SPITI -: Trekking, Home Stays and Facts

dhananjay

Hi,
Posting some more facts on Spiti ... how to get there, permits etc etc ... Hope it helps everybody ...

SPITI
Amongst the few unexplored areas the world over there isn’t one as enchanting and inspiring as Spiti. This land often known as Little Tibet, was historically a part of the kingdom of Nariss Korssum (Western Tibet). Due to its relative isolation, various unique and rare aspects of the Buddhist culture (Tibetan Buddhism) are well preserved in this valley.

GETTING TO SPITI:

There are 2 routes to get to Spiti:

1. Delhi-Shimla-Rekong Peo-Kaza (approx. 790 kms):
Delhi-Shimla (370 kms.): Buses ply regularly (mornings & evenings daily) between Delhi and Shimla (approx. 9 hrs). The other option is to take the Shatabdi train from Delhi to Chandigarh/ Kalka (3.5 hrs/4 hrs) and thereafter buses and taxis to Shimla are readily available (approx. 4 hrs/ 3 hrs). Flights are also available to Shimla (approx. 45 mins).
Shimla-Rekong Peo-Kaza (approx. 420 kms.): From Shimla, there are 2 direct buses to Kaza via Rekong Peo (approx. 20 hrs). The other option is to break the journey in Rekong Peo, for which buses from Shimla ply regularly (daily). From Rekong Peo 2 buses leave for Kaza daily at 4:30 am & 7:30 am. This route is open through out the year.
2. Delhi-Manali-Kaza (approx. 670 kms):
Delhi-Manali (550 kms.): Buses ply regularly (mornings & evenings daily) between Delhi and Manali (approx. 14 hrs). Flights are also available to Bhuntar (approx. 1 hr), from where buses and taxis are available to Manali (approx. 2 hrs.)
Manali- Kaza(213 kms.): From Manali 2 buses ply daily and start early in the morning. This route is open only in the summer months (June to October), and it is hence advisable to confirm the status of the road before starting this journey. The other option is to hire a taxi, either individually or on a share basis (approx. 9 hrs).

Permits:

For foreign nationals coming via Rekong Peo permits are required which can be made at the DC Office (District Collectorate) at Rekong Peo, as a part of the stretch between Rekong Peo and Kaza falls in the Inner Line of the international border with China. Passport details are also required to be entered at various locations while entering Spiti.

IDEAL TIME TO VISIT SPITI:

The summer months from June to September are the ideal time to visit Spiti.

THINGS TO BRING:

As the Spiti Valley is located between an altitude of 3300 mts to 5000 mts, it is advisable that travelers with pre existing problems of the heart, lungs or anemia should consult their doctor before this trip. The travelers should bring with them clothing consisting of layers which can be added or removed as the temperature varies considerably from day to night. One should carry a warm windproof jacket, sweater, comfortable trekking shoes, sun screen lotion, sun glasses, a salve for the lips, a hat, scarf, tissue papers, flashlights, can opener, personal medicines, some eatables, etc. For those visiting Spiti from October to May it is advisable to carry ample warm clothing including warm under clothing, gloves, woolen cap and socks, etc. It is recommended not to over exert oneself during the trip and to drink plenty of fluids.

ROAD CONDITIONS WITHIN SPITI:

The weather beaten roads of Spiti are primarily un-metalled and rough. The most advisable mode of transportation while traveling in these parts is by jeep.


WEATHER:

The weather in Spiti varies from extreme cold in the winters to bright and sunny in the summer. Spiti witnesses approximately 250 days of sunshine in a year. The table below gives a month wise description of the prevailing weather conditions in Spiti.

Month Temperature (Degree Centigrade)
Max. Min. Snowfall (cms) Rainfall (mm)
January 5 -19 25 -
February -3 -22 17 -
March -2 -15 22 -
April 11 -12 15 -
May 16 -7 10 -
June 28 2 - 30
July 29 13 - -
August 29 12 - -
September 24 9 - -
October 20 1 - -
November 12 -6 7 -
December 9 -15 22 -

MEDICAL FACILITIES:

Spiti has its own traditional system of medicine known as the Amchi system. Traditional doctors called Amchis are available in practically every village of Spiti.
Kaza (headquarters of Spiti) has a well equipped modern hospital. Primary health care centres are also available at various locations in the Spiti valley.

COMMUNICATION FACILITIES:

Phone – STD,ISD and FAX facilities are available at Kaza and Tabo.
Internet – is available at Kaza and Tabo, though the speed is usually slow.
Postage – Spiti has a good network of postal services.

MONEY EXCHANGE:

It is advisable to change currency in Shimla or Manali, as no facilities for the same are available in Spiti.

