Blessed with some of the most spectacular and beautiful landscapes anywhere, it is a travellers paradise -lofty snow peaks, deep gorges, lush green valleys, fast flowing rivers, enchanting mountain lakes, flower bedecked meadows, beautiful temples and monasteries steeped in time. May it be for relaxing, sightseeing, trekking, mountaineering, fishing, para-gliding, skiing, ice skating and golf, Himachal has it all...Come Explore Himachal with himachaltourist...

This is a mountainous area that is located between Ladakh and Tibet in the north and the Kullu valley in the south. Lahaul begins 51km north of Manali, right after crossing the 3978m (13,127 ft) Rohtang Pass. You go through this area when you travel north from Manali to Leh. Many of the peaks here are over 6000m, the highest being Mulkila at 6,500m. It is basically a dry barren mountainous area with some green areas. It has some interesting Buddhist gompas and secluded villages. There are some good treks in this area.To reach here from Manali you have to travel over the Rohtang Pass, which is closed a good part of the year because of heavy snow. You can also get to this area coming from Shimla going through the Spiti Valley. It is approached from Zanskar by going over the Shinga La Pass and from Ladakh by going over the Baralacha La Pass (4,870m).About half the people in Lahaul are Buddhist and the other half are Hindu. The main local language is Bhoti, which is similar to Tibetan. A good word to know is "jule," which means hello, thank you and goodbye.PermitsYou only need a permit if you are going between Tabo and Rekong Peo, the capital of Kinnaur. You can get a seven-day permit at the Home Affairs Office in Delhi, the Senior District Magistrate Office in Rekong Peo, Kaza or Keylong or the Deputy Commissioner in Shimla or Kullu. Rekong Peo and Kaza are the best places to apply, so as not to waste any of the seven-day permit. In Kaza you are supposed to apply with a group of four, but this is often waived. You need three passport size photos, which you should have before going to Kaza or Rekong Peo, as you may not be able to get any photos taken in these places.There are conditions listed on the permit in reference to where you can stay and how you have to travel, which for the most part are not enforced.

KAZA Area Code: 01906Kaza is the main town in Spiti. It is a nice town that is divided into two basic areas, the "old town" and the "new town." New town is basically some government buildings (the District Magistrate office is there).