Finally, summers are here. And that's when us lesser mortals flock to the higher reaches of Himalayas.
Every winter, I wait for summers. Come summers and I start yearning for winters the moment mercury hits 35 degrees. And that time is here. We decided to get away from the sweltering heat and before we could realize, we were on our way to Lahaul Valley - the winter dreamland of Himalayas.
The valley of Lahaul is known as snow desert for it is snow covered for more than six months in a year. Somewhere around mid may, the snow melts and valley open its doors for the outside world after a long hiatus of 5-6 weeks. Earlier, we had to cross the might Rohtang Pass to reach the valley but the construction of an engineering marvel, the Atal Tunnel that is, has made it a smooth experience. While it would take hours and hours to navigate the mountain pass, now all you need to do is to follow the traffic rules and lane discipline to make it right on time.
Why I say so? Because thousands of vehicles from across the country flock the valley in summers and if you act a little stupid or clever, you might end up in a traffic jam that would just not let go.
Lane Discipline will make it easier for all of us
Usually, the weekdays are easy but this being the onset of summer vacations in schools here, the roads were crowded, and everybody seemed to be running towards the hills.
Though I expected a little more snow at the mountain tops, but it turned out that the mountains too were being beaten down by the summer sun and the snow had almost disappeared from the mountain tops. Like all things nostalgic, we too talked about how the snow would last till late June or sometimes July in the decade gone by. A lot of people were complaining about the onslaught of tourism and countless vehicles that were entering the valley.
However, one must keep in the mind that before all these vehicles and roads, people would walk hours in foot just to get their medical checkup done. Only to be referred to the higher centers. Or employees working in the valleys stuck in snow for weeks waiting for someone to rescue them out of the valley so that they could attend to the family emergency that had happened a week ago.
I have myself walked through a snowy valley in the month of April, way back in 2011 just to know and experience what the people of valley felt about lack of roads and vehicular absence.
Rock Formations in Lahaul Valley
The disappearing snow from mountain tops
The barren landscape of Lahaul has a unique charm to it. Tiny villages sprinkled all along the valley with towering mountains in the background isn't something you come across often. There were first timers on the road who were bewildered to see this unique setting and were wondering about the ways of life in the valley.
That's what one experiences during their first visit. Though I go through the same emotions every time I revisit the valley.
Monasteries of Lahaul Valley
The Bewildered Look of First Timers
We had not decided to stay overnight to after loitering around in the valley for hours, we decided to head back home. I remember the first time I had come here; it took me six days to come back home. And today, just 10 hours.
How times change!
Let me have you a look at some of the towering mountains of the valley
A five thousander peak on our way to Lahaul
Until we meet again
all photographs clicked by me
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Hiya, @ybanezkim26 here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Travel Digest #2219.
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