HARSH KALTA PHOTOGRAPHY: February 2011

Sangla located at an altitude of around 2700 meters above sea level, is a scenic hill-town in the Baspa Valley, in the kinnaur Dist. of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, close to the Tibetan border. The valley is enveloped by richly forested slopes and offers delightful views of the high mountains.Sangla has managed to retain its pristine nature and is famous for pine nut orchards, Royal red apples and cherry trees. Winters in Sangla are very sever, as the valley is covered with snow and the temperature is in minus degrees. The stretch of 12 kms from Rachham to Chitkul is delightful.

HIMALAYAS BEHIND SANGLA

Chitkul is the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibet border, the Indian road ends here.During winters the place remains covered with the snow. Chtikul on the banks of Baspa River, is the first village of the Baspa Valley and the last village on the old Hindustan-Tibet trade route. It is also the last point in India one can travel to without a permit. This village is located at an altitude of 4000 meters very close to nature. The valley is extremely beautiful, on the left bank of the Baspa River are snow-clad mountains and on the right bank the whole terrain is full of orchids and wooden houses.This is the last Indian village on border with China. The road doesn"t take you till the actual border. There are hotels and Guest houses, but in winters they remain closed. Thakur rest house is the oldest guest house in Chitkul, known for its good services.

VILLAGE CHITKUL

My adventurous trip with my friend Himanshu, to both these exquisite places in the month of January right after the snowfall, when roads were blocked and had to walk in snow for miles, was impossible but we made it. I saw the wooden built houses, trees and mountains covered with snow as we entered Sangla. Such a stance was never witnessed by me, I felt as I have landed in the arms of nature. Life in the valley is different from the normal life, everything seems out of the world. Here one can see beautiful wooden temple and touching houses, people busy in their normal course of work which takes a huge amount of time in this harsh environment. Sangla was not our destination we had to reach Chitkul which was 24 kms from here. We stayed for a night in Sangla and continued our journey next morning towards Chitkul. On our way to chitkul early morning, we came across many beautiful sights. The entire stretch to this village runs alongside the Baspa river. On reaching Chitkul, Mr. Thakur the owner of one of the guest house welcomed us and gave room in his own house. The hospitality was great beyond expectations, they provided us with each and everything to beat the sever cold. Here I wind up the brief description
of my tour to HIMALAYAS.

Here are some photographs from this tour, that shows the essence of beauty that our heavenly state is bestowed with.The images reflect the rich tapestry of this place.
Hope you like them.

Village Rachham 18 kms from Sangla.