Day 7 – Exploring Kaza – Key Monastery – Komic Village
Today was the most exciting day of the expedition and everyone was totally pumped up and ready to go. The service team had a late night to ensure that all our machines were in top shape for the day’s adventures. The whole convoy left the hotel post breakfast to reach the river side at 9 am where we were welcomed by Hari and team who were waiting for us. Hari along with Manish gave a list of do’s and don’ts before we started off. The flow of the current was moderate and one by one we drove though the river. Feeling the water brushing against the SUVs was some experience. Meanwhile Sunny in the Float Thar and Manish in the Roving Scorpio were having some fun of their own. After crossing the river, we had a short photo session, after which we made our way up to the Key Monastery.
The view from the monastery was just breathtaking. After interacting with the monks over a cup off tea, we got back to our cars and started off for Komic village. At 14,806 feet, it is the highest inhabited village in the world. My decision to eat light on the trip paid off because at no point did I feel uneasy as we went up hill. Drinking lots of water and munching chocolates also helped. As soon as we reached halfway up, Lead comes on the radio “Ok convoy, now it’s time for some off-roading, everyone engage four low.” The entire convoy left the conventional road to take the off-beaten path all the way to Komic village, much to the shocked looks of other roads users. Once we conquered the off-roading trail, we lined up our vehicles to pose for a group photo. On reaching the village, we were led to the monastery where there was a traditional dance and wait for it… Momos!!!! Ever since I started the trip, I was craving for authentic momos and finally my prayers were answered.
After feasting on the momos and enjoying the beautiful traditional dance put up for us, we left the monastery to go downhill where lunch was laid out for us. The lunch spread has delicacies prepared by the locals, and since the momos had already filled up my tummy, I managed to have some dal chawal. Surrounded by mountains, the lunch setting couldn’t have been better. And we had Simba the St. Bernard for company. He happily posed for pictures wagging his tail as long as you bribed him with some food. Next we headed to Hikkim which is home to the highest post office in the world at 14,567 feet. The post office is open throughout the year and postmaster Mr. Rinchon Chhering handles 15 to 20 letter everyday. The entire gang got going to post some postcards to their loved ones, yours truly included. And I am happy to say that the post card reached home 10 days later. We moved on from Hikkim to Kaza where we got our vehicles refueled. This Indian Oil outlet is apparently the highest fuel station in the world. I could really get used to this ‘highest in the world lingo’. A 15 minute drive from the fuel station and we were back at the Grand Dewachen. Everyone was at the dinner table post freshening up where Hari announced the next day’s itinerary “Team our day begins at 5 am tomorrow as we have a long drive ahead, a distance of 235 kms. There will be breakfast at Kunzum pass followed by a trip to Chandertal lake before heading towards Manali.” “Copy that Lead” said everyone in a chorus. I retired to my room post dinner since it was already late and wanted to be fresh as a daisy for the next day’s drive.
Contd…
