Prettified by the tranquil environment that includes appealing trekking trails, dramatic landscapes, and postcard-perfect villages, Spiti is a remote Himalayan valley in the northeastern part of Himachal Pradesh, India. Spiti means “the middle land”, owing to its location between Tibet and India. The place, situated at a very high altitude of 3000 m, is very popular among adventure buffs. Activities like Bike riding, trekking, and camping are getting fame at a fast pace in Spiti valley. One of the best destinations in Himachal Pradesh, Spiti was addressed by the famous Novelist Rudyard Kipling in his well-known book named 'Kim'. the book described the valley as " a world within a world", a place where the gods live.
The region of Spiti is famous for its Buddhist culture and monasteries. The peaceful chanting of 'Om Mani Padme Hum', which creates a humming effect, and colorful prayer flags are some significant parts of the valley and the people living here. Spiti and its surrounding areas are considered to be one of the least populated regions in India. Bhoti is the regional language of Spiti.
Volunteer Tourism
Volunteer tourism is popular and talked about concept around the world. Spiti Valley has a flavour of volunteer tourism. It is also a developing geo-tourism site with volunteers building a solar bath for the monks and aiding to build a greenhouse.
There are some non-profit organisations that play an important role in venturing to transform Spiti into an environmentally sustainable destination. The organisations not only acknowledge volunteers, conduct treks, and promote handicrafts made by the inhabitants, but also organise homestays.
The most interesting part of staying in these homestays is that travellers get to take part in the daily lives of the hosts.
Famous Tourist Places In And Around Spiti
The Kye Monastery is a prominent tourist attraction of Spiti. It is the oldest monastery present in India. Adventures like Mountain Biking and Yak Safari are popular attractions in the region. Owing to the natural beauty of the place, a few Bollywood movies have been shot in the region namely Paap and Milarepa. The two most important towns in the region are Kaza and Keylong. Some of the rare species of flora and fauna are found in the region, which adds up to the significance of the place. Wheat, barley, and peas are some of the crops grown in the region.
How To Reach Spiti
Bhuntar is the nearest airport to Spiti, which is connected to major cities like New Delhi and Shimla. International tourists can avail of connecting flights to the Bhuntar airbase from Delhi. The nearest railhead from Spiti is Jogindernagar, which is a narrow gauge railway station. Moreover, Chandigarh and Shimla are the nearest major railway stations from Spiti, connected to which are major cities of India. Travellers can easily avail of taxis and cabs to Spiti from the railway station. By road, Spiti can be reached via National Highway 21. Spiti is accessible from both Rohtang Pass and Kunzam Pass.
It must be noted that both these passes remain closed from November to June, owing to heavy snowfall. Kinnaur is the best-suited route for reaching Spiti, which is located at a distance of 412 km.
Best Time To Visit Spiti
The weather of Spiti remains pleasant throughout the year except during winter. The summer season extends between the months of May and October. Summers are best for visiting this place as the temperature of the place doesn’t go beyond 15° C. Spiti lies in the rain shadow area, therefore, does not receive much rainfall. During winter, this place receives heavy snowfall and the temperatures drop below zero degrees.