Villages of Spiti Valley You Must Explore

 In Places To Visit, Spiti, Travel

A cold desert with a number of monasteries, Spit Valley should definitely be on your must-visit list of places. Nestled between India and Tibet, this serene valley boasts picturesque mountains, rugged terrain, lakes, waterfalls, and remote villages. 

Situated at an altitude of 2745 m, Spiti Valley is one of the most secluded places in India where it remains cut off from the mainland for the entire winter months between October – March. While the valley is gaining popularity amongst travelers, some of the most remote villages in Spiti Valley, each one of them being a hidden gem in the crown called Spiti Valley is also garnering some limelight amongst bikers and road trippers.

Let’s take you through on a journey to uncover the allure of these remote villages, offering a glimpse into their serene existence, unique culture, and untamed beauty. The list of Villages of Spiti are given below

1. Lhalung Village

lhalung-village

Also known as the ‘Land of God, Lhalung Village is the most remote village in Spiti Valley. It is surrounded by the Tangmar Mountain on one side and Lingti River on the other. It is also challenging to reach here and hence not many visit this village. Lhalung Village has a historical monastery, which according to local people, is one of the earliest monasteries in Spiti Valley founded by the Great Rinchen Zangpo. The local people also believe that this monastery was built by angels overnight by a willow tree and they are in charge of this monastery. Hence no one is allowed to touch the walls or anything inside the monastery.

The village only has 45 families living in it and is the largest village in Lingti Valley. It is located 28 km away from Kaza, the sub-divisional Headquarters of Spiti Valley. 

The best time to visit Lhalung Village

The summer months are the ideal time to visit Lhalung Village as this area is a bit difficult to reach and during summers it gets easier to travel as all roads are accessible and you will get many options to reach this village from Kaza.

2. Kibber Village

kibber-village

Another high altitude village, Kibber Village is the second-highest village in the world. It is mostly known for its wildlife sanctuary which houses some of the exotic floras and faunas, like ibex, snow leopards, red foxes,  blue sheep, etc.

Kibber Village has numerous options for adventure lovers to challenge themselves. This village serves as a base camp for many treks to various trekking points. Also, this place is amazing for nature photographers as the charm of its landscapes is perfect for photographers to experiment with their skills. This village has about 80 houses and is fenced with snow-white mountains from all sides.

Best Time to visit Kibber Village

As with most of Spiti Valley, summers are the ideal time for tourists to visit Kibber Village. Most roads in Spiti Valley are susceptible to landslides and blockages due to heavy snowfall and many villages are out of bounds during the long winter season starting from October-March.

3. Komic Village

komic-village

The highest village in Asia, Komic Village, literally translates to ‘eye of a snow cock’. It is situated at a height of 4513 m and has a population of 150 people including the monks of the monastery, living in complete isolation, cut off from the rest of the world for most parts of the year during winters. This small little remote village is surrounded by soft brown pastures and snow-white mountain peaks.

Unspoiled scenery, lush surroundings, snow-covered peaks, and barren landscapes make this village a complete canvas created by Gods.

Best Time to Visit Komic Village

The best time to visit Komic Village is between the summer months of June and September when the roads are completely accessible and your travel will be smooth and hassle-free.

4. Tashigang Village

tashigang-village

Tashigang Village is 14 km away from Kibber. Located at an altitude of about 4650m, Tashigang Village is the highest village in Spiti Valley.  This village has only 5 households out of which 2 are not in use with a few cattle sheds and Buddhist stupas. All the houses have a rustic and untouched look to it signifying the remoteness of this village from the rest of the Spiti Valley.

During winter the village loses all contact with the outside world due to the harsh weather. All roads are under 5-6 feet of snow, so the community here stocks up all the food to last the whole winter. There is no school for the children hence they teach their own children till primary and for secondary and higher education they send them to Key or Kibber. People here mainly grow barley, potatoes, and sweet peas as their main crops during the short summer months to sustain the entire year. 

The nights are the most fascinating in Tashigang as they look magical with thousands and millions of stars sparkling in the clear cloudless dark skies, you can also see the Milky Way with your naked eye here and it is one of the perfect places to go Stargazing in Spiti Valley

Best Time to visit Tashigang Village

The most ideal time to visit Tashigang village is usually between May and October when temperatures are bearable and mostly within the range of 15-20 with pleasant days and colder nights. 

5. Demul Village

demul-village

Demul Village is another one of the many remote villages in Spiti Valley. It is a charming little village situated at an altitude of 4357 m and has only 53 households living here and each house also serves as a homestay here in Demul Village. Anyone who is visiting this village will be welcomed by a village representative, who allots one household for each traveler to stay for the night, and in case they want to extend their stay they will again be allotted a new homestay for the next night.

The local story has it that the village was accidentally discovered by a shepherd whose yak strayed and reached this village which was laden with lush green pastures. The shepherd was so overjoyed in finding this greener and abundant village compared to the otherwise brown barren fields and mountains that he decided to make this place his home and invited his friends and family to join him here and start living here. This is how the village came to be what it is today and the name of the village, was also named after the lost yak ‘Demo’.

