What makes Spiti different from the rest of Himachal? // Exploring Pin Valley

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Photo of What makes Spiti different from the rest of Himachal? // Exploring Pin Valley by Aashish M Pawgi

Far away from the usual touristy attractions of Himachal, lies a barren cold desert of Spiti. Yes, Spiti Valley located in the far eastern Himachal is a cold desert that is worth exploring every inch. While people visiting Himachal mostly go to places like Shimla and Manali which they think is what Himachal is all about. You are mistaken if you think so too. Himachal has a lot more to offer than just Manali and Shimla. In this post, we are looking at what makes Spiti Valley different from the rest of Himachal.

Geography and location of Spiti

Spiti Valley is located in the trans-Himalayan regions of Himachal Pradesh. Owing to its high altitude and rocky terrain, the weather in Spiti is really cold from all the other areas of Himachal.

Also, the terrain in Spiti is quite different from what you will find in rest of Himachal. Spiti Valley is full of large meadows, vast flatlands, huge mountains and tiny villages perched into them.Visiting Spiti Valley for the first time feels like an alien world. Also, unlike other parts of Himachal, you will not find any trees around in Spiti which makes the landscape of Spiti very different.

Spiti Valley is located in close proximity of Tibet. Also, the old Indo-Tibetan highway passes through parts of Spiti and Kinnaur making it an interesting visit at least once. If you are here with ample amount of time with you, make it a point to visit the infamous Shipki-La which connects India with Tibet. You need to get the permissions prior from the administration at Reckong Peo before you can visit. Thus, the geography and location of Spiti is quite different from the rest of Himachal.

Much has not been written about Shipki-La except Tarun Goel’s blog, who is a reliable name in the blogging industry for numerous infamous treks and trails in Spiti. (Note: link to the article of treks and trails in spiti after uploading)

Photo of What makes Spiti different from the rest of Himachal? // Exploring Pin Valley 1/4 by Aashish M Pawgi

Weather of Spiti

Being a cold desert, weather in Spiti is quite harsh and confusing as well. The harsh sun rays can burn your skin during the daylight, while the shaded areas are quite cold that you need to wear a jacket. Also, during winters, Spiti gets covered with a thick blanket of ice and snow making it really cold. The temperatures drop below -30 degrees in extreme winters making it really difficult for anything to do. Thus, if you are someone who really can handle the cold and the adventure it has, winters is a perfect time to enjoy this beauty. The roads might be closed at places and you might not be able to visit certain places, but just being at the high altitude where everything is covered in the blanket of snow is a special experience altogether.

Spiti in Winters is thus a different experience altogether.

Photo of What makes Spiti different from the rest of Himachal? // Exploring Pin Valley 2/4 by Aashish M Pawgi

(Image Source- Ashish Pawgi)

The summers are the ideal months for visiting Spiti with its warm and pleasant weather along with the usual cold blows. Summer months are ideal for camping and visiting most of the places which might be inaccessible during the winters. Also, do not forget to take good amount of sun screen, pair of glasses and a cap with you as the sunlight here can be harsh on your body. Thus, weather of Spiti is quite different and can change anytime unexpectedly unlike other regions in Himachal.

Photo of What makes Spiti different from the rest of Himachal? // Exploring Pin Valley 3/4 by Aashish M Pawgi

(Image Source- Ashish Pawgi)

Vargis Khan is a reliable name in the blogging industry for the constant updates regarding the road conditions and the best time to visit Spiti Valley.

Culture and Traditions of Spiti

Spiti, with its close proximity to Tibet is better known as the land of Lamas. The culture and traditions of most of the villages in Spiti are quite different that the other parts of Himachal. Most of the population follows Buddhism and buddhist culture. The very way people dress and eat in Spiti is largely different than other parts of Himachal. Men prefer to wear the traditional dress with a coat while women prefer robes. Also, Spiti is largely influenced by the mystical and occult culture since long time. This results in having different traditions and rituals in most of the villages of Spiti.

There are numerous festivals that take place in Spiti throughout the year. Let us take a look at a few of them; you must visit to experience the rich culture and tradition of Spiti Valley.

1) Losar – This festival marks the beginning of New Year and is celebrated in almost all of the monasteries of Spiti during February. The main attraction of this festival is the popular Chham dance with different costumes and masks, which is performed by lamas. Apart from this, there are numerous rituals that you can witness during the festive period. The festival continues for about 3 days and is full of rich culture and traditions that have been running since a long time. If you happen to be in Spiti during the Losar, do make a point to visit it.

2) Kungri Festival – This one is celebrated largely in the Kungri Monastery of Pin Valley. The festival includes Chham dance and many more activities which are interesting enough for you to keep engaged. Do make it a point to attend Kungri Festival if you happen to be in Spiti during the time. (Note: a link will be added to kungri monastery about lakes and monasteries in Spiti after upload)

3) Kee Festival- This one is among the most popular festivals of Spiti Valley. It takes places in the famous Kee/Key Monastery of Spiti Valley. The monastery is regarded as the largest one in all of Spiti. During the 3 days of festival, you will get to learn more about Buddhist culture and rituals through dance, prayers and different activities.

Thus, there are quite a few festivals that happen in Spiti Valley throughout the year.

