Anyone wishing to see the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas or discover the most beautiful parts of Lahaul-Spiti district should visit Lahaul Valley. Lahaul Valley is the new winter wonder that has become a much-visited tourist place after the opening of the Atal Tunnel. This Himalayan Wonderland offers plenty of options to visit at this location. Especially when you are short on time but wish to spend some time at a spot similar to Spiti or Ladakh – look no further than Lahaul.
About Lahaul Valley
Image Credit: Timothy A. Gonsalves. for wikimedia commons
Lahaul Valley is part of Lahaul-Spiti, the largest district in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh. Its eastern boundary is shared by the Kinnaur Valley to the southeast, the Kullu Valley to the south, the Zaskar range, and Tibet, which is referred to as the world’s roof due to its elevation as the highest plateau. Lahaul has a rich history dates to the 10th century when it was included in the Ladakh Kingdom along with Spiti and Zanskar.
The Lahaul Valley begins at the other end of the Atal Tunnel, which serves as a bridge connecting Manali and Lahaul and is only 33 kilometres from Manali along the Manali-Leh route. Previously, one had to cross Rohtang Pass to reach Lahaul. But this pass is famous for its tourist attractions, which means there is a lot of traffic. In terms of area, Lahaul-Spiti is the largest district in Himachal Pradesh. Situated approximately 72 kilometres away from Manali, Keylong is the home base of Lahaul.
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Places To Visit In Lahaul Valley
For most people, Lahaul is a relatively new tourist destination that gained popularity following the opening of the Atal tunnel. There are several tourist attractions there, and some of the most well-known ones are:
1. Sissu Waterfall
Image Credit: Saad Faruque. for wikimedia commons
Sissu Falls is the centre of visitors’ interest, bringing them in with pleasure. It is very attractive due to the amazing views of nature. The waterfall is in Khwaling, or Sissu, a town 40 miles from Manali and around 10 km from the Atal tunnel. This place offers peace, and travellers can feel a relaxing effect on the soul. Travellers can see the Sissu Lake and the Sissu Snow Point as they get closer to the Sissu waterfall.
Timings: Open all day
Must see: Sissu Lake, Sissu Snow Point, Beautiful views of the waterfall
Entry Fee: Free
2. Keylong
Image Credit: Saad Faruque. for wikimedia commons
Since Keylong is the centre of operations for the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys, it is the most visited location in the Lahaul Valley. There is a market in Keylong where visitors can purchase traditional Himachali goods, handicrafts, and gifts made locally. Among the most significant Buddhist monasteries in the Lahaul Valley, Kardang Monastery is a popular tourist destination in Keylong. The monastery offers fantastic views of the surroundings from its location on a mountain above the town.
Timings: Open all day
Must see: Kardang Monastery, Local market for traditional Himachali handicrafts, Amazing views of Lahaul Valley
Entry Fee: Free
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3. Suraj Tal
Image Credit: Timothy Gonsalves for Wikimedia Commons
At the summit of Baralacha Pass lies this little mountain lake. If you enjoy trekking, a trail connects Suraj Tal with the well-known Chandratal. Since this path might not be adequately defined, it would be wise to hire a guide. You will likely discover Suraj Tal frozen solid or partially frozen if you are going in the early months of the season, such as June or early July.
Timings: Open all day
Must see: The beautiful Suraj Tal Lake, Snow-covered mountains surrounding the lake, Adventure activities like trekking and biking
Entry Fee: Free
Food Options In Lahaul Valley
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There are limited options for luxurious accommodations or fine dining in Lahaul. Travellers can try the local cuisine, which includes Daal Rice, Roti Sabzi, Momos, and Thukpa.
Most of the food served here is produced, organic, and quite delicious. Travellers can try these veggies as they will not find them in cities. If someone is looking to try something fancy, Keylong has a couple of decent restaurants.
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How To Reach Lahaul Valley
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There are several ways by which one can visit Lahaul Valley that are briefly mentioned below:
By Air: Lahaul Valley is well connected by road, but the Kullu Manali Airport or Bhuntar Airport is the nearest major airport. From here, you can move further on the roads to Lahaul Valley.
By Train: Chandigarh is the closest big railway station to Lahaul Valley. However, you can take a toy train to Shimla, which is nearly 169 km away, and then travel by road.
By Road: When travelling on the roads to reach Lahaul, you can take a tour through the newly built Atal Tunnel Rohtang. This pass is available throughout the year. Atal Tunnel Rohtang takes you to Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul, which is approximately 330 kilometres from Shimla and Manali.
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Lahaul Valley is a beautiful place with breathtaking views of the Himalayas and many activities. Moreover, there are numerous other lovely places to see before going towards Spiti or Leh on the tours. Since the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, has opened, Lahaul Valley has become the most visited tourist attraction in Himachal Pradesh because of its convenient location. The increasing daily count of visitors to Lahaul Valley is not surprising. The most attractive features of Lahaul Valley are its peaceful and visually stunning natural surroundings and a variety of tourist attractions. So, without any more delay, pack your belongings and set out on the adventure by making a trip to Spiti.
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Cover Image Credit: Timothy A. Gonsalves for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Lahaul Valley
Why is Lahaul Valley famous?
Lahaul Valley is one of the biggest Buddhist holy places where many monasteries contain old paintings, thangkas, wood carvings and massive statues of Guru Padmasambhava, the apostle of Buddhism in Lahaul, Spiti and Tibet. It also holds a lot of culture, natural sceneries and beautiful weather most of the time.
How can one travel to the Lahaul Valley?
Three modes are available to reach Lahaul Valley and those include air, rail and road. By Air: The nearest airport to the location is Bhuntar Airport, which is located in Kullu Valley and is about 245 Km away. The nearest international airport to Lahaul is Chandigarh, 495 km away. By Train: The nearest railway stations for travelling to Lahaul are Joginder Nagar Railway Station and Shimla Railway Station, which are approximately 360 KM and 416 KM away, respectively. Kalka railway station is 45 km away and has good rail connectivity all over the country. By Road: There are three roads to Lahaul: from Ladakh, via Keylong Pass over the Rohtang Pass from Manali and the Kunzum La from Sumdo via Spiti.
Is there any Phone Network or Data Connectivity operating in Lahaul Valley?
At present, there are no other networks that exist in Lahaul apart from BSNL and Airtel networks out of all the networks of India. BSNL operates nearly everywhere except Udaipur and Trilokinath Area. While Airtel is active only in Keylong, Udaipur, and Trilokinath areas.
Which are the famous tourists spots in Lahaul Valley?
The main tourist places in Lahaul Valley include Rohtang Pass, Koksar Village, Tandi Village, Keylong, Chandra Tal, Suraj Tal, and Trilokinath. These places in Lahaul Valley are exotic with green vegetation and genital snow-capped majestic Himalayas.
When is a good time to visit Lahaul Valley?
Lahaul Valley looks beautiful all through the year. However, summer is perhaps one of the best times to visit. In this season, the climate is favourable and cannot be considered extremely hot or cold for the performance of the actions. For trekkers and campers, the opportunities are found around the Lahaul valley for people from across the globe. Cultural activities are also held severally during this season.
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With a passion for exploring and travelling to the roads long forgotten, experience the world through enthralling stories and adventures. Join me as I share my experiences at some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and quench that pestering curiosity with something exciting!
