Wonders of Lahaul Valley, the greener side of the Lahaul-Spiti district

Lahaul Valley is a high-altitude region located between the Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range. The valley is formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, which join at Tandi near Keylong, the district headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti district.
The valley is known for its scenic beauty, with high mountains, snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and rivers. The main town in Lahaul Valley is Keylong, which serves as a base for trekking and mountaineering expeditions in the surrounding mountains.


We often refer to Lahaul and Spiti as one but Lahaul Valley and Spiti Valley are two distinct regions, separated by the famous Kunzum Pass. Although they are adjacent to each other and share many similarities, they have some notable differences. Lahaul Valley is located at a lower altitude than Spiti Valley, with its average elevation around 3000 meters, while Spiti Valley is located at an average elevation of around 4000 meters.
While we know Spiti as a cold desert region, Lahaul Valley has a milder climate and is greener too. Upon entering Lahaul Valley, the first village you will come across is Khoksar. Though Khoksar can be a very difficult place in winter with regular avalanches, the village is a sight to behold in the summer season. Meadows with alpine blooms and several water channels all around turn Khoksar into a dreamy place.


Lahaul Valley has no dearth of picturesque places. The most popular ones are Rohtang Pass, the villages of Sissu, Gondhla, Tandi, Gushal, Jispa, Darcha, Udaipur, the district headquarters of Keylong, Lady of Keylong, and the alpine lakes like Chandrataal and Suraj Taal.

How to reach Lahaul Valley?

Earlier, Rohtang Pass was the lifeline, but now that we have Atal Tunnel, built under the Rohtang Pass, we can reach Lahaul-Spiti via Atal Tunnel. The tunnel connects Manali to Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti.