Spiti valley in winters
Spiti Valley Tour, Spiti Valley is a cold desert mountain valley high in the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh’s northeastern region. The Spiti means “Middle Land,” referring to the area between Tibet and India. Winters in Spiti are extremely harsh, with temperatures as low as -20o Celsius. The winters here are bitterly cold, and the taps have no running water. Spiti’s winters are defined by never-ending adventure and a white blanket of snow!
Spiti in the winter is a very different place than Spiti in the summer. Huge mountains, deep terrains, barren landforms, and patches of green are all completely engulfed in a blanket of snow, A sea of white stretching as far as the eye can see
It’s a lot of fun when you don’t have much to do in Spiti during the winter and can socialize with the locals, sample exquisite Spitian cuisine, and learn to live a tougher life.
A trip to this area, known for its rugged terrain, becomes much more difficult during the winter. We will visit Kinnaur Valley, the famous Kalpa town, and several well-known Spiti Valley locations such as Kaza, Kee, Kibber, and Langza.
The conditions are not ideal for leading a comfortable life in the valley, with heavy snowfall and a slight temperature drop. The roads get slick, and driving without the assistance of a native is extremely difficult.
Camping under harsh conditions will only teach you a few things about surviving in less travelled terrains. Here are a few things to remember while considering a winter trip to Spiti.
- Trekking\sCamping
- Climbing a frozen waterfall
- Catching a glimpse of a snow leopard
Spiti Valley Tour Highlights of the Journey
- Negative temperatures and a snow-covered landscape
- During your visit, become a member of a local family and learn about life in the cold desert of Spiti valley.
In the winter, getting to Spiti is a great hardship. The journey from Manali is difficult and dangerous. Travelling in such harsh conditions necessitates a great deal of experience, expertise, and knowledge.
- Narkanda, which can be reached via Shimla, is the first stop on your trek to Spiti.
You can also ride to the villages of Spiti- Kibber, Komic, Hikkim, Key, and Langza, provided the weather permits and the roads are clear.
During the winter, everything in the Spiti valley can become quite frozen, even the weather. The shoulder months of October to March see fewer tourists due to frigid temperatures of minus 10 to 30 degrees at night.
Temperatures in Spiti can drop below – 30 degrees in the winter, especially in December and January. Higher locations, such as Nako, would send shivers up your spine. It’s not simply the below-freezing temperatures that make you shiver.
Packing list for a vacation to Spiti in the winter
- NECESSARY MEDICINES/FIRST AID KIT:
Having the necessary medications on hand is a must. Always pack this first so you don’t forget it in a rush.
- WATER BOTTLE:
Bring a water bottle with you.
- SANDALS AND SHOES APPROPRIATE FOR SNOW:
Make sure your shoes are suitable for snow hiking and can endure ice. Pack several warm socks to keep jack frost from stinging your toes.
Getting into the valley will be difficult with all of the snow, slush, and water.
Spiti Valley Tour Common problems faced in Winters
Spiti in winter is all about survival instincts and how well you can deal with nature’s various tests.
While dealing with these basic issues in daily life in the valley, you will have more time to interact with the locals, try local cuisines, and learn more about their traditions. The dreamy landscapes, fudgy white surroundings, and biting cold hair are nice, but see if you can handle these real-time issues!
- There is no electricity.
- Even with power, phones, laptops, and camera batteries will not charge.
- There is also no mobile signal. There are only a few lodging options with basic amenities.
- The toilets do not have running water.
- Due to transportation issues, there are fewer food options.
- There are no other tourists and only a few locals to assist you. There isn’t much to do. It’s an adventure in and of itself to go to Spiti in the winter. If you’re willing to risk sub-zero weather, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.