My tryst with Himalayas started when i first visited Vaishno Devi in Jammu & Kashmir State followed by a winter visit to Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalagam. Whatever i witnessed was enough for me to appreciate the bright prospects of Kashmir Tourism and I got hooked to Kashmir and Himalaya forever. Since then, I have been to Himalayas for many times and it is like a second home for me. My way of exploring Himalayas is self-drive road tripping and driving in Himalayas gives me real adrenaline-filled-kick every time I hit the road. The kick takes me to ecstasy level when I drive in Himalayas.
During my Road Trip To Spiti Valley, i drove through one of the toughest topography in my Ford Figo and tested my driving skills to the core. Without a doubt, I can say that driving the complete Spiti Circuit is the epic achievement of my life and one stretch from Kaza to Komic is, so truly, the crowning glory of this epic road trip. It starts from the Administrative head quarter Kaza and ends at the highest village of Asia Komic which is home to The Highest Monastery of the world i.e. Tangyud Monastery.
This drive of 20 KM uphill takes you from 12000 ft to 15000 ft in 2 hours and meander through insanely heaven-like landscapes on an unpaved mud like road. Conditions like unpaved road, drastic change in weather, depletion in oxygen level etc make it a tough drive. However, after this effort what you see is invaluable. I literally have no word to describe what I saw there, it was completely out of this world. Centuries of Isolation has made this 20 KM stretch a perfect virgin land to be explored.
Road to Komic Via Langza
This divine drive took us through Fossil Village – Langza and after bypassing Hikkim which houses highest Post Office in the world ended at Komik which is the highest village in Asia.
Langza at 4200 Mt with a population of 148
After a drive of 11 KM from Kaza, a giant statue of Golden Buddha announces the arrival of Langza Village. With a population of 158 high Himalayan tribals, Langza is the most beautiful inhabited location in the world for me. Spread right under the majestic grandeur of snow capped peak Chau Chau Kang Nilda which means Princess Mountain, this is a real natural wonder. In all true sense, I never imagined in my distant thoughts that I would ever see something so mesmerizing in my life. This village is the ultimate Utopia for a traveling soul.
Buddha Statue at Langza
After Langza, our planned stop was Hikkim, however, due to road construction; we could not reach this village. And in fact we were pretty fine with that as we knew, Spiti would again call us and till then Hikkim would be our inspiration.
Hikkim Village home to World’s Highest Post Office
Further 9 KM from Langza, lies the highest village of Asia i.e. Komic which is at 15000 Ft from sea level and boasts of 13 households. Tangyud Monastery of Komic is a fort-monastery built on the edge of a steep canyon. It is the highest motorable Buddhist Monastery in the world. Though it is a small monastery but its picturesque locations makes it must visit.
Komic at 4587 Mt with 114 living souls
Standing at the edge overlooking the valley, I felt a different enthusiasm within myself for finally reaching highest motorable village in my Hatchback. I was in utter awe for I had surpassed the inaccessible and could breathe amidst chilly and speedy winds from Himalaya. And the scene from the top of the world was breathtaking.
Now I would let the photographs take you there:
Langza Village which has some 35 houses
Langza spread so beautifully right under imposing Chau Chau Kang Nilda Peak
A view from Langza
Snow Capped Peaks and barren field
Monastery at Komic
Matreya Buddha inside the monastery
Colorful ambiance of Monastery
The divine road to Komic from Kaza
The entire experience generated variety of impression deep within me, on my soul and mind. Nothing was mundane about this drive as every mile of drive created unforgettable memories worth holding on to forever. It has touched me at spiritual level and thus for me it would always remain the ultimate divine drive.
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Read the following related posts on Spiti valley
Quick View: Self Drive Road Trip to Spiti Valley, Himachal, India
Chandratal Lake: Stunning Natural Beauty In High Himalayas
My Tryst With Kunzum Pass: Road trip From Kaza To Kunzum Top
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Those area some great images. Specially the snow-tips on the tops of the mountains…against that pure blue sky they look divine.
Sounds like a really unique experience and one you will treasure forever. It looks like another world up there, so quiet and uninhabited. I love those drives out in the middle of nowhere. Plenty of time to take it all in.
That looks like an amazing drive. How did you and the car cope with the altitude and the lack of oxygen.
Seems like it was a pretty challenging drive! I barely know how to drive, so I wouldn’t never venture there in a car, haha! Congrats!
This is one road trip I am dreaming to do some day! I really want to pause at the monasteries on the way. Thanks for the detailed break up of the road trip.
Wow this looks like an amazing adventure! You’d have stories to tell your friends and family for years. I don’t think there would be too many other people who have done this.
OMG!! This looks like a trip of a lifetime! I can only imagine how stressful it is to drive there, not because it’s too busy but it’s the road less travelled. Kudos to you! Incredible photos! 🙂
We always love road trips and this looks like a fantastic one! Gorgeous photos! It defintley sounds like a great and adventurous road trip–thanks for sharing!
As a road trip lover, I am envious of such a spectacular ride! The scenery, especially the shot of Hikkim Village are amazing. 2 hours to go 20 km says it all about the terrain and challenges. Would love to try this someday!
what a beautiful drive! I would get lost in those mountains, however it would worry about getting petrol for places that are so far away from the world
What an amazing adventure – and you’ve got some incredible images. Love the snow capped peaks and the general emptiness and quite of all the spaces.
That was indeed an epic road trip. It reminded me of our road trip to Nathula in Sikkim. The landscapes are spectacular and the views heavenly. The exhilaration that you feel on these kinds of routes is really on a different level altogether.
