Pin Valley National Park, Spiti
It is Located in the Pin valley of Spiti at a height of 12,000 feet above sea level. It is home to endangered species like the snow leopard, the endemic Himalayan ibex, the mighty bharal or blue sheep and lynx.
Tabo monastery has some of the world’s oldest and most exquisite Buddhist art. The dull and drab mud and timber boxes have rich multi- hued murals and stucco sculptures. The apple farm at Tabo is yet another attraction. The Monastery also called the Tabo Chos-hkhot-doctrinal circle or doctrinal enclave-houses nine temples, twenty-three chortens, a monk’s chamber and nun’s chamber. This complex of 6300 square metres is enclosed by a wall. On the cliff face above the enclave, there are a number of caves which were used earlier as dwelling units by the monks. The rock faces have dim traces of paintings. Rinchen Zangpo is regarded as the founder of Tabo which was constructed in AD 996. According to an inscription, this temple was founded by the Ancestor. The Bodhisattva in the Ape year and now forty-six years later the Royal Descendent, the mighty one Chang-chub Od, motivated by the thought of enlightenment, has carried out the repairs of this temple. The Pin valley is famous for its internationally recognized chaumurti horses that are bred and sold for considerable sums in Rampur-Bushahr during the Lavi fair and in Ladakh. The climate and the rich grass of the valley produce extremely sure-footed horses which are able to negotiate great heights without much difficulty. Scores of horses, colts and fillies grazing on the river banks, and local youths singing wildly, galloping away on these horses is a sight to behold. Horse racing and arrow shooting are very popular in the valley. One can come across arrow shooting competition called Dhuvor here.
20 km (first habitation in Pin Valley)
778 km (via Shimla.) NH1 from Delhi to Ambala; NH 22 from Ambala to Sumdo via Chandigarh, Kalka, Solan, Shimla, Narkanda, Rampur, Wangtu, Powari, Pooh and Yangthang. From Sumdo take the state road via Tabo towards Kaza. About 10km Short of Kaza cross the river Spiti at Atargo Bridge and head for Pin Valley. The first habitations appear a few kilometres after the bridge.)
883km (via Manali NH 1 from Delhi to Ambala; NH 22 from Ambala to Chandigarh, NH 21 from Chandigarh to Manali via Roper, kiratpur, Swarghat, Bilaspur, Ghaghas, Mandi, Pandoh, Aut and Kullu. From Manali follow the border road (Manali-Leh road) to Gramphu through Kothi, Marhi and Rohtang Pass. From Gramphu take the via Chatru, Chota Dara Batal, Kunzam Pass, Losar, Hanse, kiato and Rangrik to reach Kaza. From Kaza follow the road leading to Tabo up to Atargo bridge from where road to Pin valley takes off.)
Altitude 3355m onward
Transport Buses and taxis from Kaza
Accommodation Government rest-houses.
Highlight unexplored region, exciting trekking and mountaineering opportunities.