Things to do in Lahaul and Spiti

What are some of the best things to do in Lahaul and Spiti valley? This is a question that I have heard the most from people wanting to plan a trip to this mysterious land. The biggest reason behind this dilemma is the remoteness of the region and limited information. Then there is also the fact that a trip to Spiti lasts for several days and covers a lot of areas. Starting from Shimla and circling back to Manali, you would have approximately traveled over 700 kilometers, depending on the places you covered on the way. On such a long journey, the list of fun things that you can be a part of is also going to be a long one.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Spiti Valley – A Complete Travel Guide

If you are planning a trip to Spiti anytime soon and were wondering what should you be doing there to make your trip a memorable one; then below is a comprehensive list of activities to do in Spiti valley. How many are you able to cover will entirely depend on the time you have in hand.

1. Be Charmed by the Natural Beauty

The very name of Spiti Valley is synonymous with natural beauty like you have never seen before. Right from waterfalls to mighty mountains to enchanting valleys to hospitable people, you will see it all in Spiti Valley. By the time your trip ends, you would already have stories in your mind to tell others about how beautiful the places you have seen.

2. Witness the transformation of the Scenery

It does not matter whether you started from Shimla or Manali; you will be surrounded with lush green hills all around. But as you approach and enter Spiti Valley, the scenery will change completely. The greenery will vanish and it will just be barren brown mountains all covered with a white cap of snow at the top. As you finish the trip and then exit the valley either via Shimla or Manali, the scenery will again transform to green all around.

3. Photography

It does not matter whether you were an amateur photographer with a cell phone; or a serious one with a huge DSL hanging around your neck; Spiti Valley will give you tremendous opportunities to click mesmerizing pictures. Whether it was landscape, night, portraits, star trails that interested you, you will have plenty of moments to indulge in all kinds of photography.

4. Camping at Chandratal and Jispa

There are numerous places that you can go camping in Lahaul and Spiti but Chandratal and Jispa are probably the best among all. Both these places have several campsites that offer comfortable tents that you can spend a night in. Another good place to go camping will be Chitkul. If you were carrying your own gear, then you can pitch your tent anywhere along the route.

5. Trekking in Lahaul and Spiti

Both Lahaul and Spiti are known for the great trekking opportunities they offer. One of the best-known treks is into the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary to spot the elusive and mysterious snow leopard. You can also trek from Kaza to Chandratal and then to Suraj Tal from there. Another lesser known trek is the one to Samudri Tapu. There are several famous treks heading out of Chitkul in Kinnaur Valley, the best known is the one that ends at Gangotri. For trekking in Lahaul and Pangi Valley, please read my Complete Travel Guide on Lahaul Valley.

6. Enjoy Shimla

People traveling to Spiti tend to focus only on Spiti and ignore one of the biggest tourist destinations that falls on the way. Yes, I am talking about the historic city of Shimla. There is just so much to see and do here that you can spend several days and will still not be done. If time allows, halt for a day in Shimla town and indulge in some local sightseeing. For a complete list, please read Places to visit in Shimla and Things to Do.

7. See the view from the top of Hatu Peak

The town of Narkanda is beautiful beyond doubt but what makes it even more worthy of a visit is the view from the top of Hatu Peak. At an altitude of 3,400 meters (11,200 ft), it is the highest peak in Shimla district and gives a stunning view of the valleys and other peaks around. If you stayed in Narkanda for the night, then you must witness the sunrise from here. Otherwise, just take a short drive to Hatu Peak, see the view and be on your way. There is a motorable road from Narkanda that leads all the way to the top of the peak.

Also Read: Narkanda to Hatu Peak – A Road so Scenic

8. Enjoy the first view of the Mighty Sutlej

On the way from Narkanda to Rampur, this is a spot marked by SSB as a view point. This is where you get to see the Sutlej River for the first time in this journey as it crawls beautifully between the tall peaks on both sides. Don’t forget to stop here for a minute and click a picture.

9. Enjoy different kinds of foods

One of the greatest joys of a trip to Spiti is to taste the local cuisine. On the circuit, you can eat North Indian, Himachali and Tibetan food. The town of Kaza has several restaurants that serve good Israeli food as well. For more details, please read Food in Spiti Valley | What to Eat in Spiti Valley.

