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Things to do in Lahaul and Spiti include spine-chilling adventures, intense cultural experiences, and Himalayan tranquillity. Deep within the offbeat destination in Himachal Pradesh, one can discover high-altitude deserts, glacial streams, and ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. From meditating amidst centuries-old monasteries and hiking tough mountain trails to camping amidst starry nights along glacial lakes, every experience here is etched in memory. Lahaul and Spiti aren’t a destination; it’s a spiritual journey for adventurers who crave spirituality, adventure, and nature’s majesty in one of India’s most spectacular landscapes.
Top 10 Things To Do In Lahaul And Spiti
Discover things to do in Lahaul and Spiti through serene monasteries, hidden trails, untouched wilderness, majestic mountains, and the raw beauty of high altitude.
1. Witness Prayers And Experience Monastic Life At Key Monastery
Photo: Akshay Salunke / Pexels
Things to do in Lahaul and Spiti include visiting Key Monastery, grandly situated on a hilltop above the Spiti River. Far more than a travel destination, it is a richly involving experience into the philosophy and way of life of Buddhism. Visitors are invited to its tranquil ambiance where they can share in the dawn prayers, hear the echoing monastic chants, and observe centuries-old rituals that remain the same even after many generations. The monastery is abuzz with ancient paintings, sacred scrolls in the form of thangkas, and meditation rooms which have witnessed centuries of meditation.
Distance From Manali: 220 km
Top Highlights: Chanting rituals, spiritual atmosphere, and landscape views of the valley
2. Observe The Himalayan Art And Frescoes At Tabo Monastery
Photo: Gerd Eichmann / Wikimedia Commons
Tabo Monastery, also known as the Ajanta of the Himalayas. It is a religious settlement that dates back over a thousand years, and has been one of India’s longest-running working Buddhist settlements. The monastery site contains nine beautifully well-maintained temples that tell layers of ancient wisdom through their architecture, rich wall paintings, and vibrant frescoes. As you enter their holy halls, you are greeted by centuries worth of Buddhist doctrine enshrined in beautiful visual narratives. Away from the monastery, serene village life in Tabo contributes to the sense of calmness and reflection.
Distance From Manali: 265 km
Top Highlights: Art appreciation, history lessons, peaceful contemplation
3. Trek To Dhankar Lake And Visit Dhankar Monastery
Photo: Mdipa / Wikimedia Commons
Enjoy the best of adventure and relaxation with a trek to stunning Dhankar Lake, perched high in the mountains above the historic monastery of Dhankar. This trail has a monastic backdrop situated high on a mountain ledge, with the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers far, far below, for stunning vistas of its ancient backdrop. The serene quiet of the high-country landscape, broken only by the wind and your footsteps, sets a contemplative mood that lingers long after the trek is over. This experience embodies Spiti, unbridled nature joined with a profound spirituality.
Distance From Manali: 250 km
Top Highlights: Cliff’s edge meditation, high-altitude trekking, ancient relics
4. Camp Under The Stars At Chandratal Lake
Photo: Shiva Garg / Wikimedia Commons
Camp near the mystical Chandratal Lake, famous for its melodramatic crescent shape and translucent water. Surrounded by high-altitude peaks and expansive heavens, this glacial lake provides a serene refuge from urban chaos. As the sun sets, the view is a stargazer’s heaven with a sky spattered with shining constellations and absolute quiet everywhere about. At dawn, observe how the lake changes colour with the changing sun, reflecting hues of blue, green, and silver. There is no cellular network here, no disturbance, only the soothing presence of nature.
Distance From Manali: 130 km
Top Highlights: Stargazing, photography, and glacial solitude
5. Do The Rupin Pass Trek
Photo: Nikitaparwani / Wikimedia Commons
For thrill seekers, one of the most challenging things to do in Lahaul and Spiti is the Rupin Pass Trek. The trek is a string of stunning landscapes, from dense pine forests and picturesque hill villages to steep glaciers and sweeping snow plates. Every day unfolds new environments and changing scenes, and excitement is kept along the trek. The path gradually winds to more than fifteen thousand feet of elevation with spectacular vistas of snow-capped peaks and deep river canyons. The ultimate climb up to the pass is exhilarating and challenging, pushing your limits as you are rewarded with a stunning panorama at the summit.