That Buddha in the middle of nowhere is interesting! Love the snow-capped mountains, too!
Thanks for the information and detailed write-up. The pictures are great as well… 🙂
This sounds like one of the craziest and most amazing adventures ever! We dream of doing something like this one day, thanks for sharing!
I love the landscape of the Himalayas. The snow capped mountains against the bright blue sky, prayer flags fluttering, that gorgeous Buddha… I can’t wait to go one day.
I just got back from the Faroe Islands, and your photos of Langza kind of remind me of the Faroes in that it looks quite desolate, with just a few houses spread out in a small “town.” I love how the monastery is painted on the outside. Would love to visit one day.
This was definitely one for the books! Kudos to you! I don’t think I could have done it. I’ve never even driven in snow. It sounds like an unforgettable experience, and the pictures are amazing!!
So much wilderness and the view looks stunning from every angle. Amazing there are only 35 homes in Langza. Looks like a place people would love to visit.
Always been wanting to visit Spiti. So far I haven’t had the opportunity. That peak looks like a peak I could try climbing. Have to research a bit on this. Lovely photos! I wish I could drive like you.
Thanks Man. You should plan to visit Spiti. It is incredible place.
Spiti is really high up on my priority list in India-travel. Thanks for re-energizing me 🙂
🙂 you must plan now befor it is spoilt like Ladakh.
I want to, but hardly get to visit India 😢
That loos like the most incredible drive – what amazing scenery!
Wow, India has so many amazing places to see. I love road trips and this looks like a great one!
I would love to have joined you in this epic journey. Truly the scenes are breath-taking and I bet the experience will stay with you for the rest of your life.
I just flipped over to your post on the B&W images of the valley and wow, no wonder you planned a road trip here! What a remarkable area. I love how the open areas are interspaced with the dedicated shrines.
This truly is an epic road trip. I can see how it would be the crowning achievement for any roadtripper. I can’t believe you gain that much elevation so quickly! Glad your little Ford held up!
I’m big on epic road trips having driven around most of Europe. This sounds pretty amazing. Such stunning scenery too.
Looks like a great experience! We’re yet to embark on our first proper road trip, but when we do, I hope it will be as good. 🙂
Also, India is such an amazing country, I keep seeing more and more posts about it popping up recently!
Spiti Valley always attracts the tourists and traveler. The pictures do the justice, we too have featured a post on Spiti on our blog.
http://www.travelescape.in/backpacking-travelogue-spiti-valley
Brilliant picture loved this post~
WOW – Such a unique thing to do! Its a long way to go but I guess Im going to have to make my way there now! Thanks for sharing!
Wow! It was indeed an epic drive! It sure is a lifetime experience. Great photos and the sceneries are amazing! 😉
I love to drive so this road trip would be right up my alley. The circuit sounds incredible; I would love to see the Himalayas!
Those are some great images. I went to Spiti earlier this year and was completely bowled over by the landscapes!
This place looks fantastic! Would love to follow these roads and explore it as well! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Loved the narration and photographs of this wonderland….brings back so many happy memories from my time hitchhiking across these landscapes!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
The only road trip I did was from Vienna to Munich and you are putting this one in my face? 😀
Great photography!
Isn’t it pretty hardcore to go 3’000 feet in height in 2 hours? just curious
Thanks Ron for your comments.
In a hatchback, it is really hardcore to venture out on such roads.
Spiti is divine – the most beautiful place on earth. I could not go to Komik as the day I was there – it was raining and roads got really slushy. Our car even got stuck and needed quite a bit of effort to come out. Langza was lovely and one of the most serene places I have been to.
Hii Mam, It is so good to get a comment from you on my blog. Thank again.
We also could not cover Hikkim that day and still feel bad. I also find Langza as one of the most beautiful Himalayan village.
The road trip I took was from Delhi – Shimla – Sangla, and it presented me with breathtaking views. My next in line till Spiti via Kaza and your pictures inspire me for that with such beautiful landscapes, I’m surely up for it now!!
Go Shibani Go!! Spiti is a wonderland which must be explored today before it gets commercialized like Ladakh.
Road trips! My favorite! How did the Ford do during the trip and did it survive?
Ford performed truly great.
I would love to take a road trip through the Himalayas. Definitely sounds like some challenging driving, but so rewarding to experience such beautiful nature, religious temples and monuments and local villages along the way. Definitely can see how this is a trip which left an impression – stunning photos, thanks for sharing!
What a road trip. I can’t imagine driving up that high and with such heavy winds. The views are definitely worth it though. You are crazy brave!
Those photos are amazing – just as I imagined the Himalayas to be. I’ve never been, but it certainly is a landscape like no other.
Spiti is a beautiful destination, less commercialized and as beautiful as its more popular cousin, Ladakh. We have been to the region and you’ve described it perfectly! We would probably be sending people over this link when they ask us about our trip next!
Thanks for your encouraging words. So true, i also love Spiti more than Ladakh. See you more often.
Wow, this is really an incredible drive! I wouldn’t get very far because I would stop to take pictures every few miles. I love the pics on the road from Komic from Kaza and from the snowcapped peaks. Wonderful photography and road trip.
I can sense your feeling. I also take break after every 5 miuntes up there in Himalayas. Thanks for your appreciation.
This is such a beautiful drive. Unfortunately, Spiti has changed a lot in the last few years. Great place for a road trip but it does break your back.
Indeed, Spiti is changing every passing day. Still better than Ladakh.
Very nice article for giving awesome information. such a beautiful trip.
wow really amazing post and pic dear thanks for sharing now i will travel this year
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