स्पीति - Spiti | The Middle Land - Little Tibet
Spiti Valley | Land of Adventure
The name "Spiti" means "The middle land", the land between Tibet and India.
Spiti incorporates mainly the valley of the Spiti River.
Some of the prominent side-valleys in Spiti are the Pin valley and the Lingti valley. Spiti has a cold desert environment.
The Bhoti-speaking local population follows Tibetan Buddhism.
The Spiti River originates from the base of the 6,118 m (20,073 ft) K-111 peak.
Spiti valley is arid as it is situated in the monsoon rain shadow of the Himalayas. The average annual rainfall is about 50 mm (2.0 in) with snowfall less than 200 cm (6.6 ft).
The extreme temperatures are −25 °C (−13 °F) in winter and 15 °C (59 °F) in summer.
Spiti valley is accessible throughout the year via Kinnaur from Shimla on a difficult 412 km-long (256 mi) road.
In summer Spiti can be reached via Manali through the Atal tunnel and Kunzum Pass.
The road joining Manali to Spiti is treacherous and in bad condition as compared to the Shimla to Spiti road. Due to the high altitude one is likely to feel altitude sickness in Spiti. The Shimla to Spiti route is advised for travelers coming from lower altitudes as it gives them enough time to get acclimatized to the high altitude.
Some significant local festivities in Spiti include the Guitor at Kyi Gonpa (July), Ladarcha fair (mid-August), Spiti Losar (around November), Thuckchu (winter solstice in December), Dachang (around February), and Sia Mentok (around February).
The best time to visit Spiti Valley is May to October. During this summer season, Spiti is accessible from Manali and from Shimla. In winters the road from Manali is closed for almost 6 months due to heavy snowfall. Spiti is accessible during most of the winter from Shimla. Besides tourists, many film-makers visit Spiti in winter for shooting.
Some of the popular treks in Spiti include the following:
The Kanamo peak is a popular 5,960 m (19,550 ft) high mountain above Kibber village, whose summit people can trek to.
The Parang La trek is a well-known trek for crossing from Spiti valley into Rupshu plains of Ladakh.
The Bhaba Pass trek in the Pin valley is a popular summer trek.
The Pin-Parvati pass trek, from Spiti into Kullu or the other way round, is considered a more challenging trek.
The trek from Reckong Peo in the Satluj valley to Nako in the Spiti valley climbs steeply to the Hango Pass, then descends to Leo (Liyo) on the south bank of the Spiti. The trail crosses the Spiti river and climbs up to Nako.
Places to see: Chicham Bridge, Chandra Taal lake, Dhankar Lake and Dhankar monastery, Gue monastery, Hikkim village, Demul village, Kaza, Key Monastery, Kibber and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Komic village, Kunzum Pass, Langza village & Budhha statue, Lhalung Monastery (Serkhang Monastery), Losar, Mane Gogma and Mane Yogma villages, Mud village, Pin Valley National Park, Tabo Caves and Tabo Monastery.
The best time to visit Spiti Valley is May to October. During this summer season, Spiti is accessible from Manali and from Shimla. In winters the road from Manali (Kunzum pass) is closed for almost 6 months due to heavy snowfall.
Note: Above informations are sourced from Wikipedia. Thanks to Wikipedia.
Whats is this place
This place is a Cold Desert, yet with Mejastic Himalayan mountains. Similar to Leh Ladakh, in fact much more beautiful than Leh.
Where it is located
Located in the Himachal pradesh of India, 500km from Chandhigarh. Indo China Tibet Border.
On Season : It is a Spiti Circuit we call, like Starting from Chandhigarh - Shimla - Kinnaur - Nako - Tabo - Kaza - Kunzum la - Chandratal Lake - Manali - Chandhigarh. This is possible only in On Season, like April to November. When the Snow fall starts, Kunzum pass will be closed. So Connectivity between Manali & Spiti cuts off.
Off Season : Winter Spiti | This is completely different than Spiti Circuit. Starts with Chandhigarh - Shimla - Kinnaur - Nako - Tabo - Kaza - Return Same Route back, Further kaza not allowed to go, as Kunzum pass will be closed in winter.
