The Himachal district of Lahaul & Spiti is surrounded by majestic Himalayan hills and boasts fascinating cold rugged lands of absurdity, pristine gurgling rivers, picturesque alpine lakes and a rich culture and history of Buddhism. Unquestionably one of Himachal Pradesh’s best locations, Lahaul & Spiti is capable of transporting one into another universe where everything looks and feels magical. Under the shadow of huge mountains the tiny villages over here have a population of around 35 to 200 people. This sparsely populated land is a paradise slice for all those who want to break off from the exhilarating life of the city.
Tucked away in an enticing blanket of earthly beauty, Spiti is a heavenly portal for those who seek sanctuary in nature’s bliss. At an altitude of around 12,500 ft above sea level, the desolate mountains here change their shades every second and it’s certainly a sight to see. Every year, Lahaul Spiti tourism draws thousands of people towards its fascinating beauty and unadulterated climate. Spiti is bordered on the north by Ladakh, East Tibet, South-East Kinnaur, and North Kullu valley. This magnificent cold desert valley in Himachal Pradesh is full of pine trees, green meadows, stunning monasteries and populated villages that will leave you completely awe-stuck.
Wherever you go, you will see beautiful Buddhist monasteries, flags of prayer fluttering in the air and a large number of monks praying on their wheels of prayer. You can also glimpse Dhadkan and Chandratal lake here fascinatingly. With their tremendous height, the awe-inspiring passes like Kunzum and Barchala Pass will take you further to the top of the earth. The tourists can opt to go over here on a nature trail to experience rare avian species and nature’s jaw-dropping beauty. Here engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, rappelling, and camping. Get out of the limits of your earthly life and enjoy some shutter shooting in nature’s arms in Spiti wonderland
Spiti is a cold desert valley and is therefore witnessing intense cold temperatures in all seasons. Yet summer is certainly a little fun as the temperature rises slowly up to 0-15 degrees Celsius during Winter. Spiti’s winters are extremely spine-chilling and this season, people are avoiding visiting this wonderland. Monsoon is also frequented by heavy rainfall and landslides, so people refrain from visiting Spiti during the monsoon season.
Best time to Visit Lahaul & Spiti Valley
During the summers from May to October the best time to visit this isolated and spectacular Himachal Pradesh area is. In reality it’s the only time the roads remain free of ice. Lahaul & Spiti lies under the dense blanket of snow during the winter season.
How to Reach Lahaul & Spiti Valley
By Road – This is the fastest possible way to get to Lahaul & Spiti. There are 2 highways linking the district to the rest of Himachal Pradesh. One route runs from Shimla to Kaza in Spiti Valley via Reckong Peo (412 km, 20 hours), and the other follows the same path from Shimla to Keylong in Lahaul (375 km, 18 hours). From Manali, one can also enter Lahaul and Spiti Valley through the Rohtang Pass and the Kunzum Pass. Nonetheless, due to heavy snowfall, this path remains closed for much of the year (9 months).
By Train – The closest railway stations are Jogindernagar Railway Station (360 km away) and Shimla Railway Station (416 km away) to the Lahaul & Spiti district. There are buses and taxis available to take you to Spiti Valley from here. Kalka Railway Station is situated 485 km away and enjoys excellent connectivity with many parts of India.
By Air – Bhuntar Airport is the nearest airport to this city, near Kullu (245 km away). From Bhuntar one has to go to Manali and then hire a bus or a cab to get to Lahaul & Spiti Valley from there. Lahaul & Spiti Valley’s closest international airport is in Chandigarh which is 495 km away. Reckong Peo and Manali are buses from where the traveller has to board a bus to Kaza.
