Travelogged #28 Things To Do In Spiti Along The Rugged Mountainscape

Summer vacations are on their way and the wait is over to go for an exciting trip with family or friends!

 

Translating literally into The Middle Land, Spiti is one of the top places to visit in India during the summer season that should also be topping your Indian travel bucket list. Home to one of the oldest monasteries, rugged motorable roads and panoramic landscapes, Spiti is one place that is blessed with natural beauty in abundance. 

 

Weather: Spiti faces extreme weather conditions in winters which is why summers are considered perfect. Average temperature ranges from 18°C to 25°C.

 

Major Attractions: Dhankar Gompa, Kye Monastery, Pin Valley National Park, Chandratal Lake, Lahaul Valley, Komick Village, and Trilokinath Temple

 

Things To Do In Spiti Valley: Tour around Spiti Valley, enjoy your bike ride and camp at Chandratal, go trekking to Hampta Pass, enjoy river rafting in Spiti and Pin, admire the beauty of flora and fauna in Pin Valley National Park, trek to Dhankar Lake and more.

 

Photo Courtesy: Invincible NGO

 

Things To Do In Spiti Valley

 

1. River Rafting For Adrenaline Junkies 

River rafting is one of the famous things to do in Spiti Valley which really attract a lot of adventure seekers and even the people who are not much into sports with its thrill. The course goes through the extravagant Spiti Valley, the rafting are begins from Paldhar’s Plain at Kiatoe which is a short distance away. Spiti River Rafting has Grade 2 and 3 rapids which will definitely give you an adrenaline rush. You'll witness the beauty of the town area and icy masses in Himachal as a treat to your eye. You'll be covering 180km starting from Tuting to Pasighat. The endpoint is Sumdo, one can spend at least 6 days in the river.

Photo Courtesy: Aquaterra Adventures

 

2. Visiting The Buddhist Monasteries

Next on the list of things to do in Spiti Valley would definitely be walking down the lane of history and visiting some of the Buddhist Monasteries. There are a few famous monasteries like the Kye Monastery, Tnagyud Gompa, Kungri Gompa, Dhankar, Kibber, and Tabo. Plan a day out just for the sightseeing of these explicit monasteries.  

Photo Courtesy: Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd.

 

 

3. The experience Of Stargazing

Spiti Valley, a very popular magnificent tourist place in Himachal Pradesh is a very sensitive ecological zone. Here, stargazing is way clearer from the top portions of the towering mountains and hundreds of people do it every day. It's that common. The perfect spot for capturing the fresh views of the night sky is Spiti Valley, the highest motorable pass. The place is greatly known for the trekking adventure also.

Photo Courtesy: The Better India

 

4. Enjoy A Yak Safari

You must have heard about the camel ride through the sand dunes of Jaisalmer but Spiti Valley has something better to offer you when it comes to doing touristy things. Experience the most unforgettable Yak safari. Treat your eyes with the scenic view of the amazing Spiti while you ride the beautifully decorated Yaks.

Photo Courtesy: TravelTriangle

 

5. Treat Your Taste Buds

If you are thinking that Spiti Valley is only for nature lovers and to seek respite under the starry sky along with the mesmerizing view, then we must say that you got it all wrong. One of the most important things to do in Spiti Valley would be gobbing on a plateful of momos along with ginger lemon honey water. Sounds delicious, isn't it? Well, Spiti valley has a lot of local food to offer which is a must try.

Photo Courtesy: Pinterest 

 

 

6. Feel The Thrill At The Baralacha Pass

The Baralacha La, otherwise called the Baralacha Pass, is a high mountain pass that is situated at the tallness of 16,040 feet over the sea level. Only a couple of kilometers from this pass, one can likewise discover the Bhaga River, which is a tributary of the Chenab River that begins from the Surya Taal Lake. The Baralacha Pass is along these lines, encompassed by various delightful sights, which leave the spectator hypnotized and longing for more.

Photo Courtesy: Holidify

 

7. Visit The World’s Highest Post Office

Situated around 15 km from the town of Kaza in Spiti Valley, Hikkim has a population that is significantly Buddhist. When travelling to Spiti Valley one of the most popular things to do would be visiting the World's Highest Post Office present over there. In presence from November 5, 1983, the mail station also gets shut down for a half year because of outrageous climatic conditions. Thinking about the rough landscapes and remoteness of the town, the adventure tough to this mail station is a significant intriguing one.

Photo Courtesy: Twitter

 

8. Enjoy Camping At Chandratal

Camp right next to the hills and beautiful breathtaking views - Camping in Chandratal is an unbelievable experience for all the adventure enthusiasts. It's a mesmerizing place to camp near Spiti Valley.  This place is like a sheet of vivid blue that is wrapped by the mountains making it the most beautiful place to visit near Spiti Valley.

Photo Courtesy: Devil On Wheels

 

9. Trek To Dhankar Lake

Dhankar Lake is known to be a paradise when it comes to being one of the top destinations for trekking in Spiti Valley. Discover the surreal beauty of various backdrops when in Spiti Valley. Nothing beats the beauty of lush green forests and high-soaring mountains. Trekking to Dhankar Lake will give you a chance to explore a beautiful journey where you will encounter various monasteries and peaks. 

Altitude: 12,500 feet

Best Time: June - October

Photo Courtesy: travel d'globe

 

10. Stay At Zostel For Fun

Before Zostel presented the idea of budget-friendly hostels in India, there were not really any hiker inns for travelers to stay other than filthy hotels famous for fleecing visitors and impolite conduct. Since 2017, Zostel has thought of another fragment - Zostel Escape - wherein we attempt to give neighborhood, true encounters to the visitors and travelers. These encounters are again handpicked and led by the neighborhood individuals and are planned to take the visitors past the conspicuous and touristy goals and encounters.

Photo Courtesy: Zostel

 

---

Suggested Reads:

Travelogged #21 A Perfect Summer Escape To The Tea Plantation Of Munnar

Travelogged #22 A Comprehensive Guide For Things To Do In Manipal

Crazy To Travel But Tight In Budget? These Hostels In India Are Best To Live By Under The Budget Of 499

---

 

FAQs

Q: What are the precautions to keep in mind when going for river rafting?

A: Choose a licensed and professional rafting outfitter, Wear a Flotation device, Follow the commonds and proper swimming techniques and remember holding the paddle properly. Wear comfortable clothing - refrain from wearing a saree or skirt. Carry a bathing suit, or quick dry clothes, Sunglasses with retainers, sturdy footwear and avoid cotton clothing.

 

Q: Which are the best hippie destinations in India?

A: Goa, Kasol, Malana, Hampi, Almora