Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan valleys of Himachal Pradesh lying around the Indo-Tibet border. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are incomparable in mountain scape, in the rugged elegance of their rocky escapements along with the splendor of their snow covered peaks.

Lahaul is marked by a central mass of uniformly large mountains, massive glaciers, passes, lakes and gushing rivers. The 2 rivers, Chandra and Bhaga, which rise on possibly aspect in the Baralacha La, movement through the narrow Chandra and Bhaga valleys. Lahaul can be a land of fascinating Buddhist artwork and culture. Frequently named as the 'middle country', Spiti is a cold desert thought to be a "World inside a world" and "Palace where the gods live". The monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti are wealthy repositories of ancient murals, thankas, woodcarving and golden pictures of Padmasambhava.

Prime Attractions of Lahaul & Spiti
Tabo Monastery
The rugged hills around Tabo home a little hamlet which is property to some 350 individuals. The Tabo monastery is a complicated that retains 9 temples, 23 chortens, a monks' chamber and an extension that homes the nuns' chamber.

Baralacha Move
Around the lengthy Manali -Leh road and delivering a route throughout the Baralacha range will be the popular Baralacha Move. It truly is situated at a spectacular 16,four hundred ft previously mentioned sea degree. The pass itself is 8-km lengthy, and is literally the pass "where several roads meet".

Chham Dance
The Chham dance is one of the most impressive dances forms of the Buddhists, and is performed by the Lamas residing within the monasteries of Lahaul & Spiti, Ladakh, Kinnaur and other areas. This dance, also known as the 'devil dance', is performed inside the courtyards with the monasteries before a large gathering of spectators on some festival or a cheerful occasion. The villagers are allowed to witness the dance and they take it as an entertainment with a religious fervour.

Dhankar Monastery
The Dhankar Gompa casts its subtle spell upon a person. Anyone, who visits it, finds himself unable to forget this place. The Monastery has about 100 Lamas and it is in possession of Buddhist scriptures in Bhoti language.

Jeep Safari In Himachal Pradesh
By jeep, car or on motorcycle, one can explore the selection Himachal has to offer. By jeep, the Trans Himalayan tracts can steadily unfold their natural and man-made wonders.

Kunzum Pass
Kunzum pass is the gateway to Spiti from Kulu & Lahaul. After crossing Rohtang pass and driving 20-kms, one has to turn right from Gramphoo.

Lahaul Valley
Lahaul, at once is stark and forbidding and yet, its arid, almost lunar-like land has a strange haunting beauty. Everything about the place is high. Scattered over this ethereal landscape are Buddhist monasteries

Pin Parbati Pass
The Pin Parbati Pass, 4,810m, is marked by rock cairns and prayer flags. The alpine views to the snow-capped ranges towards the Kullu Valley contrast with the barren mountain ridges, which stretch east towards Spiti.

Pin Valley
It's a Himalayan wild world. This cold desert valley with its snowy crags, cliffs and crevices is exactly where thrilling signs of life abound. Its lengthy rain-free summer is a prime time

Spiti Valley
In practical isolation for centuries, Spiti has an intensely introvertive culture centred about its many monasteries, there are thirty monastries spread over Spiti's rugged terrain. Most are affiliated to the Geluk-pa sect.

Tashigang Gompa
This fine Buddhist monastery is accessible from Namgya - a little diversion from Khab, located on the Natiuonal Highway-22.

Chandra Tal Lake
This can be a beautiful glacial lake located at the source from the Chandra River within the Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The towering main Himalaya hems the northern periphery in the Chandratal Lake. This lake is fed by melt-waters from the Chandra glacier. The lake is located at an altitude of 15,500 ft above sea degree.

Dhankar
Dhankar means "a place in the mountains unreachable for strangers", situated about 25-kms. east of Kaza and serves eastern part of central Spiti. It truly is a big village and erstwhile capital of Spiti Kingdom. On top of a hill there is really a fort, which use to be the prison in olden times.

Gemur
It truly is 18-km from Keylong in Bhaga valley where devil dance is held during July inside the Local Gompa. The place is located on Manali-Leh highway.

Halda Festival
Around the common calendar's New Year comes as Halda in Lahaul, which can be a more private celebration of the event. The festivities are dedicated to "Shiskar Apa", the Goddess of wealth inside the lamaistic pantheon.

Kaza: Spiti
224-km from Manali, 197-km from Keylong and 425-km from Shimla, Kaza is a Sub Divisional Headquarter of Spiti Valley. It truly is situated at the foot in the step ridges around the left bank of Spiti river. Once it was the headquarter of Nono, the chief of Spiti. It has all modern facilities and it is connected by highway with Manali & Shimla except within the winter months.

Keylong
A village amidst fields of barley and buckwheat, Keylong is headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district, surrounded by brown hills and white heights. Khardung Monastery overlooks Keylong and is also 3.5-km across the Bhaga River while Shashur Monastery is 1-km away.

Kye Monastery
The Ki Monastery serves the western part of Spiti and essentially the most prominent feature of the valley. It lies about 14-kms north of Kaza and retains the honor of being the oldest and biggest monastery of Spiti.

