Manali to Spiti Valley: Travel Guide

While Himachal Pradesh is home to a dozen different monasteries, this spectacular place is not just the biggest, but also the oldest one around. A must visit tourist place in Spiti Valley, the Key Gompa is encircled by picturesque mountains and soothing valleys. A wonderful example of monastic architecture and decorated with beautiful paintings, murals, manuscripts, and wind instruments.

Perched at a staggering altitude of 4200 meters above sea level, you have to witness the unparalleled beauty of Chandratal to believe it. A sanctuary from the lightning fast city life, this lake is slowly becoming one of the most attractive tourist places in Spiti valley. With the spellbinding backdrop of majestic mountains and meadows covered with gorgeous wildflowers, the lake is the perfect place to click Instagram worthy pictures.

India's highest cold valley National Park, this place was constructed to preserve the unique natural flora and fauna of Himachal Pradesh and is named after the gorgeous Pin River and acts as an interface between the Lahul and Spiti Valley. Against a backdrop of barbarous, rugged snow-covered mountain peaks of the Spiti Valley, the national park is home to Himachal's ferocious predators, the snow leopards, and their prey, the ibex.

The terrain is rough and precarious, so train hard and get into those fitness programs before you undertake this captivating journey. The sanctuary also witnesses a strong spiritual influence due to the presence of Buddhist monasteries around the area.

Location: Near Kaza.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM throughout the week.

Third highest lake in India and 21st highest in the world, the Suraj Tal is a divine water body surrounded by barbaric bare mountains and soothing valleys. It is a common belief that anyone who takes a dip in the pristine emerald waters of the lake is cleaned off their sins.

Whether you want to visit the Suraj Tal for spiritual reasons or to simply revel in the unsurpassed natural charm – you won’t regret it. An absolute haven for avid trekkers, the lake offers an asylum to refresh and recharge during the hectic Manali-Leh trek. Adrenaline junkie motorcyclists and mountain bikers will find this place a wonderful stopover on their journey.

Location: Lahul Valley, Keylong.

Timings: No timing restrictions.

One of the most mysterious, offbeat places to visit in Spiti Valley, the Kunzum Pass is a gateway to the gorgeous Spiti via Kullu and Lahul. Treat your photography loving soul as you click away the jaw dropping vistas around. Take in the panoramic view featuring majestic Bara Shigri Glacier covered with pristine silvery snow, the barren mountains of Chandrabhange range, the azure waters of Spiti river, and the rugged hills of Spiti Valley.

Pay your respects at the temple of Goddess Kunzum Devi and behold the vibrant prayer flags fluttering against the wind. And if you are a mountain biking enthusiast, the Kunzum offers you a special sense of achievement – being the highest motorable pass in India sitting at a jaw dropping height of 4500 metres!

Location: Keylong

Timings: No timing restrictions.

Tabo Monastery is one of the most wondrous places to visit in Spiti Valley. Founded a millennium ago, the temple is a unique amalgamation of history, culture and natural splendor. In the cold barren deserts of Tabo valley, the monastery appears as a sanctum from the brutality of barbarous rocky mountains around.

It houses centuries worth of Buddhist culture, tradition and heritage – a treat for history and cultural buffs. For those of you interested in art and handicraft – witness the amazingly preserved paintings, murals and sculptures. Or just kick back and take in the healing environment as calmness ascends over your being.

Location: Tabo

Best time to visit: May to October

Nestled in one corner of the beautiful Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Kaza happens to be a tranquil and serene destination in Spiti Valley. Packed with majestic snow-covered mountains, bubbling rivers, picturesque landscape, and shimmering streams, this dreamy place is no less than a paradise on earth. 

The entire town of Kaza is categorized into 2 parts – New Kaza and Old Kaza. While the former accommodates the king’s palace, the latter is home to government offices. The presence of historical wonders, monasteries, and gompas adds a sense of magic to this charming town. At present day, the Himalayan town of Kaza features an exotic amalgam of ancient culture and modernity that is sure to leave every traveler totally awestruck and spellbound.

The pristine locales and mountainous terrain of Kaza lure tourists who are interested in experiencing spirituality as well as adventurous activities. The place even forms a base camp from where travelers can venture to experience activities such as mountaineering and trekking. Some well-known trails that start from the town of Kaza include Pin-Bhaba, Parang-La, and Pin-Parvati. In addition to trying adventure sports and visiting various Buddhist shrines, tourists flocking here also like to take a walk to the small villages nearby Kaza town, which offers an exciting and unique experience.

One can access Kaza from Lahaul Valley and Kinnaur Valley. While the latter route stays open all year round, the former route only opens during the summer season. Winter season in this destination comes with extremely low temperatures that make the weather of the town immensely cold. During this time, the locals prefer staying indoors and only venture out in case of absolute urgency. They always keep food supplies stocked up for this time of the year and utilize the whole time indoors by producing handicrafts.

