Category: Spiti Valley

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Travelling to Spiti during this time, however, calls for a lot of precaution and planning. You can get detailed information month wise temperature following table:

Months	Minimum Temperature	Maximum Temperature
January	-10.6	-0.6
February	-8.8	1.3
March	-4.7	5.4
April	0	10.7
May	3.6	15.2
June	7.1	18.5
July	9.1	19.2
August	8.8	18.5
September	5.5	16.2
October	0	11.4
November	-4.6	6.9
December	-8.2	2.7

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The perfect time to visit Spiti Valley is from June to September by road. You will be able to complete the circuit and your trip will not be limited to Kaza. Destinations such as Chandratal and Kunzum Pass are also accessible during this time only.

The road to Spiti Valley remains open all the season through Shimla – Kinnaur. Although the road from Manali side get close in winter season.

Any SUV will be the perfect for Spiti Valley trip. Both 2-wheel drive or 4×4 SUV, with the good ground clearance will be best for traveling through Spiti Valley.

If you are planning a long road trip to Spiti Valley, then Shimla route suits to you. On the other hand, traveling from Manali, you can get Kaza in 7-8 hours. So, if you had limited days and wanted to explore more places; then Manali – Kaza route will be best option.

Spiti Valley Road Status And Conditions 2020

Magnificent cold desert valley in Himachal Pradesh, Spiti Valley is replete with pine forests, green meadows, charming ancient monasteries and inhabited villages that will leave you totally awe-stuck.

Spiti Valley is located at an altitude of around 12,500 ft above the sea level and picturesque mountains over here change their shades every second. The hamlets in Spiti Valley under the shadow of huge mountains have a population of around 35 to 200 people.

Wherever you go in Spiti Valley, you can see beautiful Buddhist monasteries, fluttering colourful prayer flags and a large number of monks praying with their prayer wheels. A sparsely inhabited land, Spiti is a paradise for all those who get bore from the intoxicating city life.

You can also take panoramic glimpse of Dhadkan and Chandratal lake here. Although, you can get entire information regarding Spiti Valley Road Status and Conditions 2020.

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Spiti Valley Road Status

In May 2020, the road to Spiti valley is open from Shimla side and closed from Manali side. If you want to travel to Spiti in the near future, and until June, you have to get Kaza from Shimla side and return the same way. Currently, it is not possible to take the Manali route as it has blocked due to heavy snowfall.

Shimla to Spiti Valley Road Status

The road from Shimla to Spiti Valley actually remains open around the year. There could be temporary closure in the winter season if there is avalanches or heavy snowfall anywhere on the route.

However, the authorities clear the snow just as soon as possible, they able to restore the connectivity. So via Shimla Route, you can visit Spiti valley in any month of the year.

Manali to Spiti Valley Road Status

Manali to Kaza Highway is 202 Km long that usually opens up by the first week of June, and we do think that in 2020, it may open by the second or third week of June provided the weather holds up.

Blizzards and sudden heavy snowfall are very common in this area like Batal and Chhota Dhara. Do not forget that you are also be crossing two high altitude passes to get out and if that did not happen, you will be stuck for good.

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How to Reach Spiti Valley

Traveling to Spiti by road is one of the most thrilling experience as well as convenient options for you traveling from nearby cities such Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and more.

There are two routes via which you can reach Spiti Valley, one is via Shimla and another is via Manali. You can get entire information about How to Reach Spiti Valley from here.

Spiti Valley is an offbeat and unexplored place in India, hence is not properly connected to rest of India.The nearest airport to Spiti Valley is in Bhunter, near Kullu which is about 260 Km far away from here. From there, you can take cab, taxi or Bus to here.

The nearest railway station to Spiti Valley is Joginder Nagar Railway Station which is on narrow gauge line. However, Chandigarh is major railway station which is 500 kilometers away from the valley.

Weather in Spiti Valley

The best time to visit Spiti Valley is summer season a temperature varies from 0 – 15-degree Celcius, which starts from March and lasts until June.

Winters in Spiti Valley are very tough. The road connectivity is unreliable during the winters with Manali-Kaza highway being cut-off due to avalanches and heavy snowfall.

