Spiti Valley Circuit Trip From Chandigarh

Overview

Spiti Valley Circuit Trip from Chandigarh

Starting the Spiti Valley Circuit Trip from Chandigarh is one unique ride. Tucked into the Himachal Pradesh state of northern India, this region promises adventure travel in a stark and captivating alpine environment, centuries-old monastery architecture and an intriguing ethnic background.

The journey starts with the settings off from Chandigarh towards the great beautiful and green hills of Himachal Pradesh. First, the traveler reaches Narkanda, an exquisite town ideal for experiencing the enchanting sight of the Himalayas in their full glory. Here it winds its way through the Kinnaur Valley, affording tantalizing views of mountains cloaked in snow and the glistening rivers.

This is especially true when you are crossing Kunzum La which is located at an altitude of 4551 meters or 14,931 feet after which the rocky desert of Spiti starts. The barrenness of this place is rather majestic: the gray and red rocks, clear blue sky, and color shifts with occasional bright red and yellow of the prayer flags swaying in the wind.

Explore the historical site of Key monastery, situated on a hill that dominates the area – get stunned by Buddhist life still actively practiced in the region. Experience the liberty of moving through the network of pathways to Kaza, the biggest village in the Spiti Valley, and adequate a glance into the people’s lifestyle. Do not leave without a visit to Komic – the highest motorized village in the world with an altitude of 2583m( 7887 ft).

The Spiti Valley Circuit Trip is a combination of joy, trekking, exploring nature and culture. The roads here are like a combination of highly challenging terrain and from inside the people to the welcoming and warm locals, this trip is very likely to stamp its mark on your souls making some memories that you will treasure in a lifetime though time and space will tell on such a busy and vibrant city life.

Best Places to Visit in Spiti Valley Trip from Chandigarh

• Key Monastery: One of the oldest and largest monasteries in Spiti, Key Monastery dates back to the 11th century. It is renowned for its stunning architecture, vibrant Buddhist culture, and a collection of ancient murals and thangkas.
• Tabo Monastery: Established in 996 AD, Tabo Monastery is often referred to as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas' due to its remarkable wall paintings and mud-brick structure. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit for its historical and cultural significance.
• Dhankar Monastery: Perched atop a cliff at an altitude of 3,894 meters, Dhankar Monastery offers breathtaking views of the Spiti Valley and the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. It is an excellent example of Tibetan Buddhist architecture and houses ancient murals and sculptures.
• Komic: Komic is the highest village in Asia, located at an altitude of 4,587 meters. It is a fascinating place to witness the traditional lifestyle of the hardy inhabitants who brave the harsh Himalayan conditions.
• Chandratal Lake: Nestled amidst towering mountains, Chandratal Lake is a stunning crescent-shaped lake known for its pristine turquoise waters and scenic surroundings. It is a popular trekking destination and offers incredible views of the Himalayas.
• Langza Village: Langza is a picturesque village famous for its unique fossil park, where you can find ancient marine fossils embedded in the rocks. It also offers panoramic views of the Spiti Valley and opportunities for cultural immersion.
• Pin Valley National Park: This national park is a haven for nature lovers and trekkers, offering opportunities to spot rare Himalayan wildlife such as snow leopards, Ibex, and blue sheep, as well as stunning landscapes and pristine glaciers.
• Kibber Village: Situated at an altitude of 4,270 meters, Kibber is one of the highest villages in the world with a motorable road. It offers stunning views of the snow-capped Himalayas and is known for its unique lifestyle and traditional houses made of stone and mud.
• Lahaul Valley: While not technically part of Spiti Valley, the neighboring Lahaul Valley is a must-visit for its stunning landscapes, ancient monasteries, and opportunities for trekking and adventure sports.
• Kunzum Pass: At an altitude of 4,551 meters, the Kunzum Pass is one of the highest motorable passes in the world and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayas. It is a popular spot for photography and a gateway to the Spiti Valley.
• Hikkim: This small village is known for its highest post office in the world, located at an altitude of 4,400 meters. It is also a great base for trekking and exploring the nearby glaciers and natural landscapes.
• Suraj Tal: Translated as 'Lake of the Sun,' Suraj Tal is a beautiful high-altitude lake surrounded by rugged mountains and glaciers. It is a popular camping spot and a paradise for nature lovers and photographers.
• Chitkul: Chitkul is another famous village which is located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh and the last human inhabited place in India before the border of Tibet. This is the brightest example of traditional wooden houses, apple gardens and clean nature perspectives. Chitkul is a center for trekking and easy access to explore the alpine pasture and glaciers.
• Sangla: Sangla is one of the beautiful subsidiary effects in the Kinnaur valley offering marvelous sights of Himalayas, ancient temples and the Kamru Fort. The sanctuary is visited frequently on the way to Chitkul, though it provides possibilities for hiking, camping, and rafting on the river.
• Khab Sangam: The Khab Sangam is the junction of Spiti and Sutlej River and is fairly spectacular because of the Different shades of water at this place. This natural wonder is situated around Khab village itself and is a common place for visitors to pose for pictures.
• Chicham Bridge: The Chicham Bridge also termed the Hindustan-Tibet Road Bridge is the historic bridge constructed over the Baspa River at Sangla valley. Interestingly, it was built using traditional engineering techniques and, just so you know, the place has windows that give a spectacular view of the nearby mountains and valleys.
• Kaza: Kaza is one of the principal towns in the Spiti Valley and serves as the sub divisional headquarters of the valley. It is a perfect launch pad for visiting popular monastic circuits including the example of Key Monastery; people here are very colorful and follow a rather traditional way of life. Kaza is also an ideal place for trekking along with other attractions of the area and some of the nearby villages namely Kibber and Langza.
• Manali: Manali is the beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh, which is best known for its tourist destinations, adventitious sports, and as entrance to Spiti Valley and Lahaul regions. It has a lot of hotels, restaurants, and shopping places to visit, and also it has treks, River rafting, aerial activities such as Paragliding and others.