10. Pay Respect at Bhimakali Temple

The town of Sarahan may be unknown or lesser-known in terms of tourism but it is a famous place when it comes to faith and religion. The temple of Bhimakali located here is one of the most respected ones and is one of the 51 Shakti Peethass. Even if you were not planning on staying in Sarahan, a short drive from the main highway to the temple is highly recommended. Even if you weren’t the religious type, you should still visit to see this beautifully built temple.

11. See some rare Birds at Sarahan Bird Sanctuary

If you were a wildlife enthusiast, or liked bird-watching, or were just into photography then you would really love visiting the bird sanctuary at Sarahan. It hosts several rare, beautiful and protected birds, including the state bird of Himachal, Monal. The only catch, however, is that it is closed during the summer and monsoon seasons for the mating season.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Sarahan

12. Get a Photo in front of Karchham Dam and Lake

It might just be a dam but the view it presents is spectacular. Do not forget to stop for a minute, find a suitable spot and click an awesome picture with the lake in the background.

13. Pay respect at Nages God Temple

Also known as Bering Nag Temple, it is a small temple located in Sangla town. It is dedicated to Nages God, beautifully constructed near the Baspa River and is in close proximity to the main market.

14. Visit the Kamru Fort

Located in Sangla, it is one of the oldest forts in Himachal Pradesh. Even if you weren’t staying overnight, you can actually pay a short visit to the as you pass through Sangla.

15. Eat at Hindustan ka Aakhri Dhaba

This restaurant in Chitkul is a famous one. Chitkul is the last village on the Indian side of the border and that is where this dhaba gets its name from. A lot of other restaurants have come up in Chitkul recently and this dhaba may not be the last one but is definitely the oldest one here.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Chitkul

16. Drive through This

This is a stretch of the road between Narkanda and Reckong Peo and is definitely a very exciting one.

17. Enter Kinnaur

This is the famous doorway to Kinnaur Valley.

18. Get a Natural Car Wash

You will come across numerous waterfalls like this where you can stop and wash your car (or even take a dip yourself).

19. Go Shopping

No trip is complete unless you have bought yourself some souvenirs, things that can remind you of the great trip that you have been on. While visiting Spiti, you will have ample options to buy some great items. For more details, please read Shopping in Spiti Valley | What to Buy in Spiti.

20. Learn about the Culture of Spiti

The culture of Spiti Valley is really unique and it is hard to even put a name on it. It can neither be called Indian nor Tibetan but somewhere in between. The perfect mix of both of the great cultures really makes Spiti Valley an enjoyable and learning experience.

21. Be humbled by the mighty Kinnaur Kailash

Also known as Kinner Kailash, this mountain is considered sacred by both Hindu and Buddhist Kinnauris. The imposing peaks can be seen from everywhere in Reckong Peo and Kalpa but the best view is from Kalpa, especially at sunrise. There is a 79 ft vertical rock at the top of the peak and is considered as Kinner Kailash Shivlingam. The Shivling is visible from Kalpa on a clear day. A trek goes all the way to the Shivling that a lot of devotees travel on each year.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Kalpa

22. Attempt Shipki La

Because of its close proximity to Indo-Tibet borer, permission for this pass is almost never given to any civilian. But if you somehow managed to get it, then a visit to Shipki La will be no less than an achievement. Standing tall at 18,599 ft, it is among the highest motorable roads and passes not just in India but in the world.

23. Enjoy Confluence of Spiti & Sutlej Rivers at Khab Bridge

Just before Nako, you will cross Khab Bridge which is built over the confluence of two mighty rivers, Sutlej and Spiti. The entire setting of the place is very scenic and there is a strange freshness in the air here. Stop for a few minutes here, take a break, refresh yourself and click some pictures. If the weather was clear and favorable, you can also get a view of Reo Purgyil peaks from here. At an elevation of 22,362 ft, it is the highest peak in all of Himachal Pradesh.

24. Drive-up the Kazigs

Kazigs, also known as Ka Loops, is a series of hairpin bends as you approach the Nako Village from Khab. The drive is quite steep and thrilling and once you reach the last loop, the view is absolutely spectacular. Do not forget to stop for a minute and click a picture.

25. Sit by Nako Lake

Nako is a very small village with absolute peace all around. The occasional sounds you will hear here will be of some villager talking far away or a cow mooing. In such an environment, sitting next to a calm lake peacefully under the shade of a tree is indeed a great experience.

Also Read: Kalpa to Nako – The Upper Reaches of Kinnaur Valley

26. Visit the Nako Monastery

It is an 11th-century ancient monastery located in the village of Nako. The view around the lake is quite good. It may get confusing here to find the monastery actually so just ask a few locals to point you in the right direction.

