Ancient demon-chasing festival. Masked dancers, bonfires, local chang beer. Zero tourists.
Why it mattersPre-Buddhist shamanic tradition surviving in Spiti.
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Naksh.iq
ISSUE Nº 47 · MAY 2026
Festival · HIMACHAL PRADESH
Fagli Festival.
February · Spiti Valley
Going for this? Spiti Valley in February
NakshIQ score
1/10
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February continues January's deep freeze with one addition: the snow leopard tracking season is at its peak. Temperatures stay at -15 to -20°C at night, warming to maybe -5 to 5°C in afternoon sun. Kunzum Pass remains impassable. The Kinnaur road is your only option, and it requires checking conditions daily — a single landslide or heavy snowfall can block it for days. Kaza has the bare essentials: a few open homest…
Getting there
Elevation
3800 m
Nearest airport
Bhuntar (Kullu) / Chandigarh
Nearest railway
Shimla / Joginder Nagar
Live in Spiti Valley
Where to stay in Spiti Valley
The Kaza Inn
Rs 1500-2500/nightguesthouse · Heart of Kaza town, Spiti ValleyWell-located comfortable guesthouse in the main town with easy access to market and transport
Tenzin's Homestay
₹800-1200/nighthomestay · Langza VillageBelow the iconic Buddha statue. Tenzin Norbu's family homestay with bukhari-heated rooms. Dinner is Spitian dal-rice with homemade butter. The fossil walks and stargazing from the terrace are unforgettable. No WiFi — that's a feature.
Spiti Valley Home Stay Kaza
Rs 600-1200/nighthomestay · Near Kaza Bus Stand, Spiti ValleyCentrally located family homestay near the bus stand with authentic Spitian meals
Where to eat
Spiti Organic Kitchen
Komic · ₹₹Signaturepasta with local cheese
Water boils at ~85°C up here so noodles take 15 minutes longer than you'd expect. Order before you climb to the village stupa and the food is ready when you come back down.
Ibex Cafe
Hikkim · ₹Signaturemaggi with chai
Smaller and quieter than the tea shop; the bread omelette is the unexpected pick if you arrived without breakfast. Cash only.
Millennium Monastic Guest House Kitchen
Tabo · ₹Signaturebutter tea with Tibetan bread
Ask for the butter tea served with Tibetan bread — locals call it the speciality of the monastery and you won't find the same version in tourist cafes. Cash only; no card terminal.
Cafe Kunzum Top
Tabo · ₹₹Signaturethukpa
Order thukpa or thenthuk over fried noodles — the broth carries the local flavour. Service is slow at altitude; budget 30-40 minutes after ordering.
What else to see in Spiti Valley
Key Monastery
Largest and oldest monastery in Spiti Valley. Perched on a cliff at 4,166m.
monastery1-2 hoursTabo Monastery
Founded in 996 AD, one of the oldest continuously operating Buddhist monasteries. Called "Ajanta of the Himalayas" for murals.
monastery1-2 hoursDhankar Monastery
Perched on a 1,000-ft cliff at 12,774 ft. Former capital of Spiti with stunning valley views.
monastery2-3 hoursPin Valley National Park
Cold desert national park home to snow leopard, Himalayan ibex, and rare Himalayan plants.
viewpoint4-6 hoursKunzum Pass
High mountain pass at 15,060 ft connecting Kullu and Spiti. Temple at the top with prayer flags.
viewpoint30 min
Other festivals in February, elsewhere
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