Places To Visit In Spiti Valley

"Himalayan desert valley with monasteries and lunar landscapes"

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37 Places To Visit In Spiti

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  • Buddhist Temple (10)
  • Village (6)
  • Hills & Valleys (4)
  • Lake (3)

1. Key Monastery

Key Monastery
Top Attraction 4.7 /5

6 km from city center

Buddhist Temple

Highlights: Cham Festival
The Key Monastery is a well-known Tibetan Buddhist monastery at an altitude of 4,166 metres, sitting close to the Spiti River. Also known as Kye Monastery and Ki Monastery, it is believed to have been founded by Dromton, a student of the teacher Atisha, in the 11th century. It enshrines Buddha idols in the Dhyana position and holds a collection of ancient books and murals. The monastery also serve (Read More)s as a religious training centre for Lamas, with about 300 lamas receiving their education here.

2. Chandratal Lake

Chandratal Lake
Top Things To Do 4.2 /5

48 km from city center

Lake

Highlights: Chandratal Lake Trek
Chandratal Lake is often referred to as one of the most beautiful lakes, located at an altitude of about 4,300 m in the Himalayas. The lake sits on the Samudra Tapu plateau in the Lahaul region of the Lahaul and Spiti district, and is the source of the Chandra River. The name Chandra Taal (Lake of the Moon) comes from its crescent shape.

3. Pin Valley National Park

Pin Valley National Park
Great For Family Outing 4.2 /5

31 km from city center

National Park

Highlights: Pin Valley Park Trek, Spiti
Set amidst semi-frozen rivers in the Pin Valley, the Pin Valley National Park is part of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve. The park's elevation ranges from about 3,500 metres near Ka Dogri to more than 6,000 metres at its highest point. It is home to the rare Himalayan snow leopard and its prey, the ibex. The park is best known for its trekking routes, which stay snow-covered for much of the year (Read More), making for a demanding, adventurous trek. Entry requires a permit, and the rules differ for Indian and foreign visitors, so check current requirements before you go.

4. Kibber

Kibber
4.2 /5

10 km from city center

Landmark

Highlights: Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Trekking in Kibber (Read More), Key Monastery, Kaza, Chicham Bridge, Himachal-pradesh - Highest Bridge in Asia, Gette, Tashigang, Spiti, Kibber Monastery
Kibber, also known as Kyibar, is a small village at an altitude of 4,270 metres. Surrounded by rugged mountains and barren landscapes, Kibber is often called the highest village with a motorable road. The village is known for its local monastery and the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.

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5. Baralacha La

Baralacha La
4.7 /5

81 km from city center

Hills & Valleys

Highlights: Baralacha La Pass Trek, Wildlife at Baralacha (Read More) Pass
The Baralacha La, also known as the Baralacha Pass, is a high mountain pass located at a height of 16,040 feet above sea level in the Zanskar range. This 8 kilometre long pass connects the Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, and lies along the Leh-Manali highway. A few kilometres from the pass is the Bhaga River, a tributary of the Chenab River that originates from (Read More)the Surya Taal Lake. The Baralacha Pass is surrounded by numerous scenic sights along the way.

6. Tabo Monastery

Tabo Monastery
Top Attraction 4.2 /5

37 km from city center

Buddhist Temple

Highlights: The Temple Complex, Festival of Chakar, Tantr (Read More)ic Rites & Worship, Serkong School
Standing tall and strong at a dizzying height of 10,000 feet, the Tabo Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries located in the Tabo Village of Spiti Valley. In fact, it is the oldest monastery in India and the Himalayas that has been functioning continuously since its inception. This alluring monastery is renowned as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas'.

7. Kunzum Pass

Kunzum Pass
4.3 /5

41 km from city center

Hills & Valleys

Highlights: Top view from Kunzum Pass
Kunzum Pass or Kunzum La, as it is called by locals, is one of the highest motorable mountain passes of India, located at an altitude of 4,551m above mean sea level. It serves as a gateway to the beautiful Spiti valley Via Kullu and Lahaul. It lies on the eastern Kunzum Range of the Himalayas and is at a distance of 122 km from Manali. 

