Spiti Valley is one of the best locations for the self-drive expedition all across the globe! Why? Please Allow us to explain! Everything in the creation has its brilliance and charm, but nothing in the world is comparable to the views of the Himalayas. The Eternal and Majestic Himalayas stand tall in the North region of India. Being the “highest mountain range” in the world, expeditions in the hills of the Himalayas hold a special place in the hearts of adventure lovers. A mountainous cold desert freckled with green patches over a dry weather-beaten face, fascinating valleys, windswept landscapes, and quiet villages, Spiti, loosely translates as 'the middle land'. The geographic placement passes a heavy influence of Buddhism and stark cultural similarities of the region into the valley. Himachaltourism.com The Location Spiti is located in the North-East part of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh is a state in the North part of India and is located in the higher reaches of the Himalayas. The entire state itself is full of sceneries and cultural heritage sites. Manali, Shimla, Kasol, Spiti Valley, Kufri, Kaza, etc. are just a few names on the list. Spiti is a small village in the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh. It is a beautiful place between the region of Tibet and India. The word Spiti means “The middle land” as this valley connects Tibet with India (in the middle of Tibet and India). Spiti valley is located at an altitude of about 3800m and is known for its mesmerizing and breathtaking landscape. Trekking the trails of Spiti will provide you with one of the best adventurous experiences. If you are a mountain lover, Spiti will be heaven on earth for you. It is a remote location and is sparsely populated. How to reach Train: The nearest broad gauge railway station from Spiti which have good connectivity is in Chandigarh. The best option is to reach Chandigarh via train and then hire a cab or taxi to reach Spiti. Joginder Nagar is the nearest railway station to Spiti but has poor connectivity. Another option is to reach Shimla by train and then take a taxi or cab to reach Spiti Valley. Road: As you can see there is no direct access to the airport or railway in Spiti, you can only reach here using the roads. Roads in Spiti are almost open throughout the year thanks to the hard work of BRO (Border Road Organization) and PWD (Public Welfare Department). Regular bus services operate daily, whether day or night, from places like New Delhi, Pathankot, Shimla, etc. You can also hire shared taxis or cabs for the same route. Points to remember Despite being a remote location, Spiti Valley is connected with the outside world. There are medical shops, petrol pumps, and ATMs all along the way. But it is advisable to refill your vehicle with fuel and take some cash with you as all these facilities are still limited. If you have a serious medical issue, consult a doctor before coming to Spiti. The altitude is about 3800, so for some people like senior-citizen, and asthma patients, it might be difficult to get habitual to the high altitude. Roads in Spiti Spiti is located in a remote location, high in the Himalayas, and the condition of the road is not too good. The roads leading to Spiti valley are the most dangerous and one of the toughest roads to drive on, being pretty narrow, steep, and covered with gravel. They are definitely far more challenging than the Leh-Manali highway. Along the road you will have to trudge many streams, perhaps even small rivers, tackle melting glaciers, and drive over piles of sand, rocks, and snow. This all makes the drive thrilling but also somewhat dangerous. Any error in judgment would only mean tumbling down the valley and into the fast-flowing river. But you need not worry as you will be led by the trained convoy leaders of Himalayan Experiences, who are used to these roads. As for places to stay, there is no shortage of hotels and guest houses in Spiti, Gaza, Komic, and Kibber. You can walk around the streets of these places and easily find a homestay, a hotel, or a guesthouse. You can even camp if you want to. Places to Visit Monasteries Spiti valley is famous for its monasteries. For instance, the Tabo monastery is one of the prime attractions in Spiti. Key/Ki Monastery (Key/Ki Gompa) is one of the most popular places to visit in Spiti valley. It is located in the Kaza region and has a breathtaking sight of the Spiti River. Key Monastery is a stunning Buddha shrine with lots of ancient books, manuscripts, and murals available to study. The team of HimalayanExperiences highly recommends it for every sightseeing tour. Key Monastery, SpitiKey Monastery, Spiti Tabo Monastery is well-known for its majestic paintings and is one of the ancient places to visit in Spiti valley consisting of 9 temples of Tara and Buddha Maitreya and multiple Stupas. Gandhola Monastery founded by Padma Sambhava is almost 800 years old and is famous for wooden idols and shrines, related to ancient heritage. Shashur Monastery, Tayul Monastery, Kardang Monastery, Tangyud Monastery, Kungri Monastery, Dhankar Monastery, etc are some other prime locations that you can visit on the go. Ancient Monastery in SpitiAncient Monastery in Spiti Chandratal - Paradise for Photography If you love the combination of adventures, height, and lake, Chadratal will surely fulfill all your cravings. It is the perfect combination of “beauty and thrill” with breathtaking sights and many trekking opportunities. The lake got its name because of its crescent shape. It is believed, Chandratal was discovered by the traders who came to the region from Tibet or Ladakh. After an arduous journey, the traders used to rest near the lake and then resume their journey to Kullu or Spiti. Chandratal Lake, SpitiChandratal Lake, Spiti Legends says that the Chandratal Lake lies in the vicinity of a place from where God Indra's chariot picked up Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers in Mahabharata. This sweet water lake is around 2.5 km wide and is the source of the Chandra River and merges with the Bhaga River to form the Chandrabhaga that later assumes the identity of Chenab. You need to cross the high passes( Kunzum Pass) and rough roads to reach the base camps. The lake is around an hour's drive from Chacha Chachi da Dhaba. The lake is a 15-20 minute walk from car parking. As you walk along this path, the views are breathtaking! The lake is normally blue but changes color with the color of the sky. A trip to Chandratal would mean a mix of adventure and raw, desolate nature. Other Lakes Another mesmerizing thing to see in Spiti valley is Dhankar or Sar Kund Lake. It is a fabulous natural lake perched on a cliff at 4270 m and has a slightly challenging trek that leads to this scenic lake. The heavenly views of clear lake water and breathtaking mountains will surely wash off the weariness that you accumulated in the adventure. Kunzum Pass Kunzum mountain pass bridges Kullu and Lahaul Valley with Spiti Valley and is located at the high altitude of 4590m in Kunzum Range. The Kunzum pass offers jaw-dropping views of the Chandrabhaga Range. If you love trekking, you can reach here from Chandratal Lake. The vibrant Buddhist flags and an age-old Devi temple enhance the beauty of this beautiful land. Kunzum Pass, SpitiKunzum Pass, Spiti Komik Komik is the world's highest village with a road. It is located roughly 20 km from Kaza and is a small yet beautiful village. Komik is located at an altitude of 18,000 feet above sea level. Nothing less than paradise, Komik is a trekker and camper's dream with harsh weather and tough terrains. Conclusion Spiti is undoubtedly the best self-drive expedition location in India. While changing weather (climate change) is hitting Spiti hard, it is still a haven for adventurous, thrill-seekers and photographers. Visit Spiti as its beauty is at its peak as it is slowly but surely losing its charm because of Human Activities and climate change. Spiti Valley - The Ultimate self-drive Expedition DestinationSpiti Valley - The Ultimate self-drive Expedition Destination If you wish to enjoy scenic views or hardcore adventure in the lands of Spiti, we from HimalayanExperiences are here to help you out. We have planned a grand expedition to Spiti Valley in the first half of February 2023.