Tourist places in and around Spiti

Spiti Valley

what to see

Monasteries

There are a large number of gompas in this valley but it has also some important and famous monasteries, a brief description is given.

Thang Yug Gompa

It is located 13 km. above kaza serving western part of central Spiti. Situated in a secluded place in the narrow gauge of Kaza Nallah, it generally has a Lama from Tibet. Above this there is a long plateau which leads to Shilla peak.

Kungri Gompa

It is situated in the Pin valley about 10 km. from Attargo where Spiti river has to be crossed to enter Pin valley. It is serves the population of Pin valley.

Dhankar Monastery

It is situated about 25 km. east of Kaza and serves eastern part of central Spiti. Dhankar is a big village and erstwhile capital of Spiti Kingdom. On top of a hill there is a fort which use to be the prison in olden times. The Monastery has about 100 Lamas and is in position of Budhist scriptures in Bhoti language. Principal figure is a Statue of " Vairochana" (Dhayan Budha) consisting of 4 complete figures seated back to back. It has relics in the shape of paintings and sculptures.

Dhankar is a big village and an erstwhile capital of central Spiti. A huge fort on atop the hills used to serve as a prison in the olden days. It is the living place of 100 lamas and has some Buddhist scriptures in the Bhoti Language. The prinicipal staute in this monastery is that of the four complete figures of Buddha, seated back in dhyan or a meditating pose.

Guru ghantal Monastery

Located on the confluence of the Chandra and the Bhaga rivers, the Guru Ghantal Monastery, is probably the oldest centre of Buddhist pilgrimage. The archaeological evidences found at his site indicate that it had been a significant Buddhist as well as Hindu pilgrimage site in the distant past.

Kunzum Pass (4590 m)

As Rohtang pass is a gateway to Lahaul so Kunzum pass is the gateway to Spiti from Kulu & Lahaul. After crossing Rohtang pass and driving 20 km, one has to turn right from Gramphoo. While going to this pass, the panoramic view of Bara-Sigri glacier (second longest glacier in the world) is enthrilling and inspiring.

There is a temple at the top of this pass dedicated to goddess Durga. After seeing this pass one can drive to Batal for a night stay in the Rest House. The view from the top is breathtaking. On one side is the Spiti valley and to the other are numerous C.B.(Chandra-Bhaga ) range peaks. On way back from Gramphoo one can either return to Manali (71 km.) or can go to Leh via Keylong , Darcha, Baralacha la, Sarchu, Tanglang la by road. From Tandi (8 km. short of Keylong) one can also drive to Pangi valley along the Chenab river to Udaipur, Trilokinath and Tindi and thereafter by trekking to Killar. From Killar to Chamba/Dalhousie/Delhi or to Kishtwar- Jammu-Delhi.

What Rohtang is for Lahaul, Kunzum is to Spiti, the sole passage through which one can reach Spiti. The Kunzum Pass is at an altitude of about 4,590 metres. The panoramic view of the second longest glacier in the world, the Bara-Sigri glacier can be thrilling and spellbounding from this pass.

Murkala Devi Temple

The Murkala Devi temple is believed to have been built during the reign of Ajaya Varman. Though hardly anything of that era survives, the temples has been repeatedly built in the same way since then. This is the only wooden temple built in the traditional from of this region.

Losar (4080 m)

It is situated near the confluence of Losar and Peeno streams. this village is worth a visit being the first big village and because of its Location. Yak and horse riding are other charms to add to its beauty and unique experience.

Kaza (3800 m)

224 km. from Manali, 197km. from Keylong and 425 km. from Shimla. Kaza is a Sub Divisional Hqtr. of Spiti Valley. It is situated at the foot of the step ridges on the left bank of Spiti river. There are PWD rest houses and a private hotels for the staying. Once it was the hqtr. of Nono, the chief of Spiti. It has all modern facilities and is connected by road with Manali & Shimla except in the winter months.

Kaza, the headquarters of Apiti valley nestles at a height of 3,800 metres on the left bank of spiti river about 197kms. From Keylong. It serves as a base fo visiting the nearby monasteries.

Kaza is Sub Divisional Headquarter of Spiti valley. It is situated at the foot of the step ridges on the left bank of Spiti river. Once it was the headquarter of naon, the chief of Spiti. It has all modern facilitates and is connectd by road with Manali & Shimla except in the winter months.

Around Kaza

Kye Monastery

It is situated 12 km. north of Kaza and serves the western population of Spiti. It is the oldest and biggest monastery of the valley and located at (4116 m) above Kye village. It houses beautiful scriptures and paintings of Budha and other goddesses. Lamas practice dance, sing and play on pipes and horns. Many Lamas get religious training here. It has murals and books of high aesthetic value.

It is situated about 12km. north of Kaza, and serves the western population of Spiti. It is the oldest and biggest monastery of the valley and located at about 4116m above the Kye village. It houses beautiful scriptures and paintings of Buddha. It is also a training centre for the Lamas. Some books of high aesthetic value are in its possession.

Kye, the oldest and biggest monastery of Spiti valley is set in picture postcard settings. It houses rare ‘thangka' painting, ancient musical instruments and manuscripts.

Kibber (8 km)

It is locally known as Khyipur, one of the highest villages in the world at an altitude of 4205 m above sea level in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains from all sides. Rest Houses available for the visitors. Gette village, at a short distance away from kaza, is the highest in the world with a height of 4270 m.

Kye village is perched at a height of 4205 metres and is perhaps the highest settlement in the world with a motor able road and electricity.

Tabo Monastery (50 km)

This famous gompa was found in 996 AD. and is regarded as the ‘Ajanta of Himalayas', due to its exquisite wall paintings and stucco statues. It is the second most important gompas after the Tholing gompa in Tibet and has been declared as a ‘world Heritage Site' by the UNESCO. This large monastic complex has nine temples 23 ‘chorten', a monks' chamber and a nuns' chamber besides several caves and contemporary structures. It houses a large collection of scriptures, wall paintings and murals.

It is another big gompa for serving the population of eastern side. It belongs to the tenth century and is located 50 km. from kaza. It is a famous gompa next to Tholing Gompa in Tibet. It has about 60 Lamas and a large collection of Scriptures, wall paintings etc. Murals of this gompa have a great similarity to that of the Ajanta paintings.

Tabo is one of the most important monasteries in the region. The Tabo monasteries are also the oldest, and are established in 996 A.D. It has some beautiful rock paintings comparable only to the Ajanta frescoes of Maharashtra. Tabo holds the distinction of being the largest monastic complex in Spiti.