8. Dhankar Monastery

Dhankar Monastery
Top Attraction 4.1 /5

24 km from city center

Buddhist Temple

Highlights: Collections in Dhankar Gompa
Dhankar Monastery, also referred to as Dankhar, Drangkhar or Dhangkar Gompa, sits at an altitude of 12,774 feet, perched on the edge of a cliff with a panoramic view of the Spiti Valley below. Built a thousand years ago on a 1,000 foot high mountain overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers, it is listed as one of the world's 100 most endangered monuments. Besides the views, the monas (Read More)tery holds a statue of Dhyana Buddha and a small museum with scriptures and murals.

9. Dhankar Lake

Dhankar Lake
Instagram Worthy 4.7 /5

25 km from city center

Lake

Highlights: Dhankar Monastery, Trek to Dhankar Lake
At a distance of 5 km from the Dhankar monastery that sits dangerously on a cliff, lies the Dhankar lake on the other side of the mountain. It takes about an hour to reach the lake after following a well marked trail from the monastery. If you spend enough time at the lake, you can see the sky change colors and reflect on the crystal-like lake, making it more spell binding each time, within a span (Read More) of just a few hours.

10. Suraj Tal

Suraj Tal
Top Things To Do 4.5 /5

83 km from city center

Lake

Highlights: Suraj Tal Trek, Bike Tours, Bhaga Valley
Suraj Tal, at an elevation of 4,950 m above sea level, is considered the third-largest lake in India. In Spiti Valley, the name means The Lake of the Sun God. Just below the Baralacha Pass, it is a popular stop for photography, and is considered one of the most photogenic lakes in the region.

11. Nako

Nako
Day Trip

69 km from city center

Village

Located at the height of 3,600 metres above sea level, Nako is a mesmerising village full of eye-catching surroundings, and is the most significant village in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The village is on the eastern end of the Kinnaur district and is popular among nature lovers and trekkers. On the way to Malling Nullah, Nako is the last attraction before the final destination.

12. Keylong Market

Keylong Market
4.1 /5

101 km from city center

Shopping Market

The Keylong Market offers a range of choices including woollen shawls, mufflers, stoles, baby shawls, ponchos and caps, made from Angora or Pashmina yarn. Don't forget to bargain for the best prices. Located at several spots in Keylong, these co-operative run society shops offer almost everything you may need, including clothes and utensils. Items that are unique to the town and popular among tour (Read More)ists include ceramic items, stone gems and local jewellery.

13. Hikkim

Hikkim
Popular among Locals 4.2 /5

5 km from city center

Village

Hikkim, a small village, is home to the highest post office in the world, run out of a single room at about 4,400 metres (14,436 feet). Most visitors stop to send a postcard stamped from here before continuing on to the nearby villages of Komic and Langza. The village is inhabited by Spitian families who maintain their own culture and traditions.

14. Gue

Gue

51 km from city center

River

Gue is a small village in the Spiti Valley, also known as the Mummy Village, as it holds the mummy of a monk placed inside a tomb. Carbon dating puts the mummy at 500 to 600 years old. It has been dressed in silk robes and is placed in a squatting position. It was discovered in 1975.

15. Langza

Langza
4.1 /5

5 km from city center

Village

Langza village sits at about 4,400 metres. It is best known for the large golden Buddha statue that overlooks the village and the valley below, and for the marine fossils found in the surrounding hills, a reminder that the area was once under the Tethys Sea. Langza is a popular stop during summer, when the green pastures below the statue are at their best.

16. Komic Village

Komic Village
4.2 /5

7 km from city center

Village

Komic Village, at a height of around 4,587 metres, is regarded as one of the highest motorable villages in the world. It is also known as a fossil hunting spot; villagers may offer to sell you fossils, but buying and transporting them is not legal. The village has a small monastery where women are not allowed during prayers.

17. Tayul Monastery

Tayul Monastery
4.3 /5

98 km from city center

Buddhist Temple

A Buddhist monastery located in the Bhaga Valley of Spiti, the Tayul Monastery houses the biggest statue of Padma Sambhava. The statue is 12 feet tall, showing his two manifestations as Singhmukha and Vajravarahi. Situated around 6 km from Keylong, the Tayul Gompa also has a hundred million mani wheels, said to open the minds of visitors to the compassion of the Lord, and said to turn themselves o (Read More)n auspicious occasions.

