Details You Need to Know Before Visiting Spiti Valley
Jullay !! You are at Spiti Valley. Concealed in an intriguing cover of natural greatness, Spiti is a sublime passage for those looking for isolation in the euphoria of nature. It comprises unmistakable high-elevation snow-capped land with a normal stature of around 12,500 feet above ocean level. This is dispersed with little towns and cloisters, and encased by taking off tops delegated with snow. Here are few details you need to know before visiting Spiti Valley.
Spiti is lined by Ladakh in the north, Tibet toward the east, Kinnaur toward the southeast, and the Kullu Valley toward the south. It has a similar religion as Tibet – Tibetan Buddhism.
Most of the individuals who occupy the region are ranchers who produce yields of grain, wheat, and peas. They rise early each day to take care of their yields. Just one yield each year is conceivable, because of the superb climate.
How to get to Spiti Valley
Flight:
The closest airport is Kullu Airport at Bhuntar, which is located at a distance of 245 km. Anyone can hire a cab or take the public bus to reach Spiti.
Train:
The closest major station is Shimla railway station. From there you can reach Narkanda and Kinnaur valley to reach Spiti.
Road:
By road, HRCTC buses are available from Delhi or other states. Else, you can hire a cab to reach Spiti as well.
Route to get to Spiti
There are many routes to reach Spiti. I am sharing a few here :
- Delhi – Shimla – Narkanda – Kinnaur Valley – Tabo – Kaza
- Delhi or Chandigarh – Manali – Rohtang Pass – Kunzum Pass – Losar – Kaza
- ( We took this one) Delhi – Auth – Jibhi – Chitkul – Nako – Tabo – Kaza
You may find it useful :
Climate in Spiti
Spiti gets hefty snowfall throughout the colder time of year. These outcomes in most of the villages being totally cut off from the remainder of the valley. The ideal opportunity to visit Spiti is from May to October. During this time, the climate is radiant and charming. But if you want to cherish white Spiti then you should visit in Winter only.
Altitude Motion Sickness (AMS)
Spiti is situated at the height of 4270 mt and due to very high altitude lands in Spiti, one can take special care to avoid altitude sickness or AMS. Acclimatize well before starting your journey towards higher places like Chandrataal or Kibber. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and also carry medicine like Diamox to keep your blood thinner (after consulting with the doctor). Carry glucose to take proper sugar while travelling.
Stay option in Spiti
Spiti has homestays, hostels and hotels too which are good with the availability of food. The staycations are generally budget-friendly, clean with the availabilities of basic food. The price starts from INR 300 (hostel/night) to INR 9000 (resort/night) in Spiti.
Food in Spiti
Momos, Thupka, Tsampa, Thukpa, churpe, buckwheat chiltas, maggie and seabuckthorn tea are the famous food of Spiti. In Kibber you can see the highest cafe which is famous for momos, maggie, so don’t forget to try there. Due to the extreme winter climate making non-vegetarian food is a predominant choice at Spiti. One of the famous cafes in Kaza is The Himalayan cafe which is very famous for its food and ambience (must try).
Shopping in Spiti
Kaza is one of the largest towns in the Spiti Valley. It’s a market area that easily stands out as the best place to locate a large variety of artefacts in one place. You can shop woollen, handmade wooden souvenir, magnets, prayer flags, dry fruits, rugs, beads, sandals incense sticks, t-shirts, bandanas are famous here.
Apart from Kaza, outside of Tabo Monastery, few shops sell souvenirs too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSCE1UjpEJW/
Places to Visit
I will share a detailed guide of all the places and what to do there in my next blog. The major places to visit in Spiti are :
- Tabo
- Dhankar
- Kibber
- Kaza
- Langza
- Gue
- Chandrataal
- Hikkim
- Pin Valley
- Kunzum Pass etc.
- Mudh Village
Facts About Spiti Valley
- Spiti Valley is scarcely inhabited with the majority of the population being Tibetans.
- Spiti means ‘middle land,’ as this place is nestled in the land between India and Tibet.
- BSNL, JIO has good network connectivity
- Carry much cash as there are very few ATMs are available
- Lahul and Spiti are two different districts jointly called Lahaul-Spiti
- Spiti is pronounced as Pitti among locals.
- Spiti has limited washrooms available in the midway. Most of them are very basic.
- Spiti is part of Himachal Pradesh. Many people are confused Spiti with Leh Ladakh as both of the places have some kind of mountain desert land.
If you want to visit Spiti which would be your preferred route and mode of transportation? Do you want to visit solo or in a group?
If you have any points to add for others, feel free to add them to the comment section.
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Wanna go there soooooon!!! Lovely place! Heard about it from friends too!
Spiti has been on my bucket list ever since I saw it in a John Abraham movie. Finally finalized it for next July. However I was uncertain about the amenities and safety aspects of it. Since now I will be traveling with my lil girl your inputs on restrooms are really helpful. I will be keeping track of your upcoming posts on Spiti to help plan my itinerary.
I love your travelogues as they are not only detailed and helpful but make for a very interesting read. And, your pics add to the beauty of your posts. If I ever visit Spiti, I am following all that you mentioned in this post. Thanks so much.
Very good post about the details. Highly informative for travellers who want to visit Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Nicely written and keep up the good work.
Wow this is so helpful and informative especially for first-timers like me who are planning a trip to Spiti. From food to shopping to how to travel your blog has captured it all
Spectacular place! Loved it, totally! I will surely plan to visit there, soon. Loved your detailed review and I have bookmarked your page for future reference. Thank you for writing this informative post! Keep writing!
This is quite an informative guide about Spiti. I am planning to visit there for so long, but its is somehow not happening. Loved your smiling pictures!
