Lahaul and Spiti is a district of Himachal Pradesh in India . Lahaul tends to be a bit more green and fertile, while Spiti is mostly stark high-desert.

Understand

Buddhism dominates the area, and its proximity to Tibet and Ladakh is evident in the people and culture.

Cities

• Kaza – the regional headquarters of Spiti district.

• Keylong – the regional headquarters of Lahaul district.

Other destinations

• Kibber – a small village at alt. of 4200 m, starting point of the Tso Moriri trek

• Ki – the Ki Monastery

• Pin Valley –

• Tabo – a charming little village set around a monastery

Getting there

Manali is the main jumping off point for Lahaul and Spiti, and many travelers retrace their footsteps from Tabo and return to Manali. It's also possible to enter the back way, coming up from Kinnaur valley.

Traveling around

Rickety buses ply the windy mountain roads with varying frequency. Motorcycles are also an option if you on an Enfield tour, but make sure you're experienced and comfortable on a bike before heading up into these rocky high altitude areas. Another option in some areas is to walk between villages, which can take anywhere from a couple hours to a whole day, and is rewarding in its own way.

See

• Dhankar Gompa – is a fascinating site to behold. Nearly 1000 years old, it's beautifully perched among the rocks. Very basic accommodation is available in the "new monastery" for around Rs 150, and basic food will be served at meal times.

• Gungri Monastery – a nyigma monastery founded by Padmasambhava in 1330AD. It is located 18 km into the Pin Valley

• Chandra Taal (Lake of the moon) – a beautiful natural lake surrounded by hills.

Khoksar: Khoksar is the entrance point for Lahul. This village is the gateway for Lahul and situated at an altitude of 3140 meter from the sea level, right side bank of the Chandra River. Khoksar river remains fully covered with snow in winter time, it is the coldest place of Lahul during winter season.

Sissu:

Sissu is located at an altitude of around 3130 meters, on the right bank of the Chandra River. This village is locates on a flat ground. There is a very good plantation of poplars and willows on the both side of the road of this village. This plantation is very dense and even during summer time, sun rays don’t get success to penetrate it.

Things to do

• Treks. Inquire locally in any village, there are several popular treks that can be done.

• Spiti Trek, provides a deep insight into the life of Spitian people. Visitors can experience local people life style, way of living, cuisine, livestock grazing machine, irrigation practices and agriculture. Spiti people life is very much balanced with the rare species of wildlife.

Spiti Safari: It’s a popular trekking place in Himachal Pradesh. This trek is surrounded by the Kullu Valley, Ladakh and Tibet with Lahaul and Spiti.

• Thangka Painting , Kaza, Spiti, ☎ 09418537689 Take advantage of the rich monastic traditions in Spiti and join a Thangka painting workshop. Taught by professional thangka painter monks, you will learn the art by studying 1000 year old murals in the main monasteries of Spiti - Tabo, Gomic, Key, Dhankar and Losar.

Eat

There are restaurants at Chhatru and Betal village on the route from Manali to Kaza.

Safety

Bus drivers can be far less careful than you would like, especially on windy mountain roads. It may do no good, but don't be afraid to speak up if he's being reckless.

Take care when heading out trekking, it's easy to get lured into thinking you're out for an easy stroll, but make sure you've got enough food and water for the whole trip and then some.

• Kinnaur Valley – if you're heading down into Kinnaur, make sure you pick up an Inner Line Permit in Kaza (free, good for 14 days) before setting out. Then take a bus east from Tabo to the landslide (about 2 hours). Once there you'll hand over your bags to be shuttled across on the wire by basket (Rs 5/ea), while you'll spend 45 min or so exerting yourself as you hike up and around the rockfall. It's not too strenuous, but expect to break a sweat, at least a little. If you're lucky there will be a bus waiting for you on the other side headed toward Reckong Peo (4-5 hours). If it's late and nothing is headed that far, the closest village with (limited) accommodation is Nako, about 45 minutes away.