A great traveler, Rudyard Kipling has described his traveling experience to Himalayan city Spiti by saying, “At last entered the world within a world – a valley of leagues where the high hills were fashioned of the mere rubble and refuse from off the knees of the mountains. Surely the Gods live here.” This was his words years ago but even today, they stand true for the beauty and mesmerizing beauty of the Himalayas.
In the unexplored and untouched interiors of the Trans-Himalayan belt of Himachal Pradesh, the enthralling Spiti Valley is a cold desert, a heady mix of austere barren mountains along unexpected bursts of green fields and deep gorges formed by the fierce Spiti River.
The Buddhist influence can be clearly seen in the region because of the proximity of Spiti with Tibet. There are various famous monasteries (gompas) which are even Dalai Lama’s favorite. They have a hidden treasure of art, scriptures, and statutes, which are dated since the origin of Buddhism.
The erotic landscapes and secluded villages on the Nako-Tabo-Kaza circuit in Spiti, can be your best destination if you are seeking adventure on an offbeat frontier holiday:
1. The Spiti River:
The silvery river flows quietly on this barren yet beautiful valley of Himachal Pradesh.
2. The Pristine Lakeside Village – Nako:
This beautiful village is situated on the bank of Nako Lake with Sun bouncing off over the surrounding snowy mountain.
3. Snow-shrouded Nako Mountains:
Nako village is beautiful in every part of the year but winter is the best season to visit the place. Snow starts falling here by the end of October, gradually closing the Rohtang and Kunzum passes and making it extremely difficult to reach Nako.
4. The monastery at Tabo:
This place is often referred to as the ‘Ajanta of Himalayas’, constructed by the Tabo Chos-Khor Monastery more than a thousand years ago in 996 A.D. This monastery has the ancient amazing architectural integrity and spiritual richness.
5. Cave Shrines (Chortens) at Tabo:
Right above the Tabo monastery, there are caves and cliff-like structures which the monks use for meditation.
6. The Ancient Capital of Spiti-Dhankar:
This village is the capital of Spiti valley kingdom. The word Dhankar means a place in the mountains which is unreachable for strangers. It is surrounded by nothing but plenty of barren mountains, Dhankar is the place to be for those seeking true tranquility.
