Kinnaur & Spiti tales-6-Trekking from Demul to Komic

Demul and  Komic are high altitude villages in Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh. Komic is asia’s highest altitude village with an altitude of of 14,800 ft above sea level. Demul to Komic is a trekking path of 10-12 kms passing through barren mountains.For lazy bones there is a 20kms road to reach by jeep or car.  Three of us with our guide, Cherring started this trek from Demul. First 2 hours was a continuous upward hike. I was behind others as I was at  slow pace while my fellow trekkers were ahead of me.

 It was after about an hour from Demul, when I heard roaring and all of a sudden I saw birds fluttering their wings and  flying away. My legs which were on strike to take even a step started to sprint. It was not a easy job at that altitude to run. I  called out for our Cherring. He didn't respond as he was not at reachable distance for my shout.But he was waiting after some distance to ensure am coming behind them. When he  said the roar could be snow leopard which is very common in this region. I was like ' My good.. I can't even make out in the bushes if it was hiding as they look same color as barren mountains'. But he assured that they move out only in  night  and are too shy. So no need to worry. After this, I tried  to keep up to his pace. I guess, no need to say that I miserably failed. But I realized later it was for good .

Landscape on the way

 A few kms of walk brought us to a meadows which was turning pale as it was the beginning of winter and villagers had taken all the grass to store it for the season. Again I was left behind. I was gasping for breath and had reached a stage that  if leopard stood in front of me, I was ready to surrender without any fight.

Meadows on the way

I took it easy and started taking pictures and walking leisurely enjoying the beauty around. It was again a stark landscape , grey-brown terrain, stunning blue sky, wonderful geological formations and snow peaked mountains at a distance.

Landscape on the way

After 4hrs of continuous walking, started feeling hungry. But my fellow trekkers and guide were ahead of me to stop them. I took a break, ate my packed lunch and laid down to realx. While savoring the soul touching silence and blue sky, in no time I was fast asleep and woke up when Cherring woke me up. He was worried that I didn’t turn up and had come back to find me. But that nap gave me all strength to continue my walk.

As we moved towards Komic village, snow cladded mountain Cho Cho Khanilda emerged out.Apparently it is very difficult to hike this mountain. It needs mountaineering equipments.

Cho cho Khanilda mountain

Do you know the Spiti valley was once, 200 millions years back was a sea ?It is the same place where Thithyas sea existed . We had studied in school that Himlayas are the youngest mountains formed after geological movement. There were plenty of fossils on the way telling the story of Spiti once being sea.

Komic village. You can count the number of houses

After 7 hrs of trekking we reached Komic village.  This is a quaint village with 13 houses and yaks certainly are more in number than people. It was evening. Yaks were reaching home. The sight was like a water color painting  and refreshing tonic after a long trek.

Yaks at Komic village

 This trekking will remain special in my travel diary for the quaint time spent for 6 hrs due to my slow pace and being intimate with the nature and for the ethereal silence that I felt. After all it was Himalayan silence !

Travel tips
Demul and Komic are reachable by road from Kaza
Homestays are the only accomodations available
No network is available in both the villages including BSNL network

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