By James Marsh
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Lahaul Spiti (Himachal Pradesh, India) - Deservingly Known as Heaven on Earth
The district of Lahaul-Spiti in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh consists of the two formerly separate districts of Lahaul and Spiti. The present administrative centre is Keylong in Lahaul. Before the two districts were merged, Kardang was the capital of Lahaul, and Dhankar the capital of Spiti. The district was formed in 1960.
Kunzum la or the Kunzum Pass (altitude 4,551 m; 14,931 ft) is the entrance pass to the Spiti Valley from Lahaul. It is 21 km from Chandra Tal.[1] This district is connected to Manali through the Rohtang Pass. To the south, Spiti ends 24 km from Tabo, at the Sumdo where the road enters Kinnaur and joins with National Highway No. 22.
The two valleys are quite different in character. Spiti is more barren and difficult to cross, with an average elevation of the valley floor of 4,270 m (14,009 ft). It is enclosed between lofty ranges, with the Spiti river rushing out of a gorge in the southeast to meet the Sutlej River. It is a typical mountain desert area with an average annual rainfall of only 170 mm (6.7 inches) and It is the third least populous district in India (out of 640). (Source: Wikipedia)
Lahaul Spiti: An Overview
In spite of being a city of the state of Himachal Pradesh, this is a place of snow capped hills. Located on the Himalayan foothills, this is among the popular and frequently visited hill stations of India. The thriving lush green valley of Manali is positioned at an altitude of around 1, 950m from the sea level and is a part of the Beas river valley, which is based towards the northern side of the Kullu valley. Though the area is said to be blessed with picturesque beauty and profuse serenity, the Beas River that meanders through the deep canyons and gorges just adds on to the spectacular beauty of the place. Apart from being frequented by the nature lovers, this region is even visited by many other people throughout the year. The place has got a pleasant weather, which remains more or less cold all through the year. The city of Manali has got everything so as to make one fall in for the nature. Besides spending some quality time on the nature's lap, one can even visit the neighboring areas while on their way to or from Manali. Lahaul Spiti is one such place that is often visited by travelers while visiting the Manali city.
This is one of the districts of the Himachal Pradesh state, which is based towards the northern part of the beautiful Kullu valley. The area of Lahaul is quite fertile and is, thus, covered with lush greenery whereas, Spiti appears to be mostly of the nature of a desert. However, the natural contrast of both of these places gets reflected from its barren mountains and snow-fed glaciers. This is what makes the region more beautiful. The twin valleys of Lahaul and Spiti have got several temples and monasteries. These valleys can be best visited from April to the month of October.
Travel from Manali to Lahaul Spiti
If one plans to reach the Lahaul Spiti district from the city of Manali, then he or she needs to make an entry to the district through the valley of Lahaul. The entire distance of about 1, 15 km between the Manali city and Keylong, which is the district headquarter of the Lahaul valley can be done within an approximate time of 6 hours. Tourists can either avail any of the buses, which are plied regularly from the main bus stand of the city or they can even hire private jeeps or cars or travel on their own car with required road permit. The buses are run on that route by both the public as well as private transport companies. The famous state transport company running such buses in the area is the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Transport or H. P. T. D. C. Transport. Many tourist buses are even available from the Manali bus for a trip to the district of Lahaul Spiti.
Photos for Lahaul Spiti (Himachal Pradesh, India):
Driving Direction from Manali to Lahaul Spiti
The route in between the Manali city and the Lahaul valley, mainly, starts from the N. H. - 21 since, the city is located within the proximity of this N. H. or National Highway and ends in the Manali - Leh Highway though. While traveling along this route, one would pass through the following places, names and other basic details of which are provided in the below mentioned table:
Car Fares from Manali to Lahaul Spiti
Though the fare of the hired cars or jeeps varies from one transportation company to another, however, the following table shows an approximate rate of the different kinds of cars, which can be hired by a traveler so as to drive from this city of Himachal Pradesh to the valleys of Lahaul Spiti:
P.S: The data provided need to be validated from the respective travel agents as it might have been renewed.
The district of Lahaul-Spiti in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh consists of the two formerly separate districts of Lahaul and Spiti. The present administrative centre is Keylong in Lahaul. Before the two districts were merged, Kardang was the capital of Lahaul, and Dhankar the capital of Spiti. The district was formed in 1960.
Kunzum la or the Kunzum Pass (altitude 4,551 m; 14,931 ft) is the entrance pass to the Spiti Valley from Lahaul. It is 21 km from Chandra Tal.[1] This district is connected to Manali through the Rohtang Pass. To the south, Spiti ends 24 km from Tabo, at the Sumdo where the road enters Kinnaur and joins with National Highway No. 22.
