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Heaven on earth
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The Spiti Valley has the most dramatic landscape
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PROTECTED AREA This trans-Himalayan region is a national park PHOTO: KAMAL NARANG
The trans-Himalayan cold desert region of Spiti Valley, that falls in the catchment area of the Pin river and its major tributary Parahio, was declared a national park in 1984. With altitude ranging from about 3,500 metres to more than 6,000 metres at its highest point, the park is the natural habitat for a number of endangered animals. Adjoining the Great Himalayan National Park in the southwest and the Rupi Bhabha Sanctuary in the south and close to the Rohtang Pass, Spiti Valley has the most dramatic landscape — from the lush green of Kulu to the snow-capped mountains and glaciers of the Himalayas.
One must-visit place in the region is the Tabo Gompa monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery complex built in AD 996 by Ringchen Zangpo and the place where the present Dalai Lama will retire. It has temples dating from the 10th to the 16th Century, with wall paintings and mandala frescos. Dhankar Gompa, built nearly 1,000 years ago, lies 23 km from Tabo.
Area: The valley spans an area of 675 sq. km in the Lahaul and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh.
Best time to visit: May to October
Mammals: Himalayan ibex, snow leopard (if you are extremely lucky), bharal, woolly hare, Tibetan wolf, fox, Tibetan gazelle, Himalayan marmot, porcupine, blue sheep, Tibetan wild ass, woolly flying squirrel, Himalayan black and brown bear.
Birds: snow cock (if you are extremely lucky), chukor, snow partridge, Tibetan snow finch, kestrel, bearded vulture, red-billed chough and golden eagle.
Vegetation: Dry alpine and dwarf juniper scrub. The scanty vegetation contains many plant species of high conservation value and a number of herbs known for curing lung and heart diseases.
How to get there:
Road: via Manali-Rohtang Pass-Kunzum La (open from July to October) or via Shimla-Tapri-Kaza. The park is accessible only on foot from the nearest road terminus at Mikkim in Pin Valley.
Rail: Shimla (443 km) or Jogindernagar (135 km from Manali).
Air: Bhuntar (50 km from Manali) in Kulu District.
Where to stay:
In your sleeping bags or bunkers constructed by the Forest Department in the park or at Kaza, the nearest town and administrative centre of Spiti.
Contact:
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, Shimla. Phone: 0177-2624186/ 2623147.
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