The Part-1 of Kaza Travel Guide
This is a continued part of this blog. Check this out to know more about Kaza, How to Reach via various modes of transport, Taxi, Rental Bike, Weather, Culture and much more.
Accommodation & Food
Being the major town of the entire district there are many options of hotels at various ranges, even dormitories are available. But some hotels and homestays are closed during winters as the pipes gets frozen and people migrate to other places due to extreme cold.
Zostel, Kaza
Zostel, Kaza is pretty well maintained, very close to Bus Stand, Market, Taxi Union with the river flowing behind. Even the TV room was so cool when I saw the World Cup Match going on and random tourists were enjoying tea and snacks. The rooms are a bit expensive compared top dorms, but worth the money. The dorms are cheaper and if you’re a group of friends or a solo traveler, it’s definitely worth trying out. This can be booked from Zostel Site.
The cost for per bed in a dorm was Rs 650 per person and room was sold for Rs 2500, but the cost depends on season and demand.
Other Hotels
There are even other homestays and hotels available starting at a price of Rs 600 for Double Bed Room in the Kaza Market. It’s better to stay in Kaza Market for easily accessing all the places.
Food
The food options in Kaza are pretty dull and all shops close by 8 8-30, except this cafe and few restaurants. There aren’t many good places to eat except a few Momos, Thupkas, Samosa shops. Make sure you make your food arrangement properly. Even restaurants provide food option, just check it out before you book your hotel.
Himalayan Cafe, Kaza
The Himalayan Cafe is the most popular cafe in Spiti Valley, located in the Kaza Market. Visit to Kaza is incomplete without visiting here. Right on the door of the cafe just before the handle you can find VentureVista, don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram when you visit this cafe. You can find almost all varieties of food here and open from morning to night as well. Even they have stay option as well, which you can contact them.
Himalayan Cafe, Kaza – 8988101994
Things To Do
There isn’t much to do in Kaza, but its actually a hub to visit all the lovely sites of Spiti Valley.
Kaza Town
Kaza Monastery
One of the most popular monastery in Spiti Valley. It’s located just out of Kaza Market and as far as I know, there is no option to stay there.
World’s Highest Retail Fuel Outlet, IOCL, Kaza
At 12,270ft, this is the world’s highest fuel outlet of the world. Also it’s the only fuel outlet in surrounding area, so all the vehicles including HRTC bus fuels up their tank completely before leaving Kaza. Also it has been a popular tourist destination for the same reason.
Around Kaza
Chicham Bridge – The Highest Bridge of Asia
Perched at an altitude of over 13596 ft. It spans the gorges of the Samba Lamba river, connecting the remote villages of Chicham and Kibber. Completed in 2017, its construction was a feat of engineering, providing crucial access to isolated communities in the region.
Kee Monastery
This is a Tibetan Buddhist sanctuary at 4,100 meters. Founded over a thousand years ago, it’s a hub for Buddhist learning with ancient architecture and vibrant murals, drawing visitors worldwide. Usually all the cover pictures describing Spiti Valley has Kee Monastery in their cover page.
Kibber Village
This is a picturesque village located at an altitude of around 14,070 ft. It is renowned as one of the highest inhabited villages in the world. The village is home to traditional Tibetan-style houses, a centuries-old monastery, and a vibrant local culture. Despite its remote location, Kibber attracts adventurers and nature enthusiasts seeking an authentic Himalayan experience.
Komic – The World’s Highest Inhabited Village
It is charming village boasting an elevation of approximately 15,050ft. It stands as the highest permanently inhabited settlements globally. Surrounded by majestic peaks, Komic offers awe-inspiring vistas of the Himalayan landscape and serves as a gateway to high-altitude treks and adventures. The village is characterized by its traditional mud-brick houses, ancient monasteries, and a tranquil atmosphere, attracting travelers seeking solace amidst nature’s grandeur.
World’s Highest Post Office – Hikkim
Hikkim Post Office, is renowned as The highest post offices globally, located at an altitude of approximately 14,570 ft. Operating since the British colonial era, it serves as a vital communication link for the remote Himalayan communities. Despite its remote location and harsh weather conditions, Hikkim Post Office stands as a symbol of connectivity and resilience in the high-altitude landscape of the Himalayas.
Buddha Statue, Langza
The Langza Buddha Statue, located in the village of Langza in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India, is an iconic landmark standing at an altitude of around 14,500 ft. This impressive statue of Lord Buddha overlooks the village and surrounding valleys, symbolizing peace and enlightenment. Carved out of stone, the Langza Buddha Statue stands as a testament to the rich Buddhist heritage of the region.
