Mountainscapes will Have to Wait

Escaping to remote, isolated mountains was on everybody&rsquos bucket list this year. With social distancing as the need of the hour, driving to lands far and remote seemed to be the only escape. 

However, travellers planning to head to the picturesque Spiti Valley at Kaza have a long wait ahead of them. According to an announcement by the Spiti Tourism Society, all tourist activities have been suspended in the valley till March 31, 2021. 

&lsquoIt is with sheer regret to inform all travellers, that Spiti Valley is closed for any kind of tourism activity which includes jeep safaris, package tours, trekking, snow drive, wildlife expeditions and etc. till 31st of March, 2021. Tourism in the valley will resume from 1st of April,&rsquo read the notice. &lsquoThe decision to close down tourism is a difficult one for us as the valley depends heavily on tourism, but it is a necessary step to limit the spread of Covid-19 in Spiti Valley.'

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With the sudden surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the valley in Himachal Pradesh, a collective decision was taken to shut down the valley to tourists.

Due to the high altitude, onset of extreme weather, limited medical supplies and infrastructure and adverse geographical conditions, containing, isolating and social distancing amid the local population might not possible.

Hence, a collective decision involving all stakeholders&mdashhoteliers, homestay owners, guides and travel associates&mdashwas taken on November 11. 

In recent years, Spiti Valley has become one of the most preferred offbeat destination owing to its postcard-worthy landscape&mdashdeep gorges, steep valleys and clear blue lake. 

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