Everything to know about Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley’s mountains are filled with many adventures.
The Spiti Valley is known for its tagline, “Land of Adventure.” Yes, you heard it right. It is a lot of fun to do adventurous activities. The meaning of Spiti means “land in the middle.” It is called the Spiti Valley because it is situated between the Indian and Tibetan regions of China. It is one of the most beautiful places that you could ever see. The place offers some of the most amazing and beautiful landscapes, monasteries, and authentic cultures. It is situated at a really high altitude that ranges from 3500 to 4500 meters above sea level.
Some passes of the valley, like mountains and peaks, have the highest altitude. The place is a heaven for adventure lovers as it offers a wide range of adventurous activities like trekking, camping, and many hidden pathways. The Chandratal Lake and the Suraj Tal Lake are the two most beautiful lakes that flow there. The Chandratal Lake got its name because it looks like a moon and is famous among photographers. One of the most amazing things about Suraj Tal Lake is that it is the third-highest lake in all of India. Whether you’re an adventure lover or a nature lover, Spiti Valley has everything to offer you.
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Culture and traditions
The local people of Spiti Valley are deeply devoted to Tibetan Buddhism. Here, monasteries are not only places to worship but also centers of learning. The Key Monastery and the Tabo Monastery are the two most important monasteries in the region. As it is located between India and Tibet’s region, it follows the mixed cultures of both countries.
Losar, one of the most important festivals, is celebrated with full devotion. The local people wear traditional Tibetan clothing to protect themselves from the harsh climatic conditions of the region. Their cuisine is basically a rotation of barley, dairy products, and momos. People hold good hospitality and etiquette and treat visitors like their own guests. The place is an amazing mixture of tradition, culture, and a beautiful environment.
How to reach Spiti Valley
You’ll experience a lot of adventure through you journey to Spiti Valley as it is located in a very remote area. Here are the ways to reach to the valley.
By road
From Manali: Manali is one of the most popular and preferable routes to reach Spiti Valley. The route went through Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass. The journey takes an approximate 8 to 12 hours, and km ranges from 200 to 250 km.
From Shimla: Another famous route is from Shimla through Kinnaur. The distance between Shimla and Spiti Valley is approximately 440 to 480 km, and it usually takes 12 to 16 hours to complete this journey. This route offers some of the most amazing scenic views, but it is more challenging because of its narrow roads.
From Kinnaur: Kinnaur is another by-road option to visit Spiti Valley. The route is via the Hindustan-Tibet Road. The distance between Kinnaur and Spiti Valley is approximately 200 to 250 km, and it usually takes 8 to 12 hours to complete this journey.
By Air
The nearest airport to Spiti Valley is Bhuntar Airport. The distance between Bhntar Airport and Spiti Valley is approximately 240 to 260 km. From Bhuntar Airport, you can either take a taxi or a bus to reach Spiti Valley.
By Bus
The state-run buses offer their services from major cities like Shimla, Manali, and Reckong Peo. You can check out the bus facilities that operate in the Spiti Valley.
By Motorcycle
Many people who love motorcycling prefer to ride motorcycles to Spiti Valley. If you’re the person, you can rent a bike in Manali or Shimla to Spiti Valley.
Main attractions of the Spiti Valley
Monasteries
Here, monasteries are not only places to worship but also centers of learning. The Key Monastery and the Tabo Monastery are the two most important monasteries in the region. The monasteries consist of amazing Thangka paintings, statues of Lord Buddha, and many more.
Chanratal Lake and Suraj Tal Lake
The Chandratal Lake and the Suraj Tal Lake are the two most beautiful lakes that flow there. The Chandratal Lake got its name because it looks like a moon and is famous among photographers. One of the most amazing things about Suraj Tal Lake is that it is the third-highest lake in all of India, at an altitude of around 4300 meters. The crystal-clear blue water surrounded by white snow makes it a popular spot for trekking and camping.
Kunzum Pass
The Kunzum Pass is located at a very high altitude of approximately 4560 meters above sea level. The high-altitude pass connects the Lahaul Valley with the Spiti Valley. The pass offers amazing, jaw-dropping scenic views of the beautiful, dry mountains. The pass is 122 km away from Manali. Moreover, there’s also a trek to Chandratal Lake; the trek is approximately 15 km.
Sarchu
The Sarchu is located at a really high altitude of approximately 4290 meters above sea level. It is located between Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir. Sarchu is a popular stop point for travelers journeying between Manali and Leh, Ladakh. The place offers amazing, breathtaking scenic views of the beautiful surroundings.