18. Tangyud Monastery

Tangyud Monastery
4.1 /5

4 km from city center

Buddhist Temple

Tangyud Monastery resembles a fortified castle, with tall mud walls and battlements, built on the edge of a deep canyon. It is one of only two monasteries in Spiti belonging to the Sakya sect. Located in Komic village at 4,520 metres, it is one of the highest altitude gompas in India, on the edge of the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Also known as Sakya Tangyud Monastery, it is a popular stop for visi (Read More)tors interested in Buddhism and high-altitude monastery architecture.

19. Rafting in Spiti

Rafting in Spiti

Rafting

Rafting in Spiti offers an exhilarating experience amid the rugged landscape of the Spiti Valley. The Spiti River, surrounded by towering mountains, offers roughly 180 km of raftable stretches in total. Popular routes typically run from Rangrik to Sichling, with thrilling rapids and views of the barren terrain.

20. Fossil Hunting

Fossil Hunting
Fossil hunting is an activity unique to Spiti that is still not too popular. However, it is a very exciting activity, especially for history or archaeology enthusiasts. There is a strong possibility you will find one, since the area around Langza and Hikkim is studded with fossils. If not, you will still find locals selling fossils you can buy as souvenirs.

21. Pin Valley Park Trek

Pin Valley Park Trek
Top Things To Do 4.1 /5

31 km from city center

Trekking

The Pin Valley National Park Trek is a spectacular journey through the high-altitude desert landscape of the Spiti region. Established in 1987, the park lies in the cold desert zone of the Spiti Valley and covers an area of 675 square kilometers. It is renowned for its rugged terrain, snow-covered peaks, glaciers, and its rich biodiversity, particularly as a habitat for the endangered snow leopard (Read More). This trek is a perfect blend of adventure, wildlife, and cultural immersion in the remote villages of the Spiti region.

22. Thangka Painting

Thangka Painting
3.9 /5

37 km from city center

Art Gallery

Thangka painting is a Buddhist painting made on cotton and silk. When they are not on display, they are rolled and kept on a textile backing that looks like a Chinese scroll painting, with a silk cover. They can last a long time, but they are delicate, which is why they are kept in dry places so they are not affected by moisture. The painting depicts a Buddhist deity or a scene.

23. Udaipur

Udaipur
Day Trip

141 km from city center

Village

Highlights: Mrikula Devi Temple, Camping, Trekking
Udaipur, on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River, is a remote hamlet. It sits at an altitude of 2,743 metres and is a popular pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Surrounded by lush green forests and scenic landscapes, Udaipur is also a well known camping and trekking spot. It was earlier known as Markul, but is now named after Raja Udai Singh of Chamba.

24. Losar

Losar

36 km from city center

Village

Highlights: Biking Route , Losar Festival
Losar village sits at an altitude of 4,085 metres and is adjacent to the Indo-China border. Set amidst rugged mountains on one side and open valley views and azure rivers on the other, this village is the coldest place in the Spiti Valley, but is also popular with adventure enthusiasts thanks to several biking routes in the area.

25. Sarchu

Sarchu
4.2 /5

4 km from city center

Hills & Valleys

Highlights: Camping in Sarchu
Sarchu, on the border of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, is usually chosen as an overnight stop for people travelling along the Leh-Manali Highway. It is 222 km from Manali and 252 km from Leh. Located at an altitude of 4,290 metres, Sarchu is also called Sir Bhum Chun, and lies between the Baralacha La range to the south and Lachulung La to the north.

26. Gandhola Monastery

Gandhola Monastery
4.3 /5

6 km from city center

Buddhist Temple

The Gandhola Monastery, also known as Guru Ghantal Gompa, is located around 20 kms from Keylong. Perched on the Tupchiling Village hilltop, at the confluence of Chandra and Bagha Rivers, Gandhola Monastery is the oldest monastery in the Lahaul region, founded by Padma Sambhava around 800 years ago. It is famous for its wooden idols, which stand out from the clay idols found in all other monasterie (Read More)s.

