Places you should not miss while doing the Spiti Valley Road Trip
Spiti Valley or say the middle land is a region perched on the desolate brown peaks under the clear blue sky. Every bit of this valley is worth admiring and makes a must visit the place. But one gets so captivated by the vistas of one place that he forgets about the ticking clock. And then the time calls for making a dash through the valley causing to miss some of the best places on the circuit. So here I present you a list following which you won’t miss the gems of the valley.
Table of Contents
Paradise for nature enthusiasts – Pin Valley National Park
With a stunning backdrop of Himalayas, this cold desert biosphere reserve is an ideal location for the wildlife lovers. Being home to the rich, rare and endangered flora and fauna makes Pin Valley National Park the most thrilling spot to visit on a Road Trip to Spiti Valley. Apart from the many medicinal plants, alpine vegetation, cedar and deodar trees, the park is a home to chukar partridges, snow leopards, Siberian ibex and snowcocks.
A beautiful village in the hills – Kibber
Perched at a height of 4205 m, Kibber is the most picture perfect hamlet on the Spiti Circuit. This picturesque yet one of the most challenging places in the valley frequently hosts adventure freaks and hardcore trekker. Make a visit to the Key Monastery and Key Gompa and savour the panoramic vistas.
A pristine haven for backpackers – Losar
Placed right next to Indo-China border, Losar is one of the most visited places on the Spiti Circuit. Largely untouched by tourism, the village offers minimal options for stay and food but is brimming with serene beauty. The village lacks in materialistic luxury but its sparkling rivers and sizzling waterfalls directly touch our soul.
A consecrated spot for the Hindus and Buddhists – Udaipur
For your mind travelled to Rajasthan, then bring it back to Spiti. You read it right! Udaipur is a village not just famed amongst the pilgrims but also a paradise for trekkers and backpackers. Once you are done having enough of Udaipur’s vibrancy and its spot on location right by the Chandrabhaga Riverbank, head to receive the endowments at Marikula Mata Temple.
The world’s highest village – Komik
You read it right! Sitting at an altitude of 15,049 feet, Komik accounts to be the world’s highest inhabited village. But wait! There’s a little twist. It’s the highest village that has a road. At 20 km from Kaza, Komik is like a dream come true destination for trekkers and camping lovers. Before you start fancying yourself under the night sky, beware of the harsh weather and tough to tread terrains that make Komik a once in a lifetime place.
An isolated town with beauty in its simplicity – Darcha
Are you one of those living in stacked houses? Where hundreds and thousands of life survive in just a small area? If so, then you will fall in love with this town. The isolated cluster of Darcha boasts its simple lifestyle, picturesque valley views and a camping paradise. Enjoy your time here as you are taken back in time with just about 300 residents, all happy to host you with a smiling face.
A captivating camping destination – Chandratal
Named after its crescent moon-like shape, the pristine beauty of the Chandratal Lake brings out a new person in you. It turns you into a poet, an artist or a designer. Whoever you are, it brings you closer to your own soul that has been hiding behind a mask. Flanked by the brown peaks and surrounded by lush greenery the lake looks its best on a calm day. A day when there is no wind and the peaks reflects in the crystal blue water of the lake creating scenery to delve into.
The Ajanta of the Himalayas – Tabo Monastery
The 9 temples of Tara & Buddha Maitreya and multiple stupas is what makes the Tabo Monastery one of the ancient places to visit on your road trip to Spiti Valley. Apart from this, the monastery is known for its majestic paintings, stucco sculptures and works of Buddha. Make sure you make the best use of god gifted lens as photography through manmade lenses (Mobile/DSLR) is prohibited in the premises. And with this, we wind up our journey and return back home with bags full of memories and a new approach to see life. The world is a beautiful place and India is one such country that offers you a diverse landscape and terrain to host every kind of traveller. A road trip through Spiti Valley will take you across a varied terrain and will turn out to be the best trip of your life. SO let’s go tripping!
In the lap nature…nothing can be more beautiful than these, indeed awesome places.