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 of about 10-12 kms passing through barren mountains. Three of us with our guide started this trek from Demul. First 2 hours was continuous upward hike. I was going slow maintaining same slow pace while my fellow trekkers were ahead of me by a km distance. We maintained the same pace through out the trekking.
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 striking to take a step started to sprint. It was not a easy job at that altitude. I called out for our guide. He was waiting after hearing my scream. He said that roar could be of snow leopard which is very common in this region. But he assured that they move out in night and are shy don’t worry. After this, I was trying to walk at his pace.
But after few kms again I was left behind. Now I had reached to the stage that even if leopard stands in front of me my legs wouldn’t have tried to run and my lungs wouldn’t have supported. I knew I will surrender to leopard if at all we come face to face.
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 the distance.
After 4hrs of continuous walking, started feeling hungry. But my fellow trekkers and guide were ahead of me to stop them. So, I had my packed lunch and lying down I was enjoying the soul stirring silence and blue sky, I was fast asleep and woke up when guide 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 walk again
As moved towards Komic snow cladded mountain Cho Cho Khanilda emerged out. I found a few fossils on the way.
After 6 hrs of trekking we reached Komic village. This is a quaint village with only 13 houses and yaks certainly more in number than people living here. It was evenings. Yaks were reaching home. It was so refreshing sight.
This trekking will remain special in my travel dairy for the quaint time spent for 6 hrs and being in intimately close with nature and for the silence that I felt there. After all it was Himalayan silence.
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