The first time I stayed overnight in Ki was also in the year 2000. I was traveling by the local bus, and had stopped for a visit while it went ahead to Kibber, before coming back to Ki and returning to Kaza. As usual, I was lost exploring the dingy passageways and chatting with the monks in the kitchen over endless cups of butter tea, and I lost track of time and the bus.

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Ki Monastery is a thousand-year-old Buddhist gompa located in the remote region of Spiti in the Indian Himalayas. The formal introduction line done, Ki looks like a pile of boxes stacked haphazardly, threatening to topple over the picturesque village by the same name at its feet. It is o­ne of the five major monasteries of the Spiti valley along with Thangyud Gompa, Dhankar Gompa, Khungri Gompa and Tabo Gompa. Ki Monastery follows the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

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Rohtang Pass (3978 m) is a high mountain pass across the Pir Panjal range of the Himalaya that connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahul and Spiti valleys of Himachal Pradesh , India . It is situated at a distance of 51 km from the town of Manali.

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Manali is a small town on the bank of the river Beas, in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

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Kibber Wildlife sanctuary is spread over an area of about 1400 sq km and is segregated in an outer buffer zone and an inner “protected area”. It is the o­nly sanctuary in the country which is situated in a cold desert area. There are about 13 villages situated outside the periphery of the sanctuary. There are three monasteries - Ki, Tangyud and Dhankar o­n the periphery of the protected area. The buffer zone does contain a few dwellings called “dogris” and a grazing reserve for livestock. For a high altitude desert the flora that is found here is quite amazing. KWS is home to a variety of rare animals like the Ibex, blue sheep, red fox, Tibetian woolly hare, Tibetian wolf, lynx, pika, Tibetian wild ass - and the majestic but elusive snow leopard. The sanctuary also offers a great view of the region's peaks Chau-cahu khanamo & Chau-chau khang nilda.

Read full article: 'THE LEFT BANK PLATEU HABITATS ( including Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary )'

This tour takes you into the very heart of Spiti into a world where rich hearts flourish in barren land. As usual, Wide Aware makes it a point to give you a tour that goes into the very essence of the land, rather than a visit of significant locations only. This tour not only shows you the highlights of Spiti Valley, but give you an experience of being part of the land, and following your interests like other inhabitants in the valley. We will see world famous monasteries, hunt for fossils, dance the local dances, eat the local food, stay in their homes, witness an exotic tantric ceremony, look at the local breeding grounds of the famous Spiti horses and explore this place to our heart's content. If you want a hurried tour that gives you a summary of the valley, this is not it. If you'd like to marinate yourself in the place, so that it feels like a home, you're in the right place.

Read full article: 'Cultural Experience - SPITI'

Sanjay Joshi shares his Motorcycle escapade in Ladakh with us. A bunch of friends footloose and fancy free in some of the most amazing terrain in the world.

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It is a lake situated far away in barren land in Ladakh. This lake is known for its calm, clear and unending expanse. It is the o­ne of biggest lake in Asia.

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Explore the hidden kingdom of Ladakh and travel further into the heart of the scenic Himalaya, to end your tour in Kashmir, often called "paradise o­n earth". Do bring along a camera, as the visions in your mind will always fall short of words when telling folks back home.

Read full article: 'Manali - Leh - Kashmir Jeep Safari'

This is a very popular, moderate trekking route to the incredibly beautiful Chandratal - The Lake of the Moon in the Himalayan highlands. The route begins at Manali, crosses over the Hampta Pass, and travels along the mighty Chandra river to its origin.This trek is best done from July to September, though it is possible from mid-June to October (depending o­n weather)

Read full article: 'Chandratal'