September 10, 2022 By

Piyush

Spiti Valley is a cold desert that lies in the north of the state of Himachal Pradesh. To put it another way, “Spiti” literally means “the middle land” because it is located between Tibet and India. The Himalayan ranges can be seen from the region’s vantage points. Situated at an altitude of 12500 feet, the Spiti Valley is enclosed by the Himalayas on every side.

For this reason, it is one of India’s chilliest places, with only about 250 days of sunlight per year. In addition to the majestic Himalayas, there are passes among them and serene lakes, and the sky above them is an ethereal blue. Tourists are welcomed by the folks who reside in the consists of tiny hats and Buddhist monasteries that dot the valley’s landscape.

Mountains range from rocky, sparsely vegetated peaks with no vegetation to green meadows, rivers that churn swiftly at their base to snow-covered glacier passes, and colorful Buddhist monasteries to tiny hamlets. There is no pollution here, and the night sky shows the Milky Way in all its glory!

The following are Spiti Valley’s top tourist attractions, sure to leave anyone desiring more!

• Key Monastery 

Key Monastery is among Himachal Pradesh’s most popular tourist attractions. At 4,166 meters above sea level, the magnificent Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, recognized as Kye Gompa or Ki & Kee Monastery, can be found on a picturesque hilltop.

India’s Lahaul & Spiti district is home to a 1000-year-old monastery built-in 1100 CE.  Dromtön was a student of the great 11th-century Buddhist master Atisha, who founded the splendid Key Monastery.

Visitors and devotees from around the world flock to this monastery, nestled in the Himalayas & enclosed by glaciers, to strive for tranquility & inner harmony. The monastery’s pristine setting, complete with snow-covered villages and winding roads, will leave a lasting impression on you.

Key Monastery is known for its Cham Festival, which occurs each year in March. Cham dancers lead a procession of Lamas in thriving costumes and traditional dances during the annual festival in Late June.

The best month to visit June through September, except during the monsoon season in August. There are landslides and slippery roads in the Himalayas during this period of the year because of the heavy rain.

2. Chandratal lake

Chandratal Lake christened the trekker’s paradise, is regarded as the Himalayas’ most beautiful lake. Located on the Samudra Tapu plateau, just a short distance from the Chandra River, this picturesque lake is a must-see for nature lovers. Located at 4,300 meters above sea level, Chandratal affords some of the most breathtaking panoramas of the Spiti Valley.

The crescent-shaped lake was given its name because of its shape. On the way to Chandratal Lake, visitors must navigate the treacherous Batal Trails.

The best month to visit: In June, when the snow-clearing operation has been completed, Chandratal Lake is the best place to visit. The 14-kilometer trek from Batal to the lake is possible during this period. (However, stay away from the rainy season.)

3. Pin Valley National Park 

At this national park in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti districts, visitors are greeted by a wide range of landscapes that are sure to pique their interest. Valley is enclosed by the Kullu district’s green valley and brown mountains that become stunning in the snowfall season.

The scenic perspective of the valley is further enhanced by the vast fields surrounding it, providing a seemingly endless expanse of open space. In addition to the park’s high elevation and near-extreme temperatures, numerous extinct species, such as the snow leopard and the Siberian Fox, have found a haven here.

Many medicinal plants are also available, some of which were designated as endangered, in the area’s exotic flora and fauna. This area is breathtaking at an elevation of 3300 to 6632 meters above sea level.

The best month to visit: July to October. At this time of year, the weather is generally pleasant. August is among the best times to visit due to the average temperature. 

4. Suraj Tal 

If someone is looking for a breathtaking landscape, look not unlike Surya Taal, best known as Suraj Dels. A tributary of the Chandrabhaga River can be found in the Lahaul Spiti valley, just below the Bara-lacha-la pass.

Outlined as the world’s 21st-highest lake and India’s 3rd-highest lake, this magnificent body of water is nothing short of spectacular. It is also known as the Lake of the Sun God, and it is presumed that bathing in this sacred lake can wash away your wrongdoings and purify your soul.

It is also known as the Lake of the Sun God, and it is presumed that bathing in this sacred lake can wash away wrongdoings and purify the soul.

Its surroundings are primarily uninhabited due to the similar climatic conditions to those found in the Polar regions. Trekking & motorcycling enthusiasts flock to this lake because it’s a scenic haven for nature enthusiasts and a divine treat for the spiritual souls. This pond has got a lot of interest because it is located on the Manali-Leh road, a famous biking and trekking route.

The best month to visit: April to May for Perfect weather and melting snow. 

5. Tabo Monastery

At an altitude of 3050 meters, Tabo Monastery is known as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas.” The Tabo monastery is situated in the bumpy desert of Tabo Valley at the valley’s bottom, unlike other monasteries constructed on hills.

The Buddhist ruler Yeshe O’d laid the foundation for this primordial in the year 996 A.D. The explanation Tabo Monastery is so prevalent in Lahaul and Spiti Valley is just because of this. As the “Ajanta of the Himalayas,” this monastery is adorned with priceless artwork, including paintings, statues, frescoes, and murals.

