On the way to Tabo, we visited the Giu Monastery, renowned for its mummified monk and its serene, isolated setting amidst the rugged mountains.
 | A closer view of Giu Monastery - This ancient Buddhist site was established over 1,000 years ago. Exists at an altitude of 10,500 feet. The monastery was reconstructed in the 19th century and the renovation preserved its ancient structures
 | | The Mummified remains of the Buddhist monk, Sanza Tenzing, who lived sometime in the 1500s. |
 | | We arrived in Tabo in the afternoon. A beautiful view captured from the lobby of the Kansang Homestay in Tabo. |
 | The morning of the 19th began with the new Tabo Monastery, established in 1996
The shanti stupa of Tabo Monastery. The old monastery exists at its backyard.
 | The Old Tabo Monastery, established in 996 AD, is often referred to as the "Ajanta of the Himalayas" due to its remarkable collection of ancient murals and paintings. The buildings of the monastery were reconstructed and restored after the 1975 earthquake.
 | | From Tabo, we traveled to Kaza, visiting Dhankar and Pin Valley along the way. Dhankar Monastery, situated on a steep cliff next to the Spiti River, provides a stunning view of the area. |
 | | Dhankar Monastery, situated at 12,774 feet and established over 1,000 years ago, clings to a steep cliff. |
 | | A landscape of Spiti river valley, seen from the premises of the Dhankhar Monastery. |
These column-like rocks near Dhankar Monastery formed over millions of years due to wind and water erosion.
 The confluence of the Pin and Spiti rivers near Dhankhar
 | | The long journey through high-altitude roads was far from boring, as the wind and water erosion had sculpted stunning natural artwork along the way. |
 | Wind erosion over millennia has sculpted intriguing patterns and shapes in Pin River Valley
 | | A distant view of a village in Pin Valley, home to diverse wildlife including snow leopards and rare Himalayan birds, as well as resilient local communities. |
Pin Valley: An oasis of lush greenery amidst the stark desert landscapes of Spiti at 11000 feet approx.
A small settlement at the base of a mountain, nestled in the beautiful landscape of the Pin River Valley.
 | The Spiti Valley is basically a cold desert. Summers are relatively mild, while winters are extremely harsh, with temperatures often dropping well below freezing.
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 | | The valley receives an average annual rainfall of less than 170 mm |
 | The high altitude of Spiti Valley, averaging around 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), distinguishes it from many low-lying deserts around the world
 Somewhere en-route to Kaza. Spiti Valley lies in the rain shadow region of the Greater Himalayas.
This means that the tall mountain ranges block the monsoon winds, preventing them from bringing significant rainfall to the valley
 A distant view of Kaza town from higher up. Kaza serves as the administrative center of this high-altitude, cold desert region resembling Tibet and Ladakh.
 | Kaza, the largest town and commercial hub of Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, sits at 11,980 feet.
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The view of the Spiti River from our HPTDC hotel in Kaza
 | A breathtaking view of the Spiti River Valley from NH 505 near Kaza.
 | | During our two-day stay in Kaza, we spent the first day exploring Langza, Hikkim, and Komic. |
 | | The Langza village landscape beneath the cloudy sky at 14500 feet approx. |
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 | In Langza, Lord Buddha faces the mountain range and valley, symbolizing his protective presence over the region and its inhabitants.
The Buddha statue in Langza village stands nearly 33 feet tall.
 | Hikkim Post Office, at 14,436 feet, is renowned as the highest post office in the world.
 | Komic Village, located at 4,587 meters (15,050 feet), is one of the highest motorable villages in the world.
 | The monastery in Komic village stands as one of the world's highest, situated at an elevation of approximately 4,500 meters (14,800 feet).
 | The next day on 21st, we continued on NH 505 towards Kunzum Pass.
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The scenic landscape we observed while heading towards Losar.
 | | Key Monastery, also known as Kye Gompa, is a Buddhist monastery located at an altitude of 4,166 meters (13,668 feet) above sea level in the Spiti Valley. Founded in the 11th century. |
 | The picturesque Spiti River Valley as seen from the Key Monastery near Kaza, situated at an elevation
of 13,668 feet.
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 | A landscape near Losar became enigmatic as the weather worsened, casting a veil of mystery over the mountains.
 | Losar in Himachal is a quaint village nestled in the Spiti Valley, renowned for its tranquil scenery, traditional dwellings, and proximity to Kunzum Pass. We paused here to have breakfast.
 | A distant view of Losar village...
Kiato Moonland, situated near Losar, is a rocky terrain characterized by its lunar-like landscapes, distinctive rock structures, and stunning celestial vistas.
The landscape surrounding Kiato Moonland is marked by striking contrasts, ranging from verdant valleys to barren, arid mountains.
 | | A vehicle is nearing Kunzum Pass, which, at approximately 4,590 meters (15,060 feet), stands as one of the highest drivable passes on the planet. |
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 | | The route to Kunzum Pass is known for its rugged terrain and occasional lack of maintenance. It frequently features narrow paths, steep ascents, and abrupt turns. |
 | | The distant view of the scenic yet perilous Kunzum Pass Road is known for its sudden landslides and rockfalls. |
 | The temple of Kunzum Devi, located at the top of Kunzum Pass, is a sacred site where travelers pause
to pray and seek blessings for a safe passage across the pass.
The journey to Chandratal follows the course of the Chenab River. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our visit to Chandratal as our car broke down.
 | One of the large water crossings we encountered along the way.
 | A landscape seen on the route connecting Batal and Chandratal.
 | | A long queue of cars is waiting for the road to be cleared. |
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 Sudden landslides and rockfalls occur frequently in this area. A JCB is clearing the road near Batal
The Tenzing camps of Batal.
Batal is situated at an elevation of around 4,200 meters (13,800 feet), beside the Chenab River and
close to the base of the Kunzum Pass.
 | | Near Chandra Tal (Moon Lake), the Chenab River flows through striking landscapes with steep cliffs |
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Nice photos and description.
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