Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan Valleys of Himachal Pradesh lying on the Indo-Tibet border. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are unsurpassed in the rugged beauty of their rocky snow covered peaks.

Lahaul is marked by a central mass of uniformly high mountains and massive glaciers. The two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga, which rise on either side of the Baralacha La, flow through the narrow Chandra and Bhaga valleys. Lahaul is a land of fascinating Buddhist art and culture. The monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti are rich repositories of ancient murals, thankas, woodcarving and golden images of Padmasambhava. The valley lies at a height of 2745 meters above sea level. Summer in this valley is cool and pleasant with green grass and alpine flowers. There is little monsoon in both these valleys and this enables climbers & trekkers to enjoy a long and unbroken season in perpetual sunshine to explore the wilderness and grandeur of the inner Himalaya. This unique feature makes Lahul-Spiti as an ideal destination for tourists and trekkers in the month of July, August and September. Keylong is 115 kms from Manali and is the District Headquarters of Lahul-Spiti Dist.

Spiti is the sub division of Lahaul & Spiti district with its head quarters at Kaza. It is called "Little Tibet" because it has almost the same terrain, vegetation & climate. Spiti also means "Middle Country". It lies between Tibet, Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahaul & Kulu. There is a motorable road from Shimla via Kinnaur that remains open up to Kaza for 8 to 9 months.

KAZA(3800 m): Situated at an altitude of 3050 meters 224 kms from Manali, 197kms from Keylong and 425kms from Shimla, Kaza is the Sub Divisional Head quarter of Spiti Valley. It is situated at the foot of the steep ridges on the left bank of Spiti river.

KYE MONASTERY: It is situated 12 kms north of Kaza and serves the western population of Spiti. It is the oldest and biggest monastery of the valley and located at (4116 m) above Kye village. It houses beautiful scriptures and paintings of Budha and other goddesses. Lamas practice dance, sing and play on pipes and horns. Many Lamas get religious training here. It has murals and books of high aesthetic value.

KIBBER(4205 m): It is locally known as Khyipur, one of the highest villages in the world at an altitude of 4205 m above sea level in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains. Situated at an altitude of 4270 m at a short distance away from Kaza, the Gette village is considered one of the highest villages in the world

TABO MONASTERY: Dates back to the tenth century and is located 50 kms from kaza. It is a famous and important Gompa next only to the Tholing Gompa in Tibet. It has about 60 Lamas and a large collection of Scriptures, wall paintings etc. Murals of this gompa have a great similarity to that of the Ajanta paintings.

DHANKAR MONASTERY: Is situated about 25 kms east of Kaza and serves eastern part of central Spiti. Dhankar is a big village and erstwhile capital of Spiti Kingdom. On top of a hill there is a fort that use to be the prison in ancient times. The Monastery has about 100 Lamas and is in position of Budhist scriptures in Bhoti language. Principal figure is a Statue of " Vairochana" (Dhayan Budha) consisting of 4 complete figures seated back to back. It has relics in the shape of paintings and sculptures.
CHANDRATAL LAKE: Is situated at an altitude of 4300 metres, 6 k.m from the Kunzum Pass. Surrounded by snow covered peaks and glaciers this lake is the source of the river Chandra.