No trip to Spiti feels complete without a visit to the ancient Dhankar Monastery. As we made our way up the mountain, the road wound through a series of sharp hairpin bends, with our vehicle constantly moving from one side of the valley to the other.

At one particular bend, we stopped to admire a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Spiti and Pin Rivers. The landscape was simply mesmerizing. As we explored the location, we realized something even more exciting. This very bend was perfectly aligned with where the Milky Way would rise later that night.

We waited patiently for darkness to fall, and soon the galaxy emerged in all its glory above the winding mountain road. Although the vivid green airglow was not visible to our eyes, the camera revealed its delicate glow stretching across the night sky. Standing there in the silence of the Himalayas, with only the soothing sound of the river flowing through the valley, was an unforgettable experience. It was one of those rare moments when nature leaves you completely speechless.

Gears Used

📷 Sony A7IIIa

🔭 Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG DN Art lens @24mm

⚙️ Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro

🔭 Leofoto LS-285 C Tripod

⏲️ Aodelan Intervalometer

Capture Details

⚪ 12 Frames x 60 Seconds

🔊 ISO 640 | F2.8

🗻 Foreground shot in Blue Hour

📍Location: Dankhar, Spiti Valley Himachal Pradesh

⬆️ Altitude: 12774 Feet

🌌 Sky Bortle Scale: 1

✨ SQM: 21.75

🌤 Weather Condition: Clear, Chilly and Windy

Processing Details

Stacked in Sequator

Post Processing in Photoshop