From Kinnaur to Spiti Valley (start - Khab, via Nako Lake, reaching Spiti after Malling Nallah)

This post is inspired by a memory that came alive seeing this lovely picture . This is Nako Lake at about 12000 ft nestled in the high ranges that one must cross while going from Kinnaur to Spiti valley. Khab- is the starting point for this journey. The name says it all- this palce is as dreamy as could be. It is at a height of about 8000 ft, enclosed on all sides by towering mountains. This is the confluence point of the rivers Spiti and Sutlej. You can see the muddy waters of Sutlej gracefully accepting and conqering the turquoise blue water from Spiti. This photo, taken way back in 1990, shows the confluence clearly. The Spiti manages to retain its color for no more than 100 meters from this point, after which its all dirty brown of Sutlej. You can spot the tunnel like road a few meters above the blue Spiti.



Another view of the place, this one is looking down the Sutlej from the confluence point (clicked in March 2004).



Spiti river charms you to follow it and to see it in all its glory. For this you have to climb about 3000 ft to reach the stark, barren, miles wide Spiti valley. From Khab, the road is a straight climb for about 8 kms - it follows up a single mountain initially with 8 hairpin bends, each bend leading to a straight stretch of about 300 meters. This part of the climb is known as the "loops of Ka" and offers great views as you keep climbing higher and higher - unfortunately i don't have a picture to share :(. Once you are past the loops - the road moves more horizontally than vertically towards the Spiti valley. We stopped at Yangthang - the last village before entering into the Spiti valley. This is near Yangthang:Another view from the same point; here can see the Spiti river in the background down below:



Nako village is a 5 Km diversion from here. These classic photos of the lake were shot by a dear friend in Aug 1990 - the lake is small but deep and ever so beautiful.





I remember playing football on its frozen surface in the winter on 1991. Two years ago, we revisited the place - my wife had some breathing problems, and didn't stay here for too long. But every moment there was memorable.



From Yangthang, one has to cross the Malling Nallah to reach the Spiti valley. I will sign off with a photo from that trip in 1990 beside the blue waters of Spiti.