The town of Kaza is blessed with a plethora of decent accommodation facilities and food outlets, helping tourists in having a comfortable vacation. All the elements put together, make tourism flourish in this small Himalayan destination.

Tucked atop a small hill at an impressive altitude of 4100 meters above sea level, the Dhankar, with its dazzling blue waters, is one of the most popular places to visit in Spiti Valley. The lake sits at the end of the famous Dhankar Lake trek known for its treacherous paths, rocky snow-capped mountains, and incomparable vistas. Adventure enthusiasts and photography lovers are enchanted alike by the magical realism of the trek.

The Dhankar Fort Monastery sandwiched between Spiti and Pin rivers offers a special spiritual touch as it plays hide and seek on the trail. And once you reach the lake, the rare and diversified views will make your jaw drop!

Location: Near Rohtang Pass connecting Kullu and Lahul. 

Timings: No timing restrictions.

To call Kibber beautiful would be putting it lightly – arid landscape, rocky mountains, meadows covered in vibrant wildflowers, and all this paired with pristine pollution free environment. Stargazers and photography lovers flock alike to Kibber to gaze at the unsurpassed, exquisite view of the Milky Way. Go to the nearby Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and witness the amazing fauna of Himachal – ibex, blue sheep, red fox, snow leopards, wolves etc.

You can visit various tiny monasteries around or go hiking on the small trails around the village. The locals are friendly and offer a warm and comfortable stay, if not the most luxurious, with both Indian and Tibetan home cooked food.

Location: Lahul and Spiti Valley

Best time to visit: October to February

Dhankar Monastery is the symbolic salutation to the spiritual beliefs of the Buddhist community. It is located in Lahaul and Spiti valley, and has been listed as one of the hundred most endangered monuments in the entire world.  Situated at an altitude of 3,894 meters, it offers a spellbinding view of the Spiti valley and is a melting pot for diverse cultures and religions.

Dhankar Monastery is also known as Dhangkar Gompa or Dhankhar and was built around 1000 years ago. It was also known as Lha-od Gompa after it’s founder and renovator, Lha-od, who was a popular lama. This monastery is the main center of Buddhist culture and houses the collection of centuries-old thanksas.

One of the prime attractions of this monastery is the statue of Vairochana that consists of four figures of Buddha in the state of meditation. You will also find here Buddhist scriptures, Medicine Buddha murals, and protector deities.  It also consists of a small museum where murals and scriptures have been stored.

You can also spot many beautiful Thangka paintings on the wall of this monastery. Presently, some of the sections of this gompa have been totally abandoned due to the deterioration of the building, and a new gompa has been built in place of it to lure the visitors.

The monastery is still standing in a fragile condition, and more than twenty people are not allowed to enter this monastery at one time. From the Dhankar monastery, you can indulge in a thrilling trekking experience to Dhankar Lake.

One of India’s best-kept secrets, Nako village is situated on the Indo-Tibetan border, 360 m above sea level in the Himalayan range of Kinnaur District in Himachal Pradesh. Nako Village can be considered as the last spot on your way to the famous Nalling Mullah and acts as a halting stop for tourists heading there.

As Nako lies really close to the Tibetan border, visitors need to have an Inner Line permit to visit and stay in any part of this secluded village. Due to the small extent of this beautifully remote village, all the major attractions there can be explored on foot itself.Any tourist crossing this remote village tends to take a stop at least for a while. Many others tend to reach this peaceful place by evening to spend a night here to move to other destinations in Kinnaur or Tabo Village, the next day.

However, if you are amidst those keen travelers who wish to experience the true essence of the Himalayan and Tibetan cultures, this very place is a must visit for you.Exploring this beautiful village and listening to the stories and experiences of the villagers will take you back in time. The hidden gems of Nako Village and its untouched natural beauty will make you fall in love with this place. Experiencing the mind soothing calmness of the village under the village sky full of sparkling stars holds the capability of providing you with a life-changing experience.

A tiny isolated reservoir, Nako Lake has gained extensive popularity for its pristine beauty and impeccable charm. A spiritual lake cradled in the mystical Himalayas, it is situated at an elevation of around 3662 meters. The dense willow trees that surround the lake quadruples the charm if this tourist spot.

The popular spot is bounded by 4 ancient Tibetan temples. In close proximity to these temples, you can also find 4 caves which are said to be saint Padmasambhava’s meditation site. There is one magnificent waterfall near the lake which is known to be the home of fairies. If you happen to visit this place during September, you can relish the experience of boating in this popular lake.

Location: Nako Village, Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh

Timings: It can be visited at any time.

Entry Fee: No entry charges