High in the trans-Himalayan fold of Himachal Pradesh lies Spiti, a stark, breathtaking valley often described as “Little Tibet of India.” Remote, rugged, and dramatically beautiful, Spiti is not just a destination; it is a journey into a landscape shaped by glaciers, ancient monasteries, moonlike mountains, and a culture preserved in timeless stillness. For travelers seeking solitude, adventure, and spirituality, Spiti offers an experience like nowhere else. Separated from fertile Lahaul by the soaring 4551m Kunzum Pass, the trans-Himalayan region of Spiti is another chunk of Tibet marooned within India, a kind of ‘mini-Ladakh’ with fewer tourists. The scattered villages in this serrated moonscape arrive like mirages while the turquoise-grey ribbon of the Spiti River is your near-constant companion, albeit sometimes way below in precipitous gorges.
The whole Spiti–Kinnaur loop is scenically spectacular, attracting hordes of summer motorcyclists completing one of India’s great road trips.
LHALUNG MONASTERY
Also known as the Golden Temple, Lhalung Monastery is situated in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. It also holds the distinction of being one of the earliest monasteries to be founded in Himachal Pradesh. The temple was founded by the great Rinchen Zangpo, who ruled the western Himalayan kingdoms of Zanskar, Guge, Spiti and Kinnaur during the late tenth century.
The temple is believed to have been constructed overnight by the gods after Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo planted a willow tree here, promising that if it lived through the year, a temple would be built next to it. The tree still stands outside the Gompa to this day.
The area was formerly a complex of nine shrines enclosed within a dilapidated wall with the main chapel richly decorated. The monastery is considered an ancient centre of learning and debate.
UDAIPUR OF HIMACHAL
Renowned for the ancient Marikula Mata Temple, the picturesque hamlet of Udaipur is located on the banks of Chandrabhaga River in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The pilgrimage site is considered holy by both Hindus and Buddhists.
Located at an altitude of 2,743 meters, Udaipur is 53 km to the north of Keylong. It was known as Markul in olden times because of the temple dedicated to Markula Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. In 1695 AD, it was renamed as Udaipur in honour of King Udai Singh of Chamba. King Udai Singh became very popular after he elevated Udaipur to the status of a district centre.
Udaipur along with Trilokinath temple forms the two important pilgrimages in Lahaul and Spiti district. The temples are held in high regard by both Hindus and Buddhists. Both the places of worship are located on either side of the Chandrabhaga river.
KEY MONASTERY
The biggest centre of Buddhist learning in Spiti Valley, Key Monastery is over 1000-year-old. It is the oldest training centre for Lamas. It is located at a height of 13,668 feet above mean sea level in Lahaul Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh in north India.
Founded by Dromton, a famous disciple of teacher Atisha in the 11th century, the monastery used to house about 350 lamas at one time. The number of inmates at the monastery has come down. The monastery is famous for its architecture called Pasada style. Pasada style is characterised by two or more stories and often plays the role of a fort-monastery. The monastery is spread over three floors – underground, ground and first floor. Underground is mainly utilized for storage; ground floor is used as assembly hall, called Du-Khang. The ground floor also has small rooms for monks.
LOSSAR
Lossar is the first village while entering in Spiti Valley from Kunzum Pass. Situated at high altitude near Spiti River it comes under the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh in north India.
The landscape and culture is quite similar to Tibet. People also dress up in Tibetan style and Buddhism culture is more prominent in Lossar. The Spiti region is also known as ‘Little Tibet’ as the culture here is almost the same.
Spiti river, large spread meadows and surrounding glacial mountain range collectively gives Lossar a beautiful scenic location. It is for this reason trekking and jeep safari quite popular in Lossar. It is starting point for trek route to Chandra Tal.
PIN VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Situated in the cold desert area of Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh, Pin Valley National Park is home for more than 20 species of animals and birds, including the endangered Snow leopard.
Constituted as a wildlife park in 1987, Pin Valley is located at altitude ranging from 11,500 feet to 20,000 feet in Spiti division of the district. Pin River flows through the base of the valley.
The park’s core zone is stretched over 675 sq km and the buffer zone extends over 1150 sq km. Foreign nationals are not allowed inside the park. Indians have to take permit to enter the park.
Snow leopard is the most important resident of the park. There are about 12 of the big cat in the park. Besides snow leopard, Siberian ibex, bharal, weasel, red fox, marten are other animals that are the highlight of the park. It is home to birds like pika, snow cock, bearded vulture, chukor, golden eagle, griffon, Himalayan chough and raven.
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