Take a spiritual trip to Spiti Valley and disconnect from the world while reconnecting with your inner self. This serene destination reflects Tibetan Buddhism’s rich cultural legacy through its ancient monasteries and temples, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Spiti Valley is frequently called “Little Tibet” because of its proximity to Tibet and the significant impact of Tibetan Buddhism in the area. Spiti Valley is perfect for those seeking a spiritual journey, absorbed in Tibetan Buddhist vibes with a view of wonderful natural landscapes including the great Zanskar and Himalayan range, beautiful Sutlej and Spiti Rivers, and breathtaking Spiti and Pin Valley with numerous other rivers. 

As soon as you step into Spiti Valley you will sense a sacred atmosphere surrounding you, giving the utmost peace and calmness for people travelling to different parts of the world Spiti Valley is among the best spiritual places in India and must-visit tourist destinations filled charming beauty, spiritual centres, trekking and adventure, famous monasteries, high-altitude villages, Tibetan Buddhist cultural festivals for different seasons that will give an insight into Spiti Valley’s spiritual heritage and its tradition. 

Spiti Valley Tour Package is the thing you’re looking for to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and a great way to enjoy the beauty and calm of the valley while connecting with its authentic spiritual vibe. Your trip to Spiti Valley will be incomplete if you don’t visit one of the best spiritual sites in Himachal Pradesh with us and pay a visit there with your loved ones to seek blessings and good fortune. 

Here is a list of the best temples and monasteries in Spiti Valley gathered by Offbeat Vacation. Let’s uncover the spiritual significance of the top spiritual sites in Spiti and have a virtual glimpse of Spiti Valley’s best spiritual tourist destinations.

1) Key Monastery (Key Gompa)

Key Monastery, also known as Key Gompa, is the most famous and the largest monastery in the Spiti Valley, 14 kilometres from Kaza, the gateway to Spiti and the main town in Spiti Valley.

Key Monastery is situated at an altitude of 4,166 meters (13,668 feet) above sea level, and is among the oldest monasteries in India, built in the 13th century, The monastery offers a magical view of the famous Spiti River. 

The Key Monastery in Spiti Valley reflects Tibetan Buddhism in its architecture, spiritual practices, wall paintings, statues, and ancient manuscripts, creating a spiritual ambience around the place.

The Key Monastery is also home to various Buddhist monks known as Lamas who learn Buddhist scriptures, perform meditation and engage in religious practices, playing a significant role in preserving the Tibetan Buddhist culture in Spiti Valley.

Festivals in Key Monastery: Annual Festival, the Chham Dance Festival.

Best time to visit Key Monastery: May to September

Nearby attractions of Key Monastery: Tabo Monastery, Kibber Village and Chicham Bridge

2) Tabo Monastery

Tabo Monastery is located in the district of Lahaul and Spiti, standing at a height of 3,280 meters (10,760 feet) above sea level. Tabo Monastery is famously known as the Ajanta of the Himalayas, the wall paintings and murals striking a great resemblance to those of the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra.

Tabo Monastery is also one of the oldest and archaeologically important monasteries in India, consisting of nine temples and 23 stupas. The Tabo Monastery is famous for its cultural heritage and spirituality, showcasing an architectural masterpiece of Tibetan and Buddhist influences.

The Tabo Monastery, also popularly known as the Golden Temple in Spiti, has also been the centre of Buddhist teaching and traditions for over 1,000 years. This place holds a significant spiritual role among the locals and also the tourists from all over the world, finding peace and a divine connection. Explore this famous tourist attraction in Spiti Valley with your dear ones. 

Festivals in Tabo Monastery: Tabo Chhewar (Tabo Monastery Festival), Losar (Tibetan New Year), Saka Dawa, Guru Rinpoche Day (Padmasambhava Jayanti), Buddha’s Birthday (Buddha Jayanti)

Best time to visit Tabo Monastery: May to October

Nearby attractions of Tabo Monastery: Dhankar Monastery, Pin Valley National Park, Kaza, Langza Village, Chicham Bridge, Hikkim Village, Kibber Village

3) Dhankar Monastery

Dhankar Monastery is also known as Dhankar Gompa, located 30 kilometres from Kaza, a major town in Spiti Valley situated at an altitude of 3,894 metres (12,774 feet) above sea level.

On your way to the Dhankar Monastery, tourists get to witness the confluence of the two famous rivers, the Spiti and the Pin River. To add an adventurous yet beautiful touch to your visit to Spiti Valley, you can engage in a trek to Dhankar Lake, a famous tourist attraction in Spiti Valley, which will take around 1-2 hours, depending on your fitness level. 

The Dhankar Monastery is built on a hilltop and is a famous place of worship in the Spiti Valley, preserving the Buddhist and Tibetan culture reflected in its scriptures, statues, stupas and religious practices.

Experience the peaceful environment and explore the Dhankar Monastery, an ideal place that creates a divine connection. Also, capture the mesmerising natural beauty of the surroundings. 

Festivals in Dhankar Monastery: Losar (Tibetan New Year), Monlam (Great Prayer Festival), Chhewar Ceremony (Tibetan Rite of Passage), Buddha Jayanti (Buddha’s Birthday), Saka Dawa, Tibetan Buddhist Dance and Masked Performances

Best time to visit Dhankar Monastery: May to October

Nearby attractions of Dhankar Monastery: Dhankar Lake, Kaza, Key Monastery, Pin Valley National Park, Spiti River, Chicham Bridge, Kibber Village, Langza Village

4) Triloknath Temple

One of the famous temples in the Spiti and Lahaul districts of Himachal Pradesh, India, is situated at a height of about 2,760 meters. It is believed that Lord Shiva revealed his three forms to Goddess Parvati at this very place.

