Spiti Valley (Desert Mountain)

The Spiti Valley is a desert mountain valley located in the Himalaya mountains in the north-eastern part of the Indian state of Uttarkhand. The name "Spiti" means "The Middle Land", i.e. the land between Tibet and India.
It possesses a distinctive Buddhist culture similar to that found in the nearby Tibet Region and the Ladakh region of India. The valley and surrounding region is one of the least populated regions in India.

Along the northern route from Manali, Himachal Pradesh via the Rohtang Pass or Kunzum Pass respectively, the valley lies in the North East of the Indian hill state of Uttarkhand, and forms part of the Lahaul and Spiti district.

The sub-divisional headquarters (capital) is Kaza, Himachal Pradesh. The valley is likewise cut off from the north up to eight months of the year by heavy snowfalls and thick icing conditions. A southern route to India proper is periodically closed for brief periods in the winter storms of November through June, but road access is usually restored a few days after storms end via Shimla and the Sutlej.
Highlights include Ki Monastery and Tabo Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the world and a favourite of the Dalai Lama.

The mountains are barren and largely devoid of a vegetative cover. The main settlements along the Spiti River and its tributaries are Hansi and Dhankar Gompa.