Plan A Tour to Spiti Valley India – Explore the Unexplored "The Middle Land"
This summer you must plan a tour to Spiti valley and explore the unexplored the Middle Land between Ladakh and Tibet in India- Himachal Pradesh. More than a century ago in 1901 Rudyard Kipling in his Novel 'Kim' called Spiti "A World Within A World" and a "Place Where Gods Live"- a description for a mystic aura surrounding this beautiful trans Himalayan valley, that holds true to the present day. A part of district Lahaul and Spiti, "Spiti" has its headquarters at Kaza (3,800 metres). The Tribal People (warm hearted-hardworking mountain tribes) from Spiti valley follow the same Buddhist culture as that of Tibet and Ladakh. For centuries people in these remote valleys lived largely isolated from one another, holding and preserving the treasures and secrets of ancient civilizations untainted by modernity unmatched outside these mountains.
Being a travel guide, I am traveling frequently to Spiti valley since year 1995, when it was recently opened for the world wide tourist’s in1992. I find Spiti Valley Tour Holiday Adventure Package one of the most spectacular holiday tour Package where one can enjoy the extremely beautiful mountain landscape views which are far away from urbanity and crowds of tourists. Spiti is connected to Manali over Rohtang Pass and Kunzum pass, to Lahaul valley over Kunzum Pass (4,551 metres) and to Shimla the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, through the beautiful Kinnaur valley. Still the Foreigner tourist need to obtain the Inner line permits to visit upper parts of Kinnaur and Spiti valley between Akpa to Tabo because of proximity to Tibet.
We at Summit Safari India- The Travel Experts, through our vast travel experience, suggest and organize a prefect holiday trip to Spiti valley for you and your loved ones. You can choose to be on a private customized tours to Spiti valley staying in comfortable hotels, luxury fixed tented accommodations or plan a cheap budget Spiti valley tour with your friends and family where you can stay in guest houses and home stays run by the local communities. During your holiday tour to Spiti valley we make sure you enjoy the most and get the insight of local cuisine, culture and traditions which all will bring a memorable, unforgettable Spiti valley holiday experience to you.
Spiti Valley: The Best Offbeat Destinations Of India
Spiti Valley Tour Holiday Adventure Package is suitable for people of all ages and could be planed as per your budget and interest. Keep in mind while planning a tour to Spiti valley, which has no rail or air connectivity, only a road trip to Spiti valley is the only way to travel. Spiti valley road trip takes you to explore the region which is one of the least populated and isolated regions and is among the top 10 best offbeat tourism destinations in India. Popularity of Spiti valley off –the-beat tours in India has increased in the past couple of years, but Spiti valley is still untouched by crowds of tourists and stays an unexplored part of Indian Himalayas.
The travellers get to enjoy the local food, unique culture in this amazing, undiscovered Indian Himalayan destination, with ever changing landscapes, which is beyond our imagination. During the Spiti valley tour packages the Tibetan influence can be felt here in terms of religion, culture and landscape. The landscapes of Spiti are similar to Ladakh valley and, I must say the landscapes keeps on changing every 2-3 miles, making it much better than Ladakh and is one of the top reasons why you should plan a trip to Spiti valley. As in Ladakh, little rain gets over the Himalayan Mountain barrier so most of the Spiti valley is dry and mostly barren. Middle Land Spiti where the monsoon rain rarely comes, the air is clear and the warm summer days are followed by cold, crisp nights.
Lahaul Spiti with Chandrataal Lake Tour Package takes you through miles of natural beauty with massive mountain views, when suddenly you arrive at a small village with a couple of white houses with colorful prayer flags inscribed with holy chants, Chortens at the village boundary along with the piles of “ Mani” stones. The Buddhist monasteries perched hundreds of feet above, the high mountain passes, beautiful lake of Chandra Tal, the snow melted Spiti river flowing through the valley, the Himalayan wildlife, the glaciers, rich traditions and overall magnificent mountain views all will provide an authentic travel experience, one will never forget after the Holiday tour to Spiti valley - the middle land between Ladakh and Tibet.
