The Dhankar Fort and the Dhankar Village are the most important part of every itinerary.

By Ajit Brar

It is a 1000 years old monastry, Standing above the point where the Spiti and Pin Rivers meet, it was one of the most important monasteries in Spiti. Dhankar had always been Spiti’s traditional capital and the residence of the area’s early “Local Rulers,” or Nonos.As long as they were serving, they protected the rights to cultivate on the nearby government land and served the people there with justice. They were replaced by the British government, who were known for imposing severe penalties on criminals.

Naturally, the Dhankar Monastery also had a collection of ancient treasures and relics, but it is said that it was also pillaged and destroyed under the Dogras.

It is situated at the altitude of 3,894 metres ( 12,744feet) above the sea level, between Kaza And Tabo in Spiti valley.

The Dhankar Monastery and Dhankar Fort, which were constructed as a fort monastery following the Central Tibetan pattern, are what make the Dhankar village famous. The monastery is right below the Dhankar Fort. Inside the monastery, tourists can see beautiful wall paintings during their expedition. It is one of the most amazing places in the world to build a fort, However, the Dhankar Fort is rapidly deteriorating as a result of soil erosion, and the village’s ground is extremely fragile due to wind and rain-induced erosion.

Dhankar village is accessible by motorable road. You can start your journey from Manali or shimla. But the manali route is closed during winters. So it is always recommended to take the Shimla route. The chances of AMS(altitude mountain sickness) problem  is less on the Shimla route as you gain height slowly.

Once you reach Kaza you can take a day trip to Dhankar which is 34 kms from Kaza. You can hire a taxi or a shared taxi from Kaza to reach there.Most of the tourists prefer to stay in Kaza and take a day trip to dhankar monastery.

However, the route from Shimla is both straightforward and exciting. You begin your journey from Shimla in the direction of Kaza. After Tabo and before Kaza, you will make a pit stop at Dhankar, where you will find the Dhankar Monastery.

The best time to visit Dhankar is from April to November. This is the best travelling season. But if you are a snow lover then January and February are the perfect months. But during winters due to heavy snowfall you can not complete the full circuit from Shimla to Manali via Kaza.

Winter season in Dhankar is quite harsh and tough. Heavy snowfall, scarcity of water and food makes the lives of locals very challenging in winter spiti. Weather also becomes highly unpredictable, so it’s better to check the weather forecast regularly to avoid getting trapped. But the view of Spiti valley from dhankar village is always mesmerising, mountains and valley of cold desert covered with a thick layer of shining white snow is simply breathtaking to see.

Most people plan a day trip to the Dhankar village. But if you have plenty of time then spend some days in Dhankar village. There are few options of homestays and small hotels in the village with basic amenities.or if you want to rejuvenate yourself then you can stay in a monastery also. Relish the Tibetan food in the homestay and enjoy their hospitality.

If you are fit enough to Trek then you must visit dhankar lake . don’t try it if you are not acclimatised to such a high altitude. Although the distance from Dhankar village to the lake is only 5 kilometres, it is a strenuous and time-consuming hike. It’s difficult to catch your breath because of the altitude’s low or insufficient oxygen level. Additionally, the path to the lake is steep and narrow. Therefore, one ought to make sure they have the appropriate trekking gear and stamina. In extreme summer you may not find water in the lake but still the view from top is picturesque.

Always wear hiking or trekking boots if you are not a professional. You should also bring appropriate clothing, including a wind-cheater, because of the cold, barren landscape. There are no people on the path to the lake. Therefore, ensure that you have sufficient food and water.

You don’t want to return right away because the trek will take at least an hour. Therefore, ration your food and water accordingly. Before you return, take some rest and enjoy the lake’s views for a few hours. The way back would be downhill which is quite easy

Weather in Dhankar  is always cold. In summers average temperature is 12 C in day But at night it can drop to -2 to -5 Degree celsius. Winter temperatures are always extreme in dhankar, the temperature varies from -25 degree minimum to -10 degree Maximum. Exposure to extreme cold for a long time can also cause frost bites and Hypothermia so keep yourself layered. you must use high quality Sunscreen in both the seasons, as Exposure to Sun in High altitude may result in Sunburns or extreme tanning.

Now Some of The things To avoid During Trip to mountains-

it is already evident that we are experiencing global climate change resulting in destroying nature and affecting these beautiful mountains. Every concerned traveller should do his contribution, so that we can preserve these places for our next generation.

Do’s And Don’ts for your next trip To Mountains.

• Carry a refillable water bottle- due to scarcity of drinking water in these villages, its better to carry your own water, and avoid packaged drinking water to minimise plastic waste.
• Buying food and Beverages from locals – local food and drinks can also help you to acclimatise to high altitude weather, and can provide support to the livelihood of locals.
• Use Dustbins to dispose of garbage- The government of himachal pradesh and some local NGOs have set up dustbins at every important location for proper waste management. So use these dustbins and help to keep mountains clean.
• Acclimatise yourself – Before visiting such high altitudes. You should get yourself acclimatised with the harsh weather and high altitude. Due to lack of air pressure and thin oxygen it can result in altitude sickness and spoil your trip. 
• Carry and wear enough warm layers- Before you plan, The first thing you should do is buy some warm layers of clothes. Weather on mountains can be very harsh and cold and it is very unpredictable.

Dont’s

• Don’t interfere with the lives and privacy of local residents- surviving in these harsh mountain conditions is already very tough. So try to avoid interfering and disturbing the locals. Respect their feelings and culture.
• Don’t Click pictures without permission– try to ask politely before clicking pictures of any person or place. If they agree you can do so. At Some of the religious places photography is prohibited, so respect the feeling and emotions of people living there. 
• Avoid single Use plastic- Waste management is a bigger concern in the mountains. Try to avoid single use plastic, and carry reusable bottles and tiffin boxes. if you have some plastic waste try to dispose of the same at designated places or dustbin.
• Do not drink liquor – Try to avoid drinking while you are visiting these destinations. Some of them are also of religious importance. it is also dangerous for your health to drink at high altitudes. It may cause dehydration and result in AMS.
• Avoid Self Medication- Don’t consume any medicine before consulting a qualified physician. As conditions in mountains are very different to plains. Human body reacts differently at high altitudes.