Losar Village in Spiti: Things to do in Losar Village

The first inhabited village of the region, Losar Village stands at a height of 4085 m above sea level.  This village lies at the confluence of Losar and Peeno streams, adjacent to the Indo-China border. It is situated at the extreme end of Spiti Valley and is also the last village in the region before one enters China. With the weather similar to a cold desert and Ladakh, it is extremely windy and the temperature often plummets to minus at night even during summer. 

Spiti Trip Packages can help you plan your travel itinerary to this splendid valley of unexplored beauty surrounded by the majestic Himalayas.

With a population of only 242 people, this village has few shops, a school, a health center, a post office, and some homestays. This village is still fairly unexplored with rugged snow-capped mountains, clear blue skies, and crisp mountain air, you will experience silence in this valley in its truest form. Miles and miles of virgin landscapes with no one in sight, you will be in complete bliss!!

A favourite amongst trekkers and photographers, Losar Village, is truly a mecca for photophiles.  There are a few homestays that have opened up here lately with some eateries offering basic Indian food like dal, Rice, Roti, Noodles, Alu Parantha, and Momos. It often serves as a base for trekkers on their onward journey to Chandratal Lake and Kunzum Pass.

The houses here are generally built with mud and have prayer flags around them and it is one of the coldest places in Lahaul and Spiti Region. Although the place is cold, the people here are one of the friendliest and you will be welcomed with warm hospitality and big smiles all year round.

Top 10 things to do in Losar Village, Spiti Valley 

• Visit the Monastery. There is a monastery within the village and its walls are adorned with paintings and prayer wheels around it. The monks here perform daily essential rituals every morning and before sunset.
• Attend Mani Stone Carving Workshops. Mani Stone carving workshops are held at the monastery for the younger generation because the locals here believe that the younger generation needs to learn this art since they feel there is a rapid loss of culture due to the recent developments in the Valley. 

Mani stones are stone plates or rocks inscribed with mantras as a form of prayer in Tibetan Buddhism. Mani stones are intentionally placed along the roadsides and rivers or placed together to form long walls or cairns, as an offering to spirits. These workshops help one to understand the culture of Spiti at close hands. This is one of the best things to do in Losar Village.

• Go bird watching. Losar is known for sighting various Himalayan bird species. You can also indulge in this worthwhile activity in Losar Village.
• Acclimate yourself. Tourists often visit Losar Village as base camp before embarking on a trek to Chandratal Lake or Kunzum Pass and are often used to acclimatize oneself before such high-altitude treks.
• Trek to Chandratal Lake. The most beautiful and pristine lake in Spiti Valley, this emerald green lake was once the resting point for traders and voyagers who used to come from Tibet or Ladakh. The Chandratal Lake is accessible only during the summer months i.e. June, July, August, and September, and for the rest of the year, the lake remains frozen. 

This Lake changes its color from emerald green to blue with the changing direction of the rays of the Sun which often mesmerizes tourists and holds them in awe with its beauty. It gets its name from the shape of the crescent moon and its surrounding valley is covered with wildflowers. A sight to behold!

• Trek to Kunzum Pass.  Situated at a height of 4551 m above sea level, the Kunzum Pass or Kunzum La is one of India’s highest motorable mountain passes, located in Himachal Pradesh in North India. A large number of bikers visit here to experience the most thrilling ride through the spectacular gateway of Kunzum Pass. 

The place is also known for the Goddess Kunjum (Durga/Parvati) temple, which is located on the top of Kunzum. It is believed that Maa Kunzum keeps guard over the pass and wards off all evil power. The temple is 7 km from Kunzum Pass. Known to be the most beautiful route,  people often stop here for photography and to view the magnificent Bara-Shigri Glacier, the second-largest Glacier in the world. While on a bike trip, one can enjoy the views of the majestic Chandra Bhaga ranges covered with snow and massive glaciers and the Spiti valley which is a cold desert-like terrain. The Kunzum Pass separates Spiti and Lahaul Valley and is situated at a higher altitude than Rohtang Pass. It is one of the most popular and widely used passes by tourists visiting Lahaul, Spiti, and Manali.

• Experience the sound of silence and meditate. Losar Village is the only place where you will hear the sound of silence. You will experience silence in its truest form and this can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience where there is no other distraction and you can focus and meditate and be one with nature. A true gem of a place for channelling your spiritual side and expressing gratitude to the universe.
• Go fossil hunting in Hikkim and Langza. Both Hikkim and Langza Village are known for Fossil hunting in Spiti Valley. Both these villages are believed to have been submerged under the Tethys Sea, millions of years ago and these fossils are the testaments to this belief. Both Hikkim Village and Lagza Village are 2 hours and 30-40 minutes away from Losar Village. You can include these 2 villages in your Spiti itinerary as one of the things to do in Losar Village.
• Go on a Spiti Valley Bike Trip. Spiti Valley in general is on the radar for bikers all over India and the world for Spiti Valley Bike Trip. You will ride through some of the highest motorable roads in the world, including the famous Kunzum Pass and Rohtang Pass. You will also explore some of the lesser-known parts of the Spiti Valley, such as the remote villages of Langza, Komic, and Hikkim. With the majestic snow-capped mountains as your companion, you will explore these pristine beauty and virgin landscapes and immerse yourself in the Buddhist-Tibetan culture of this Himalayan valley in India
• Visit Chicham Bridge. Asia’s highest bridge, which is situated at an altitude of 4037 m above sea level connects Kibber Village to Chicham Village. This bridge is atop a deep 1000 ft gorge also known as Samba Lamba Nallah. Once on the bridge, if you peek at the view below you will realize it is an absolute engineering marvel.

The best time to visit Losar Village

The best time to visit Losar Village in Spiti is between the months of July and September. The weather during these months is relatively warm and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 20°C which is perfect for exploring the outdoors. The roads leading up to Spiti, including the route from Manali via Kunzum Pass and from Shimla through Kinnaur, are open and accessible during this time. This is the ideal time for activities such as trekking and camping which are the things to do in Losar Village for tourists.

As September ends, the off-season begins and lasts until May. The village witnesses harsh winters with heavy snowfall and temperatures that can plummet to -30°C. During this period, most of the region, including the pass to Manali, is closed due to snow.

How to Reach Losar Village

Located at a distance of about 56 km away from Kaza town, Losar can be reached conveniently by hiring a taxi or cab from Kaza. To reach Losar, one can also take a private vehicle from Manali via Kinnaur or Kunzum pass. Visitors can even board one of the Himachal Road Transport buses that leave from Manali to reach Losar village.