By hearing its name, you might have imagined it as a snow-laden hill station or lush green land. Well, Whatever it is, Spiti Valley is not going to disappoint you at all. It’s a place few hear about and even fewer visit. Land of white snow desert sandwiched between Tibet and Ladakh in the upper Himalayas is especially the one you would never forget.

This little land on the Tibetan plateau is not only rich in beauty but culture, traditions of the Buddhist too. The beautiful valley is full of monasteries, small villages, pristine rivers, green meadows and snow-laden mountains packed up with colourful adventures to let you leave your heart there forever.

This blog presents a complete guide to travel to Spiti Valley. So, make fair use of it and convince yourself to visit something memorable. 

How to reach Spiti Valley?

You can use two routes to visit Spiti Valley, i.e. either from Manali or Shimla.

The harsh weather, rocky terrains, and the snowy pathways surely don’t make it easy but truly worth the adventure.

 Travel via Manali: The nearest airport is Kullu where you can quickly get a bus or taxi to Spiti which will take around 12 hours. Though there are no direct trains to Manali, overnight Volvo from Delhi and Chandigarh are available daily.

Travel via Shimla: Get down at Chandigarh Railway Station and take a taxi, tempo or a bus to reach Spiti Valley via Sangla Valley. Manali is the easiest route but is only open for a few months between June to October, whereas Shimla route is open throughout the year.

The respective routes you would take is:

Manali- Rohtang Pass- Chattri-Kunzum Pass to Kaza-Spiti Valley

Shimla- Kinnaur- Reckong Peo/ Kalpa- Nako-Kaza-Spiti Valley

Quick Tip: Take time for 9-10 days and follow the best circuit by starting either from Shimla or Manali, cover Spiti and return from the other left route. This way, you explore all the beautiful places in between.

Places to visit in Spiti Valley: 

To explore the overall beauty of the magnificent Spiti Valley, you would probably need a lifetime but to have a brief to the astonishing beauty, tradition, life, and culture, here’s a quick list of places that are must-visit in Spiti Valley:

Tabo Monastery- Witness the ancient attraction:

Located in a small village Tabo of Spiti Valley is one of the most ancient attractions of the location. The vast amount of frescoes depict great tales from Buddhist pantheon. The Monastery has 9 temples of Tara and Buddha Maitreya and various Stupas that are a significant attraction of the place.

Chandratal- Explore what magnificence looks like:

One of the most beautiful places on the earth, Chandrataal derives its name from the crescent moon-line meaning “the lake of the moon”. Chandra Taal is situated in the Lahaul part of the Spiti Valley. The mesmerising beauty of the shining water surface with a beautiful landscape of snowy mountains, abundant flora and fauna would convince you to lose a piece of your heart there.

Kunzum Pass- A PromiseLand for trekkers:

A high mountain pass in the eastern Kunzum Range of Himalayas, Kunzum offers an astonishing view of the Chandrabhaga Range and can be reached by trekking from Chandra Taal lake. The colourful Buddhist flags just add to the beauty and serve as a wonderful opportunity for trekkers.

Pin Valley National Park - Observe the wonderful flora fauna range:

Yes, It’s even more beautiful than these pictures!

Pin Valley National Park, located in Lahaul in Spiti valley is a major attraction for tourists. The National Park is a house to various species of Siberian ibex, snow leopards, snow cocks, chukar partridges, and a wide variety of fauna such as cedar, deodar, Juniper and Berch trees, alpine vegetation and medicinal plants. 

Pay a visit to have the most awesome sightseeing ever.

Kibber- A Mind-Blowing Hamlet:

If you’re a wildlife lover and admirer of the beauty of nature, it won’t take a further sec to convince you about paying a definite visit to your dreamland. A small beautiful village on the higher regions of Spiti Valley, it is known for both Kibber wildlife sanctuary and the Kibber Monastery. Home to the rare species of flora and fauna, Kibber is a major attraction for tourists. Activities like trekking,  mountaineering make it a perfect place to enjoy your holiday and capture amazing photographs.

Nako Village- To explore is to live the vibes of the place:

The best place about travelling would always be living the life of the locals. It is the best experience of a life you have never lived before. Next time, you visit a location, just visit the small villages and try to live there. The cultural exposure with love, affection,and lots of learning about different cultures. Nako village is one such beautiful place to live this dream and experience the true essence of a mountain life with beauty all around you.

Things to do in Spiti Valley:If you’re looking for an adventure of a lifetime, Spiti Valley is a big yes!

With tons of adventures, activities, and places to explore and try, Spiti will bring the best out of you. Here’ some of the activities you can try when in Spiti:

River Rafting: For the absolute adventure seekers, this is the best thing to try on Spiti and pins river. With beautiful views of snowy mountains, hilltops, greenery and an absolute dear weather would give you an experience of a lifetime.

Camping: We all have our fantasies of living on a tent and sitting by the bonfire, stargazing, talking about life. Well, here’s a chance to make it come true now. Camp by the bank of Chandratal to live more than you ever desired. 

Trekking: What is visiting mountain tops without having fun on treks? Explore the unbelievable trek views and life on your tour to Spiti Valley. With the mesmerizing beauty of nature and friends by your side, I bet, you would repeat it every year.

Star Gazing: Travelling is the best escape from the lousy life and the hustle-bustle. It’s more about finding your true self and getting to know it. With a beautiful silent night and stars glittering all over you, you would feel magic coming to existence. What a soothing and mindful experience! So, choose your best place among Tabo,Dhankar, Losar, Komik, and Kibber and live out the magic.

Yak Safari: We all have our share of stories about Yaks and wondering where they are found! Well, at least I had mine. Yak safari is one of the best ways to explore the locals of Spiti and have an exotic experience. Opt for the ride and feel what it's worth being in Spiti.

Fossil Hunting: Well, not so popular but something really cool and peculiar. The villages of lanza and Hikkim are full of the little surprises that you would easily find one. You can also indulge with the locals and they would help you find the great fossils with the amazing conversations of a lifetime.  

Village Walks: Long, quiet, beautiful walks are everyone’s favourite! Isn’t it? Take your long walks to explore the beautiful small villages on the Valley and I bet you would be amazed more than ever before. 

Zostel: Yeah, it’s a trend now! Zostels are a new way to bond,  and blend with others. While there are various hotels available, zostels are available with the best accommodation facility at a reasonable price and are something you should not miss. 

Best Time to visit Spiti Valley:

The best time to explore the beauty of the glorious Spiti Valley is between June to September. The comfortable weather and amusing temperature of 25 degrees at daytime and chilling nights with 4 degrees temperature would make it the best trip for you. 

Summertime should be preferred to travel across Spiti Valley as heavy snowfall keeps it closed during winters.

Camp in Spiti Valley:

There is no better feeling than living on mountains! The camping experience on Spiti Valley will surely be the most fulfilling experience of your life. Summers are the best time to set up a camp on Spiti Valley and live on the greens. The best locations for camping in Spiti Valley are:

• Aphu

• Sangla

• Chitkul

• Nako

• Kee

• Chandra Taal

• Losar

Live the tent life on a starry night and add double fun to your adventure.