Kyelang:

This lush oasis amidst snow-clad mountains is the headquarters of Lahaul Spiti district. It lies the main road to Leh over Rohtang pass at of altitude of 3340 meters. Lt." Col. C. G. Bruce rightly said that Kyelang is like a “barbaric jewel, roughly cut emerald in a bronze and silver setting”. Kuelang is known for its three gompas – Kardang Gompa (5 Kms.), Shashur Gompa (3 Kms.) and Tayul Gompa (3 kms).

Around Kyelang

Sissu (30 kms):

This abode of God Geypan lies on the Kyelang – Koksar road. There is a big waterfall here.

Kokasar (21 kms):

It is the coldest habitable site in Lahaul.

Jispa (20 kms):

It lies on the banks of river Bhaga and is a famous trout fishing site. There is also a big camping ground.

Gemur (18 kms):

It lies on the Manali-Leh highway is famous for the devil dance held at the monastery in July.

Darcha (24 kms):

It lies on the road to Leh and the trekking routes from Darcha to Padem via Shingo La pass as well as Baralacha / Phirtsela are popular. The scenic beauty is further enhanced by the confluence of Yotche and Zanskar Nallahs with Bhaga River here.

Gondla (18 kms):

This ancient village on the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers is associated with several myths and legends. It is said that Chandra, the daughter of Moon and Bhaga, the son of Sun married here.
The Guru Ghantal Monastery 4 kms. from Tandi is said to be the oldest Gompa of Lahaul. The monastery with pyramidal roof and exquisite carvings has idols of Padmasambhava and Brajeshwari Devi. The ‘Ghantal’ festival is celebrated here on the full moon light in mid-June.

Tandi (8 kms):

The beautiful village at an altitude of 3662 meters about 107 kms. from Recong Peo is built around a lake formed by masses of ice and snow. The Lagang temple here has several idols.

Baralacha La (73 kms):

The originating point of Chandra, Bhaga and Yunam rivers.

Shansha (27 kms):

It lies on the banks of river Chandra-Bhaga (Chenab) and is the birth place of Lard Geypen. The remarkable interiors of the shrine are worth seeing.

Around Udaipur

Triloknah Temple (4 kms.): This famous shrine of Shiva as Triloknath, the Lord of the three worlds lies in a village on the banks of Chenab River. The unique shrine also has a six armed image of Avalokiteshvara – a bodhisattava, installed by Guru Padmasambhava and is sacred to Hindus as well as Buddhists. A large number of devotees visit the shrine during the three day celebrations of Pauri festival in August.

Kaza:

Kaza, the headquarters of Spiti valley nestles at a height of 3,800 metres on the left bank of Spiti river about 197 kms. from Kyelang.

Around Kaza

Kye (Ki) Monastery (12 kms):

Kye is the oldest and biggest monastery of the Spiti valley. The ancient monastery set in picture postcard settings houses rare ‘thangka’ paintings, ancient musical instruments, manuscripts of the sacred Tangyur texts and other scriptures of high aesthetic value.

Kibber:

8 kms. from Kye village is perched at a height of 4205 metres and perched at a highest settlement in the world with a motor able road and electricity

Dhankar Monastery (25 kms.):

Dhankar was the capital of Spiti Kingdom. The fortified monastery overlooking the valley is a fine example of Spiti’s traditional of “Vairochana” (Dhayan Budha) and has Buddhist scriptures in Bhoti language.

The Yug Gompa (13 kms):

It is another important monastery around Kaza.

Kunzum Pass:

Gateway to Spiti from Kullu and Lahaul. There is a Durga temple atop the pass.

Tabo Monastery:

This famous gompa about 50 kms. from Kaza was founded in 996 A. D. and is regarded as the ‘Ajanta of Himalayas’, due to its exquisite wall paintings and stucco statues. It is the second most important gompa after the Tholing Gompa in Tibet and is a national historic treasure of India, protected as such by the Archaeological Survey of India. This large monastic complex has nine temples, 23 ‘chorten’, a monks chamber and a nuns chamber besides several caves and contemporary structures. It houses a large collocation of scriptures, wall paintings and murals.

HOW TO REACH

By Air: The nearest airport for Keylong is at Bhuntar (Kullu).

By Rail: Railheads for Keylong are at Shimla or Chandigarh.

By Road: Keylong is well connected by buses form Manali. National highway 21 connects Lahaul valley via Rohtang pass enroute to Leh. The traffic is normally open from June-November.