SPITI VALLEY
Lahaul and Spiti are connected by the Kunzam Pass (4500 m). Although the crossing road should be open from mid-May, it will be safer to come here only a month later. Except the season, when tourists visit Spiti, this region is completely cut off from the world.
The road leads from Kazy, main village in Spiti, southeast via Samdoh to Kinnauru, where it connects to the Hindu-state to Tibet route. The desolate wastelands of the Spiti Valley hide several small settlements.
Accident
The main town of the Spiti region is Kaza (or Kadza). The village itself is nothing special, however, it is a good base for trips around the area, m.in. to nearby monasteries.
Ki Gompa is a group of Tibetan buildings full of exotic charm, situated on a small hill. It is the largest building complex of this type in Spiti. The monastery is lying 14 km behind Kaza, however, tourists who go here on foot have a 10-kilometer trail to cover. The monks take the guided tours. The monastery has a priceless collection of old thangkas.
At distance 14 km northwest of Kazy lies Kibar (otherwise Kjipur), it is believed, that it is the highest village in the world (4205 m).
Accommodation There is a Rest House and a few cheap houses (in the old part of the village).
Connections to Kaza, located 200 km from Manali, There is only one bus a day, passing through Kejlong. The journey from Keylong to Kazy takes eight hours.
Rarely, buses depart from Kaza to the Ki Monastery and Kibaru.
Spot
Tabo Monastery enjoys a special esteem from the Tibetan Buddhists.
The building was erected in 996 r. at the behest of Rinchen Zangpo. The decorating works were carried out by artists brought from Kashmir. The wonderful results of their efforts are still visible today. The monastery complex consists of eight temples, some date back to the 10th century. There is also a modern monastery here, founded, just like the painting school located here, by the Dalai Lama.
Accommodation Accommodation is offered by Rest House, The monastery itself also has a few rooms for rent. As usual, there are no fixed rates for accommodation, while free donations are accepted.
Connections There are not many buses to Kaza. Most tourists are participants in car safaris organized in Manali or Śimli.
REGION KINNAURU
The Kinnauru region is crossed by the old trade route, formerly running along the Sutledź river valley. Bordering Tibet, Kinnaur is already mostly open to tourists. The region has many great trails. People who plan to hike must obtain the appropriate equipment, because there aren't many places around, where you can stay overnight.
Rampur
The gateway to Kinnauru is Rampur, located behind Narkanda, at distance 140 km from Śimli. Every year, in the second week of November, a great fair is held here. The tradition of fairs has survived from times, when Rampur was a trading hub attracting Indian and Tibet merchants. You can get to Rampur from Śimli by bus. Accommodation is offered by PWD Rest House and several cheap hotels.
Close
Sarahan is the last village to enter Kinnauru. It is a beautiful town situated on the Sutledź River, it was formerly the summer residence of the Rajahs Bhu.śaru. Particularly noteworthy is the Bhimakali temple with two beautifully made wooden pagodas. The architecture of the building is a combination of Buddhist and Hindu styles. Until the 19th century. human sacrifices were made in the temple. Blood is still shed during the Dussehr festival, but not human anymore.
The five-day, easy-to-walk route takes you from Sarahan along the old Hindustan to Tibet route. The landscapes of the Sutledź river valleys will always be remembered. Accommodation is offered by Rest Houses in Ćau-rze, Handze, Paunga and Necara. From Wangtu you can go back by bus to Śimla or Kalpa.
Accommodation – Run by HPTDC Hotel Srikhand (o234), is a modern building with seating in a dormitory behind 45 INR, one double room for 150INR and rooms included 250-500 INR. You can also stay overnight at the Bhimakali Temple.
Connections – Sarahan is in the distance 180 km from Śimli and the heart of the Kinnaur region (tooth.: separate chapter). Direct buses run from Śimli to Jeori (Jeori), remote 19 km from Ghartu, a village below Sarahan. There are two buses going from Jeori to Ghartu (late afternoon); this route can be covered on foot in up to two hours, the trail takes shortcuts.
Nachar (Nacar)
The village is also situated on the road from Hindustan to Tibet. The old trade route has recently been turned into a car road. You can spend the night in the Rest House surrounded by an orchard.
Tapri and Choltu (Yellow)
W tapri, 15 km up the valley beyond Naćar, three roads meet. The first is the main road to Kalpa, the second is the old route also leading to Kalpa, but by Rogi. Third, the narrowest, leads to the other side of the river, and then through Caltu and Kilba as far as the Sangli Valley. There is a very nice Rest House in Choltu.
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The main village of the Sangli valley is situated 18 km behind Karcam (Karcham), on the route from Hindustan to Tibet. You can get here by jeep or on foot. Sangla is a good base for excursions in the area. Accommodation is offered by Rest House.
Rekong Peo
By following three kilometers above the main road, we come to Rekong Peo, the seat of the Kinnaur region. Entry permits are obtained from the District Magistra-te. You can also hire porters and equipment for mountain trips. After an hour of climbing from Rekong, we will reach Kalpa.
Accommodation is offered by Rest House and several cheaper hotels. It runs from here to Śimli 6 buses a day, the journey continues to 10 hours.
Sword
Back in the days when it was the main city of Kinnauru, this place was called Ćini (Chi-ni). Kalpa lies at the foot of the calculator 6050 m of the peak of Kinnaur (Kailash) Kailash. The legend says, that the mountain is the winter home of Shiva. In winter, the god returns to the Himalayas, to laze around and smoke hashish. In the month of Magha (turn of January and February) at the top, the gods of Kinnauru meet and hold their annual conference with Shiva.
Accommodation is offered by Rest House, you can also rent rooms from the inhabitants of Kalpa.
North of Kinnauru
Geographically, North Kinnaur already belongs to Tibet, therefore an entry permit is needed. Coming from Kalpa, follow the road on the north side of the river to Puhu and Namgia, located close to the border with Tibet. The little village of Pangli, 14 km beyond Kalpa, offers accommodation in a small Rest House. But Rarang, situated 8 km away, is yet another center of trade between India and Tibet.
Many tourists decide to go on a beautiful pilgrimage route around Kinnaur Kajlaśu. Five days are needed to cover this route, and allow some time to acclimatize before conquering Charang La. Remember to take a tent, because the only available accommodation will be Rest House in Ćitkulu (Chitkul). The tour starts in Morang (by bus from Rekong Peo) and continues through Thangi, Rahtak, over counting 5265 m Ćarang La, passes Ćitkul and goes down to Sangli along the Baspar valley to Karcham (Karcham).