Lahaul and Spiti
Lahaul and Spiti are the perfect locations for nature lover's paradise. The term Spiti means 'The Middle Land', as it separates India from Tibet. The word ‘Lahaul’ is derived from the Tibetan word Lho-yul meaning ‘country in the south’. Another meaning of Lhahi-yul stands for ‘country of the gods.’ Lahaul and Spiti are the famous attractions in Himachal Pradesh that offer a wonderful experience to all the tourists who visit these places. The lush green valley, the cold desert and the blend of Buddhism and Hindusim make Lahaul Spiti a worth place visiting in India. A 1.5-kilometre trek along the Spiti River from Dhankar Monastery to Dhankar Lake is a gorgeous view of the villages, and the Dhankar Lake itself is a place where you can sit back and relax in the cool mountain positive vibrations.
How to reach Lahaul and Spiti
By Air
There is no direct flight connectivity to Spiti Valley. The nearest airport is in Bhuntar, near Kullu, 245 km away from the same. However, Bhuntar airport is small with limited operations. Chandigarh Airport, located at a distance of 522 km is the nearest international airport.
By Train
The nearest broad gauge railway station from Spiti which have good connectivity is in Chandigarh. Jogindernagar also has a railway station which is nearest to Spiti, but it has very poor connectivity.
By Road
The Himachal state transport runs buses through both routes in summers, however just a bus through the Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza route. Direct buses are available from Chandigarh, Shimla, Kullu, Manali and some other parts of North India. Route 1: Via Kinnaur through Hindustan - Tibet Highway Reach Shimla via Delhi or Chandigarh in an overnight bus. There are many public and private buses running between Shimla and Kinnaur from 5 AM to 8 PM. Beyond the specified time, there are around 2-3 overnight buses to Reckong Peo (Headquarters of Kinnaur district). You can get these buses from the New Bus Stand as well as from the Old Bus Stand in Shimla. In addition to this, you can also hire a shared taxi or even a private one (Xylo or Scorpio). The charges range from INR 2500 - 3500 per day from Shimla depending on the season and your bargaining skills. Some people also prefer to drive down on their own. A drive in an SUV is safe enough but a sedan or hatchbacks are not preferred due to major landslides and rough terrains. Although self-driving is more enjoyable and gives you the convenience of stopping and taking in the scenic beauty at your own pleasure, however, a journey in the state/private bus is less time-taking. Route 2: Via Manali The other option is to take a private/public bus from Manali and reach Kaza through Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass. There are buses leaving from Manali at around 5 am in the morning to Kaza. You can hire a shared taxi or even a private one (Xylo or Scorpio). The charges range from INR 2800-3500 per day from Manali depending on the season and your bargaining skills. You can also take a private vehicle and drive down on your own as the route is without any trouble (slushy roads etc.), unlike the Hindustan- Tibet highway.