27. Trilokinath Temple

Trilokinath Temple
4.1 /5

Temple

Highlights: Pori Mela
The Trilokinath Temple, also known as Sri Trilokinathji Temple, is located in Trilokinath village, about 9 km from the village of Udaipur (not to be confused with Udaipur in Rajasthan), it is the only place in the world where both Hindus and Buddhists worship. Hindus consider the deity to be Lord Shiva, while Buddhists see it as Arya Avalokiteshwar; Trilokinath, another name for Shiva, means Lord (Read More)of the Three Worlds. It is believed the temple was originally a Buddhist monastery. The three day Pauri festival in August is a good time to visit.

28. Trekking in Spiti Valley

Trekking in Spiti Valley
Top Things To Do 4.1 /5

15 km from city center

Trekking

Highlights: Ghepan Lake Trek, Spiti, Pin Valley Park Trek (Read More), Spiti, Baralacha La Trek, Chandratal Lake Trek
Spiti is the haven for adventure seekers and trekkers as it offers treks through some of the most unseen, dream-like landscapes, watched over by majestic sceneries. For the more experienced trekkers there is the Pin-Parvarti route. Other routes include Kaza-Langza-Hikim-Comic-Kaza, Kaza-Ki-Kibber-Gete-Kaza, Kaza-Losar-Kunzum La and Kaza-Tabo-Sumdo-Nako.

29. Shashur Monastery

Shashur Monastery
Day Trip 4.2 /5

102 km from city center

Buddhist Temple

Shashur Monastery is a Buddhist Monastery of the Drugpa Sect, a three-storey structure located 35-40 km from Manali. The literal meaning of "Shashur" in the local language is blue pines, as blue pine trees can be found around the Shashur Monastery.

30. Kardang Monastery

Kardang Monastery
4.3 /5

102 km from city center

Buddhist Temple

One of the most popular gompas in Lahaul and Spiti Valley, Kardang Monastery is located in Kardang village on the banks of the Bhaga river. At an altitude of 3,500 metres, it sits on a ridge below Rangcha Peak, facing the town of Keylong. For 900 years, the Kardang Monastery has remained an important centre for Buddhist culture and principles. It is known worldwide for its architecture, religious (Read More)significance and collection of murals, thangkas, paintings and instruments.

31. Kungri Monastery

Kungri Monastery
4.2 /5

23 km from city center

Buddhist Temple

Kungri Monastery, in the Pin Valley around 10 km from Attargo and 3 km from Gulling, is the second oldest monastery in Spiti Valley and the only one following Nyingmapa Buddhism, the oldest order of Tibetan Buddhism. The Kungri Gompa is frequently visited by pilgrims, tourists, and Buddhist scholars.

32. Tashigang

Tashigang

75 km from city center

Hills & Valleys

Tashigang, in the Sutlej river valley near the India-Tibet border, is a quaint little village that is also the highest point in the Spiti Valley. Perched at an altitude of 4650 m, the village has just over four homes with a meagre population of 6 families and around 40 people in all. With gorgeous mountain views and narrow winding roads, the hamlet offers peace and quiet like no place else.

33. Spiti Valley Bike Trip

Spiti Valley Bike Trip
Top Things To Do

0 km from city center

Being in the trans-Himalayan Region, the terrain of Spiti is favoured among adventure bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts. It features toward the top on the list of any Mountain Biker. Ride on some of the highest roads and through the cold desert mountain valley's dreamy landscapes. The best time for such an experience is during the months of June to September.

34. Tibetan Shopping

Tibetan Shopping
3.7 /5

4 km from city center

Tibetan shopping in Spiti Valley offers a unique and culturally enriching experience for travellers seeking authentic handicrafts and traditional artefacts. Exploring the local markets provides a glimpse into Tibetan heritage and craftsmanship. Some of the notable shops are Himalayan Handicrafts Emporium, Tibetan Wood Carving Studio and Kye Monastery Gift Shop.