27. Experience the Malling Nallah

One of the most dreaded stretches on the Spiti Circuit is Malling Nallah. When in full flow, getting across this water stream can have your heart beat out of your chest. This whole area is prone to landslides due to which, every now and then, Malling Nallah causes a landslide, washes away the road and breaks the connectivity for a few days.

28. Meet the Mummy of Spiti Valley

Yes, you read it right. There is an actual mummy in Gue, a small village in Spiti. This mummy is considered to be over 500 years old and attracts quite a few tourists each year. Click on the link below to read about the mummy in detail. To reach here though, you will have to leave the highway and take a turn towards Gue, about 8 kilometers from the main road. After visiting the Mummy, you will come back to the highway and continue further.

Also Read: The Mummy of Spiti Valley

29. Visit the Tabo Monastery

The monastery at Tabo is an ancient one and is the oldest continuously operating monastery. It was founded in 996 CE and has many priceless collections of manuscripts, well-preserved statues, frescos, and several other artifacts. In 1983 and 1996, the 14th Dalai Lama held the Kalachakra ceremonies in Tabo Monastery.

30. Visit the Dhankar Monastery

The best part about Dhankar Monastery is its location. The old monastery is located on a 1000 foot high cliff overlooking the confluence of Spiti and Pin Rivers. The monastery is even named after its location. “Dhang” means cliff and “Kar” means fort, hence the literal name of the place is “Fort on a cliff”. There is another monastery quite close to it which is the new Dhankar Monastery.

31. Trek to Dhankar Lake

If you were up for a little bit of trekking, then visiting Dhankar Lake comes highly recommended. You can leave your vehicles parked near Dhankar Monastery and walk the steep path to the lake. If you weren’t sure of the way, then you can ask any of the Lamas and they will point you in the right direction. Going to the lake and coming back will not take you more than a couple of hours so it can actually be done while you are on your way to the next destination.

32. See Confluence of Spiti and Pin Rivers

A beautiful sight as both these rivers merge into each other at the small village of Dhankar.

Also Read: Nako to Pin Valley – The Beautiful Village of Mud

33. Drive through Pin Valley

Pin Valley is what can truly be called as the hidden jewel of Spiti Valley. Spiti is remote but if you want to go remote within Spiti, then Pin is where you head to. Only a handful of tourists go this way and the ones who do, have an experience of a lifetime. The best part is that you do not even have to dedicate a whole lot of time if you could not afford to do so. A drive through Pin can easily be done in 2 – 3 hours. To know more, please read How to Plan a Trip to Pin Valley.

34. Visit the Tangyud Monastery

There are several things that make Tangyud Monastery worth a visit. The first reason is its altitude. At a height of 4,520 meters (14,830 ft), it is one of the highest altitude gompas. Second is the style that it is built-in which resembles a fortified castle with massive slanted mud walls and battlements. It is located in the village of Komic on the edge of Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.

35. Visit Key Monastery

Located a little outside of Kaza, this is one of the most well known and the largest monastery in Spiti Valley. It is beautifully located on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,166 meters (13,668 ft). It is also a training center for Lamas and has a collection of ancient murals and books, including Buddha images.

36. Visit Kaza Monastery

It is a beautiful and magnificent monastery located in the main Kaza town itself and is a must-visit. You can just take an evening stroll from your hotel and pay a visit to the monastery. The new building was inaugurated by his Holiness the Dalai Lama in July 2009.

Also Read: Pin Valley to Kaza : The Heart of Spiti Valley

37. See some Marine Fossils

Kibber, Komic, Langza Hikkim, and Tashigong are some of the small villages scattered around Kaza. Apart from being highly scenic, these villages are also famous as sites for some ancient fossils that can be found here. It will be hard to find one on your own though and even if you did, you wouldn’t know what it was. So talk to the villagers and they will be happy to show and even sell you some.

38. Send a postcard from the world’s highest post office

Hikkim is another tiny village near Kaza. Other than the scenic beauty of the place, what really makes it famous is the small post office located here. At an elevation of 4,440 meters, this post office connects a cluster of small villages in this isolated region to the rest of the world. What is special about this post office? Well, every since its existence since 1983, it is the highest post office in the world.

