Adventure Sports in Spiti Valley

Located close to India’s eye-catching Spiti river in the Spiti Valley, the Key Monastery is one of the must-visit places in Himachal Pradesh. Also known as the Kye Gompa or Ki and Kee Monastery, the spectacular Tibetan Buddhist Monastery is located on a picturesque hilltop at an altitude of 4,166 meters above the sea level. The 1000-year-old monastery which dates back to 1100 CE is also the largest in Lahaul and Spiti district of India. The magnificent Key Monastery is believed to have been established by Dromtön (Brom-ston, 1008-1064 CE) who was a student of Atisha, a famous teacher of the 11th century. Home to around 250-300 Lamas, who are spiritual leaders in Tibetan Buddhism, the stunning monastery serves as a fully-functional religious training ground for Lamas run by a Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhist monks. The historic monastery with a breathtaking architecture will leave you spellbound with a resemblance to fantasy fiction.Surrounded by beautiful snow-capped Himalayas and glaciers, the monastery is visited by thousands of devotees and tourists from all over the world who come here to seek tranquility and inner peace. The pristine location of the monastery with gorgeous villages covered in snow and long winding roads will give you an unforgettable experience.As you step inside this amazing monastery, you will notice its beautiful walls which are covered with murals and paintings depicting the 14th-century monastic architecture, influenced by Chinese culture. It is also popular for its rare manuscripts, unique wind instruments, Buddha idols and a marvelous collection of weapons to ward off attackers and protect the monastery. With a fascinating history behind its emergence, the Key Monastery survived many attacks by the Mongols. Nevertheless, in the year 2000, it witnessed a grand celebration of completing 1000 years in the esteemed presence of the Dalai Lama.

Popularly known as the trekker's paradise, Chandratal Lake is reckoned as the most charismatic lake situated in the laps of Himalayas. This enticing lake is perched on the Samudra Tapu plateau which lies in close proximity to Chandra river. Situated at an altitude of 4300 meters, Chandratal offers the most splendid views of the Spiti region. The lake is crescent-shaped, and that is how it got its name. If you are looking for a perfect blend of adventure and laidback holidays, there could not be a better site to kickstart your journey than Chandratal. The road to Chandratal lake takes you through treacherous trails of Batal which will set your adrenaline pumping. On your way, you will also get to climb the glaciers between Kunzum pass and Rohtang Pass. This mesmerizing site has much folklore attached to itself but what lures its visitors is its turquoise blue water, majestic mountains and serene surroundings which make it an apt place for camping. Sprawled over an area of 2.5 kilometers, Chandratal sees a massive influx of travelers during the summer months. In the winter months, this place majorly remains in the bucket list of adventure enthusiasts who want to push past their limits.

Suraj Tal also known as Surya Taal, is a divine lake surrounded by breathtaking valleys and splendid mountains. It lies beneath the Bara-lacha-la pass in Lahaul Spiti valley and is known to originate from Bhaga tributary of Chandrabhaga river. This magnificent lake has been entitled as the 21st highest lakes across the world and third highest lake in India. It is also revered as the lake of Sun God, and it is believed that you can cleanse yourself from all the sins by taking a dip in this sacred lake. During winters the beauty of this lake completely enhances as the mountains surrounding it gets covered by layers of snow, and it seems not less than a heavenly abode. The regions surrounding it are mostly uninhabited as the climatic conditions prevailing here are akin to those in the Polar region. This lake is not only a scenic paradise for nature lovers and a blissful treat for the divine souls, but it is also a hotspot for trekking and motorcycling enthusiasts. The most prominent reason why this lake has gained immense popularity is that this lake comes en-route of the Manali-Leh path, which is extremely renowned for bike trips and trekking. It also encompasses Baralacha-La-Pass on the way that is the commencement spot for various thrilling treks. The motorcyclists and adventure lovers often stop at Suraj Tal to give a break to their journey, and they set camps over here for a pleasant stay. This sacred and stunningly beautiful lake is also a dream for every photographer as the scenic beauty prevailing over here seems to be something straight out of a storybook.