Tabo, Himachal Pradesh.

It was one the most thrilling and beautiful day I will remember.  I was entering Spiti Valley, where riding was like a dream coming true. After spending a night at Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh I kicked off to Tabo. It is a small village located in Spiti Valley at an altitude of 3,280mts close to Tibet border, north of Sutlej river. Ride to Tabo was mesmerising, terrain was changing from green to deserted to mysterious. I was only accompanied by my Enfield and river flowing parallel by my side on these roads. I could clearly feel the lonliness and peace of the place, riding my Enfield was like meditating with its thump. I was getting closer to Spiti, but was stopped by a landslide somewhere closer to Nako, waited almost 2hrs to move. Nako village located near Indo-Tibet border in region of Kinnaur district and  is known for its lake and a monastery.

After spending an hour at Nako I continued to Tabo, but Gue is going to be my next stop. Gue is a small village which is famous for the mummified monk, Sangha Tenzin. I spent an hour at Gue exploring and  continued my ride towards Tabo. Tabo is merely few kilometers from Gue and ride was not much eventful apart from the scenic deserted land of Spiti Valley. It was 5pm  I touched Tabo around checked in to the hotel. There are plenty hotel and home stay accommodation at Tabo. Tabo is famous for oldest functioning Tabo Monastery in India and caves.  The Monastery was founded by the King of Guge Kingdom of Western-Tibet Yeshe Od and the great translator Raichen Zangpo and is famous for paintings, murals and sculptures. The Monastery is also called as Ajanta and Elora of Himalayas. I roamed around few hours in the campus of Tabo Monastery and headed to caves. They say monks used to meditate in caves which can be seen on the hills of Tabo. It was a good day spent on roads and the village, Tabo. Next day I continued my ride towards Kaza with lots of good memories from Tabo.

Somewhere closer to Nako.

Beast.

Mysterious land.

Roads after Kalpa.

Eyecatching sign boards can be seen.

This sign board was thrilling me.

Before Pooh at India Army Tea shop.

Kazigs.

Beautiful Nako Village.

Nako Lake.

Prayers engraved on stones around Nako Lake.

Spotted Yak on my way to Tabo.

Gue Monastery.

Mummified  monk Sangha Tenzin.

Tabo Monastery campus.

Prayer wheels at Tabo Monastery.

Tabo village.

Caves at Tabo.

Entrance of Tabo Monastery.

Kalpa , Himachal Pradesh.

After venturing for an hour and having breakfast at Chitkul, I kicked off to Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh. Kalpa is a small town located at Sutlej river valley and  a distance of 75 kms from Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh. Roads to Kalpa are narrow and in a good condition. Kalpa is just located above Reckong Peo at a distacne of 5kms.

Ride to Kalpa was short and offered beautiful view of Kinner-Kailash mountain range. It was around 1pm when I reached Kalpa. My plan was to camp at Kalpa, which however did not happened and finally checked in to the hotel with great view of Kinner-Kailash. Kalpa has plenty of options for accommodation and are pocket friendly. After resting and having my lunch at hotel, I decided to roam around and explore Kalpa. The very first thing I noticed was old traditional architecture made of wood and stones. There are few temples and a monastery in town. I did not ventured much in town and came back to my hotel for rest and other reason was to sit and enjoy the view of mighty Himalayas standing tall in front of me. It was a peaceful and calm day spent at Kalpa and prepared for my next stop Tabo.

Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh.

View from my hotel room.

Bell.

Roaming around in Kalpa.

Traditional old house made of wood and stones.

Wooden art.

Met this innocent soul at monastery.

Himalayas.

Temple.

Apple orchard.

Prayer wheel at monastery.

These flags are carrying good wishes.

Kiner Kailash, a thumb like structure in the middle can be seen.