Spiti Valley is a high mountain desert so,here is no monsoon season. You can plan your Spiti Road trip in monsoon season with keep 2-3 days extra.

Spiti Valley in Summer

The Summer season from March to June is the best time to visit spiti valley. The temperature remains moderate and the maximum temperature is around 15 degree Celsius. That means you can indulge a range of outdoor activities such as trekking, camping, mountain biking and hiking.

The mornings and evenings of Summer are quite cold with temperatures varies in between 2-3 degrees Celsius while the days are enjoyable. Do not forget to pack woolens clothes.

Things to keep in mind

Take 2-3 buffer days during Spiti Valley Trip
Gets cold at night in winters, so keep warm cloths
Cross certain places before 12 pm else highly likely chance to get stuck

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FAQ

The road to Spiti Valley remains open throughout the year via Shimla – Kinnaur while the road from Manali side closes in winter as soon as Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass close. So, you must know about the right time to travel to Spiti Valley.

Manali to Kaza road connects Spiti Valley with Lahaul Valley and Kullu Valley and in 2019 year, due to heavy snow fall, the snow clearance operations took several months. As of April 25, 2020, the road up to Kunzum Pass is still closed.

The expected date of opening of Manali Kaza road will be early May. By Shimla route, the road is open and you can visit Spiti free. There is no major road blocks in this route in winter.

26 Best Places To Visit In Spiti Valley

Popular for spectacular murals, ancient monasteries, and several stupas, Spiti Valley is truly God’s special creation. Spiti literally means ‘The Middle Land’ which derives from its geographical location in between the Indian peninsular mass and the Tibetan plateau.

The people of Spiti follows Buddhist religion and has the oldest monasteries of the world Ki Monastery and Tabo Monastery, a favourite of Dalai Lama. Although, there are numerous of places in Spiti that are worth your time. However, here is the list of top 26 places to visit in Spiti valley that will sweep you off your feet.

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26 Best Places To Visit In Spiti Valley

Tabo Monastery

Tabo village is situated 37 km from city center and for popular for Buddhist monasteries – Sherlang, Duang, Chamba, Chibbo, Domlang Gompas, regarded by many as only next to the Thelong Gompa in Tibet.

Nestled at right of Spiti river, Tabo Village has a monastery, named Tabo monastery that built in 10th Century houses more than 60 lamas. There are Large number of scriptures and pieces of art, wall paintings – ‘Tankhas’ and ‘Stucco’.

Ki Monastery

Ki monastery is the largest monastery in Spiti valley located on top of a conical hill at height of 4166 metre. The view of the whitewashed buildings of Ki monastery from surrounding hills is picturesque.

The distance of the monastery is 14 kms from Kaza on Kaza–Kibber road and also has a guest house where you can stay. The glimpses from the top of Ki Gompa are just breathtaking, especially the view of Rangrik village across the spiti river.

Kibber

Kibber is a quiant little village on the higher regions of Spiti Valley that is well known for Kibber Monastery and the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Also known as Kyibar, it is a small, recluse village having only 80 houses with approximately 366 residents. It is also a perfect camping destination during summers.

Perched at an altitude of of 4270 metres, Kibber is known as the highest motorable village in the world. Amidst the Himalayas, this village attracts a large number of tourists every year for trekking and mountaineering and one of the places to visit in Spiti Valley.

Nako Lake

Nako lake is a hidden gem of nature that is situated in the Nako village of Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh. It is nestled on the slopes of the Reo Purgyil Mountain of the Srikhand range in the Himalayas of northern India.

Nako Lake has been a perfect place to visit in Spiti Valley that has been alluring its tourists with the beauty it resides. The view of this lake gets more magnifiy by the array of poplar and willow trees whose shadow falls in the waters adds to the charm of the lake. You can also spot a large flock of birds near the lake in the evening.

Kunzum Pass

Popular as the Gateway of Spiti , Kunzum Pass Located at a height of 4,590m, connects Spiti valley from Kullu and Lahaul. After crossing Rohtang Pass and driving about 20km, take a right turn from Gramphoo.