Distance From Manali: 200 km
Top Highlights: High-altitude trekking, river crossing, alpine meadows
6. Experience Culture At Kaza And Kibber Villages
Photo: Timothy Gonsalves / Wikimedia Commons
Start your journey of discovery in Kaza, the lively heart of Spiti Valley, where vibrant markets are filled with handicrafts, woollen goods, and prayer flags that wave gently in the air. Wander through the town, stopping at hillside cafes to try hot beverages and dishes of traditional Spitian food such as thukpa and momos. The laid-back atmosphere and welcoming people make it the ideal spot to relax. Tour from Kaza to Kibber, one of the world’s highest occupied villages, on a scenic road. This tour from Kaza to Kibber blends cultural richness with breathtaking high-altitude scenery.
Distance From Manali: 225 km
Top Highlights: Local food, shopping for handicrafts, and yak sightings
7. Unwind In Lahaul Valley And Keylong
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
For relaxed and nature-based things to do in Lahaul and Spiti, spend time in the lush Lahaul Valley and Keylong, where spirituality and local culture meet scenic beauty. Begin your trek at the district capital of Keylong, where Tibetan and Himachali cultures converge gracefully in the forms of monasteries, traditional homes, and local festivals. Walk through its peaceful streets, explore the nearby monasteries, and interact with the friendly locals. Proceed to riverbank settlements like Sissu and Jispa, where one can have leisure walks along the river, go for easy treks into surrounding hills, or simply unwind while surrounded by the breathtaking mountain scenery.
Distance From Manali: 110–130 km
Top Highlights: Waterfalls, monasteries, and village homestays
8. Visit Kunzum Mata Temple And Catch A View Of Chandrabhaga Glacier
Photo: urtimud.89 / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Visit Kunzum La, the high Himalayan pass, and the holy temple of Kunzum Mata, a sanctum ringed by the wild landscape of the Himalayas. It is here that pilgrims seek blessings prior to proceeding further on their journey along the barren Spiti valleys. The temple, plain but highly religious, is a beacon of protection and worship in the rugged terrain. You can trek from here into the glacier-nourished area near where the Chandra River originates. The path twists through boulder fields and open sky, sweeping over landscapes of snow-white peaks and icy streams.
Distance From Manali: 110 km
Top Highlights: Spiritual rituals, glacial photography, road-tripping
9.Experience Fossil Hunt And Buddha In Langza And Moravian Village
Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta / Wikimedia Commons
Fossil hunting in Langza and admiring the towering Buddha statue that gazes over this high-altitude village. At a high altitude and surrounded by huge mountains, Langza is famous for its ancient sea fossils dating back millions of years and providing a fascinating insight into the prehistory of the area. Stroll through the village to encounter the residents who dwell in Moravian houses, whose lives are significantly influenced by Himalayan culture. At the centre of Langza, a humongous Buddha statue, serenely gazing above, oversees the extensive valley below.
Distance From Manali: 230 km
Top Highlights: Fossil exploration, spiritual photography, heritage village walk
10. Drive To Baralacha Lake Through Koksar
Photo: Bhuvan Sharma / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Begin your road trip to Leh or Spiti with an adrenaline-fueled drive on Koksar, the village famous for its snow-covered lands and mountainous landscape. The journey is along sharp turns and increasing altitudes, with spectacular vistas of plunging waterfalls, snow-covered valleys, and granite outcrops. While ascending further, the views get prettier and prettier, topped with the peaceful beauty of Baralacha Lake. This high-altitude lake, whose waters are an astonishing sapphire blue, is situated between massive mountains and broad mountain passes. It’s so breathtaking a scene that it rewards every inch of the rough ride.
Distance From Manali: 170 km
Top Highlights: Snowy landscapes, bumpy road travel, and lakeside photo shoots
An intimate blend of adventure and spirituality, the things to do in Lahaul and Spiti are ideal for every type of traveller. With chances ranging from cultural interactions to photo-eye excursions, and from serene reflection to outdoor adventure, this Himalayan country has something to please every palate. Its sweeping scenery and ageless loveliness make it an experience of a lifetime each second. Plan your journey with TripXL for an unforgettable trip.
Cover Photo: Eshan Gupta / Unsplash
