Spiti Valley Trip in 7 Days: Kaza Lahaul Spiti Tourism

Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh- The Land of Himalayas White Thunder: 

“Spiti” means “The Middle Land,” which means the land between India and Tibet (Illegally captured by China). Spiti valley is a cold desert mountain valley located high in the Himalaya’s lap in India’s northern state, Himachal Pradesh. 

The isolated landscapes, spiritually and remote location of the Spiti valley is often compared with Ladakh, but Spiti Gram is more rugged in nature.

Spiti valley is closed for over six months in a year due to freezing weather. This remote place and offbeat location of Himachal is still untouched by many human beings. That’s why Spiti and Kaza are Himachal’s hidden paradise. The majority of the Monks and Buddha’s Gompa shines in the high altitude mountains. 

Ideally located in trans-Himalayan Pir-Panjal ranges, Tabo, Nako, Reo Purgyil lushes towards Narkanda and Kaza, Lahaul ranges towards Zanskar valleys.

Zanskar to Kinnaur is a complete white desert in the upper Himalayas like the Gobi desert in Mongolia.

Why Visit Spiti Valley and Lahaul Region in Himachal Pradesh: 

Spiti valley is a heaven that is still untouched by most tourists and travellers across the world. 

The stunning landscape, pleasant offbeat location, romantic, remote destination in Himalaya makes  Spiti one of the most beautiful places to visit for tourists. 

All the nature’s blissful things that a human can imagine is in Spiti, such as 

1. India’s highest post office
2. Key spiritual monasteries
3. Rare wildlife including snow leopards in Pine valley
4. Moonscape arrives like mirages while camping to the high altitude mountain ranges.
5. Least populated district
6. Buddhist literature
7. Surreal Spiti river 
8. High altitude village life

How to Reach Spiti Valley and Lahaul Region: 

Spiti is located in the remote ranges of Pir Panjal, the old Hindustan-Tibet road which connects Shimla-Kinnaur-Nako-Kaza. It is one of the isolated roads in India, whereas the Manali-Leh highway connects Keylong-Chandratal-Kaza. It is one of the shortest routes to reach Spiti valley. 

Atal tunnel makes travelers’ lives, as it is one of the modern, technologically advanced, and highest tunnels in the world that was constructed in 2020. Now tourists can travel and explore the Spiti valley throughout the year, which was previously closed for six months. Manali-Leh highway is the best choice for a road trip.      

Where to Stay in Spiti Valley and Lahaul Region- Food and Accommodation:

Spiti and Lahaul are real mountainous valleys in Himalaya which are ultimately hustled free and non-commercialized. So you can have immense pleasure, joy, and happiness. But in Spiti, you should not expect luxury treatment, accommodation, and various foods. 

Here, if you are energetic and want to explore the inner beauty, you must eat local food on Dhabas and opt for Homestays for your stay. The most delicious and regional cuisines in Spiti valley are Tsanoa, Thukpa, Churpe, Buckwheat Chiltas, and Momos, which you will get everywhere. 

Geographic Location and Weather of Spiti and Lahaul Valley- Himachal Pradesh:

The beginning point of Spiti valley is at 10500 ft and ends up at 21000 ft. Due to being located at a too high peak, Spiti is not a place to spend whole life for ordinary people like you and me. But Pahari people live here with happiness and joy. They treat the entire region as a place of God, and they have immense respect and love for their nature. 

The river Chenab (or Chandra Bhaga) is formed after the two streams the Chandra and the Bhaga merge with each other.district, joins the border with Tibet (Illegally captured in China) Leh and Ladakh region of India. Spiti’s rugged terrain and freezy weather make a NO MAN’S LAND.  Spiti’s temperature goes beyond  -30 degrees C. 

Best time to visit Lahaul and Spiti region of Himalaya:

Summer is the best time to visit and explore the Spiti valley. During summer, you have nice weather, which helps you explore every dimension and landscape of the Spiti and Lahaul region. Hence, from March to June is the best time to visit Lahaul and Spiti valley. 

You can also visit Lahaul and Spiti valley from July to mid-September. In these months, you get the full beauty of nature. 

Winter is also acceptable, but it is more for crazy and passionate travellers like me who enjoy travelling in extreme weather and happy to see white snowclad mountains. 

