Spiti is the sub division of Lahaul & Spiti district with its hqrs. at Kaza. It is called "Little Tibet" because it has almost the same terrain, vegetation & climate . Spiti also means "Middle Country". It lies between Tibet, Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahaul & Kulu. From Shimla via Kinnaur there is a motorable road which remains open upto Kaza for 8 to 9 months. About 10kms. ahead of Pooh, satluj enters India near Shipki la & Spiti river joins it at Khab. The road then goes to Sumdo via Hangrang valley. From Sumdo Spiti valley starts. The Spiti river flows fast through deep gorges at some places. The valley is not wide but there are villages and some fields where people grow barley, buck- wheat, peas & vegetables. It has an area of 4800 sq. kms. Some inhabitants have adopted Budhism as there faith and Bhoti is the spoken language. The people are simple and honest. The main Spiti valley is split into eastern and western valleys. They are connected with Ladakh & Tibet on eastern side & Kinnaur and Kulu on western side through high passes.

Literally meaning the middle country,Spiti is a high altitude cold desert dotted with numerous monasteries.
Rudyard Kipling in Kim called it a ‘…world within a world’ and a ‘…place where the Gods live’.
Lying in the rain shadow area of rugged mountain ranges of Zaskar, it gets very little rain and plenty of snow. Alexander Cunningham in his book Ladakh writes about Spiti that rainfall here is scarce and rarely above four inches annually and all of it seems to be falling on the same day.

The whole valley seems to have been painted in hues of purple, pink and russet. The deep gorges carved out by the snow–fed streams add charm to Spiti’s stark splendour.
The valley is locked between the Zaskar and the Great Himalayan ranges – the tallest ranges of Himachal.
The Kunzum La – literally, meeting–place for Ibex (a kind of mountain goat) – is the tenuous link between Lahaul and Spiti.
The Manali road traversing through Lahaul enters the valley through Kunzum La.
This pass also connects Batal in the upper Chandra valley and the first village Losar of the Spiti valley. Kunzum La is crossable on foot from May/ June to October/ November and the snowfall here is also less than on the Rohtang pass. The Chandra River flows from the west of this pass and it also has a track that connects it to the enchanting Chandra Tal (4220m).

Spiti has four distinct regions and its main valleys are the Spiti Valley, Lingti Valley and the Pin Valley. Spiti sub division of the Lahaul Spiti District is rougher in its terrain and is thus more difficult to traverse. The river valleys of Spiti still add some charm to the otherwise barren valley like the Spiti River that rises to the east of the Kunzum La.

Turist Attraction:

KUNZUM PASS(4590 m):
 As Rohtang pass is a gateway to Lahaul so Kunzum pass is the gateway to Spiti from Kulu & Lahaul. After crossing Rohtang pass and driving 20kms, one has to turn right from Gramphoo. While going to this pass, the panoramic view of Bara-Sigri glacier (second longest glacier in the world) is enthrilling and inspiring.

There is a temple at the top of this pass dedicated to goddess Durga. After seeing this pass one can drive to Batal for a night stay in the Rest House. The view from the top is breathtaking. On one side is the Spiti valley and to the other are numerous C.B.(Chandra-Bhaga ) range peaks. On way back from Gramphoo one can either return to Manali (71kms.) or can go to Leh via Keylong , Darcha, Baralacha la, Sarchu, Tanglang la by road. From Tandi (8kms. short of Keylong) one can also drive to Pangi valley along the Chenab river to Udaipur, Trilokinath and Tindi and thereafter by trekking to Killar. From Killar to Chamba/Dalhousie/Delhi or to Kishtwar- Jammu-Delhi.

LOSAR(4080 m):
It is situated near the confluence of Losar and Peeno streams. this village is worth a visit being the first big village and because of its Location. Yak and horse riding are other charms to add to its beauty and unique experience.

KAZA(3800 m):
224 kms. from Manali, 197kms. from Keylong and 425kms. from Shimla. Kaza is a Sub Divisional Hqtr. of Spiti Valley. It is situated at the foot of the step ridges on the left bank of Spiti river. There are PWD rest houses and a private hotels for the staying. Once it was the hqtr. of Nono, the chief of Spiti. It has all modern facilities and is connected by road with Manali & Shimla except in the winter months.

KIBBER(4205 m):
It is locally known as Khyipur, one of the highest villages in the world at an altitude of 4205 m above sea level in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains from all sides. Rest Houses available for the visitors. Gette village, at a short distance away from kaza, is the highest in the world with a height of 4270 m.