Cheers
Dhananjay

Dr Funkenstein

Wonderful photos, Andreas!

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Out There Somewhere : My Travel Blog.

himadventures

No doubt DHANANJAY your post was more than excellant and ANDREW snaps were just fantastic.

I would like to invite ANDREW to post his work free at our website with his copyright on them. This was he will be able to display his work to larger audience.

We are currently featuring two photogrpahers from INDIA and RUSSIA.
Do have a look at our MEDIA GALLERY

dhananjay

HELLO EVERYBODY ....
Back Back Back on Indiamike .... feels great after a long hiatus .... How has everybody been ? ... Whats up these days ...... Would be seeing everybody everyday now ...

Cheers,
Dhananjay

AndreasW

What's happens...
Nice to meet you again on IM!

So long
AndreasW

mount cleverest

This has to be the singe most amazing thread on IM!!

Thanks mucg guys..Dhananjay amd Andreas..you ROCK!

I was nearly certain that I was going to ladkah these summers..but both of you have put me in this delicious predicament..

Styler

Hi Dhananjay,

Great to see you again man, you had simply dissapeared.
I asume you had gone far away from civilization, not to be logging onto IM.
Or were you the Little Budhha Meditating under the Tree in Nepal. As soon as that one Vanished from under the tree, you appeared here LOL
I Did the Delhi -Shimla - Fago - Jalori Pass - Ghushiani- Aut Manali in Nov 05.
I was in Shimla for a few hrs on my way to Fago. I stopped by at Park Cafe and asked for you but you were not there
Anyways next time.
Do get in touch if ever you are in Delhi.

Bye for now,

Styler

arya

Hi Dhananjay,
Mind boggling info. Last year I had visited spiti region-Manali to Manali-it was a family tour. This year too plan to go to Spiti via Shimla-Kinnaur-Spiti Manali route with family(4 yr included).Plan to start on 3rd week of September from Kolkata for about 15 days.Could you pl give details about hotels,tarriffs,jeep rate,day long treks inKinnaur & Spiti region. It's a long ask. Thanks in advance.

Tapestry

Here are some of my pics from my trip to Spiti in September of 2005. Definitely an amazingly beautiful place...

Attached Thumbnails

         

dhananjay

Hi everybody,

Been on the road for a long time now ... the itchy feet just dont seem to settle down ... back in Simla for a good time now..Explored quite a bit of interior Himachal ... Daranghati, Gadah Gushaini some of the places where I spent quite a few good days .... I would recommend all those with the lust for wilderness to be there ... Spiti is calling again in a few days ... Havent gone through all the posts here .. so would be taking a good time to get back ... well cheers to everybody ... keep movin along the mountains ..

Regards,
Dhananjay

renjith_varma

Hi,
Me and 3 of my friends are palnning to go to Spiti valley.
The itenary is as follows:
Starting from Delhi on Sept 29 evening. The route is not finalized. 1. Will the manali -> Kaza road be open at that time? Do we have to book bus tickets earlier or are they easy to get?
2. Is the itenary that dhananjay mentioned available to all or to people who arrange travel with MUSE? (I mean staying in local homes)
3. If we have to arrange it with MUSE, what will be total cost?
4. Can you provide some contact info about MUSE.
5. How hard will be winter during this time?

We plan to return to Delhi by Oct 8th

Cheers
Renjith

dhananjay

Its already cold so you cant rule out big chill during the time you want to visit .. MUSE is a non profit organisation working on certain projects in Spiti .. I suggest you get in touch with ishita 098994-92417 for details ... Hope it helps and have a great trip

Cheers,
Dhananjay

renjith_varma

Hi Dhananjay,

Thanks for the info. I have been to Khatling glacier last October. Will the climate be a lot more colder than that?
I have contacted MUSE. Their asking rate is much less than any other agency but since we are students we would like to know if w ecan do it without MUSE?
The main problem then will bethe accomodation. Do you know whether the places mentioned in the itenary have any accomodation without prior booking? Also, if we hire a guide/ porter from Kaza will be be able to negotiate some accomodation in all these villages?

Renjith

dhananjay

Hi,

you can do it without MUSE .. just be a lil wary of the touts ... there is cheap acco available at all places along the aforementioned trek route ... Kibber, Kiato, Demul ... rest you might need a tent ... Its a doable trek so I dont think you need a porter ... Also expect night temperatures to be as low as -5 and day hovering around 2-3 degrees .. remember it is october beginning ... and dont stick out there for long you never know when the Kunzum closes down .... Also expect to see the raid de Himalaya at the that time ... cheers

renjith_varma

dhananjay,

Are there places in Kaza renting tents/ rucksacks? And what would be the approx rates?

Renjith