Pin Valley National park
Pin Valley National Park is home to hundreds of different species of flora and fauna. The National Park has some of the most rare animal species, like the snow leopard and many more. It’s a paradise if you have a keen interest in nature and animals. Moreover, the park offers opportunities for trekking and spotting rare animals.
Hikkim
Hikkim is very famous among tourists. The thing that makes it special and interesting is that it has one of the world’s highest post offices. The Hikkim is located at a really high altitude of approximately 4400 meters. One of the coolest things you can do in the place is to send a postcard and store it as a souvenir.
Baralacha La
Baralacha La is a famous high mountain pass where two mountain ranges named as Panjal range and the Zanskar ranger meets. The pass is located in extremely high altitude of approximately 4890 meters (16940) feet above the sea level. The pass is covered with snow most of the year. It is one of the most important and preferable route for travelers going between the Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. The pass offers some of the most amazing jaw dropping scenic view of the beautiful surroundings.
Langza Village
Langza Village is known for its amazing scenic views of the surrounding mountains. The village is located at a very high altitude of approximately 4400 meters. The village is known for its tall Buddha statue and ancient fossils. The village is located at such a high altitude, which is why it offers the best and most amazing views of the snow-covered mountains.
Amazing things you can do in Spiti Valley in a glance
The valley consist of many uncovered stuff here are the some of the best and amazing things you can do in Spiti Valley in a glance.
- Explore the ancient monasteries. Key Monastery and Tabo Monastery re the two must-visit monasteries.
- If you love to trek, you can do so at high-altitude lakes like Chandratal Lake and Suraj Tal Lake. Moreover, you can also do camping in the lake camping areas.
- Visit the high-altitude village named Langza. The village is located at a very high altitude of approximately 4400 meters. The village is known for its tall Buddha statue and ancient fossils.
- Experience local traditions and amazing Tibetan cuisine.
- Motorbike ride from Manali or Shimla to Spiti Valley.
- Drive through stunning passes with jaw-dropping scenic views like KunZum LA Pass and the Baralacha La Pass.
Important things to know before traveling to Spiti Valley
- Spiti Valley is very high above sea level; most of its places average altitude ranges from 3000 to 4800 meters. Give your body enough time to adjust to the height.
- Try to bring a first-aid kit with you, as Spiti Valley is located in a very remote area. You’ll find many difficulties in searching for hospitals and phone services.
- Don’t forget to bring warm clothes with you as it is a super cold place, especially at night and even in the summer.
- Finding good accommodations is a little bit challenging at this place; therefore, it is more convenient to book hotels ahead of time.
- As the place is very near the Indian border, there are many checkpoints checking for valid documents. It’ll be good to carry all the necessary documents along with you.
Is Spiti Valley Worth visiting?
Spiti Valley is definitely worth a visit. The place offers some of the most amazing scenic views of the snow-covered mountains and many adventurous activities like camping and trekking that you could ever imagine. The place is like an artistic painting coming into reality. You would learn about the unique Tibetan Buddhist culture, monasteries, and many more. In addition, the place is a paradise for nature lovers; it has Pin Valley National Park, where you can get a chance to see the most rare wild species, like the snow leopard and many more. It’s a must to visit once in a lifetime.
Suggestions for visiting Spiti Valley
- If you have trouble breathing, try to bring a portable oxygen cylinder with you.
Best time to visit Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley is normally as very cold area, and individuals from cities are not used to live in such cold environments. That is why the best time to visit Spiti Valley is between March and July, when the atmosphere is pleasant and cool, and the weather conditions are favorable.
Nearby attractions from Spiti Valley
Here are some of the most visited nearby attractions from the valley.
- Chandratal Lake
- Kibber Village
- Dhankar Monastery
- Kunzum Pass
- Tashigand
- Chicham Bridge
- Rangrik Rang
Spiti Valley Pictures
Where is Spiti Valley situated?
Spiti Valley is located in the north-eastern part of India, in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Do I need any permits to visit Spiti Valley?
Yes, certain areas, like the near international border areas and a few passes, require permits for tourists. These permits can be easily obtained online or from travel authorities.
Are there ATMs and mobile network coverage in Spiti Valley?
ATMs and mobile network coverage are limited in Spiti Valley. It is advisable to carry enough cash with you and inform your loved ones about limited mobile networks.
What are some must-visit places in Spiti Valley?
Here are some of the must-visit places in Spiti Valley: Key Monastery, Tabo Monastery, Chandratal Lake, Kunzum Pass, and many more.
What are the road conditions like in Spiti valley.
The roads going to Spiti Valley can be challenging with narrow passes, one-way, and extreme side bends and stretches. While some parts of the road are well-maintained.
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