It took a week of steady walking to reach the roadhead and await the eventual arrival of a vehicle to Kaza - the administrative headquarters of Spiti. This region is a hard and dry expanse of ever moving stones, ravaged by ice and wind and fierce streams of icy water from the surrounding glaciers above. Topped by a sky of Real Blue, seemingly close -by in the sharp, dry atmosphere above 3500m, this is an area of awesome vistas. Recent changes in Indo-Chinese relations and efforts to renew trade between the countries, has led to an increasing interest by the authorities in New Delhi in the Spiti valley. Hydro-electric schemes, improvements in roads, attempts at reforestation, irrigation and education are being made.
Tourism is bound to increase.
Our arrival in Kaza coincided with the annual festivities. Traditional dances and songs were performed and dignitaries, many who were flown in by helicopter from the south. We heard them giving long speeches to inaugurate a satellite telecommunication service. On the other side of town, about 200 metres away, was a fairground, complete with Ferris wheel, loud popular music, shooting galleries and a market place selling fresh produce. For a week the town bustles with activity to accommodate and serve the influx.