15 places to visit in the beautiful valleys of Lahaul-Spiti

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15 places to visit in the beautiful valleys of Lahaul-Spiti

The district of Lahaul-Spiti is a cold desert area as it hardly gets any rain. So places to visit in Lahaul-Spiti have a unique terrain that is exciting and adventurous. Mountain ranges here are bare, bereft of any vegetation. As you drive up and down the Trans-Himalayan range, you see the region’s stunning landscape. Snow is a common feature here and some peaks never let it go, no matter what season it is. Tourist places in Lahaul-Spiti are known for their enchanting character, as they are extreme and mostly rare from every other place in India. For example, try the stunning Spiti Valley Trek. The rivers swiftly flow at the base of these mountains, carrying the water formed by melted snow. The sky here has a special shade of blue that you don’t get to see elsewhere, especially in the cities. Complementing the blue sky well are small, beautiful meadows of the valley. Colourful Buddhist flags can be seen fluttering in the breeze, indicating the culture of the land. Large prayer wheels and stones carved with the Buddhist mantra ‘Oṃ maṇi padme hum’ can be seen at the entrance of many villages. When you reach a village, you might wonder how these communities live in such isolation. Nonetheless, there are many places to visit in Lahaul-Spiti.

Rohtang Pass is one of the best attractions of Lahaul Spiti. This is the pass that connects Kullu Valley to the stunning valleys of Lahaul and Spiti. Perched at 13,000 feet above sea level, Rohtang Pass remains open from May/ June to almost October. Your journey on this scenic pass will always stay with you. Kunzum Pass is another such road destination that one must pay a visit to. Situated at a staggering 15,000 feet above sea level, Kunzum Pass is actually the gateway to Spiti valley. A tiny but beautiful village in the lap of Himalayas, Nako is your quintessential human habitat in the otherwise cold desert. Buddhism is the main driving force here and you can spot its impression everywhere in the village. Take time to pay a visit to the primeval sacred lake on the edge of the village. It will not be an exaggeration to term Spiti river the life force of the valleys of Lahaul and Spiti. This beautiful river has its origin in the Kunzum Range of the Himalayas and is a quintessential mountain river in all its glory and grace. A moon shaped water body, Chandratal Lake is another very important tourist destination in Lahaul Spiti. The most striking thing about this lake is that its water changes colour throughout the day.

Perched atop a cliff some 3900 feet above sea level, Dhankar Monastery is a wonderful place of worship in Spiti. In local language, the word dhankar means fort and as a matter of fact, this monastery once happened to be part of a big fort. Today, this shrine is in a very frail condition and only a few visitors are allowed inside at one time. Ki or Kye Gompa is another such stunning monastery in the Kaza region of the valley. It is located on the edge of a hill and the Spiti river flows just right below. This monastery traces it origin to 11 CE and monks have been staying here since its inception! Indeed a piece straight out of human history. Located on the bank of Spiti river, Tabo is a small village with many attractions. One of the most important places to visit in Lahaul Spiti is the Tabo Monastery. Established in 996 CE, this monastery has earned the title of being the Ajanta of the Himalayas. The entire complex of this monastery houses 9 temples and many stupas. The Tabo Caves are a series of cave formations that lay scattered in the hill facing Tabo village. There is a flight of steps that leads to these caves from where one can have a panoramic view of the valley below.