Top 20 places to visit in Spiti Valley 2024

Himachal Pradesh is one of the most blessed states in India because it has the most number of hill stations and mesmerizingly beautiful villages that are visited by tourists all around the world. But nothing beats Spiti valley at being gorgeous. Surrounded by the grandeur of the Himalayas, the valley of Spiti is located 12,500 feet above the sea level. The entire area covered with snow for more than six months. The distance of Spiti valley from Manali is around 200 km, and the length of Spiti valley from Shimla is approximately 443 km. Though you can visit there from both the hill stations, you will save a lot of time if you go there from Manali. The entirety of Spiti has several different places that one must visit in their lifetime. In this blog, you will get to know about them.

Top Places to visit in Spiti Valley 2021 

The sites mentioned in the following section of the blog are gorgeous in every way. The most famous ones are mentioned below.

• Key Monastery

Key Monastery one of most explored places to visit in Spiti Valley. Located at an altitude of 13,670 feet, Key Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in India. Not only is the Monastery situated amid the beauty of the Himalayas, but also it holds strong historical significance. Key monastery Spiti was founded in the 11th century by Dromton. It has undergone several attacks and incidents and has been ruled by several rulers since then. Now, it is home to more than 300 Lamas who receive their education over there. Many travellers from across the globe visit the Monastery to spend a few days in tranquillity and peace. Key Monastery located 12 km from Kaza. You will have to go there by renting a car from there.

• Hikkim

Apart from being picturesquely beautiful, Hikkim is famous all the world for having the highest post office in the world. Hikkim post office is located at the height of 14,400 feet and situated in the Lahaul area of Spiti. Hikkim listed one ofthe places to visit in Spiti Valley. The location of the post office amid the tranquillity of the Himalayas will genuinely amuse you. Some tourists prefer to travel to this small Village by trekking from Kaza while others hire a car to go there.

• Komic

Komic village is another places to visit in Spiti Valley because it is the highest village in the world that can be reached through a motorable road. The mesmerizingly beautiful Village is located at an altitude of 15027 feet and covered in snow for most of the year. The Village is situated quite close to the famous Langza village, and many people prefer to go there from Komic. Langza is popular because it is the only fossil village in India. Komic is also home to various Buddhist monasteries and surrounded by the glorious Himalayas. To reach there, you can either rent a car from Shimla or Manali.

• Kibber

Kibber is a tiny picturesque village located in the Spiti Valley. As the Village is situated at an altitude of around 14200 feet, it is unapproachable for most of the year due to adverse climatic conditions. Kibber village is so small that only 366 people live there in the Seventy-seven houses present over there. Mainly tourists go there to witness the uniform houses located over there amid the beautiful Himalayas. The apartments are not only uniform but depict Tibetan architecture quite well. For the people of the Buddhist community, this Village is quite significant as it is strongly influenced by religion.

• Langza

Langza is known as the Fossil village of India, it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Spiti Valley . But the reason for that acknowledgement is that it has several buildings and ruins from the prehistoric era. Located at the height of around 14,500 feet above sea level, this tiny Village in Spiti is resided by only 137 peoples. The entire area surrounding the village is breathtakingly beautiful, With snow-capped mountains and barren lands, this is one of the most beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh. If you visit there, do not forget to explore the lakes and the monasteries located out there.

• Tangyud Monastery

Tanguyd Monastery is quite famous among tourists all over the world because of its location at an altitude of around 14,830 feet above sea level. It is one of the highest monasteries in the world, and the scenery surrounding the Monastery is incredible. As the Monastery is located in the Komic village, you will be able to explore the famous Kibber wildlife sanctuary quite quickly from there. Most of the ancient monasteries in Spiti have been destroyed, but the Tangyud Monastery is one of the very few lefts that is from the Sakya sect. As the Monastery is located in Kaza, do not forget to explore the area exhaustively before you return to Spiti.

• Kaza local Market

Again Kaza is one of the popular places to visit in Spiti Valley. To explore the authentic Spiti, you will have to go to the Kaza local market. Over there, you will not only get to shop, but you will get to see a glimpse of the lives of the local people living out there. Most shops in the local market of Kaza sell traditional clothes and pieces of jewellery from Tibet, which are elegant. If you do not want to exceed your budget for travelling, you can get small trinkets as souvenirs for your loved ones while shopping out there. Do not forget to visit the restaurants in the market, to experience authentic Tibetan cuisine.

