Get Spitified

            Lahaul and Spiti: A Journey towards the Himalayas

The Wonderland of Himachal Pradesh is Lahaul and Spiti Valley, where anyone can find happiness and peace, and your hosts are a peaceful community who live a simple and slow lifestyle. Once you reach Lahaul and Spiti, you will feel lightness and peace in your soul and mind. I usually visit there once a year to refresh myself. Spiti Valley is a breathtakingly beautiful place with less population and low oxygen.

Where is Lahaul Spiti?

Country: India
Continent: Asia

City:    Kaza
District:   Lahaul & Spiti
State:    Himachal Pradesh

Bus Station:  Kaza
Railway Station:  Shimla
Airport:     Chandigarh/Bhuntar(Kullu)
Currency:   Rupees
Languages:   Tibetan, Hindi, Punjabi, English
Ambulance:-  108
Police:-   100

How to reach Spiti Valley?

By Air:- From Delhi to Shimla, you will find a few expensive flights, and from Delhi to Manali few flights with limited seats. The best one is Delhi to Chandigarh airport, and thereafter, you can look for buses and rent cabs, and bikes for the rest of the journey.

By Train:- From Delhi’s main railway station, you can travel up to Shimla and thereafter look for buses, or rent a cab or bike for further Journeys.

By Road:- From Delhi/Chandigarh Airport to Shimla, you can book an overnight Volvo bus.

Train, Cab/Taxi, Rental Bikes, and Ordinary buses are also available.

Volvo Tickets – 800/- INR per person, minimum, and varies season to season.

Train Tickets – 500/- INR for Adults and 250/- INR for Children, minimum.

Cab/Taxi – 3000/- INR per day minimum.

Rental Bikes – 1500-2000/- INR per day minimum.

Distance Covered – 130km via NH 05

For the journey towards Spiti By Cab/Taxi or personal vehicle, follow the itinerary given below, and you can also choose bus services, but you have to manage with bus timings. There are some ordinary buses from Delhi to Kaza.

---

The itinerary was followed by my fellow travelers and my family members because we usually travel from Shimla City.

 Shimla to Kalpa 

We will start our journey from Shimla ISBT. You can take appropriate breaks on the way and enjoy the beauty of Kufri Valley and Narkanda. From Narkanda to Rampur, you will see the view of the lush green valleys and apple orchards on both sides of the road. After reaching Kinnaur, you can enjoy the local dishes and the valley view. Overnight stay in the middle of a lush green forest in Kalpa Homestay.

Distance covered – 220km Via NH 05

 

 

 

Kalpa – Nako 

Have a nice breakfast with a view of the mountains and the chill Sound of a small water canal. After exploring Kalpa Valley, head to Nako. On the way, you will see the meeting point of the Spiti River and the Sutlej River at Khab Spiti. Now your next destination is Nako Village, where you can explore the Nako Lake. Overnight stay in Nako Camps/Hotels.

Distance Covered – 100km via NH 05 and NH 505

Nako- Sumdo- Tabo – Dhankar 

Have an early breakfast and enjoy the mesmerizing view of Nako Lake and nearby Places, and then head to Dhankar to visit the Dankar Monastery.

Before that, you can also visit the natural mummy of Sangha Tenzin in Gue village famous frozen mummy known as Gue Mummy, which is only 03 Km away from Samdho.

Now head towards Tabo and visit Tabo. The monastery is one of the oldest monasteries. As per Locals, the Monastery was structured and constructed by the Gods themselves. You can explore the nearby villages and Apple Orchards, and also hike to the mountains to meditation caves if time permits. On the way to Dhankar, you will see the confluence of the Spiti River and Pin River.

Dhankar Monastery seat of the Coldest Desert King in ancient times the most beautiful setting of a monument that hangs on a cliff, as shown in the picture. Overnight stay in Camps/homestays.

Distance Covered – 100km via NH505

 

Dhankar – Kaza visit Key Monastery

Dankar Lake – 2km from Dankar Monastery.

Early Morning hike towards Dankar Lake before Sunrise, and after that head towards Kaza alongside Spiti River, the Subdivisional Head Quarter, famous for its Altitude Village and a working Petrol Pump Station.

Spend some time with local villagers and see how they live in such a remote area. Now you can explore Key Monastery, famous Monks’ Schools, and old-age homes for monks.

Now, be prepared for the next day because the next day you will visit some of the highest motorable Villages in the world. Overnight stay in Kaza Camps/Homestay.

Distance Covered – 60km via NH505

Kaza – Hikkim – Komic – Langza – Key Village – Kaza 

Today, you can head to Langza, the main area for Fossils and the Big Statue of Buddha.

Now take the shortest route to Hikkim, the highest post office in the world, and post some Postcards to your loved ones and Family members, as it will help the Post Office and the PostMaster.

Now you can explore Komic- one of the highest villages in the world at 4600 meters. A visit to the
Tangyud monastery in Komic, where you will see a stuffed Snow Leopard, and if you are lucky, you will see a Snow Leopard and other rare species of the Himalayas like Blue Sheep, Ibex(Mountain Goat), Yak, Himalayan Ox, Fox, Golden Eagle, etc. Now drive back to Kaza for an overnight
stay in Kaza.

 

Kaza to Chandratal Lake

After an early morning breakfast, start your journey towards Chandra Tal Lake via Chicham Bridge.

On the way, drive past the beautiful villages, Schools, and big playgrounds of Spiti Valley. It’s a very long and hectic journey up to Quoto and Loser. Now you will drive towards Kunzum Pass, 4600 m, and after reaching there, do some spiritual prayers and head towards Chandra Tal Lake.

Now you can enjoy a view of the Chandra Bhag ranges and drive alongside the Chandra River. Chandartal Lake, which is also known as the Moon Lake. As you reach, set up a camp on the banks of the Lake, or book a camp stay in Chandartal. Overnight stay in Camps.

Distance Covered – 100km via NH505

Chandratal Lake to Manali

Now early morning, explore the lake and the scenic beauty of the valley. Then drive towards  Manali through Batal, Chota Dhara, and Chatru.

Take a short break at any Station for refreshments and tea. Now the journey is a little hectic and lazy, but you can enjoy the valley view and glaciers. Later, continue to drive to Manali, via the very popular Rohtang Pass.

Take a short halt to explore Rohtang Pass and carry some warm clothes.
Finally, drive down to Manali.

Distance Covered – 120km via NH505 and Rohtang Pass

 

Manali – Lahaul – Chandigarh

Now you can explore the Lahaul & Spiti district. You have to head towards the Atal Tunnel Rohtang via Solang Valley, and after crossing the tunnel, drive to the left side towards Sissu Valley, where you can visit Sissu Waterfall, the mesmerizing Sissu Lake, and thereafter Koksar Village. Then, in the evening, take the overnight journey by Volvo to Chandigarh.

Distance Covered – Manali to Lahaul – 140 km via NH 03

Manali to Chandigarh – 280km via NH 03

What is the best time to visit Lahaul and Spiti?

The full circuit route opens in the Summer season from May to September. For the rest of the months, the Manali to Kaza Route is always covered with Heavy Snow. So you can only travel through Shimla up to Kaza and head back.

May to September- Full Circuit (Shimla to Manali by Lahaul and Spiti)

October to April – Half Route (Shimla to Spiti Valley)