Spiti Valley has a unique mixture of rugged mountains, calm lakes, ancient Monasteries and traditional small towns. Spiti Valley is for those who love adventure and religion or anyone who wants to get away from the big city. With Himachal Pradesh Holiday Packages, you can explore the best places to visit in Spiti Valley and make your visit unforgettable.
Chandratal Lake
Chandratal Lake, also known as the Moon Lake because of its crescent shape, is an incredible high-altitude lake which lies at 4250 metres above sea level and in the upper Chandra valley of the Lahul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. If you are travelling through this path during June-September when weather conditions are favourable and routes are open to trekkers, you can experience as well as see this picturesque Chandratal Lake reflecting snow-covered peaks around it. Samudra Tapu plateau hosts this lake close to Chandra River. Additionally, camping enthusiasts may also appreciate the fact that Chandratal Lake provides a quiet resting place for nature lovers. The road leading to Chandratal Lake passes through Kunzum Pass, which is another major attraction within the Spiti Valley area.
Tabo Monastery
Tabo Monastery was established in 996 CE and is one of the oldest Monasteries that are highly influential in Spiti Valley. It is famous for its old murals, frescoes and statues that tell tales from Buddhist mythology. Apart from this, there are nine temples, twenty-three chortens and a monk’s chamber, which makes the Tabo monastery a storehouse of Buddhist art and culture. With such breathtaking artwork, it is no wonder then that Tabo Monastery has earned itself the name “The Ajanta of The Himalayas”. The village of Tabo is located on the banks of the Spiti River, and this monastery is situated in it. In addition to this, several meditation caves used by monks can be found around this village. Interested people in spiritualism and Buddhism find it best to visit Tabo Monastery between May and October when the weather is favourable and roads are open to devotees like us. The monastery also stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it an essential destination for history buffs and art lovers too.
Kunzum Pass
The elevation of Kunzum Pass is 4,551 metres, which makes it among the highest motorable passes in India. It connects the Lahaul and Spiti valleys and offers magnificent views over Bara Shigri Glacier as well as the surrounding peaks. The temple to Kunzum Devi is also found here, where travellers generally go to seek blessings before they continue with their journey. The best time to traverse Kunzum Pass is from June to October when roads have been cleared of snow. This road attracts adventure lovers who enjoy its rough terrain, that offers a lot of scenic beauty. It also acts as the entry point to Chandratal Lake, which is situated just a few kilometres away. Getting to Kunzum Pass is an adventure by itself, given its winding roads and sharp hairpin bends that can even challenge experienced drivers at the wheel. The pass also serves as a popular photo spot because of its panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and glaciers, which provide a perfect background for great pictures.
Key Monastery
Key Monastery, also known as Kye Gompa, is known to be the biggest and the oldest monastery in Spiti Valley. This monastery sits at an altitude of 4,166 metres and also serves as a major centre for Buddhist education with a great collection of old scriptures, thangkas and murals. The unique white-washed wall structure of this monastery makes it one of the must-visit places when one is exploring Spiti Valley. It is located on a hill overlooking the river Spiti, providing amazing views of the surrounding area. Additionally, there are about 300 monks who live and study within this place. The key monastery can best be visited between May to October when the climate is good and the roads are open for transportation. The monastery also attracts spiritualists and those interested in Buddhist culture.
Sarchu
Located at the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, Sarchu attracts the majority of travellers along the Manali – Leh route who wish to take a break from their journey since there are various facilities available to them here, including accommodation at campsites and food joints, among others. Situated at an altitude of 4,290 metres above sea level, Sarchu offers impressive scenery with mountains surrounding it, making it an ideal camping site for adventurers. June until September is a highly recommended time frame if you want to have fun times during camping expeditions or hiking through this place because the climate is quite friendly for those activities, too. Hikers are attracted by its tough landscape, which has some of the most strenuous trails around. Hence, many adventure freaks go there frequently. A trip to Sarchu can be described like none other as there are so many twists and turns on the way that even an experienced driver has to be extra careful while negotiating them. The area is also a favourite haunt for photographers who take stunning pictures of various mountains and valley panoramas. Cultural tourists normally come to this region in order to familiarise themselves with unique indigenous traditions.
