Feel The Thrill: Spiti Valley

A lengthy stretch of winding roads and valleys that provide breathtaking views of the frigid desert and snow-capped mountains welcome you as you enter Spiti Valley. At 12,500 feet above sea level and one of the coldest places in the country, Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh gets about 250 days of sunshine a year. It is encircled on all sides by the Himalayas. 

With many trekking routes and mountain passes, the sparsely populated Spiti region is a refuge for adventurers. These treks all start in Kaza, the administrative centre of Spiti, where you set up your base camp and take you to several peaks with breathtaking views of the Himalayan ranges. 

Offbeat Places To Explore In Spiti

Are you looking for the top attractions in Spiti Valley because you're planning a trip there? Here is a list of the top Spiti Valley attractions you should know about for a touching vacation.

1. Key Monastery

The Key Monastery is a well-known Tibetan Buddhist monastery in India's Lahaul and Spiti District. Key Monastery is 4,166 metres above sea level in the Spiti Valley of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, close to the Spiti River. Oftenly said that Dromton, a student of the great teacher Atisha, founded the Kye Monastery and Ki Monastery in the 11th century. 

Some Points About Key Monastery

• The beautiful Key Monastery dates back over a thousand years and is the largest in the entire Spiti Valley. 

• The imposing monastery, which also acts as a focus for their religious study, is where some 300 Lamas receive their religious education. 

• The place has experienced assaults throughout its long and fascinating history. 

• The Key Monastery hosts a festival every year in either June or July. This occasion involves the Chaam dancers, followed by the lamas in a procession to the ritual ground below the monastery where they dance.

2.Dhankar Monastery

In the Himachal Pradesh district of Lahaul and Spiti is Dhankar Monastery, often referred Dankhar, Drangkhar, or Dhangkar Gompa. The monastery offers a sweeping view of the Spiti Valley while tipping precariously on the edge of a cliff at a height of 12,774 feet. The Dhankar Monastery was built a thousand years ago on a mountain that rises 1,000 feet above sea level with breathtaking views of the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. 

Some Points About Dhankar Monastery

• It is one of the world's top 100 most endangered monuments.

• Since the monastery is one of the primary centres for Buddhist art and culture, it has become a well-liked tourist destination. 

• In addition to the statue of Dhayan Buddha and a small museum housing religious scriptures and artwork, the Dhankar Hompa offers stunning views. 

• The primary attraction at the Dhankar Monastery is the statue of Vairochana or Dhayan Buddha.

• A substantial collection of thangkas from previous centuries is also present. 

• After climbing for about 2 kilometres upwards on a challenging path, you will arrive at the scenic Dhankar Lake, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

3. Kibber

Kibber, frequently called Kyibar, is an isolated village in the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh at 4270 metres. It is surrounded by stunning mountains and barren landscapes all around it.

Some Points About Kibber

• There are roughly 40 identical-looking Tibetan-style dwellings that make up this hamlet. 

• All the homes are built of stone in symmetrical patterns, except for the conventional building materials like bricks. 

• Due to a shortage of transportation resources, the raw materials are collected from the close-by villages. 

• Several nearby villages with fascinating histories and stunning vistas are worth seeing. 

• Tibetan Buddhism is practised here, and Buddhists have a unique connection to the region because Serkong Rinpoche, the Dalai Lama's teacher, died there.

4. Chandratal Lake

At a height of around 4300 meters, Chandratal Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes, is located in the vast Himalayas. Chandra Taal is the name given to the crescent-shaped lake (Lake of the Moon). After serving as a temporary residence for Tibetan traders visiting Spiti and the Kullu region, today draws tens of thousands of adventurers.

Some Points About Chandratal Lake

• The water's colour in this holy lake keeps changing during the day from reddish to orange to blue to emerald green. 

• The oldest Pandava brother, Yudhishthira, was allegedly raised by God Indra's chariot from a spot nearby Chandratal Lake. This characteristic makes the lake sacred to Hindus.

