Spiti Valley is an excellent place for photographers. Its dry, sky touching mountains and green fields full of wildflowers will make you fall in love with Spiti Valley.
For photographers, it is an incredible view that can be captured with their camera.
In this article, we will take you through the valleys and mountains of Spiti, show you the best places to capture photographs, and tell you the best time to visit Spiti for photography!
List of Photography Spots in Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley has beautiful places for people who love photography. With its striking landscapes and Tibetan culture, it is a photographer’s heaven.
The desert area is high up and has deep gorges, clear rivers, and clean lakes.
Its special landscapes, old monasteries, and rich culture give photographers many chances to take amazing and meaningful pictures. Enjoy taking photos at some of the best spots in Spiti Valley.
Here are 10 Best Places For Photoshoot in Spiti Valley.
Balari Top
Balari Top stands at an elevation of 4,953 m. This is the highest viewpoint and it will give you a bird’s eye view of the whole valley of Spiti Valley.
From the top, you also get to see the surrounding peaks like Kanamo Peak,, and Shilla Pass.
Move ahead to have your best Spiti photography shot! This is the best activity near Demul Village, which is at a spot where one can view all 18 villages in the valley.
The confluence of the Spiti, Pin, and Lingti rivers, along with Dhankar Gompa, creates an impression of a view that cannot be forgotten forever.
It is a 3-hour-long hike from Demul Village to Balari Top. Climbing is not so challenging, but walking for long distances can be exhausting.
The reward, however is much greater than the hardships of the hike, and it is one of the very famous spots for photo shoots in Spiti Valley.
Chandratal Lake
Talking about the most beautiful places in Spiti, one cannot forget Chandratal. It is also called the ‘Moon Lake’ and is located on the ‘Samudra Tapu.’
This lake has a crescent shape and stands at a height of 4300 meters near Kunzum Pass. Its name is derived from the word for ‘lake of the moon’ because of its form. It is especially nice to visit during June.
The lake changes colors from blue to green and reddish as the day progresses. June weather leaves clear views of the area, thus making it more magical and beautiful.
Spiti Valley is one of the perfect sites where photography takes place. The blue and green-colored water of Chandratal Lake reflects the mountains there, creating a mirror view that is very beautiful in itself.
The lake located amidst fields of wildflowers provides a calm place against the roughness of this valley. It is one of the best photo spots in the Spiti Valley that one can visit!
For the night photography lovers, clear skies of Spiti without a single light or air pollution make the Milky Way and stargazing in Spiti Valley possible. The cold desert climate will surely have less cloud cover for perfect astrophotography conditions.
Camping by Chandratal Lake and photographing the night sky is an experience that stays in the minds of the photographers forever.
Pin Valley National Park
Pin Valley National Park, located in the Himalayan highlands, is a vast biosphere reserve with breathtaking and attractive surroundings.
Pin Valley National Park, known for its unusual and endangered flora and animals, should be on your bucket list if you’re visiting Spiti Valley during the summer.
June’s weather is pleasant and clear, and the chances of seeing wildlife grow dramatically.
Has this already piqued your interest in nature? So, we say, get packing!
Losar Village
Losar village is situated on the Indo-Chinese border and is at a height of 4,085 meters above sea level. It is at the end of the Spiti Valley, which is much like Ladakh.
Losar Village has beautiful mountains, amazing rivers, and views that can impress any tourist with their unique beauty. It is also one of the best places for photography in Spiti Valley.
This is not a very popular area, but there are very beautiful places here, and each place is unique in its own style.
Enthusiastic travelers, including hikers and photographers, love exploring this cold desert, which is surrounded by a lot of natural wonders.
Key Monastery
Key Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located on a beautiful hill at an altitude of 4,166 meters, near the Spiti River, in Spiti Valley, India.
It is the oldest and largest monastery in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh and is used as a training center for lamas.
Key Monastery has about 300 lamas who learn about their religion here. It is also one of the best spots for taking pictures in Spiti Valley.
These monasteries can be seen at the cliffs and hills that exhibit the area’s cultural and spiritual past.
The largest in Spiti is the Key Monastery. It looks like it is pouring down the mountain due to its white walls and tiered construction.
Taking a photo of the monastery against an empty, bare piece of land behind it makes the picture beautiful.
Dhankar Lake
Dhankar Lake, also known as Sar Kund Lake, is one of the prettiest lakes in Spiti.
One of the best spots visited by people in June when one just wants to relax and forget all the noise about the city. Dhankar Lake is 4270 m, and the natural beauty is awesome there.
It is an attractive place for trekkers and anyone who loves nature.
June is the correct time to visit lakes such as Dhankar Lake when they are cool and windy in Spiti Valley, and it is certainly the best place to view in Spiti Valley.
Kaza
The best place to visit Spiti Valley in winter is Kaza, the busy center of this area. It changes into a calm winter paradise.
This season provides a unique and pleasant experience for visitors. Kaza will appear much more different when winter sets in. This is because a fresh white layer of snow has covered the landscape.
