A fascinating place to visit, Spiti Valley is all about discovering and redefining the spirit of adventure in a person. The iconic beauty of this place is beyond one’s imagination. The nice blend of nature there is inclusive of mountains, clear skies, and greenery that make this travel destination a must-visit for any travel lover. Did you know that the meaning of the word ‘Spiti’ means the ‘The Middle Land’ and interestingly it is indeed situated between the Indian-Tibet border? And perhaps it is due to this geographical position that the locals here essentially follow Buddhism.
There are multiple reasons to make a visit to Spiti Valley but the prime one is its quaint villages that offer nothing but a cluster of spellbinding possibilities to know their culture. Witnessing the charm of this valley one can say that it feels as if some master craftsman must have created this place with their own hands.
Generally, the time between the months of March to June is considered as the most suitable period to make a visit here. But if adventure really intrigues you then winter is also a good option to travel here. However, during the winter season, the overall road connectivity cannot be really trusted upon. Coming on to the monsoon months, one can expect a heavy amount of rainfall thus, it is advised to check the weather conditions first before planning a trip to this place during the monsoon months.
History of Spiti Valley
As per history, Spiti Valley was essentially ruled over by the local rulers for centuries on end until the 10th century, when it was handed over to one of the sons of the King of Ladakh. After that, it was between 1681-1683 that Spiti got its freedom back, following the Ladakh-Tibet war.
Places To Visit In Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley is very famous among tourists. It is among the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. If you are traveling here, then do check out these tourist places in Spiti Valley.
1. Tabo Monastery
Being an ancient place, this monastery is well known for the presence of its majestic paintings. Consisting of around 9 temples of Tara and Buddha Maitreya along with the multiple stupas, this monastery attracts tourists from all over the world.
2. Lhalung Monastery
It is considered one of the earliest monasteries around Spiti. It is said that this place was founded by Rinchen Zangpo who was known as a Buddhist Mahaguru during his living years. Due to its oozing spiritual charm, this place is no less than a nucleus of Buddhist teachings.
3. Suraj Tal
Situated near the Baralacha pass, the name of Suraj Tal translates into ‘Lake of the Sun God’. It is perhaps one of the most spectacular destinations to explore. People who like adventure won’t be disappointed by this destination.
4. Dhankar Lake
This lake is situated at a height of about 4270 m. People who love adventure and like to trek will definitely love everything about this place. Furthermore, the crystal clear waters of the lake compliment the surrounding mountains with their beauty.
5. Kunzum Pass
This pass is responsible for bridging the gap between Kullu, Lahaul, and Spiti Valley. Visiting here, you will be able to explore the stunning vistas of the Chandrabhaga range. The mountains in these ranges are inclusive of peaks ranging from 3,000 m to 6,000 m approximately. And the small flags along with the Devi temple do their fair share in enhancing the vibrant aura of this region.
How to Reach Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley, which is garnering much attention from tourists courtesy of its beauty, is one of the must-visit destinations of Himachal Pradesh. Not just for nature lovers, but for adventure enthusiasts too, it is the place to be at. Spiti is 733km, 2,146 km, 2,232 km, 2,911 km away from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangaluru respectively. While many people are taking the roadways to explore this picturesque location, there are different ways to reach it here.
By Air
The nearest airport is the Kullu Manali Airport is Bhuntar which is 245km away from the valley. Keeping tourism in mind, one more terminal was inaugurated at this airport in 2008. Situated at an approximate distance of 11km from Kullu and 50km from Manali, the airport is located on the banks of the river Beas and is well-connected to the major cities of India. Many prominent airlines like Indigo, Vistara, and Air India operate in this region, but you won't get direct flights in most cases. After you deboard at the airport, you will need to cover the remaining distance to reach your destination by some means of public transportation like a cab or a bus.
By Road
Spiti valley has some really fascinating landscapes to explore but taking a road trip here won't be a cakewalk. So, before you plan one here, you must consider a few important things beforehand. The most important thing is that Spiti is a high-altitude cold desert that is different from regular hill stations, hence you won't be comfortable driving here unless you have experience in driving on snow. Another important point is that your vehicle must have good ground clearance. If you are traveling from Delhi, you can take NH 44, from Chandigarh a good option to reach here would be NH 505, from Mandi and Manali you can take NH3 and Leh Manali Highway respectively.
By Train
The Joginder Nagar Railway station is quite a good option to reach Spiti if you are planning to make your trip via a train network. It is said that the whole railway line was made by the British under the Shanon Hydropower Project. The station is well-connected to the Indian cities, both directly as well as indirectly.