Lahaul Spiti Holiday Tour Packages – A Great Choice for Solo Travellers or Group Tours
Lahaul Spiti Holiday Tour packages are great choice for solo travelers, couples or families, who want to explore the rural less crowed parts and enjoy the nature and culture at its best, at a reasonable cost. The Spiti valley tour packages are listed also among the most popular Himachal Tribal Tour Packages and is also in the list of The Top 10 Places to Visit in Himachal Pradesh, India.If interested to see the Snow Leopards you can plan a winter tour to Spiti valley in January end or February which is the best time to see the snow leopards in their natural habitat. The rarely spotted snow Leopard is now easily spotted in the snow bound villages of Spiti valley. During the winter tours to Spiti valley we take you specially to visit the villages of Kibber, Hikkim, Comic and Langza, where in the past good sightings of the Snow Leopard has been recorded. All the hotels are closed but the accommodations in the home stays are available during the Winter Spiti Snow Leopard Sighting Tour.
For our overseas, inbound clients who are looking for a road trip to Indian Himalayas we have handcrafted special travel itineraries including the Himalayan Odyssey-Explore the Unexplored Spiti Valley tour, which is a private guided tour to Spiti, where we take you on an epical journey. Our handcrafted, tailor-made spectacular road trip through the heart of Indian Himalayas, takes you on a lifetime trip to explore the Hidden Gems of the Spiti valley, whose existence is still unknown to many and is far away from crowds of tourists. People who are looking for a relaxing tour package to Spiti, Summit Safari India - The Travel Experts, offers them a private yoga meditation and relaxation tour to Spiti, India which is unique in many ways itself. You can even plan a Spiti Valley Yoga Meditation and Relaxation Tour India, which is going to be a life changing journey to Relax, Repair and Rejuvenate and re-discover yourself through Yoga Meditation and Relaxation Tours India.
You can choose to be the part of Spiti Valley Group Tour Holiday Package or specially organized Spiti Valley Women Only Holiday Group Tour Package, where you travel in small groups with likeminded people. For the best deals and holiday tour packages to Spiti valley you can send us a mail at travel@summitsafari.com, or Contact Us through , WhatsApp +91 9805051102 for a unforgettable holiday experience to Spiti valley tour and explore the unexplored, that will keep calling you back. Whatever the holiday tour to Spiti valley you choose, we provide you with the best drivers for the Spiti valley Holiday Adventure Tour who takes care of your detailed sightseeing, safety and comfort in the mountains. You will stay at Camps, hotels and home stays run by the local people, famous for their hospitality.
The Best Route to Plan the Spiti Valley Holiday Tour
Spiti's mountains form a part of the Central and Greater Himalayas and several peaks are over 6,000 metres providing unparalleled panoramic views of the valley and offers various road trips and numerous trek routes to Spiti. The best route to Plan the Spiti Valley Tours is starting from Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad or any part of the country to Delhi or Chandigarh on the road trip to Shimla following the Hindustan Tibet border road through the Central Himalayas. Covering Shimla, Sarahan, Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa, Nako, Tabo, Dhankar, Mud - Pin Valley, Kaza, Kunzum Pass, Chandra Tal Lake, Atal Tunnel and finishing the tour back at Manali, further continue back to Chandigarh or Delhi. This circular trip follows the best route for the Spiti Valley Tour Holiday Adventure Package. As travelling on this route you gain altitude slowly and slowly, so it provides you proper time to acclimatize during the travel and there are no chances that you’ll get ill, due to high altitude while you explore the unexplored cold desert of Spiti.
How to Travel To Spiti valley
Spiti holiday adventure tour is only possible by taking a road trip to Spiti valley as the Spiti valley has no air or rail connectivity.
There are two routes to enter Spiti valley by road
- 1. Shimla to Spiti valley through Kinnaur valley.
- 2. Manali to Spiti valley (Kaza over Rohtang Pass (3,980 metres)/ Through Atal Tunnel & Kunzum Pass (4,551 metres).
