Home :: Himachal Holidays :: Lahaul Valley

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 2745 metres above sea level. Summer in this valley is cool and pleasant with green grass and alpine flowers.

Gondla
Gondla is a small village located 18 kms from Keylong on the bank of Chandra river. Here in the month of July a fair is held when Lamas dance & enjoy. The Gompa of this village has historical significance and the fair attracts a large number of visitors. The residence of the Thakur of Gondla is an eight storey building of its own kind in the entire Lahaul.

Tandi
once the royal observatory has a charmingly laid out garden and is a five-minute drive from Cheshmashahi. A Buddhist monastery at one time. It is situated on the spur of a mountain overlooking the Dal Lake, the ancient monument, with a well-laid spacious garden in front, is connected to Cheshmashahi by road. It is illuminated at night.

Guru Ghantal Monastry (3020 Mtrs) Top
Oldest Gompa of Lahaul having wooden structure with pyramidal roofs, wood carving and preserving the idols of Padmasambhava & Brajeshwari Devi this monastery is situated 4 Kms above Tandi on the bank of Chandra river. On the full moon night in mid-June a festival called "Ghantal" is celebrated by Lamas & Thakurs together.

Keylong (3340 Mtrs)
Keylong is the district Headquarters of Lahaul Spiti and situated on the to Leh – Rohtang road.It is an oasis of green fields and willow trees, water streams surrounded with brown hills and snow capped peaks. Good facilities are available at Keylong for tourists.

Kardang Monastry
Kardang Monastry is situated about 5kms from Keylong across Bhaga river. It is believed to be built in 12th century. The Monastery has a large library of Kangyur and Tangyur volumes of Budhist scriptures in Bhoti. Kardang village was once the capital of Lahaul.

Shashur Monastry
Situated on a hill about 3 kms from Keylong towards. During June/July month this monastery attracts lot of visitors when Lamas perform devil dance. It was founded in the 17th century AD. It belongs to red hat sect and is located among the blue pines.

Tayul Gompa
About 6 kms. from Keylong ,Tayul Gompa is one of the oldest monasteries of the valley having a big statue of Guru Padmasamhava.Statue is about 5 m high and houses library of Kangyur having 101 volumes. In Tibetan language Ta-Yul means the chosen place.

Gemur
Gemur is 18 kms. from Keylong in Bhaga valley. Here devil dance is held during July in the Local Gompa. The place is situated on Manali-Leh highway.

Darcha (3360 Mtrs) Top
Darcha is 24 kms from Keylong on Leh road .Here a camping ground is available and this place is very famous among trekkers. From Darcha trekkers start their trek to Padem, via Shingola as well as Baralacha/Phirtsela. There is a police check-post for assistance. Beyond this point there are hardly any trees.Yotche and Zanskar Nallahs meet Bhaga river here from
different directions.

Baralacha La
Baralacha La is about 73 kms from Keylong on Manali Leh road. The name means pass with cross roads on summit (roads from Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul join at the top). There is no road yet from Spiti. Only a path exists. This is also the point of origin of Chandra, Bhaga and, Yunam rivers. They flow to three different directions through the Chandra, Bhaga and Lingti valleys.

Sarchu
It is the last border point between states of Himachal and Ladakh.It is situated at a distance of 116 kms. from Keylong.

Trilokinath Temple
Trilokinath means the Shiva .This temple is situated in a village 4 kms short of Udaipur on bank of Chenab river. Devotees from far off places come to pay their respects at this unique temple. This Shiva temple was given a look of Budhist shrine by Guru Padmasambhava by installing the 6 armed image of Avalokiteshvar. It is now sacred both to Hindus and Bhudhists
alike and attracts many pilgrims from both these communities. In August month, a big festival named Pauri is held for three days when people including the sadhus (Sage) and followers of various religious sects gather to receive the blessings of Lord Trilokinath.

Udaipur
This place is situated near the confluence of Chenab and Mayar Nallah and is starting point of Mayar valley and further on to Zanskar and other peaks. This is a green area rather the whole Chenab valley is greener than the Lahaul valley.Some years back the road was only upto this point and from here the trekking expeditions to different areas used to start. Now the road is under construction beyond this place and the bus is goes upto Tindi.