• Dhankar Lake

Dhankar lake is one of the attractive places in Spiti that most people prefer to reach by trekking. As the lake is located at an altitude of 13582 feet above the sea level, walking over there will be quite tricky for you if you have any physical ailments. The scenic beauty of the lake is incomparable. You will be able to witness the refection of the beautiful mountains in the water of the lake quite vividly. The lake is located 5 km from the famous Dhankar monastery. You can get there by trekking from Dhankar village quite quickly. Though the road is pretty steep, by strolling, you will not encounter any physical discomfort.

• Dhankar Monastery

Dhankar Monastery Located at the height of 12,800 feet above sea level, the Dhankar monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in India. The Monastery was founded 1000 years ago and has been significant for the people of the Buddhist community since then. Many tourists all over the world visit this Monastery because of its endangered location. You can learn more about the Monastery from the museum located on its premises. Now, the Monastery is home to more than 150 monks who are being trained regularly. You can reach there by renting a car from Kaza or Tabo quite easily. Many people prefer to trek over there from Schichilng that is located 8 km from the Monastery.

• Tabo Monastery

Tabo monastery is one of the places to visit in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh right now. It is located in the beautiful Tabo village of Spiti at the height of 10,000 feet above sea level. Not only the location of the building, but the architecture of the Monastery is quite beautiful as well. Surrounded by the grand Himalayas and the Spiti river. The Monastery is genuinely perfectly photogenic. People from all over the world visit Spiti to witness this Monastery because it is unique and has a lot of integral paintings. You visit the Monastery from several places in Himachal Pradesh, including Shimla, Kullu, Recong Peo, Manali, and others.

• Pin Valley

Pin Valley is quite famous all across the world because it is one of the few areas in Himachal Pradesh where snow leopards could be found. Pin valley national park is quite often visited by travellers when they go to Lahaul and Spiti. The national park is also the home to endangered birds like Himalayan Snowcock, Snowfinch, Raven, Pika, and many more. Pin valley is quite commonly known as “Mud Village” because most of the houses located out there are constructed with mud. If you visit there, you will be awestruck with the natural beauty surrounding the area. To reach there, you will have to get a bus from Kaza, or you can also rent a car quite easily.

• Suraj Tal Lake

Suraj Tal Lake is one of the highest and most beautiful lakes in India that is located at an altitude of over 16,020 feet. The lake is situated in the mesmerizing beauty of Spiti valley, and it attracts many pilgrims from all around the country as they believe this lake to be sacred. It is the third-largest lake in the country. Even if you are not a spiritual person, this lake will amaze you like the area surrounding Suraj Tal Lake is quite surreal as well. Manyadventure-loving tourists reach this lake by riding their bikes. The lake is located at such a high altitude, is also commonly known as “the lake of Sun God.” No matter what your reasons are, it would be best if you visited this lake at least once in your lifetime.

• Chicham Bridge

Inaugurated in September of 2017, this bridge is the highest in Asia. Chicham Bridge altitude is located above 13,780 feet above the sea and is built for connecting two villages in the Spiti valley, namely Kibber and Chicham. Earlier residents and tourists out there had to travel an extra 40 km to reach Chicham village from Kibber, but now with this bridge, people can cover the distance within minutes. If you visit Spiti valley someday, you will have to travel through this bridge, because the view of the entire area from the bridge is breathtakingly beautiful. Moreover, this bridge allows you to explore the beautiful Chicham village and Chandratal lake quite easily from other parts of the Spiti valley.

• Kunzum Pass

Kunzum pass is not merely a road, but it is one of the most robust and highest motorable trails in India. To enter Spiti, you will have to pass through the pass. The way is especially popular because it offers tourists the mesmerizingly beautiful panoramic view of the Bara-Shigri glacier that is the second largest in the world. The exquisite beauty of the area will amaze you. Most people prefer to visit the beautiful Chandratal lake by trekking from the pass and also visit the Kunzum temple located quite close to the pass. You can easily reach there by getting on a public bus in Manali.

