Langza

Langza is a small Spiti village of about 136 people at the foot of Chau Chau Kang Nilda, a peak known locally as Princess Mountain. At about 4,400 m, it is called the fossil village. The surrounding hills were once seabed and have marine fossils, including ammonites. Local people sell them, and visitors should not take any from the hillside. A large seated Buddha statue watches over the village from above. An old Lang Gompa temple, believed to be several centuries old, stands nearby. Langza is usually combined with Komic and Hikkim on a loop from Kaza. It also has one of the better sunrise and star-gazing viewpoints in Spiti. Homestays are simple and nights are cold. Spend a day or two in Kaza to get used to the height before going higher. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. The road is open from about late spring to early winter and can close with snow.