Since then, it has become famous as the Triloknath Temple among the Hindus. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and holds a significant role for both Hindu and Buddhist devotees. 

The Triloknath Temple is important to Buddhist followers as well because it is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, who is greatly respected in Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhists believe that Avalokiteshvara represents the kindness of all Buddhas and is a protector of all living beings.

The Triloknath Temple also stands as one of the most respected pilgrimage destinations in India for devotees across the globe to seek the divine’s blessings and to connect with the holy atmosphere around the temple. This place will also give you a visual treat with the stunning natural scenery. 

Festivals in Triloknath Temple: Shivaratri (Maha Shivaratri), Losar (Tibetan New Year), Buddha Jayanti and Dussehra

Best time to visit Triloknath Temple: May to October

Nearby attractions of Triloknath Temple: Dhankar Monastery, Key Monastery, Tabo Monastery, Chandratal Lake and Kunzum Pass. 

5) Komic Monastery

Make sure to visit one of the highest monasteries in the world, located in Komic Village, the highest motorable village in the world, in Spiti. The Komic Monastery is situated at an altitude of 4,587 meters (15,050 feet) above sea level.

The Monastery has a structure, influenced by Tibetan-style architectural features including flat roofs, prayer halls and whitewashed walls decorated with religious paintings, symbols, and detailed carvings preserving and showcasing rich Tibetan Buddhist culture and heritage. 

Visiting this popular monastery in Spiti Valley will surely give tourists a unique experience with a combination of scenic beauty, spiritual ambience, and learning about the traditional lifestyle of the local people and the monks present in Komic Monastery. Breathe in the fresh air and feel the peace and contentment here.

Festivals in Komic Monastery: Phagpa (Tibetan Buddhist Festival), Spiti Buddhist Festival (Chham Dance), Saka Dawa, Losar Festival

Best time to visit Komic Monastery: May to October

Nearby attractions of Komic Monastery: Hikkim Village, Langza Village, Kaza, Key Monastery, Dhankar Monastery, Tabo Monastery, Pin Valley  National Park, and Chandratal Lake 

6) Kungri Monastery

Kungri Monastery is another popular spiritual destination in Spiti Valley, located in the Kungri village of Pin Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. The Monastery is situated at an altitude of around 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) and is known for its peaceful atmosphere and historical significance.

Kungri Monastery is one of Spiti’s oldest monasteries that holds great importance among the people of Spiti and around the globe. Several Buddhist monks reside here at Kungri Monastery, where they study Tibetan Buddhist traditions, religious practices, and distinctive lifestyles that help them attain wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. 

Kungri Monastery is different from many other monasteries in the Spiti Valley because it follows the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism, while many others follow the Gelugpa tradition. The Nyingma sect is the oldest of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

It focuses on teachings from ancient Buddhist texts and the practice of Dzogchen, which is a method for achieving spiritual realisation. Kungri Monastery is widely known for offering prosperity, protection and peace. So, pay a visit to this place and remember this beautiful experience forever. 

Festivals in Kungri Monastery: Monlam Prayer Festival, Cham Dance, Buddha Jayanti, Losar (Tibetan New Year), Saga Dawa

Best time to visit Kungri Monastery: May to September

Nearby attractions of Kungri Monastery: Tabo Monastery, Dhankar Monastery, Pin Valley National Park, Kaza, Chicham Bridge, Key Monastery, Langza Village, Spiti River, Hikkim Village, Kibber Village

7) Gue Monastery

Gue Monastery is situated at a height of approximately 10,000  feet above sea level. Around 81 kilometres from Kaza, the Gue Monastery is located near Gue Village, Spiti Valley, offering spectacular views of the beautiful valleys and mountains, a perfect location to capture in your hearts forever. 

The Gue monastery is one of the most unique monasteries in India with a 500-year-old preserved monk known for protecting people from negative energies, providing peace, good health and prosperity.

The self-mummified monk’s presence makes Gue monastery the most unique monastery in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India. This place is surrounded by spiritual, serene and positive energy, which ensures a sense of calmness and instant connection with the divine power. 

Festivals in Gue Monastery: Butter Lamp Festival (Chhewa or Lhabab Duchen), Dumla (Monk’s Birthday), Losar (Tibetan New Year), Saga Dawa, Tibetan Buddhist Monlam, Chhewar, 

Best time to visit Gue Monastery: May to October

Nearby attractions of Gue Monastery: Tabo Monastery, Dhankar Monastery, Pin Valley National Park, Kaza, Chicham Bridge, Key Monastery, Langza Village, Hikkim Village, Komic Village, Nako Village and Kibber Village

8) Nako Monastery

Located in the Nako Village, Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, standing at a height of 3,662 meters (12,014 feet). The Nako Monastery is famous for being one of the oldest monasteries.

It is an over 1,000-year-old monastery, reflecting the rich Tibetan Buddhism in its architecture, paintings, carvings, religious symbols, etc., surrounded by majestic mountains, beautiful Nako Lake and dry hills, enhancing the charm of this place. 

Unlike other famous monasteries in Spiti Valley, the Nako monastery is home to a few monks who follow a strict daily routine of praying, performing rituals, and meditating.

This monastery is also an important site for different religious festivals and ceremonies, where the local inhabitants play a significant role in celebrating these festivals actively and happily. Nako Monastery is undoubtedly a perfect location for spiritual lovers who are also into knowing history. 

Festivals in Nako Monastery: Tibetan Prayer Ceremonies, Monastic Festivals, Saga Dawa, Buddha Jayanti, Losar (Tibetan New Year)

Best time to visit Nako Monastery: Summer Season

Nearby attractions of Nako Monastery: Nako Village, Tabo Monastery, Dhankar Monastery, Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Village and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Chicham Bridge, Key Monastery, Langza Village, Hikkim Village.