Lahaul and Spiti Valley Travel Guide

Imagine traveling to a majestic place surrounded by mountains, crystal-clear lakes, less crowds, and nature bestows its beauty around. A place away from the hustle and bustle of city life that allows you to connect with yourself and understand the importance of traveling. Yes, we are talking about traveling to Lahaul and Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. One of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh and well-considered as an alternative to Ladakh, a trip to Lahaul and Spiti Valley will be unforgettable and incomparable.

Here, with the help of this travel guide, you will learn most of the things about Lahaul and Spiti Valley. If you’re a first-time traveler, simply follow this guide to learn the places to visit in Spiti Valley and Lahaul, the best time to visit, how to visit, and other important information.

In a way, this will be your go-to guide for learning something relevant about Lahaul and Spiti Valley so you can plan travel ahead or even encourage others to explore.

So, with no further ado, let’s start on the same.

Where is Lahaul and Spiti Valley?

Lahaul and Spiti Valley are regions that are surrounded by nature and lie in the northern part of Himachal Pradesh. The natural beauty of misty hills, panoramic views, attractive monasteries, temples, lakes, and other attractions make these tourist places quite popular among leisure travelers. Both being a high-altitude region with different landscapes and temperatures, have the following set of characteristics:

Lahaul is located north of the Rohtang Pass (Closest to Manali).
This region is best known for its rugged terrains, lush green valleys (completely snowy during winters), and glacier views.
Buddhist culture is clearly reflected in the landscape and people of Lahaul.
It’s easily accessible via road from Manali by taking the Atal Tunnel route or the Leh in Ladakh roadway.

Things to Know About Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley is located way ahead of the southeast side of Lahaul and is across the Tibet border.
The landscape of Spiti Valley is entirely different from Lahaul. This region features deep gorges, high-altitude villages, and desert-like terrain (much like the Ladakh route).
This region strongly influences Buddhist culture and features the popular Key Monastery for religious exploration.
It’s a cold desert with little to no vegetation. However, the temperature is on the drop side of this area to make you feel the chill inside.

From the above points, it’s clear that Lahaul and Spiti have different landscapes, geographical positions, and unique things to cover. Moreover, you will come across different yet attention-grabbing Lahaul Spiti tourist places to explore.

What are the Best Lahaul Spiti Sightseeing Places?

When uncovering Lahaul Spiti sightseeing places, we need to discuss the attractions separately. Lahaul and Spiti Valley are different areas in Himachal Pradesh. As mentioned, Lahaul is located before Spiti Valley, depending on the route you will be taking.

So, let’s look at first the best places to visit in Lahaul.

Kardang Monastery: Also known as Kardang Gompa, this monastery is located in the scenic village of Lahaul Valley. Sitting at an elevated height of 3,500 meters above sea level, this majestic monastery is surrounded by snow-capped mountain views and is located against the bare hills of Rangcha. The monastery has many male and female monks inside, making it an integral cultural and religiously significant place in Lahaul.
Shashur Gompa: Another interesting and must-visit Lahaul tourist place has to be Shashur Gompa. This monastery, located 3km uphill from Keylong, offers attractive views of lush green mountains and a feeling of peace and tranquility. Built in the 17th century by Lama Deva Gyatsho of Zanskar, the monastery’s key highlights are beautiful-looking thangkas (Buddhist paintings).
Mrikula Devi Temple: Another religious site to visit in Lahaul, Mrikula Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali and was built around the 11th or 12th century. Strategically located in the Udaipur town of Lahaul, this temple looks impressive from the inside owing to its colorful painted blocks depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Tayul Monastery: This monastery is located on the Manali Leh highway, which offers magnificent views of potato and tea plantations at an elevation of 3,000 meters above sea level. The beautiful monastery, which features the statue of Padmasambhava, also houses several thangkas depicting the life of Lord Buddha. One of the best things about this monastery in Lahaul is the uphill walk that offers stunning views of the green surroundings.
Guru Ghantal Gompa: Better known as Ghandhola Monastery, this is one of the oldest monasteries in Lahual and is sure to capture your attention at first glance. The reason behind its magnificent construction dates back 1,000 years and is attributed to Guru Padmasambhava, an 8th-century Indian Buddhist master. Another highlight of the monastery is its location in Tandi, which is 18 km away from Keylong and is 3,200 meters above sea level.

