Lahaul :-

Lahaul Valley: This valley is situated beyond Kullu district having bordering with Zanskar and Ladakh. So, since ancient times, it has close links with them both socially and economically. So, the religious faith of the people out there is also Buddhism .
Two river Chandra & Bhaga originating from near Baralacha flows through this valley. It has many peaks and long glaciers easily approachable within 2-3 days.


Khoksar : Khoksar a tiny village is situated at the height of 3140 meters and 67 km from Manali , the village also known as the gateway of Lahaul. During the winter Khoksar is the coldest place in Lahaul valley. The river freezes during winters and is covered with the snow to afford regular passage for human as also for mule traffic. During summer rich growth of alpine flowers, beautiful potato fields and numerous water channels spell bound the visitor. herds of sheep and goats can be seen grazing around.

Keylong : The district Headquarters, keylong is situated at the height of 3350 meters and in the heart of Lahaul, on the Manali Leh road. It is located above Bhaga river, the district headquarters of Lahaul 7 Spiti has been described as oasis of green field. It is the only place in Lahaul which has a regular bazaar. This is the most populated and busy village having more than 250 houses with a population of around 1800.The Khardong Monastery is 4 km from here contains barrel like prayer drums, paintings ,ancient weapons, musical instruments and life size statue of lord Buddha. There are three Monasteries in the radius of few kilometers. Tayul, Khardong and Shashur. 

Gramphu : A junction on the Manali Leh Highway, where a road branches off to go south towards Kunzam Pass and Spiti is 67 km from Manali and situated at the height of 3200 meters.

Tandi : Tandi is situated at the altitude of 2573 meters at the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga river, Tandis just 8 km short of Keylong. The village has a population of about 500.It is believed that this place was founded by Raja(King) Rana Chand under the name of Chandi which over the years got corrupted in Tandi. According to the mythological story about this place that Chandra and Bhaga river were son and daughter of the Moon and sun God respectively .They were in love with each other and decided to meet here to enter the wedlock. People respect this place as most sacred place in Lahaul valley.

Udaipur : Located in upper Lahaul and 59 km from Keylong in the Pattan valley,Udaipur is the starting point for a number of exciting treks to Chamba – Kishtwar and Padam.It has a rest house and camping sites. Earlier this village was known as Margul. Udaipur was renamed at the time of Raja Udai Singh of Chamba(1690-1728) .Since the altitude is low, apples, walnuts, apricots etc. are grown this area. This village is warm but avalanches prone.

Lake Chandratal : A natural lake situated at 4270 meters above sea level and is about one km in length about half km in breadth at its widest part. This crystal clear blue water lake lies in a broad grassy plain, which in ancient times was a glacier, Idle for camping, can be approached from Manali and by Kaza.

Lake Surajtal : One of the high altitude lakes in this area, Surajtal is 65 km from Keylong.This emerald like lake is the source of the river Bhaga.

Bara Lacha Pass : A high pass (4883m) on the Manali – Leh road,73 km from Keylong. The Chandra, Bhaga and Yurian rivers originate here. It is a base for treks to the Chandra Tal Lake in Spiti and even Leh.

Khardang : The largest Monastery in the area, it has barrel sized prayer drums that the Monks turn during their perambulation, paintings, ancient weapons, musical instruments and large life size statue of Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Khardang is 5 km from Keylong.

Shashur : The Shashur Monastery, perched upon a mountain-side, nearly 600 meters above the valley, opposite the Khardang, is approached by a steep and difficult track. Just 3.5 km from Keylong. Other ancient Monasteries –Tayal, 6 km from Keylong and gurughantal,4 km above Tandi also noted for their stuccos and wall paintings.

Bara Shingri Glacier: The mouth of this glacier is 4 km from Batal, on the left bank of the Chandra River. Here the Shingri stream emerges from beneath an iridescent archway of ice.

Sarchu : Situated at the height of 4253 meters and 105 km from keylong. This is the last point on the Himachal Pradesh – Ladakh border.