Best time to visit Demul Village

The months between June and August are the peak tourist season in Spiti Valley. The weather is pleasant with clear skies and warm temperatures. The roads are also accessible, making it easier to explore the region. However, this is also the busiest time and popular tourist spots can get crowded.

6. Chicham Village

chicham-village

Chicham Village is a small village located about 22 km from Kaza, at an altitude of 4150 m. It is located right next to Kibber Village, across a deep gorge called Samba Lamba Nallah. Due to this gorge, there was no way that one could go from Kibber to Chicham (or vice versa) by road earlier. However, with the construction of the Chicham Bridge, things have changed pretty drastically here.

Chicham Bridge is a suspension bridge that was built over the gorge that separated Kibber and Chicham Villages. It is one of the most spectacular bridges in India and it is also quite well known amongst tourists visiting Spiti Valley. Its construction took a total of about 14 years and was finally inaugurated on 15th Aug 2017. The bridge is 114 m long and is often credited as Asia’s Highest Bridge.

The best Time to visit Chicham Village

The best time to visit most remote villages is between May to September, which is also the best time to visit Spiti Valley. The weather at this time suits the majority of visitors and one can really enjoy their trip during the summer months. With both the Manali and Shimla routes being open, you can reach here easily and cover all of the tourist attractions in Spiti Valley.

7. Langza Village

langza-village

Close to the headquarters of Spiti Valley – Kaza, Langza is another high-altitude village known for its ancient marine fossils and for its gigantic Buddha statue overlooking the Spiti Valley.

This remote village is a favorite amongst  adventure seekers, nature enthusiasts, and culture aficionados alike. Its landscape, with its dramatic mountains and the monumental Buddha statue overlooking the village, creates a magical atmosphere that captivates the soul. You can go Fossil Hunting in Spiti Valley in this village, as you will find many ancient marine fossils and also explore the unique blend of Tibetan Buddhism and local culture.

Just bask in the serene atmosphere that this high-altitude place has to offer. The combination of rugged mountains and the serene presence of the Buddha creates a magical ambiance that is sure to leave a promising mark on your soul.

Best Time to visit Langza Village

Summer is considered to be the safest and best time to visit Langza Village in Spiti Valley. Spiti Valley in May to September is the safest season to visit since you can easily explore the villages while discovering the culture, traditions, and lifestyle of the Langza Village people.

8. Hikkim Village

hikkim-village

Hikkim village, at an altitude of about 4440 Mtrs, is about 4 km from Komic Village and about 16 km from  Kaza. This close proximity to all the villages makes the entire circuit from  Kaza to  Langza to Komic to Hikkim to Kaza of about 44 km, which is usually done by tourists in comfort in a day. Hikkim village is popularly known for being the highest post office in the world and the highest polling station in the world. You will be able to see the Chau Chau Kang Nelda peak from Hikkim as well. You can also visit the ruins of the new Komic monastery while coming down from Hikkim to Kaza.

Best Time to visit Hikkim Village

June to September is considered the best time to visit Hikkim Village due to the various cultural and traditional festivals that are held in Hikkim Village, Key Monastery, and Tabo Monastery.

9. Gette Village

gette-village

There is another remote village about 7 km east of Kibber by the name of Gette at an altitude of 4270 m. This delightful small village has only 2 to 3 houses in it. Each house is at a good distance from another which makes it easier for you to have a decent walking experience over the lush green fields all around. 

It looks like a beautiful paradise within the mountains. Even vehicles cannot be taken inside this tiny village. One has to leave their vehicle at a distance from the village and arrive all the way trekking towards the village.

Best Time to visit Gette

Summers are usually the best time to visit these many remote villages in Spiti Valley due to their high altitude and accessibility via roads.

10. Losar Village

losar-village

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 only 242 people, this village has few shops, a school, a health centre, 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 can 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!!

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.

A trip to these villages in Spiti Valley around Kaza is usually done as a part of a day trip. You can stay for the night in Kaza and start early in the morning, cover all the nearby villages and return to the town by evening. 

Recently, however, homestays have come up in these remote places and a lot of tourists prefer to stay in these villages for the night and explore them further. 

Is there a breathing problem in Spiti Valley?

There is not a severe breathing problem in Spiti Valley so you will not face any difficulty travelling there. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor regarding the risk in case you are prone to breathing problems or if you are travelling with a child. Breathing problem may occur because you are not habituated to living in below zero climate.

Which is the most beautiful village in Spiti Valley?

It is very difficult to say which village in SPiti Valley is the most beautiful as all of them have their own unique features and specialities.

Which is the last village of Spiti?

The last village of Spiti Valley if you are travelling from Kaza towards Lahaul is Losar Village.

What are the main attractions in Spiti Valley?

Some of the main attractions in Spiti Valley are the Key Monastery, Dhankar Monastery, Chicham Bridge, Chandratal Lake, etc

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