The Lesser-known road trips of the Himalayas

The worst of the summer is far from gone as the dreaded humidity is soon to make its entry once the monsoons are over. Naturally, this is the time when the hills are the most alluring. For travel enthusiasts in Delhi and nearby northern regions, Ladakh comes as the perfect inviting road trip. However, shift your gaze from the Leh-Ladakh circuit and you will find equally beautiful road trip routes all across the Himalayas.

Manali –Kaza

Next time you are on the Manali-Leh route, take a detour and journey to Kaza instead. The Manali-Kaza route traverses over the Kunzum Pass and begins as you cross Rohtang Pass and enter the barren and desolate geography of Lahaul.

Around 15 kilometers after crossing Rohtang Pass, the route will take you to Gramphoo that is essential to visit before you enter Kaza and Spiti. The stretch goes for 175 kilometers and is largely devoid of any tarmac, mostly consisting of a dirt track. The frothy Chandra river is a common sight here, snaking its way through numerous streams, fields of boulders and glaciers. You can also sight nomadic tribes with their shepheards waving back at you as they herd their livestock.

The route then gets to the almost 15,000 feet  Kunzum Pass. Look down from the pass, and you’ll see how glaciers scooped and scraped out a valley and deposited terminal moraine in the form of boulders during the Ice Age. From here you could either  head on to Spiti Valley, with its own geography, or spend a few days in Kaza, as you explore the Komic, Langza and Kibber villages.

Pangi Valley

Dalhousie is a mesmerizing spot for travellers who want to soak in the beauty of the magnificent Dhauladhar mountain range. But did you know that the Dalhousie – Manali route is one of the most picturesque you can take? It takes you past the Sach pass at 14,500 ft and the drive is not easy. Attempt this only if you are an experienced driver, and halt at Bairagarh, which is the unofficial night halt of the route.

The pass crests some 30 km from here, and the road becomes incredibly narrow. It dips as huge glaciers come into view and you are advised to keep your eyes on the road rather than the beautifully lush Pangi Valley that suddenly appears before you.

There are woefully few fuel pumps here, and the only ones are at Chamba and Tandi. So please carry at least one 10-liter jerry can of petrol, because the distance between the two pumps is a whopping 286 km!