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At Lossar
A kilometer just before Lossar, I saw a board directing towards left for Irrigation deptt. Rest House, ignored it as my target of the day was still 1km far, the secluded location of that property has forced me to check it out. The caretaker given me a room provided I will vacant it if he gets any booking info.
The place is actually named as Chichong:
Relaxed a bit and then jumped on to tractor on the way which was heading towards the Lossar market. I wanted to make couple of phone calls, but there was no PCO booths in the village as the tele-exchange was not up by then. (it's working now) a chit-chat with local guys and they directed me towards the telephone exchange itself. pay 5rs for a minute and you can make a call from within the exchange.
Lossar, a beautiful small hamlet is located at the base of Kunzum-La(4551 mtr) and surrounded by snow capped mountains accompanied by couple of water streams. A few hotels to stay, couple of restaurants serving Tibetan/Israeli dishes and couple of daily need shops to serve less than 100 families; that's all.
As, I walked on foot for approx 1.5kms from the Lossar market to the Rest House, listened to the song which takes me to the Himalayas in my dreams, everyday and each time I hear it, which I have never missed since the day I got it in my cell phone... some of you might wonder what is there in this song, but I just loved those flute notes played in it... the song "Aaoge jab tum..." from the movie "Jab We Met"
Caretaker at the RH, Mr Chhopil told me that few guys have booked both the rooms from Kaza and he just received the communication, so I have to move out of those rooms, anyways... that was a deal.
But no worries, he is a good guy who offered me his own room, how could I have refused it; issue resolved, get back to ear plugs.
Ample of water to compensate low oxygen level that I encountered in couple of days and a gulp of local wine made of rice was enough to spent a beautiful evening followed by delicious Daal,Chawal and Karela Masala.
Background image in this collage is the room where I stayed:
Day 5, July,16 Lossar to Kunzum, Batal and Chander Taal:
A hot cup of tea and I was off to my long cherished dream Kunzum Pass by 6am but not before bidding him a good bye and INR 150/- which was only change that I was left with except the 500 rupee notes. I wanted to pay him 300/- but he asked to give him whatever changes I have.
Crossed Lossar after reporting at army post there and started ascending to Kunzum. It rained last night at Kunzum which was clearly reflected through those swollen water streams. But against the expectations, the I found the route somewhat easy though the road is not in a good shape at all.
Numerous photo breaks and I was there at the top at 8.15
The beauty along the path can only be felt. Let's give an opportunity to my fellow canon to describe the same:
The milestone which was some 2-3 kms before told me that the top is still 3 kms. I felt that I have covered that much of distance, but how could it be so easy. I could not believe that I was on the much awaited place in my wishlist. to assure I had to search for the milestone which was hidden behind the clouds. Had a chocolate and a customary round to the Kunzum devi temple before leaving. Meanwhile clouds cleared a bit and gave me a chance for a few clicks which are posted here.
The Lahaul side of Kunzum is steeper and road condition also worse than the Spiti side, perhaps because former side gets more rains than the other side:
It was approx 9.30 when I reached the famous diversion to Chandertaal, which is 3kms before Batal, but I was dying out of hunger so headed towards Batal for the breakfast and then started again
Batal:
A kilometer just before Lossar, I saw a board directing towards left for Irrigation deptt. Rest House, ignored it as my target of the day was still 1km far, the secluded location of that property has forced me to check it out. The caretaker given me a room provided I will vacant it if he gets any booking info.
The place is actually named as Chichong:
Relaxed a bit and then jumped on to tractor on the way which was heading towards the Lossar market. I wanted to make couple of phone calls, but there was no PCO booths in the village as the tele-exchange was not up by then. (it's working now) a chit-chat with local guys and they directed me towards the telephone exchange itself. pay 5rs for a minute and you can make a call from within the exchange.
Lossar, a beautiful small hamlet is located at the base of Kunzum-La(4551 mtr) and surrounded by snow capped mountains accompanied by couple of water streams. A few hotels to stay, couple of restaurants serving Tibetan/Israeli dishes and couple of daily need shops to serve less than 100 families; that's all.
As, I walked on foot for approx 1.5kms from the Lossar market to the Rest House, listened to the song which takes me to the Himalayas in my dreams, everyday and each time I hear it, which I have never missed since the day I got it in my cell phone... some of you might wonder what is there in this song, but I just loved those flute notes played in it... the song "Aaoge jab tum..." from the movie "Jab We Met"
Caretaker at the RH, Mr Chhopil told me that few guys have booked both the rooms from Kaza and he just received the communication, so I have to move out of those rooms, anyways... that was a deal.
But no worries, he is a good guy who offered me his own room, how could I have refused it; issue resolved, get back to ear plugs.
Ample of water to compensate low oxygen level that I encountered in couple of days and a gulp of local wine made of rice was enough to spent a beautiful evening followed by delicious Daal,Chawal and Karela Masala.
Background image in this collage is the room where I stayed:
Day 5, July,16 Lossar to Kunzum, Batal and Chander Taal:
A hot cup of tea and I was off to my long cherished dream Kunzum Pass by 6am but not before bidding him a good bye and INR 150/- which was only change that I was left with except the 500 rupee notes. I wanted to pay him 300/- but he asked to give him whatever changes I have.
Crossed Lossar after reporting at army post there and started ascending to Kunzum. It rained last night at Kunzum which was clearly reflected through those swollen water streams. But against the expectations, the I found the route somewhat easy though the road is not in a good shape at all.
Numerous photo breaks and I was there at the top at 8.15
The beauty along the path can only be felt. Let's give an opportunity to my fellow canon to describe the same:
The milestone which was some 2-3 kms before told me that the top is still 3 kms. I felt that I have covered that much of distance, but how could it be so easy. I could not believe that I was on the much awaited place in my wishlist. to assure I had to search for the milestone which was hidden behind the clouds. Had a chocolate and a customary round to the Kunzum devi temple before leaving. Meanwhile clouds cleared a bit and gave me a chance for a few clicks which are posted here.
The Lahaul side of Kunzum is steeper and road condition also worse than the Spiti side, perhaps because former side gets more rains than the other side:
It was approx 9.30 when I reached the famous diversion to Chandertaal, which is 3kms before Batal, but I was dying out of hunger so headed towards Batal for the breakfast and then started again
Batal:
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