Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh

Dreaming of snow-capped mountains dotted with picture-perfect villages? Fancy a stay amid mountainous terrains outlined by restless rivers making merry on the rocks? If yes, you must plan a vacation in Spiti!

At a distance of 202 km to the northeast of Manali, the scantily populated land of Spiti separates Indian mainland from Tibet autonomous region. For tourists, it offers everything serene – from lush green land looming into the vastness to pre-historic monasteries resembling paintings on a canvas.

Go around, exploring the picture-postcard villages, crossing narrow mountain passages, and feeling the chilly wind penetrating your skin. As you embrace the wilderness at altitudes touching almost 5000 meters above sea level, Lahaul-Spiti tour plan perfectly feeds your soul!

Unique geographical features make Spiti more desirable by explorers of different age groups belonging to different walks of life. But there are a few things that one must be aware of before sealing the Lahaul Spiti tour plan.

1. The average elevation of the entire valley is 4270 m and weather is highly unpredictable.
2. The valley boasts of wide varieties of flora and fauna. Snow Leopards and Himalayan Wolves are also spotted in the Pin Valley National Park during winters.
3. Trekking and camping are a must when you are in the valley.
4. Brace yourself for a detached life when you are in the valley. Network connectivity is obscure and Spitians are pretty cool with it. You may get lucky with BSNL signals at some places.
5. The place is almost a mirror image of Tibet in terms of culture and lifestyle.

May end to the beginning of October is considered to be the best time to visit Spiti because that’s the time when Shimla – Kinnaur highway is open, which makes the valley accessible to the rest of the world. These are the best months for planning your Spiti Valley road trip.

The name "Spiti" means "The middle land", i.e. the land between Tibet and India. Spiti Valley is a cold desert mountain valley located high in the Himalayas in the north-eastern part of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

All attractions in Spiti Valley:

Taking a Spiti Valley bike trip or even a normal trip to this place is every traveler’s muse and is, but is it the right destination for you? Let’s figure out.

1. With its rough terrains, Spiti is definitely not for the weak-hearted. It faces extreme weather conditions, and you need to pass through risky routes to reach the valley.
2. Expect only basic facilities on the way as well as in the hotels you stay in. In some places, stay options will be limited to monasteries and homestays only. So clearly, a trip to Spiti is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Of the few people who brave these odds to reach Spiti, some seek solace, some do it in the name of adventure, and some are keen to explore the hidden riches in the of the Trans-Himalayan region. Mostly, we see adventure seeking youngsters and mountain lovers taking a Spiti bike trip, or some tired souls who desperately want to unplug from the mundane city life by engaging in meditation and some volunteer work in the valley.

And in case you are an adventure loving couple, who don’t care much about the luxury part of the honeymoon, Spiti is the ultimate destination for you! Begin a new chapter of life in a perfect set up around the colossal sky, vast mountains, and glittering stars, thus making the moments most romantic and perfect.

But Spiti is also a great destination to be in, if you are a wandered and love exploring new lands alone. A Spiti Valley solo trip is an experience that can only be lived and not explained. Extreme tranquility, massive land forms surrounding you, fresh air and so much more! If this though excites you, take a solo trip to Spiti.

If you are among any four of the above – an adventure seeker, a spiritual seeker, or a daring couple who love adventure as crazy as this, here is what Spiti has in store for you!

Temperature:

Summer: Ranges from 18 – 25 degrees Celsius

Winter: Experiences heavy snowfall in the valley region; all mountain passes leading to the valley are blocked making it impossible for any vehicle to enter the region.