Spiti :-

Spiti Valley : Spiti is the Sub. Division of Lahaul and Spiti district with its Headquarter at kaza.It is called little Tibet because it has almost the same terrain, vegetation and climate. Spiti also means Middle Country .It lies between Tibet, Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahaul and kullu. From Shimla via Kinnaur there is motorable road which remain open up to Kaza for almost eight months. About 10 km ahead of Puh Satluj enter India near Shipki La and Spiti river joins it at Khab. The road then goes to Sumdo via Hangrang valley. From sumdo Spiti valley starts. The sight of mountains in Spiti is unique. The Spiti river is flowing fast through deep gorges at some places. The valley is not wide but there are some villages and some fields where the people grow barley, buck wheat, peas and vegetables. It has an area of 4800 km some inhabitants have adopted Buddhism as their faith and Bhoti is the local language. The people are simple and honest. The main Spiti valley has eastern and western valleys. They are connected with Ladakh and Tibet on Eastern side and Kinnaur and Kullu with Western side through high Passes.

Kaza : Situated at the foot of steep ridges, on the left bank of river Spiti on National Highway no.22 Kaza is the sub-Divisional Headquarters of Spiti Division. Situated at the height of 3600 meters. Ki Monastery is visible right from the road. It is known for its asbestos mines, which owing to lack of transport facilities, has since been abandoned. Kaza has population of around 800.Kaza is connected with Shimla and Manali by a good weather road. Manali is 214 km south west of Kaza and Shimla is 421 km south –south west. A bus service operates from Manali via Rohtang Pass and Kunzam La ,takes about 12 hrs (The bus service operates only in the month of July to Oct.).The bus from Shimla passes through the Kinnaur valley takes almost two days to reach. PWD Rest House and other economical hotels also available here.

Kibber : Situated at the height of 4205 meters and 11 km from Kaza this village is locally known as Khyipur. Kibber is the highest inhabited village in the world, It is surrounded by the narrow valley on all sides by mountains on the summit of a lime stone rocks. where in spite vagaries of nature temperature drops below – 35 degree, people still surviving and continuously repeating the universal hymn ’Om Mani Padme Hum’.

Sumdo : Located on National Highway No. 22,at the height of 3230 meters, Sumdo is the entry into Spiti from the district Kinnaur .

Tabo : Situated at the height of 3050 meters and On the left bank of river Spiti not far from Sumdo, Tabo is surrounded by high mountains. The thousand year old Tabo Gompa, that was established by the painted stucco, the monastery has priceless collections of manuscripts and thankas. Built around the year 996 AD by Rinchen Jangpo and with the blessing of God(in single night as the tradition goes) the Tabo Monastery is definitely the oldest and archaeologically the most important monastery of Spiti. The wall frescoes of the Monastery as comparable in their antiquity and quality of those of Ajanta caves. Chhamb is organized in this monastery every year in the month of October. Tabo is also known as Ajanta of Himalayas. Photography inside the Monastery is not allowed. Foreigners are not allowed to stay overnight at Tabo.

LosarL: This village is the last inhabited spot which travelers find after ascending through the course of the Peeno stream.56 km from Kaza Losar is situated at the height of 4079 meters is a worth visiting because of its location. There are few shops, a school, post office and health centre .

Lingti Valley : This is the largest and the longest side valley of Spiti. It runs north-east from Lingti Village (3460m) for about 60km to its head. Lingti valley is a living geological museum. Its geological history dates back 250 millions years and its shales and fossils are well known all over the world. Gya peak (6794m) which towers above the northern head of the valley, is the highest peak in Himachal Pradesh. At its summit Spiti, Ladakh and Tibet meet.

Kunzam Pass : This is the other point to entry into Spiti ,where the road from Manali traversing through Lahaul, enters the valley.76 km from Kaza Kunzam provides chief access to Lahaul valley by the great kunzam range. The lofty shigri glacier is seen in front in all its grandeur. The crest of the pass has been marked by a chorten of stones erected years ago. A temple is built on the top of the pass dedicated to Lord Geypan – the presiding deity of Lahaul. Belief is every vehicle passing over Kungam pass will have to take a round of this temple to get blessing of the God. The panorama as viewed from the top of the pass is enthralling and inspiring. The high and mighty Shigri peak can be seen right in front in all its grandeur. There is also another temple which is dedicated to Kali Devi also known as Kunzam Devi. The altitude of this pass is 4551 meters.