The scenes provided while passing by Kunzum pass are really enchanting. On the one side, there is the Spiti Valley, while on the other side are numerous C.B. (Chandra-Bhaga) range summits.

Nako Village

Nako village is located near by the Indo-Tibetan border at the height of about 3600 metre in the Himalayan range of Kinnaur District in Himachal Pradesh. Nako Village is the last spot on your way to the famous Nalling Mullah.

As Nako lies really close to the Tibetan border, you require to have an Inner Line permit to visit and stay in any part of Nako village. Due to the small extent of this spectacular remote village, all the major spots there can be explored on foot itself.

Tourists tend to reach this tranquil place by evening to spend a night here to move further to Kinnaur or Tabo Village, the next day.

Chandratal

Literally means “Moon Lake”, Chandratal Lake is one of the places to visit in Spiti Valley that gets its name from its crescent shape. Situated at a distance of 7-8 km from Kunzum Pass, the lake is a paradise for trekkers, photographers and adventure seekers.

Chinchum Ropeway

The Chinchum Ropeway is another perfect example that made you marvel at the human spirit. It is situated in Kaza which is base camp for many treks. There is also Asia’s highest located petrol pump near it.

Giu Mummy

Popular for unique installation of over 500–years-old mummy of a Buddhist Monk, Giu is a enchanting isolated village with no nearby villages. This place is no less than a wonder to witness how a human body has been take care for centuries without any sign of decay or use of chemicals.

The mummy is being preserved inside the glass in a room which is located on the outskirts of the village at a small hillock. The mummy seems so real –nails, hair and teeth that it gives an impression of a living being.

World’s Highest Post Office, Hikkim

If you want to enjoy offbeat places to visit in Spiti, then World’s Highest Post Office in the village of Hikkim must be in your itinerary. It is located at an elevation of 4440 metres and connected through roads to the other towns of Himachal Pradesh.

The post office gives a unique experience as travellers mail their letters to their loved ones from the highest post office on Earth.

Even in heavy snowfall and extreme weather conditions, postmen have to undertake a 46 km daily journey along the mountain passes and the verdant meadows for delivering letters to Kaza.

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Suraj Tal

Literally means “Sun Lake”, Suraj Tal Lake is one of the places to visit in Spiti Valley and first choice of hangouts among of nature lovers, enthusiastic trekkers and photographers.

Situated close to the Baralacha Pass, the best time to visit here during the months of May to October. While it is also holy pilgrimage site.

Pin Valley National Park

Pin Valley national park is situated in desert valley of Spiti in Lahaul and Spiti District. It is nestled at very high altitude and so vegetation is very scare in these locations and consists of only alpine and cedar trees.

Pin valley National is among beautiful places to visit in Spiti Valley that provides habitat to numerous types of flora and fauna.

You can witness a variety of wild animals such as woolly hare, Tibetan gazelle and snow leopard, among others. The weather conditions in Pin Valley National Park are generally cold and dry, and receives heavy snowfall in winters.

Tabo Caves

Well Known for having evidence of human habitation in the prehistoric times, Tabo Rock Art is a perfect place to visit for history lovers in Spiti Valley. There are paintings dating back to thousand years and having similarity to those of Ajanta Caves.

Tabo Caves was discovered in 996 CE and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. This place is a national treasure and a perfect sight for witness of the prehistoric era.

Tabo caves are symbol of human life, assuming that monks lived here and one of the oldest Buddhist enclaves in the Himalayas. There are different stories from the Buddhist scriptures and have a collection of thangkas (scroll paintings), manuscripts, well-preserved statues, frescos and extensive murals which cover almost every wall.

Sopona Lake

For the adventure seekers, nature lovers and trekkers, Sopona Lake is the one of the popular places to see in Spiti that formed with melting glaciers. It is a seasonal place to visit if you want to have the best experience which offers some of the most enchanting views of the Spiti valley and the adjacent Maniang Himalayan range.

One of the famous tourist activities at Sopona Lake is trekking to Manirang Pass that is situated at an altitude of 6593 metres. The difficulty level of the trek is moderate.

