Kaza is no less than a heaven for nature lovers. Located around 3800 meters in the Himalayas, Kaza is a town away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Owing to this very reason, Kaza can surely be your perfect “hideout” place for vacations.
The feeling of calm and tranquility that you can experience in Kaza is unparalleled. On top of that, there are also a variety of places that you can explore on your visit to Kaza. Before you plan your Kaza trip, you need to know that the town is divided into two sections, old and new Kaza. New Kaza is primarily home to government offices, while older Kaza welcomes you with the grandeur of the King’s Palace, the main market, restaurants, and beautiful accommodation options.
Are you excited about your trip to Kaza? And want to list out places to visit in Kaza? Our guide On Kaza Trip will raise your excitement by uncovering the beauty of Kaza. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
How to reach Kaza?
Reaching Kaza depends on the way of transportation you choose. Here, you can get details about how to reach Kaza by air, bus, taxi, and bike:
By air:
The nearest airport to Kaza is Kullu-Manali Airport, Bhuntar, located 250 km away. Shimla Airport is another closest airport to Manali, located 445 KM from Kaza. Once you reach any of these airports, you can hire a cab or taxi to reach Kaza.
By Train:
There is no direct rail connectivity here in Kaza. The nearest railway station is Jogindernagar, which is around 375 km away. You can take a train from Delhi to Joginder Nagar, which is a journey of 9-10 hours. Take a taxi ride or a regular bus to Kaza for the onward journey.
By Road:
If you want to reach Kaza by bus, several regular bus services are operated by HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation). You can catch a bus from Manali or Shimla to Kaza early in the morning. The bus will drop you at the Kaza bus station by late afternoon or evening, depending on the road conditions.
Top Tourist Attraction In Kaza:
Nature has blessed Kaza quite bountifully. Numerous places in Kaza can satisfy your wanderlust. Let’s get to know about them in detail.
1. Key Monastery
Key Monastery, aka Kye Monastery, acquires a prime spot in the list of places you shouldn’t miss on your Himachal trip. Perched at 4166 meters, it is the largest Monastery in India’s Lahaul and Spiti districts. Dating back to 1100 CE, Key Monastery was built over a millennium ago. The ambiance around Key Monastery provides a sense of tranquility to the visitors. The surroundings around it consist of snowy Himalayan peaks and glaciers. Key Monastery is home to over 300 Lamas, regarded as spiritual leaders in Tibetan Buddhism. Thus, visiting the place lets you witness their daily lives and routines.
2. Kunzum Pass
If you are a freak for the ‘adrenaline rush,” then Kunzum Pass is one of the places to visit in Kaza. It connects Lahaul and Spiti and has an altitude of 4,551 meters. The Kaza Tourist place offers you a mesmerizing view of snow-clad peaks and valleys. Especially if you are a trekker, travel photographer, or biker, Kunzum Pass will provide you with the thrilling experience you have always craved and picture-perfect sights. You can also find the Kunzum Devi temple over here. Travelers visit this temple to seek the blessings of Kunzum Devi. The Kaza tourist place is also the starting point of the trek to Chandratal Lake.
3. Chandratal Lake
The mesmerizing beauty of Chandratal Lake is indeed unparalleled. And if you are in Spiti Valley, you cannot afford to miss seeing this crescent-shaped lake. Towering mountains and meadows, which are rich with beautiful wildflowers, encircle the Lake. Those add to the beauty of this place, which is why it’s often referred to as a trekker’s paradise. Chandratal Lake is at a towering altitude of 4200 meters. And owing to this reason, visiting the place provides travelers with a magnificent view of Spiti Valley.
4. Kibber Village
Nestled at 4270 meters, Kibber is a little village in the Spiti Valley. It is also the highest motorable village in the world. And that indeed adds to its popularity. There, you can easily spot Tibetan-style houses built using bricks and stones. Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and Kibber Monastery are some other prime attractions for visitors in Kibber village.
Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary can serve your best interests if you have a penchant for wildlife. There, you can see some rare species of animals such as the Ibex, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, blue sheep, and a few more. On the other hand, visiting Kibber Monastery will give you a detailed overview of Tibetan Buddhist paintings, scriptures, and rare artifacts. Located at such a high altitude, Kibber also tends to have conditions that can give you an enchanting night sky observing experience.
5. Dhankar Monastery
Dhankar Monastery is nestled at a sky-scraping height of 12,774 Ft. Since it is built 1000 Ft. above the ground on a cliff edge, you can quickly get a 360-degree view of the entire Spiti valley. Dhankar Monastery is also called Dankhar, Drangkhar, and Dhangkar Gompa. This Monastery has secured its place in the world’s 100 most endangered monuments.
6. Dhankar Lake
Dhankar Lake is just 5 kilometers away from Dhankar Monastery. The sparkling blue water of this magnificent lake makes it one of the most visited places in the Spiti Valley. If you have a knack for travel photography and adventure, visiting Dhankar Lake will surely give you the best bang for your buck. If you visit the lake in winter, expect it frozen solid, thawing only in summer.
7. Komic Village
Komic Village is located in Spiti at a towering height of 4587 meters above sea level. The word “komic” means “eye of a snow cock”. The residents of this village follow Buddhism. The Kaza sightseeing will give you an unparalleled feeling of calm and serenity. You’ll love how the local people cherish their traditions and celebrate festivals with full joy and vibrant enthusiasm here. The Village is quite blessed with natural beauty. Visiting this place will make you feel like you are in nature’s comforting lap.
8. Pin Valley National Park
Pin Valley National Park is renowned for being India’s highest Cold Valley national park. It serves the purpose of preserving the flora and fauna of Himachal Pradesh. Visiting the Pin Valley National Park lets you learn about numerous wildlife species such as snow leopards, Ibex, etc. You can have the experience of seeing them in their natural habitat.
A few Buddhist monasteries surround Pin Valley National Park, giving the place a spiritual ambiance.
9. Tabo
Tabo is located on the banks of the Spiti River. Tabo is called the ‘Ajanta of the Himalayas,’ a small Spiti Valley village. If you want to learn more about Buddhist culture, visiting Tabo will serve your best interests. It is perched at 10,760 feet and surrounded by Pir Panjal mountains. Tabo can also provide you with an experience of off-beat adventure. This cold desert town exudes tranquility along with quenching your thirst for exploration.
10. Sakya Tangyud Monastery
Located on the outskirts of Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Sakya Tangyud Monastery is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Kaza. Nestled at a height of 4520 meters above sea level, this Monastery is known to be one of the highest gompas in India.
The castle-like construction of Sakya Tangyud Monastery gives it a magnificent look. It is one of the two monasteries in the Spiti Valley, which belongs to the Sakya sect.
FAQs-
Which telecom network functions well in Kaza?
In most of the locations in Kaza, MTNL and BSNL networks work the best. Using prepaid SIM cards can also serve you well.
What is the best time to visit Kaza?
Kaza experiences the best weather in the months of May to August and October. The temperature ranges from 10°C-25°C during those months.
Can the milky way galaxy be seen from Kaza?
Kaza is one of the most popular places for stargazers. Especially if you have a good telescope, seeing the Milky Way Galaxy from Kaza won’t be a big deal. A good pair of binoculars can also serve that purpose.
What are the best places to stay in Kaza?
Some of the well-known hotels in Kaza include Hotel Spiti Heritage, Spiti Village Resort, Tethys Himalayan DEN – Chicham, Blue Mountain Hotel & Cafe, and Grease Moto Club Kaza.
Which is the most scenic route to drive from Delhi to Kaza?
The Manali route via Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass is considered the most scenic but also involves crossing high altitudes.
What is the typical Manali to Kaza taxi fare for a private cab?
The Manali to Kaza taxi fare for a private cab/taxi may range around Rs.8,000 – Rs.15,000 one way. Prices may vary depending on the type of vehicle you choose.
Which are the snowfall months in Kaza?
Kaza snowfall months are October, November, December, January, and February.