CHANDIGARH

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Chandigarh at a glance

Weather: 25 °C

Elevation: 321m

Total Population: 10.6 lakhs

Local Language: Hindi and Punjabi

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When to visit?

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Chandigarh, known to some as the “first planned city of the country”, owing to its proximity to the Himalayan mountain range, exhibits unpredictable weather changes at times. Months from August to November are best suited to visit the city. This is where your journey to the Spiti Valley Tour starts.

 

 

How to reach?

 

Frequent flyers will be happy to know that Chandigarh has its own international airport. You can take a cab from the airport to the main city (12 km).

Chandigarh is one of the leading modern cities in the country has its own railway station as well. It is accessible from all major railway routes of the country. 

You can take state transport buses or opt for a conventional road trip to Chandigarh, enjoying the authentic vibes of traveling.

What to eat?

Mouth-watering food and Punjabi cuisine go hand in hand and that’s what Chandigarh is known for. You can go for Amritsari Kulche, Tandoori chicken, and other Punjabi dishes or enjoy Continental dishes as well. There are a number of eateries all around the city and street food is also a major crowd puller. 

 

Places to visit On Spiti Valley Tour?

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Rock Garden

 

With a growing population and industries producing large amounts of waste material, it is truly a question in front of us as to what to do with it. But Nek Chand, a road inspector in Chandigarh in 1957, single-handedly built Rock Garden, an open exhibition of sculptures made with industrial and urban waste. The redefined aura of art, around 5000 statues, and 40-acre garden, Rock Garden is truly a must-visit for everyone going on a Spiti Trip. You can walk around the garden, cherishing various kinds of sculptures, and have a good time owing to the pleasant vibes of the place. 

 

 

Sukhna Lake

Being one of the few man-made lakes of the country, Sukhna Lake finds itself in the must-visit list of every traveler. At foot of the Shivalik Hills, spread in about 3 sq. km, Sukhna Lake with its crystal blue water, instills a sense of tranquility. Local residents visit the lake daily to carry out various exercise routines. For travelers going to the spiti valley, the best way to enjoy the lake would be via a boat ride. Sukhna Lake also offers some sports activities like rowing and trampoline jumping. Sukhna also hosts a wide variety of fauna, mainly consisting of fishes and migratory birds. Sukhna Lake as a whole is a traveler’s delight.

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NARKANDA

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Narkanda at a glance

Weather: 5 °C

Elevation: 2708 m

Total Population: 2712

Local Language: Hindi

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When to visit?

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Summers, the months from April and June serve as the best time to visit Narkanda. But being a hotspot for winter sports like skiing, Narkanda sees a considerable amount of tourist footfall in winter months from October and February as well. 

How to reach?

Frequent flyers will be happy to know that the nearest airport is 60 km away in Shimla but it has limited connectivity. You can take a cab from the airport to Narkanda. 

Although Shimla also houses a railway station, it’s narrow gauge hence has no connectivity to any major rail route of the country. Kalka (160 km) serves as the nearest major Railway station. 

You can take state transport buses or opt for a conventional road trip to Narkanda, enjoy the adventurous road trip. 

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What to eat?

 

Narakanda doesn’t boast off of a wide variety of cuisines. There are a number of local eateries that offer authentic North Indian food. 

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Places to visit On Spiti Valley Tour?

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Hatu Peak

 

Hatu Peak apart from being the highest peak in the district holds great importance for locals as well as mythological enthusiasts. Hatu Mata Temple rests on the top of the Hatu peak and is dedicated to Mandodari wife of Ravana and is one of its kind in the country. Talking about mythology, Hatu Mata Temple also houses a stove-like structure in its proximity which is believed to be used by the Pandavas as well. Hatu Peak is surrounded by dense cedar and fir trees. Hatu Peak offers a serene view of the surrounding area and makes the 7 km trek to its top worth it experience. You can also go stargazing on Hatu peak and set up a camp. Overall, Hatu Peak is a heaven of its own kind. 

 

Tannu Jubbar Lake

Surrounded by mountains and cedar forests, Tannu Jubbar Lake is a paradise. While offering scenic views of the area and crystal clear water, Tannu Jubbar Lake offers vibes like no other. You can walk around the lake and have peace of mind.

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Kalpa

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Kalpa at a glance

Weather: Temperate climate with long and harsh winters

Elevation: 2960 m

Total Population: 1236

Local Language: Hindi

 

When to visit?

 

Owing to its high altitude, winters are long and freezing in Kalpa so the best time to visit is in summers from the months of April to June. Winter months from October to February brings in a number of difficulties as the temperature can fall down to as low as -20 °C

How to reach?

For frequent flyers, the nearest airport is 276 km away in Shimla but it has limited connectivity. You can take a cab from the airport to Kalpa.

The road serves the best mode of transport for tourists visiting Kalpa. You can opt for a state transport bus or a taxi or take your own vehicle to enjoy scenic views of the mountains along the way.

What to eat?

Kalpa doesn’t boast off of a wide variety of cuisines. There are a number of local eateries that offer authentic North Indian food. 

 

 

Places to visit On Spiti Valley Tour?

 

Kinnaur Kailash

 

Kinnaur is perceived to be a paradise by many because of its lush orchards, valleys, and forests. The snow-clad mountains around it only adds to the beauty of the place. Kinnaur Kailash is the highest mountain peak of the range. Kinnaur also boasts a wide variety of flora and fauna. 

Chakka

With an altitude of 15000 ft and the offering of a serene view, Chakka is famous among tourists who have a thing for adventures. The uphill trek takes about 2-3 hours to complete while coming downhill consumer about 1.5 hours. It is advised to hire a guide and visit Chakka in the morning hours. The trek, in the end, will prove to be worth your while owing to the landscape.

 

CHITKUL

 

Chitkul at a glance

Weather: Drops below 0 °C in winters and stays below 10 °C in summers

Elevation: 3450 m

Total Population: 882

Local Language: Hindi

 

When to visit?

 

Months from May to October serve as the best time to visit Chitkul. Heavy snowfall makes Chitkul inaccessible during the winter season. 

How to reach?

Being the last Indian inhabited village on the old Indo-Tibetan route about 28 km Sangla, there are a limited number of options available to reach Chitkul. You can take a bus or a cab from Reckong Peo which is 60 km away from Chitkul. Reckong Peo is well connected to all parts of Himachal Pradesh via road. You can also take your own vehicle and enjoy the local marvel of the area along the way. 

 

What to eat?

 

Being a remote village, Chitkul offers a limited number of options for food. You can enjoy local cuisine at the few available eateries. 

Places to visit?

You can go for different kinds of treks in the surrounding areas. Chitkul offers the perfect landscape for adventure seekers. Its scenic views are a delight for both eyes and the camera. 

You can also camp at various camp-sites and do star gazing, bonfire, and other related activities.

 

 

KAZA

 

Kaza at a glance

Weather: Falls well before the freezing point during winters while it stays under 10 °C in summers

Elevation: 3800 m

Total Population: 3231

Local Language: Bhoti and Hindi

 

When to visit?

 

Kaza is a cold dessert with harsh weather conditions during the winter. Roads get blocked due to heavy snowfall. Months from May to October serve as the best time to visit Kaza with the average temperature being 6-7 °C

 

How to reach?

 

The best possible way to reach Kaza is via road. You can opt for state or private buses, coming from and to most parts of North India. You can also take your own vehicle and enjoy the scenic beauty of the area along the way.

 

What to eat?

 

Food options are limited to Indian and Tibetan cuisine. You can go for the local dishes like Thupka and Tibetan bread at the local eateries. The landscape of Kaza only adds to the experience of having hot food.