How to reach Spiti Valley
A beautiful shot by @wild_magical_soul from Instagram The cold desert valley of Spiti is a tourist hotspot, the breathtaking views appealing to one and all. The route to Spiti via Manali remains closed during winters, so here are several ways to get you going any time of the year. Enjoy the picturesque surroundings on your way to Spiti – By road By air By train By bus Read more about the travel experience from Spiti valley in the blog written by Priyanka!! By Road @salty_wilderness_voyager exploring Spiti Valley You can reach Spiti Valley via two routes : Via Manali – Delhi – Solang Valley or Manali – Rohtang Pass – Gramphu – Kunzum Pass – Kaza/Tabo (Spiti Valley) The distance between Manali and Spiti Valley is about 196 km. You can reach Kaza by hiring a private vehicle or sharing a taxi from Manali through Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass. You will require a minimum of two days to Spiti Valley, costing you around INR 3000-3500 per day. The best time to visit Spiti via this route is from June to October. You cannot take this road during winter as it is closed due to heavy snowfall. Via Kinnaur – Delhi – Shimla – Narkanda – Reckong Peo or Kalpa or Sangla – Nako – Dhankar – Tabo (Spiti) Spiti Valley is around 235 km from Shimla. You can take the Hindustan-Tibet Highway to reach Spiti Valley from Shimla via Kinnaur. To cover this three-day-long trip, you will have to start from Shimla-Kinnaur Valley. Hire a cab for INR 2500-3000 per day or drive yourself as you enjoy the scenic view of the route. Even though this route is open throughout the year, it gets covered with snow during winters. By Air Kullu-Manali Airport beautifully captured by @saurabhkmr There is no direct flight to Spiti Valley. The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport (Kullu Airport), which is 245 km from Spiti. You can reach Spiti by taking a flight to Kullu Airport from Delhi or Chandigarh. You can then hire a cab or take a local bus to cover the rest of the distance. The nearest international airport is Chandigarh Airport (522 km away). By Train A shot of Shimla Railway Station by @nature_boy4 To reach Spiti Valley, you can take a train to Chandigarh first and then hire a cab. Chandigarh Railway Station has good connectivity and is the best option to take. You can also take a train to Joginder Nagar Railway Station, around 360km from Spiti Valley. First, you will have to take the toy train from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar. Even though it is the nearest railway station to Spiti, it does not have good connectivity. The Kalka-Shimla toy train is another option you can go for to reach Spiti Valley. By Bus Traveling to Spiti Valley @himbus.hp on Instagram You can reach Spiti Valley by taking the local bus services. Buses ply from Chandigarh to Reckong Peo and from there to Kaza daily. Two HRTC buses run from Shimla to Kaza and back, one in the morning and the other in the evening. The bus ticket costs around INR 400 and takes 24 hours to reach Kaza from Shimla. Direct buses are also available from Chandigarh, Kullu and Shimla. Two HTC buses run regularly from Manali to Kaza, costing around INR 250 per person. Only one bus plies from Shimla to Sangla, which will get full by Shimla itself 6.50 am – Shimla 10.00 am – Narkanda 5.00 pm – Sangla (last stop) From Sangla Valley, the 5.10 pm bus will take you from Rakcham to Chitkul at 6.00 pm, the last stop. From Chitkul, three buses go to Sangla (6.30 am, 1.30 pm and 4.00 pm). The 1.30 pm bus will take you to Reckong Peo. Reckong Peo to Kalpa, you will get buses at every one-hour interval. From Reckong Peo to Kaza, only one bus plies at 7.00 am (Peo – Nako – Tabo Sumdo – Schilling – Kaza). From Reckong Peo to Tabo, you can take the 9.00 am bus. Peo – Nako – Tabo Tabo is the last stop. From Reckong Peo to Sumdo, take the noon bus. Peo – Nako – Sumdo Sumdo is the last stop. The next day it will reach Tabo around 11.30 am, from where you can leave for then Schilling. You can take a taxi from Schilling to Dhankar, which will cost you around INR 700. To reach Kaza from Dhankar in the morning, you may get a shared taxi to Kaza or come down to Schilling to catch a bus. From Kaza, you can rent a bike for your further journey.
