Kaza History

Perched at an elevation of 12500 ft above sea level, Kaza is the capital of the district of Lahaul and Spiti, in Himachal Pradesh and is also considered the most developed area of Spiti. Offering a tranquilizing environment, Kaza is blessed with snow-capped mountains, gushing streams, rivers, and a breathtaking backdrop of the lush greenery that surrounds the area, making Kaza a paradise on earth.  Kaza is easily accessible from Lahaul Valley and Kinnaur Valley. However, the Kinnaur Valley remains open throughout the year but the Lahaul Valley opens only during the summer season. With extremely cold winters that make one shiver, the locals prefer staying indoors during the winter season, however, it doesn’t stop tourists from exploring this majestic place full of wonders. Although it is a small town, it doesn’t fail to surprise you with its adventures. Kaza is divided into Old Kaza and New Kaza. Old Kaza, also called Kaza Khas is where you can find the Kaza bus stand, the main market of Kaza, several homestays, shops, and restaurants. This is the most crowded area of Kaza because of the various facilities available. However, the New Kaza, also known as Kaza Soma, which as the name suggests, is the new area full of new hotels and provides serenity in abundance near the Spiti Valley. Be it Kaza Khas or Kaza Soma, one should explore both the regions when in Kaza.

Kaza Geography

Kaza is a district headquarter of Spiti Valley, with the largest settlement, and is situated at an elevation of 3800 mt (12500 ft) above sea level. It offers panoramic views of the valley, shimmering streams, and snow-covered peaks with an unmatched beauty. The town provides a sense of peace and tranquility in the environment, making you want to live there for the rest of your life. Leaving your city life troubles behind, Kaza offers you an experience of a lifetime, where you get to witness the beauty of this wonderful town and explore the ancient monasteries and culture.

Plan My Package Recommends Places to Visit in Kaza

Key Monastery

Key Monastery is a 1000 years old monastery,  located in the Spiti Valley that should be on your must-visit places list. Located at an altitude of 4166 meters above sea level, this 1000-year-old monastery is not only the oldest but also the largest monastery in the Lahaul Spiti district. This historical building’s architecture and design will leave you awestruck. Inside the monastery, one can find paintings and murals and a unique design and architecture. It also gives homage to around 300 Lamas, who are spiritual leaders of the Buddhism followed in Tibet. At present, the Key Monastery serves as a training ground for spiritual leaders. As one begins to notice the style of art they can figure out that it has been inspired by the Chinese culture. Inside the monastery, there is a collection of weapons that can be used to protect the monastery from any threats or attacks. Every year, the monastery witnesses thousands of tourists and devotees who come here to seek blessings and admire this stunning piece of art.

Kibber Village, Spiti

Located in the Spiti Valley, at an elevation of 14200 ft above sea level, Kibber Village is a cold deserted area. The Village offers fascinating views of the barren lands and the major religion followed here is Tibetan Buddhism, explaining why Spiti is called the Mini-Tibet. Not very far from Kibber Village is the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary where you can spot several wild animals such as the Tibetan wild ass, blue sheep, snow leopard, and more of such rare wildlife animals. There are several temples and monasteries that one should have a look at. The houses are that of Tibetan style and the scenic beauty of the place with its extremely cold weather makes this village even more beautiful. The village offers many places to eat and also activities like camping. You can also find several homestays of very polite and welcoming locals who can provide you with home-cooked food.

Sakya Tungyad Monastery

It is believed that only two monasteries of the Sakya sect are left, one of which is the Sakya Tungyad Monastery. It is a Buddhist monastery perched at an altitude of 4587 meters above sea level built in the 14th century. Inside the inner prayer room, women are not allowed to enter. The main building gives homage to around 50 monks. The monastery looks like a fortified castle, which gives the view of the entire Kaza. It is just 4km away from Kaza and is considered a must-see place in the Spiti Valley. The monastery charges no entry fees and the timings are from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Prayers are offered every day at 8:00 pm.

Komic Village

Popularly known as the village with the highest motorable road in the world, Komic Village in Himachal Pradesh stands at a towering elevation of 15027 ft above sea level. The village is just 18km from Kaza and provides immense beauty. There lies a 500-year-old monastery, painted with vibrant colors. Prayers take place two times during the day, one in the morning and the other one in the evening, however, women are not allowed to enter while the prayer is going on. The area is rich in fossils and some of the locals may try to sell it to you but you have to be careful as it is illegal. During winters, the village gets covered in a sheet of snow with temperatures dropping from -25℃ to -35℃. Even thick woolen is required during the summer season. Thus it is advised to visit Komic Village between May and September. Several homestays are very economical and provide food three times a day.

