Spiti Valley, nestled in the Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh, is a remote high-altitude desert known for its raw landscapes, ancient monasteries, and spiritual aura. Located between Tibet and India, this “Middle Land” offers travellers an offbeat escape into a world of stark beauty, where barren mountains meet deep blue skies. If you are willing to explore this mystical region with ease, Spiti Valley packages provide well-curated itineraries that cover its iconic spots and hidden gems.
The valley is dotted with centuries-old Buddhist monasteries such as Key, Dhankar, and Tabo, offering both spiritual insight and architectural marvels. Nature lovers can witness surreal sights like Chandratal Lake, the Pin Valley National Park, and the fossil-rich Langza village.
It is also a haven for adventure seekers, with activities like mountain biking, trekking, and high-altitude camping in spiti. The summer months are ideal for exploring villages, roads, and monasteries, while winters bring heavy snow and extreme isolation, appealing to thrill-seekers and solo travellers alike.
With simple homestays, warm hospitality, and untouched charm, Spiti Valley offers a soul-stirring experience for those looking to disconnect from the modern world and explore nature in its most unfiltered form.
1. Type of destination: Nature, adventure, offbeat
2. Prime season: March to June
3. Snow season: October to February/early March
4. Languages spoken: Hindi, Stod Bhoti, English
5. Exploration TIme: 7 to 10 days
6. Local modes of transport available:

Spiti Valley offers a soulful shopping experience, where every market reflects its Tibetan roots and high-altitude culture:
1. Kaza Market, Kaza: The main shopping hub in Spiti, known for handwoven shawls, silver jewellery, thangkas, and prayer wheels - all sold by friendly locals.
2. Key Monastery Souvenir Shop: Located within the monastery complex, this spot is ideal for buying spiritual items like singing bowls, prayer flags, and handcrafted Buddhist artefacts.
3. Tabo Village Market: Close to the ancient Tabo Monastery, the market is perfect for picking up traditional paintings, wooden carvings, and local herbs.
4. Mud Village Stalls: A quiet Spiti Mud village market offering yak cheese, barley flour, hand-knit woollens, and eco-friendly souvenirs made by local families.
5. Dhankar Village Shops: Perched high above the valley, Dhankar’s tiny stalls sell prayer beads, woven bags, and local snacks - often with panoramic views for company.
Spiti Valley is full of lesser-explored spots that offer breathtaking views, rich culture, and true Himalayan serenity. Here are some hidden gems in Spiti you shouldn’t miss:
1. Mane Village: Located near Tabo, Mane is divided into Upper and Lower halves and offers a peaceful retreat with traditional mud homes, warm locals, and access to the Sopona Lake trek - a moderate hike with chances to spot Himalayan wildlife like the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Wolf and Himalayan Ibex.
2. Kanamo Peak: Starting from Kibber village, the trek to this 19,553-feet-high peak is challenging but doesn’t require technical climbing. On clear days, it offers 360° views of Ladakh, Kinnaur, and Spiti ranges, making it a favourite among seasoned trekkers.
3. La Darcha Grounds: Near Kaza, this high-altitude ground was once a barter hub for traders from Ladakh and Tibet. Today, it hosts the La Darcha Festival every August in Spiti, where you can witness traditional dance, local crafts, and tribal sports.
4. Chicham Village & Zula Ride: Connected to Kibber by Asia’s highest bridge, Chicham offers surreal views of deep gorges and rocky cliffs. Try the traditional ropeway ride, once the only link across the canyon, and is still operated for locals and adventurous travellers.
5. SS Tso Lake: Nestled between Gette and Tashigang, this untouched glacial lake is unnamed on maps and rarely visited. It is surrounded by grazing yaks and wild herds, perfect for nature walks and tranquil photography sessions.
The colourful festivals of Spiti Valley reflect its deep-rooted Tibetan culture, offering travellers a glimpse into the valley’s vibrant traditions. If you are visiting during these months, don’t miss the joy and spiritual energy they bring!
1. Cultural Festivals:
2. Events:
The best time to gasp into the magical beauty of Spiti is from March to June when the temperature ranges between 0-15 degrees Celsius.
- During winters: Spiti Valley offers a splendid view of the snow capped mountains surrounding it during winters, from December to February. It receives snowfall from mid December, which makes it possible to convene sports like snowboarding, trekking and even ice skating.
Most of the days are cloudy, and the sight of the sun melting into the white horizon appealing! Temperatures may be sub-zero so do carry heavy and warm clothing. Although you should be aware of the fact that route from Manali remains closed for the entire year while giving you a window from the second week of June to 15th of October.
- During monsoon: Being a desert area, Spiti doesn’t experience heavy rainfall but an extremely chilled environment during monsoon. It is, therefore, best to avoid visiting Spiti in the month of August as the routes to Spiti experience dangerous landslides during the monsoon season along with slippery routes on the Himalayas. The weather in monsoon ideally ranges between 13-27 degrees Celsius in Spiti.
