Photographs from Lahaul & Spiti in the Himalayas – Brilliant Untouched Landscapes and an Ancient Culture

Images of landscapes, culture and people in the highlands of Lahaul & Spiti in the Himalayas

Also see: Our photography tour to Lahaul & Spiti

Photos & Captions by Chandra Mulpuri. Also see a comprehensive set of his images from Lahaul & Spiti

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Every year, sometime in the months of July-August, we conduct photography tours to Lahaul & Spiti valleys in the Himalayas. This region is located in the northern parts of Himachal Pradesh, accessed via Manali. Beyond Manali and after crossing Rohtang Pass, the landscape changes considerably. We are suddenly in a no man’s land as we enter into the valley of Lahaul. Civilization and hustle bustle of the everyday world is left behind and completely forgotten in its silence. There are no houses, no people, no vehicles to give way to, or anything to remind of the world we have left behind. A narrow road barely good enough to drive reminds that we are still connected with the world, and also gives us access to the terrain that almost feels uncharted.

One of the still unexplored and insanely beautiful stretch of the Indian Himalayas, Lahaul and Spiti is a valley of stark landscapes and high snowy peaks stretching to the sky. Gurgling rivers and crystal clear lakes dot the highlands of Lahaul, while an ancient civilization has survived for nearly a thousand years and has preserved its culture against the onslaught of modernity in Spiti. The faraway valley connected only through a narrow road that traverses through mountains over 10,000 feet high, this region offers vistas and heritage that can keep a travel photographer in a click-frenzy for months together.

On to the images. These photographs were made by Chandra Mulpuri, who travelled with Darter Photography on the photography tour to Lahaul & Spiti in 2013. All captions by photographer.

The Landscapes

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

The Magical mirror that is Chandra Taal. Even when the Sun won’t come up, the landscape remained dramatic.

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Where else would you see an ice-fall and water-fall in the same shot!

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

A dash of color amidst the furious drab

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

The calm meadows and the grazing horses belie the harsh weather the Himalayan Valleys endure

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

An ice cave!!!!! One dream down!

I’ve attempted hiking into ice caves before, but was turned back because it was too unsafe as the glaciers were still active. This one however, is formed in a dead glacier which degraded into an ice shelf. Not that it was extremely safe, but safer than an active glacier 🙂 It was bone chilling because of the wind and the stream spray and the melting ice above. However, I thought the picture was worth it 🙂

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

There’s the North Star!

Star Trails in the Himalayas! One more dream down!

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

The Magical mirror that is Chandra Taal.

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Camping under the Milky Way in the Himalayas! One dream down!

It was quite windy and brutally cold at this point (around 9:30 pm), and this was the only shot I got before the moon ducked behind the mountains.

The Monastic Traditions

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Ki Monastery on a crest, with “Chau Chau Kang Nilda” mountain sitting majestically in the background. The light was magical!

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Prayer Hall at the new SakyaPa monastery built in Kaza

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Prayer Hall at the new SakyaPa monastery built in Kaza

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Afternoon Prayers at the Ki Monastery

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Cricket is the favorite pastime anywhere in India! This young lama was actually quite good at the pull shot.

The Everyday Life

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

A panoramic of the tiny village that is Langza – the majestic Himalayas overlooking the meadows at 15000 ft, dotted by a few houses spread apart.

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

An old lady works the Sweet Pea fields early in the morning.

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Kungri Monastery is set to overlook the spectacular Pin Valley!

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Attitude!

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Granddaughter loves Grandma

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

She’d been sleeping for about an hour already!

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

Tales over Mint Tea!

The charming old lady in whose house a couple of us stayed the night at Langza.

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

The friendly couple who served us an amazing Mint Tea in Batal. Also, quite heroic – they saved the lives of many stranded tourists when the weather turned – and have quite a collection of articles and medals to prove it!

The Group

Photography in Lahaul & Spiti

The gang that braved the cold and wind overnight to experience the magic of early morning.

Also see: Our upcoming photography tour to Lahaul & Spiti

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