By Ajit Brar

Lahaul Spiti or Spiti Valley, A cold desert is becoming a favorable destination for mountain lovers, the reason for that is it’s a perfect combination of awesome natural beauty and adventurous road trips. Still not that much explored. It’s a perfect destination if you love adventure and want to take home memories of a lifetime. Normally most of the tour planners give you the option of trip duration of 7 nights and 8 days. But in my view you need more time to explore lahaul spiti.

Still if you have limited time and want to explore the hidden gems, go through this article. Here I am suggesting a few destinations that are not always included in itineraries of most of the tour operators but you can insist on customising the same. As for many it’s like a once in a lifetime trip.  

Best Places To Visit In Spiti Map

Narkanda

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Jau Baug-Hatu Peak

Hatu Peak or Hatu Mata Mandir  is located 8 km from Narkanda,Just walk for 15 minutes  from Hatu peak to witness breathtaking views of meadows and flowers. If you love to trek you can find a perfect place to capture scenic views to cherish your memories in future.

Tanni Jubbar Lake

Place for peace lovers. Tanni Jubbar Lake is 70 Km from Shimla and 12 Km from Narkanda Towards Thanedar Kotgarh. Lake has open spaces where you can camp or sit and enjoy the view. You can also visit Nag Devta Temple.

Stokes Farm

Stokes Farm is located 1 KM from city Center Narkanda, Mr. Satyanand Stokes an american citizen who came to India in 1904, In 1916 Mr Stokes started cultivation in this region and with his efforts now himachal Pradesh is leading apple producer and exporter in the world.

Padam palace Rampur Bushahr

Rampur Bushahr -Do You Know it was a major trading route that joined Indian markets with Central Asia and Tibet.

Raja Padam Singh laid the foundation of the Padam Palace on the banks of Satluj river in 1919 and it took 6 years to complete the construction. Rampur was once winter capital for the Princely state of Bushair. Palace is beautifully architected, interior and exterior is decorated by colourful glass and incredible woodwork. But you need permission to visit the Palace.

BhimaKali Tample Sarahan Bushahr

Do you Know Sarahan is also known as the “gateway of Kinnaur “, being near the old Indo-Tibetan Road.

Bhimakali Temple or Bhima Devi Temple is situated at Sarahan Bushahr summer capital of Bushahr Kingdom, a small town located about 170 km from shimla. And is one of the 51 shakti Peeths. Temple is dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali presiding deity (Kul Devi ) of the rulers of the former Bushahr State. Beautifully crafted woodwork by hand the architecture of the Temple is simply incredible.

Roghi Village, Chaka Meadows Kalpa

Do You Know that The average literacy rate of Kalpa is around 83.75%

Roghi Village and Suicide point

Suicide point is located 3 km from kalpa to Roghi road. View of that vertical slope fills you with excitement and at the same time it looks very dangerous. Roghi is the last village on the road connecting to kalpa and the road ends at this cute and traditional kinnauri village. Views from the village are breathtaking.

Chaka meadows

Its a easy trek 4 Km from a point on kalpa Roghi road, at altitude of 3800 m chaka meadows you can witness a splendid view of Kinner Kailash mountains

Rakcham meadows and trek Sangla

Do You Know Rakcham is a world famous destination for bouldering and rock climbing.

Rakcham meadows and trek

Rakcham is a small village 12 km from sangla on the way to chitkul, Rakcham is situated at banks of river baspa and is famous for its meadows and trek. You must not miss the visit to beautiful and scenic views of meadows.It feels like you are pampered in the lap of nature and the kid inside you wants to run and jump around those small water streams. Perfect place to create some photographic memories. It is also famous for Rock Climbing and Bouldering, Many of the Famous rock climbers and Boulders from all over the world come to rakcham to test their skills.

Ropa Valley Rush kulang village

One of the most beautiful valleys in kinnaur district himachal pradesh located just 32 Km from Pooh, ropa valley is a perfect offbeat destination during your trip to spiti, if you want to see some traditional kinnauri village you must add this place to your itinerary. You can visit Rushkulang, Giabong and some other small villages situated alongside Ropa river, these villages are famous for handicrafts, apple orchards and metal ornaments. View of the valley is simply magical as its less explored place. You can expect some peaceful moments and talks with friendly and warm hearted locals.

Gue Monastery

Do You know Gue village is only 1 km away from the indo china border

If You Believe in God, then you should also believe in his miracles. Gue Village is located on the road to kaza from Nako. Gue is a small village and well preserved mummy of Sangha Tenzinga, a buddhist monk from tibet is kept in a shrine in Gue. Mummy was found during an ITBP excavation in a sitting position and it is believed to be about 500 years old with hairs and skin intact. If it makes you curious, visit this lovely small village and see it yourself.

 Tashi Gang

Tashigang is has the world’s highest polling station set up at an altitude of 15,256 feet.

Tashigang is a very small village in spiti valley consisting of 6 or 7 families.  Its a beautiful small village located near the indo china border. Visiting the village is like going into old times, by witnessing small traditional village houses, a small lake and source of livelihood still is agriculture. A perfect place for people searching for peace and want to experience a slow life.

 Kungri Monastery Pin Valley

Monastery is located at the banks of Pin River  in Pin Valley and it is spiti valley’s second oldest monastery which was built around 1330 AD. This monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism which is known as the oldest order of Tibetan Buddhism.it is also famous for sword dance performed by the buzhens of Mud village which forms an important highlight of Nyingmapa tradition during the  ‘Devil Dance’ which takes place in the month of July every year. It is also famous for silk paintings of a number of Buddhist deities.

Tabo caves

Do You Know The Dalai Lama has expressed his desire to retire to Tabo in spiti valley.

Tabo is a small town in lahaul spiti located at the banks of spiti river. The Buddhist monastery in tabo is believed to be more than one thousand years old. Apart from the monastery, tabo caves are a must visit place for history lovers. These caves are now under the Archaeological Survey of India. By climbing a few stairs you can go to the main site to witness an aerial view of tabo.

Rangrik kaza

Do you know Rangrik is the largest village in spiti valley.

Rangrik is located 8 km from kaza city. It is a beautiful village similar to that we see in kaza. As it is near to kaza you will find most of the facilities. Main point of interest is the Hidden waterfall in rangrik. As a tourist most of the travellers don’t know about it. It is advisable to get help from locals to visit the same. Otherwise also Rangrik is a perfect village as an escape for solitude seekers

So these places are must visit places in spiti valley. Any Suggestion or Query ? let us know in the comments.