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This is a guest post by Radhika Sharma from Nomllers travel blog.
Why You Should Visit the Spiti Valley
India is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world. Northern India is rich in culture with the influence of ancient Tibetan customs and saffron-cloaked monks. The Spiti Valley, in the northern Indian province of Himachal Pradesh, offers stunning views and a glimpse of the wildlife still thriving in India. Being so high in the mountains means it can get pretty cold, especially during the winter. You’ll need to pick the best time to visit Spiti Valley that works for what you want to see.
Hopping between villages is as easy as taking a bus or renting a motorbike and is the best way to explore the Spiti Valley. Each village offers a unique vibe. Here are nine reasons you should visit the Spiti Valley.
1. Visit the Highest Post Office in the World
The village of Hikkim is known to have the highest post office in the world. Hikkim is right in the center of Spiti Valley and can only be visited by either hiring a taxi or renting a scooter. There are no buses running to this village. Tourists love going to this village to send postcards to their loved ones. This adds a really special vibe to the entire experience when their loved ones receive a letter from the world’s highest post office.
2. Visit the Highest Motorable Village in The World
Komic is another village near Hikkim. This village is known as the world’s highest motorable village. Bikers are mostly seen here to mark a milestone for themselves. One can even stay here but there are fewer homestays compared to other villages. Most of the tourists go up to this point and return back to Kaza which is closer to Hikkim and the capital region of Spiti Valley.
3. See the Most Breathtaking Lakes
Known as a cold dessert, Spiti Valley is a barren land with landscapes in shades of brown and frozen sand. The crystal clear lakes in all the magnificent shades of blue are something really special about the Spiti Valley. Some of the lakes are so remotely situated that they can only be reached if you hike to them on your own self-guided Spiti Valley trek. The most well-known ones are Dhankar Lake, a half-hour hike from Dhankar Village. Chandratal Lake is the most famous amongst tourists.
4. See the Oldest Monasteries
In Spiti Valley, every village has a beautiful monastery and some of them are very old. The monasteries in Dhankar and Tabo were built in 998 AD. The monastery in Tabo has been revived by devout monks. The Dhankar monastery is built on a 300-meter spur. You can see the Spiti and Pin rivers meeting here. It is one of the most beautiful sights to see in the Spiti Valley.
One of the most famous monasteries in the Spiti Valley is Kee Monastery in Kee Gompa village. The monastery is so huge and built at such a height that you can easily spot it from far away. It is said to be the highest monastery in the world.
5. Spot Snow Leopards
Near Kee Gompa, there is village known as Kibber. During the winter season, Kibber receives heavy snowfall. Snow leopards come down from the heights and can be easily seen in the Kibber village. If you are interested in a Spiti Valley tour, many tourist’s agencies take travelers on a special Spiti Valley trek specifically to spot the snow leopard. You might even see some fossils. If you want to see snow leopards, the best time to visit Spiti Valley is in the winter! Make sure to pack warm clothes!
6. Walk on The Highest Bridge
Chichim is another village near Kibber. In the past, locals would use ropeways or would hike down into the Spiti Valley and back up to get from Kibber to Chichim. But not anymore. The villagers, with the help of the government, built a bridge which is said to be Asia’s highest. This bridge has made the life of the villagers much simpler and now vehicles can easily pass from one village to another. Instead of a Spiti Valley trek up and down the chasm, the trip from Chichim to Kibber is now only a fifteen-minute drive.
7. Night Photography and Spotting the Milky Way
Being in one of the most secluded parts of the country, the Spiti Valley is virtually pollution-free. And due to its high altitude, you can see millions of twinkling stars during the night. Photographers come to the Spiti Valley for the unbelievable night photography. You can easily spot the Milky Way during clear weather. One of the best places to see the Milky Way is Langza. If you are lucky, the Milky Way aligns with the Buddha statue creating a magical effect for a photo.
8. Experience Simple Living by Staying in Monasteries
Once you visit Spiti Valley, you will notice that hotels and luxuries are few and far between. I am actually really grateful for this because it helps the tourists experience the local lifestyle. Not only does it make the place untouched, but it also frees you from any business dealings. Instead, you stay with local families and eat food, talk about the culture, and understand how rewarding living a simple life can be.
9. The Glorious Pin Valley
Near Spiti Valley, there is another beautiful but colder valley called the Pin National Park. This hill station is made of several small villages. Mudh Village is the last one. As soon as you enter the valley you’ll want to stop every few meters to take another picture of the beautiful landscape. You will find white snow-capped mountains in front of you and black sand below you.
