Spiti Valley Explorer Edition

Overview

About Spiti Valley Explorer Edition

The Spiti Valley Explorer Edition reveals the most remote and captivating regions of India. Though based in the high-altitude desert of Himachal Pradesh, it manages to merge amazingly with Tibetan culture and sceneries that stand so stark that they come with a rich cultural heritage from ancient Buddhist times.

This Spiti Valley Expedition Trip Package typically starts from an acclimatization process in either Shimla or Manali, setting the base for entry into the heart of Spiti. Travelers will witness legendary cliff-top monasteries, visit some of the highest villages in the world, and be spellbound by the crescent-shaped Chandratal Lake. Amidst this 11D10N Himalayan adventure, from enjoying local hospitality in Spiti to spotting rare Himalayan wildlife, there is much more to experience. Be it the adventure enthusiast, the culture seeker, or a nature lover, the Spiti Valley Tour Package will strike a perfect chord with its crystal-clear night skies that are just right for stargazing and unique landscapes that present brilliant photography opportunities. Best carried out during the summer months of June to September, this tour allows one to truly soak in raw naturality and spiritual atmosphere across this 'Little Tibet,' making it most unforgettable among Himalayan adventures.

Best Places to Explore in Spiti Valley Expedition

• Key Monastery: Situated at 4,166 meters on top of a hill, Key Monastery is the biggest and most famous Buddhist hub of Spiti. Unique architecture, ancient murals, and breathtaking views turn this place into one of the most-visited spiritual and cultural landmarks.
• Chandratal Lake: This high-altitude lake is crescent-shaped, popularly named "Moon Lake." It glistens with sparkling turquoise waters and is bare of mountains all around—a perfect place for camping. At night, the stargazing at this place indeed feels otherworldly.
• Dhankar Monastery: Perilously located between Spiti and Pin valleys, the Dhankar Monastery commands a panoramic view of the landscape below. This marvel of engineering is approximately 1200 years old and holds spiritual significance.
• Tabo Monastery: Often referred to as the "Ajanta of the Himalayas," Tabo is over 1000 years old with exquisite murals and stucco sculptures. Its ancient architecture and calm make it a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Kibber Village: At 4,270 meters, this village is one of the highest-inhabited villages in the world. Kibber gives one a glimpse into the traditional Spitian way of life. The stark beauty and proximity to some important wildlife spotting areas make it an unparalleled destination.
• Pin Valley National Park: Encompassing within itself an elusive snow leopard and other Himalayan wildlife, this is what Pin Valley National Park in Spiti offers. The rugged terrain, together with high-altitude meadows, forms an ideal trekking ground.
• Komic Village: The highest motorable village in the world, Komic showcases views of the Spiti Valley. Its ancient monastery and traditional lifestyle make it such an offbeat destination.
• Kunzum Pass: The Kunzum Pass lies between the Lahaul and Spiti valleys at 4,590 meters. Multi-colored prayer flags adorn this pass, which gives excellent views down the Chandrabhaga Range, a photographer's delight not to be missed.
• Langza Village: With its giant Buddha statue overlooking the village, Langza is famous for its finds of fossils. This self-same picturesque village, with its unique geological history, makes for a great stop in and of itself.
• Hikkim Village: Hikkim—hosting the world's highest post office at an altitude of 4,440 meters—is one location where one can send posts. Also drawing visitors is the village's architecture and hospitality in the eyes of the faces.
• Nako Lake: This is a small, high-altitude lake surrounded with willow and poplar trees; the scene is picturesque. The serene settings with the nearby ancient Nako Monastery form an ideal location to spend in peaceful thought and capturing snaps.
• Giu Village: One of the weirder and more surreal attractions in Giu village is its 500-year-old mummified monk. So, according to reports, this well-preserved mummy has allegedly continued to grow hair and fingernails through the glass case to this day.
• Chitkul: Although technically a part of Kinnaur, Chitkul has been included in almost all the Spiti itineraries. The absolute display of snow-capped peaks and pristine landscapes of the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibet border is one to behold.
• Losar Village: The first village on your way into Spiti from Manali is Losar. This ancient gateway to the valley is an exciting stop, not only because of its beauty but also due to its strategic location and traditional Spitian architecture.
• Kaza: Kaza is the administrative center of Spiti, and thus, most travelers take up their base here. It has modern facilities with a local market and serves as aulos of excursions within the valley.
• Dhankar Lake: It's one of the high-altitude glacial lakes, located near Dhankar Monastery, and it involves some amount of challenging hike to reach but offers excellent views with a sense of accomplishment.
• Lhalung Monastery: Lhalung is one of the oldest monasteries in Spiti, known for its famous 'Golden Temple.' With its isolation and ancient artifacts, one has a preschool-like insight, opening the eyes to a rich Buddhist heritage within Spiti.
• Tashigang: Here, it was claimed to be the highest village in Asia accessible by a motorable road. From Trashigang, there is a broad panoramic view of the mountain and valley surroundings.
• Mudh Village saga: The last village in the Pin Valley, Mudah, is a picturesque hamlet surrounded by snow-capped peaks. It's an excellent base for treks into the Pin Valley National Park.
• Sagnam Village: One such destination for picnickers and trekkers is Sagnam, a village in the Pin Valley that reflects the unique cultures prevailing in the area of Pin Valley.
• Sarahan: Located in the highlands of Himachal Pradesh, Sarahan is a picturesque town that offers excellent views of the Himalayas. It is considered on the way to Kinnaur and is quite famous for its Bhimakali temple complex and Apple orchards. Serene landscapes and the unique culture of the Kinnauris could be experienced here.
• Bhimakali Temple: The Bhimakali Temple at Sarahan is a beautiful example of both Hindu and Buddhist architecture combined. This temple, constructed unusually with a mixture of wood-steel and wood-copper, is dedicated to Goddess Bhimakali. Intricately carved wood and silver doors are indeed a viewer's delight. There are two towers: the taller of the two has the idol of the presiding deity.