1. Shimla to Spiti valley through Kinnaur valley
It is the most popular route to travel to Spiti valley, but the road trip must be for 8-9 days to do justice to the place. Don’t try to do this tour for less than 8-9 days. The road passes through famous Kinnaur valley and you gain a gradual height while travelling on it. (This helps you to acclimatize properly while travelling to high reaches of Spiti Valley). The road passes through beautiful villages, temple, and monasteries on the way. Shimla to Kaza (the sub divisional headquarters of Spiti) is 450 kms, while exploring Sarahan, Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa, Nako, Gue, Tabo, Dhankar, Mud –Pin Valley, Kaza, and many more pretty villages before heading to Manali over Kunzum Pass and driving through the Atal Tunnel. This is all the part of Tribal circuit (area) of Himachal Pradesh. While traveling through this route you can end up your journey at Manali, or one can take an overland journey from Shimla to Ladakh valley via Kinnaur and Spiti valley Spiti Valley with Leh Ladakh Tour Package. Shimla is very well connected by an all season Road and seasonal flights to New Delhi and rest of the parts in country. Nearest major airport is Chandgarh 120 kms from Shimla(3.30 hrs).
2. Manali to Spiti valley (Kaza) over Rohtang Pass (3,980 metres) / Atal Tunnel & Kunzum Pass (4551 metres)
The second option is the road trip from Manali to Kaza (the sub divisional headquarters of Spiti) 210 kms. Manali to Spiti with Chandrataal Lake Tour Package, which is a shorter route than Shimla to Spiti. The road is open only from early June to mid October, rest of the time due to heavy snowfall the high mountain passes remain closed. The road is rough with several crossings of water streams and suddenly on day one you arrive from 2,050 metres from Manali to Kaza 3,800 metres - not providing you enough time for acclimatization to high altitude.
By Air
There is no airport in Spiti Valley. The closet airport is Kullu airport (45 kms before Manali), and Chandigarh airport (120 kms / 3.30 hrs before Shimla), as Shimla airport has no regular flights.
By Train
There is no rail link to the Spiti valley. Nearest rail head for Spiti valley is Shimla, which is connected to the UNESCO World Heritage Kalka Shimla Railways - The Toy Train (narrow gauge line) from Kalka to Shimla. Kalka is very well connected to New Delhi and other parts of the country by a broad gauge line.
Best season to Plan A Holiday Tour to Spiti Valley India – Explore the Unexplored "The Middle Land"
The Best season to plan a Spiti valley holiday tour is from first week of June to Early October as this is the only time when the high mountain Kunzum Pass open towards Manali or even one can continue the road trip to Spiti Valley with Leh Ladakh Tour Package and one does not have to come back to Shimla.
The entire Spiti Valley is in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, almost there are no monsoon rains in the area. The sky is amazingly blue during the summer monsoon months are the best season when people can visit the Spiti valley for a holiday tour.
The month of June, July August and September is the best time to plan and visit the Spiti Valley on a road trip. During the monsoon time you can discover the unexplored parts of the Himachal Tribal Tour to visit Spit Valley for a memorable road trip to a land of high passes and deep valleys full of breathtaking scenic beauty. When it is raining in rest of the India the accessibility to the circular route of Spiti valley is opened for the tourists. One can start from Shimla, covering the beautiful Sarahan, Sangla Kalpa valleys in Kinnaur region and further to Spiti valley finishing the tour at Manali. There could be some landslides during the journeys but they are cleared soon by the state PWD department and the border roads organizations in Kinnaur and Spiti valleys of Himachal Pradesh.
You can also take a organized Bhaba Pass Trek which follows The Ancient Trade Route From Kinnaur Valley to Mud village in Spiti valley over the mountain passes. You will experience the wonders and natural beauties that will keep you spell bound for a long time. The constantly evolving scenery is unforgettable and well worth the journey though.
People can also plan the Spiti valley tour from Mid April, May and Early June or Late October November, but they need to start from Shimla Side and finish back towards Shimla as Kunzum pass towards Manali is closed due to heavy snowfall. Whatever the summer or monsoon months you choose to visit Spiti Valley for a tour, remember to carry cotton clothes, with sun hats, light woolen clothes, pair of socks, sun cream, good walking shoes and a rain coat or an umbrella.
Snow Leopard tour to Spiti valley is organized in winters from January end and in February but as the Kunzum pass remains closed during these months due to heavy snowfall in such case one have to start from Shimla and have to come back to Shimla at the end of the tour.
