“Lahaul Valley” a region of pristine beauty, has become the prominent tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh. It is an outstanding place for anyone interested in natural beauty. A number of people visit Lahaul to see its Monasteries, temples and other nature sites- but it’s also popular among hikers and those interested in its culture.
Lahaul used to be isolated from the rest of the world due to heavy snowfall in Rohtang Pass. But, after the construction of Atal tunnel, the valley is easily accessible and has become the hot spot for tourist.
The valley is incredibly scenic. It’s also widely considered to be one of the most beautiful places in India. The main attraction is the river Chanderabhaga, which flows through the valley’s lush green landscape. Other notable sights include the Trilokinath temple and Gondhla fort. The former is an ancient temple built on top of a hill, while the latter is an ancient fort built by a local chieftain. Besides these attractions, many people visit Lahaul to see the waterfall and glaciers.
The main reason so many people visit Lahaul Valley is to see its natural attractions. Hiking remains one of Lahaul Valley’s major attractions; however, it’s also one of its most challenging activities. It requires fitness and patience to explore some of the remote areas of the valley. Some popular hiking routes include Baralacha Pass trek, Chandertal Trek, Ghepan Lake trek and Yumnam peak trek. Chandertal Lake is a part of Chandertal Wild Life Sanctuary, which was declared a sanctuary in 2007 and the total area is 38.56 square kilometers and protected area is 61.50 square Kilometers with eco sensitive zone.
Lahaul is further divided into small valleys such as Pattan Valley, Chandra Valley, Todh Valley and Mayad valley. Every turn on the route will surprise you with surreal and spectacular scenic views
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Let's quickly explore what this entails!
Tourist attractions in Lahaul Valley
The Lahaul Valley, nestled in the majestic Himalayan ranges and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, is one of the most picturesque and revered tourist destinations in India.
Located in the northern part of Himachal Pradesh, the valley is known for its unique culture and spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, lush green valleys, serene rivers, and glacial lakes. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in the area include Triloknath Temple, Chandra Tal Lake, Bhaga Valley, Jispa, and the Rohtang Pass.
The Triloknath Temple is a beautiful Shiva temple located at trilokinath and is known for its stunning architectural design and captivating views of the surrounding mountains. Chandra Tal Lake is a mesmerizing glacial lake situated at an elevation of 14100 feet and is a popular destination for trekkers and photographers. Bhaga Valley and pattan valley are both breathtakingly beautiful valleys with a stark contrast between the snow-covered peaks and the lush flora. Lastly, Jispa and Rohtang Pass offer breathtaking views of snow-covered peaks and magnificent valleys making them two must-visit destinations for any traveler visiting the Lahaul Valley.
Top must visit Places are:
Sissu: Lake and Sissu waterfall
Gondhla Fort
Tandi Sangam
Shinkula Pass
Baralacha Pass
Suraj tal
Chandra tal
Deepak Tal
Myad valley
Sarchu
Monasteries and temples of Lahaul Valley
Mrikula mata Temple, Udaipur: Mrikula Mata Temple is a famous temple located in Udaipur, Himachal Pradesh.
It is considered to be one of the oldest temples in the region and is believed to have been built during the Mahabharata era. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Mrikula, the consort of Lord Shiva.
The temple stands atop a hill, with a beautiful view of the valley below. The temple is beautifully adorned with scenes from Hindu mythology and has a number of intricately carved sculptures and images. The main shrine of the temple houses an image of Mrikula riding her lion and flanked by two other deities. The entrance to the temple is guarded by two large stone pillars with carvings of elephants at their base. Pilgrims flock to this temple to seek blessings from Mrikula and the other gods and goddesses who are said to reside here.
Trilokinath temple: The Trilokinath Temple, located in Triloknath, Lahaul Himachal Pradesh, is a revered holy shrine of the Hindus. Built in the 8th century, this temple is considered to be one of the ancient temples of India.
The temple is dedicated to Shiva and features a unique combination of Hindu and Buddhist architecture. The walls of the temple are adorned with images of gods and goddesses from both religions, making it a unique spiritual destination. The main sanctum sanctorum of the temple has been carved out of a single rock, making it a unique sight to behold.
