As we travel west we enter the Spiti valley, one of the most sparsely populated regions in the world. The landscape is one of rugged interlocking river valleys and high altitude deserts ,hidden in the shadow of the Himalyas, a stark contrast to the Kinnaur valley from where we have come.

A chunk of Tibet marooned in India .

Here are a few pictures of our journey through this region to Tabu, one of the few villages in this serrated moonscape

 

1. Somewhere down that cleft of rocks is Tabu

Somewhere down that cleft of rocks is Tabu

 

2. The rock formations remind us of Capadocia

The rock formations remind us of Cappadocia

 

3.

…

 

4. A harsh yet stunning enviroment

A harsh yet enchanting environment

 

5. With our paths that cling to

With our tracks that cling to

 

6. some questionable stabillity

questionable stability

 

7. Rockslides

Rockslides

 

8. & loose shale

& loose shale

 

9.

…

 

10.

…

 

11. are not a tyres best friend

are not a tyres best friend

 

12.

…

 

13.

…

 

14. Thanks Heidenau, your tyres make this possible

Thanks Heidenau, your tyres make this possible

 

15. Along the way of surreal lansdcape we stumble upon

Along the way of surreal landscape we stumble upon

 

17.

…

 

18.

…

 

19.

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20. settlemts that date back to the 8tth centuary perched high up

settlements that date back to the 8tth century perched high up

 

21. apple orchids

apple orchids

 

22. abandoned Buddist settlements

abandoned Buddhist settlements

 

22. These bikers are from Delhi

These bikers are from Delhi

 

23. Its a man thing to check out anothers ride...

Its a man thing to check out another’s ride…

 

24. We have no idea where they are going, but hey, as the boss you get to bring along the office on your KTM 390 Duke

We have no idea where they are going, but hey, as the boss you get to bring along the office & kitchen on your KTM 390 Duke

 

25. A reason for celabration when attempts are made to improve the road

A reason for celebration when attempts are made to improve the road

 

26. As is this. It ensured we did not have to use

As is this. It ensured we did not have to use

 

27. this one

this one

 

28. When you see this in the distance you know

When you see this in the distance you know

 

29. Indian road democracy means bigger always gets the right of way

Indian road democracy means bigger always gets the right of way

 

30. Although I cuss every time we are forced off these narrow tracks

Although I cuss every time we are forced off these narrow tracks

 

31. I have the utmost respect for those who have to ply them on a regular basis

I have the utmost respect for those who have to ply them on a regular basis

 

32.

…

 

A camera does not do justice to the scale and majesty of these surroundings. That's me at 4 o'clock

A camera does not do justice to the scale and majesty of these surroundings. That’s me at 4 o’clock

 

that white spec at 5' o clock is a broken down 4 x4

that white spec at 5′ o clock is a broken down 4 x4

 

34. Which creates its own set of problems when we have to try & pass it

Which creates its own set of problems when we have to try & pass it

 

35. This goat farmer

This goat farmer

 

points to his heard way down in the valley below. One can't even see them in the picture we took

points to his herd way down in the valley below. One can’t even see them in the picture we took

 

37. like a smile a wave is universal

Like a smile, a wave is universal in what it conveys

 

38. The permit check post with its warning that drivers disregard

The military permit check post with its warning that drivers disregard

 

39.En-route to Tabo

En-route to Tabo

 

40. One can feel the coolness to the water

One can feel the coolness to the water

 

41. Fly me to the moon & let me play among the stones...

Fly me to the moon & let me play among the stones…