Spiti is a desert mountain valley located in the Himalayas in northeast Himachal Pradesh. A road journey to this place is one of the most beautiful drives. One needs to be an adventure lover to enjoy the challenging journey. It includes driving on dangerous rocky terrains with no petrol pumps for hundreds of kilometers as well as coping with low oxygen levels due to high altitude. While driving to Spiti, we will be amazed to see how the green sceneries change to the Rocky Mountains and how the smooth drive becomes dangerous on rocky terrains. The journey is a package of rugged landscape, small villages, and old monastic complexes. Spiti is accessible only by road and there are two ways to get here, either via Shimla or via Manali. The route via Shimla is open throughout the year. And the route via Manali open with the opening of Rohtang and Kunzum passes around July. The best time to explore this jewel of the Himalayas is between July and September. Below is the list of some beautiful destinations to visit in this place.
It lies between Karchham and Puh. It is a small village that can be hardly found in any travel guide. The place has the Kasuraj Ji Temple where both Hindu gods and Buddhist deities are worshipped. The locals here make the local brew ‘Angoori’ made by locally grown grapes called rokh dakhang. They stock it for around 6 months when the whole village is covered in snow and remains isolated from the rest of the world.
It is a small village situated at an altitude of 3280 m on the banks of the Spiti River. There is an old monastic complex that is believed to be the holiest of all monasteries. Many old paintings and frescos dating back to the 11th century have been preserved here. It has some old caves that are said to be the dwelling of monks. If we want a complete experience in Tabo we must stay in the guest house of the monastery. The village also has other guest houses for accommodation.
It is located at an altitude of 4000 m on the left of the Spiti River. It is the largest township and commercial center of the valley. Many companies can arrange for treks in this beautiful valley. Being the center of the valley; Kaza is a good place to explore Spiti. Other places can be visited during the day time. Things of daily use are easily available here unlike the rest of Spiti. Many new hotels have also come up in this place to make Kaza the base. The place is also popular for its colorful festivals and ancient Sakya Tangyud Monastery.
It is the old capital of Spiti and was originally known as Dhakkhar. If we are traveling through Taco, a road branches off from the main Kaza Road at a point 30 km away. Dhankar is about 8 km from this point. It has interesting lakes and monasteries. The monastery is located at an elevation of 3894 m on a cliff overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin Rivers. A steep trail of around 3.5 km will take us to the lake that is hidden on the other side of the mountain. We must be there before the sunset so that we don’t miss the spectacular view of the sun setting behind the great Himalayas.
These were some of the places which we must explore in Spiti. It is a beautiful place to be in and experience new adventures.
Written By
The north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh brings in millions of tourists from across the world every year, owing to its captivating scenery. Characterized by snow-clad mountains and serene natural beauty, this ‘Abode of Snow’ is home to hundreds of villages, all beautiful in their own right. Read on to discover a few of the highlights on These Stunning Villages in Himachal Pradesh, India...
Kinnaur is a vicinity of rugged beauty, a wonderland the place rivers drift thru the plunging Himalayan gorges. It is a tiny hamlet in Himachal Pradesh and is frequently additionally stated as Kinnaur - An Absolute Bliss & Land of Fairy Tales. It shares it...
With a significantly difficult terrain and a panorama that is drop-dead gorgeous, the Spiti valley makes for an amazing journey destination. There are locations in India that are outlined using treacherous alleys and lie buried below stiffened snow for the most sec...
Nestled in the lap of the Western Himalayas; Himachal Pradesh is a place with pristine beauty and immaculate charm. It is a perfect mixture of both traditional history and the modern world. With ancient temples and monasteries, stunning water bodies, lush green val...
