Safarnama — Spiti Valley: World within a World by Ruzbeh Master. Published in 2023 by Qurate Books Pvt. Ltd, F-16, Alfran Plaza, M. G. Road, Panaji, Goa 403001, email: info@quratebooks.com, website: www.quratebooks.com. Pp: 140. Price: Rs 250.
The slim, 140-page travelog or Safarnama titled Spiti Valley: World within a World, authored by young engineer and designer Ruzbeh Master (pictured) of Surat, presents the beauteous landscape of the Himalayan mountain ranges and the Spiti Valley through the trekker’s eyes. Master undertook the 19-day trek alone, without a guide, carrying a single backpack and returned content and triumphant.
In his words, the conceptual pillars to such an endeavor are dream, believe, build, achieve and excel. Each of these concepts has a chapter dedicated to it.
The book takes us across the Rohtang pass, the Sukhana lake, the picturesque town of Pangmo, the famous Hidimba temple, Kaza (the capital of Spiti), the Chandratal lake in Batal, Kunzum La (a high altitude pass), the Ki monastery, the quaint towns of Mudh, Langza, Komik, Hikkim (the world’s highest altitude post office), Nako (the last section of the Spiti circuit which houses the famous monastery founded by Rinchin Zangpo) and many other Himalayan nodes and villages.
The book is an easy read. One is able to visualize the splendor and grandeur of the Spiti Valley. Master also warns readers of the risks and uncertainties of traversing high altitude passes, the effects of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) and the biting cold. Trekkers interested in the joys and dangers of trekking in the Spiti Valley will find the book useful.
However, while exuding youthful fervor and enthusiasm, the book lacks critical information such as maps and trekking routes, addresses, contact details, logistical ideas and transport timings. Inclusion of this vital data would have enhanced the value of the book for trekkers aspiring to traverse the Spiti Valley circuit.
The book, unfortunately, has not been professionally proofread, is at times disjointed and has avoidable grammatical errors.
While serving as a spark to ignite the passion for trekking, the book misses its mark due to lack of factual details.
Dr ROHINTON MEHTA
Mehta, a lawyer, professor and international level masters athlete, has authored six books on law and sports, including a manual on trekking. Since 2007 he has been one of India’s representatives on the panel of international arbitrators affiliated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Lausanne, Switzerland.