15 Things NOT to do on Your Spiti Valley Trip

A useful list of things NOT to do on a Spiti Valley trip, as learned from 10 days traveling by public transport through this magical Tibetan hamlet of India.

Spiti Valley is one of those once-in-a-lifetime spots for many. Incredibly remote, vastly different from the rest of India, and challenging to reach, a Spiti Valley Trip is a grand adventure that proves distances should be measured in hours rather than kilometers.

Though there’s a lot of information about the practicalities of reaching and enjoying Spiti Valley… what about those things you WISH you knew, but only learn of once you’re there or ready to leave?

Lucky you- you clicked to the right place! Last summer, I spent 10 days in the valley and learned a thing or two. Now without further ado, here are 15 things you definitely should NOT do on your Spiti Valley trip!

 

 

15 Things NOT to do on Your Spiti Valley Trip

 

1. Rush

This is number 1 for a reason y’all and the single MOST important thing not to do in Spiti! I know it’s common to speed through hundreds of kilometers on a three-day weekend but please hear me out. Spiti is unlike ANYWHERE else you’ve ever been.

You might be thinking, “Hey, I’ve taken a trip to Leh Ladakh! I can bust out 800 kilometers in 1 day no problem!” WRONG. The roads in Spiti are nothing like the Manali-Leh highway.

They’re barely paved, jaggedly cut into the side of cliffs, and absolutely cannot be driven on at night as streetlamps basically do not exist.

Even though Google Maps might tell you that you can reach Spiti Valley from Delhi in 18 hours, take that with a grain of salt.

Traffic, perilous conditions, construction, landslides and more will undoubtedly make that well over two days if done straight (which you deff shouldn’t do.)

Spiti is a relatively large valley with tons of villages to enjoy. You don’t want to miss out on what very well may be a place you’ll only visit once!

Regardless of whether you’re driving your own vehicle or taking public transport, I highly recommend that you take at least 7 days for your Spiti valley trip.

We spent 10 days in Spiti, and then explored elsewhere in Himachal. I cannot imagine rushing back to Delhi after all those long rides- it’s really worth waiting for a time when you can properly devote a week or more to your Spiti Valley tour.

2. Ignore AMS

Spiti Valley is HIGH. No seriously- the altitude throughout the valley is not something to take lightly. Most of the villages you’ll visit are well over 10,000 feet (3,500 meters) which is a BIG jump as far as breathing comfortably is concerned.

It’s super important to NOT ignore this risk as you set out on your Spiti Valley trip. Keep your ascent slow, and definitely acquire altitude sickness medication if possible. Diamox (Acetazolamide) is one of the most well-known meds you can get.

Staying hydrated, moving slowly (see #1) and not rushing into any treks are also good ways to keep yourself from getting hit by AMS. If you do start to feel sick while in Spiti, Kaza is the only place with a hospital, and it’s very basic at that.

 

3. Take the Manali route

If you’ve done even a bit of Spiti research, you’ve come to learn that there are two ways into the valley: one through Reckong Peo, and the other through Manali.

Though the distances are similar, something you MUST keep in mind when planning your Spiti Valley itinerary is that the risks of AMS are much greater when traveling on the Manali route.

Heading that way means you’ll ascend through not one but TWO high-altitude passes in a short amount of time, without much acclimation.

This can definitely make symptoms more likely and more severe, which is why it’s much safer to head on into Spiti via Reckong Peo.

That’s not to say you won’t experience ANY shortness of breath or other AMS related issues, but due to the gentler rise in elevation, you’re going to be much better off.

 

4. Stop in Shimla

While I definitely think you should head in through the Reckong Peo route- this does NOT mean you have to stop in Shimla or head to Shimla. Sure it might be called the “Queen of the Hills” but to be honest with you, I think Shimla is one of the worst places in India.

Come summertime, thousands upon thousands of people cram into the streets, all hotels within a 10-mile radius sell out, food is insanely overpriced, buses and bus stations are jam-packed, and overall it feels like being in a massive herd of cattle.

Not a vibe you want to encounter on your way to a place as peaceful as Spiti!

When you’re planning a Spiti road trip, I HIGHLY recommend you either: stop in Chandigarh and then head to Reckong Peo from there, or make your first stop in Rampur, a much quieter, cheaper and friendlier place that still has some of the beautiful hill features that Shimla does!

Rampur has a few different hotels you can spend a night in and a ton of delicious food! I recommend staying at Hotel Satluj View, which offers large, comfy rooms for 1000 rupees or less.

 

5. Forget Sunscreen

Yes Spiti might be chilly, but do not for a second doubt those sun rays! At altitudes of over 10,000 feet, you’re closer to the sun than you may have ever been and it is STRONG.

You’d be hard-pressed to find sunscreen in Spiti, and if you do it’s more likely than not to have whitening cream in it. Definitely bring regular sunscreen along with you- getting burned is easier and more painful than you might think.

 

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6. Not trying local food

North Indian food is delicious, don’t get me wrong, but if you come all the way to Spiti Valley and only stick to your home favorites, why even come?

Local Spitian food is all kinds of delicious: phakse is a pasta-like dish with tomatoes, Thukpa is a tasty noodly soup, and momos, of course, are at their best on their home turf!

Challenge yourself to only eat Spitian food while in Spiti- all the Punjabi cuisine in the world awaits back below the mountains. However, I do make an exception for butter tea, it may keep folks warm, but it can’t quite be compared to traditional masala chai.

 

7. Litter

You shouldn’t litter anywhere- but this reminder couldn’t be more important when in Spiti Valley. Spiti is home to so many rare animals and unique flora and fauna.