Lahaulis
The individuals of Lahaul or the Lahaulas are both Hindus and Buddhists, and their dialect resembles Tibetan. They have a close affinity with Ladakhis and Tibetans. Lossar Festival This festival is celebrated for the welcome of the winter season. The local deity is worshipped with the hope that the winter would be happy and prosperous for the local individuals.

Pooh
Inside the Satluj valley, Pooh is situated beyond Kanum, which can be a great Buddhist centre. Around the Highway Pooh has a Durga-Pa Monastery.

Sarchu
It really is the last border point between Himachal and Ladakh, where HPTDC put up a tented colony for the convenience with the tourists during summer season. It really is situated at a distance of 116-km from Keylong.

Suraj Tal
Suraj Tal is located below the summit from the Baralacha Move within the Lahaul division of district Lahaul and Spiti. A beautiful lake virtually at the top with the main Himalayan massif in the catchment area of the Bhaga River. This lake is actually a major destination of trekkers within the region.

Tandi
Between Gondhla and Keylong is Tandi, where Chandrabagha or Chenab river meets the street. A legend says that there were two lovers, Chandra being the daughter from the Moon and Bhaga the son from the Sun god. To perform there eternal marriage, they decided to climb to the Baralacha La & from there they ran in opposite directions. Chandra being active and smart easily found her way & reached Tandi after covering the distance of 115-km. Soon Bhaga was found coming with great struggle through the narrow gorges to Tandi exactly where consequently both met and the celestial marriage was performed. Bhaga covered about 60-km distance, which was very difficult.

Thang Yug Gompa
It truly is located 13-kms previously mentioned Kaza serving western part of central Spiti.

Trans Himalayan Buddhism
In 1578 AD a descendent of Ghengis Khan and ruler of China gave Sonam Gyatso the title of "Ta-Le" now written as Dalai - which means the master of the Ocean of Wisdon'. When the kingdom of Guge rose in western Tibet after the assassination of Lnag Darma, it encompassed the present day tracts of Spiti, Lahaul, Zanskar and upper Kinnuaur.

Trekking Tour Options in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal offers a virtual bonanza for trekkers. From moderate to strenuous treks ranging up to 11 days and the best season to trek over here is during the months of June to October. 1 of Himachal's classic routes may be the Chandra Bhaga triangle and the Baralacha Move at a height of 4,833m.

Trilokinath

Trilokinathmeans the Shiva. A Temple is located within the village, that is about 4 kms short of Udaipur on the left bank of Chenab river. Devotees from far off places come to pay their respects at this unique temple. This Shiva temple was given a look of Buddhist shrine by Guru Padmasambhava by installing the 6 armed image of Avalokiteshvar. In August, a big festival named Pauri is held for three days when people including the sadhus and followers of various religious sects gather to receive the blessings of Lord Trilokinath.

Udaipur
In olden times this village was recognized as Markul, derived from the name of the local goddess Markula Devi. The temple here is unique and famous for its wooden carving on its roof and ceiling. Later on, Raja Udai Singh of Chamba changed the name to Udaipur.

Udaipur (Markul)
(2743m): In olden times this village was recognized as Markul, derived from the name in the local goddess Markula Devi. The temple here is unique and renowned for its wooden carving on its roof and ceiling. Later on, Raja Udai Singh of Chamba changed the name to Udaipur. This place is situated near the confluence of Chenab and Mayar Nallah, therefore, became a starting point for Mayar valley and further on to Zanskar and other peaks. This is actually a green area rather the whole Chenab valley is greener than the Lahaul valley.

How To Get There Lahaul & Spiti
By Highway
Lahaul is connected with road from all parts of the country. Manali may be the point exactly where buses from various stations come. From here, one can take bus/taxi to any destination in Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi & Leh during the months between June to November depending upon opening and closing of Rohtang pass, the gateway to this valley. National highway 21 passes through this valley enroute to Leh. Other two directions are from Shimla via the Spiti Valley, along the road, which runs up to the Tibetan border through Kinnaur and from Zanskar and Ladakh over the Shingo La and Baralacha La passes. The Shingo Lo gives access to Lahul from Zanskar while the Baralacha La is around the Leh-Manali highway and provides access to Lahul from Ladakh.

Places To Stay - Lahaul & Spiti
The town of Kaza can be a maze of shops, hotels and homes. Some of the hotels in Kaza include Milarepa's Guest House, Hotel Sharma, Hotel City and Ladakhi Hotel. At Keylong a Tourist Bungalow is run by HTPDC.

Climate - Lahaul & Spiti
Lahaul's climate is very much similar to that of Ladakh and Zanskar, which border it to the north. Beyond the reach with the monsoon, the valley sees little rain in summer, when the sun is strong and the nights are cool. Between late October and late March, heavy snow closes the passes, and seals of the region. Less rainfall in both valleys enables climbers & trekkers to enjoy a lengthy and unbroken season in perpetual sunshine and explore the wilderness and grandeur with the inner Himalaya. This unique feature makes Lahul-Spiti as an ideal destination for tourists and trekkers within the month of July, August and September.

General Information - Lahaul & Spiti
Best Time
Lahaul- Mid June To Late October.
Spiti- August To October.

Location Himachal Pradesh Altitude 6,500m