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Situated at an altitude of 3600 meters, Kaza is the
sub-divisional headquarters of Spiti. Higher than Leh, it
boasts of the highest diesel/petrol outlet in the world!
Inspite of the height, Kaza is the only place in the
entire Himalayas connected by road throughout the year.
This is because unlike other high altitude places in the
Himalayas, Spiti is NOT connected by any pass from Kinnaur
and as such does not get snowbound during winter.
Kaza is best connected by all weather road from Shimla
(412 kms.). The road from Manali (201 kms) crosses over
3978 meters high Rohtang Pass and 4551 meters high Rohtang
Pass and is open only from June to October.
Of late, an NGO has started to exploit the widely
available sea buckthorn berries. Here in Kaza as in Leh,
the berries are being exploited for its juice that is
being sold in tetra packs. In the near future, it is
likely to be exploited for it’s huge medicinal values, the
way it is being done in China.
A traditional fair, Ladarcha, is celebrated here every
year in the month of August.
Kaza is the perfect place to explore Spiti Valley. Places
of interest around Kaza include Ki & Dhankar monasteries,
Kibber, Gete and Pin valley.
The circular walk that covers Langza, Comic and Hikkim is
highly recommended. One can walk on the road to Langza (9
kms). From here, it is a cross-country walk to Comic (8
kms) with a slight detour to Hikkim enroute. From Comic to
Kaza is about 6 kms over scree slopes.
The Banjara Retreat at Kaza overlooks the town and is
housed in the Kaza monastery complex.
The Spiti river, on whose banks Kaza is situated, is a
boisterous river in summer whereas in winter it looks like
a blue ribbon and is fordable at number of places. Spiti
originates to the northeast of Kunzum pass by the joining
of the Taktsi, Pangnu and Kibji nalas.
It is not a much-revered river by the locals as it has
contributed very little to the local economy. The water
cannot be used for irrigation because of the fast flow of
the water as also because of the low elevation of the
riverbed. The cultivation in the valley is through
irrigation but the water is brought to the villages from
the side streams through long water channels called “Kuhls”.
The river does not freeze completely in the winter though
the water level goes down considerably and the water
freezes on both the banks.
There is no fish in the river.
Dhankar gompa offers a fabulous view of the great expanse
of the Spiti River as the Pin River joins it. Both the
rivers break into several channels and in the setting sun
it has a curious appearance.
The motorable road from both northwards and southwards
runs almost parallel to the banks of the Spiti River. The
Spiti, after having covered 190 kms at an average
elevation of 3660m, joins the Sutlej at Khab.
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