Apart from being a holy site, the temple also offers breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys surrounding it. Each year, thousands of pilgrims flock to this temple to seek blessings from Lord Shiva and offer their prayers.
Ghepan Temple: The Ghepan temple at Sissu, Lahaul, is a beautiful example of ancient cultural and religious traditions in the Himalayas.
The temple is dedicated to the deity Lord Ghepan and was built in the 17th century. The temple is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and followers of Lord Ghepan. The temple architecture is very unique and beautiful, with intricate carvings and paintings depicting religious stories. The walls of the temple are adorned with various murals and a series of stone steps lead up to the main shrine.
Visitors to the temple can enjoy a spectacular view of snow-clad peaks in the background. The Ghepan Temple at Sissu, Lahaul, is a must visit place for those interested in exploring ancient cultural and religious traditions.
Shashur Gompa: Shashur Gompa is a Buddhist monastery located in the Keylong region of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
Built in 16th century by Lama Druptop, it has been an important centre for Mahayana Buddhism in the region. The complex stands on a knoll overlooking the Bhaga River and is nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by rolling hills and snow-clad peaks.
The monastery offers a tranquil atmosphere and captivating views of the majestic Himalayan range. Inside the complex, a large prayer hall is adorned with exquisite wall paintings depicting various Buddhist deities and symbols. The monastery also houses a sacred scripture library with rare manuscripts, as well as several historic artifacts such as ancient weapons and artifacts belonging to local rulers. The annual Shashur Gompa Festival attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over India who come here to observe prayers, take part in religious rituals and enjoy traditional dance performances and music. Keylong
Guru Ghantaal Sissu
Tayul Gompa, Stingri
Gemur Gompa
Khardang Gompa
How to reach Lahaul Valley?
Reaching Lahaul Valley is a thrilling experience due to its remarkable natural beauty. One can reach Lahaul Valley from two different routes- the first and easiest one is from Manali, which is a mere 33 Km drive. The Atal Tunnel serves as the gateway between Manali and Lahaul and provides breathtaking views of the valley.
The second route to reach Lahaul Valley is from Kinnaur and it is considered to be more difficult than the first one, owing to the fact that one has to cross the Kunzum Pass. The pass is situated at an altitude of 4590 m and offers picturesque views of the valleys, mountains, and glaciers that surround it. Despite the difficulty level involved in reaching the valley, it is definitely worth it as it provides a glimpse of some of Mother Nature’s best creations and a sense of satisfaction after having achieved something challenging.
By Air
Bhunter airport is the nearest airport and is 51 km from Manali. One board a bus or hire a taxi from here to Lahaul.
By Train
Jogindernagar is the nearest railway station from Manali and takes approx. 04 – 05 hrs to reach. One can board a bus or hire a taxi from here to reach Lahaul Valley.
By Road
You can reach Manali from Delhi/ Chandigarh by Volvo or hire a cab. From Manali you can hire a taxi or board a bus to Lahaul Valley.
Where you can stay in Lahaul?
Jispa, Sissu, Udaipur and Keylong are the recommendable places for night stay.
Hotels in Lahaul.
There are many hotels, guesthouses, homestays and camp sites in Lahaul Valley. These days, villages such Sissu, Keylong, Trilokinath and Jispa are providing food and lodging to those visiting Lahaul Valley. Few of them are mentioned below:
- Sissu
- Jispa
- Keylong
Best time to visit “Lahaul”.
The road to Lahaul remains open throughout the year, however travelling to Lahaul is not advisable in winters, because the road condition due snow could be tough and challenging.
Throughout, we have discussed how amazing Lahaul Valley is as a tourist destination. Unfortunately, We didn’t mention how cold it can get or how difficult hiking can be in the winter months.
Summer is the ideal time to visit Lahaul comparatively to winter season.
Hence, you should avoid traveling to Lahaul in Winters. In case you want to travel in winter, we suggest you to check weather report before traveling.