You can complete the trek around 3 hours and enjoy the panoramic views of Dhangkar Valley. A great way to enjoy the trek is to hire a guide from local village, Mane who charge around 800-1000 and give you an entertaining tour around the lake.

Dhankar Monastery

Nestled at around 3900 mtrs, Dhankar Monastery is seems to a mud brick fort situated overlooking confluence of Spiti and Pin river. The high-altitude trek of about an hour from Dhankar monastery will take you to the Dhankar lake. The Lake has not much water due to lack of glacial melting but offers spectacular views of Manerang pass.

Sakya Tangyud Monastery

Perched at an altitude of 4520 metres, Sakya Tangyud Monastery is one of the famous places to visit in Spiti that is situated in the Komic village of Spiti Valley.

It is well known for being one of the highest altitudes gompas in India and a centre for Buddhist learning that is surrounded by the breathtaking panoramic views. The monastery is one of the must-see places in Spiti Valley that boasts of features such as fortified features decorated with red ochre and mud walls.

The monastery is situated on the outskirts of the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and one of the only two monasteries belonging to the Sakya sect which can be found in Spiti Valley.

Barchala Pass

Perched at 4,883 meters, Barchala Pass is situated in Lahaul valley that is 73 kms. away from Keylong. It’s literally means ‘Pass with cross roads on summit’ where roads from Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul join on the top of it.

There is no road from Spiti still now, only a path exists. Barchala pass is also a birthplace of Chandra, Bhaga and Yamuna rivers that flow to three different directions, through the Chandra, Bhaga and Lingti valleys.

Kaza

The capital of Lahaul and Spiti District, Kaza is located at the eroded flood plains of the Spiti River. Amidst the jagged mountains on either side, it is the most populated area of Spiti Valley.

Kaza comes across as a tranquil town, which moves at its own leisurely pace. It has a marketplace, medical facilities, rest houses and hotels, among other facilities that offers picturesque views of Great Himalayan ranges.

Kungri Monastery

Located in Pin Valley, Kungri monastery was established in the 14th century and popular for having a huge collection of silk paintings of a number of Buddhist deities, characteristic features like sacred Tibetan texts and huge statues reflecting the Tantric cult of the time gone by.

Kungri Gompa is second oldest Gompa is the Lahaul and Spiti Valley region and one of the best places to visit in Spiti. It belongs to the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism which is the oldest order of Tibetan Buddhism.

One of the main enchantments of Kungri Monastery is the traditional performance of ‘Devil Dance’ that happened in month of July every year and the sword dance which forms an important highlight of Nyingmapa tradition.

Kungri Monastery is a significant place for people such as tourism, pilgrimage and to seek knowledge about Buddhism.

Tashigang Village

Perched at an altitude of 4650 metres, Tashigang is a tiny beautiful hamlet where total of 6 families residing in it with a population of just 40. The village’s entrance is built with ancient chortens and one of the most unexplored yet fascinating places to visit in Spiti Valley.

Spend time in Tashigang village is like taking a step back in past where one can witness thatch roof houses, a small lake and villagers practising agriculture. It is a perfect escape for solitude seekers who keep seeking for places where the mobile network doesn’t exist.

Tashigang village is situated near the India China border and faces many climate wise obstacles in the form of chilling winds and heavy snowfall. But, for the six families, it is their only retreat despite all the hardness that locals have to face while staying here.

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Komic

Situated about 20km from Kaza, this Komic village is located at 18,000ft above sea level. It is the best offbeat places to visit in Himachal Pradesh that is famous for the world’s highest village connected with a road.

Komic offers you pristine beauty and magnificent surroundings. One of the main enchantments here is the Komic Monastery that houses certain treasures which are open for public once in every 90 years. Here, unique items have showcased egg of a dragon, the horn of a unicorn, the upper tooth of a sheep, the ribcage of a giant “demon” and the tail of a prehistoric man.

Khoksar

Nestled at a height of 3,140 metres, Khoksar is a break and windswept place which is the first village and gateway to Lahaul. It is situated on the right bank of the river Chandra and 5 kms. from ‘Gramphoo’. During winter seasons, it is the coldest inhabited place in Lahaul.

