the extreme vagaries of Himalayan weather, in the same period, from Rakcham in Kinnaur district of Himachal, we were getting restless, unable to start our journey through the blocked roads to Sangla. Sangla was only 14 km, yet so far as there was no sign of road clearing of the .........more........

 

 

Rollicking Rakcham & Charming Chitkul – Kinnaur, Himachal

(My first Himachal Pradesh trip itinerary for exploring Kinnaur district went awry after reaching the miniscule dwelling of scenic Rakcham. From 14^th to 19^th June 2013, we were holed up in hotel room watching vagaries of Himalayan weather. We squeezed in a few hours for a trip to Chitkul - the last village on Indo – China border. The four extra days we spent at Rakcham were eventful. A recap of exciting ........more........