• Chandratal Lake

If you visit Spiti, you will have to visit Chandraltal lake; otherwise, your trip will be incomplete. It is one of the most spectacular crescent-shaped lakes in India that is also known as the “Lake of the Moon.” The lake is located on the Samudra Tapu plateau in Spiti that is quite close to the famous Chandra river. If you are a thrill-seeker, this lake will be perfect for you as Chandratal lake trek is one of the most famous trekking trails in Himachal Pradesh. It is a camper’s paradise. When you reach there, you will be spellbound by the beauty of the lake. Apart from the natural beauty, this lake is also quite sacred to the people of the Hindu community as it has been mentioned in the Indian epic Mahabharata for several times.

• Kinnaur

Kinnaur is slowly emerging to be one of the most visited places in India because this district has everything. From lush coniferous forests to spectacular mountains, from rippling rivers to beautiful lakes, this district is the epitome of natural beauty. This place is also considered to be one of the most religious places in the country. It is said that Lord Shiva used to reside there, and Kinnaur is mentioned in the Mahabharata several times. There are several beautiful places in the district, including Sangla valley, Kalpa, Chitkul, and others. The weather of Kinnaur is quite pleasant during most of the year, but during the winter, the climate can get a lot extreme.

• Sangla Valley

Sangla is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It is a mesmerizingly gorgeous valley in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh that has many incredible tourist spots. Every corner of Sangla valley is spectacular. If you visit there, you will get to see orchards of red, yellow, and green apples anywhere you go. As the beautiful Baspa river surrounds the valley; the beauty of the valley is exemplified even more. The average Sangla valley temperature during the summers is around 20 degrees Celsius, and in winter, it can go down to minus 5 degrees Celsius. Hence, to enjoy this gorgeous valley more comfortably, you should visit there between April to November. Some of the most famous places in Sangla are Kamru fort, Chitkul, Batseri village, Bering Nag temple, and many more.

• Sarahan Village

Sarahan is yet another breathtakingly beautiful place in Himachal Pradesh that is visited by a large number of travelers all across the world. It is commonly known as the “Gateway to Kinnaur” because it is quite near Kinnaur valley. Sarahan is also blessed to have orchards filled with apples of different categories from every house present in there. But the main attraction of Sarahan is the sacred and spectacular Bhimakali temple. Not only is the temple unique and looks splendid in the heavenly surroundings, but it is quite sacred to the people of the Hindu community as well. Sarahan in Himachal Pradesh was also the home to Bhushahr king, and you can visit his palace that is located close to the temple over there. The village is situated close to the Sutlej river, and you will be able to hear the rustling sounds ofthe flowing water from the room of your hotel over there.

• Chitkul

Chitkul village located at an altitude of 11,318 feet, also known as the last village of India. This village is situated at the border of the Indo-Tibetan road; tourists get to visit the border gate when they visit there. Chitkul is one of the beautiful places in not only Himachal Pradesh but also in India. With snow-capped mountains, sapphire blue Baspa river, deep luscious forests, and the loving local people, Chitkul is perhaps the happiest place on earth.If you want, you can stay a few nights in one of the homestays in Chitkul, or you can camp by the Baspa river quite easily. The village is located 28 km from Sangla, and most people rent a car to visit there. Many people prefer to live in Rakcham village to explore Chitkul more easily.

• Nako Village

Nako village is one of the most visited places in India right now. The popularity of this tiny village in Himachal Pradesh lies in the fact that it is spectacularly gorgeous. It is located at the height of 11,811 feet and is said to be the gateway to Spiti valley. As the village is situated quite close to the Nako lake, many tourists prefer to camp out there to get closer to nature. Most people visit the town while traveling to Spiti valley. If you visit there, do not forget to explore the Lipa-Asrang sanctuary, Nako monastery, Sangla Buddhist monastery, and others.

Final Note 

Spiti valley is not only a place that people visit to spend their vacation, but it is an experience. The harsh weather, the simple locals, the mesmerizingly view of nature, and the traditional believes of the people will make you fall in love with Spiti Valley.