Komic village sits at high altitude in India's Spiti Valley

Komic, located in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India, is one of the highest villages in the world connected by motorable roads. Situated at an altitude of approximately 4,587 meters above sea level, the settlement is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas.

The village is home to about 100 residents who live under extreme conditions, characterized by low oxygen levels and freezing temperatures. For nearly six months of the year, heavy snowfall blocks mountain passes, isolating the area from the rest of India. Infrastructure is limited, with restricted internet and telephone access, and essential services like schools and healthcare located far away.

To combat the cold, local homes are constructed from mud and stone with walls roughly 60 centimeters thick to retain heat. The surrounding region is also historically significant; the nearby village of Langza is known for marine fossils that indicate the area was once part of the ancient Tethys Sea.