DAY 531

Dropping down from the 3938m Rohtang Pass we headed south into a much greener and lusher Kullu valley.

DAY 530

Gaddi herdsmen walk across this whole state once the snows have retreated after the winter. They take their sheep and goats from the plains to the high altitude meadows in search of lush grass for their flocks.  

DAY 529

About a quarter of the distance and about half the time was spent on 'kutcha' roads. Rocky, gravelly, sandy they shake you about but are fun to ride. We frequently passed road gangs repairing the roads after land slips - common, especially after the monsoon and winter seasons. One road gang we came across held us back with a little red handkerchief while they dynamited some larger obstacles on the road ahead. Along the Pangi valley between Sach Pass and Rohtang Pass, the road has been blasted out of the steep cliffs.  

DAY 528

The road was frequently crossed by snow melt streams and rivers. Here we are crossing the second largest river of our journey. You can't see what's under the water so you just have to go and hope you don't hit anything large or drop into a hole ...

DAY 527

Closer now to Sach Pass. Beyond the tree line and into beautiful meadows filled with wild flowers. We got lucky with the weather and had great views all the way from the 4416m high point.

DAY 526

In a slight departure from normal proceedings, this week has been given over to Ed to write about his amazing motorbike trip up into the mountains of Himachal Pradesh.

Heading up the Chamba Valley towards the first high altidude pass of our 1000 mile trip through Himachal Pradesh: Sach Pass. The pass is the dip in the mountains in the distance and still another three hours ride from here.

DAY 525

Ed and Matt about to head off on their motorbike trip into the mountains ... more photos to come.