Kaza is one of only 2 villages in the Spiti valley and sits on the eroded flood plain of the Spiti river. It is also a spring board to the Ki Gompa. Perched on a hillock at 4116m , it is one of the highest Buddhist monasteries in the world.
In Spiti there is a tradition of ‘donating’ the youngest son to a monastery , a custom that still prevails today. The young man remains celibate, learns the scriptures and is allowed to visit his family, but has no say in its affairs.
Here are a few pictures of our visit there as well as the journey onwards and out of the Spiti valley ending in Manali.

The settlement at Kibber at one stage laid claim to being the highest settlement in the world with electricity
After Losar ( see Linda’s post) we meet yesterdays snow which in places has turned to black ice.
At over 4600m, we know very little about riding in these conditions . Or of this type of cold , wind chill & energy sapping thin air
The snow turns out to be manageable but it’s the super slippery black ice that is the real menace. In the sun one can see it, in the shade it disappears or looks like harmless water ,only to be discovered in a virtually uncontrollable slide.

In the shade you can’t see the ice but its there, particularly around the switch backs, which seem to be in the lee of the slope

and unfortunately on the way down as well. The compression of the motor was the only sane way to slow down

We come across this military truck that almost went over the edge on the ice. No wonder my feeble attempts to break the ice with a rock did not work.

Another standoff on the way down. This petrol bowser could not stop as it would loose traction. Its right wheel is on ice

Around one of its corners we almost collide with 2 graders. Where they are off to defies logic as the track is far too narrow for them. The fronts ones wheel is hanging precariously close to the edge . There is no room for us to pass or for them to reverse

Together they carve a path for us to pass. The rocks on the right are an indication of the steepness of the slope. Hats off to these guys

These Spaniards were about to enter the valley on a hired Enfield. The hiring company, as spares, supplied them with one 17mm spanner , a tube and almost intuitively a spare throttle cable. I get to change the throttle cable as the old one expired . They decide not to go any further which is probably the right call.
“Little stopping power”. I would have walked. Definitely. Or remortgaged my house to order a rescue helicopter. My NERVES!!!! And then I would have joined that Space Cadet…
You’re too old for this type of riding!
I know and am reminded every time I get on the bike
Nice pictures,Great trip! Travel safe and wish you have a wonderful coming New Year.
From Steven,Taiwan
Hi Steven
A good new year too you too
Slowly making our way towards your part of the world!
Definitely on my list once the Lotto comes my way
merry christmas. i just discovered you are still on the road . saw the whole story in one go 2d christmasday , sunny, warm for winter 14 degrees in holland.thinking how amazing technics are and how well equiped you are. recognise Harry’s perfectionism what is very much needed with what you do. amazing and how accurate the word roadtrip. wonder how much you are able to see while driving needing concentration for the road. so i guess stops are overwhelming able to look al around. thanks for expriece yours.
Hi Marcelle
Good to hear all is good in Amsterdam. No skating on the canals this year I guess?
Great report and look forward to your next bit!! Travel safe
MERRY CHRISTMAS HAROLD & LINDA MAY YOU HAVE AN AWESOME CHRISTMAS DAY. From DEBBIE & COLIN
And to you too!!
Time out guys! Guess snow was not part of the master plan?
Definitely not and we will do our level best to avoid snow in the future!!!
oh my dears, that was nailbiting just looking at the photos!!!
Well done…I think ice on ski slopes was bad enough. It must be super treacherous on bikes. Hats off to you both!!!
How interesting everyone looks and happy even though they have so little. There must be a lesson in there somewhere.
Keep safe and loads of love
Stella, Nicholas, Lucy and Matthew
not in my worst nightmare could i have imagined a road like that. The “meeting” with the graders was the worst cherry on the cake. Otherwise I am so glad you got through and I love the bright colours and the faces. Thanks from Gail
Dis nou gly – gly (skuit – skuit) die bult uit. Glad you safe. Agree that it seems as some people never left. Safe journey.
So glad you guys made it through safely. You must be seriously capable riders after that road, well done to the both of you!! Now for some more fun stuff!!