Lahaul and Spiti District is a vast area of high mountains and low valleys lying on the Indo-Tibet border. It covers an area of 12,210 sq km and the altitude varies from 6,500 m to 2,740 m above sea level.
Lahaul and
Spiti valleys are filled with mountain scape, rocky escapements and snow covered peaks. The people of this land are the followers of either
Hinduism or
Buddhism. The climate is cold and dry. Lahaul is a central mass surrounded by a series of high mountains of which the main Himalayas lie to the north and the mid Himalayas to the south with joining ranges on the east and the west. It has massive glaciers, passes, lakes and gushing rivers and is known as a land of Buddhist art and culture. The Spiti valley is connected to Lahaul through the 4,500 m Kunzam pass. Spiti is a cold desert and is described as a world within a world and palace where the gods live. The capital of the Spiti sub-district is
Kaza.
The popular tourist destinations are Baralacha Pass, Kunzum Pass, Pin Parvati Pass,
Tashigang Gompa,
Pin Valley,
Chandra Tal Lake and Trilokinath temple. Suraj Tal is a beautiful lake at the top of the main Himalayan massif in the catchment area of the
Bhaga River. This land offers many adventurous activities such as trekking, mountaineering, camping and water rafting. The Chham dance is one of the significant dance forms of the Buddhists. The major festivals are Halda and Losar.
