| Spiti Valley |
| Population 33,224 (2001) Altitude 3350 - 4500 m Area 13,835 Square km Languages Hindi and Bhoti |
| Literally meaning the middle country, Spiti is a high altitude cold desert dotted with numerous monasteries. Rudyard Kipling in Kim called it a "a world within a world" and a "place where the Gods live". Lying in the rain shadow area of rugged mountain ranges of Zaskar, it gets very little rain and plenty of snow. Alexander Cunningham in his book Ladakh writes about Spiti that rainfall here is scarce and rarely above four inches annually and all of it seems to be falling on the same day. Spiti Valley is in the most northern part of Himachal Pradesh in India, running parallel to the Tibetan border. Spiti Valley has only been opened to tourists only since 1992. The valley is locked between the Zaskar and the Great Himalayan ranges, the tallest ranges of Himachal. Kaza, located at an altitude of 3640 mt, is the administrative center and the transport hub of Spiti sub-division. There are two routes to enter Spiti. From Manali via the Rohtang Pass, crossable from May to November, and from Shimla via the Hindustan - Tibet highway through Kinnaur, theoretically open all year round. Spiti has come to be known as the "fossil park of the world". The three villages Kibber, Kaza and Kye fall on the route favourite among those looking for fossils. Langza is famous for fossils of maritime life. These fossils are found on either side of Kang-yur and Paapen-yu nullahs near the village. Banks and Internet There are no banking facilities in the Spiti valley, but internet is available at kaza and Tabo. Permits The inner line permit is only necessary if you are travelling between Tabo and Rekong Peo, the capital of Kinnaur. Seven–day permits are given to both groups and individuals and can be issued in Shimla, Keylong, Kullu, Chamba, Kaza, Rampur and Nichar. |