The Kinnaur valley, stretching from Sangla to Chitkul, is a deeply carved cleft between high mountain slopes covered by evergreen forests.
Chitkul is the last stop on the old trade route to Tibet and remains the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibet border. The Indian road ends here. During winters it is covered with the snow and cut off from the outside world, with some inhabitants moving to lower regions of Himachal.
As an extension to my Regency hotel birthday treat we decide on a day trip to Chitkul. I could get used to these birthday concessions however we still need to make our way to Rekong Peo, our last chance for a permit to enter the Himalayas proper.

On the move again. That’s Linda approaching another blind corner. I need to overcome this fixation for oncoming traffic..

Along the way we meet this local on an Enfield stuck in a hole & hell bent on burning his clutch out

and the view. I have a rod convinced there are trout below. Some flies are however harder to come by..
The following short video is of a perfect rock stable wooden bridge with all planks intact making crossing a breeze. Listen to the sound as one crosses . It reminds us of a train track.

So close but yet so far-just look at all this rack of lamb, smoked ribs, marinated ribs, splayed lamb, leg of lamb , chops, but none to be had so far in India. Oh for a potjie…

with its road signs. And to think BRO at home is a term of endearment. Here it stands for Border Road Organization, my china.

Its never what it seems in India. This naughty looking fellow has his Masters in Quantum Physics & is here to visit his parents for winter. Next year he will do his Phd

I sneak this picture with the Sena cam of one of the many deep tunnels supporting the hydro electric power plants
Loved it what an adventure and all that beaurocracy its such fun ! It’s a whole new level of success when you get the right stamp and permissions . Go well Nicholas Z
What a perfect birthday extension. The scenery – WOW!!! How amazing that you are there! Wow, wow, wow!
Oh, oh!! Do I sense another hold-up with confiscated cameras and interrogation?? I hope not, as we sit in eager anticipation of the next episode of this epic trip.
Harry, are there no cheap roadside markets that sell reading glasses? ;-)
Keep it safe
Guy & Gill.
Hi. The Sena C10 intercom has a built in camera which ‘seems’ to take pictures on its own! :) Must be a setting I missed.
A really nice touch in India is that all goods have a RRP price printed on them ensuring you have an idea of what to pay. The only problem is that sometimes it is printed so small you need reading glasses. Need to find pair
wow, wow , wow
More amazing and amusing adventures. Love the signage! Keep smiling amongst all the red tape and permit applications!
What fantastic suspension bridges if you don’t have vertigo!
I love the green felt hats. Unique! How do any vehicles including Deep throat and Linda Lovelace survive on these roads. Can’t wait to hear what happens next. love Gail
I love your travels! That’s a very confusing part of the world for a little-travelled Capetonian. Thanks for taking me along and all the best.
Fantastic pictures and great to see you both of u on BMW X Country. The views are awesome and so clear with no pollution in sight. Boy am I envious sitting behind this desk !
Wow! What an incredible journey and amazing story. Thanks!! The signage is hilarious – more of those please.
Aaaah, I am taking those corners with you! I love minimising the map to the whole of europe to Asia and think of you two on miniscule little bikes on a miniscule but very long road. Would never have thought that so many signs would be in english?!? Anyway, listen to the signs and stay safe.
So thanks for your visit and the excitement during your journey reckong peo onwards to Spiti hope to serve your referred guest with same zeal in future . With warm regards.
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No easy travel here then ! ——–More brilliant descriptions and so VERY interesting——-thanks again for sharing it with us all ! Keep safe and please don’t sneeze going round those bends ! What’s next we wonder ?
Buddhists deeper into the mountains!