Spiti Valley is a high-altitude cold desert in Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh. Its main town, Kaza, sits at about 3,650 m, and Key Monastery, the valley’s largest, is 12 km north at 4,166 m. Kaza is reachable all year from Shimla through Kinnaur, and from Manali over Kunzum Pass only from about June to mid-October.
The largest monastery in Spiti Valley, of the Gelugpa school, at 4,166 m about 12 km north of Kaza. Hotel Spiti Villa is on Kibber Village Road nearby.
Founded in 996 CE at about 3,050 m, Tabo Monastery is noted as the oldest continuously operating Buddhist enclave in India and the Himalayas; monks meditate in caves in the cliff above.
A cliff-top gompa at about 3,894 m between Kaza and Tabo, overlooking the meeting of the Spiti and Pin rivers; once the capital of the Spiti kingdom.
One of the highest villages inhabited year-round, at about 4,270 m and 19 km from Kaza; the base for the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, home to snow leopards.
A crescent-shaped Ramsar lake at about 4,250–4,300 m, reached by a road that leaves NH-505 8 km from Kunzum Pass; open from late May to early October.
The Shimla–Kinnaur–Tabo–Kaza road (NH 505), about 420 km, is the year-round route, closed only briefly by landslides or heavy snow. It climbs gradually, which helps acclimatisation.
About 200 km over Kunzum Pass (about 4,550 m). Usually open from June to mid-October, once snow is cleared; closed in winter.
Indian citizens need no permit for Spiti. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur stretch near the border, checked at Sumdo; confirm current rules with the district offices before travelling.
Kaza is at about 3,650 m and many sights are above 4,000 m. Take a rest day on arrival, drink water and climb gradually; the Kinnaur route acclimatises better than Manali.
The main season: both routes open, Chandra Taal reachable (late May to early October), and the Ladarcha fair in mid-August. July is the warmest month, averaging about 15 °C, and nights can still freeze.
Clear, cold and quiet. The Manali road over Kunzum Pass usually closes by mid-October.
Deep winter: reachable only through Kinnaur, with January lows down to about −30 °C. For experienced, well-prepared travellers.
Hotel Spiti Villa Himalayan Brothers is a hotel in the lap of the Himalayas. Enjoy their picturesque beauty from your room, with good times made even better by a crew trained to take care of your smallest needs. Make your stay count with us.
Kaza is at about 3,650 m (11,980 ft). Key Monastery, 12 km north, is at 4,166 m and Kibber village at about 4,270 m.
June to September, when both the Manali and Shimla roads are open and days are mild. October is clear but cold, and the Manali route usually closes by mid-October. In winter Spiti is reachable only via Kinnaur.
Yes, through Shimla and Kinnaur on NH 505, which stays open most of the year. The Manali route over Kunzum Pass is closed in winter, and temperatures can fall to −30 °C in January.
About 12 km north of Kaza. The monastery is the largest in Spiti and belongs to the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Indian citizens do not. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur border stretch, checked at Sumdo. Rules change, so confirm with the district administration before you travel.
Hotel Spiti Villa Himalayan Brothers is on Kibber Village Road near Key Monastery, in the Kaza area, with mountain-view cottages and a restaurant serving Spitian food. It is open through the season and closed in winter.
Road, weather and permit conditions change; check locally before you travel. Our front desks are happy to help.
