There are hundreds of homestays in Lahaul and Spiti valleys and almost all units offer amazing panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayan ranges. While some tourists prefer staying in hotels, some in camps and cottages, there are many tourists who want to stay with local families. This provides them an opportunity to understand the local culture, traditions, and their way of life so closely. They also get to eat local cuisines and can learn some of the recipes. They, while sitting with members of the family, can discuss about the local sightseeing places. Homestay is the best platform to exchange two different cultures. Primarily, Lahaul valley had homestays at Keylong and Jispa only. Then some people registered their houses as homestay at Udaipur. In recent times, Sissu, Khangsar, Gondla, Tandi, Biling, Darcha and almost all the villages of Lahaul have homestay units. Homestays in Lahaul valley are going to be major source of income for the residents as the valley has a limited number of hotels. In Spiti valley, Kaza, Kibber and Tabo had the major homestays which later extended to Pin valley (Mudh), Kee, Dhankar, Langza, Hikkim, Lossar and other areas of the valley. Homestays in Spiti valley have been a major attraction for tourists for years. The number of homestays in Spiti is increasing every year. 435 homestays registered in Lahaul in four days Updated on February 26, 2021 As many as 435 tribals in Lahaul valley registered their houses as homestay units in just four days as district administration is asking maximum residents to take advantage of the special drive with a single-window registration facility. As hotels and homestays in Lahaul valley have the capacity to accommodate maximum of 3,000 tourists, the administration is working hard on increasing the capacity to 10 thousand as soon as
There are hundreds of homestays in Lahaul and Spiti valleys and almost all units offer amazing panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayan ranges. While some tourists prefer staying in hotels, some in camps and cottages, there are many tourists who want to stay with local families. This provides them an opportunity to understand the local
Concerned for the safety and procreation process of snow leopard and other endangered wildlife species which descend down to lower areas after winter snowfall, the Spiti administration on Monday imposed a complete ban on car rallies in major sanctuary areas. Additional district magistrate (ADM) at Spiti Gian Sagar Negi said it has been seen that various travel agencies organise car rallies especially during winter season in Spiti valley which passes through snow leopard landscapes of Kibber wildlife sanctuary. “Animals like snow leopard, blue sheep, Himalayan serow and ibex descend down to lower elevation after snowfall in higher regions. February and March is the mating season of snow leopards. Passage of heavy vehicular traffic is not only disturbing the natural habitats of the animals but it will also adversely affect the procreation of snow leopards which are highly endangered species,” he said. The ADM imposed a ban on car rallies in Kibber wildlife sanctuary through Lidang, Demul, Komic, Hikkim and Langcha village areas and from Rangrik bridge to Chicham via Kee and Kibber villages with immediate effect. “Any violation of this order will attract legal action under Wildlife Protection Act and Section 188 of CrPC. He added that both state and Centre are making efforts for conservation of these wild animals through different projects and programmes. “The heavy rush of the vehicles and their loud sounds are disturbing the wild animals. Kibber sanctuary is home to snow leopard and many other rare species. Snow leopard sighting tours in winter season are one of the major sources of income for local residents. The car rallies are posing threat to the wild animals and will also indirectly hit the snow leopard sighting tours. This important issue was brought to my notice and imposing ban on car rallies was very important,” Negi added. A
Concerned for the safety and procreation process of snow leopard and other endangered wildlife species which descend down to lower areas after winter snowfall, the Spiti administration on Monday imposed a complete ban on car rallies in major sanctuary areas. Additional district magistrate (ADM) at Spiti Gian Sagar Negi said it has been seen that
Remaining closed for over 10 months for outsiders, the Spiti valley of Himachal will open for tourists from February 17 with a condition that visitors carry a Covid-19 test report. The decision was taken after a meeting of Spiti Tourism Society (STS) where stakeholders decided that this is the right time to resume the business. Earlier residents had decided not to welcome any visitor till March 31. As Lahaul-Spiti district has no active case of Covid-19 and as vaccine of the disease has also been developed and being administered, the members decided that tourists should be allowed to enter the valley provided that everyone will have to strictly follow the Covid safety protocols. However, residents of Kibber village have denied welcoming the tourists. The society decided that tourists will not visit Kibber village and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, famous for snow leopard sighting. Narendra Rana, one of the members of the society, said it was decided in the meeting that it will be the duty of the tour organisers to make sure that each tourist is carrying a valid Covid-19 test report. “Any individual entering the valley without test will have to be rushed to the government hospital for rapid antigen test. Tourists will have to use face cover and maintain social distancing even in open space. Local coronation and vigilance committees have been formed to ensure that all SOPs are being followed by tourists and tour operators. Some of the restrictions can be lifted in April,” he said. Spiti, where majority of population is dependent on tourism, was the first place in Himachal to impose complete lockdown in the valley in March last year. The residents blamed that this remote valley, coldest in the state, has poor medical facilities and prevention was the only remedy to protect its residents
Remaining closed for over 10 months for outsiders, the Spiti valley of Himachal will open for tourists from February 17 with a condition that visitors carry a Covid-19 test report. The decision was taken after a meeting of Spiti Tourism Society (STS) where stakeholders decided that this is the right time to resume the business.
Rohtang pass, country’s first tourist destination that had faced National Green Tribunal (NGT) wrath to prevent it from becoming crowdiest hill station, is no more tourists’ choice thanks to new tourist destinations Lahaul and Atal tunnel. Majority of tourists used to visit Himachal only to see Rohtang pass until last year. Now that Lahaul valley is easily accessible through Atal tunnel, Rohtang pass seems to have been forgotten by both tourists and state government. Tourists now visit the state with two major destinations in mind – Atal tunnel and Lahaul. Not just Rohtang pass, Marhi, Beas nullah, Gulaba, Kothi and other places on the way to this 13,050ft high mountain pass are no more in the wish list of the visitors. Although the road to Rohtang is blocked with snow, tourists are not taking any interest in visiting its lower areas including Gulaba, the famous picnic spot. “Very few tourists used to visit Manali and other parts of Himachal when road to Rohtang pass used to be closed. Now when Manali-Rohtang pass highway is closed, thousands of tourists are visiting this hill town only because of tunnel and Lahaul valley. Tourist crowd decreases suddenly if road to Atal tunnel and Lahaul is blocked after snowfall but it increases when road is open for tourists. Only a few tourists are enquiring about Rohtang pass,” a hotelier Rakesh Thakur said. After thousands of tourist vehicles were reaching Rohtang pass every day, NGT had to take a tough stand including restricting number of vehicles going to the pass for tourism purpose to 1,200 daily. The decision resulted in hues and cries among both local stakeholders and tourists. A private firm that will establish a ropeway to the pass had to face public protests, especially from local taxi operators, for last many years. As
Rohtang pass, country’s first tourist destination that had faced National Green Tribunal (NGT) wrath to prevent it from becoming crowdiest hill station, is no more tourists’ choice thanks to new tourist destinations Lahaul and Atal tunnel. Majority of tourists used to visit Himachal only to see Rohtang pass until last year. Now that Lahaul valley
