The Spiti Valley, secreted down in the crevices of the Indian Himalaya, is one of the last preserved frontiers of natural existence, spiritual simplicity, and cultural integrity. Sandwiched between India and Tibet, this high-altitude desert in Himachal Pradesh is called Spiti, which means “The Middle Land”. It is a long and difficult but unmissable expedition to Spiti, which once reached, guarantees visitors a lunar landscape and unforgettable journeys through the monasteries of ancient Buddhist monastic life and the most vertiginous inhabited villages in the world.

The Landscape: Rugged, Raw and Reverent

Spiti is a place that does not resemble any other in India. Its bare mountainous landscape is overwhelming in areas between 11,000 and more than 15,000 feet over sea level. Barren cliffs, deep gorges, winding rivers and vast plateaus surround the valley. Its wild, dramatic landscape reminds more of Tibet than the green hills of Himachal.

Because of its location within the Himalayan rain shadow the village of Spiti is extremely arid and can be classed as a cold desert, receiving barely any rain. The winter months are heavily snowed and leave the region secluded to the rest of the country. However, this seclusion has conserved its traditional culture, construction and ecology.

How to Reach Spiti Valley

There are two primary passes to reach Spiti and each of them gives something different experience:

Via Manali (June to October)

The Manali-Kaza road is less long but rougher and crosses two high mountain passes: Rohtang La and Kunzum La. This is an option typically closed during the months of June through early October because it is often blocked by snow. Despite being scenic and adventurous, the journey may be physically taxing because of steep climbs and high altitudes.

Via Shimla and Kinnaur (May to November)

A longer, however, comparatively safer road, runs eastward, by way of Shimla and Kinnaur (by Reckong Peo, Kalpa, and Nako) and enters Spiti on the southeast. It rises slowly, and gets you acclimatized well, and it gives you a variety of scenery-pine woods, apple orchards, and mountain deserts.

Top Places to Visit in Spiti Valley

Kaza

Kaza is the headquarters of the Spiti administration and is the base of most travelers in the main town of Spiti. It is equipped with guesthouses, cafes, fuel stations and internet cafes (though slow). Kaza is located along the Spiti River, and also by rugged mountains at more than 12,000 feet in altitude. It is an ideal point of departure to visiting the surrounding villages and monasteries.

Key Monastery (Kye Gompa)

Key Monastery is the largest and most well-known monastery of Spiti, approximately 14km away in Kaza. This 1,000-year-old Tibetan Buddhist monastery perched on a hilltop presents the visitor with more than spiritual enlightenment; the views of the valley are also breath-taking. The monks here are of Gelugpa branch of Tibetan Buddhism and visits are generally encouraged to spend time meditating or exploring, or to stay overnight.

Kibber Village

Kibber once known as the highest motorable village in the world is itself located at a height of 4,270 meters. The village is made up of lovely stone cottages, green barley fields and a spectacular location against the mountains. Kibber is also a door to the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary which hosts snow leopards, Himalayan ibex and blue sheep.

Langza

Langza is renowned by its signature statue of Lord Buddha facing the valley and marine fossils dating back to 500 million years ago. Millions of years ago, this area of the Himalayas used to be under Tethys Sea, and now fossils of sea animals remain embedded in rocks alongside the village.

Hikkim and Komic

These neighboring villages possess their individual boasts:

The post office at Hikkim is one of the highest in the world (4,440 m), which is still functional and postcard sender’s favourite destination.

Komic at 4,587 meters is one of the highest motorable villages in the world. It houses the Tangyud Monastery, a 500-year old monastery, with a rare spiritual solitude.

Dhankar Monastery

Dhankar Monastery was constructed dramatically on a cliff above the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers, the site of the former residence of Spiti kings. Its delicate situation is what makes it one of the most picturesque areas of the valley. A little trek up will give you Dhankar Lake, a quiet lake perched above the monastery.

Pin Valley National Park

The Pin Valley is full of vegetation and wildlife as it is quite the contrast to the arid landscape of Spiti. It is a shelter to rare species like the snow leopard, red fox, and Himalayan griffon. Small villages such as Mudh, where the Pin-Parvati Pass trek begins, are also found in the valley.

Chandratal Lake

Chandratal, or the Moon Lake, though technically, being in Lahaul, is not to be missed on the road to or back Spiti. Its blue waters, meadows and mountains are surreal camping territory. Only open in summer, the lake is frequently the last rest point of the Manali-Kaza trip.

The Culture of Spiti

Spiti culture is heavily influenced by the Tibetan Buddhism that has defined its art, architecture, annual festivals, and lifestyle over centuries. There are numerous monasteries, chortens (stupas), Mani walls (stone walls covered in prayers), and prayer flags fluttering in the region.

Individuals of Spiti are highly amiable, spiritual, and exceptionally strong-willed. Home stays are also offered to individuals by many local families who introduce them to a taste of local hospitality and foods, such as thukpa (noodle soup), momos (dumplings), butter tea, and tsampa (roasted barley flour).

The communities of Spiti have been self-sustaining and nature-adoring due to the rugged climate and distant location.

When to Visit Spiti Valley

Summer (May to October): The most favorite season to visit, all the roads and villages are passable. Days are good but the nights are chilly.

Monsoon (July to August): There can be some occasional landslides in Shimla-Kinnaur route. Spiti in itself is arid.

Winter (November to March): Not unless you are hardy. The temperatures may go down to the levels below -20°C. Majority of the guesthouses get closed and the Shimla-Kaza route remains open only partially.

Winter provides, however, another aspect of Spiti, frozen rivers, snow-covered villages and virtual silence. It is also the most opportune time of snow leopard tracking trips.

Travel Tips for Spiti

Adapt slowly to prevent the occurrence of Altitude Sickness. The initial days should be alcohol-free.

Take cash because there are few and unreliable ATM’s outside Kaza.

The mobile networks are restricted. BSNL operates in majority of the locations; the rest might not.

Take necessaries: warm clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, medications, and power banks.

Follow the local environment and culture. Stay away from plastic and never take photos without the permission of locals and monasteries.

A Journey to Remember Spiti

Spiti valley is not a tourist attraction. It is to the traveler who cares more about the road than the destination, silence rather than luxury, depth rather than speed, and realness rather than comfort.

Be it with a dawn view of the sun rising over Key Monastery or in mailing a postcard in Hikkim, in having a taste of butter tea at a mud house, or just gazing at a sky studded with stars, Spiti changes you. It reduces life to its basics and swaps hectic with silence, hurry with contemplation.

Spiti is always, in a world that never sleeps and constantly changes. Spiti is unchanging and tells old age in language of wind, rock and river.

Pack light, travel slow and allow Spiti to talk to your soul.