Spiti Valley is a glorious place to visit. You will leave with your heart full of contentment and your mind full of memories. In fact, I have never met a tourist who didn’t want to go back to the Spiti Valley again. I’ve even met one foreigner who flies to India every year just to visit Spiti Valley! The timeless beauty of the Spiti Valley and the unforgettable sights will stay with you for the rest of your life.
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Author Bio
I am Radhika Sharma – a travel blogger, an avid YouTuber & an IG influencer for the past 2 years, based in New Delhi. I am a co-founder of the blog Nomllers and you can find my work on my YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
Medha says
Snow leopards! Wow. I am from India and even I haven’t been to Spiti Valley as yet, what a pity. It looks gorgeous though and I’ve heard and read so much about it that I know I need to go. The snow-capped mountains, the monasteries set in such spectacular, mountain villages, they all sound so amazing. I hope to get there sometime soon!
Radhika Sharma says
Thank you Medha! I would like to go to Spiti too even though I have been there already 🙂
Especially to see the snow leopards in Kibber!
Lisa says
Looks like I should plan a trip to Spiti Valley in the winter because I would just LOVE to see some snow leopards! That’s amazing!! And I would love to send a postcard from the highest Post Office in the world – WOW! Great post, Spiti Valley sounds like a truly heartwarming and magical experience!
Radhika Sharma says
Thank you Lisa, I hope you have a great time in Spiti whenever your plan gets executed. If you face any issues do let me know would be happy to help 🙂
Jennifer says
Snow leopards? SOLD! Do you know what the trekking is like in the winter if there’s heavy snowfall? I’m curious how often snow leopards are actually seen by the tourists visiting.
Radhika Sharma says
Hey Jennifer!
To see snow leopards, you don’t actually have to trek. Kibber is a small village that can be easily reached by bus 🙂
Post that, there are many jeeps and excursions in and near the village to spot snow leopards. On an average, many people are able to see the leopard in two days.
Kirstie says
I haven’t heard of Spiti Valley before and wow, I just fell in love with those photos!
Radhika Sharma says
Thank you Kirstie 🙂
Rosemary says
You got me with the incredible landscape shots of Pin National Park. Those mountains and blue waters are simply gorgeous. I haven’t heard of Spiti Valley, but I will definitively make a point to visit when I get to India soon. Thanks for the lovely introduction to the region.
Radhika Sharma says
Thank you so much, glad you liked it. You will like it even more in person 🙂
Vicky and Buddy says
Spiti Valley looks like a really cool place to visit! I think it’d be awesome to see snow leopards and possibly the milky way. I also think that sending post cards is really cool and I try and do it on all of my trips, so sending post cards from the highest one in the world would be extra special.
Radhika Sharma says
Indeed!! One of the best and the most special things someone can do for their loved ones 🙂
Claire says
Ok, I’m convinced! Kee Monastery looks incredible, what a backdrop with those beautiful mountains behind! I am a nature lover so I would love to see a snow leopard in the wild, that would be a dream come true for me, they are such beautiful animals. What kind of altitude are you talking though? It’s obviously very high, so I’d need time to adjust slowly!
Radhika Sharma says
Hi Claire,
That is why many travellers stay in Shimla/Kinnaur for a day to get acclimatized 🙂
So by the time you reach Kibber – where you can spot snow leopards – you won’t face many issues. The altitude of Kibber is 4,270 metres.
Mike says
What an awesome post. I also love when there are no fancy big box hotels, because you get to stay with the locals, the way it should be. Have you been there in the winter? Do busses still run there? And how cold do you think it actually gets?
Radhika Sharma says
Hi Mike,
Even I love raw travelling and staying with the locals 🙂
I have not been there in winters, however, during the month of May when India’s weather is summer-y we experienced snowfall in Spiti. Winters are very harsh in Spiti but snow makes the surroundings even more beautiful.
Buses do run there every day. 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
Spiti Valley looks gorgeous. The Kee Monastery has the most beautiful architecture. Love the dramatic mountain landscapes as well. I’ve never been there but now I want to visit.
Radhika Sharma says
Thank you Rhonda for appreciating 🙂
Nick Kembel says
Great post, and I especially love that monastery shot! I went to Manali more than 10 years ago, and it was cool but really a trendy place to go to. This looks like a whole different world, and much more Tibetan/high mountain culture. Will definitely add it to my list for next time! Is is also quite popular with tourists & backpackers?
Radhika Sharma says
Hi Nick!
Manali has now become really crowded as a place.
Spiti is still less popular comparatively but picking up as a tourist spot quite fast 🙂 Many backpackers are going here to visit the high mountains!