Those very famous tourist destinations, like Key Monastery and old Tabo Monastery, will seem even more magical and warm during this scene.
There will never be too quiet and peaceful a winter atmosphere of peace to help you feel near enough and connected to the local Spitian culture and traditions.
If, additionally, you would love to enjoy warm butter tea in a great homestay, now will be the time for yet another adventure and experience.
Langza Village
Langza is a small village at the bottom of the Chau Chau Kang Nilda mountain, famously known as the Princess Mountain.
This beautiful Spitian village is situated on two hills, with an upper part and a lower part.
Of late, travelers visit this Langza Village for reasons such as seeing rare fossils found all over the village.
Langza is at an altitude of 4400 m. Long ago, this area was under the Tethys Sea, millions of years ago!
Perfect places for photographers to capture the beauty of the scene in the valleys of Spiti.
Komic Village
At 18,000 feet high, Komik is the highest village in the world accessible by car.
This is definitely one of the lesser-known but most beautiful places to visit in Spiti Valley in June.
Komik is weird and wonderful. It has few resources; there is a monastery where tourists stay and an eco-kitchen that is the only café in the village.
The best time to go there is during summer since the weather is pleasant, and clear views of the area can be seen. It is one of the 10 best places for photoshoot in Spiti Valley.
Tabo
It is a small town by the name of Tabo, some 50 km from Kaza, along the Spiti River.
It lies on the highway between Reckong Peo and Kaza, close to an old monastery estimated to be over a thousand years old.
Tabo Village is at an elevation of 3,280 m. It is a key stopover for those individuals traveling to or from Kaza.
Besides its natural beauty and the Tabo Monastery, it is also known for the Tabo Caves, located right above the monastery in the hills.
The Tabo Monastery, along with the Tabo caves, along with the many apple orchards spread along the village.
It gives good subjects to photographers and is among the Top photography spots in Spiti Valley.
FAQs
Can we see Milky Way in Spiti Valley?
Yes, the clear night skies in Spiti Valley are perfect for viewing the Milky Way, especially on new moon nights.
Where is Mummy in Spiti Valley?
A naturally mummified monk named Gue Mummy lies in Gue Village, 40 km from Tabo Monastery in Spiti.
Is 2 days enough for Spiti Valley?
Two days offer a glimpse, but Spiti’s vast beauty needs at least a week for a fulfilling experience.
Is Spiti expensive?
Spiti offers affordable travel options, but costs depend on accommodations, transportation, and personal preferences for luxury or budget.
How to get Gue Mummy?
Gue Mummy can be approached by road from Tabo or Kaza and has a private vehicle or hired taxi for convenience.
What are the most beautiful places in Spiti Valley for photographing?
Some of the best scenic photoshoot locations in Spiti are Key Monastery, Chandratal Lake, Dhankar Lake, and Langza Village.
Which monasteries in Spiti Valley are nice places to take pictures?
The picturesque spots for photography enthusiasts in the Spiti Valley are: Key Monastery, Tabo Monastery, and Dhankar Monastery.
Are there any hidden locations in Spiti Valley ideal for photoshoots?
The hidden gems are Komik Village, Fossil Park at Langza, and Pin Valley. They are good for unique, lesser-known photoshoots.
When is the best time to visit Spiti Valley for great photos?
May to October offers vibrant landscapes, while winter months provide stunning snow-covered scenery perfect for dramatic photoshoots.
Can I have a pre-wedding photoshoot in Spiti Valley? Which are the best places?
Yes, Key Monastery, Chandratal Lake, and Langza Village are popular places for pre-wedding photoshoots. They provide unique backgrounds.
Is the Key Monastery a good spot for taking photos?
Yes, it has really beautiful buildings and breathtaking views; that is why it’s perfect for photographers and photoshoots.
What are the best viewpoints in Spiti Valley for capturing sunsets and sunrises?
Langza Village, Dhankar Monastery, and Kibber Village have amazing sunrise and sunset viewing places in Spiti Valley.
Are Chandratal Lake and Dhankar Lake ideal for photoshoots?
Chandratal Lake and Dhankar Lake are good photography destinations.
What photography tips should I remember while I am in Spiti Valley?
Bring wide-angle lenses, shoot during the golden hours, respect local culture, and dress warmly to enjoy the cold weather of Spiti.
Are there some restrictions or rules about photographing in specific locations at Spiti Valley?
Some monasteries may prohibit photography. Ask for permission before taking pictures inside or during rituals in Spiti Valley.
Final Words
If you haven’t visited Spiti Valley to date, we say you are lucky as you get to choose from one of the two options to reach this place.
The Manali route is the first one, which takes almost 13-14 hours as a whole depending on how the roads would be at that time.
However, the second route allows you to spend an overnight halt at Reckong Peo or Kalpa.
It is this route from Shimla, via Kinnaur Valley, that will help you better acclimatize at different altitudes.