The two valleys are quite different in character. Spiti is more barren and difficult to cross, with an average elevation of the valley floor of 4,270 m (14,009 ft). It is enclosed between lofty ranges, with the Spiti river rushing out of a gorge in the southeast to meet the Sutlej River. It is a typical mountain desert area with an average annual rainfall of only 170 mm (6.7 inches) and It is the third least populous district in India (out of 640). (Source: Wikipedia)
Lahaul Spiti: An Overview
In spite of being a city of the state of Himachal Pradesh, this is a place of snow capped hills. Located on the Himalayan foothills, this is among the popular and frequently visited hill stations of India. The thriving lush green valley of Manali is positioned at an altitude of around 1, 950m from the sea level and is a part of the Beas river valley, which is based towards the northern side of the Kullu valley. Though the area is said to be blessed with picturesque beauty and profuse serenity, the Beas River that meanders through the deep canyons and gorges just adds on to the spectacular beauty of the place. Apart from being frequented by the nature lovers, this region is even visited by many other people throughout the year. The place has got a pleasant weather, which remains more or less cold all through the year. The city of Manali has got everything so as to make one fall in for the nature. Besides spending some quality time on the nature's lap, one can even visit the neighboring areas while on their way to or from Manali. Lahaul Spiti is one such place that is often visited by travelers while visiting the Manali city.
This is one of the districts of the Himachal Pradesh state, which is based towards the northern part of the beautiful Kullu valley. The area of Lahaul is quite fertile and is, thus, covered with lush greenery whereas, Spiti appears to be mostly of the nature of a desert. However, the natural contrast of both of these places gets reflected from its barren mountains and snow-fed glaciers. This is what makes the region more beautiful. The twin valleys of Lahaul and Spiti have got several temples and monasteries. These valleys can be best visited from April to the month of October.
Travel from Manali to Lahaul Spiti
If one plans to reach the Lahaul Spiti district from the city of Manali, then he or she needs to make an entry to the district through the valley of Lahaul. The entire distance of about 1, 15 km between the Manali city and Keylong, which is the district headquarter of the Lahaul valley can be done within an approximate time of 6 hours. Tourists can either avail any of the buses, which are plied regularly from the main bus stand of the city or they can even hire private jeeps or cars or travel on their own car with required road permit. The buses are run on that route by both the public as well as private transport companies. The famous state transport company running such buses in the area is the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Transport or H. P. T. D. C. Transport. Many tourist buses are even available from the Manali bus for a trip to the district of Lahaul Spiti.
Photos for Lahaul Spiti (Himachal Pradesh, India):
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| Lahaul Spiti (Himachal Pradesh, India) - Local People Dancing |
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Driving Direction from Manali to Lahaul Spiti
The route in between the Manali city and the Lahaul valley, mainly, starts from the N. H. - 21 since, the city is located within the proximity of this N. H. or National Highway and ends in the Manali - Leh Highway though. While traveling along this route, one would pass through the following places, names and other basic details of which are provided in the below mentioned table:
| Sl. No. | Name of the Place | Individual Elevation | Distance Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manali | 1, 950 m | 20 km |
| 2 | Gulaba | 2, 500 m | 13 km |
| 3 | Marhi | 3, 400 m | 18 km |
| 4 | Rohtang Pass | 3, 998 m | 15 km |
| 5 | Gramphu | 3, 320 m | 17 km |
| 6 | Chhatru | 3, 300 m | 16 km |
| 7 | Chotadara | 3, 517 m | 16 km |
| 8 | Batal in the Lahaul Valley | 3, 950 m | 11 km |
Car Fares from Manali to Lahaul Spiti
Though the fare of the hired cars or jeeps varies from one transportation company to another, however, the following table shows an approximate rate of the different kinds of cars, which can be hired by a traveler so as to drive from this city of Himachal Pradesh to the valleys of Lahaul Spiti:
| Sl. No. | Name of the Car | Approximate Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes Benz - S class | INR. 1, 60 per km |
| 2 | Mercedes Benz - E class | INR. 65 per km |
| 3 | Honda Accord | INR. 47 per km |
| 4 | Chevrolet Optra | INR. 26 per km |
| 5 | Honda City A/C | INR. 18 per km |
| 6 | Ford Fiesta A/C | INR. 18 per km |
| 7 | Hyundai Accent A/C | INR. 15 per km |
| 8 | Ford Ikon A/C | INR. 15 per km |
| 9 | Chevrolet Tavera A/C | INR. 12 per km |
| 10 | Tata Indica A/C | INR. 9 per km |
P.S: The data provided need to be validated from the respective travel agents as it might have been renewed.