Best Places to Visit in Spiti valley, Lahaul Region, and Kaza Village: 

Tabo Monastery: 

Tabo monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Himachal Pradesh, famous for its murals and stucco sculpture, just like Ajanta Ellora caves in Maharashtra and Machu Picchu in Peru South America. 

 In 996 AD, Tabo monastery was earlier in Tabo village established by one of the great Tibetan Buddhist translators Rinchen Zangpo. This place is the middle point of Indo-Tibetan culture. 

Tabo monastery educates more than 300 kids in the region and is now building another sanctuary to educate needy children. 

Chandratal Lake:

Tso Chikgma or Chandra Taal, or Chandra Tal, is a lake in the Lahaul region and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. 

Despite having a rugged environment and inhospitable surroundings, Chandratal lake is a protected niche with some flowers and wildlife. 

Chandratal lake has a crystal blue water lake hamlet in a rocky mountain landscape of Himalaya. Chandratal Lake is situated at an altitude of 14074ft height. 

The whole place of Tso Chikgma is a paradise for trekkers and campers in Spiti and Lahaul district.

Chandratal lake became Chandra river, later merged with Bhaga river, and later became Chandrabhaga river is now famous as Chenab river. 

Due to frosty weather and extreme snowfall, you can visit and explore Chandratal lake only for three months in summer (from April, May, and June). 

Kaza Village: 

Kaza is the subdivision headquarter of Lahaul and Spiti district. Undoubtedly, Kaza is one of the biggest villages in the entire region where you can expect a Bank, ATM, Variety of food, fuel, etc. 

For travellers and bike-riders, the beauty of Kaza is a copycat of Ladakh. The terrain, nature’s beauty, roads, and snow of Kaza is similar to Ladakh. 

In the entire Spiti valley and Kaza Trip, Kaza would be the ideal base camp in the whole region. 

Pin Valley: 

Pin valley is easily accessible to Kaza and Tabo. Pin Valley National Park is located in the Spiti Valley and Lahaul region, in Himachal Pradesh. Where Spiti river meets with Pin river, a dramatic view from windy hill begins. 

The place is 32km from Kaza to Sikkim by road. There are many plants and herbs in Pin valley, which are medicinal purposes and restricted for tourists. 

Forest camping and hiking in Pin valley are the best adventurous activities to experience and scenic beauty, and naked Himalayan mountain ranges. 

Kibber Village: 

Kibber is a highland village located at the height of 14000 ft in Spiti valley’s cold desert. 

When you look at the Kibber valley, you become the eyewitness of Himalayan beauty, where tiny hilly tribes survive with limited resources. You will realize that they are living there every moment in joy and happiness.  

Kee Monastery or Key Gompa in a hill surrounded by Spiti river and the shining ridge village seems like heaven on the planet.  

Kunzum Pass: 

Most tourists think that the Rohtang pass is the highest pass from Manali to Spiti and beyond Spiti. 

But Kunzum pass is one of the highest passes from where you can reach Spiti via motorcycle. 

Kunzum Pass is famous for the mountain peak Bara-Shigri glacier, known as the second-largest glacier globally. 

Losar is the closest village where some homestays are available for stays. 

Hikkim: 

Hikkim is India’s highest post office. When you cross Kaza, a small single-lane Kibbar road will lead you to the uphill, where the Hikkim post office is located. The postmaster who lives in the office has his own story.

Komic: 

Komic village is located above Hikkim. Komic monastery and Thampa monastery is the center of attraction for tourists. Tourism, local farming, and Pahari Yak are the only sources of income for locals. 

Local shepherds and their inhabitant sheep travel hundreds of miles across the valleys. Beyond Palampur, many hidden routes have never been explored by any travelers to date. 

Click to read top tourist destinations and visiting places in Himachal Pradesh

Conclusion:

There are many hidden offbeat villages and remote places in Himachal Pradesh that are still unexplored by travellers. Every village and valley of Himalaya has its own story and strategy to survive in extreme weather conditions. 

You can also explore beautiful places like Tashigang, Chicham Bridge, and Langza, Pangmo in a well-planned Spiti valley trip. Inhabitant animals like brown bears, snow leopards, musk deer, Ibex, and blue sheep can be seen here. That is why these remote villages, offbeat places of Himachal are always favorite for crazy travellers, historians, geographers, photographers, and documentary makers.

FAQs About Spiti Valley, Lahaul Region, and Kaza Trip: