Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan Valleys of H.P. lying on the Indo-Tibet border. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are unsurpassed in mountain scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendour of their snow covered peaks. Lahaul is marked by a central mass of uniformly high mountains and massive glaciers. The two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga which rise on either side of the Baralacha La, flow through the narrow Chandra and Bhaga valleys. Lahaul is a land of fascinating Buddhist art and culture. The monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti are rich repositories of ancient murals, thankas, wood carving and golden images of Padmasambhava. The valley lies at a height of 2,745 metres above sea level. Summer in this valley is cool and pleasant with green grass and alpine flowers. There are little monsoon in both these valleys and this enables climbers and trekkers to enjoy a long and unbroken season in perpetual sunshine to explore the wilderness and grandeur of the inner Himalaya. This unique feature makes Lahul-Spiti as an ideal destination for tourists and trekkers in the month of July, August and September. Keylong is 115 Km from Manali and is the District Headquarters of Lahul-Spiti District. its character.

The little town of Keylong is the headquarters of the administrative district of Lahaul & Spiti. It has a marketplace, filling stations and medical facilities. Keylong lies above the river Bhaga and is 6 Km from its confluence with the waters of the Chandra at Tandi. Keylong was also the base of the Moravian missionaries - and the poplar trees still growing there, were planted by them.

This lies high over the confluence of the rivers Chandra and Bhaga and is regarded as the oldest monastery in Lahaul. Two great figures of Trans Himalayan Buddhism were associated with it - Padmasambhava and Rinchensang-po. The monastery enshrines and image of the goddess Vajreshwari Devi (Do-jeLha-mo), a wooden image of the Buddha and a marble head of Avalokitesvara - legend has that this head was seen emerging out of the sandbank where the rivers Chandra and Bhaga meet and without waiting for the rest of the body to appear, someone lopped this off. The faithful also believe that in the Guru Ghantal monastery, and sealed in a dark airless room, is the visage of the demon Tsedak who once ravaged that area till he was captured.

Visible from Keylong the monastery and village of Kardang lie across the Bhaga. With a backdrop of bare mountains, the monastery is believed to date back to the 12th century and is one of the most revered places of the Drug-pa (Red Hat) sect and has large library of the sacred Kangyur and Tangyur texts - and is also the repository of some exquisite thangka paintings, musical instruments and old weapons. For a long time the monastery was in a state of disrepair till it was revitalised by Lama Norbu in 1912. At Kardang, there are dozens of resident monks and nuns - and many more who are there for short periods. Several monks are believed to have undertaken marathon meditations - with the session lasting for the traditional period of three years, three months and three days. The village of Kardang was once the 'capital' of Lahaul.

On the same slope as Keylong, this monastery is surrounded by a rare patch of woodland and was founded in the seventeenth century by Deva Gyatso-and the name 'Shashur` means 'in the blue pines'. The festival of Shashur Tseshe is held every June/July when monks dressed in masks and colourful costumes perform dances. The monastery is known for the images and paintings it houses.

'Tayul' means the "place that is chosen", and so it must be for local legend maintains that the main prayer wheel rotates on its own accord on certain occasions. It has a huge statue of Padmasabhava and its library houses the one hundred and one volumes of the sacred Kangyur text.

This is a small monastery, but is held in great sanctity and is well known for its 'dance-drama' enacted every July.

Attractively sited near the confluence of two side streams of the river Bhagat this is a small village which also has religious significance.

After the Tanglang La, this is the last point in Himachal on the route to Leh.

On the right bank of the river Chandra, this is en route from Manali to Keylong. Gondhla has level stretches of cultivated land and its most distinctive feature is the eight-storeyed timber and stone tower that was the residence of the local 'thakur', chief. The monastery has historical importance and every July, this is the site of a large fair where masked dances commemorate the victory over Tibetan King, Langdarma, an enemy of Buddhism. Opposite Gondhla, a sheer cliff rises over 1500 m and forms a spectacular sight.

This has the confluence of rivers Chandra and Bhaga. A folktale about the place speaks of Chandra, the daughter of the moon and Bhaga, son of the sun. Both fell in love and decided to have a marriage that would last forever and to sanctify this, they decided to circle of all of Lahaul and then meet. After great difficulty, they managed to reach Tandi where they were united.

Located in the Pattan valley by the waters of the Chandrabhaga, this is considered to be the legendary abode of many of Lahaul's deities.

Its shrine is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists and both pay homage to a single image. The Hindus regard 'Trilokinath' as Bhagwan Shiva, while the Buddhists regard the image to be that of Avalokiteshwara, the personification of compassion and infinite light. It is the site of an important fair called 'Pori' held in August.

This means 'the pass with the crossroads on the summit'. And here meet the paths from Zanskar, Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul. It is 8 Km long and is on the Manali-Leh route. This is also the watershed for the Chandra, Bhaga and Yunam rivers.

This pass connects Lahaul with Spiti over the Kunzam range and the majestic Shigri peak is visible from its crest.

6 Km from the Kunzam Pass, this lake is surrounded by snows and acres of scree and its deep blue-waters have a circumference of 2.5 Km. The lake is planned for incorporation in the Ransar Convention of international wetlands.

Lahauli, English, Hindi, Bhoti are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade.

Lahaul remains cut-off from outside the world till mid June due to heavy snowfall and closing of Rohtang Pass. There is little or no rain in monsoons. The climate remains dry and invigorating. The days are hot and nights are extremely cold.

June to October

Cottons and light woollens in summer and heavy woollens in winter.

By road the distance is 115 Km from Manali, 188 Km from Kaza, 373 Km from Leh, 435 Km from Chandigarh and 690 Km from Delhi. Heavy winter snows cut off road connectivity to the region at Rohtang Pass for six months from November to June. Buses, Taxis are available from Manali in season. HPTDC also plies regular coaches to Leh via Keylong during July – September.

The nearest station is at Shimla, around 290 Km from Lahaul.

The Nearest airport is Bhunter, 175 Km from Keylong.