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Call of the mountains

PICTURE POSTCARD SCENERY At Sangla

The first time I heard about the Sangla valley was over a glass of Kinnauri grape liqueur and from a gentleman who’d spent over ten years in Kinnaur and Spiti. When I’d told him that on my drive to Kinnaur and Spiti I was planning to skip Sangla and head straight for Tabo he’d benevolently smiled and asked me if I had any regrets in life. None really, I’d told him. If you don’t visit Sangla you’ll soon have a big one he’d replied.

And by all the gods who reside in the Himalayas he was right! Nestled between the Dauladhar range and the Tibetan plateau, the Sangla valley is a plethora of colour and sheer, unadulterated picture postcard scenery. Besides a gushing river and snow capped peaks the flora is what lends to its palette of shades. So your computer terminal uses 16millon colours thanks to modern technology. The Sangla valley knew them all long before and continues to blend them to perfection. Indeed if Wordsworth could have holidayed here, he probably would have had to toss a penny to decide on which wild flower to write.

The Sangla Valley starts at Karchham that is about 220km from Shimla on the HT (Hindustan-Tibet) road. Starting high up in the Tibetan plateau, the Baspa river runs for 70km through the valley and joins up with the Sutlej that flows along the HT road. As the road snakes up on the left bank of the Baspa, the visual delight that is Sangla unfolds. There are huge glacial scars on the mountains that show the traverse of those huge blocks of ice to the river meandering in the valley below. By far the best place to stay is at the Banjara Camps near the Batseri village 9km from Sangla. Set in a meadow beautifully manicured with white and yellow wildflowers besides the roaring river they have tented accommodation with attached bathrooms and gas geysers that give instant running hot water. The tents are cozy and the food is lip smacking.

An interesting day excursion is to the Chitkul village which is a further 20km from the camp site. This village, lying at the end of the motorable road is the terminating point for treks from Uttaranchal across the 5450m high Barasu Pass.

These treks, though strenuous and requiring equipment like ropes and snow axes, are one of the most rewarding treks by way of scenic beauty in all the Himalayas.

If you love the Himalayas like I do pack your bags and your sense of adventure and lose yourself in the wonder that is Kinnaur. It’s a land that the Gods truly call their own. Banjara Camps offer a complete package around Kinnaur and Spiti by way of Jeep Safari. They can be contacted at banjara@vsnl.com or on 09810040397.

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