- During Summer: The best time to visit Spiti is between March and June when the sunshine greets Spiti leading to a pleasant climate. The temperature in Summer ranges from 0-15 degrees Celcius that is favorable for an ideal trip to Spiti. You should also note that you can use the route via Shimla at any time of the year but the Manali route lets you use it between the second week of June to the 15th of October.
Here are some of the best places that you must visit in Spiti.
1. Chandratal Lake: This is a beautiful lake perched at around 4200 meters above sea level and is a paradise for trekking and camping enthusiasts. It is located on the Samudra Tapu plateau, and the water of this lake keeps on changing every day from emerald green to blue to orange and hues of red. The vast stretches of the green meadows over here also make it the best camping site in Spiti. It also has some tedious trails that attract trekkers from all around the world.
2. Baralacha Pass: This is the most challenging mountain pass for all the adventurous freaks. It is known for connecting three diverse mountain ranges of Himalaya- Zanskar, Pir Panjal, and the Great Himalayas. This pass remains thronged with the trekking enthusiasts who can also camp at their chosen sites.
3. Pin Valley National Park: Lahaul Spiti Tourism has increased in recent times due to the surreal beauty of Pin Valley National Parkwhere you can witness the most amazing animals and birds. Experience the flora and fauna of Spiti up, close and personal by visiting Pin Valley National Park.
It is home to the rarest species of animals such as snowcocks, chukar and Siberian ibex that can’t be found in any other part of the world. It also houses some of the rarest medicinal plants like cedar, alpine vegetation, and deodar trees. This cold desert national park is an ideal spot for the bird watchers, photographers and animal lovers.
4. Kibber: This is one of the most picture-perfect hamlets of Lahaul Spiti Tourism frequented by trekking enthusiasts and adventure freaks. It holds the distinction of being the highest motorable villages in the entire world This small village is also flushed with Buddhist monasteries and picturesque landscapes waiting to serenade you.
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Spiti doesn’t have its own airport or railway station, but you can still get to Spiti via:
- By Train: Shimla Railway station and Joginder Nagar railway station are the nearest railway station to Spiti. You can easily rent a taxi from here, or you can even board a bus from the railway station to reach Spiti.
- By Air: Kullu Airport is the nearest airport to Spiti valley. This airport is connected quite well to all the other parts of the country. Once you reach this airport, you can rent a taxi outside to reach Spiti.
- By Road: On a rented taxi, car or bike, Spiti Valley can be reached in two ways: via Shimla or Manali. Kaza, a town situated in Spiti Valley is the most popular destination when traveling via road due to its connectivity. Shimla is at a distance of 410 km, while Manali is at a distance of 200 km. However, the routes from Manali stay closed from mid-October to the beginning of June.
The route from Shimla lies along steep valleys and hills as well as roads surrounded by vast plains surmounted with mountains. Another option to travel via road is buses. HRTC buses run from Shimla to Reckong Peo via Suni at 5:00 AM every day. Via Manali, the buses run at 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM. The fare lies between INR 200 - INR 500.
There are various things which you can do in Lahaul-Spiti but here is a list of some things you shouldn’t miss at any chance:
- You can visit various monasteries like Tabo, Dhankar, Kibber and many more. These monasteries are the best way to discover the history and culture of Buddhist people residing in the valley.
- You can relish on the Tibetan and Spitian cuisines which are way too different from what you eat and get at other parts of India. Although they mostly eat meat to keep themselves warm but vegetarians will also have some choices.
- Being settled in mountainous terrains, Spiti gives you numerous opportunities to trek through its less traveled trails. You can hike up to various spots to get a great view of the entire desert valley.
- As the valley is settled along the river Spiti, summers gives you a great chance to enjoy river rafting in the spine chilling cold water amidst the cold deserts of India.
- You can also visit to various lakes like ChandraTal Lake, SurajTal Lake and many more to witness the crystal clear water amidst the remote and cleanest atmosphere.
- Besides just visiting a monastery you can also stay in them for a period of time which would be a great idea to get closer to the Buddhist culture and rituals.
- Spiti is a totally different from the rest of the world and so is it flora and fauna. You can visit various National Parks in Spiti like Pin Valley National Park and more to witness the distinct flora and wildlife of the region.
- You must be aware of the most adventurously dangerous road in the world. If not then please note that the route from Shimla to Kaza is known to be the most treacherous road in the world and if you are a rider from heart then there is no way you are going to miss this opportunity.
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You’ll require at least eight days to explore Spiti to its greatest potential. This is because of the fact that it will take five days just to reach Spiti from Kinnaur side and to return back from Manali side. In the remaining three days you can explore the scenic beauty, guzzling lakes, beautiful monasteries and other major spots in Spiti.
If you’re visiting Spiti then you must carry these essentials with you:
- Photo ID that has been issued by the state or central government.
- Woollen cap, shoes with comfortable sole and lots of socks.
- Small blanket and shawl
- A camera with an extra battery to capture the picturesque beauty of Spiti\
- Two passport size photographs
- Leather glove
- Being situated at an elevation, the ATMs at Spiti Valley may not be working efficiently 24/7. So do carry enough cash for you to go by for at least a week.
