Don’t be a gama in the land of Lama. Enveloped by enchanting vistas and adorned with rich historical monasteries, a Spiti Valley trip emerges as an increasingly favored destination for travelers exploring Himachal Pradesh. Often hailed as the ‘Cold Desert’ of Himachal Pradesh and the ‘Middle Land’ bridging Tibet and India, Spiti captivates adventurers and explorers with its unique allure. Poised at an impressive altitude of 14,010 ft, Spiti Valley provides a sanctuary for elusive snow leopards, majestic ibex, and cunning foxes.
Embark on your Spiti Valley trip, and traverse from the mesmerizing Moon Lake, known as Chandertal, to the remarkable Chicham Bridge – Asia’s tallest hanging bridge – as Spiti Valley unfurls a tapestry of breathtaking locales before you. Amidst this awe-inspiring backdrop, relish in the indulgence of delectable local cuisines and bask in the warmth of the hospitable locals. Immerse yourself in the embrace of Tibetan culture, a pervasive presence that graces every nook and cranny of Spiti Valley.
Whether you’re embarking on a family escapade, traveling with friends, or seeking an intimate getaway as a couple, your Spiti Valley trip promises an unparalleled vacation opportunity. It beckons you with an array of splendid sightseeing options and presents moments of leisure that effortlessly rejuvenate the soul.”
Ideal Time to Begin Your Unforgettable Spiti Valley Trip
Instagram reels and social media posts have created an illusion of Spiti Valley trip as a magical desert oasis, complete with rivers and snow. However wondrous Spiti Valley may appear on these platforms, the reality is that without proper planning for your Spiti Valley trip circuit or tour, the cold desert can pose significant survival challenges.
From extreme cold that chills to the bone to sunburn that scorches the skin, Spiti Valley offers breathtaking views in every weather condition.
The peak tourist season for a Spiti Valley trip is from May to the end of June, as well as late December. During this time, accommodations such as hotels and homestays, as well as transportation like cabs in Spiti Valley, become quite expensive due to high demand.
Embracing the Summer of Spiti Valley
During the summer months, from mid-May to July, Spiti experiences a moderate temperature range of 10°C to 20°C. This season is widely regarded as the optimal time for a Spiti Valley trip, as the weather strikes a harmonious balance between warmth and coolness. With the sun setting around 7 to 8 pm, you’re granted ample time to delve into village exploration and nearby escapades.
The summer months mark the peak tourist season in Spiti, thanks to the favorable road conditions from Manali that enable a complete Spiti circuit to be undertaken. However, it’s important to note that accommodations such as hotels, homestays, and cab services in Spiti can be notably more expensive during this vibrant period of the year.
Winters of Spiti: A Mesmerizing Spiti Valley Trip Amidst the Snowy Serenity
Winter graces Spiti from late October, stretching its enchantment until April. The temperature gracefully glides between 10°C and -20°C during these months, painting the landscape in an ethereal wintry hue. While road connectivity from Manali to Spiti hibernates during this season, a passage to Spiti Valley remains open via Shimla.
The delicate ballet of snowfall begins its enchanting dance in late November, culminating in a symphony of heavy snowfall from late December through March. For those yearning to experience a winter snow road trip or a Spiti expedition, the ideal window is between January and February. The allure of Spiti’s Christmas and New Year celebrations is heightened by the possibility of witnessing snowfall, should the weather extend its gracious invitation.Â
While roads may temporarily yield to the weight of snowfall, local authorities swiftly restore access, ensuring seamless exploration for tourists. Adventurers with a 4×4 vehicle are in for a treat, as winters gift the perfect opportunity for exhilarating snow rides in the surrounding Spiti area. Indeed, Spiti stands as a prime winter destination for indulging in invigorating 4×4 rides through the snow-laden terrain.
MONSOON OF SPITI
Spiti receives the lowest rains during monsoon in Himachal Pradesh. Tourists should stay alert during monsoons as the mountain areas are prone to landslides. During monsoon the pin valley national park sparkles with greenery with desert alike mountains around it.