Best places to visit in Spiti Valley

Chandratal Lake: This crescent-shaped lake with crystal-clear waters is located at an elevation of 4,300 meters above sea level. One of the best places to visit in Spiti Valley, Chandratal Lake, is located close to the Kunzum Pass and is a popular destination for trekking and scenic views. A key highlight of the lake is that it changes its colors throughout the day from blue to green and sometimes orange.
Key Monastery: Another must-visit place in Spiti Valley is Key Monastery, located at an altitude of 4,166 meters above sea level. This 1,000-year-old monastery dates back to 1100 CE and is considered one of the oldest in Lahaul and Spiti Valley. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and gorgeous villages, this monastery captures your attention with breathtaking views outside and beautiful architecture inside.
Pin Valley National Park: It’s the Valley National Park, constructed to preserve the natural flora and fauna of Himachal Pradesh. Set against the scenic backdrop of lush valleys, glacier views, rugged terrains, and peaks. The national park is home to snow leopards, ibex, and other predators that are sure to offer you incredible sights of their natural habitat.
Suraj Tal: You might be surprised that Suraj Tal is India’s third highest and the world’s 21st-highest lake. Lush valleys, bare mountains, and marvelous views surround the soothing water body. The lake stands for a spiritual reason, for anyone taking a dip inside will remove their life sins. So, whether for a spiritual or adventurous purpose to trek to this lake, include this Spiti Valley tourist attraction in your travel itinerary.

What is the Best Month to Visit Spiti Valley and Lahaul?

If you’re planning an adventurous and scenic trip to the remotest parts of Himachal Pradesh, then prepare to explore Lahaul and Spiti Valley.

Here’s the season-wise breakdown of the best time to visit Lahaul and Spiti Valley so you can plan your travel accordingly.

Summer Months (From May to June)

Summer is the best time to visit Spiti Valley and Lahaul due to mild temperatures ranging from 5 to 20 degrees Celsius.
This is the perfect time to experience outdoor activities in Lahaul and Spiti Valley, such as trekking, camping, exploring lakes, and more.
At this time, you will find lush greenery in all directions and rugged beauty in Spiti.

Autumn Months (From September to October)

The period between September and October is another best time of year to explore the insights of Lahaul and Spiti Valley. The average temperature during this time is between 0 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius.
At this time, you will find clear skies, lush greenery, and snow-capped peaks at the top, which is the perfect time for scenic photography.

Winter Months (From November to April)

Both Lahaul and Spiti Valley have extremely cold winters. The temperature may drop to -20 degrees Celsius.
Due to heavy rainfall, roads via Manali are generally closed to reach Lahaul and Spiti Valley. Still, there are chances to explore the region.
Winter is the best time to experience snow trekking.

Apart from the above seasons, there is also the monsoon season in Lahaul and Spiti Valley. We do not recommend traveling to the hilly regions during heavy rainfall.

Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, a trip to Spiti Valley and Lahaul will truly be an unforgettable life experience. It offers the unmatched pleasure of exploring snow-clad mountains, rugged ways, high peaks, lush greenery, lakes, and monasteries.

Plan to explore the best of Lahaul and Spiti Valley on your upcoming trip and make the most of this travel guide to learn everything you like.

Lahaul and Spiti Valley Travel Guide FAQs

What is the best way to reach Lahaul and Spiti Valley?

The best way to reach Lahaul and Spiti Valley is by road. Both places are well-connected via Manali and Shimla. You can reach them by private vehicle, by taxi, or by bus. One of the most popular routes is via Manali to Rohtang Pass and then Lahaul.

How much time does it take to reach Lahaul from Manali and Shimla?

It depends on where you are traveling to both the destinations. For instance, from Manali, it approximately takes 6-8 hours by road to reach Lahaul. From Shimla, it takes approximately 10-12 hours to reach Lahaul, followed by extra hours required to reach Spiti Valley.

Are there any accommodation in Lahaul and Spiti Valley?

Several accommodation options are available in both Lahaul and Spiti Valley, depending on different budget requirements. You will find hotels, homestays, campsites, and more.

What should you remember when traveling to Spiti Valley and Lahaul?

Here’s the list of essential things to remember when traveling to Lahaul and Spiti Valley.
• Stay aware of traveling at high altitudes.
• Weather can be unpredictable, especially in winter.
• Roads can be rugged and challenging.
• Few areas require a valid permit.
• Be medically cleared to reach both destinations.

Tboacademy Team

How to Plan a Trip to Lahaul and Spiti Valley: Journey Full of Adventures