Hotel Accommodation in Spiti valley
There is no star category of hotels in the Spiti valley but there are A class Deluxe Hotels, Guest houses, Comfortable Tented camps, Home stays which are runs by locals. The hotels operate between Mid April to Mid October and rest of the year remains closed for the winters. The hotels in Spiti valley are divided in A Class Hotels which guarantees the best level of comfort in the Himalayas; the B Class Hotels - which are moderate comfort with neat and clean rooms. All rooms have private bathrooms with hot and cold running water. Summit Safari India- The Travel Experts would be happy to plan and organize a Spiti valley holiday tour for you and offer you the best rates on hotel accommodations in Spiti valley.
Places Of Interest to Visit In Spiti Valley
While on the Spiti valley tour you will enjoy miles and miles of natural beauty. It’s a land that is cut off from much of the modern living and all its malaise and conveniences. The entire Spiti valley is famous for Traditional Himalayan villages, with welcoming locals, jaw dropping mountain views, and monasteries on the mountain tops. Every nook and Corner of the spiti valley you will find places as per your interest, but below in the list we have highlighted the most famous ones and not to be missed during your Spiti Valley Tour Holiday Adventure Package.
1. Mud Village and Pin Valley
Mud Village and Pin Valley National Park is home to a variety of rare animals like the Snow Leopard, the ibex, the Himalayan blue sheep and the Himalayan Thar along with many birds and pheasants. Sagnam village, Mud village and Kungri Monastery in the Pin valley is the most famous and the most beautiful. Kungri Monastery is also famous for the monastery festival in Mid July where Cham dance is the major attraction for the tourist's. Mud village has become quiet popular among the travellers where you can observe the day to day village life in the Himalayas, while admiring the landscapes.
2. Lingti Valley
Lingti Valley is a living geological museum and is the longest (60km) and largest side valley of Spiti. Lingti valley with its traditional villages like Demul, Lalaung, Komik, Hikkim and Lagnza are among the most famous and the World’s highest villages. The world's highest post office at Hikkim, The world's Highest village Komic (Comic) is on the list of every traveler during the Spiti valley tour. Some of these villages are famous for the Snow leopard Expeditions during the winter tours in Spiti valley with good sightings of Snow Leopards.
3. Tabo Monastery (3,050 metres)
Tabo monastery founded in 996 A.D., is famous for its art and History and is the oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monument in the World and the Himalayas with its original decorations, iconographic and wall paintings. It is the hidden gem of the Himalayas and preserves an extra ordinary wealth of documentation, history and culture of the centuries old Indo Tibetan culture. The Tabo monastery compound have 9 chapels and the 32 life size clay sculptures in the main Assembly hall are the major highlights to experience.
4. The Mummy of Gue village
The last village on the Indo-China border (Tibet) Gue in Spiti valley is famous for its naturally preserved Mummy of a Buddhist monk (Sangha Tenzin). The 15TH century old, mummified body, in a sitting meditation pose of the Buddhist monk is naturally preserved due to the cold ,dry and harsh weather of Spiti valley. The mummy of Gue village is believed to be around 600 years old, which was discovered here from a Stupa after the earth quake in 1975, while the Indo Tibet Border Force was clearing the area and building the road. Very clearly you can see the teeth, hairs and the well preserved skin on the bones of the Mummy of Gue in the Himalayas.
5. Dhankar Village, Fort and Monastery (3,370 metres)
The most dramatic settings of Spiti, is the village, fort (in ruins) and monastery of Dhankar. It is a small pretty village on a hill with an open view of valley down the side. Views are majestic from the top of the monastery and one can see vast expanses of the Spiti valley. The setting is so beautiful and dramatic that this monastery should not be missed. Dhankar village is ideal for traditional home stays.
6. Dhankar Lake
There is a fresh water lake about a 2.5 kms hike (1hrs each side, trek uphill) above Dhankar village at a height of 13,500 ft. Even you can take a hike upto the mountains to Dhankar Lake.
