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Memorable Tour To Sangla Valley
Dt: 16th July 2007
Sangla Valley, realm of love and beauty, nestling in a snug corner of Himachal Pradesh, must surely rank as one of God's most cherished of creations. It's astonishing that there are still such undefined places left on this good earth -- a poignant reminder of how far we have drifted away from the Source. And how tragically.
Sangla Valley ( also known as Baspa valley ) is one of the most beautiful valleys of Kinnaur. It starts from Karcham ( 1,899 meters ) where the Baspa river coming from the east joins the Satluj. The road for Baspa valley branches from the Hindustan Tibet road at the river junction and after turning south crosses the Satluj over a bridge to reach Karacham.After several fascinating hours spent navigating serpentine roads, the valley was directly below us, dappled with tiny colourful tents, barely discernible amidst a constellation of cypress trees. Its picturesque beauty is awesome.
Our descent into Sangla valley is almost dreamlike, in lucid slow motion. When we arrive a couple of genial people materialize miraculously, to escort us to our place of dwelling, a comfy riverside tent site -- the Banjara camp, near Barseri.The valley open up beyond Sangla and is full of wooded slopes as far as Chitkul ( 3,435 meters ). Chitkul is the last inhabited village in the valley surrounded by green fields and high mountain peaks. It is like a Fairyland. The quaint little houses, temples, gompas and the people of Baspa valley conjure up a perfect image of "Shangri-La"The beautiful Sangla Valley has to be the highlight of your Himalayan camping holiday. A mere 30 Km from the Tibetan border, the Sangla Valley was closed to travellers until 1992 and even today is quite untouched by civilisation. Situated at an average height of 2700 m, Sangla Valley is a place where you can unwind in style as you wake up in your cosy Swiss style tents to the chirping of birds.You can enjoy the breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks and snow covered mountains, go for a walk in a valley bursting with exotic fruits, flowers, birds, butterflies and Himalayan wildlife or walk to nearby villages of Batseri and Rakcham and meet the local inhabitants, the Kinnauris. At Banjara Camps you'll surely wish you could stay forever !
After night of deep sleep ( definitely not in Banjara Camps) at my brother-in-laws residence I feel like one reborn. Gulping in the cool, exquisite morning air -- pure hawa that my lungs are not familiar with -- I set out to 'bond with the vagabond' in me. I walk alongside the lustrous blue Beas river that visits us benevolently, all the way down from melting glaciers above. Welcome to the Real World, I think to myself, exhilarated, halting occasionally to dip my fingers into the crystalline, cold water. Communing with the air, water, the good earth, is a kind of rejuvenation.
Dt: 16th July 2007
Sangla Valley, realm of love and beauty, nestling in a snug corner of Himachal Pradesh, must surely rank as one of God's most cherished of creations. It's astonishing that there are still such undefined places left on this good earth -- a poignant reminder of how far we have drifted away from the Source. And how tragically.
Sangla Valley ( also known as Baspa valley ) is one of the most beautiful valleys of Kinnaur. It starts from Karcham ( 1,899 meters ) where the Baspa river coming from the east joins the Satluj. The road for Baspa valley branches from the Hindustan Tibet road at the river junction and after turning south crosses the Satluj over a bridge to reach Karacham.After several fascinating hours spent navigating serpentine roads, the valley was directly below us, dappled with tiny colourful tents, barely discernible amidst a constellation of cypress trees. Its picturesque beauty is awesome.
Our descent into Sangla valley is almost dreamlike, in lucid slow motion. When we arrive a couple of genial people materialize miraculously, to escort us to our place of dwelling, a comfy riverside tent site -- the Banjara camp, near Barseri.The valley open up beyond Sangla and is full of wooded slopes as far as Chitkul ( 3,435 meters ). Chitkul is the last inhabited village in the valley surrounded by green fields and high mountain peaks. It is like a Fairyland. The quaint little houses, temples, gompas and the people of Baspa valley conjure up a perfect image of "Shangri-La"The beautiful Sangla Valley has to be the highlight of your Himalayan camping holiday. A mere 30 Km from the Tibetan border, the Sangla Valley was closed to travellers until 1992 and even today is quite untouched by civilisation. Situated at an average height of 2700 m, Sangla Valley is a place where you can unwind in style as you wake up in your cosy Swiss style tents to the chirping of birds.You can enjoy the breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks and snow covered mountains, go for a walk in a valley bursting with exotic fruits, flowers, birds, butterflies and Himalayan wildlife or walk to nearby villages of Batseri and Rakcham and meet the local inhabitants, the Kinnauris. At Banjara Camps you'll surely wish you could stay forever !
After night of deep sleep ( definitely not in Banjara Camps) at my brother-in-laws residence I feel like one reborn. Gulping in the cool, exquisite morning air -- pure hawa that my lungs are not familiar with -- I set out to 'bond with the vagabond' in me. I walk alongside the lustrous blue Beas river that visits us benevolently, all the way down from melting glaciers above. Welcome to the Real World, I think to myself, exhilarated, halting occasionally to dip my fingers into the crystalline, cold water. Communing with the air, water, the good earth, is a kind of rejuvenation.
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