Top Things to do in Spiti Valley Circuit Trip from Chandigarh

• Visit Ancient Buddhist Monasteries- Discover art history visits locations of monasteries like Key Monastery , Monastery of Tabo popularly known as the “Ajanta of Himalayas”, Monastery of Dhankar. Look at their design and structure which are so unique and colorful paintings and religious items.
• Visit High-Altitude Villages- Experience the isolation of far-flung Tawang like Kibber, Langza, Komic ( Motor able Village in the stupendous height) & Demul. Observe the local buildings that stand as symbols of traditional architecture, drive around and get to know the hospitable hosts, as well as learn about their determined way of living.
• Photography- The beauty of the Spiti Valley is without parallel – its rocks, monasteries, and the people are a perfect backdrop for photography enthusiasts. Look at the stunning top views of the mountains, water bodies, and the vast expanses of desert decorated with snow and ice.
• Camping and Stargazing- Sleep in the open surrounded by the incredible Himalayan nights that are as wild and stunning as the mountains themselves. Admire and watch stars and feel the beauty of the Milky Way in the sky of Spiti valley in which no pollution has been covered yet.
• Cultural Immersion- Visit fairs and festivals, participate in customs such as paying respect in temples or chanting Buddhist prayer etc; walking tour with culturally informative local tour guides and inhabitants.
• Explore Historical Sites- Find out more about the area by visiting such attractions as the Chicham Bridge or the Hindustan-Tibet Road Bridge and the Kamru Fort in Sangla some 47 km south-east of Kullu.
• Cafe Hopping in Kaza- Kaza's cozy cafés like Monastery Café, Himalayan Café, and Spiti Valley Café offer a warm respite, serving traditional Spitian delicacies, homemade baked goods, and panoramic mountain views, providing an authentic cultural experience amid stunning Himalayan landscapes.

How to Reach Spiti Valley From Chandigarh

The road trip which is undertaken from Chandigarh to Spiti Valley is a pure blend of the Himalayan Road trip. There is a chain of some distance, and after passing through Narkanda, Rampur, and Reckong Peo, one can get to Kalpa. Visit the powerful Sutlej River before trying to cross the serious Kunzum La pass to reach the Spiti region. Drive through to visit the Tabo Monastery which is a 1000-year-old monastery after which the drive to Kaza which is considered the hub of the region. From this base one can cross the villages like Kibber, Langza and such others.

