Five hundred kilometres is a long way, especially through the cold Himalayas. It is also what it takes to reach a snow-quilted Spiti valley in Himachal Pradesh from capital Shimla. The photographer undertook the journey—with a quick stop at Kinnaur—for the love of Himalayan wildlife, and encountered it aplenty. He returned fuller than intended, memories inhabited by the great outdoors and its winter playmates: cold rivers, hot momos, and apple orchards dusted silver.
Photo by: Sambit Dattachaudhuri
Located halfway between Kibber village and Spiti’s district headquarter Kaza, Kee Monastery offers grand winter vistas.
Ibex are the prime prey of the snow leopard.
Sheep-wool socks made by a women’s self-help group in Kibber.
Ceremonial drums at the Bhimakali temple in Sarahan, Kinnaur.
A baby red fox indulged the photographer near Spiti’s Chicham Bridge.
Shichling is a tiny village dotted with barren willow and poplar trees.
The Spiti River sparkles and sings beneath a bridge connecting the towns of Kaza and Tabo.
To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller India and National Geographic Magazine, head here.
Sambit Dattachaudhuri is a photographer, film-maker, and travel guide. He is the co-founder of the travel initiative called 'The Doi Host'. When he's not playing FIFA, he's usually planning a road trip to the remote Himalayas to take you on.
Hey there! Like what you see (or not)? Tell us what you think at web.editor@natgeotraveller.in.