Dhankar Monastery
Dhankar Monastery, perched dramatically on a cliff in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India, is a historic Tibetan Buddhist monastery dating back over a thousand years. This served as a fort monastery in ancient times, offering strategic defense against invaders. The monastery is renowned for its stunning architecture, ancient murals, and religious significance, attracting visitors from around the world.
Pin Valley National Park
Nestled in the cold desert region this is a sanctuary for diverse flora and fauna. Covering an area of approximately 675 square kilometers, it is characterized by high-altitude alpine meadows, snow-capped peaks, and rugged terrain. The park is home to rare and endangered species such as the snow leopard, Siberian ibex, and Himalayan blue sheep, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.
Mudd Village
This is a charming village nestled amidst towering peaks and barren landscapes. It offers stunning views of the surrounding Himalayan terrain. Mudd serves as a gateway to the Pin Valley National Park, renowned for its biodiversity and rugged beauty. The village is characterized by traditional mud-brick houses, ancient monasteries, and a tranquil atmosphere, attracting travelers seeking solace amidst nature’s grandeur.
Kunzum Pass
Kunzum Pass is a high mountain pass connecting the Kullu Valley and the Lahaul Valley with the Spiti Valley on Kaza-Manali Highway. At an elevation of around 15,150 ft which is the Highest Point of Spiti Valley, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks and glaciers. The pass is also adorned with prayer flags and a small temple dedicated to the local deity, serving as a sacred gateway to the remote and rugged landscapes of the Himalayas.
Chandratal Lake
Also known as the “Moon Lake,” is a stunning high-altitude lake located on the Manali-Kaza Highway. Situated at an altitude of approximately 4,300 meters, it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pristine Himalayan landscapes. The lake derives its name from its crescent shape, resembling a moon, and is revered for its crystal-clear blue waters. Chandratal Lake is a popular camping and trekking destination, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and a tranquil atmosphere for meditation and relaxation.
The Ideal Plan to Roam Around Kaza
Day-1
Visit Kee Monastery, Chicham Village and Kibber Village
Day-2
Visit Hikkim, Komic and Langhza, as all are on the way
Day-3
Visit Mudd Village, Dhankar Monastery and Pin Village, National Park
Day-4
On the way to Manali one can visit Kunzum Pass, also Chandratal Lake. If you wish to camp at Chandratal Lake then you have to extend your plan.
How to Visit
To cover all the places, better hire a taxi from Spiti Union or the best way is to rent a bike and plan your trip at your own pace. Also one can plan to stay with locals at Komic, Mudd, Kibber as per your wish with the locals at their home, making it an amazing experience experiencing their true culture and amazing hospitality.
Ideal Plan to visit Kaza
The Ideal trip to Spiti Valley can be planned for 7 to 10 days as per your timings. After Kalpa one can straight away head towards Chitkul, which is another lovely village in Kinnaur Valley and later to Sangla Valley and Rakchham on the way to Chitkul itself. Then one can start exploring Spiti Valley after visiting Nako, Tabo on the way.
Once they reach Kaza, they can explore Hikkim, Langhza, Komic, Kee Monastery, Chichham Bridge, Kibber Village, Dhankar Monastery, Pin Valley, Chandratal Lake, Kunzum Pass by planning accordingly as per your convenience.
Things to keep in mind
- Winters are extremely cold and even the average temperature itself is lesser, don’t forget to carry winter clothing.
- It’s better to reach Kaza from Shimla side as you gain altitude rapidly through Manali side hence might face AMS. So please make proper arrangements for it.
- Landslides are common in Hindustan Tibet highway, check the road status before you plan your trip. We reached Reckong Peo from Haridwar in a HRTC bus and the next day the bus wasn’t operated due to the landslide, we were lucky to reach the previous day. The block continued for a few days and luckily we planned to explore Spiti through Kaza and we escaped without trouble.
- The only petrol pump available is in Kaza, operated by IOCL. The next petrol pump is in Manali and other side in Reckong Peo. So make sure you full up your tank with extra fuel if needed.
- The Jio network in entire Spiti Valley is pretty good and internet speed is good as well.
- ATM is available in Kaza, but the next one is in Manali and Tabo on other side.
- Trekkers can also trek to various remote places around Spiti Valley. Pin Parbati Pass is a famous trek starting from Mudd in Spiti Valley and ending at Manikaran near Kullu.
Spiti Valley
Conclusion
Trust me, Kaza is way more beautiful than you can ever think of. You’d never regret visiting such a fabulous place. Do drop any questions or information you’d need to know about planning your trip to Spiti Valley and also your experience of visiting Kaza.
Click Here to Checkout the Part-1 of this Blog.