Untouched Beauty

The amount of unexplored places in Spiti very large. This is mostly due to its location and geography. With the increase in number of tourists every year, places like Kaza, Key, Kibber, etc are now known to people. But apart from these beautiful places, Spiti has a lot to offer to its visitors. You must spend a few days in the untouched Pin Valley of Spiti to truly witness the beauty that it is. Also, there are quite a few treks and trails in Spiti which are lesser known. You must visit Spiti to truly witness the untouched beauty it has.

Pin Valley is a part of Spiti that is truly unexplored in every sense. May it be the tiny villages with no roads, huge mountains, magnificent grasslands or the warmest of people, Pin Valley never disappoints its visitors.

(Note: link the underlined line to the NOM exploring spiti article after uploading)

Let us take a look at how you can explore Pin Valley at its best.

Located in the vicinity of the Pin Valley National Park in Spiti, Pin Valley is truly a marvel of nature. Although it is within the Spiti Valley, the ecosystem of Pin Valley is totally different from that of Spiti. Also, the landscape changes drastically as you enter Pin Valley. With the majestic Pin River flowing through the valley, accompanied by green fields and colorful flowers all around surrounded by the tall mountains and miles of isolation is what Pin Valley is about. There are around 17 villages in Pin Valley along with a number of monasteries that are worth a visit. Thus, get ready to lose yourself into a magical land of Pin Valley.

Before looking at the details of things to do in Pin Valley, take a look at the map of the Valley.

How to reach Pin Valley?

Photo of What makes Spiti different from the rest of Himachal? // Exploring Pin Valley 4/4 by Aashish M Pawgi

In order to reach Pin Valley, you need to take a left on the Attargo bridge right ahead of Dhankar. Once you cross the Attargo bridge and drive further inside the valley, you enter the Pin Valley.

You can almost see the landscape changing as you enter Pin Valley. The tiny village surrounded by tall mountains and miles of isolation with nothing around is what Pin Valley is all about. It is almost as if you enter a different world altogether. The last village of Pin Valley is Mud which is among the most beautiful villages you will ever visit. While on the way, you pass through a number of small villages, beautiful monasteries and much more.

The best way to reach Pin Valley from Kaza is by the local transport. A bus leaves for the village of Mud daily from Kaza at 4 in the evening. Also, if you wish to travel slowly and reach Pin Valley at your own pace, you can book a private taxi. Apart from that, there are a number of shared taxis that you can get near Attargo Bridge.

Places you must visit in Pin Valley

1) Spiti Pin River Confluence

One of the most spectacular sights to witness when you are in Pin Valley is the confluence of Spiti and Pin River. The confluence is right after you enter Pin Valley from Attargo Bridge. Stop by for a while to witness the marvel of nature where words will fall short for what you will be seeing.

(Image Source – Ashish Pawgi )

2) Kungri Monastery

Among the oldest monasteries of Spiti , Kungri monastery is a marvel you should not miss. Built back in 1330 AD, Kungri monastery is located on a top of the hill overlooking the beautiful pin river and mighty mountains surrounding it. Also, while you are here, you will experience the warm hospitality of monks who offer you food at times and even a place to stay in the monastery.

(Image Source – Ashish Pawgi)

3) Pin-Parvati Pass Trek

Often regarded as one of the most popular treks in Himachal, Pin Parvati Pass starts from the village of Mud in Pin Valley and ends at Kalga in Parvati Valley. The pass traverses through the hugh Pin Valley National Park taking you through some of the most beautiful landscapes, lakes and forests. The trek is not for faint hearted and you must take a local guide with you if you are planning to do Pin Parvati Pass.

Pin Parvati Pass is quite tough and needs to be done with proper care

4) Mudh

Mudh is easily among the best untouched villages you will ever visit in Pin Valley. Located at the end of the motorable road in Pin Valley, Mudh is literally the last village in Pin Valley. The views from the village are quite breathtaking and also the place serves as the starting point for a number of hikes and treks. Visit the village to witness the beauty of a picture perfect village perched on a hill surrounded by huge mountains and beautiful fields with a river passing by.

(Image Source- Ashish Pawgi)

5) Pin Valley National Park

The Park is quite big in size and it would take around a month to explore it truly. While there are no marked trails in the park, you can explore around your own. Also, make it a point to take a local guide with you who can show the places where wildlife spotting happens. If you are lucky enough, you might spot a blue sheep, Ibex or even a snow leopard in winters. Thus, visiting Pin Valley National Park and exploring it at a slow pace is something you must not miss while in Pin Valley. Also, if you can manage to come here and stay during winters, there is nothing like it. Pin Valley turns into a magical wonderland during winters. You need to take extra care during winters as it is much cold and the temperatures drop below -10 very easily. With the ample care , you can make the most out of your winters in Pin Valley.

Best Time to Visit Pin Valley

While Spiti is beautiful year around and has different landscapes to offer in different months, the season from June to September is the best time to visit Pin Valley. During this time, both the roads from Shimla and Manali are open. Also, during September you will get to see lot of flowers blooming around in Spiti which is a sight you should not miss.

In the end, even though it is a part of Himachal, Spiti Valley with its rugged terrain, vast flatlands, huge mountains, tiny villages and warmest of people is certainly different from the rest of Himachal in so many ways. It is charming in ways you will have never imagined and lure you to its unending beauty before you know. Also, it is best to explore Spiti, like a local which is the ideal way to make the most out of your trip.