How is Life on a 12,000ft Cliff Village in Spiti? Exploring Dhankar, Monastery & Fort

Namaste and welcome to Episode 11 of my Spiti Valley Motorcycle Series! In this 12-minute vlog, we slow down to spend a complete day exploring the dramatic cliffside village of Dhankar, perched high above the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. We kick off the morning with hot, locally sourced Sea Buckthorn tea at the homestay, diving into real stories about winter snow leopard sightings and how locals manage life alongside wildlife in high-altitude winters. Next, we hike up to explore the inside of the centuries-old Dhankar Monastery, paired with stunning cinematic aerial drone shots showcasing how this marvel hangs over sheer cliffs. From there, we push up to the highest point in the village—the Dhankar Fort—for jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the valley and river below. Back in the village, I document how the locals traditionally brew Arak (a local Spitian drink), break down the design of sustainable mud house homestays, and sit down for authentic home-cooked Spitian food. Whether you're mapping out your Dhankar itinerary, looking for Spiti Valley homestay experiences, or love deep-dive Himalayan travel vlogs, this episode captures the raw essence of remote mountain living! Key Highlights in this Episode: Morning Sea Buckthorn tea & local snow leopard stories Exploring the ancient Dhankar Monastery from inside Cinematic aerial drone shots of Dhankar's cliff landscapes Hike to Dhankar Fort for panoramic river & valley views Traditional brewing of Arak (Spitian local drink) Mud house homestay tour & authentic local dinner #Dhankar #SpitiValley #DhankarMonastery #DhankarFort #SpitiSeries #Arak #SnowLeopard #MudHouseHomestay #HimachalPradesh #SpitiTravelVlog #SoloTraveler #MotorcycleTrip #Himalayas #incredibleindia Complete Ladakh Series:    • Ladakh Odyssey 2024   North East Series:    • Arunanchal Pradesh Ride 2023   Follow me on instagram:   / roamwithsom.official   Gears I use : Camera : https://amzn.to/3l40DcA Mic : https://amzn.to/3l5tjSq Tripod : https://amzn.to/3a73HhG Camera accessories : https://amzn.to/3D7MMbn Thanks a lot guys for watching this video, Do support me by giving like to this video, if you find this worth sharing, then please share and at last if you are interested on my content, please subscribe to my channel. Jay Jagannath