HOW TO REACH SPITI
Spiti is accessible via Road only However there are nearby railway stations and airports from where you can start your journey. Tourist can start their journey to spiti valley either from Manali or Shimla both sides during summers and monsoon, but during winter spiti is only accessible from Shimla side.
VIA AIR
The nearest domestic airport to Spiti is Kullu-Spiti Airport (KUU) in Bhuntar, which is located at a distance of 231 km from Spiti, from there you can book a cab for your spiti tour. Regular flights connect the airport to Delhi and Chandigarh; however, flights are quite expensive. Another alternative Airport option with budget flights, nearest international airport to Spiti is Shaheed Bhagat Sing International Airport (IXC) in Chandigarh, located 488 km away from Spiti. Tourist can book a cab for Spiti tour thereafter.
VIA ROAD
There are two ways to reach Spiti via road.
One is from Manali side, which is only accessible during summer months. It takes 8-9 hours to reach Spiti from Manali via kaza Grampho road. Be cautious of the roads as this road has 15 hairpins and totally offroad.
Another way to Reach Spiti is via Shimla through Hindustan Tibet Road. During Spiti tour from Shimla, Tourists can also explore Kalpa, Chitkul, Sangla villages of Kinnaur district. It will take you 2 days to reach Spiti from Shimla.
During Monsoon the Hindustan Tibet Roadand Kaza Grampho road gets some landslides at some prone spots, however the roads get cleared in no time by the authorities. One should also be cautious of Fog and black ice during winters and make sure the hazard lights of the vehicle work well before heading towards Himachal.
VIA BUS
From basic tier buses to ac sleeper Volvo buses are there which runs with day and night timings, flexible for tourists. Buses are available from Delhi and Chandigarh for all locations of Himachal Pradesh, be it Spiti, chamba, or Kinnaur.
PLACES TO VISIT IN SPITI
FromKey monastery, highest post office Hikkim, fossil village Langa to Magnificent Moon Lake Chandertaal lake,Spiti offer much to explore.
CHANDERTAAL LAKE’
At an altitude of 14,200 ft, Chandertaal Lake also known as the chandertaal lake is one of the Most beautiful lakes of Himachal Pradesh. The lake is surrounded by the CB mountain ranges with turquoise blue water. The lake is shaped like that of moon. As per mentioned in the Epic Mahabharat, from this location, God Indra took the eldest brotherYudhishthira to Heaven, hence giving it a Spiritual significance. It is prohibited to take a bath in Chandertaal lake. The road to chandertaal is only open during summers i.e., in month of May and is closed during winters after end of October.
KEY MONASTERY
Key monastery, The largest training center of Spiti, trains around 300 lamas. It is Located 15 km away from the subdivisional headquarters of spiti Kaza. Key gompa is an astonishing monastic architecture consisting of three floors. The walls of the monastery are painted with murals of Buddhism and has a collection of ancient books, murals and paintings of lord buddha.
KAZA
Located along side the spiti river, at an elevation of 11,980 ft. Kaza is remote town and is also the subdivisional headquarters of lahual and spiti. In kaza town, tourist can find great accommodations from homestays to Resorts. There are several local cuisine’s restaurants located in the town. It is the common stay location for all the tourist visiting Spiti. Tourist can explore all the nearby Villages and monasteries without hustling for accommodation and food.
HIKKIM
At an elevation of 14,400 ft, Hikkim is the one of the Highest post offices in the world. Tourist can send their loved ones and to themselves a postcard from here. There is also a restaurant in the village where once can enjoy local cuisines and Tibetan food. Hikkim is located 15km away from Kaza town.
LANGZA
Set at the base of Chau Chau Kang Nilda Mountain, Langza is the fossil village of spiti. Langza was submerged under the Tethys Ocean more than 200 million years ago. Tourist can also find or buy fossils of the animals which were once living the ocean. Village is guarded by a 1000 years old serene golden statue of buddha. Langza is 16km away from the kaza is on the same road i.e., of hikkim village.
CHICHAM BRIDGE
World’s highest bridge above the sea level, the chicham bridge is located at 13,250 ft. The bridge connects the chicham and kibber villages of spiti valley. With around 1000 ft deep gorge below the bridge leaves the travelers awe struck. The bridge is located 19 km away from the Kaza town.
