INTRODUCTION:- ‘
This is no place for men, because the gods must live here.’Rudyard Kipling has said very famously about Spiti.A part of the Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh,Spiti lies in the rain shadow of the Indian Himalayas and sees very little annual rainfall.The place offers a small visitation opportunity,as the roads are closed for 7-8 months in a year due to snow at the higher passes.The destination is home to the moon-shaped,pristine Chandratal Lake situated at an altitude of 4300 meters.
Hikkim holds the title of the highest village in the world with a post office.The comic also features a tantric gompa which is the tallest in the world at 4587 metres. Moreover,geology buffs will be amazed to know this That Spiti was under the Tethys Sea millions of years ago.Mountain biking for adventurers,chatting with llamas,mountain ropeway rides in Chichum,wildlife spotting at Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary And Pin Valley National Park are some of the interesting things to do here.Spiti will surely mesmerize you,Will enchant you and surround you with the desolate roughness of the mountains. Mentioned here are some offbeat things you can do in beautiful Spiti.
THE JOURNEY TO LAHAUL & SPITI:-
Lahaul and Spiti are in a remote corner of the world that can be reached by crossing the highest mountain passes in the world.Before Manali, one has to cross the Rohtang Pass and the difficult Rani Nala.From Shimla,the twin valleys can be reached through the Kunzum La pass.Pin Parbati Pass is another access road in this area.
The fun and thrill of traveling to Lahaul and Spiti is that there are no roads,Nor is there any vegetation or civilization for miles and desolate all around.It is a test of stamina and stamina.The drive from Delhi is long. While driving from Delhi to Lahaul and Spiti, one has to stop at Manali or Shimla.
The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport in Kullu. Travelers have to hire a bus or cab from there to take them to Lahaul and Spiti. The summers in this region are hot and sunny. Any time of year,it’s a good idea to carry woolen and snow gear,Because even the summer nights can be cold.Needless to say,winter temperatures drop well below the freezing point.Rohtang Pass and Kunzum La Pass remain closed for the winter due to heavy snowfall.
BIKE RIDES TO LAHAUL AND SPITI:-
Lahaul and Spiti has in recent years cornered the trail of Ladakh in terms of biking adventure enthusiasts!Be fair warning,the route to Spiti is more challenging than that of Ladakh. Boasting a rocky terrain and meandering through rivers, Spiti is a dream destination for biking and adventure enthusiasts. Kinnaur is open throughout the year,while the road from Manali to Kaza is open from mid-June to mid-October.
MONASTERIES IN THE SPITI VALLEY KI MONASTERY,TABO GOMPA AND MORE:-
The proximity of Lahaul and Spiti to Tibet means that there is a considerable Buddhist influence in the region. These are known as gompa in the local language.In Lahaul,situated at the confluence of the Chandra and Bagha rivers is the 800-year-old Guru Ghantal Gompa. Shashur Monastery derives its name from the blue pine trees surrounding it. And it is famous for the large thangka paintings and priceless wall paintings of all 84 Buddhist siddhis. The Spiti Valley is the most important center of Buddhism in Himachal and the monasteries here are a favorite of the Dalai Lama himself.
Situated next to the Spiti River,the Math could not have been established at a more beautiful place. The thousand year old Tabo Gompa is situated at an amazing height of 3050 meters and looks like a honeycomb on a hill. The monasteries of Lahaul and Spiti are rich stores of ancient frescoes,thangkas,wood carvings and golden images of Padmasambhava.
FESTIVALS IN LAHAUL AND SPITI:-
Lahaul and Spiti have many colorful festivals of their own. The Ladarcha Mela marks the beginning of the summer months,so it is a time of fun and entertainment. During the fair,traders from different parts of Tibet as well as Himachal converge to buy and sell. Tribal Festival is another trade fair celebrated around the Independence Day. Various religious occasions like Pauri Mela,Sheshu Mela,Diwali,Fagli Festival and Gochi Festival are also celebrated throughout the year.
TREKKING & EXPLORING:-
Trekking in this region has been made popular by the fact that the region receives very little rainfall. Akhand Dhoop assists trekkers in their exploration of the inner Himalayan jungle. While undertaking high altitude treks,trekkers go beyond the snow line,Cross high passes and snow fields. Some of the popular treks are Parangala Pass,Pin Parvati Pass,Baba Pass,Hampta Pass.
Tents,sleeping bags,snow gear,light cooking equipment,sunscreen and sunglasses are required to undertake any trek in these hills.Apart from trekking,skiing as an adventure sports activity has gained a lot of momentum in the region in recent years.Very little snow and absence of tourists make it ideal for winter season in Spiti Valley,also take yak ride. Adventure and done nowhere else in the world.
