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.
Photo by: Sambit Dattachaudhuri
Ibex are the prime prey of the snow leopard.
Photo by: Sambit Dattachaudhuri
Sheep-wool socks made by a women’s self-help group in Kibber.
Photo by: Sambit Dattachaudhuri
Ceremonial drums at the Bhimakali temple in Sarahan, Kinnaur.
Photo by: Sambit Dattachaudhuri
A baby red fox indulged the photographer near Spiti’s Chicham Bridge.
Photo by: Sambit Dattachaudhuri
Shichling is a tiny village dotted with barren willow and poplar trees.
Photo by: Sambit Dattachaudhuri
The Spiti River sparkles and sings beneath a bridge connecting the towns of Kaza and Tabo.
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