Spiti valley, located in Himachal Pradesh is one of the most charismatic places to explore in India. Boasting a rich culture which is a fantastic blend of Indian and Tibetan traditions, the charming beauty and culture of Spiti attract several travellers across the globe. With a plethora of thrilling activities, this alluring destination holds some wondrous places. So keep your boredom at bay and explore the below-mentioned fantastic places for an absolute experience.
1. Chandratal Lake
2. Pin Valley National Park
3. Suraj Tal
4. Tabo Monastery
5. Kunzum Pass
6. Kaza
7. Dhankar Lake
8. Key Monastery
9. Spiti River
10. Tashigang Village
1. Chandratal Lake
Chandratal Lake is a very popular lake among trekkers. It is nestled in the lap of the Himalayas. This bewitching lake is perched on the Samudra Tapu plateau which lies close to the Chandra river. Capture the charismatic views of the Spiti region from here. To reach this mesmerizing lake one needs to trek through the most difficult roads and glaciers, but yes the views are worth every effort. Plan a Spiti Valley trip in June, which is considered to be the perfect month to visit.
2. Pin Valley National Park
Beautifully located in the tranquil location of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, this bewitching national park is India’s highest cold valley National Park. It came into existence to preserve the unique natural flora and fauna of Himachal Pradesh. Witness a variety of unique medicinal plants including the dry alpine scrub, Birch trees and Juniper trees. Apart from this spot some wild animals including the snow leopard, which is on the list of endangered animals. Other than this catch a glimpse of Red fox, bearded vulture, golden eagle raven, snow cock, weasels and the Himalayan Chough. The perfect time for a visit is between July and October. The opening hours of this national park are from 6 am to 6 pm and on national holidays this park remains closed.
3. Suraj Tal
Plan a visit to the third-highest lake in India, and the 21st-highest in the World, Suraj Tal or Surya Tal lake. It is one of the marvellous places to witness in Spiti Valley. It lies beneath the Bara-Lacha -la pass in Lahaul Spiti valley and originates from the Bhaga tributary of the Chandrabhaga river. It is indeed a paradise for trek lovers. There is a strong belief that one who takes a dip in this pristine lake, his or her sins get cleaned off. The perfect time to visit this mesmerizing lake is between April to mid-May and mid-May to mid-July.
4. Tabo Monastery
Labelled as the Ajanta of the Himalayas, Tabu Monastery is one of the magnetic places to visit in Spiti valley. This monastery is a unique amalgamation of history, culture and natural splendour. This idyllic monastery is nestled at 3050m above sea level. There are four beautifully crafted stupas, nine pretty temples, 23 Chortens, a monk’s chamber and cave shrines. The walls of this splendour beauty are adorned with beautiful paintings, statues, frescos and murals that truly are worthy of praise. Make sure to visit the Monastery museum here which has a good collection of artefacts and historical photos. Also, visit the library upstairs in the monastery guesthouse building and get detailed information on Tibbet and Buddhism culture spread across the whole town. The opening hours are from 6 am to 7 pm. Plan a visit between May to October for an enticing experience.
5. Kunzum Pass
A very charming mountain pass, Kunzum Pass is one of the offbeat places to witness in Spiti valley. It is indeed a gateway to the enchanting Spiti via Kullu and Lahul. It is one of the highest motorable passes nestled at an altitude of 15060 feet above sea level. It is quite famous among bikers and adventure enthusiasts. This pass has a temple devoted to Goddess Kunzum Devi, a deity who guards the pass and protects it and travellers from evil powers. The visitors stop by this very temple to seek blessings for their journey. The perfect time for a visit is from the second week of June to September except for August. The pass remains closed during the monsoon and winter seasons. Capture the charismatic views of the second-highest glacier of the Himalayas, the Bara Shigri Glacier here that is truly worth capturing.
6. Kaza
A paradise on earth, Kaza is one of the alluring places to explore in Spiti Valley. It beautifully features the awe-inspiring snow-covered mountains, pristine rivers, picture-perfect landscapes and yes the gorgeous streams too. Kaza is also the base camp for travellers who wants to experience activities like mountaineering and trekking. Apart from adventure, make sure to visit the Buddhist shrines here and take a walk in the quaint villages nearby Kaza town. Plan a visit here between June and October and November to February.
7. Dhankar Lake
A mesmerizing retreat, Dhankar Lake is located in the Spiti valley at an altitude of 4100m above sea level. This lake is located right above the Dhankar monastery. Just sit for hours and soak in the natural splendour. The trek starts from Dhankar village and is a 5kms trek, but it’s a tough one. The path to the lake is narrow and steep, so ensure that you have the right trekking gear. The perfect time to visit this pristine beauty is from April-end or early May up to September.
8. Key Monastery
One of the prime attractions in Spiti valley, Key Monastery is also named Kye Gompa or Ki. This fantabulous monastery is located on a serene hilltop at an altitude of 4166m above sea level. Being a 1000-year-old monastery it is the largest in Lahaul and Spiti. The opening hours of this monastery are 6 am to 6 pm. As one enters the Key monastery one gets amazed by the beautiful walls, covered with murals and paintings depicting the 14th-century monastic architecture influenced by Chinese culture. This monastery is renowned for having rare manuscripts, wide instruments, Buddha idols and a good collection of weapons.
9. Spiti River
One of the charming places, the Spiti river is a scenic treat for the eyes. It has its origin in the Kunzum Range of the Himalayas from where it is fed by the famous Himalayan stream- Pin River. The river’s waters are fed by the melting of glaciers since there are no rains in this part of the Himalayas that are apparently like a desert area. It is important for most of human habitation near river-forming places like- Dhankar, Kaza, Rangrik, and Tabo. Spiti rivers freeze during the winter season.
10. Tashigang Village
A very beautiful small village with a total of six families residing, Tashigang village is nestled at an altitude of 4650m. One can witness the Tashigang village’s entrance with ancient Chortens. Head towards this most secluded village which has thatch roof houses, a very small lake and people practising agriculture. This fantabulous offbeat place is located near the India-China Border. Visit this village for spending a peaceful time all away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