39. Visit Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary

This one is actually going to take some time and you will have to spare a few days to visit here. But if you can, then spending some time in Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary will become the highlight of your trip. Established in 1992, it is India’s only wildlife sanctuary in cold desert and is home to several rare animals like Ibex, Blue Sheep, Red Fox, Tibetan woolly hare, Himalayan wolf, lynx, pika, Tibetan wild ass. The highlight, however, is the mysterious snow leopard. As many as 30 snow leopards have been sighted here. Apart from the wildlife, the vegetation of the sanctuary also is exceptional with very high medicinal values. Eight rare and endangered medicinal plant species have been discovered here.

40. Conquer Kunzum Pass

Your first high altitude pass of the journey, unless you have somehow managed to climb up to Shipki La in which case Kunzum will be your second. Connecting the valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, this pass is at an elevation of 4,590 meters, higher than Rohtang La. It remains closed from late October until early June.

Also Read: Kaza to Chandratal : The Lake of the Moon

41. Camp at Chandratal

Chandratal is always the biggest highlight of a trip to Spiti Valley. It is one of the top camping sites and spending some time here is an experience that you will remember for a long time. It may be small in size but is a giant in beauty. Just take a walk around the lake and you will end up with some great and stunning pictures. At an altitude of 4,300 meters (14,100 ft), this lake, its name literally means ‘Lake of the Moon’ due to its crescent shape.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Chandratal – A Complete Travel Guide

42. Ride on Batal Gramphoo Stretch

So you think you know and have been on roads? Trust me when I say this that you do not even know how bad a road can get unless you have been on the Batal Gramphoo road. This short stretch has everything to make your journey a roller coaster ride. Within a matter of a few hours, you would have crossed numerous water crossings, loose rocks, boulders, terribly broken roads, and slush. During one of my rides, I counted as many as 40 water crossings in a ride of 60 kilometers.

43. See the beauty of Rohtang La

The mighty Rohtang La, the spot where you will cross over to Manali and finish your Spiti journey. The name of this pass literally means “a pile of corpses” which I believe attributes to the fact that a lot of people died while crossing it in ancient times. Expect to find snow at the top no matter which month you are traveling in. The vistas around from the top of the pass and even on the ascent/descent are quite breathtaking.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Rohtang Pass

44. Spend some time in Manali

I do not think this name needs any introduction at all. Manali is where you will end your trip and if possible, I will highly recommend spending a couple of days here. There are tons of places to visit in Manali and scores of things to do. This is the very reason why this place sits on the top of every list of tourist destinations of our country. For more details on what you can do in Manali, please read How to Plan a Trip to Manali.

45. Interact with the locals

This one is of my personal favorites. Talk to the locals, listen to their stories and learn about their lifestyles. Trust me; if you want to truly experience Spiti, then it can only be by the words of the locals.

46. Stay at a Homestay / Live with a Local

The villages of Kibber, Komik, Langza, Hikkim near Kaza will be the prime candidate for this. These are really remote areas of Spiti and do not have any hotels at all. Visit these villages and stay as a paying guest in any of the villager’s houses. You will live in their house and break bread with them and while doing so, not only you will have a great experience but will also support the livelihood of these villagers who have very limited sources of income.

47. Stay at a Monastery

This is truly one of a kind of experience. There are five monasteries in Spiti who allow their visitors to stay overnight.

Key monastery near Kaza
Tabo Monastery
Dhankar Monastery
Kungri Monastery, Pin Valley
Komic Monastery

Their charges are very nominal and if you were lucky, you may even get to stay for free actually. You will live like monks, learn about Buddhism and Tibetan culture, eat what the monks eat, may even get to wear the robes they wear and in doing all this, you will have a peaceful and soul nourishing experience.

48. Paragliding in Manali

For the adventurous types, you can end your trip with a fun and adventurous paragliding experience in Manali. You will find several agencies offering paragliding as you drive down from Rohtang Pass to Manali.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Manali

49. Rafting in Kullu

If the cup of your adventure wasn’t yet full, then you can also try white water rafting in Kullu. This whole area, in fact, is one of the most famous rafting spots in our country.

50. See some beautiful Gompas

Gompas like this are a common sight throughout the valley.

51. Read some Interestingly funny road signs

These funny road signs by BRO are sure to crack you up.

52. See some Yaks

Ever seen a Yak before? No? Well, you will surely see one during your Spiti trip.

50. Have a Trip of a Lifetime

Of course, after going through the 49 items I listed above, the 50th thing you will do in Spiti Valley is to create memories that will last you a lifetime. You may return to Spiti many times again but your first trip will always remain to be your best. This will be the journey that will have a long lasting impression on you; the journey that you will talk about and tell tales of for a long time.