Most locals do NOT consume anything in plastic, and therefore Spiti is a heck of a lot cleaner than many other places in India.

We MUST keep it that way.

Refrain from buying things made with plastic such as chips or cookies. If you absolutely have to, be SURE that you throw it out immediately or keep it with you until you find a trash can.

Spiti Valley is far too beautiful and remote for it to become a trash bin. We are all guests to this valley, and the least we can do is respect the locals’ homes and neighborhoods.

8. Take in-your-face photos of locals without asking

The people of Spiti Valley are beautiful and incredibly photogenic, but it’s SO important to remember that these are people first and foremost. We are visiting their peaceful homes, and they should not be treated like zoo animals.

During my Spiti Valley trip, I, unfortunately, saw numerous photographers shove a camera in locals’ faces without so much as a hello or thank you.

Spitians are friendly and many will not mind having their photo taken but asking first is ESSENTIAL! Once you get permission, show them the image and thank them before heading off.

Better yet, try to strike up a conversation BEFORE asking for a photo. Many living here do speak Hindi, so communication is possible if you’re a Hindi speaker.

9. Behave Obnoxiously in Villages

One thing you’ll soon notice once you arrive is how peaceful Spiti is. Locals are quiet and lead calm lives- do NOT interrupt their peace!

This is NOT Parvati Valley– do not blast loud music, do not become overly intoxicated, and when wandering about villages, be sure that you are respectful that you’re very likely walking in someone’s yard.

Imagine if your quiet hometown suddenly became a popular tourist destination and it changed completely?

This is especially apparent in Mud Village where it seems to be completely taken over by tourism despite being the most remote place in Spiti. Put yourself in locals’ shoes and act accordingly.

 

10. Forget to pack appropriate clothes

Even if you travel to Spiti in the depths of summer, be prepared for it to be COLD. Especially at night! In mid-June, Mud Village was only slightly above 0 degrees C. Multiple layers, a thick jacket, gloves, and a good pair of shoes are must-haves when heading to Spiti.

It’s always better to be overprepared than underprepared- if you plan to do any camping throughout the valley, ensure that you have an appropriate sleeping bag and a good tent! Camping in a large tent with other people will also help keep you warm!

You can find the best eight-person tents here, which might sound too big but could even be perfect for four people and four sets of backpacking gear!

 

11. Forget to purchase a BSNL SIM

As far as internet connectivity goes, Spiti ain’t got much. The ONLY SIM that works in the valley is BSNL, and even then- barely. Airtel will cut out about an hour after Reckong Peo, and won’t work again until Manali.

Though BSNL will only give you 2G at best, I definitely recommend having it just in case of an emergency. Whatsapp will work- though expect that most messages will only go through at night.

Kaza is the only place with any hope of Wifi, but once again don’t expect to get much farther than Whatsapp and Facebook.

You can easily purchase a BSNL SIM in Reckong Peo- its headquarters is located diagonally across from the main bus station.

If you’re a foreigner, you’ll need some sort of letter from your hotel proving you’re staying there, along with two passport photos and a copy of your passport.

 

12. Skip Dhankar

Most Spiti Valley itineraries include Tabo, Kaza and the famous Key Monastery. But what about Dhankar? Dhankar is a beautiful village that’s literally built into the rockface.

Though it is a bit away from the main road (5km up a looping drive to be exact) it’s definitely worth your time. And not just a drive up either!

Dhankar was the traditional kingdom of Spiti Valley during the 17^th century, and the village is known for its ancient monastery.

Aside from its epic history, Dhankar is also home to the Dhankar Lake, a beautiful high-altitude lake at over 4000 meters. Though the trek to reach the lake is FAR from easy, it’s short and beyond worth it.

Dhankar sees fewer tourists than some of Spiti’s other hamlets, making it that much better to visit. We spent two days there and only saw a small handful of other travelers.

 

13. Drive at night

The roads throughout Spiti are perilous, to say the least, and you should deff NOT drive on them at night under any average circumstance. Seriously- street lights are non-existent, and pavement is nowhere to be found!

Buses don’t run at night, but if you find yourself in your own vehicle as the sun starts to go down, stop at the nearest village, even if it wasn’t your final destination.

Roads here have no guardrails or rock blockades and are often super close to the river below!

 

14. Visit During Spiti’s High Season

Visiting Spiti during May or June is a MISTAKE. Though the weather might be good, you’ll be sharing the remote ancient sites with droves of domestic tourists, as May and June see the highest amount of tourism all throughout India.

Since Spiti sits in a rain shadow, it’s one of the best places to visit in monsoon meaning July or August are go’s! Heading out on a Spiti Valley trip in September is even better though- fewer people, cheaper prices, and the best part: harvest season!

We traveled to Spiti in mid-June and while it wasn’t Shimla, there were certainly way more people than I anticipated AND many recommended hotels were booked out.

 

15. Stay on the beaten track

And here’s the last thing you should definitely not do on your Spiti Valley trip- stay on the beaten track. Yes, Spiti Valley is a bit of an offbeat destination itself, but a typical tourist trail has already been carved through it.

 

Get off of it! There are numerous offbeat villages in Spiti that are well worth the effort. These include: Langza, Komic, Chicham, Demul, Lallung, Mud Village and as previously mentioned: Dhankar!

I’m not saying to skip Nako, Tabo, Kaza, and Key but mix the popular sites in with some unpopular ones. Yes, I’m a bit biased towards the offbeat places, but that’s only because they do tend to be the best.

 

I hope you learned a bit about what NOT to do as you prepare to embark on an epic Spiti Valley expedition! Got questions? Drop ‘em below in the comments.