35. Ghepan Lake Trek

Ghepan Lake Trek
4.1 /5

83 km from city center

Adventure Sports

Ghepan lake is among the most popular trekking routes from Sissu. The 34 km trek is considered to be moderately tough and takes about 12 hours to complete. The trek is through different villages such as Labrang village, famous for the Labrang Gompa, and Retil village for its beautiful farmlands. Ghepan lake is a fluorescent-blue glacial lake at the end of the trek, and you can see the remains of g (Read More)laciers and snowy mountains. Bird watching, camping and stargazing are activities to indulge in during the trek.

36. Lhalung Monastery

Lhalung Monastery

81 km from city center

Buddhist Temple

The Lhalung Monastery, also commonly known as Sarkhang, or the Golden Temple, is located at an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet. It was built during the 10th century CE by Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo. It was previously a complex of nine shrines and served as an ancient centre of debate and learning.

37. Stargazing

Stargazing
Spiti Valley is one of India's best stargazing destinations, thanks to its high altitude, dry desert air, and near total absence of light pollution. Chandratal, Langza and Kibber are commonly cited as the best spots, and a dedicated stargazing facility run by the local community has opened in Kaza. On a clear night, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye across most of the valley.

FAQs on Spiti Valley

What are the top restaurants in Spiti?

The best places to eat in Spiti are Dragon Restaurant, Sachin Kunga Restaurant, Cafe Kunzum Top, Hotel Dupchen, Sol Cafe, Hotel Mehfil. You can see all the places to eat in Spiti here

What are the top shopping places in Spiti?

The top shopping places in Spiti are Shopping in Spiti, Keylong Market, Tibetan Shops.

What are the top sightseeing places in Spiti?

The top sightseeing places in Spiti are Chandratal Lake, Key Monastery, Kunzum Pass, Pin Valley National Park, Suraj Tal, Dhankar Monastery.

How much does a package cost for Spiti?

The packages for Spiti start at INR 8000 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

How can I commute within Spiti?

The term Spiti means 'The Middle Land', as Spiti Valley separates India from Tibet. Scantily populated, Spiti is an adventure lover’s paradise, with a number of trekking trails that tourists can choose from. All of these treks start from Kaza (Spiti’s capital from where you make your base camp) to various peaks from where you can get panoramic views of the Himalayan mountains. An easy 1.5-kilometre trek along the Spiti River from Dhankar Monastery to Dhankar Lake promises gorgeous views of the villages below. The Dhankar Lake itself is a place where you can sit back and relax amidst the cool mountain air.

The mountain ropeway from Kibber to Chichum is also another popular tourist attraction that offers spectacular views of the gorge below, as well a bird’s eye view of the surrounding peaks.
Read More

Can you suggest an itinerary for Spiti?

For the much-awaited escapade to the mountains, Spiti is the go-to place for all you trekkers and backpackers out there. Here, we have a ready itinerary to make life easy for you.

Day 1
Reach Rohtang or Solang Valley a day before and start for Kaza- headquarters of Spiti, via Rohtang Pass early in the morning. Spend some leisure time at Kunzum Pass on the way and the beautiful drive through Battal, Chattru and Gramphu. Spend the night at Kaza.

Day 2
Drive to Tabo and visit the old monasteries and monk caves. On the way back to Kaza, visit the Dhankar villages and the famous Dhangkar Monastery. Drive through the less travelled roads of Langza. Visit the statue of Buddha and witness the great view of Chau Chau Kang Neldad peak. Enjoy the pleasing snowscape panorama and come back to Kaza for the night.

Day 3
Visit the Ki- Kibber villages and the renowned Ki monastery. Enjoy the enthralling drive between Losar and Kaza. You can either camp at Chandratal or spend the night at a PWD rest house in Battal, which is without electricity. It is advisable to not ride back to Losar to save time and energy.

Day 4
Drive through Battal - Chattru and Gramphu to Manali, back via Rohtang Pass. On your way back visit the beautiful Kunzun la Pass and end your trip on a high. Lastly, you can visit local sights in Manali and head back accordingly.

Additional Days
If you have additional days to spare, you can visit the Spiti river and indulge in river rafting or other adventure activities. Also, you can also visit Pin Valley National Park for a glimpse of Snow Leopards. It is a 1-hour drive to Pin Valley from Kaza and it will be worth your time.

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