6. Dhankar Lake
7. Kaza (3,800 metres)
It is the administrative headquarters ( capital) of Spiti. It has a market place, medical facilities (hospital), a pump station, hotels and guest houses, Cafes. You can also shop local handicrafts and food products in the local market at Kaza. It also serves as the base for excursions to the nearby villages and monasteries including Key, Kibber, Lagnza Hikkim- where you visit the World’ highest Post office (4,400 metres / 14,436 feet), and Komik ( 4,587 metres / 15,050 feet) which is now the world's highest village joined to a motorable road are the most famous and interesting places to visit for sightseeing in Spiti valley. In the winters these villages are famous for the sightings of rare Snow leopard, snow ibex, Himalayan thar with many other birds and Himalayan wildlife. Langza village provide great home stays run by the local ethnic group of people. Langza village is the part of the most fossil rich areas in the world by the Geological Survey of India and the Geological Society of America.
8. Kei - Key Monastery (4,116 metres)
12 kms from Kaza, above the left bank of river Spiti, lies the largest monastery in the valley which holds a powerful impact over the most populous part of the valley around Kaza. It is also known for its beautiful murals, thanka paintings, rare manuscripts, stucco images and wind instruments that form part of the orchestra whenever Chham (the traditional Tibetan dance) is enacted in the monastery during the summer Monastic festival. It also has nice ambience and small caves for meditation.
9. Kibber village (4,205 metres)
8 kms above the Kee monastery, Kibber village where on arrival one is greeted by traditional houses, lush green fields which look strikingly refreshing against the arid backdrop of the snow capped mountains and peaks. A hike to the nearby mountains provides a chance to see some of the Himalayan wildlife from close. It is also the part of Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Kibber and the nearby Chicham village offers home stays run by the locals.
10 : Kunzum Pass (4,551 metres)
Kunzum Pass is the gateway to Lahaul valley or to Manali from Spiti Valley. The Bara Shigri glacier can be seen in front of the pass. Snow covered mountains and glaciers can be seen throughout the year from the Kunzum Pass which is open in early June to mid October depending on the snowfall. There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kunzum, where each vehicle stops and takes blessing of the Goddess for their safe journey.
11. Chandra Tal Lake (4,270 metres)
In the wilderness of Spiti valley Chandra Tal lake is the part of Chandratal Wildlife Wet Land and Biosphere Reserve is also a natural habitat of Snow Leopards and many other rare Himalayan species like the Snowcock, Chukor, Black Ring Stilt, Kestrel, Golden Eagle, Chough, Red Fox, Himalayan Ibex, and Blue Sheep. It is among the 42 Ramsar Sites of international importance in India. Chandra Tal Lake also know n as the "Lake of the Moon", as on full moon night it appears as if the moon and the stars have come down to the lake. At full moon night the reflection of the moon and stars can be seen in lake water. It is the largest and broadest lake in the region (1 skm. in length). This clear blue water lake lies in a broad grassy plain with a presence of rugged mountains, snow covered peaks and it presents a picturesque beauty of nature to the visitors. It is approachable by a rough road from Batal (15 kms), just below the Kunzum Pass or either one can hike down from Kunzum Pass (6 kms – 3 hrs) to the beautiful Lake.
Every year from Mid June to Mid September, fixed seasonal tented accommodations are being provided by the locals, just 2 kms before the Chadratal Lake. Batal to Chandertaal driving distance is 15 kms, or one can choose to trek to Chandratal Lake , which starts from the Kunzum Pass ( 6 kms/ 3-4 hrs each side), with many ups and downs before finally going down to Chandratal Lake. As the Chandratal Lake is among the Ramsar Sites of international importance in India, so to protect the wildlife government sometimes close the driving road to Chandratal Lake or do not allow the locals to fix their seasonal camps before the Lake. So be prepared for sudden changes in your travel plan due to government restrictions, or you are always free to trek to Chandratal Lake.
Rangrik, Lalung, Chicham are some of the other interesting villages in Spiti valley famous for its traditional houses,bridges, Landscapes and the Buddhist monasteries.
Summit Safari India will help you Plan A Tour to Spiti Valley India – Explore the Unexplored "The Middle Land" between Tibet and Ladakh which is also in the list of Top 10 Places to Visit in Himachal Pradesh, India. Our community based, eco tourism tribal and rural Himalayan village tour India provides you a unique travel experience to explore the Himalayan villages, enjoy history, local culture, food, dance, traditional arts and crafts. You get the insight to the day to day life of some of the ethnic tribal communities from very closely; on the other hand it benefits the locals directly.
