What to Do
You come to Hikkim for the famous post office, a tiny room carved into a hillside where you can still send handwritten postcards. I sent one to myself the first time, just for the thrill of getting a stamp from 14,400 feet. It reached me a month or so later, creased and faded, and I’ll probably never throw it away.

How to Get There
Hikkim is just a short, bumpy drive from Kaza, about 15 km, but it feels longer with the altitude and curves. You can combine it with Langza and Komic in a day loop. The road is dusty, sometimes sketchy, but doable in any decent taxi or bike. Best to go in the morning, weather turns fast in the afternoon. There’s no public transport up here, so it’s either your own wheels or a taxi from Kaza.

For the Curious
This isn’t just a novelty. The postmaster here, Rinchen Chhering, ran this place for over 30 years. He used to walk for hours in snow just to deliver mail to remote villages. The stories behind this place are deeper than the headline. And at this altitude, everything feels a little surreal, your breath’s shorter, your thoughts slower, but somehow it’s all clearer too. The post office still runs (if it’s open when you go), and yes, you can still send a letter.

Good to Know
There’s barely any network, no shops, and absolutely no rush. Carry water, a pen, and a postcard, though the post office sometimes has some. The altitude will hit you if you’re not acclimatized, so don’t run around. Just breathe, sip chai at a homestay, and enjoy the view of the brown mountains wrapped in absolute stillness. You won’t want to leave, and maybe, if you do send a letter, part of you won’t.