Trekking and Lahaul and Spiti District is a mind boggling experience and the entire experience falls within the ambit of adventure tourism Keeping in view the altitude of the place and the various factors related to it, trekking has been categorised into two broad categories, i.e., the low altitude trekking and the high altitude trekking.
When it comes to the low altitude trekking the trekking activity is restricted below the borders of the snow line, whereas in the latter type a trekker finds himself crossing high passes, snow fields, difficult terrain and camping at rarefied sounds. This particular thing necessitates the grand mastering of several techniques and accurate acclimatisation and equipment to necessarily avoid the circumstantial mishaps and occasional mountain sickness. This does not necessarily point towards the fact that trekking should be construed to be climbing or mountaineering.
Climbing is a specific field requiring intensive training and sophisticated equipment and trekking is only a first step towards that direction. However, there` is no denying the fact that some experience of rock climbing proves good in high altitude trekking. Proper information of mountains, glaciers, valleys and a complete knowledge of these are sure enough to make trekking an immensely enjoyable and educative exercise.
Tourism in Lahaul and Spiti District offers the travellers to explore its museums, art galleries and forts. Some of these are also the trekking spots. The scenic beauty of the surrounding nature adds charm to the tourism experience in Lahaul and Spiti District. Keylong Museum, Pin Valley National Park, Suraj Taal, Chandra Taal, Rohtang Pass, Trilokinath Temple, Markula Devi Temple, Kunzam Pass and Kye Monastery are some of the main attractions of this district. All these sites are worth exploring.
Earlier lack of roads and very limited knowledge about Lahaul deterred people from undertaking trekking and climbing expeditions in this beautiful area. In the past these expeditions could not materialize for want of road communication up to the base camps. Now equipment and rations can be carded in the automobiles right up to the base camps. Rations like dehydrated and tinned foods, mineral water, etc. are easily available in Keylong at cut-throat economical rates. With the creation of infrastructural facilities the Lahaul valley offers all sorts of opportunities to explore the region. Much will depend on the taste, interest and aptitude of the individual. One thing is certain that Lahaul`s magnificent peaks, snow serpents, i.e., glaciers, awe inspiring precipices, spectacular gorges, blue water lakes, refreshingly verdant valleys, potato fields, alpine-Himalayan Flora and fauna , mystique monks, monasteries, its myth, legend, folklore and a totally different tribal culture would leave an indelible inkling on the minds of the visitors.
The best trekking season in the Lahaul valley is between July and October. Because of climatic and geographical factors trekking in the Lahaul valley requires detailed and careful planning.
Though numerous schools and colleges and various government and private agencies and organisations have started conducting trekking and hiking tours in the Indian Himalayas, trekking continues to be a low-key activity. When compared to Nepal, trekking in India is unorganised and uncontrolled activity. The north-eastern states, Kumaon and Garhwal hills of Uttar Pradesh, Jammu camp; Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh attract a sizeable number of Indian as well as foreign trekkers, but the potential has not been fully exploited. As far as Himachal Pradesh is concerned, trekking is confined to Shimla, Dharamasala, Chamba and Kulu districts. Manali has given a much required impetus to this activity. Kinnaur has been able to attract trekkers from far and wide after vigorous advertisement campaigns launched by Himachal Tourism Department. Lahaul continues to be one of the most neglected trekking regions despite a plethora of trekking routes. The flow of Indian trekkers is almost negligible. Most of the trekking in Lahaul is being done by the local clubs.
Almost two thousand foreigners visit this valley every year during the open season or the holiday season. The trekking programmes of the foreigners are mainly confined to the classic trekking routes to Padum in the Zangskar region of J&K. Some of them trek to Chandra-Taal via Darcha and by the Baralacha la. From Chandra Taal they usually go to Manikaran in Kullu district. Some choose Myar valley for going to the Zangskar region or the Pangi valley in Chamba district. Rarely do they take trekking routes from Lahaul to Chamba, Mani Mahesh and Dharamasala.