How to reach
By road 🚘- Spiti can easily be Reached by road, as explained above the route. Road conditions are Good, except few km.Between Nako to Tabo is bit Risky Road, but be cautious.
By train 🚊- Shimla is the Nearest Railway station, Which is far away from Spiti. You need to Hire a Bike/Car/Taxi to reach Spiti depending on number of days. HRTC Buses are available to reach Spiti, you can enquire with HRTC website.
By Air ✈️- Convenient Airports are Kullu & Chandhigarh.
Best time to visit
As said, Spiti valley can be visited 365 days, But depending on the weather condiitons, the Expereicne changes. In On Season, too much crowded, Rainy, also Pleasant weather, Omportatntly we can see Chandhratal Lake, Which is Heaven. But there will be no Snow.
Summer - May to June : Is the best time to visit to enjoy the pleasant weather and amazing nature with melting snow.
Rainy - June to September : Drive will be good for people who love to explore the place in rain, But there might be chances of more landfall in rainy seasons. Please be prepare for cautions.
Winter - October to November & Beyound Novmber : Best time to explore with adventure, fully covered with fresh Snowfall and peaceful climate. usually snow fall starts from mid November, depending on the weather conditions. After December it will be like Nightmare, The more Beauty with more difficulties, Like the water will be freezed, Dry Toilets to be used, Difficult Road conditions, Freezing tempearature, limited hotel facilities, but among all these the expereince of Spiti in Winter is once in life time experience. See the video of Mud Village in Winter, Linked below.
Drive Difficulty level 🏍
The entire stretch from in Spiti Circuit is among mountain curve roads, Stright roads, loops, Cliff Roads, Hill Top Roads, Riverside Roads, Rocky Roads, Every type of road condition we will see in this Spiti Circuit. The road condition is very good through out the journey, somewhere on new landslide areas some construction will be going on. So i say it is easy to moderate, but must have driving skills and mountain sickness might be a nightmare.
Time required - Spiti Needs minimum 8-9 days to complete the Circuit in On Season, in Winter also it can be done 9-10 days, Depending on weather & last minute climatic conditions.
Accommodation / Camping
Many budget hotels available in the complete Spiti Route. Online booking also available sometimes, but no worries you can get once you reach the place.
Camping can be Done anywhere in the complete stretch of Shimla to Spiti, except few Military Grounds.
Food 🍎- Forget about the star hotel food in this route, but the Qulaity of the food is much more awesome than star hotels, In many regions, In Many of the Resorts/Hotels all types of Food will be availblae. No Worries at any time.
Permission
A checking from the BRO happens sometime at the check post of Kinnaur, Sumdo, Kunzum, An ID is enough to pass through.
Things to carry - Since it is complete mountain ride, take care of your stomach very well, As you reach the higher altitude might get headache and stomach upset. take necessary medicine kit. A must Camera is compulsory. 😀.
Precautions
Driving safe is the first precautions, Landslide might occur very often which may change your travel time. Bikers be careful all the time.
Experiences
Stay at mountain is the best moment of our life, Sunrise/Sunset beauty is mind blowing, Billion stars to see at night. Wide range of white mountains beauty is unexplained.
ROAD TRIP
Explore my amazing road trip through the stunning Spiti Valley by bike, and don’t miss my exciting winter Spiti trip by car.
Ride to Spiti
A Travel Film by Bharath Ramanna
“Spiti, a life changing paradise of himalayas”
TRAVEL GUIDE
Detailed Coorg travel plans with options are on the Travel Plan page. See below for details.
My Videos…
Spiti Tourist Places
Don’t Litter
Thank you
Bharath Ramanna
a mechanical engineer who loves planning, structure and building things — whether it's a machine or the perfect travel itinerary! Alongside my career, travel has always been a big part of my life. I enjoy crafting detailed plans, exploring the unique places, picking the best routes, finding great stays, and organizing fun adventures with friends. Over time, my friends appreciated my travel planning so much that I felt inspired to share it with the world.
That’s how this blog was born — a space where I share my organized travel ideas, personal stories, cultural experiences, food finds, and practical tips to help others travel more easily and meaningfully. If my plans can bring even a small advantage to your journey, that means the world to me.
This is how I live my motto: Travel – Live – Inspire.
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