Lahaul & Spiti : Kaza (3050 m, 180 km from Manali)

This is a mountainous area that is located between Ladakh and Tibet in the north and the Kullu valley in the south. Lahaul begins 51 km north of Manali, right after crossing the 3978 m Rohtang Pass. The road further climbs Kunzum la (4560 m) before reaching Kaza. It is approached from Zanskar by going over the Shinga La Pass and from Ladakh by going over the Baralacha la Pass (4,870 m). A good word to know is "jule," which means hello, thank you and goodbye.

CHANDRATAL lake (4270 m) - 18 km trek from Batal, which is at the base of Kunzam la (4590 m) on the Kyelong - Kaja road.

Kaza is the main town in Spiti and is of the "old town" and the "new town". Many of the peaks here are over 6000 m, the highest being Mulkila at 6,500 m. It has some interesting Buddhist gompas and secluded villages.



What to See : Pin Valley National Park via Atargo, Kye Monastery, Kibber Village, Komic Village and Langza which is famous for its pre-historic relics in form of fossils.

Trekkers from Manali - Manikaran - Pulga, cross the Pin Parvati Pass and reach Dhankar via Mud and Sangam.

Route : Damphug - Losar - Hansa - Kibber - Rangrik - Kaza - Dhankar - Tabo (374 km from Shimla) - Sumra - Chango - Nako - Puh (Spiti)

Kaza is 180 km from Manali via Rohtang Pass. Follow NH 21 from Manali to Marhi and take the narrow road via Chhatru, Jilang, Losar, Hansa, Pangmo, Moorang, Sumling (Key Gompa is nearby), Rangrik, Spiti and to Kaza.

The road further leads to Lingti (3460 m), Sichling (Dhankar Gompa is nearby), Poh, Tabo (Gompa), Hurling, Sumdo and to the NH 22 (Shimla - Shipki la road) near Khab. Tabo is 47 km from Kaza. The 10th Century Tabo monastery houses more than 60 lamas.