The 14th Dalai Lama inaugurated the Kalachakra Festival in 1983 after restoring the monastery, which had been seriously damaged during the 1975 Kinnaur earthquake.

The best month to visit: May to October, but avoid the monsoon months.

6. Kunzum Pass

Kunzum Pass, at an altitude of 15,060 feet above sea level, is astonishing in Himachal Pradesh. Its fifteen hairpin turns which create up the route, are one of the most exciting aspects of the pass. Despite this, these twists and turns are an excellent opportunity to put driving skills to the ultimate test.

The best month to visit: Between both the Lahaul and the Spiti Valley, the Kunzum Pass serves as a link over one of India’s highest motorable passes. 

7. Dhankar Monastery

Dhankar Monastery symbolizes the Buddhist community’s religious views. It is one of the world’s top 100 most endangered sites in the Lahaul and Spiti valleys. At 3,894 meters above sea level, it offers breathtaking views of a Spiti Valley and is a meeting place for people of many different faiths and cultures.

Furthermore, Dhankar Monastery is also recognized as Dhankar Gompa and was formed around 1000 years ago. Buddhism’s most important cultural hotspot, this monastery, is home to a priceless collection of ancient thanksas. Buddhist scriptures, murals of the Medicine Buddha, and protection deities are in this area. It also has a small museum, which houses ancient murals and scriptures.

The best month to visit: Months from May to September, when It’s cool in the summer, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 20 degrees Celsius.

8. Kaza

Kaza is an instinctual dreamscape brimming with magnificent snow-covered mountain ranges, bubbling rivers, picturesque landscapes, and shimmering streams.

New Kaza and Old Kaza are the two distinct sections of Kaza. Government offices are housed in the second building, whereas the king’s palace resides in the first. Travelers are sure to be awed and spellbound by the existence of historical wonders like monasteries and gompas, which feature an exotic mixture of ancient culture and enlightenment.

Travelers can even use the location as a starting point for activities like mountaineering and trekking. Several popular trails begin in Kaza, such as Pin-Bhaba, Parang-La, and Pin-Parvati.

The best month to visit: June through October are ideal for visiting. Many visitors flock to the Kaza desert in the winter months, from November through February.

Pro tip: In Kaza, there is no internet access. Only a BSNL SIM card can be used to connect to a cellular network.

9. Spiti River

The Spiti River, which flows through Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district, is a spectacular site to behold. Many well-known Himalayan streams, such as the Pin River, feed it, including those originating in the Kunzum Range.

The Spiti River, which flows through Dhankar, Tabo, Kaza, and Rangrik, is essential to the human settlements that have been around for more than a millennium. The extension of the river among Kaza and Rangrik can be viewed from the Key Monastery and is among the most beautiful scenes.

There are guesthouses in Spiti Valley that are renowned for holding mud baths near the river when the weather permits. 

Best Time to Visit: between June and October.

10. Tabo Caves

Tabo Rock Art in Spiti Valley is a must-see for history buffs because of its prehistoric evidence of human habitat. This site has paintings from more than a thousand years ago that look like those found in the Ajanta Caves in India. Symbolizing human life, priests lived here in one of the Himalayan Buddhist enclaves.

All the walls in this monastery are covered with Buddhist murals and thangka paintings. There are also well-preserved statues throughout the monastery and numerous frescoes and thangka paintings throughout the monastery. The Tabo Monastery, established in 996 CE and now shielded by the Department Of archaeology, can be found in the area. To learn about the prehistoric era, one must visit this national treasure and marvel at its splendor.

Best Time to Visit: between April and November.

Let me tell you an 11th place which is not primarily common among major travelers, but in Spiti, this place is unique, which is World’s Highest Post Office, Hikkim.

The World’s Highest Post Office in Hikkim, a village in Spiti, is a must-see for those searching for offbeat locations to visit in the Himalayas. Postmaster RinchenChhering is an emblem of persistence in this small village, where he sometimes has to carry mail by foot because of snowfall.

To deliver mail to Kaza, the postmen must travel 46 kilometers daily through mountain passes and lush meadows. Tourists can send letters to loved ones from the highest post office in the land, which is a unique experience in and of itself.

The best time to visit Spiti is during the summer months of March-June when the weather is nice and fewer tourists are around to enjoy it. And places are already mentioned above, but must-have should include Kibber, Tabo, Nako lake-village, dhankar monastery, Giu mummy, Komik, and Sakya Tangyud Monastery. 

Senses will be entranced by Spiti Valley’s fascinating scenery, godly atmospherics, and major tourist destinations. In addition, visitors get to see the thriving Tibetan culture first-hand. 

Are you ready for a trip to Spiti? Prepare to be awed by nature and spirituality’s beauty when you pack your bags and grab your camera. 

PS: we all know some of you are not going there because of mom, office, exams, or whatever reasons. But save this blog for your next trip