4. Kunzum La 

One of the highest motorable mountain crossings in India is Kunzum Pass or Kunzum La, located at 4,551 metres above sea level. It serves as a point of entry for travellers into the breathtaking Spiti Valley. It is situated in the eastern Kunzum Range of the Himalayas, 122 kilometres from Manali. 

Kunzum La offers breathtaking views of the Chandrabhaga Range, the Spiti Valley, and the second-longest glacier in the world, the Bara- Shigri Glacier. Kunzum Pass is renowned for its stunning perspective.

Some Points About Kunzum La

• It takes 15 kilometres to hike from Kunzum Pass to the well-known Chandratal Lake. 

• On their way to the pass, travellers stop at the Goddess Kunzum Devi shrine to offer respect and ask for blessings. 

5. Komik

The highest motorable village in the world, “Komic”, lies in the Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh. It is a small charming village located about 20 kilometres from Kaza at 18,000 feet above sea level. Komik is unquestionably a hiker and camper's paradise. But remember that it is in no way fancy. The weather is harsh, and the terrain is challenging to manage.

Some Points About Komik Village

• The village is famous for trekking, camping, and hiking.

• There is a monastery in the village where women are not allowed during prayer.

6. Langza

The Himachal Pradesh state's Langza village is located at 4400 metres above sea level. In the summer, people are drawn to the Spiti Valley by its scenic surroundings, which include snow-capped Himalayan mountains and lush meadows. It ranks high on the list of the most popular tourist destinations in the Spiti Valley region. Visitors to the area can learn about the culture because many of the local households offer homestay services. People who want to unwind in peace can do it here, and photographers will appreciate the setting because of its beautiful surroundings. 

Some Points About Langza

• The village's most distinctive landmark is the Buddha statue that overlooks the valley. 

• The monument protects the locals from the perils and harsh weather of the area.

•  A more than 500-year-old Buddhist monastery is located in the village behind the monument. 

6. Hikkim

Hikkim is a village located in the Spiti and Lahaul Valleys. This small village is located 46 kilometres from Kaza and has the highest post office in the world. Rinchen Chhering has been the postmaster since the establishment of the position in 1983. It enables guests at the office to send postcards or messages to their loved ones.

Some Points About Hikkim

• Additionally, the little village is home to some locally rare fossils. 

• Being barely 2 km from the Komic village, it is a must-see place for people looking to discover the Spiti and Lahaul Valley.

7. Tabo Monastery

The Tabo Monastery, which lies 10,000 feet above sea level in the Tabo Village of the Spiti Valley, is one of the oldest monasteries. It is the oldest continuously running monastery in both India and the Himalayas. This charming monastery is referred "Ajanta of the Himalayas."

Some Points About Tabo Monastery

• Due to the murals and ancient paintings that grace the monastery's walls, it was named after the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra. 

• Today, the Buddhist community treasures the Tabo Monastery was constructed by the famous Buddhist king Yeshe-O.

How To Reach Spiti Valley

The Manali-Leh route includes the Rohtang and Kunzum passes, which separate Kullu from Lahaul and Spiti. This path is more appropriate during the summer as most of the year it is impassable due to heavy snowfall. However, Spiti Valley is accessible all year round from Shimla through Kinnaur. Due to heavy snowfall and landslides, the path can be closed.

1. Via Manali

The first route is to take a private or public bus that crosses the Atal Tunnel and Kunzum Pass from Manali to Kaza. Buses leave for Kaza in the morning. Taxis can be rented privately or in shared fleets. The costs from Manali depend on the season and your negotiating skills. One can also drive their car for a thrilling adventure.

2. Via Kinnaur

Take an overnight bus to Shimla. Many public and private buses go between Shimla and Kinnaur. Once the time limit has passed, a few night buses travel to Reckong Peo (Headquarters of Kinnaur district). Passengers have to take a different bus to go to Kaza from Reckong Peo.

Some people relish driving their cars down. An SUV drive is sufficient for safety due to severe landslides and challenging terrain, however, sedans and hatchbacks are not advised.

Summing It Up.

This season travel to the winter wonderland. Get amidst the scenic beauty of the Spiti Valley. Explore the offbeat places mentioned in the blog for a wonderful experience.