Pin Valley - A cold desert biosphere reserve and divine monasteries of Spiti.

Continuing from my previous photolog of Chitkul, now I am writing about further journey to Pin valley- a cold desert biosphere reserve and Monasteries of Spiti valley.
Spiti Valley Circuit 2019 -13^th to 23^rd September (9 Days)

Route:  Shimla - Chitkul - Nako - Tabo - Pin Valley - Kaza - Kibber- Komic - Hikkim - Lanza - Kunzum pass - Chandratal – Manali 

Picturesque Key Monastery

Day 4 (17 September) – Tabo – Dhankar Monastery - Pin Valley (Mudh)
The previous night we reached Tabo very late and were exhausted. At dinner we were greeted by the homestay owner Mr. Suresh with a soothing song. He played the song with Khopko – a Tibetan Instrument and they say very few people in world can play this instrument. We stayed at Namsay homestay.
Here is the video of the song - OM MANI PADME HUM 

Homestays have a common dining area with traditional Spiti styled sitting

Our home stay in Tabo - Namsay - It's a mud house

In morning we went to the ancient Tabo Monastery and Meditation Caves continuing our journey to Dhankar Monastery. Monasteries in Spiti are ancient and mystical. The spiritual sources of Tibetan Buddhism need to be experienced. Photography inside monastery was not allowed so we adhered to the rules.

The ancient Tabo monastery complexes sturdy mud walls and inside murals carved on the walls

 Dhankar monastery perched on a rugged cliff gives view of the Spiti-Pin river confluence

This is Mr. Sarvesh our Ustaadji (I won’t call him driver). In Spiti the drivers of state transport bus service HRTC are called ‘USTAAD’ because of driving in such arduous condition. He is a very jolly person. We would stop at any fascinating spot and get down experiencing,treasuring the moment.

Sarveshji - Our Ustaad

Enjoying on the banks of Spiti river

So our last destination for the day was to Pin Valley formed by Pin river which is surrounded by barren landscape and towering unexplored mountains.It's different world out there- sunny weather, miles and miles of isolation, stunning views, enchanting silence etc. We stayed Tara homestay in Mudh village, a beautiful tiny village in Pin Valley.

Magnificent mountain views from Mudh village - Mornings be like this!

The most beautiful gift of nature is that it gives one pleasure to look around and try to comprehend what we see - Albert Einstein

Day 5 (18 September) –Pin Valley ( Mudh ) – Kibber – Kaza
We started the day with refilling fuel and that to at the world’s highest fuel station in Kaza and went to Kibber village to see the Chicham Bridge, which is the highest bridge in Asia and the bridge is at a staggering height of 13,596 ft. It connects the two villages named Chicham and Kibber. 

Look down this one and you will find yourself gaping below, at a 1000 ft deep gorge!

Chicham Bridge - an Engineering marvel

Further to witness was the most photographed monastery of Spiti or maybe India – Key/Ki Monastery. Its really picturesque when you see the monastery in midst of brown and white coated gigantic mountain ranges. Colorful Buddhist flags are seen fluttering in the breeze. Large prayer wheels and stones carved with the Buddhist mantra 'Oṃ maṇi padme hum' spell divine bliss. 

Key Monastery 

Nestled at great heights, overlooking magnificent views, these spiritual hubs are mark of the ancient religion.

Meditating in monastery gives you inner peace.

In evening we went to Cafe and some shopping in Kaza to unwind the day. Overnight at Rangrik Village

Unwinding the day with live music performance at a Cafe 

Stopping here for now and will continue the further journey in my next photolog.
Photo Credits - Aditya, Kaustubh, Pratik, Gauri and Tasneem.
Video Credits - Gauri.