Spiti Tour Packages

Tucked in a blanket of a cold desert, Spiti Valley, in Himachal Pradesh, India, is a realm of raw beauty and serene isolation. Known as "Little Tibet," Spiti is characterized by its stark, barren landscapes, dramatic mountains, and ancient monasteries. The name "Spiti" means "The Middle Land," signifying its location between Tibet and India. With long winding roads and unforgettable snow-capped mountains, Spiti is located at an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level and gets only 250 days of sunshine in the year. It is one of the coldest places in India. Being close to Tibet, Spiti is heavily influenced by the region, having a number of monasteries there. Most notably, the stunning Key Monastery is one of the largest monasteries, which is over a thousand years old. The sight of fluttering prayer flags, praying monks, and prayer wheels will leave your heart calm and spellbound. Spiti's allure lies in its pristine landscapes, undulating meadows, lush green pine forests and rich cultural heritage. It is a paradise for adventurers and nature lovers with a number of trekking trails and off-roads for a biking venture! The sparsely populated villages are inhabited by 50-200 people and are a true recluse for those looking to escape the bustle of cities and yearning for a breathtaking escapade. What should you not miss out in Spiti Valley? 1. Key Monastery: The Key Monastery in Spiti is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, also known as Key Gompa located at an altitude of 4,166 meters. The Key monastery is over a thousand years old, making it the oldest monastery with ancient manuscripts, thangkas and murals, overlooking the Spiti River. The monastery is said to have been founded by Dromton in the 11th century and enshrines the Buddha in the dhyana position. Fascinatingly, the monastery is also an educational hub, being the religious training institution of more than 300 Lamas. The architecture and the paintings of the Key monastery will leave you spellbound and have been heavily influenced by the Chinese architectural style of Pasadena. 2. Dhankar Monastery: The Dhankar Gompa or Dhankar Monastery is at an altitude of 12,744 feet on the edge of a cliff, offering a panoramic view of the Spiti Valley. The monastery was built over a thousand years ago at the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. Similar to Key Monastery, Dhankar too, is over a thousand years old, built in the traditional capital of Spiti Valley. The architecture of Dhankar monastery is heavily influenced by 12th and 17th-century styles of architecture, belonging to the Gelugpa School of Order since the 1450s. The monastery also went by different names such as Sakya-pa, Nyingma-pa, and Kagyu-pa, according to the religious allegiance of the royal family. According to certain sources, the monastery is also known as Lha-od Gompa where the renowned lama, Zia-od was believed to have founded and renovated the monastery. 3. Chandra Tal Lake One of the most beautiful lakes in the country located at a height of 4300 m in the mighty Himalayas, Chandra Tal has been named so due to its crescent shape and is called the Lake of the Moon. This stunning lake is situated on the Samudra Tapu plateau and is one of the two high-altitude wetlands in the country. Quite interestingly, the Chandra Tal changes its colour throughout the day, ranging from reddish to orange to blue to emerald. It attracts adventure seekers from all over the world with the stretches of its vast meadows, strikingly stunning wildflowers in spring and treks which can be quite enthralling Moreover, this place has been mentioned in the Indian epic of Mahabharata and is believed to the from where Lord Indra’s chariot picked up Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers. 4. River Rafting If you have never been rafting, this is your chance to go for this much-awaited water adventure. And even if you have, there is nothing like a river rafting experience in Spiti. On the backdrops of the emerald hills and lush, vibrant greenery, rafting in the tides of the Spiti or Pin River can be enthralling. On average, it takes 2-4 hours and covers a distance of 180 km. The rapids are suitable for every level of difficulty and rafting in the Spiti River amongst spectacular landscapes can be quite rewarding. 5.Yak Safari Every once in a while, you must have gone for horse riding or a jeep safari but have you ever gone for a yak safari? Yak safari in Spiti is a unique experience you must try in the heart of the Himalayas. With Spiti’s rugged terrains and picturesque valleys, embark on a journey with these majestic creatures through the breathtaking landscapes and pristine meadows. Yak safaris are also a great way to connect with the local culture and customs of the valley and witness the way of life in this remote land. It allows you to appreciate the slow-paced life of Spiti and connect with nature, for a unique travel experience. Engage your taste buds in Spiti Valley 1. Sea Buckthorn Tea The zesty Orange Tea, or more specifically, the sea buckthorn tea is indigenous to Spiti, with the bush growing near the Spiti River. With the adventures that one can do in Spiti, including trekking and hiking, this tea is perfect to start your journey with and has a lot of medicinal and therapeutic properties. 2. Churam With yak being common throughout Spiti, this is a strong beverage, often used as a morning tea made with Yak cheese, butter, sugar and barley flour. The tea keeps the locals warm and energized. 3. Thukpa Thukpa is noodles served with soup and a delicacy well cherished in mountainous regions. Although originally a Tibetan dish, it is the mainstay of Spiti and Lahaul food items and a perfect comfort food for a cold, Himachal night. Vegetables and other meats are added to the dish to enhance its taste and nutritional value. 4. Mokthuk or Momos in Soup No trip to Spiti can be completed if you haven’t tasted the momo there. Momos are the best street food you will find in the valley and are quite conveniently accessible. The taste is absolutely ravishing and very unique to Spiti. 5. Trout Fish Curry If you love fish, you must try the special trout fish curry of Spiti which is cooked in mustard oil with homegrown spices and seasoning. The flavour is enhanced by adding steamed vegetables to it. 6. Chhang Chhang is a local alcoholic beverage prepared from barley or rice. It is quite a traditional drink which is mildly intoxicating and popular among people in the hilly areas. The taste varies according to the fermentation process and ingredients used. Best time to visit Spiti As a general rule, people prefer to visit Spiti from March till June. Being a cold dessert, the weather conditions are usually harsh in winter. Therefore, the summers are pleasant and perfect for exploring the valley. However, if you want to experience Spiti during winter, you can choose to go anytime between October to February. You would have to be prepared for road blockagaes and exteme weather, in that case. Depending on whether you want to travel to Spiti for the snow or an adventure, it would be ideal to check the weather conditions and travel to Spiti.