It won’t be an understatement to term actor Pranav Mohanlal a person consumed by wanderlust as he hits the road very frequently at the drop of a hat. The photos of his recent foreign tours have taken the social media by storm. A recurring spot in his Instagram posts is not any European destination but the charming Spiti Valley. Pranav posts way too frequently about his Himalayan sojourns and so, it is safe to say his #spitidiaries have developed a fandom of its own!
Pranav, the son of versatile Malayalam actor Mohanlal, posted snaps and reels from the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh recently too. Earlier this month, the actor and parkour enthusiast shared a Reel video of which theme was his trip to Spiti in a nutshell. The Reel, followed by some photographs reflect the beauty and charm of the famous Spiti valley, a high-altitude mountainous region.
Pranav had taken to his Instagram handle in June last year to share awesome pics from the picturesque town of Sarahan in Himachal. It is worth noting that Sarahan is the gateway to Kinnaur. It is believed that Sarahan is the Sonitpur town mentioned in the age-old Puranas. Sarahan was also the summer capital of the Bushahr kingdom, which was a princely Rajput state.
The mesmerizing Spiti valley is tucked away in the Himalayas on the north-eastern side of Himachal Pradesh. This ever-enchanting piece of land that lies between India and Tibet has always attracted travellers from across the globe. The cold desert region is known for its pine forest, green meadows, Buddhist monasteries, hamlets, nature’s pristine beauty and peculiar climate.
The Spiti valley is situated nearly 12,500ft above sea level. The small hamlets, which are located in the shadows of the huge mountains ranges, are home to around 35 to 200 people.
The main attraction of the valley is the Chandratal Lake, which is the favourite hunting ground of people who love trekking and camping. The visitors shake their heads in silent wonderment as the colour of the sparkling water of the lake, which is on the Samudra Tapu plateau, changes from emerald green to blue, orange and red. Hundreds of tourists visit the Spiti valley to camp on the sprawling and jaw-dropping green meadows of the region.
Moreover, the Baralacha Pass that connects the mountain ranges such as Zanskar, Pir Panjal and the Great Himalaya, the exotic flora and fauna that includes Chukar birds and Siberian ibex, among others, and the national park that houses alpine trees, deodar cedars and rare medicinal plants are a treat for the eyes in the Spiti valley. The Kibber village that boasts of the highest motorable road in India should also find a place on your itinerary while visiting the Spiti valley.
One route to reach the Spiti valley is Delhi-Shimla-Narkanda-Kinnaur valley- Tabo-Kaza. The other route starts from Delhi and touches Manali, Rohtang pass, Kunzum pass, Losar and Kaza. The travellers normally choose the first route to reach the Spiti valley.
The best time to enjoy the alluring natural charm of the Spiti valley is from March to June. During the winter season from December to February, the sight of mountains covered in snow can take your breath away. The snowfall starts from mid-December and that’s the time to indulge in snowboarding, trekking and ice-skating.