Dhankar Lake

At an altitude of 4270 meters above sea level, Dhankar Lake is located near the Rohtang Pass. Dhankar Lake, with its absolute beauty and charm, blesses your eyes with some mind-blowing views. It provides the perfect blend of beauty, nature, and tranquility, making you forget about the daily chaos of your routine life. There are several stories and myths associated with the lake, one of which is that the lake is half natural and half man-made. Another story that follows is that of King Puran Lal, who decided to construct a lake in the area. It is believed that when Lord Shiva was looking for Lord Vishnu, his Nandi drank some water from there, and in return Lord Shiva filled the place with water. Not very far from Dhankar Lake is the Dhankar Monastery, which is a hotspot in Spiti. A trip to Dhankar Lake is rejuvenating and it opens your mind and soul.

Kunzum Pass

Popularly known as the highest motorable mountain pass, Kunzum Pass is every adventure enthusiast’s dream destination. Perched at an elevation of 4551 meters above sea level, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Kunzum Pass serves as a gateway to Spiti and Lahaul. Every year, a group of bikers visits Kunzum Pass to experience one of the best adventure activities of their life. The bike ride provides stunning views and pristine beauty, that makes people indulge in photography. One can also spot the second largest glacier in the world, Bara- Sigri Glacier. Kunzum Pass has no accommodation facilities available thus tourists have to go to the Losar Village, which is about 16km from the Kunzum Pass to find accommodation and eateries. Tourists visiting Lahaul and Spiti use this pass. Trekkers and adventure seekers are in for a treat as the place has a lot to offer. Tourists can also trek 12km to Chandratal Lake from the Kunzum Pass.

Chandra Tal

Located 14100 feet above sea level in Himachal Pradesh, Chandratal Lake, also called the Moon Lake or alien lake is a barren land close to Chandra Tal river, in Himachal Pradesh. Chandra stands for Moon and Tal stands for Lake. The name is inspired by the shape of the lake which looks like that of a moon. Surrounded by majestic mountains and breathtaking views, the Lake has beautiful turquoise-colored water and that adds more beauty to it attracting tourists from all over. The lake is popular among tourists because of its shimmering water and enchanting surroundings. The distance from Kaza to Chandra Tal Lake is 19km.

Places near Kaza

Spiti Valley (approx 6 Km from Kaza)

Perched at an elevation of 4270 meters above sea level, originating from the 16000 ft high Kunzum range, lie the Spiti Valley, described by famous writer Rudyard Kipling in his book, a world within a world.  Blessed with immense beauty, Spiti offers snow-clad mountains, freckled with green patches, and a mesmerizing view of the valley. Spiti is a cold deserted place in the state of Himachal Pradesh located on the border of India and Tibet. The major religion followed here is Buddhism and that explains why it has a good number of monasteries in the region. Wildlife sightings include Himalayan Tahr, Snow Leopards, Himalayan blue sheep. Agriculture seems to be an important part of the Spiti Valley. The valley, not only provides breathtaking views but also opportunities for various activities like trekking and bike rides. Bike trips to Lahaul, Spiti Valley, and Kaza are quite popular among tourists because it is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that everyone should try. You get the opportunity to witness the culture of the tribal people and the locals. Words fall short while describing the beauty of the Spiti Valley and that is why one must visit the place to witness the beauty with one’s own eyes.

Lahaul (approx 78.2 Km from Kaza)

Lahaul, with its literal meaning Country in the South or Country of the Gods, stands at an elevation of 4890 m above sea level. Blessed with a cluster of mountains, miniature villages, rich cultural importance, freezing winters, and extreme variations in temperature, Lahaul is one of the most beautiful places in the country. As rich in culture as it is, the place is famous for its folk dances and songs. The people speak Bhotia to communicate, which is the local language here. With extreme variations in temperatures, the weather remains unpredictable, one can expect cold snow showers anytime. Thus, it is advised to carry heavy jackets for protection against dipping temperatures. A little greener than Spiti, Lahaul is said to be an unexplored beauty. The distance from Lahaul to Kaza is 63km.

Manali (approx 182.6 Km from Kaza)

Manali is said to be a present given by Himachal to the rest of the country. Perched at an elevation of 2050 m above sea level, Manali is a tourist hotspot for everyone seeking an escape from the daily chaos and the scorching heat of the city. Situated on the banks of the Beas River, Manali is just 115km from Kaza. The region witnesses pleasant weather throughout the year, however, the winter season gets a little chilly and one can witness snowfall more often. Being a hot spot for tourists, Manali offers plenty of adventure activities, from paragliding to trekking to hot-air ballooning to river rafting in the Beas River and skiing in the Solang Valley. Since Manali is not very far away from the capital city, New Delhi, it attracts hundreds of tourists every year. Apart from the pleasant weather, snow-covered peaks, enchanting surroundings, panoramic views, monasteries and temples, and numerous adventure activities, Manali also has some of the best accommodations, offering top-notch services. You can find several places to eat from some very cool restaurants to small dhabas, offering the absolute delicacies of the town. 

