Spiti Valley is a trending destination, sold like other tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh by different travel agencies all over India. Tourism has flourished recently in this area post covid as the place was found to be interesting when the place got hyped because of social media influences and some adventure travellers. Soon tourists started to visit this place and now tourism is another source of income for the locals of Spiti Valley. Spiti Valley is being visited by groups all over from India with a monotony in the travel itinerary.
This trip has become limited to just a road trip, it is more like staying on the road, as the road distance is pretty long to cover and it takes a complete day to reach one destination to another. It is nothing else but feels pretty hectic to remain sitting for quite long hours. This is the ground report that is not being told by most of the travel agencies if you are going to book a complete tour package to Spiti Valley. Spiti Valley is a “world within a world”. Visiting this place being just on roads, keeps the journey pretty incomplete.
Hiking along with covering the road distance is the best possible way to explore the Valley completely. It can give a chance to touch the inner reaches of the region and provide an opportunity to experience something way beyond the reach of common. After years of being known to this place, we want to share a well-curated itinerary that has a combination of road journeys from the Shimla side and hiking to make your Spiti Valley Trip more interesting.
1. Hike to Hatu Peak in Narkanda
While our journey to Spiti Valley, our starting point remains from Shimla, the Valley road will lead you towards the town of Narkanda, where we will embark on today’s hike. We will drive towards Hatu Peak. After getting our vehicles parked in Jhamunda, a point which is used by Skiers during winter. We will start hiking up towards Hatu Peak. It is a peak situated at an elevation of 3400 metres, in the Shimla region. This hike will help to adjust your body to the gaining altitude and acclimatise your body for the High – Altitude of Spiti Valley.
Hatu Peak, Narkanda
2. Hike to Viewpoint in Sarahan
After reaching the first destination of the trip and making your stay in Sarahan. Before starting towards the next destination of the Spiti Valley trip, the hike for this day will be towards the “Viewpoint”. The trail to this hike goes upward behind the divine temple of Bhimakali in Sarahan. The hike is an opportunity to witness the blatant views of Shrikhand ranges standing furiously as a front view from Sarahan. After the hike, you can continue your You will enter the realms of Kinnaur district on the next day of your trip and a stay in Chitkul will mark and end your day two here near the gushing Baspa River.
Bhima Kali Temple Saharan
3. Hike to Sangla Kanda Lake,
Day three of the Spiti Valley Trip marks its beginning with a hike towards Sangla Kanda. It is a meadow situated above the reaches of Sangla Valley. Kanda is the name given to the pastures at high altitude, where they have their farms and orchards. There is a lake when you reach the top of the Kanda. It is a moderate-level hike taking you through the outskirts of Sangla Village. It is a hike worth embarking on, it will give you the lesser-seen views of the Kinnaur district. After the hike, you can continue your road journey towards the next destination of your Spiti Valley trip.
Sangla Kanda Lake, Kinnaur Valley
4. Hike to Dhankar Lake
The very next day of our Spiti Valley trip after visiting the Tabo Monastery, we will start driving from Tabo to Kaza, you can embark on this hike on the way. This is a hike to the lake hidden in the realms of Dhankar Village. The trail passes through the ancient capital of Spiti Valley; Dhankar Village. When you reach Dhankar Village, taking a left turn from the start of the village will take you on the trail of Dhankar Lake. Dhankar Lake is a sacred lake situated at an altitude of 4300m, lurking in the valleys of Spiti. It will take 40 to 45 minutes to reach the lake and a great chance to get acclimatised to the altitude and the low oxygen area of Spiti Valley.
Dhankar Lake, Spiti Valley
5. Hike to Gete Village
This day of our Spiti Valley trip goes around sightseeing of Kaza town, When there is time to plan to visit Key monastery, a hike towards Gete Village will be the hike you can choose for the day. It is a village situated between two different valleys, giving an ariel view of Key Monastery when you hike towards the top of the region behind Key Monastery. From Key monastery, there is a tower visible which is a way towards the Gete Village. It will take approximately an hour to reach Gete village, but it is a hike worth embarking on if you wish to see the unseen side of Spiti Valley.
Key Monastery, Spiti Valley
One of the most preferred hikes yet ignored hikes during Spiti Valley is a hike towards the massive wall one can see while travelling from Tabo to Kaza. Being the viewpoint of 20 different villages of the Spiti region, it is a hike that can make you touch an elevation of approximately 5000 metres. The hike starts from Demul village and you can cover this hike while you embark on a journey for the local sightseeing of unique landmarks in Kaza. It is another hour’s drive from Komik village to Demul and the hike starts from the Demul Stupa on the outskirts of Demul Village.
The Great Wall Of Dhankar, Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley trip is a high altitude trip that requires acclimatisation of the body as a priority to avoid your experience from getting ruined. Hiring a well-qualified guide who holds expertise in the surrounding region and knows the place inside out is what going to make your journey unforgettable with some unique perspective. You can visit offbeat villages in Spiti Valley to indulge in the culture, heritage and history of the place. It is also a chance to witness how the valley survival of mankind came into existence despite the remoteness and poor availability of basic resources.
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