A Quick Travel Guide to A Perfect Spiti Valley Trip
Spiti Valley is a star tourist attraction in Himachal Pradesh. Tucked at an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level in the upper ranges of the Himalayas, Spiti is a cold desert mountain valley, whose natural beauty is incomparable. The word Spiti translates to ‘middle land’, which is exactly what it is – the land between India and Tibet. Spiti Valley is known for its dramatic landscapes, snow-covered mountain ranges, high mountain passes, ancient monasteries, sparsely populated villages, and unique culture (which is a mix of Indian and Tibetan cultures). Here is a quick travel guide for all those planning a Spiti Valley trip.
Where is Spiti Valley located?
Spiti Valley is located in the Lahaul and Spiti district in the North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. This valley is bordered by Ladakh on the north and Kullu on the south. To the east of Spiti Valley lies Tibet and to its west is Lahaul. All its surrounding regions too are very thinly populated.
What is the best time to go to Spiti Valley?
The best time to plan your Spiti Valley trip is in the summer season, between the months of March and June. It is the peak season for traveling to Spiti. In winters, a thick blanket of snow covers the entire Lahaul and Spiti valleys. Heavy snowfall often cuts this place off from the rest of the world, making it almost inaccessible to tourists. The roads get tricky and the journey can be difficult and dangerous during the monsoon and winter seasons. The temperature in the area too gets unbearable. Hence it is better to avoid traveling to Spiti during this time.
How to reach Spiti Valley?
Spiti doesn’t have its own airport or railway station. You can reach this valley by road. There are two ways that lead to Spiti – one from Manali via Rohtang and Kunzum Passes and the other from Shimla via the Hindustan Tibet Highway. A road trip to Spiti is something that leaves a lasting impression on you – such is the beauty of the Himalayan landscapes. The Manali route closes for tourists in winter as the high mountain passes remain covered in snow during this season. Buses are also available from Manali and Shimla to Spiti.
If you are traveling from San Francisco, you can fly to Delhi from SFO and then take a domestic flight to Kullu Airport, which is the nearest airport to Spiti Valley. From the airport, you can rent a taxi to get to Spiti. For those traveling by train, Shimla Railway Station and Joginder Nagar Railway Station are the two nearest railway stations to Spiti Valley. Please note that foreign nationals require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) from the government to visit the protected areas of the Spiti and Kinnaur valleys.
Where to stay?
Hotels, guesthouses, and homestays are the most popular accommodation options available for tourists in Spiti. You can easily find budget-friendly villages in places such as Losar, Spiti, Mudh, Kunzum Pass, etc. Monasteries that offer night stays include Key monastery near Kaza, Tabo Monastery, Dhankar Monastery, Kungri Monastery, and Komic Monastery. Camping enthusiasts can also plan camping at Chandratal.
What to eat?
Spiti cuisine features a mix of Indian and Tibetan dishes. Here are some of the famous food items you need to try when you are in the Spiti Valley:
- Madra
- Thukpa
- Thenthuk
- Yeghu
- Tingmo
- Churam
- Dhaam
- Butter Tea
Spiti Valley Trip: Places to See & Things to do
Explore the beautiful villages of Spiti Valley: A tour of the idyllic hamlets dotting this place is a must-do thing during your Spiti Valley trip. Check out Kibber, Kaza, Langza, Hikkim, Nako, and Lhalung villages.
Kee Gompa/Monastery: Situated on the top of a hill near the Spiti River, this Buddhist monastery is the largest in the Spiti Valley. As a religious center for the lamas, it is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.
Camping near the Chandratal: This beautiful crescent-shaped lake called Chandratal is one of the must-visit places in the Spiti Valley. Camping under the stars by this lake is a top thing to do here.
Pin Valley National Park: Spread across an area of 675 sq. km in the cold desert biosphere reserve, Pin Valley National Park is home to many endangered species of animals, including snow leopard and ibex. You can also spot a variety of rare flora at this national park.
Tabo Monastery: Founded in 996 CE, this is the oldest continually operating monastery in the country. Located in the Tabo village of Spiti, the monastery complex consists of 9 temples, four stupas, and several monk quarters. Tabo monastery also houses an amazing collection of paintings, manuscripts, frescos, and murals.
Kunzum Pass: One of the highest motorable mountain passes in India, this gorgeous high-altitude mountain pass connects Spiti and Lahaul valleys. This place is quite popular with motorbiking enthusiasts and trekkers.