Best Time to Visit Kaza

Kaza Weather

Kaza in Summers

Summers in Kaza start from March, lasting till June. Summers remain pleasant with warm days but the nights can get cold. The maximum temperature in summers reaches 10℃ and the minimum temperature drops to -16℃.

Kaza in Monsoon

July marks the onset of monsoon in Kaza that lasts till September, bringing heavy rainfall, leading to landslides and blockage of roads which restricts camping and trekking in the area. The maximum temperatures in monsoon rise to 16℃ and the minimum temperature drops to 3℃.

Kaza in Winters

From October to February, Kaza experiences winters. Winters in Kaza are extremely cold. Locals often move to some other place because it becomes very difficult to survive in such extreme conditions. The temperature drops below the freezing point, with minimum temperature dropping to -20℃ and maximum temperature rise to -1℃. Know More

How to Reach Kaza

Kaza by Air

• Kaza is accessible through Manali and Shimla. There are regular flights to Bhuntar Airport in Kullu and Manali. Bhuntar is the closest airport to Kaza, located at a distance of 250km. There are several buses and taxis available from the Bhuntar Airport that will take you to Kaza. There are regular flights from New Delhi and Chandigarh to Kaza.

Kaza by Train

• The closest railway station from Kaza is the Jogindarnagar Railway Station located in the Jogindernagar Town which is 365km away from Kaza. Jogindernagar to Chandigarh has a narrow-gauge route. Buses and taxis are available from Shimla and Chandigarh to Kaza.

Kaza by Road

• Kaza is easily accessible via Manali and Shimla. One can go for taxis or busses. Kaza is also accessible by Kinnaur. Shimla, being 412km from Kaza, the route is only accessible between May to October. Busses from Manali to Kaza are available.
• Pin Valley: The distance from Pin Valley to Kaza is 15km.
• Manali: The distance from Manali to Kaza is 115km.
• Lahaul: The distance from Lahaul to Kaza is 63km.
• Delhi: The distance from Delhi to Kaza is 753km.
• Shimla: The distance from Shimla to Kaza is 424km.

Places to Stay in Kaza

Hotel Deyzor

Located in the New Kaza area, Hotel Deyzor is the number one hotel of Kaza, that has won the traveler’s choice award. This hotel is a home away from home, offering you the best hospitality services that will make your stay unforgettable. This fabulous hotel offers a garden cafe, an in-house restaurant, power backup, reading materials to keep you entertained, well-furnished rooms with modern amenities, and a store that sells organic products. The hotel is just 4 minutes away from the Sakya Tangyad Monastery.

Hotel Winter White

At a distance of 1km from the Tungyad Monastery is a budget hotel called the Winter White. The hotel offers basic facilities from free internet to free parking to 24 hours room service and laundry services. The hotel provides picturesque views of the snow-covered mountains. There is also an ATM in the vicinity.

The Traveller’s Shed

The Traveller’s Shed is a hotel near the Kaza area. This hotel is as fancy as its name with decor that will surprise you. The hotel provides a relaxing and comfortable stay for you to recharge to go back to your city life. Offering, free wifi, a garden, fitness center, carpet floors, multicuisine restaurant that serves Italian, American, Asian, and Continental, The Traveller’s Shed makes sure that their guests have a comfortable and unforgettable stay.

Places to Eat in Kaza

Cafe Zomsa

Located at the main market of Kaza, is the Zomsa Cafe, offering the best coffee in Kaza and is considered the number one cafe in Kaza. The restaurant offers Indian and Italian cuisines with an amazing ambiance. There is live music in the evening that sets the mood for everyone.

Sol Cafe

Sol Cafe located in the main market of Kaza will make your soul happy and your tummy satisfied. Painted with vibrant colors and a very comfortable ambiance, Sol cafe serves the strongest coffee making your yawns go away in seconds. It serves a very light breakfast including pancakes, french toast, waffles, and so on. It also hosts movie night after 6 pm with exceptions on Sunday. The cafe gives you the comfort of your living room.

Do’s & Don’ts in Kaza

Do’s

• Do carry your essentials things while traveling.
• Do carry your medical kit and medicines as prescribed by the doctor.
• Do wear a mask and use a sanitizer.
• Do try the local dishes and experience staying in local homestays.

Dont's

• Do not consume alcohol at a higher altitude.
• Do not litter on the mountains.
• Do not spit in public places.
• Do not click pictures of locals without their permission.
• Do not forget to bring government ID cards.