Kaza
Himachal Pradesh · 3,800m
The Spiti headquarters — every route in the valley runs through here.
- Price
- ₹800–4,500/night
- Best window
- Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct
- Access
- Manali 200km via Rohtang–Kunzum (12h, summer only) OR Shimla 410km via Hindustan–Tibet Highway (2 days, all-season except peak winter).
- Emergency
- 108 · Community Health Centre, Kaza (basic). Serious cases evacuated to IGMC Shimla or LBS Mandi.
Why Special
Kaza is the administrative centre and logistics anchor for the entire Spiti Valley. Most itineraries from Manali or Shimla converge here. At 3,800m it's where you acclimatise, refuel, access the only reliable network signal in the valley, and stage day trips to Key Monastery, Hikkim (highest post office in the world), Langza (fossil village), and Komic. The town itself is small — a few hundred houses clustered around a central market — but the views of the surrounding 6,000m peaks are extraordinary.
Who Should Think Twice
Infrastructure concerns
Only basic medical (PHC) — serious cases need referral
Signal drops to zero in many areas
Difficult last-mile access
Moderate altitude (3,800m) — acclimatization needed
Difficult access — rough roads, long drives
Festivals & Events
Tsheshu Chaam Festival
JulJune-July (Buddhist calendar)
Monks at Key Monastery (near Kaza) perform chaam — sacred masked dances — over 2 days. The masks represent Guru Padmasambhava's eight manifestations. Visitors welcome; silence during performances.
One of the most theatrical Buddhist festivals in the Western Himalayas.
Ladarcha Fair
AugMid-August (dates announced annually)
Historic trade fair that once drew traders from Tibet, Ladakh and Kinnaur. Now a 3-day cultural festival at Kaza with archery, chaam mask dances, and a wool-barter market.
Spiti's oldest surviving Indo-Tibetan trade gathering.
Infrastructure Reality
Network Coverage
BSNL most reliable across the valley. Jio/Airtel 4G in Kaza town only; no signal beyond Komic/Langza.
WiFi: Most guesthouses have patchy wifi
Medical & Emergency
Hospital: Community Health Centre, Kaza (basic). Serious cases evacuated to IGMC Shimla or LBS Mandi.
Ambulance: 108
Getting There
Manali 200km via Rohtang–Kunzum (12h, summer only) OR Shimla 410km via Hindustan–Tibet Highway (2 days, all-season except peak winter).
Roads: Paved but narrow with landslide-prone sections between Rampur–Kinnaur and beyond Losar. Expect single-lane stretches and blind curves.
Public transport: HRTC buses: Shimla–Rekong Peo–Kaza daily (summer); Manali–Kaza via Rohtang runs Jun–Oct only.
Fuel & Stay
Fuel: Kaza (Indian Oil) — the only pump in Spiti.
⚠ Carry extra fuel
Stay: ₹800–4,500/night
40+ options (homestays, guesthouses, mid-range hotels)
Helpline: 1363 (India Tourist Helpline)
Daily Budget Reality
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