Himachal Pradesh
Spiti Valley
The cold-desert 'Middle Land' between India and Tibet
About Spiti Valley
Spiti means 'the middle land' — a trans-Himalayan cold desert between India and Tibet, so different from green Himachal that it barely feels like the same state. Key Monastery clings to a hillside above Kaza, Dhankar sits on a cliff edge, and villages like Langza, Komic and Hikkim (home to a famously high-altitude post office) sit above 4,000 m against bare brown mountains. Chandratal, the moon lake, is the trip's high point in every sense. It sees far fewer travellers than Manali or Leh for scenery that holds its own against either.
- Best time to visit
- Mid-June to early October, when the Rohtang and Kunzum passes on the Manali side are open. The Shimla–Kinnaur route stays open longer into the year but takes an extra day each way; winters are extreme and the valley is largely cut off.JFMAMJJASONDBest from June
- How to reach
- Bhuntar (Kullu) is the nearest airport for the Manali–Rohtang–Kunzum route (seasonal, about 200 km from Manali); the longer Shimla–Kinnaur route runs via Nako and stays open later in the year.
- Trips start & end at
- Kaza bus stand, or a pickup from Manali/Shimla arranged in advance
Pick 2, 3 or 5 days — stay, food and travel included
Group trip