Spiti , The land of lamas. A beautiful destination earthed in the laps of the mighty Himalayas is a destination that tempts you to take on the adventure. It is a haven where the air is thin and the mountains tell the ancient stories of our culture. Spiti is on the bucket list of every travel lover, whether it be in summer or winter. Spiti is preferred by all the categories of travellers, including the ones who look for calm and adventure seekers. Get amazed by its beautiful hued mountains. Dive into the history of its monasteries. Indulge in the ancestry by looking at the fossils there. Or just feel the thrill of being at the top of the world. Spiti is just the perfect stop for all these experiences.

You will find numerous articles and posts describing the unmatched beauty of Spiti but what about the things it has to offer? Many people travel to this wonderful place and do not know what to do to make the trip the best one. 

Visiting Spiti and not enjoying the unique things there will make your adventure just another typical trip to the mountains. 

So let’s explore some penny-worthy, mind-perky, and vehicle-jerky things that you can do in this wonderland to make every story worth telling everyone. And some tips to not let the atmosphere of rough Spiti impact your trip.

• Pin Valley National Park

Besides all the beautiful views and exciting vegetation, Spiti is home to the wonderful Pin Valley National Park. It is part of the Cold Desert ( biosphere reserve ). If you are a fan of nature and have curiosity about the unique flora and fauna, then this park will satisfy your eyes. Being on such a high altitude, the conditions here are different, giving birth to trees like Alpine trees and groves of Himalayan cedar. In summer, birds like the Himalayan snowcock, chukar partridge, snow partridge, finches, and choughs flourish here. It is also famous for its snow leopards. You can surely add thrill to your trip with this park’s visit.

• Monasteries

Spiti brings its culture and traditions from Tibet. The destination is heavily influenced by Tibetan culture. Therefore, Spiti is also known as small Tibet or the land of lamas. Spiti, due to its rich Tibetan heritage, attracts admirers of calm and tranquillity from all over the world. You can find numerous monasteries here and a visit there will bring so much peace to you. 

Some famous monasteries you should add to your most visited list are :

Key Monastery

 It is the largest monastery in the valley, situated close to the Spiti River. 

Dhankar Monastery

 Another beautiful and fascinating monastery situated among the rough mountains is a must-visit due to its offbeat surroundings. Get in touch with your soul here and admire the beauty of calmness.

Tabo Monastery

Tabo Monastery, known for its exquisite murals and sculptures, offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region. Are you a fan of ancient art and sculptures? Add Tabo to your list. You will not regret it.

Monasteries are the heart of Spiti Valley, and you can not miss them while visiting the destination.

• Chandratal

The lake signifies the beauty of Spiti Valley. Chandratal is a beautiful tourist attraction that requires a little hard work, but in the end, it is all worth it. It is a beautiful, sparkling lake that requires you to trek uphill to reach your destination. Witnessing the view of Chandratal is a must-have experience for every travel lover.

• Dhankar Lake

Another fascinating lake in the Spiti Valley. Dhankar Lake is a beautiful offbeat lake just above the Dhankar monastery. You can trek towards this lake from the monastery. The trek to Dhankar is moderate as it involves steep trekking. 

• Giu

After Sumdo, on the road from Nako to Tabo, you pass a bridge over the Spiti River and make a 7 km detour to a little hamlet named Giu. This is a virtually remote settlement with no other villages in the area, yet it is well-known for the more than 500-year-old Buddhist monk mummy found there. The mummies of an elderly monk are kept in a small room within a glass cabin on a small hillside near the village’s edge. The mummy’s teeth, hair, and nails all have the appearance of living things. 

• Market

The markets here in Spiti are a treat among the beautiful mountains. Spiti is famous for its fossil remains and unique handicrafts. Take some time out of the routine and shop here for some souvenirs as a token of the beauty of Spiti.

