Spiti Valley (Kaza)

A cold desert plateau at 3,800 m known as "Little Tibet", with the thousand-year-old Tabo Monastery, Key Monastery, the world's highest post office and unforgettable starry skies over Chandratal.

The Spiti Valley lies in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, India, bordering the Ngari region of Tibet, China. With an average elevation above about 3,800 m, it is a classic cold desert with a strong Tibetan Buddhist culture and is often called "Little Tibet". Kaza is the valley's main town, where you'll find accommodation, food, fuel and hired cars. The valley can be explored in several parts: around Kaza – Key Monastery, Kibber, Chicham Bridge and the three high-altitude villages of Langza, Hikkim and Komic; down-valley – Dhankar Monastery, Lalung Monastery, Tabo Monastery and the mummy at Gue village; Pin Valley National Park to the south; and Chandratal (Moon Lake) to the west via Kunzum Pass. There are two access routes. The western route from Manali via the Atal Tunnel and Kunzum Pass is about 200 km, open only from mid-June to October, and rough going. The southern route from Shimla through Kinnaur, Nako and Tabo is passable most of the year, and its gradual climb helps with acclimatisation. There are no airports or railways, so you'll need a hired car or an HRTC bus. Allow at least 5–7 days. Watch out for altitude sickness – rest for a day or two in Kaza before heading to higher villages. ATMs and connectivity are limited, so carry plenty of cash. Winters are extremely cold but offer the chance to track snow leopards. Foreign visitors need an Inner Line Permit for some border areas (such as around Nako and Gue), available in Kaza or Reckong Peo; check the latest local regulations.

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