Things to do in Spiti Valley

1. Stargazing: Witness the celestial spectacle of Spiti's high-altitude, clear skies. Almost stripped of all artificial light, the sky is home to countless stars, constellations, and, at times even the Milky Way. Carry a telescope or join guided astronomy sessions for an unforgettable nocturnal adventure in the Himalayas.

2. Trekking: From simple day hikes to gigantic multi-day treks, take on adventure. Let breathtaking landscapes surprise you, bargain for steep passes, or camp inside secret valleys. Some famous routes are Dhankar to Lhalung, Pin-Parvati Pass, and Parang La. Always have proper acclimatization and go responsibly during your trek.

3. Mountain biking: Explore the rough landscape of Spiti on two wheels and get up close to raw beauty. Ride through winding mountain roads along monasteries and traditional villages. Test your strength on steep ascents and thrill on wild descents. Hire bikes in Kaza or take organized tours for safety and support.

4. Wildlife spotting: Get cheeky with the reclusive Himalayan wildlife of Spiti. One may be fortunate enough to spot a snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, blue sheep, and ibex, to name a few, when patience accompanies exploration of the Pin Valley National Park or embark on wildlife safaris. Respect the boundaries, however, and other responsible wildlife viewing practices can elevate your experience while ensuring sustainable eco-tourism.

5. Fossil hunting: It's also possible to uncover Spiti's prehistoric past while searching for marine fossils in its villages, such as Langza. These remains of millions of years ago betray an ancient oceanic heritage of the valley. Join guided walks in fossil hunting or indulge on your own, but always respect local regulations and leave larger specimens in place.

6. Photography: Capture the stark beauty of Spiti through your lens. Frame ancient monasteries against rugged mountains, document traditional Spitian life and shoot the valley's light, ever-changing. From sweeping landscapes to intimate portraits, Spiti's photographic opportunities are endless. Remember to get permission before photographing people.

7. Meditation and Yoga: Let your body and mind be one with the tranquil high-altitude ambiance of Spiti. Meditate at the monasteries or anywhere amidst nature. Many guesthouse hosts offer yoga classes against sensational backgrounds. The overall peaceful atmosphere of the valley is perfect for the rejuvenation of the spirit and body.

8. Attend local festivals: Be a part of the socio-cultural festivities in Spiti with a festive hue splashed with colorful local festivals. Masked dances, traditional music, and vibrant costumes are the order of the day in events like the Ladarcha Fair or Gue-Stupa inauguration. Such festivals bring out a slice of rich Buddhist heritage and community bonding in Spiti.

9. Try Local Cuisine: Try local delicacies, which include dishes like thukpa, momos, and sea buckthorn juice. Don't miss tasting salted butter tea, which is very regional. Try small, local, village restaurants or have a home-cooked meal to taste the region's cuisine.

10. Study Tibetan Buddhism: Go through the spirituality of Spiti, start from the Tibetan Buddhism course. Attend morning prayer sessions at monasteries, interact with monks, and observe how sand mandalas are created. Many of these monasteries offer short courses or talks on Buddhist philosophy and meditation techniques for interested visitors.

How to Reach Spiti Valley

To reach Spiti Valley from Sarahan Via Chitkul, Start from Sarahan and head towards Sangla Valley. Continue to Chitkul, India's last inhabited village before the Tibet border. After exploring Chitkul, backtrack to Sangla and proceed to Reckong Peo. From there, follow the Hindustan-Tibet Road through Kalpa, Nako, and Tabo, finally reaching Kaza in Spiti Valley. This scenic detour adds about 100 km to your journey, offering views of the Kinnaur Valley and Baspa River. The entire trip covers roughly 440 km and takes 2-3 days, depending on stops and road conditions.

Best Time to Visit Spiti Valley

Summer (June to September): This is the best time to visit. The temperature ranges from 15°C to 25°C, hence suitable for wandering. All passes are open and easily accessible. It is the best season for trekking, camping, and sightseeing. However, it gets crowded along with increased rates of accommodations.

Monsoon (July - August): Spiti, being in the rain shadow area, receives significantly little rainfall. The rest of Himachal witnesses heavy rains, though it remains comparatively dry here. Some areas may face landslides; hence, check out road conditions. The landscape turns lush green during this time.

Autumn (October to November): Great times for photography enthusiasts with cool and crisp weather; the temperature stays between 5°C-15°C. The changing colors of the landscape present some fantastic visuals. A crowd of tourists thins out and offers a more serene experience.

Winter (December to February): For adventure seekers and snow lovers, this is the time when temperatures drop below freezing often to -20°C or lower. Many pass close. Therefore limited access exists. The landscape assumes a stark, snow-covered beauty. This also happens to be the best time for spotting snow leopards.

Spring (March to May): It is the period when snow starts melting, and severe life goes to the valley. The temperature ranges at times from 0°C to 15°C. This is an excellent time for bird watching and first-hand experience with flora returning to life. Some passes may remain shut in early spring, so accessibility must be checked.

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.