Tucked away in an inviting blanket of earthly glory, Spiti is a heavenly gateway for those seeking solitude in the bliss of nature. Lahaul Spiti tourism attracts thousands of people every year towards its fascinating beauty and unadulterated environment. Spiti is bordered on the northern side by Ladakh, Tibet in the East, Kinnaur in the South-East and Kullu valley in the North.
This majestic cold desert valley in Himachal Pradesh is replete with pine forests, green meadows, beautiful monasteries and inhabited villages that will leave you totally awe-stuck. Situated at an altitude of around 12,500 ft above the sea level the barren mountains over here change their hues every second and it is definitely a sight to behold. The tiny villages over here under the shadow of huge mountains have a population of around 35 to 200 people. This sparsely inhabited land is a slice of paradise for all those who’re yearning to cut off from the intoxicating city life.
Wherever you go, you’ll witness beautiful Buddhist monasteries, prayer flags fluttering in the air and a large number of monks praying with their prayer wheels. You can also have fascinating glimpses of Dhadkan and Chandratal lake here. The awe inspiring passes like Kunzum and Barchala Pass will further take you to the top of the world with its immense altitude.
The visitors can choose to go on a nature trail over here to encounter rare avian species and jaw-dropping beauty of nature. Take part in adventurous activities like hiking, rappelling and camping here. Step out of the confines of your mundane life and hop on to enjoy some shutter shooting in the arms of nature at the wonderland of Spiti.
Spiti is a cold desert valley and hence it experiences extreme cold temperatures during all seasons. But summer is definitely a bit pleasant than the other seasons as the temperature gradually rises up to 0-15 degrees Celsius during Summer. Winters in Spiti are extremely spine-chilling and people avoid visiting this wonderland during this season. Monsoon too is frequented by heavy rainfall and landslides and hence the people refrain from visiting Spiti during monsoon.
Best Time to Visit Spiti Valley
The best time to visit Spiti is from March to June. The ones who are into a relaxing vacation should visit Spiti during this season when the temperature ranges from 0 - 15-degree Celcius, which starts from March and lasts until June. Winters in Spiti are for the daring. The road connectivity is unreliable during the winters with Manali-Kaza highway being cut-off. The snow leopard expedition is one activity that takes the cake during this season. It is best to avoid planning a trip to Spiti during the monsoon months (July- September), since the continuous heavy rainfall, followed by landslides and slippery roads, may spoil your holiday mood to a great extent.
Best Things To Do In Spiti Valley
River Rafting: Call For Adventure
Absolutely perfect for adventure seekers, river rafting is one of the top things to do in Spiti Valley. With snowy mountains, hilltop monasteries, and picturesque views around, the Spiti and Pin rivers offer an experience of a lifetime. You can feel the thrill while basking in the serenity amidst the mountains throughout the duration of the sport.
Pin Valley National Park: Admire The Flora & Fauna
Situated in the higher reaches of the Himalayas, this park is home to endangered flora and fauna such as snow leopards, Siberian ibex, Himalayan snow cocks, Tibetan gazelle, and snow partridges, and more. From admiring the beauty of nature to wildlife spotting, there is so much to do there that you would completely lose track of time.
Buddhist Monasteries: Pay A Visit
Spiti is a religious and cultural centre for Buddhists, and that is another reason that makes it such a famous tourist attraction. With so many Buddhist monasteries set up along the valley, you could visit each or any of them for a peaceful time. From the architecture of the monasteries to the ancient murals on the inside, every sight would leave you amazed.
Camping At Chandratal: Experience The Lake-Views
Formed in a crescent shape, and situated at 4,300 meters in the lap of the Himalayas, this lake is amongst the popular things to see in Spiti Valley. What makes an experience more wow-worthy there is camping by the lake with incredible views around. So, you know where to stay, at least for a night in Spiti.
Trek To Dhankar Lake: Try The Thrill
If you’re looking for both peace and adventure, trekking to Dhankar Lake is amongst the top things to include in your tour to Spiti Valley. Situated above the Dhankar Monastery on a cliff at 4,270 meters, this lake is a mesmerizing beauty. While the trek is a bit challenging, the heavenly views that you would get to witness upon reaching would absolutely be worth it.
Village Of Giu: Visit The Mummy
Giu is a small village situated between the towns of Sumdo and Tabo, and can be reached via a steep 8 km climb on a road that branches from NH-22. It has a shrine with a dead body, which is over 500 years old and visiting this mummy is amongst the famous things to do in Spiti. A popular legend says that the mummy is of a meditating Lama, which makes it an even more mysterious experience.
How to Reach Spiti Valley
Lahaul and Spiti are separated from Kullu by the Rohtang pass and Kunzum pass and it lies on the Manali-Leh highway. This route is fine to reach Spiti valley during the summers but is inaccessible for most parts of the year due to heavy snowfall. However, Spiti valley is accessible throughout the year though from Shimla via Kinnaur (except for occasional disturbances due to landslides or heavy snowfall).
- By flight: There is no direct flight connectivity to Spiti Valley. The nearest airport is in Bhuntar, near Kullu, 245 km away from the same. However, Bhuntar airport is small with limited operations. Chandigarh Airport, located at a distance of 522 km is the nearest international airport.
- By road: Regular bus services ply to and fro the city of Spiti Valley. They operate on a daily basis, whether day or night, from places like New Delhi, Pathankot, Shimla etc. You can also take shared taxis or cabs for the same route.
- By train: The nearest broad gauge railway station from Spiti which has good connectivity is in Chandigarh. Jogindernagar also has a railway station which is nearest to Spiti, but it has very poor connectivity.
- By bus: The Himachal state transport runs buses through both routes in summers, however just a bus through the Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza route. Direct buses are available from Chandigarh, Shimla, Kullu, Manali and some other parts of North India.
