Explore Scenic Mountain Towns of Himachal
Pradesh in Spiti Valley
When you first set foot in Spiti Valley, you will be greeted with long, twisting roads and valleys
that provide vistas and impressive views of the frigid desert and snow-crowned mountains. Spiti
Valley, which is found in Himachal Pradesh, is one of the country’s most frigid parts because the
Himalayas surround it. It has an elevation of 12,500 feet above sea level and receives only
about 250 days of sunshine. As a result, it is one of the highest places in the country. Because
the dense snow that falls in the Himalayas isolates Spiti from the rest of the nation for around
six months, the only time when Spiti is directly accessible through the highway is during the
summer months.
Because it lies between India and Tibet, the Spiti Valley is referred to as “The Middle Land.”
Spiti is a sparsely inhabited region that is a heaven for those who want to go on adventures
since there are many different hiking paths that visitors may pick from. Every one of these hikes
begins in Kaza, the capital of Spiti, which serves as your base camp as you make your way to
different peaks in the Himalayas. From these vantage points, you can see the whole mountain
range. From Dhankar Monastery, a hike of about 1.5 kilometres down the Spiti River to Dhankar
Lake will reward you with breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding towns and villages. You
may choose a spot at the Dhankar Lake where you can kick back, relax, and take in the sights
and sounds of the mountains all around you.
1. Komic Monastery
Yes, Komik is the highest settlement on the planet with access to a road. It is around 20
kilometres away from Kaza, and it is a small yet picturesque settlement situated approximately
6,000 metres above sea level. Komik is a wonderful destination for hikers and campers alike,
and it is nothing less than perfection. But keep in mind that there is nothing sophisticated about
it. The weather is quite severe, and the terrain is treacherous and difficult to traverse.
When at Komic, you should visit the Tangyud or Tangyuth monastery, since it goes without
saying. It is one of just two monasteries in the Spiti valley that adheres to the Sakya school of
Buddhism, making it the only one of its kind. Additionally, the Tangyud monastery has the
distinction of being one of India’s most formal religious institutions. In addition to this, it is also
considered to be one of the valley’s oldest monasteries.
Due to the fact that it is perched on the brink of a canyon, the appearance of the monastery is
one of a kind. It reminds one nearly exactly of a walled fortress. Due to its location on the
outskirts of the Kibber wildlife sanctuary, the view from here is very breathtaking, and if you look
closely, you could even see a Himalayan red fox! You’ll find a taxidermied leopard preserved in
the monastery’s interior.
2. Hikkim Village
Hikkim is a tiny hamlet located in the Lahaul and Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh. It is famous
for being the location of the highest post office in the world. In addition to the fact that this is a
universal truth, the site’s setting is so peaceful that it makes it an ideal vacation destination for
anyone looking for peace. Because of its relatively high elevation, the settlement is blanketed in
snow for a significant portion of the 365 days of the year. Because of this, the best time to go to
Hikkim would be when the weather is nice.
Visit The Highest Post Office
● Your primary point of interest will be the post office, which is billed as the tallest post
office in the world due to its elevation of more than 14,000 feet.
● Due to this location’s connection to Kaza, the postman would have to deliver the mail on
foot here.
● The mail is transported by bus to Reckong Peo, then on to Shimla, and finally, it is
delivered to Delhi.
● The post office also provides the locals with the opportunity to open savings accounts.
● Handled Rinchen Chhering. You may even start a chat with him regarding the post office
if you want to!
● The village’s ZIP code is 172114, and its postal index number is 172114. To keep the
memory of the trip alive, you may simply send a postcard back home from the town.
Where to Stay At Hikkim
You are required to stay at a homestay when visiting Hikkim. The residents of the village warmly
welcome visitors into their homes. These kind folks not only provide travellers comfortable and
warm rooms, but they also give them freshly prepared meals made from scratch. Due to the fact
that Hikkim has managed to preserve the natural beauty of a non-digital way of life, you won’t
be able to find even the majority of the most fundamental contemporary conveniences and
technology while you are there.
3. Langza
Langza hamlet, which sits at the height of 440 metres, is a must-see destination in Spiti Valley.
It’s a charming town with many historical landmarks, including prehistoric ruins and old
monasteries.
With its rolling green hills, snow-capped peaks, and stunning artificial structures, Langza Village
is a picture-perfect setting. The picturesque hamlet in Himachal Pradesh has a population of
only 137 people and a difficult way of life as they experience sub-zero temperatures and are
isolated from the rest of the world.
Other crafts such as shawls or carpets are also produced in Langza, which is famous for its
vessels in different forms and sizes. Chau Chau Kang Nilda may also be seen among the mud
huts and snow-covered peaks of the valley, which is bordered by an old temple.
4. Key Monastery
The Key Monastery, also known as the Kye Gompa, is one of the most well-known attractions in
the Spiti valley, which is found in the Kaza area. One of the largest gompas, Key Monastery, is
located at an elevation of 4112 metres and overlooks the Spiti River. It is famous for its
exquisite Buddha shrine and its collection of antique literature, manuscripts, and murals. The
Key monastery in Kaza and Spiti Valley is undoubtedly one of the most enthralling destinations
due to its fort-like architecture with a Chinese-inspired design, breathtaking assembly hall, and
charming Tengyur chamber.
5. Kibber
Kibber is one of the most picture-perfect hillside hamlets you can find in Spiti Valley, located in
northern India. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful but difficult spots to visit in the Spiti
valley, and it is frequented by thrill-seekers and trekkers who are dedicated to their sport. Kibber
is a tiny town known as Kyibar by the locals. It is situated at an elevation of 4205 metres, and it
is home to both a monastery and a Gompa. Additionally, it provides a spectacular perspective of
the landscape.
Final Words
Your trip to Spiti will be much more successful with the help of this itinerary, which includes all of
the best things to see in Spiti Valley. It is now possible for you to spend a wonderful holiday in
the breathtaking valley. In our next blog from the series, we will talk about Chandratal, Keylong
and Rohtang Pass. So, stay tuned!