Spiti Trail and Homestays
There aren’t many hotels outside Kaza, the capital town of the Spiti valley. This is why we have set up this homestay trail so that you can get the best out of your visit to Spiti.
We have arranged a circuit whereby you see all the important places. Local transport can be arranged between villages in Spiti. Trekking to any standard can be arranged with a local guide. We have covered all the main places of interest, including the ancient monasteries. You can enjoy the summer festivals held by the monasteries according to the Tibetan Calendar.
It is important that the local inhabitants benefit from tourism and not just the big tour operators from outside the valley.
I have personally stayed in all the homestays we recommend, they are clean and the food is delicious. Usually an overnight stay will include dinner and breakfast for about £30 in sterling. You are a welcome guest of the family who take great care to see that you are made comfortable.
Kaza
If you are travelling from Manali, your first stop will be Kaza, 3,900M above sea level. The best place to stay in Kaza is The United Nations Award Winning Community Centre.
The United Nations Award Winning Community Centre
This was built by Spiti Projects Charity, and is run by Spiti Projects Society the local branch of our charity. The rooms look over the mountains and the Spiti river, one of the best views in the world. The building is run in an environmental eco-friendly way using solar energy, the food offered is organic and grown locally. We suggest you stay two nights to allow your body to adjust to the altitude
Email: jeetsinghmane@gmail.com Tel: +91-941 865 2743
Email: tashilalung@gmail.com Tel: +91-9418962704
Email lara@spitivalleytours.com Tel: +91-09418537689
Kibber
The next stop would be Kibber one of the highest villages in the valley. The local taxi service can be arranged to drive you the 16K journey.
On the way visit Kye Monastery, 12K from Kaza which sits on a craggy hill built in a conical shape and can be seen from miles away. The roof area commands spectacular views over the valley. The present building goes back to the 14th century and has a rare collection of Thankas and manuscripts. In July each year the CHAM dance is performed by the monks in the courtyard. This originated in the 10th century and is a traditional religious story of good overcoming evil.
The drive to Kibber through the high mountains is breath taking. I suggest you stay at the Norling Homestay. The rooms are at the top of the house with a roof terrace which offers excellent views across the valley. Kibber is a great trekking area and the local guides can take you on some beautiful walks, through the Alpine pastures. In winter, this is the place to come to try and see the Snow Leopard. They come down to the lower levels in winter to find the Blue sheep or Ibex which is their staple diet.
Norling Homestay
Contact Norling Homestay run by Norbu and family.
Email: norpheltsering@gmail.com Tel: +91 8988471107
Langza
The next place to visit is Langza situated at a height of 3,500M, only 12K from Kaza. Stay at Lara Tsering’s Homestay, another very comfortable home with the back drop of the Shilla Peak and other snow covered mountains. From Langza there is an 8K trek to Komic village where the renowned Tangyud Gompa, a 14th century Tantric temple, is located. Many monks come here for special teaching. The present building was re-constructed after the 1975 earthquake. From here there is a fascinating walk to Hikkim the village below Komic where, from the highest Post Office in the valley, you can send a postcard to your family and it will arrive within a month!
Lara Tsering’s Homestay
Stay at Lara Tsering’s Homestay, Langza Village, PO Hikkim, Email: lara@spitivalleytours.com Tel: 09418537689
Lalhung
You can trek to Lalhung down to the Lingti valley. This is a delightful, mostly downhill journey. Or you can go by jeep via the road. Lalhung is a charming village with no roads or cars. But is famous for the unique Serkhang Temple thought to be built by Rinchen Tsangpo in the 11th century. The wall paintings and murals inside are exquisite and not to be missed. Stay overnight at Tashi’s homestay and experience village hospitality from his wonderful family.
KHABRIK Homestay run by Tashi Gatuk and his wife
Email: tashilalung@gmail.com Tel: +91-9418962704
Pin Valley
The Pin Valley is formed by the Pin River, which rises from the slopes of the Pin-Parvati Pass, (4802M) and meets the Spiti River opposite the Dankhar Monastery. “Pin Valley National Park” is the home of elusive the snow leopard, the Siberian ibex and the wild red fox, among others. It has some amazing rock structures and high mountain passes, which offer some spectacular scenery. This is a favourite trekking area for tourists to trek from Mud over the Parvati pass to the Kulu valley.
Kungri Monastery is the 2nd oldest in the valley, 14th century, and of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. A festival is held in August where the Buchens perform the very special “Breaking of the stone” ritual and sword dance. The women dress in their traditional costumes with their uniquely woven shawls and stunning jewellery, and perform their folk dances which are a real treat to watch.
There are many small villages in the Pin valley where the inhabitants still live in a traditional way by subsistence farming, honouring the ancient Shaman rituals. It is the coldest valley in winter, but has the richest spiritual and ancient traditions, untouched by the modern world, that have survived for centuries.
Takpa House, Sangam, Pin Valley
Tel: +91-9418556156