Lahaul Spiti Valley: Exploring the Tranquil Beauty of the Himalayas

Lahaul Spiti Valley

Every traveller’s bucket list should include a visit to Spiti Valley. The Leh-Manali route is the more travelled one, and we would venture to argue that it is also in the best shape, being a strategic route maintained by the Border Roads Organisation.

The roads of Lahaul and Spiti are considerably rougher or nonexistent. When Kunzum opens, generally at the end of May or the beginning of June, the full circuit is accessible, and it is the best time to visit Spiti valley.

Spiti Valley temperature:

A Himalayan wonderland known for its extreme cold weather, with winter lows plunging to -30°C.

Spiti Valley may be a frigid desert region of Himachal Pradesh, but there is no shortage of famous places in Lahaul Spiti to enjoy here. Spiti’s landscape varies greatly, from bare, snow-capped mountains to lush meadows, rushing rivers to snowy glacier passes, and vibrant Buddhist temples to sleepy villages.

Planning a trip to Spiti Valley after touring Shimla? And are confused? Relax, we at Himachal Stay are there to make your trip smooth with our spiti valley tours.

Beautiful lakes in Lahaul and Spiti

Chandra Taal Lake

This crescent-shaped lake can be found near Kunzum Pass, at an elevation of 4,300 meters. As its name suggests, this lake in the Spiti valley is shaped like the moon, making it one of the most picturesque sites to visit in the region during the month of June.

The beautiful views of the place in June make the sight even more magical and panoramic, and the lake’s colour keeps shifting from blue to green to reddish and orange throughout the day making it one of the most beautiful lakes in Lahaul and Spiti Valley. Chandra Taal and the nearby Lahaul hills are popular destinations for hikers, who often spend the night camping in the expansive green meadows that surround the lake.

Suraj Tal Lake

Being the third-highest lake in India and the twenty-first-highest lake in the world, Suraj Tal (also spelt Surya taal) is a sacred pool of water located right below the Baralacha la pass in the Lahaul and Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh state in India.

Since Suraj Tal Lake is located in the Lahaul Spiti valley, which is one of the most famous places in Lahaul Spiti valley, it sees a constant influx of adventurers and sightseers all year long.

Remote valley of Lahaul & Spiti

Kibber Village

The dry topography, rugged mountains, meadows covered in brilliant wildflowers, and pristine pollution-free atmosphere make Kibber an incredibly lovely place.

There is nothing else quite like it in terms of architecture. The flats are all constructed out of stone in a similar fashion, excluding the use of bricks and other traditional construction materials.

Key Monastery

There is no older monastery in all of Spiti valley than Key. This monastery is the oldest in the Lahaul and Spiti region of India, dating back to the first century CE, and it is also the largest. The Key Monastery in the Spiti Valley, near to the beautiful Spiti River in India, is a popular tourist destination in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

The beautiful Tibetan Buddhist Monastery also called the Kye Gompa or Ki & Kee Monastery is on a scenic summit 4,166 feet above sea level justifying its position in the list of best Lahaul Spiti attractions.

Access to this route closes in early November and reopens in mid-June each year. Both Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass are frequently covered in snow throughout the winter.

Want to explore the religious side of Shimla? Read here about the pilgrimage in Shimla!

Baralacha La Pass

Baralacha La, commonly known as Baralacha Pass, is a high mountain pass in the Zanskar range that stands at an altitude of 16,040 feet above sea level.In Rudyard Kipling’s acclaimed novel “Kim,” the main character, Lama, travels via the renowned Baralacha Pass to enter India from Tibet via the Suraj Tal, the river’s headwaters.

Trekking from the Baralacha to Chandratal, on the banks of the Chandra River in the Spiti Valley, is another popular activity for visitors to this route. It is one of the best places to visit in spiti valley.

Kaza

Spiti valley is immensely popular among enthusiasts of water activities, particularly river rafting. Spiti is an ideal location for nature enthusiasts, as it offers a variety of trekking routes. All of these hikes begin in Kaza, the capital city of Spiti.

It has not been visited by tourist masses till recently, being the one of best offbeat places in Spiti valley.

Thus, you have amazing spots to yourself the majority of the time. This increases the awe factor. Every bend you make on the winding roads reveals a new magnificent view, so you’ll want to take pictures often.

Read here about the valley of Kinnaur, known for the divinity of Kinnaur Kailash

Conclusion

The escape to the scenic Spiti Valley is going to be an adventure that stays with you forever. There are so many different landscapes and ways of life that you can experience on your tour.

The contrast between the snowy mountains and the clear blue lakes is unrivalled. The people and the culture there are considerably different from what you’re used to, and you’ll have the chance to observe that firsthand.

What people ask about Lahaul Spiti?

Why Lahaul Spiti is famous?

Lahaul Spiti circuit is famous for being the most offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh, monasteries, and for some of the most beautiful places such as Chandratal & Suraj Tal, and villages such as Kaza & Hikkim.

What is not so good about Spiti?

For people who often get sick because of high altitude, Spiti may not be an apt destination. Besides that, Spiti’s weather is as unpredictable as a cat’s.

What are the places near Spiti?

Some of the best places near Spiti to take a tour of are:

  • Kibber Village
  • Key Monastery
  • Kaza Market
Spiti valley from delhi distance?

Distance from Delhi to Spiti Valley is approximately 730 to 800 kilometers, depending on your specific starting and ending points within Delhi and Spiti Valley.

About the author

CEO and Founder Of Himachal Stay.

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