Best Time to Visit Spiti Valley

Autumn (Mid-September to Mid-October) is the peak season to visit Spiti Valley. With mild temperatures from 10°C to 20°C and golden landscapes contrasting with azure skies, this is the ideal time for trekking and witnessing vibrant fall colors.

The best time is Mid-September to Mid-October when Spiti Valley's barren terrain takes on a breathtaking golden hue. Mild days between 10°C-20°C make it perfect for exploring. This peak season also offers excellent trekking opportunities amid stunning fall scenery.

Things To Pack

Know Before You Go

• The major locations you’ll be visiting in your trip mainly lie in trans-Himalayan region and higher Himalayas. Due to offbeat locations, some regions do not have star category accommodations. Therefore we expect you to prepare your mindset accordingly and don’t expect luxurious amenities and at times, even basic amenities like 24x7 electricity supply, running hot water & wifi services at these properties. Don’t worry we ensure basic hygiene and heart warming hospitality.
• In case of large groups, all rooms may or may not be available in the same property for all the travelers. To accommodate such large groups, we select two or more hotels on the same trip batch. Please note identical facilities and services may not be available between different rooms or accommodations. However, we try our best to maintain similarities in quality services but still we expect you to adjust to these rare conditions.
• In the triple sharing room occupancy, an extra mattress is provided. This is not to be confused with an extra bed. For any kind of room upgradation request, please directly get in touch with the property reception or staff.
• The camp accommodations at various places especially like Jispa, Sarchu, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Chitkul, Chandratal etc. are very basic even though they are distinguished into various categories. Reason being, their offbeat locations with minimal amenities. However, we give our best while selecting the best quality properties for your comfortable stay experience on our trips.
• In hilly areas and high-altitude locations, shortage of water and electricity supply is a natural phenomenon. To overcome the water crisis, certain hotels have fixed schedules for supplying hot and cold water. We strongly regret the inconvenience but do look forward to your cooperation.
• Special facilities such as room with view, early check-in, smoking or non-smoking rooms, same floor, adjacent or interconnected rooms, etc. are truly subject to availability upon arrival at the accommodation, never pre-allotted or cannot be guaranteed prior. Any expenses arising out of this is to be borne by the traveler themselves.
• On our trips, we follow MAP meal plan in which the menu will be on a buffet basis and not on A-la-Carte basis. This fixed menu plan does not include evening snacks and cold drinks/liquor, soups or desserts. If the traveler wants to order beyond a fixed meal plan i.e. on A-la-Carte basis, they are requested to make direct payment for additional items.
• Consumption and serving of alcohol in some properties/rooms is subject to accommodation's rules and regulations. We respect their decisions and request our travelers also to adhere to such rules.
• In hilly regions, no AC will be operational in vehicles like Tempo Traveler / Innova / Ertiga / Xylo / Scorpio or any similar category.
• The vehicle used for your trip will be exclusively used as per the itinerary only (on point-to-point basis) and will not go beyond the specified itinerary to Trip Captain & drivers.
• The nature of group trip departures is very dynamic and varies from month to month or weekend to weekend. Thus, trip prices are also subject to change as per the occupancy on that particular trip batch.
• The Volvo buses from Delhi to Manali/Shimla & back to Delhi are a third party mode of transportation provided by our regular and verified vendors. Kindly note that these are regular running buses on the above mentioned routes and we cannot keep a proper check on them. However, in case of a technical breakdown a new vehicle or alternate option is arranged but at times it takes a little while for the on-ground operations to do so. Therefore, your cooperation and patience is required in such adverse situations.
• The Volvo bus takes pitstop for lunch/dinner/tea wherever required are predefined by the vendor and cannot be modified by us or any traveler as per our convenience.
• Due to unforeseen situations (force majeure/ traffic jams / traffic halts/ diversions/ curfew, Union strike, VVIP movement, etc.) the vehicle reporting may get delayed and in such case, we request you to bear with us and show your cooperation.