Khoksar is dotted on the old trade route from Indian plains to the west Asia. During winter seasons,The river freezes and is covered with snow that make regular passage for human beings and also for mule traffic.

Langza Village

Situated at 16km northwards of Kaza, Langza Village is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh and is faous for its picturesque scenery, pre-historic buildings and ancient monasteries.

An enormous statue of Lord Buddha guards the Langza village, while a temple behind the statue is believed to be old more than 500 years. Although, this beautiful village also contains a large amount of fossils of plants and marine animals, that’s why regularly visited by historians and anthropologists.

Lhalung Monastery

Lhalung Monastery is one of the places to visit in Spiti Valley which is one of the earliest monasteries in the Spiti Valley. It is a complex consisting of 9 shrines, each of which is a hub of Buddhist teachings.

Lhalung Monastery was established by Rinchen Zangpo, believed to be a Buddhist “Mahaguru” – an extremely enlightened teacher that’s main attraction is the various gold leaf deities kept in its shrine.

Dhankar Lake

A hidden gem of Spiti Valley, Dhankar Lake is one of the best offbeat places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. In local language, the word “Dhankar” menas a fort, and believed that Dhankar monastery near to the lake, was once a fort.

Also popular as Sar Kund Lake, Dhankar Lake is located on a cliff at a height of 4,270m. Reaching to this lake needs you to undergo a challenging trek. However, the panoramic views which amaze your eyes upon reaching there is worth all the effort.

Spiti River

Spiti River originates from Kunzum pass that is a well-known for river rafting. If you are adventurous guy, then this place must be in your itinerary. The river is filled mostly by glaciers and meets to Satluj in Kinnaur.

How to Reach Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley is an offbeat and unexplored place in India, hence is not properly connected to rest of India.The nearest airport to Spiti Valley is in Bhunter, near Kullu which is about 260 Km far away from here. From there, you can take cab, taxi or Bus to here.

The nearest railway station to Spiti Valley is Joginder Nagar Railway Station which is on narrow gauge line. However, Chandigarh is major railway station which is 500 kilometers away from the valley.

Traveling to Spiti by road is one of the most thrilling experience as well as convenient options for you traveling from nearby cities such Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and more. There are two routes via which you can reach Spiti Valley, one is via Shimla and another is via Manali. You can get entire information about How to Reach Spiti Valley from here.

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FAQ

Spiti valley is famous for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Tabo monastery is one of the most prominent attractions in Spiti. The monasteries in Spiti are renowned for spectacular murals, ancient temples, and several stupas.

The best time to visit Spiti valley is between May to June and from October to November.

No permit is needed to visit Spiti Valley for an Indian National. The only permit an Indian National required can be – a vehicle permit to cross Rohtang Pass. If he/she plans to enter Spiti Valley from Manali by his/her own vehicle or self-driven rented vehicle.

How to Reach Spiti Valley from Delhi

Spity Valley is one of the best and must visited place by backpackers, bikers and trekkers. It is the Himachal Tribal circuits that provides alternate to the already overcrowded Ladakh bike trip.

The ice-topped Himalayan Summits, the river that follows you as a shadow throughout the valley, the waterfalls and the Grey-blue skies, will be your journey companion. You can get whole information about How to Reach Spiti Valley from Delhi mentioned below: –

April to early October is the best time to visit Spiti Valley. It is not advisable to plan your trip from mid-July to late August due to heavy rainfall. The roads get narrow and muddy and even blocked. So, it is advisable you should have 1 or 2 spare days in the monsoon season. You can get detailed information of Spiti Valley Weather around the year from here.

Vibrant monasteries, picturesque hamlets, snow-laden peaks, plush forests and magnificent lakes build make one of the places to visit in Spiti Valley. Villages are few in number and far between in this serrated moonscape and they arrive like mirages, with clusters of whitewashed homes huddled by green barley fields below monasteries nestled on crags a thousand feet above.

Whether it’s a explore to the small villages, where life flows at an unbridled pace, or the ancient monasteries which are treasure-houses of Buddhist teachings, every experience is amazing.

Before you move on to the How to reach Spiti Valley, here is some essential info about Best Plces to visit Spiti Valley.

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