Spiti Expedition 1

Know About Something Spiti

Spiti in local language means 'the Middle Land'. This area is called Spiti because it lies between Tibet and the rest of India. It is a high altitude desert land situated in the Himalayas in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The valley of Lahaul and Spiti receives very little rainfall because it lies in the rain-shadow region of the Himalayas. During summer the landscape here is mostly barren with greenery concentrated mostly in the lower valley region around rivers. However it receives heavy snowfall in winter and remains partly cut off from the rest of India during winters. The road to Lahaul from Kullu valley passes over the Rohtang Pass at 13,054 feet, and remains cut off during winters. Lahaul and Spiti valleys are separated by the Kunzum Pass, at 15,059 feet, which again remains closed during winter. The road to Spiti through Kinnaur Valley remains periodically closed during winter storms but is restored immediately afterwards.

Kibber, a village in this Lahual-Spiti Valley of Himalayas, is known for being one of the highest motorable villages in the world. It is situated at a height of about 14,200 ft in the Himalayas at a distance of about 16 km from Kaza. Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary is the only wildlife sanctuary in India located in a cold desert. Key Monastery, the largest and the most important Buddhist monastery in Spiti Valley and is located close to Kibber. Kibber village is built in a narrow valley on top of a limestone rock. The village has around 80 houses, made of stone unlike the mud or adobe brick extensively used elsewhere in the Spiti valley. All basic amenities are available at Kibber village. The main occupation of people here is agriculture and animal husbandary in summer and knitting and handicraft in winter.

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Best Five Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh

Leh Palace, Leh

Leh-Palace-Ladakh

Leh Palace, also known as ‘Lhachen Palkhar’, catches your attention from a distance with its dun color forming a stark contrast against the light-blue skies. Built by the Buddhist kings in 1553, it once held the distinction of being the world’s highest building. It shares a striking similarity to the famous Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

While the exteriors of the Leh palace provide magnificent views of the Stok Kangri and Ladakh mountain ranges, the interiors of Leh Palace are beautifully adorned with old pictures and paintings which include Tibetan thangka or sooth paintings. The inside of the Leh Palace, though, contains an exquisite collection of jewelry, crowns and ceremonial dresses.

Shanti Stupa, Leh

shanti-stupa

Shanti Stupa in Leh stands as a commemoration to the 2,500 years of Buddhism and seeks to promote world peace and prosperity. One has to drive about 5km from the Leh Airport to reach this monument, followed by a climb involving 500 steps. It’s a two-level structure, with the first level containing a Dharmchakra and a central image of Lord Buddha, and the second level depicting the various forms of Lord Buddha.

This white dome stupa, also known as chorten, rests on a hill and is one of the famous tourist attraction in Leh city. Its beauty is embellished during the nighttime. This structure was built by the Buddhists of Ladakh and Japan, while the Ladakhis offered voluntary labor.

Chang La Pass

Chang La

Hold on to your seats as your car negotiates the dangerous bends and curves in one of the highest mountain roads of the world, the Chang La Pass. At an elevation of 17, 590ft approximately, this pass is clothed in snow most of the time. This pass lies on the road to Pangong Lake from Leh.

Due to its proximity to the Chinese border, this pass is protected and maintained by the Indian Army.  However, frequent snowfall often create little problem. Passes like these put you’re driving skills to the test and tell you what real thrill is all about.

Pangong Tso Lake

Pangong Lake

Pangong Tso Lake was made famous in the movie “3 Idiots”, where a certain shot of the film was shot. Situated at a height of almost 14,270ft and 5km wide at its broadest point, this lake is most famous lake amongst other lakes of Leh Ladakh, is definitely a sight to behold. However, it’s worth knowing that despite containing saline water, it remains frozen during the winters.

This is the kind of place whose beauty can be absorbed gradually, in phases. Spend an entire day here, and you will see the waters reflect the particular time of the day. The migratory birds gliding over its waters is a lovely sight. During sunrise and sunset, the lake looks like a perfectly painted portrait.

Khardung La Pass

khardung-la-pass

Crossing the Khardung La Pass is what adventure in Ladakh is all about. Situated at an elevation of almost 18,379ft, this pass brings you some of the most incredible sights you will come across throughout your journey. It is the gateway to Nubra and Shyok valleys. Reaching the pass is as dramatic as arriving at it. A narrow road, punctuated by sharp bends, is flanked by steep cliffs covered in snow with boulders resting carelessly on them.

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