Spiti Valley: The Perfect Place to Escape the Crowds

Spiti Valley, An Astonishing Destination That Offers The Unforgettable Experience !

In winter, many people head to the mountains to witness snowfall. While Shimla and Manali are popular destinations, there is another place where one can enjoy a variety of adventures along with snowfall. Spiti Valley, located in Himachal Pradesh, is heaven for bikers, trekkers, adventure lovers, and nature enthusiasts. This cold desert valley is situated at an altitude of around 3800 meters above sea level. It boasts breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, valleys, and landscapes, attracting millions of tourists annually. It is also known as The Middle Land, surrounded by Ladakh, Tibet, and Kinnaur. Due to overcrowding in Ladakh, more and more adventure seekers are turning their attention to Spiti, which has sparsely populated areas and less accessible roads.

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Spiti Valley Famous For Its Attractions

One of the most prominent attractions in Spiti Valley is the Tabo monastery, which is famous for its intricate architecture and beautiful design. Additionally, Spiti Valley is home to a number of ancient temples and stupas, as well as magnificent mural paintings. If someone is a photography enthusiast, he will find plenty of opportunities to capture stunning images in Spiti. This region is a great place to go bike riding or even try to spot a Snow Leopard. It has the highest post office in the world, which is located in Spiti Valley at an altitude of 14,567 feet above sea level.

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Best Time To Visit

Spiti Valley is a must-visit destination for adventure lovers and nature enthusiasts. The valley offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, valleys, and landscapes that leave everyone spellbound. The best time to go is in March's summer when visitors enjoy blue skies, snowy mountains, and calm, icy winds. The valley is covered in a white snow sheet, making it look like a scene straight out of Antarctica.

Best places to visit in Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley is a beautiful destination with many places to visit. Spiti Valley includes the best locations, including Monastery, Tabo Monastery, Kibber Village, Chandratal Lake, and Pin Valley National Park. Each place offers a unique experience and breathtaking views that will surely amaze you.

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1. Chandratal Lake Himachal Pradesh 

Chandratal Lake is a must-visit destination for all nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, and mountain trekkers. This beautiful lake is around 4300 meters above sea level near Kunzum Pass in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The lake is renowned for its natural beauty, snowy valleys, and unforgettable treks. The name Chandratal means moon-shaped lake, and the lake truly lives up to its name. The Chandra River originates from this lake, which joins the Bhaga River to form the Chandrabhaga River, also known as the Chenab River in India. The best time to trek to Chandratal is from June to September, as during the winter season, the routes get blocked due to heavy snowfall, and the weather becomes unfavourable due to snowstorms and cold winds. In June, the snow melts considerably, making the trek more accessible. The tour to Chandratal is a unique experience, with the majestic Himalayan peaks all around, the blue sky, and the glacier that fascinates you.

2. Comic Village World's Highest Village 

Comic Village is in the Lahaul-Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh, recognized as the highest village in Asia and the world. With an altitude of roughly 15000 feet above sea level and a population of approximately 120, inhabitants of the area remain confined to the village. They cannot venture outside, and those from other regions are prevented from visiting for six months of the year due to heavy snowfall. Comic Village is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a sight to behold and boasts the world's most extensive Monastery. To arrive here, one must first commute to Kaza and hire a taxi, bike, or scooter. The prime time to visit Comic Village is from May to October.

3. Kaza Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Kaza, a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Lahaul-Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful valleys covered with snow, the chirping rivers, the blue sky, and the high peaks of the Himalayas make it seem like a dream. Situated at about 12500 ft above sea level, it is in the cold desert and remains closed from November to May due to heavy snowfall. To reach Kaza, one must travel through Kunzum Pass and Rohtang Pass. The best time to visit Kaza and its surroundings is June to October. The Spiti  Valley River flows between the mountains near it, and tourists very much like the beauty of this place. It seems like a deserted area where no one is seen far and wide, which gives visitors a feeling of relaxation. Kaza is a focal point of the Spiti Valley circuit from where other places of Lahaul-Spiti can be visited, such as Chandratal Lake, Hikkim, Pin Valley National Park, etc.

4. Key Gompa or Key Monastery 

Key Monastery, or Key Gompa, is a beautiful monastery 12 km from Kaza in Himachal Pradesh. The Monastery is about 13500 feet above sea level and is surrounded by snow mountains, glaciers, and only a sheet of snow in the distance. The yearly festival, named Cham, is also celebrated with great pomp during June and July. Ringtsen Sangpo built this Monastery in the 11th century, a thousand years old. The unique carvings of architecture and paintings made inside the Monastery are genuinely remarkable. Despite being attacked several times throughout history, the Monastery still stands strong and is one of India's largest and oldest monasteries. 

5. Pin Valley National Park, Himachal Pradesh

Pin Valley National Park is situated near Kaza in the Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The park is at an altitude of 3500 meters to 6000 meters above sea level and is part of the cold desert of Lahaul-Spiti. The park is covered by snow for most of the months of the Year. 

6. Hikkim Village, Himachal Pradesh 

Hikkim Village, which is in the Spiti Valley region of Himachal Pradesh. Hikkim village is one of the highest villages in the world. It is situated at an altitude of 4440 meters above sea level. This village is known for having the world's highest polling station and post office. To reach this village, one must go to Kaza from Shimla or Manali. The distance from Kaza to this village is 45 km. Visiting Hikkim from May to October is best as the weather is favourable. The temperature here goes down to -22 degree Celsius in winter, and the roads are often closed due to heavy snowfall.

7. Kunzum Pass or Kunzum Pass

Kunzum Pass, also known as Kunzum La, is a high mountain pass in India. It is situated at an altitude of 15000 feet above sea level. The Kungum pass is home to the Kunjum Devi temple, which is believed to make the journey smooth by circumambulating the goddess. One can visit the beauty of the Bara-Sigdi glacier, the second-largest glacier in the world, from here. In addition, the range of Chandrabhaga covered with a sheet of snow adds to the charm. This pass connects Manali and Spiti Valley, although it is closed during winter due to heavy snowfall. 

8. Kibber Himachal Pradesh

A highly recommended visiting place is the village of Kibber in Spiti Valley. This beautiful village is located about 18 kilometres from Kaza and sits at 4270 meters. Kibber is known for its stunning natural scenery and numerous Buddhist monasteries. Despite being one of India's smallest and most remote villages, with only about 80 houses and 400 residents, there are plenty of attractions to explore in the area, including monasteries, the Chichum Bridge, and the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.

9. Tabo Village Monastery

Tabo Village is a must-visit destination in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, about 11000 feet. The village is home to the world-famous Tabo Monastery. This Monastery is spread over about 6300 square meters and is based on the architecture of India and Tibet.

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How To Reach Spiti Valley

One can reach in various ways to Spiti Valley.  To ensure a seamless journey, refer to a Spiti Valley map that provides helpful information about these different routes is crucial. Given below is the information on routes.

1. Spiti Valley By Road

When planning a trip to Spiti, the most adventurous and convenient option is to travel by road. From nearby cities such as Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, several routes are available to reach Spiti, including Manali via Rohtang Pass, Shimla, or Srinagar via Kargil.

2. Spiti Valley  by Rail

At present, there is no train service available to Spiti. The nearest railway station to Spiti is Jogindernagar, which is about 360 km away from Spiti.

3. Spiti Valley by air

The nearest airport to Spiti is Bhuntar Airport, about 150 km from Manali, besides Chandigarh Airport, from where you can reach Manali by bus or taxi.