Brought to you by Take a Break – Your Companion to the Unseen Himalayas

1. Key Monastery – A Spiritual and Visual High

Perched at 13,668 ft above sea level, Key Monastery is the largest and most iconic monastery in Spiti. A centuries-old center of learning, it offers a peek into the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is layered like a beehive, with ancient rooms, prayer halls, and monk quarters stacked across the hill.

What to Do:

• Attend a morning prayer session
  
  

• Visit the ancient library and thangka paintings
  
  

• Climb to the rooftop for 360° valley views
  
  

2. Tabo Monastery – The Ajanta of the Himalayas

Founded in 996 AD, Tabo Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate. It’s one of the few monasteries still standing in their original form, adorned with beautiful frescoes and murals similar to the Ajanta caves.

What to Do:

• Explore the 9 temples in the complex
  
  

• Visit meditation caves carved into nearby cliffs
  
  

• Sit quietly to absorb the spiritual energy
  
  

3. Hikkim Post Office – Mail from the Sky

At 14,567 ft, Hikkim houses the world’s highest post office. Operated manually, it lets you send postcards from a surreal, snowy world.

What to Do:

• Write and post a card from the edge of the sky
  
  

• Talk to the friendly postmaster
  
  

• Enjoy panoramic views of snow-dusted peaks
  
  

4. Komic Village – World’s Highest Village with a Road

Sitting at 15,027 ft, Komic is the world’s highest motorable village, home to fewer than 150 residents.

What to Do:

• Visit the 14th-century Tangyud Monastery
  
  

• Eat local food with villagers
  
  

• Stay overnight in a traditional mud house
  
  

5. Chicham Bridge – Walk Over Himalayan Heights

Spanning a deep gorge, the Chicham Bridge connects Kibber to Chicham and is Asia’s highest suspension bridge.

What to Do:

• Walk across the bridge for adrenaline-pumping views
  
  

• Take drone shots or wide-angle photos
  
  

• Talk to locals about the impact of the bridge
  
  

6. Langza Homestays – Live the Himalayan Way

Langza is known for its giant Buddha statue, fossil-rich terrain, and warm homestays.

What to Do:

• Learn to make thukpa or momos
  
  

• Use dry compost toilets and sustainable practices
  
  

• Watch the Milky Way from your window
  
  

7. Fossil Hunting in Langza – A Prehistoric Playground

Langza, once under the Tethys Sea, is a paradise for fossil hunters.

What to Do:

• Take a fossil trek with a local guide
  
  

• Visit the informal Fossil Museum
  
  

• Understand marine history in a high-altitude desert
  
  

8. Stargazing – A Window to the Universe

Spiti’s clear skies offer some of India's best stargazing.

Best Spots:

• Chandratal Lake
  
  

• Dhankar and Langza
  
  

• Hikkim village ridge
  
  

9. Dhankar Monastery – The Cliffhanger Monastery

Balanced precariously on a 1000-ft cliff, Dhankar Monastery was once the seat of the Spitian kings.

What to Do:

• Meditate in ancient caves
  
  

• Hike to Dhankar Lake
  
  

• Visit the new monastery
  
  

10. Chandratal Lake – Camp by the Moon Lake

Chandratal’s hues shift with the light, from turquoise by day to silver by night.

What to Do:

• Camp in eco-tents near the lake
  
  

• Trek around the banks
  
  

• Spot marmots and blue sheep
  
  

11. Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary – Search for the Ghost Cat

Kibber offers your best chance to see the elusive snow leopard.

What to Do:

• Join a snow leopard tracking tour
  
  

• Visit the Himalayan Wildlife Conservatory
  
  

• Stay in eco-friendly lodges
  
  

12. Spiti Circuit Road Trip – An Adventure of a Lifetime

The classic Spiti circuit covers Shimla → Kinnaur → Tabo → Kaza → Manali, blending green valleys and stark deserts.

What to Expect:

• Cross famous passes like Kunzum La
  
  

• Witness Sangla and Kalpa in Kinnaur
  
  

• Enjoy 4x4 comfort tours
  
  

13. Taste Spitian Cuisine – Food for the Soul

Spitian food is hearty and influenced by Tibetan traditions.

Must-Try Dishes:

• Thukpa (noodle soup)
  
  

• Tingmo (steamed bread)
  
  

• Buckwheat pancakes
  
  

• Yak butter tea
  
  

14. Celebrate Local Festivals – The True Cultural Dive

Spitian festivals are colorful, spiritual, and steeped in Buddhist traditions.

Top Festivals:

• Ladarcha (Kaza – August)
  
  

• Chakhar Festival (Tabo – every 3 years)
  
  

• Gustor (at various monasteries)
  
  

15. Women’s Collectives – Shop and Empower

Support local women by buying handmade products.

Where to Buy:

• Ecosphere’s Taste of Spiti Café
  
  

• Women-run collectives in Kaza and Dhankar
  
  

16. Gue Monastery – Meet India’s Only Mummy

Gue village is home to a naturally preserved 500-year-old mummy.

What to Do:

• Visit the Gue Monastery
  
  

• Learn about the mummy’s legend
  
  

• Explore nearby caves and trails
  
  

17. Pin Valley – Where Green Meets Desert

Pin Valley offers a lush contrast to Spiti’s arid landscape.

Best Treks:

• Pin–Parvati Pass (high-altitude)
  
  

• Mudh–Bhabha Pass (mid-level)
  
  

18. Do Nothing in Kaza – The Art of Just Being

Kaza invites travelers to slow down and reflect.

What to Do:

• Visit local bakeries and bookstores
  
  

• Rent bikes for nearby rides
  
  

• Rest and plan your next adventure
  
  

Let Take a Break Craft Your Spiti Journey

We don’t just plan trips — we design experiences. With us, you get:

• Verified local stays and transport
  
  

• Hassle-free permits and logistics
  
  

• Custom itineraries for every traveler
  
  

• Responsible, eco-conscious travel
  
  

Ready to start your Himalayan story? Contact Take a Break today!