Escaping Mumbai’s heatwave in spectacular Spiti
Earlier in April, I went to Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, momentarily escaping Mumbai’s brutal heat and humidity. Nestled at 14,000 ft., its cold, snow-covered mountainous landscape, sustainable living, and mystical beauty is truly a ‘world within worlds’ as Rudyard Kipling described it.
As you enter Spiti Valley, transitioning from vibrant greens and blooming apple orchards to serene browns and snow-dusted peaks signals your arrival into this mesmerising world.
The water also transforms – from the calm aquamarine of the Sutlej to the vivid glacial blues of the Spiti river in Himachal Pradesh.
Also Read: This hidden library in Spiti is a book lover’s paradise
Near Hikkim village serene colourful prayer flags (chanting ‘om mani padme hum’) fill the region with calmness. The flags become prominent everywhere you go across Spiti.
A shot from Dhankar village, located 3,894 m above sea level, sporting flat-topped mud houses. The villages become sparser and quieter as you go further.
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In a breathtaking transformation the village paths shift from sandy brown to snowy white across the journey through Spiti Valley.
Begin your day on a mud house rooftop in the serene Himalayan village of Demul. With over 50 houses, it’s one of Spiti’s largest and fully sustainable villages. Its inhabitants are some of the healthiest, heartiest, and kindest people I’ve met on my travels.
Also Read: Extreme weather events destroy Himachal’s apple orchards
Ayswarrya is a content strategist who uses words to simplify tech. She is passionate about slow, conscious, accessibility-friendly travel.
In the lead image, majestic monasteries stand tall and proud, chronicling centuries of Tibetan history in Spiti Valley.