Dhankar Monastery
Perched at an altitude of 3,894 metres on a cliff, Dhankar Monastery offers panoramic views of Spiti Valley and the confluence of two rivers, Pin and Spiti. This ancient monastery, which was built about 1000 years ago, is well known for its architectural distinction besides historical significance. There is Dhankar Lake just nearby, where people can have a nice walk or hike and enjoy the beauty all around calmly. The monastery is a popular destination for spiritual seekers and those interested in Buddhist culture. Several centuries-old murals exist within the temple complex, and statues representing different deities from Buddhist mythology are worth seeing there, too. Even experienced drivers need to be highly skilful due to sharp bends on roads; thus, driving to Dhankar Monastery can be an adventurous journey.
Pin Valley National Park
In the Pin Valley National Park, wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers are presented with a perfect environment. In this national park, you will find rare animals that are not found in any other place, such as snow leopards, Siberian ibexes, and Himalayan foxes; it offers an opportunity to see different plants and animals in the region. Another unique feature of this park is its beautiful sceneries that feature green valleys as well as snow-covered summits. During May to October every year, when road access is good and weather conditions are favourable, then visit Pin Valley National Park. In addition to this, challenging terrain and fascinating scenery make it an ideal spot for a Trekking & Camping adventure tour. The panoramic views of the mountains and valleys beyond also make it a great destination for photography, and there is no better place to take pictures than these plazas.
The most interesting fact about this park is that it also has many very old Monasteries and temples, which make it more attractive, particularly for people who love history or culture.
Sakya Tangyud Monastery
Located at an elevation of 4,520 metres, Sakya Tangyud Monastery is one of the most elevated Monasteries in the world. This ancient monastery, which was constructed in the early fourteenth century, is famous for its singular architecture and spiritual relevance. The Spiti Valley can be seen splendidly from this monastery, which acts as a centre of learning Buddhism and meditation, too. It draws many people interested in Buddhist culture and spirituality, seeking solace here. Other than that, it has been declared a “UNESCO World Heritage site”, meaning it must be on your list of places to see if you have a thirst for history or culture. There are also many old paintings on the walls, as well as sculptures related to Buddhist mythology inside this holy place of worship. The roads winding up to Sakya Tangyud Monastery themselves make an adventure by themselves, with bends sharp enough to test any driver’s skills.
Spiti River
The Spiti River originates from the Kunzum Range in Himachal Pradesh, India and flows through the Lahaul-Spiti district. The river starts at around 15,960 feet above mean sea level as it snuggles down into its gorge, flowing through a rugged but starkly beautiful high-altitude desert of the Spiti area, having a very meagre vegetation cover, just before merging with the Sutlej River at Khab.
Mostly derives its waters from the glacial melt during late summer months, which gives rise to varying stream flow rates throughout seasons, thus encouraging a variety of vegetation, including biodiversity, making this valley an ecological marvel unique unto itself due to seasonal change. This broad upland plain is bordered by vertical cliffs; along them, deep gorges and channels have been carved by the river through recent sedimentary deposits and bedrock.
Spiti River is important to the neighbouring communities because it keeps them alive. It provides water for agriculture and other domestic uses and has become a place for tourism and adventure lovers. At Kaza, Rangrik, there are spots where one can engage in activities such as river rafting, fishing, and camping along the Spiti River’s banks. Therefore, it is a must-visit destination in the Himalayas due to its clear waters and picturesque landscapes.
Suraj Tal Lake
Suraj Tal Lake lies close to Baralacha Pass at an altitude of 4,883 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest lakes in India. It receives water from glaciers in this serene environment. For trekkers or bikers travelling on the Manali-Leh highway, Suraj Tal Lake is a popular halting point. Meanwhile, this destination’s difficult topography amidst beautiful backdrops, also makes it attractive to those interested in adventure sports like trekking or camping. In addition, taking pictures here is popular since there are very clear waters surrounded by snow-capped peaks that offer spectacular backgrounds for your camera shots. Also, lots of people go there just to learn about local culture and lifestyle, which is not mainstream, by going around another part of their journey and looking forward to experiencing something special from these shores inside such an environment.
Himachal Pradesh Tourism promotes the diversity of attractions in the state, such as picturesque hill stations, calm lakes, ancient temples and Monasteries. If you are planning a trip to Spiti Valley, there are several Himachal Pradesh Holiday Packages available that cater to different preferences and budgets. For honeymooners seeking romantic getaways, Himachal Honeymoon Packages provide the best combination of scenic beauty, adventure and serenity.
