1. Biking: It is true that wanderlust takes you to unbelievable places. Adventure lovers find the winding roads of Spiti Valley a paradise. Hence, those who love to travel on wheels prefer biking even despite the challenging terrain of the valley. Some travel in groups while some go on solo biking expeditions to explore each hamlet hidden in this magical valley of Spiti. While the roads are well-constructed, many places experience landslides during heavy rainfalls. Nonetheless, biking here is not for the faint-hearted and requires skilled balancing. Kunzum Pass and Baralacha Pass provide angelic vistas but are only visited by professional bikers due to its difficult terrain.
2. Camping at Chandratal Lake: Thousands of meters above the sea level cuddled peacefully amidst the foothills of Himalayas is the sparkling lake of Chandratal. The towering mountains overlooking the turquoise waters of the lake forms a perfect postcard scene. Fresh breezes brush against your cheeks as you sit near the shore of this placid lake. The lake gets its name from its amusing natural shape of a crescent moon. The serene environment encompassing the landscape makes it an ideal location for camping. People enjoy group hiking over here from base camp to the vicinity of the lake where they set up cosy camps.
3. Trek to Dhankar Lake: From the valley of Dhankar village, as you start trekking up the sloppy hills, you will finally reach the ethereal setting of Dhankar Lake. Trekking to Dhankar Lake is one of the favourite things to do in Spiti Valley for adventure lovers. It takes almost an hour to reach the lake. A small stupa, with sacred threads of prayer tied around it, is erected near the green waters of the lake. Due to the steep mountainous terrain, this trek falls in the moderate to difficult range.
4. Rafting: For the brave-hearted adventurers, who like to feel their adrenaline rush, rafting is a perfect sport to engage in. Two tremendous rivers coursing through this valley are ideal for rafting. They are the Spiti River and Pin River. The rapid currents and exquisite mountainous backdrop make river rafting a hit adventure sport amongst travellers over here. However, one should avoid planning this sport in their itinerary if they are visiting Spiti Valley in the monsoon season.
5. Visit 500-Year-Old Mummy in Giu Village: Lovers of historical relics take delight in visiting Giu Village for one sole purpose- to see the preserved mummy. Army personnel stepped upon the remains of this mummy while excavating in the village area. It was then they preserved it inside a glass container at a site near Gompa. The lotus posture derived the theory of it being a lama, a revered monk, who was mummified while he was meditating. Carbon dating by archaeologists revealed it to be almost half a century old. The rusted appearance of this mummy intrigues all history lovers, and visiting this spot is definitely one of the best things to do in Spiti.
6. Shopping in Kaza Market: The ultimate destination for shopaholics in Spiti is the traditional Kaza market. Always bustling with tourists collecting handcrafted memoirs, Kaza market is the largest and most popular market in the entire valley. Authentic handicrafts depicting Buddhist and Tibetan culture are put for sale here. From bowls and utensils to small statues of Lord Buddha and multicoloured prayer flags, a myriad of intricate artefacts are available here. You can also try out the savoury sweets prepared at the local shops or buy personalised t-shirts as gifts. Uniquely designed artwork made from silver and golden coated human bones are also sold at some shops.
7. Fossil Hunting: If you want to get the vibes of being an archaeologist like Indiana Jones, then the hamlets of Hikkim and Langza form the perfect setting for your wish. These remote villages have been noted for being abundant in fossils belonging to all eras. It is believed that the tourists come across at least one intriguing fossil within ten minutes over here.
8. Eat at World's Highest Restaurant: Spiti's Organic Kitchen: Lying in the middle of the glorious monasteries of Komick village is the world's highest restaurant called Spiti's Organic Kitchen. With a view of snow-capped mountains sparkling with the shining sun, and cold breezes swaying gently in the air, this restaurant offers delicious local cuisine. Despite a limited menu, you will find all delectable Tibetan dishes and refreshing beverages served in a homely environment.
9. Send a Postcard from World's Highest Post Office: In the rural area of Hikkim lies the highest post office in the world. Said to be situated at an altitude of 4400 meters, this hamlet lies somewhere between the villages of Komik and Langza. Locals give travellers a walk through history by proudly narrating the origin of this post office. Tourists of the valley make sure to travel to this small post office and send a postcard or a letter to their loved ones as a special memento. It is one of the most sought after things to do in Lahaul Spiti.
10. Night Stay at Tabo Monastery: The picturesque valley of Spiti is equally renowned for its charming vistas and religious influence. It is the abode of many eminent monasteries. Thousands of lamas and Buddhist monks meditate in the prayer halls and study ancient preaching in the schools of these hilltop monasteries. Dating back to its formation in 99 AD, Tabo monastery is the second oldest Tibetan monastery. Its interiors are constructed purely of stone and mud. The mild fragrance of sandalwood fills the air inside the rooms. Tourists can have a night stay in the lodgings inside the monastery complex to experience the pristine way of living like the monks.
11. Indulge in Stargazing: Snuggling in a blanket outside your little tent, you can sip your hot coffee and quietly enjoy the view of the starlight night sky. Scattered in the valleys of the Himalayas, the high altitude villages of Losar, Kibber, Tabo, Dhankar and Komik provide clear skies during the night, making stargazing one of the most enchanting things to do in Spiti. Amidst the tranquility of your surroundings, you can look up to the sky and spot countless stars glowing in the sky. You can try finding the famous amusing constellations. You can even spot some shooting stars and wish upon them.
12. Refuel at the Highest Fuel Station at Kaza: A sign proclaiming 'World's Highest Retail Outlet' welcomes passengers on the fuel station at Kaza. Situated at an altitude of 3740 meters, this Indian Oil fuel station is not only the highest commercial fuel station in the world but also the only station to refuel your vehicles in the entire valley. Hence, anyone travelling to Lahaul and Spiti Valley has to make a mandatory stopover here. Hence, refuelling in the rural hamlet of Kaza is always a check on the list of things to do in Lahaul Spiti.
13. Visit Asia's Highest Bridge: Chicham Bridge : One of the recent things to do in Spiti is getting on top of the world's highest bridge and capturing the bird's eye view of the entire valley. Inaugurated in 2017, the Chicham Bridge took about 15 years for its construction and has strategic importance as the world's highest bridge at 13596 meters above sea level. It connects the village of Chicham to Kibber. The sturdy construction of this bridge overlooks the deep gorge of Samba Lamba Nallah. The bridge is a popular site amongst tourists to click panoramas of the valley.
14. Wildlife Spotting at Pin Valley National Park: While the entire valley of Spiti is encompassed by a cold desert, the Pin Valley has scattered greenery thriving with a variety of flora and fauna in its terrain. With the Himalayas fringing the plains, this valley can be reached by travelling towards south from Dhankar village. The gushing sound of Pin River can be heard as you travel through the valley in search of the fascinating creatures resting in it. You can spot the Siberian ibex, Tibetan gazelle, and Himalayan snow cocks. Lucky ones can also sight and capture photographs of the endangered species of snow leopards hunting their prey.
15. Try Local Food: Authentic luscious dishes from Tibetan gourmet are served in popular cafes to those who wish to satiate their taste buds by trying the local cuisine. Be it the tea, or the Spitian bread, or a simple dal and rice, each flavour is piquant and unique. You can stop and eat at the luxurious cafes or sit at the local food joints to get a cultural touch. However, the most memorable experience one can get is by having divine meals with the lamas at their monastery. At the monasteries of Komik, Kungri and Key, one can taste the delectable Tibetan dishes by having lunch inside the monastery.
Also Checkout - Spiti Valley Tour Packages