Very detailed post. I like the Photographee. Food looks awesome soon! I plan to go to Spiti sometime soon. Will be referring this article before I decide my itinerary.
Spiti has been on my list for a while. I was waiting for my son to grow up before we attempted it, but then the pandemic began. Hopefully, we can visit later. I’m bookmarking this post for when I finally make the trip. I appreciate that you’ve included practical info as well like availability of washrooms, ATMs, etc. And I’ll wait for your detailed guide on the places to visit in Spiti.
I heard so much about Spiti valley, but your post has really enticed me to plan a quick trip to this place once all the travel restrictions have been lifted.
It sounds like the perfect place for a retreat, far from the world. But yeah, acclimitisation is so important. Would like to plan a visit sometime.
I’ve visited Shimla so many times, but didn’t get to Spiti Valley. Your detailed description and heart-taking pics have instigated me plan a trip there.
This is a really very handy guide, for those planning a visit to Spiti. I really like the fact that you have covered all aspects. The note about AMS is really useful for those not acquainted with travel in the mountains. Sandy N Vyjay
I love how your travel posts are always so detailed. I just need to refer to your post for the complete information. I haven’t had a chance to visit Spiti yet. Bookmarking your post as always for when I get a chance to go. Thank you for sharing about it.
I had visited Spiti years back when I was in college. t is such a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing such a detailed and informative post. You have included almost every detail a person needs to visit the place.
Very well written post with all the details required to visit the place. Spiti valley looks like an amazing place to visit. Thanks for sharing such an informative post.
I am going to bookmark this page. Your travelogue is very detailed and Spiti Valley s on my bucket list. It is going to be very useful for all travellers to Spiti Valley.
Lovely destination. Himachal is on my wish list. Your travel post is really helpful. You explain it very well. Hope we will be able to travel soon with kids.
I enjoy being in the company of nature and this is just where I would like to be now, however looks difficult. Hope to visit this beautiful place. Your detailed post is very helpful.
I look forward to your posts cause I’m eager to know where you would next take us virtually. Spiti valley definitely looks mesmerizing in topography and love the food options listed
Spiti looks like a dream holiday destination.
Would love to visit it sometime 🙂
Thanks for sharing the details.
Ghazala
Oh. We were supposed to leave on a road trip to Spiti in Mar-2020. It was to be a 15-day trip and on the way back we had planned to stop at many places en route to Bangalore which is home. And then the lockdown happened. Story over 🙁
Hopefully, we will be able to do this soon. Lovely travelogue as usual. At least I got to visit Spiti now through your post.
I wanted to Visit Spiti. Maybe once Corona diminishes….
Very well written post. It gives all the required information one looks for before you go out. I have pinned this post on my mind. I Will check again and recommend it to all mountain lovers
Spiti seems to be a great place. Your travelogue with beautiful pictures is prompting me to visit the place at least once! Glued for your related articles:)
I have Spiti Valley on my list. I would love to go there someday and especially with a group. I will make sure that I acclimatise when I visit the place as I think it is important.
I have not visited this part of India yet. Will surely travel someday. This detailed post will be helpful to a lot of travellers travelling to Spiti Valley
We had all panned to visit Spiti last year in May end and unfortunately never got a chance due to pandemic and still it is pending. I hope we get to visit it soon. Bookmarking your post for my visit reference as it so very detailed.
After reading this post it reminded me of my last years’ trip there. The place is simply beautiful. I must say that your pictures are truly beautiful.
Even I confused Spiti with Leh Ladakh like terrains. Thanks for clarifying. Would December be a good season to visit?
Spiti sounds like an interesting place to visit. My only concern is about the height and motion sickness while traveling to this place. Great travelogue with full of information and lovely pictures.
Spiti sounds like an interesting place to visit. My only concern is about the height and motion sickness while traveling to this place. Great travelogue with full of information and lovely pictures
Spiti is indeed a gorgeous place! So sad to hear about the recent landslides and devastation here.
I’ve actually never heard of Spiti valley but the place looks so serene and breath-taking. Definitely a place to relax in the lap of nature.
A trip to Spiti is long due and your post provides all information I need to strike it off my bucket list.
Thank you for the detailed review, We had planned for Srinagar visit last year but got cancelled due to pandemic. Pinned this for future reference.
Loved reading all about Spiti Valley. I am bookmarking this post for all the details about this place and I will try to visit this place after pandemic.
Wonderful pictures of Spiti. I would like to try the local food there, like Momos and Tsampa. I have tried them at a restaurant in Berlin, but I guess it would taste different in Spiti. Good to know that cash is king!
This is a great list of things you need to know before visiting Spiti Valley. Altitude sickness is one thing that I would want to be prepared for. Great tip about starting your visit in higher altitudes to prepare your body. Lack of network connectivity and the need for cash are critical tips. But so many great stops if you visit.
Your trip to Spiti Valley was a fabulous adventure. I appreciate that you share so many valuable tips from this place, as it’s not easy to arrange this kind of road trip on your own. I was in the Shimla region, but I had no time and vast experience to get to Spiti Valley. Also, I was there in February, which is not a good season for such a trip. As you mentioned, the best time for a visit is from May to October. But I would like to go back there one day to explore Spiti Valley.
Thanks for the reminders and pro tips. It looks like it will take some determination to reach this place. I’m sure once reached, the person who experiences this hidden treasure can really say it’s worth it. Nice trekking views!
What an interesting place! And you’re right about altitude sickness. It’s a valid concern. Your photos are so pretty, and I haven’t heard of Spiti before. I’d love to go!
Spiti has been on my list for ages now. I really want to visit it. Thank you for the guide. It’s a shame that each year I plan and it never materialized. But next year I have to do it. T
Your post is a reminder.