Milky Way Photography in Spiti Valley

A Photographer's Guide to Milky Way Photography (Astrophotography) in Spiti Valley

My Spiti Valley Milky Way Photography Pictures

See my pictures of Spiti Valley Milky Way Photography Pictures in better resolution here .

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Imagine standing under a vast, star-studded sky, where the Milky Way stretches like a cosmic river above the rugged peaks of Spiti Valley. This remote Himalayan gem, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, offers photographers an unparalleled opportunity to capture the stunning beauty of the night sky. With its high-altitude location, minimal light pollution, and crystal-clear air, Spiti serves as a canvas for celestial wonders waiting to be immortalized through your lens.

In this guide, we’ll traverse the enchanting terrain of Spiti Valley, exploring the best locations, techniques, and tips to elevate your Milky Way photography. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a curious novice, prepare to embark on a journey that will awaken your creativity and deepen your appreciation for the cosmos. Join us as we uncover the secrets to capturing breathtaking images of the Milky Way, turning fleeting moments into lasting memories. Your adventure in Spiti Valley's starry nights awaits!

Before you start, please read this - 
Complete Guide to Milky Way Photography in India

In this blog, I will cover -

Itinerary for Milky Way Photography in Spiti Valley
Best Time for Milky Way Photography in Spiti Valley
Best Locations for Milky Way Photography in Spiti Valley

 

 

Itinerary for Milky Way Photography in Spiti Valley

In summer, June to September, we take this itinerary -

Day Itinerary
Day 1 Chandigarh to Chail
Day 2 Chail to Chitkul
Day 3 Batseri Chitkul Kalpa
Day 4 Kalpa Nako Tabo
Day 5 Tabo Mud Kaza
Day 6 Key Kibber
Day 7 Langza Komic Hikkim
Day 8 Kaza to Chadratal
Day 9 Chandratal to Mandi
Day10 Mandi to Chandigarh

We never travel via Manali and it can cause AMS and can be fatal for your health and in severe situations can cause deaths as well. Gaining sudden altitude is too taxing for your body.

You can read about this in my other blog on Ladakh here.

This covers all the places and we gain altitude gradually which is easy for the body. Also, we cover the relevant places in the Kinnaur valley which also has some really interesting places for milky way or astrophotography.

You can find full details of my itinerary here on my Spiti Photography Tour page.

During the time when the Kunzum pass is not open (October to May), we take this route -

Day Itinerary
Day 1 Chandigarh to Rampur
Day 2 Rampur to Kalpa
Day 3 Kalpa Nako Gyu Tabo
Day 4 Tabo Mud Kaza
Day 5 Key Kibber Kaza
Day 6 Langza Komic Hikkim Kaza
Day 7 Kaza to Sarahan / Rampur
Day 8 Sarahan to Shimla / Chail
Day 9 Chail / Shimla to Chandigarh

Chandratal, one of the biggest attractions of the tour, is not accessible during this time but if you don't have a choice but to travel during these months, this is the itinerary.

Shimla was a beautiful hill station but now is too crowded especially during the weekends, so you can go to Kufri or Chail. The route is a bit longer but quiet and relaxing. Alternatively, you can also take the famous toy train from Simla to Kalka while returning. It's a great experience.

Spiti Valley tour in 4-5 days

Impossible! The nearest airport to Spiti valley is Chandigarh and roughly, it takes 2.5 days to reach Spiti. So, if you want to say that I entered Spiti and came back, you have to spend 5 days to and fro to reach a place called Khab bridge where the Spiti river meets the Sutlej river. The Spiti Valley starts beyond that.

Best Time for Milky Way Photography in Spiti Valley

In Spiti Valley, April to October is good for Milky Way Photography.

In April, you will be able to see the Milky Way very low, almost parallel to the horizon while rising.

If you want to shoot the MW GC above the Kinner Kailash range in Kalpa, this is a good time. The weather is also not as harsh as it is in Jan / Feb.

 

Later in September or October, it is impossible to have the Milky way over these majestic mountains as the Milky Way GC shifts towards the right of the mountains.

However for the picture of the Langza Buddha, September is a good time. You will see the Milky Way Galactic core overlapping with the Buddha and makes a great picture.

Best Places for Milky Way Photography in Spiti Valley in order of my Favourite Places

Langza - Langza is by far the best place for Milky Way Photography and the most difficult too. It is always cold and windy there. Sometimes it is so windy that the tripod is blown away. However, you have to be happy with the shots that many other photographers have already taken. Nothing new.

Nako - Nako is a serene lake, another cold place with not many people who stay here but good enough for Milky Way Photography. Nako is a cold place and not many people stay here.

Numerous un-named locations on the route from Nako to Kaza - When you travel on this route, every place looks photogenic with the Milky way. Just keep driving, find a good location, check in the direction of the Milky Way using Photopills and come back at night. There are unlimited unique compositions. If you can do this, it will be ideal.

Best Places for Milky Way Photography in Kinnaur Valley in order of my Favourite Places

Chitkul - Chitkul is the last village on this route and great for Milky Way Photography. Though the village has quite a few houses, if you come out of the main area, it is really dark and good enough for some amazing shots.

Kalpa - Kalpa is located right at the bottom of the Kinnar Kailash Range. Most of the hotels have good views but due to many hotels, if there is one source of light in your frame, it is enough to spoil your shot. Nowadays, we walk or take the car out of the area of hotels and do our shots.

 

Tips for photographers

For the following topics, please read this blog below - 

Camera Settings for Stunning Milky Way Shots
Composition Techniques for Astrophotography
Post-Processing Tips for Milky Way Images
Safety Tips for Night Photography in Remote Areas

Complete Guide to Astrophotography in India

 

Thanksgiving

Thanks to all the participants who joined for my Photography Tours to Spiti Valley

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