- You need a permit to visit Rohtang Pass, especially when commuting via bikes. It costs INR 550, and is necessary for vehicles crossing the Gulaba Bridge. This permit is valid only for a day.
- Foreign visitors must carry the Inner Line Permit, or ILP for traveling into the restricted areas of the country. This can be obtained from the DM’s offices in Shimla and Reckong Peo.
- Carry medicines for cold and flu with you, as the temperatures may go sub-zero and you may experience mild fever.
SUV is considered to be the best car to reach Spiti Valley as it offers good ground clearance that can make your trip easy breezy to this destination. The SUV cars are also more sturdy that would make your travelling comfortable and safer.
Since Lahaul Spiti valley experiences extremely low temperatures, it is recommended to wear woollen clothes that can keep you warm even in the higher altitude. Here is a breakdown of the most essential things that you should wear while travelling to Spiti valley.
- Woolen caps
- Leather jackets
- Leather gloves
- Woolen socks
- High boots
- Warm coats
Lahaul Spiti is at a distance of 200 km from Manali. This distance can be covered using bike rentals, taxis or buses. There are two buses that commute from Manali to Spiti Valley that leave at 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM, and cost INR 200. These buses will drop you at your destination on the same day.
You can get to Kaza by these particular means:
- By Bus: There are two ways to reach Kaza: from Shimla and Manali. If you are traveling from Shimla, then you can take the bus that leaves at 6:30 PM. The buses halt at Reckong Pass at 4:30 AM, and travel further to reach Kaza by 5:30 PM. Via Manali, the buses travel at 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM and reach Kaza on the same day by 4:00 PM.
- By Air: There is no direct flight for Kaza but around 250 km from Kaza you can find Bhuntar airport situated near Kullu that is the nearest airport to Kaza. From here you can board a bus or taxi to reach Kaza.
- By Rail: There is no direct rail connectivity for Kaza. Joginder Nagar railway station in Kasol is the nearest railway station from Kaza. From here you can take a bus or taxi to reach Kaza.
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Your kids can only go to Spiti Valley if they are above one year and 17 months. If your kid was born premature or has lung or heart condition, he/she can’t visit Spiti at all.
Kinnaur is about 257.5 km from Shimla. It takes around 8 hour and 16 mins to reach Kinnaur from Shimla if you take the route via MDR22 and NH5.
You can visit Spiti Valley during December only via Shimla route. The way from Manali to Kaza is closed during December. As the temperature falls down several degrees below zero during this time, it is not recommended to visit Spiti during December.
No, you don’t need to take any permit to visit Spiti Valley if you’re an Indian. But you will need a vehicle permit for Rohtang Pass if you are going to Spiti via Manali side. Also, foreigners need to submit a photocopy of an entry permit called the Inner Line Permit, or ILP which lets them enter into the restricted areas. This can be obtained at the DM offices situated in Shimla, Reckong Peo, Manali, Rampur and Keylong.
Khoksar village located in Lahaul Mandal of Ladakh district is the gateway of Lahaul. This is the coldest place in Lahaul where you can witness heavy snowfall in the winter. It is located at Leh-Manali highway and is flushed with Isolated mountain areas, picturesque views and trails for hiking.
The famous English poet and journalist Rudyard Kipling said that Spiti is no place for men and Gods must have lived here due to its bewitching beauty and unadulterated environment.
There are majorly two tehsils in Spiti valley namely Spiti at Kaza and Lahaul at Keylong. One sub-Tehsil is also there in Spiti named as Udaipur.
Spiti Valley is connected to Ladakh by Takling La, or Parana Pass. It is a renowned trade route laid out on a height of a 5575 meters high mountain.
Chitkul is the last inhabited village of Spiti valley. It is located close to the Indo-China border and is known to offer the most picture-perfect view of the Himalayas. During winters, this place gets completely covered with snow, and the people move down to the other lower regions of Himachal.
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Drinking Law of Spiti says that you can legally drink if you are 18 years old. However, you should be aware that higher altitudes already have less oxygen in the air and consumption of alcohol further interferes with hemoglobin's absorption of oxygen. Although you can enjoy local drink like Chhang and Arak which are served in the region at festive occasions and social gatherings.
Due to its vastness, it may seem difficult to make one of these hotels as your base. However, make sure to choose your hotel wisely as that will cut down major time taken to travel. Here are a few that take care of your comfort and provide you luxurious experience amongst the mountains:
1. Hotel Ibex: If you’re lucky, you can get a room facing the river. What’s better is that you can access the river as and when you like!You may not find notable public transport around Lahaul and Spiti. However, travelling is cheap and easy within these regions thanks to the state transport buses. Swift and on time, these buses can whiz you to your destination in no time. Apart from this, you may even rent a car or bike throughout the span of your stay.
As the villages here are not well developed, looking for shops that sell souvenirs can get rather difficult to spot. However, the local shops there sell a special variety of tea that claims to slow down ageing. Apart from this, you can even travel to Kaza (5 kilometres away) for quality wool carpets, ceramic and local jewellery and some knick-knacks.