Have you been to the little oasis called Kaza in India’s Spiti Valley?

Think of a remote location and you can’t not think of Spiti. That’s because out of many adjectives that describe Spiti, you will surely find ‘remote’ in the mix. Lahaul-Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh is, without a doubt, one of the most remote tourist destinations in India.


Spiti is widely popular among adventure and thrill seekers, those who love road trips and offroading, and young people just out to look for a place to go off-the-grid for a short period of time. The headquarters of Spiti, the little town of Kaza is what we are here for.



Situated at a height of 11,980 ft above sea level, the town of Kaza is the largest in Spiti and is also the district’s commercial centre. It’s hard to imagine how a rough high-altitude cold desert environment can support civilisation! This one does, and the place is as dreamy as they come.


When you get to Kaza, you will find Old Kaza and New Kaza. Old Kaza is the main town area where you will find the main market, restaurants and places of accommodation. New Kaza is where you will find the administrative buildings.



Kaza, by itself, is not a very happening town. But being the centre of the district, it is the most convenient place to make your base while visiting Lahaul-Spiti. Once you are in Kaza, in less than 20 km radius, you will find villages of Komik, Langza, Hikkim, Demul and many more. Visiting these remote places gets so much easier. Did you know, some of these remote villages have less than 15 households? Talk about being remote!



Most travellers come to Spiti for the trekking routes the district has to offer. Some of the popular treks are Spiti Valley trek, Pin Valley National Park trek, Chandratal Trek, Hampta Pass Trek and Mount Kanamo Trek to name a few. If you have come for the trek, you might as well hang around and visit the Sakya Tangyud Monastery and Key Monastery.



If visiting around November, stay for the Spiti Losar festival as this is one of the best ways to get to know the region’s culture and traditions.


Other than the surreal landscapes, if you take time out to simply loiter around in Kaza’s lanes, there is plenty to learn from the people here. Right around five in the morning, most of the locals here can be seen outside their homes and on their terraces, with their solar lamps and devices to be put out in the sun for charging. Some others set off to either work or set up greenhouses; little wonder that once crops that the harsh environment doesn’t support can now be grown here.


If living slowly is to be learnt, it can be very well seen in these towns of Spiti.



And how can we leave the world’s highest post office behind? Visit the Hikkim Village, a mere 15 km from Kaza, where the post office is located and send yourself or your loved ones letters from the world’s highest post office. What a great souvenir idea!

1. What is the best time to visit Kaza?
   Kaza in Lahaul-Spiti is a high altitude region, so winter months are harsh. Summer and autumn months are the best. May to October is a good time for a visit to Kaza.
2. Where is the world's highest post office located?
   The world's highest post office is located in Hikkim Village, just 14 km from Kaza town in Lahaul-Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh.
3. Are there petrol pumps in Spiti?
   There are only two petrol pumps in Lahaul-Spiti district. One is at Tandi in Lahaul valley, and the other is in Kaza in Spiti Valley.