13 places you must visit in Spiti Valley
View of Spiti Valley captured by @sir_cuss on Instagram The picturesque valley of Spiti is a haven for all who seek tranquility away from the hectic modern life. The quaint villages, beautiful monasteries and crystal clear lakes lure tourists from around the globe. From offbeat villages to popular monasteries, here’s a list of places that you must visit on your trip to Spiti Valley : Chandratal Lake Key Monastery Kibber Tabo Nako Village Spiti River Komik Langza Village Dhankar Lake Kunzum Pass Trilokinath Temple Suraj Tal Pin Valley National Park Read more about travel experience from Odisha in the blog written by Parnashree!! Chandratal Lake A shot of the lake by @the_binary_traveller from Instagram Located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, Chandratal Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes that you will come across. The mesmerizing view of the lake at sunset lures tourists from around the globe, especially during summers. The crescent shape of the lake is the origin of its name. The trek from Batal to Chandratal is not an easy one, but the breathtaking view of the lake is worth the journey. The majestic mountains and the crystal clear water of the lake make it an ideal spot for camping. Key Monastery Key Monastery as captured by @meinbhiphotographer on Instagram A millennium-old, Key Monastery is a popular Tibetan Buddhist monastery close to the Spiti River. According to the folklore, the majestic Key Monastery was established by Dromton, a disciple of Atisha. The monastery has collections of peculiar wind instruments, manuscripts, murals and, paintings, making it a historian’s paradise. Thousands of travellers seeking tranquillity make their way to the monastery every year. The serene location of the Key Gompa, with the beautiful villages and mountains surrounding it, makes it a must-visit tourist spot. Kibber Village of Kibber clicked by @illustrations_by_sanchari Kibber is a quaint little village in Himachal Pradesh that attracts trekkers and nature lovers. It is renowned for being the highest motorable village in the world. The Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary situated here shelters some rare species of flora and fauna like the snow leopard. The weather is cold throughout the year but considerably pleasant in summers. Kibber also receives an ample amount of rainfall with nearly 518 mm of average precipitation. Even if you don’t find a place to stay, the villagers are hospitable enough to let you spend the night. This picturesque little village does not have well-developed roads, so walking can always be an alternative. Tabo Tabo beautifully captured by @travelogue_by_malkeet Situated at an elevation of 10,760 feet above sea level, Tabo is a cold desert town on the banks of the Spiti River. Well-known for its pristine beauty, the major attraction of this town is the Tabo Monastery, which houses beautiful wall paintings and stucco statues. There are a few more temples and caves that add to the charm of Tabo. If you are seeking quiet away from the hustle and bustle of city life, a trip to Tabo is just what you need. Nako Village A glimpse of the Nako village by @thelostfrisbee on Instagram Nako is a small village on the Hindustan-Tibet Highway that offers the most spectacular view of snow-capped mountains. The Nako Lake borders the little village and is an insanely peaceful place to be. The lake is surrounded by Tibetan temples and caves and also has a beautiful waterfall nearby. The Nako Monastery, housing numerable murals and paintings, is another notable feature of this village. There are quite a few eateries that serve local delicacies; make sure to try it out. You will also find small shops selling items you can take back as souvenirs. Spiti River The majestic Spiti River clicked by @bas_bhai on Instagram Originating from the Kunzum range, the Spiti River separates Lahaul from Spiti. Most human settlements in Spiti Valley like Tabo, Dhankar and Kaza are located on the banks of this river. The Spiti River reaches its peak of glory between Kaza and Rangrik and is a beautiful sight to behold. The river freezes in the winters and looks heavenly as it gets covered in snow. Komik Komik as captured by @kooljatt on Instagram Komik is an idyllic village in Spiti Valley that is a perfect getaway from your hectic city life. The Komik Monastery offers its visitors the opportunity to stay the night with the monks. Eco Kitchen is the only eatery in the vicinity and is a great place to indulge in a conversation with the locals. You can also go on hikes to the neighboring villages or star gazing as darkness engulfs the sky. Despite being a small village, Komik has a lot of exciting things to offer. Langza Village @neerajfilms in Langza Village Langza is a remote village in the heart of Spiti Valley that has numerous historical buildings and ancient monasteries. As you approach Langza, you will see a gigantic statue of Lord Buddha from a mile away. Apart from the Langza Buddha Statue, you should visit the Langza Gompa, which is of great significance to the locals. Langza is also renowned as a fossil-hunting site. Here, you can find numerous marine fossils dating back to the Jurassic era. If you seek tranquility in this fast-moving world, you should camp out here under the starry sky. Dhankar Lake Dhankar Lake beautifully captured by @travel4anecdotes Surrounded by the snow-clad mountains and green pastures, Dhankar Lake is a blissful treat to the eyes. The trek to the lake is a challenging one, which is why many people do not opt for it. But once you reach the glacial lake after the steep climb, you get to witness nature in its glory. When viewed from different angles, the lake appears to change colors, which amplifies its beauty. Here you can sit by the lake and admire the beauty of nature as you unwind in peace. Kunzum Pass