KIBBER WILDLIFE SANCTURY
Kibber wildlife sanctuary located at an altitude of 14,100 ft is home to about 30 snow leopards, red foxes, ibex also known as mountain goats. Kibber village is 19 km from kaza. Its one the hotspot location in spiti valley for the sighting of snow leopards during winters. There are now many accusations in the kibber village which hosts wildlife enthusiast.
KUNZUM PASS
At an altitude of 14,931 ft. Kunzum pass or Kunzum la offers the ultimate scenic beauty with sights of glaciers, snow clouded peaks. It connects Spiti called to lahaul valley. Kunzum la is 122 km away from Manali, the road consists of 15 hairpins and off roads with river crossings. From kaza kunzum pass is 79km away. On the top of the pass there is Kunzum mata mandir which holds a spiritual value for the people of valley.Kunzum pass is open only from end of April till November end.
PIN VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
With an area of 675 sq. km, Pin valley national park is National Park of India located in spiti valley. Because of the park’s high altitude and extreme temperatures, the vegetation density is sparse howevertwenty-two rare and endangered medical plants species have been discovered around it. It is located 50 km away Kaza and on the way to park, there are some mesmerizing waterfalls and a village called mudh where accommodation and food are available for travelers.
TABO MONASTERY
Founded in 996 CE, Tabo Monastery is noted to be the oldest continuously operating Buddhist enclave in both India and the Himalayas. There are many well preserved manuscripts statues, paintings in the monastery. It has 9 temples, four decorated stupas and cave shrines. The paintings in the main temple dates around 10th -11th centuries. Travelling from Shimla to spiti, Tabo is a night stay location for the tourists.
DHANKAR MONASTERY
Dhang or dang meaning cliff and kar or khar meaning Fort, Dhankar monastery is built on a 1000 ft high spur. The Monastery is situated at an elevation of 12,800 ft in the Dhankar village. It is one of the world’smost awe stuck location for a gompa. The monastery gives a beautiful view of confluence of spiti and pin river from such a highest. In ancient times the monastery was originally built as a fort as Dhankar was the capital of spiti valley kingdom during 17th century. It is 31 km away from the Tabo village.
HOW TO PLAN A SPITI TOUR
There are two ways to reach spiti via road i.e., from Manali or Shimla. From Manali it takes one day via Grampho kaza road to reach spiti however during winter roads are closed. Whereas from Shimla it takes 2 days via Hindustan Tibet Road to reach Spiti and are open during winters also. It takes Minimum 4 nights 5 days to explore spiti from Manali and 7 nights 8 days from Shimla during winters. The complete spiti circuit compromising of Shimla-Kinnaur -kaza-chandertaal-Manali can be done in 8 nights 9 days.
*Spiti packages*
NEARBY TOURIST LOCATION AROUND SHIMLA
Spiti is complimented with many tourist destinations nearby like Shimla, Manali, Kinnaur. one can also explore other hilly tourist districts of Himachal Pradesh with Spiti included.
Shimla Spiti Tour
The most popular and favorite location of tourists to explore with Spiti is Shimla. The hills queen Shimla comes on the way if you start your journey via Hindustan Tibet Road. One can explore Shimla during their Spiti tour.
Kinnaur Spiti tour
Surrounded by the Mighty Mountains like Kinner kailash and eternal snow views, Kinnaur is another stop that comes on the way to Spiti via Shimla. Travelers can explore most picturesque locations like Sangla village, Chitkul where aakhiri dhaba of Hindustan is located and the Beautiful Kalpa village nested in front of Kinner kailash. It takes 2 nights to explore Kinnaur during Spiti tour.
Spiti Manali tours
If you’re planning your spiti tour during summer, Manali is an available option to visit Spiti.
It takes 8-9 hours to reach Spiti from Manali via Kaza Gramphoroad.Travelers before starting their journey towards spiti can explore local Manali and Kasol within 2 days. During Summers the road to Chandertaal is also open for tourists, however people with breathing issue it is not advisable to go through Manali as direct Change in such High altitude can cause acclimatation problems.
