Spiti Valley

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.

Must Checkout - Spiti Valley Tour

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.

Also Checkout - Spiti Valley Tour From Kolkata

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.