Spiti, Himachal Pradesh

same terrain, vegetation and climate like Tibet. Spiti also means 'Middle Country'. Spiti is linked to the Lahaul valley by the Kunzam-la pass. The main Spiti valley is split into eastern and western valleys. It is connected with Ladakh and Tibet on eastern side and Kinnaur and Kulu on western side through high passes. From Shimla via Kinnaur there is a motorable road which remains open upto Kaza for 8 to 9 months. About 10 kms. ahead of Pooh, Satluj river enters India near Shipki la and Spiti river joins it at Khab. The road then goes to Sumdo via Hangrang valley. From Sumdo Spiti valley starts. Spiti is a vast highland basin for swift flowing glacial streams that have cut deep gorges into the mountain terrain. Pin and Lingti are the two main streams that feed the Spiti River. The narrow Spiti Valley is carved out by the swift flowing Spiti River and rise from the slopes of the Kunzam-la Pass. This valley is formed by the gorges and dramatic mountains. The valley is not wide but there are some villages and fields which are located along its wider banks. The people grow barley, buck-wheat, peas, vegetables in the fields. It has an area of 4800 square kms. In summer, there is greenery all over the Spiti valley, and all the meadows are covered with flowers. The terraced fields, trees of juniper and flat roofed houses are set against the background of rocky mountain sides that seem painted in shades of purple and pink.

People of Spiti
The people of Spiti are charming, simple, friendly, hospitable and honest. Some people have adopted Buddhism as their faith. The people of Spiti speak Bhoti, Hindi and English languages. Their songs and dances are pure as the snow around them and their "Gompas" are the collection of Buddhist treasures.

Best time to visit Spiti
Both, the Lahaul and Spiti valley remains cut off from the rest of India for most of the part of the year. The Rohtang Pass is opened only from May to October and so during this time the visitors can visit the Spiti valley to enjoy its beauty.

Tourist Attractions in Spiti
The main tourist attraction in Spiti are the Dhankar Monastery, Tabo Monastery, Ki Monastery. The other places which can be visited in Spiti are Thang Yug Gompa, Kungri Gompa, Kunzam Pass, Losar, Kaza and Kibber. Ki Monastery is the oldest and biggest monastery of the valley and located above Kye village. It houses beautiful scriptures and paintings of Buddha and other goddesses. Dhankar Monastery has about 100 Lamas and collection of Buddhist scriptures in Bhoti language. Principal figure is a Statue of " Vairochana" (Dhayan Buddha) consisting of 4 complete figures seated back to back. Tabo monastery, the 1000 year old monastery, is the Spiti’s most sacred monastery. This monastery is a treasure house of art and was built at the initiative of the great teacher Rinchen Tsang Po in 996, the Tibetan Year of the Fire Ape. Kunzum pass is the gateway to Spiti from Kulu and Lahaul. More....

How to reach Spiti
Spiti can be visited by road from Manali via Rohtang Pass to Kaza, the headquarters of Spiti. The Manali – Leh highway, one of the highest mountain road in the world, and is open for 3 months in the year from early June to September. Manali is linked by road and air to Chandigarh, Shimla and Delhi. To enter the Spiti Valley, one has to cross the Kunzam Pass, at a height of 14,800 feet. The longer but popular route into the valley is along the old Hindustan – Tibet road from Shimla across the scenic district of Kinnaur.