Overview
The Spiti Valley, one of India’s coldest desert mountain valleys, is located in Himachal Pradesh’s northeastern region on a piece of land that separates Tibet from India.
This sparsely populated valley on the Tibetan Plateau exhibits vibrant Buddhist traditions.
The majority of trekkers and adventure seekers are familiar with the attractions of this place and frequent the Spiti Valley. This region is home to several monasteries, clear rivers, lush meadows, snow-capped mountain ranges, and friendly locals leading simple lives!
All about the Spiti valley.
About reaching Spiti Valley
There are two ways to get to Spiti valley.
Either from Manali or Shimla. The circuit, which starts in either Shimla or Manali and travels through Spiti, is the best route. To get to Shimla or Manali from your city, you can take the train, the air, or the road.
Via Manali:
If you are flying, the closest airport is Kullu, from which you can take a bus or a taxi that will take you to Spiti in about 12 hours. Daily overnight Volvos travel to Manali from Chandigarh and Delhi. There are no direct trains to Manali. But you can catch a train to Chandigarh and then a taxi for the nine-hour trip to Manali.
Via Simla:
Fly to Chandigarh, and then drive through Sangla to Spiti, which can take two days if you want to see the Sangla Valley as well. If you’re traveling by train, you can disembark at Chandigarh Railway Station, from which you can take a bus, tempo, or taxi to Sangla Valley, where you can continue to Spiti. There are also Volvo buses that can take you to Chandigarh.
About the brief itinerary for the Spiti Valley trip.
The itinerary for a 10-day trip to the Spiti valley is as follows,
Day 1: Leave for Shimla from Delhi
2: Travel from Shimla to Narkanda (100 km, 3 to 4 hours of drive)
3: Travel from Narkanda to Chitkul.
4: Travel from Chitkul to Kalpa.
5: Travel from Kalpa to Dhankar via Nako, Tabo, and Gue
6: Travel from Dhankar to Kaza via Pin Valley.
7: Travel from Kaza to Kee, Kibber, Komik, Hikkim, and Langza, and return to Kaza.
8: Travel from Kaza to Chandra Tal Lake / Batal.
9: Travel from Chandra Tal Lake / Batal to Manali.
10: Depart to Delhi.
About the activities to do in Spiti Valley.
You must experience Spiti Valley at least once in your lifetime. The following list of the top ten Spiti experiences includes activities like camping at the 14000-foot Chandratal Lake, sending a letter from the world’s highest post office, searching for the elusive snow leopard, and much more.
Some of the top activities in Spiti Valley include the following:
- Visit the monasteries in Spiti Valley.
Dongyu Gompa, Tabo Monastery, and Key Gompa are important monasteries. Make sure your itinerary calls for a trip to at least one of these.
Key Monastery:
Located in Spiti’s Kaza region, it is one of the oldest, largest, and most renowned monasteries. Lamas receive their training there as well. This 11th-century monastery is a 1000-year-old structure that is more than 4000 meters above sea level. There are about 250 monks living here, and the majority stay all year.
The Vairochana statue, which features four images of the Buddha meditating, is a famous feature of the Dhankar Monastery, a significant Buddhist center. The monastery’s artwork and architecture will enchant you. This monastery is located between Kaza and Tabo at a height of 12700 feet. A 1000-foot-tall building, this gompa offers a view of the Spiti and Pin rivers.
Enjoy a hiking journey in Spiti Valley.
Some of the most significant Buddhist monasteries in the world are situated in Spiti. Dongyu Gompa, Tabo Monastery, and Key Gompa are important monasteries. Make sure your itinerary calls for a trip to at least one of these.
Experience the beautiful villages in Spiti Valley.
Exploring the various villages dotted all over the Spiti Valley is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience life there. Every village has a distinctive personality and interesting places to visit. The most visited villages include Kaza, Langza, and Hikkim.
On the Indo-Tibetan border, Nako Village is a lovely village located at an elevation of 1200 feet close to the Shimla-Spiti highway. The highest village, Tashigang Village, is located along the Sutlej River and close to the Indo-Tibetan border. Its elevation is 15200 feet.
Enjoy a safari trip in the Spiti Valley.
Some of the most unusual wildlife in the world can be found in the Spiti Valley. Safaris are available to see creatures like the ibex, blue sheep, and snow leopard.
Enjoy a camping trip in Spiti Valley.
Camping under the stars is one of the best ways to appreciate the Spiti Valley. The Pin Valley National Park is home to some of the best campgrounds, though there are many scattered throughout the valley.
- Visit the lakes in Spiti Valley.
Some of the most stunning lakes in the world can be found in the Spiti Valley. Visits to Chandratal, Suraj Tal, and Pin Tal are a few of the most well-liked ones.
Chandratal Lake—
also known as “Lake of the Moon,” this high-elevation lake was given its name after the shape of a crescent moon. Its draw is the intriguing phenomenon where the water’s colors seem to shift throughout the day from red to orange to blue to emerald green. This place is well-known for overnight camping and is only open from June to September.
To observe cows grazing in the lush green meadows, snow-capped mountains, and reflecting blue waters, visit Dhankar Lake. From the Dhankar monastery, a 2-hour trek will bring you to this lake.
Nako Lake:
The lake is famous for its surrounding willow trees, waterfalls, lovely trails, and activities like boating in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Sopona Lake, created by melting glaciers and located at a height of 6593 meters, is one of Spiti’s most well-known trekking locations.
Enjoy the mesmerizing views along the route and in the Spiti Valley.
Look out your window as you move up through this lovely valley to see the charming little towns and stunning mountain passes that will make your journey more memorable. Explore the many monasteries and beautiful lakes in Spiti when you arrive, and take part in the festivities and regional events that are sure to make you happy.
Explore the Spiti Valley’s passes.
On the Leh-Manali highway, Baralacha La is regarded as one of the more difficult passes. Here, you can see the intersection of the Zanskar, Pir Panjal, and Great Himalayan mountain ranges.
The Lahaul Valley to Spiti Valley’s Kunzum Pass, at 15,060 feet, is one of the world’s highest motorable mountain passes. Only three to four months a year are available for this well-known pass. The mountain pass that leads from Manali to Spiti is one of the highest.
About the best time to visit Spiti Valley.
Heavy snowfall blocks the roads before summer arrives forcing them to be closed.
It is suggested that visitors plan their trips for the months of May through June and September through November.
Conclusion
Spiti Valley is a fantastic site to enjoy and explore the beauty of nature. If you want to spend your holidays exploring the natural beauty of nature then Spiti Valley is a must-visit.
