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I sit in the sun, high above the mountain village of Nako. Next to me groans the prayer wheel as it is goaded into motion by the wind. The prayer flags flutter, highlighted by the sun. Over 1000m below in front of me is the Spiti Valley and behind me is Tibet. I am alone, with only the sound of the wind and the flags, in this beautiful place.

Nako

I didn’t think I’d stay in Nako. It’s too high, and I’m not acclimatised. I also thought I’d have to do the climb only nourished by the biscuits I bought last night. Well, there was a Bob Marley ‘restaurant/ hotel’ 7km down the road before the climb started. I had some dahl and chepatis, and again in Kah – a sudden patch of green in the middle of a barren red rock and sand landscape.

Bob Marley restaurant

The rest of the time I spent spiralling up into the heavens, surrounded by a bleak, rocky landscape. The river I saw disappear to obscurity below.

The climb

The river below

Barren landscape

The climb continues

I arrived in Nako and fell in love with the place. So peaceful and beautiful. I guess the food helped too. I sat down and proceded to have 4 main courses and 3 lassis.

Nako cow

Nako street

The Nako prayer wheel