Literally meaning “The Middle Land”, Spiti is so called because it is surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides. Located in the Trans-Himalayan region of main range of Himalayas, it also lies between the former empires of Bushair, Kullu, Ladakh and Tibet.
People
Spiti is predominantly a Buddhist region populated with people of Tibetan stock. The valley is one of the least populated regions of the country, with an average population density of 2.3 people per square kilometre. The Gompas (Buddhist Monasteries) in Spiti are a sight to behold just by virtue of their location. Their position in the society is unique and are major guiding forces of people’s daily life. The Ki and Tabo monasteries, which we visit on our ride are among the oldest monasteries in the world.
Terrain
Spiti is a land of contrasts. With negligible annual rainfall but with heavy snowfall, patches of green fields amidst barren landscapes, it is a feast for the hungry eyes of a traveller. Apart from mountains and valleys, Spiti has a unique storehouse of shale and an unmatched geological collection of fossils. Some of the rock faces tell stories about the geological history of the Himalayas. In some valleys, the effects of tectonic thrust, which created Himalayas, can be seen and studied.
Weather
Spiti experiences severe winter from November to May with Arctic like wind conditions and heavy snowfall. The treacherous weather permits visitors to tour only between the months of June to October, when the roads and villages are free of snow and the high passes (Rohtang La and Kunzum La) are open. Rest of the year, Spiti remains cut-off from the mainland by road. During the tour, we can expect temperatures to range between 29 degrees celsius at the highest and a low of 2 degrees celsius in the nights, though it will typically be around 10 degrees celsius. Note that on the high-altitude passes, the temperatures can drop below zero degrees celsius depending on the weather.
Flora and Fauna
The valley is blessed with a good population of Snow Leopard, Ibex, Himalayan Brown Bear, Musk Deer, Himalayan Blue Sheep and more. There are two important protected areas in the region that are home to the Snow Leopard and its prey - the Pin Valley National Park and the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Due to ardent religious beliefs, people of Spiti do not hunt these wild animals. Apart from the exotic wildlife, the Spiti is also known for its amazing wealth of flora and the profusion of wild flowers. There are more than 62 species of medicinal plants found in Spiti.
For more information on Spiti, visit the Wikipedia page.
Ride to Spiti with us on motorcycle tour to Spiti.