• Stargazing

It has the most beautiful landscapes and almost no light pollution. Spiti is one of the best destinations to experience stargazing. The preferred location to witness the wonders of stars is Chandratal Lake. So just lie down for a bit and admire the sky as it shines in its glory.

• Fossil

As we already said, Spiti is renowned for its fossils. One can not visit Spiti Valley and miss the opportunity to get hands-on with some fossils to learn about our ancient history.

• Special Dishes

The views and the thrill are a treat here but when it comes to the food Spiti never even takes a backseat. So you can spend some amazing time tasting the local foods here and collect the memories of surprising the tastebuds too. So, explore the cafes and monasteries for the authentic food of Spiti.

• Highest places

Spiti is a beautiful destination but when it comes to thrill and adventure, the valley has it all. Spiti is home to the world’s highest motorable village, the world’s highest post office in Hikkie, and the world’s highest bridge.

• Spiti river

Spiti River as its name signifies is a beautiful river that flows through the spectacular Spiti Valley. So just don’t be in haste and stop by the point where the roads meet the river and spend some time there doing nothing.

• Photography

Well, this doesn’t need to be explained: how much space in your gallery will the surprising views of Spiti Valley cover? You just cannot help it. The magnificent landscapes and sparkling blue water, along with the curves that bend the roads every time to new destinations, need to be captured. So, if you are a nature lover and love to keep the token of trips as a picture, Spiti is a treat for you.

These are just a few suggestions that will definitely help you plan an amazing trip to Spiti Valley and by following these you can even explore the best of Spiti that too just in a few days.

Tips to make Spiti more enjoyable

Now, let us dive into some tips to avoid any bad experiences to be added to your wonderful Spiti memories. Take care of these things while travelling to Spiti because travelling does not require the body to suffer; it needs to be entertaining.

• Acclimatization

Spiti is at high altitude and the air there is very thin. So be acclimatized and adapt to your surroundings before indulging in an activity of any kind that requires your physical health.

• Hydration

High altitude requires great fitness, and when you are travelling to a high altitude, it is very important to maintain your hydration levels. The more you drink liquids, the less there are chances you will suffer from high-altitude sickness or nausea. So stay hydrated and enjoy your journey.y

• Protection against sun

Travelling to high altitudes is all fun until the sun comes into the game along with its harmful UV radiations. So don’t forget to carry a good sunscreen of high SPF to protect against these rays.

• Appropriate clothing

Spiti is a high altitude place so weather there cannot be trusted. Therefore it is advised to carry appropriate clothing with you to fight against the changing weather conditions.

• Good transportation

Make sure your vehicle is in excellent condition so it can take on the offbeat adventure without putting you in a problem in a place with such harsh surroundings.

• Fuel

Spiti is an offbeat destination, so it has a very limited availability of certain services.

Finding petrol pumps there is a very hard task and you should never depend on them. So remember to carry fuel with you to avoid any such inconvenience.e

• Respect the locaculturetu. re

Spiti Valley is rich in culture and Tibetan traditions. Visiting there allows you to get in touch with the local folks. So it is of utmost importance to maintain respect for their local culture and traditions and obey all the rules.

• Weather check

The mountains seem very beautiful and they are even more beautiful once you visit them. But every beautiful thing comes with some warnings. Here, the weather conditions play that role. So keep a good check on the weather conditions before planning the trip.

• Safe activities

We know Spiti sounds very thrilling, and all you can think of, ooflistening to Spiti is adventure. Spiti even provides all those adventures to satisfy the adventure seeker in you. But it should not be overlooked that we should always first think about ourselves and our body’s calibre before jumping into any activity. So, go for safe activities and avoid any danger in the harsh conditions that will make your body suffer.

Conclusion

Spiti is a beautiful destination but it is just another typical harsh place if you have not pre-planned the journey. So research well and well and then plan a perfect trip suiting your and your body’s requirements. And with these things to do on Spiti, Your trip will turn into a most memorable one.