Tabo Himachal Pradesh
Tabo, a small town in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti region, is located on the Spiti River’s banks. At 10,760 feet, the chilly desert hamlet is encircled by snow-covered Himalayan peaks and scree slopes. For those seeking an unusual trip, Tabo, known for its calm and serene beauty, is a must-see location.
The settlement can be found on the road from Kaza to Reckong Peo since it is only around 40 kilometres from the border between India and Tibet. One of the most well-known sights in Tabo is a 1,000-year-old monastery that the Dalai Lama himself regards as one of the holiest. The list also contains several temples and some historic caves originally occupied by Buddhist monks seeking refuge from the bitter winters.
Things to Do:
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Tabo Monastery/Chogskhor Monastery/The Golden Temple/The Chamber of Picture Treasures/ Mahakala Vajra-bhairava Temple: Buddhist monastery complex Tabo Gompa, also called Tabo Chos-Khor Monastery in the area, has nine subsidiary temples. It was established in 996 AD and is regarded as the nation’s oldest continuously operating Buddhist monastery. The monastery’s modest elevation and mud-colored exteriors are not to be taken in. Paintings, statues, murals, thangka art, and frescoes adorn the interior walls. Four ornate stupas and cave shrines are also part of the monastery complex.
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Tabo Caves: The magnificent Tabo caverns are visible on the hillside and are a part of the complex of monasteries that dates back a thousand years. Monks previously lived in these man-made caves, using them as a refuge from the chilly Himalayan winters. These caves are still used by monks today for meditation. The caves have tiny passageways that lead to further little nooks and spaces. These caverns’ roofs have ventilation holes chiselled into them. You would have to travel for about 200 metres to get to the caves.
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Sopona Lake: Sopona Lake is a well-known attraction in Spiti for thrill-seekers. To enjoy the ultimate experience, go to this lake created by melting glaciers. Some of the most beautiful vistas of the Spiti valley and the nearby Manang Himalayan range may be found there.
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Manirang: One of the tallest mountains in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh is called Manirang. It is situated where the districts of Kinnaur, Lahaul, and Spiti converge. Before the construction of the motorable road, the high Manirang pass, which was close to the top, was one of the early trading routes between Spiti and Kinnaur.
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Manirang Pass: The Ropa valley in Kinnaur is connected to the Spiti valley via the Manirang Pass. This is a high pass with a three to five-kilometre-long snow bed on the Spiti side and a five-kilometre-long snow bed on the Ropa valley side. The descent to the Ropa valley side through a very small ravine is much steeper than the ascent to this pass from the Spiti side through the settlement of Mane. On this route, there is scarcely any other traffic. The tracks that lead to the pass are in poor condition, quite taxing, and occasionally dangerous.
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Dhankar Lake: Dhankar Lake is a high-altitude lake located in the Spiti Valley of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It can be reached via a trek from the Dhankar monastery, which is located above it in the Lahaul-Spiti area at an elevation of 4,140 metres.
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Dhankar Monastery: In the Indian region of Lahaul and Spiti, there is a settlement called Dhankar Gompa in addition to a Gompa, or Buddhist temple. It is located in the Spiti Valley, above Dhankar Village, between the towns of Kaza and Tabo, at the height of 3,894 metres.
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Kaza: You cannot afford to miss Kaza, only 48 kilometres or an hour’s drive from Tabo. The municipality, located at 11,980 feet, has breathtaking views over the valley. Kaza is notable for its arid landscapes, crystal clear streams, and smatterings of lush meadows while being surrounded by towering mountains. Along with other attractions, Kaza features the renowned Sakya Tangyud Monastery in addition to its natural beauty.
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Pin Valley National Park: The Pin Valley National Park, 48.5 kilometres from Tabo, is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. Although it is home to more than 20 distinct bird and animal species, the endangered Snow Leopard is its main draw. Additionally, the park is home to about 12 large cats and various other wild creatures, including Tibetan Gazelle, Woolly Hare, Marten, Red Fox, Siberian Ibex, and Himalayan Black Bear.
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Tabo Helipad: The Tabo Helipad is another well-known sight in Tabo, in addition to the Tabo Monastery, the city’s most notable landmark. In addition, Tabo has a few well-known schools and a rest house for the public works department.
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Kinnaurto: The Himalayan desert of Spiti is where Tabo is located. There may be some agricultural land and a few sparse pastures, but most of the terrain is desolate. You might even find a tiny garden at your hotel, or you could travel to Kinnaur to take in the rich vegetation. Additionally, you can go to the Pin Valley National Park, a haven for wildlife that is just 48 kilometres distant.
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Nature Walk
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Talk with monks
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Connect with nature
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Hiking
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Star Gaze
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Try local food
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Sunset Time Lap
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Mochilero Ostello, Spiti
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Spiti Mud Huts Tabo
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Hotel Dhankar Heights
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Tashi Khangsar
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Zostel Homes Tabo
By Air
No flights go directly to Tabo. The Kullu Manali Airport, situated in Bhuntar, is the closest. The airport is 300 kilometres from Tabo, where you can reserve a taxi.
By Train
There aren’t any trains that go straight to Tabo. The Shimla railway station is 362 kilometres from the settlement and is the closest station. Taxis may be accessed from the train station.
By Road
Driving is the most effective way to get to Tabo. You may get a taxi from Manali or Shimla that will take you straight to Tabo village. One bus only travels to Tabo, departing from the Reckong Peo bus stop at 6:30 AM.
Places to visit |
Distances from Tabo Himachal Pradesh |
Tabo Monastery/Chogskhor Monastery |
300 mtr |
Tabo caves |
800 mtr |
Sopona Lake |
14.5 km |
Manirang |
16 km |
Manirang Pass |
18 km |
Dhankar Lake |
30 km |
Dhankar Monastery |
31.2 km |
Kaza |
48 km |
Pin Valley National Park |
48 km |
Tabo Helipad |
63 km |
Kinnaurto |
111 km |
Manali to Tabo |
231 km |
Shimla to Tabo |
373 km |
Best time to visit Tabo:
May through October is the ideal season to visit Tabo. At this time of year, most well-known tourist destinations are still accessible because the weather is neither too cold nor too hot. The weather in Tabo may be somewhat erratic. The short summer season typically lasts from May until July. In the summer, daytime highs of roughly 20 °C can fall to lows of 5 °C at night.
The monsoon season in August, however, increases the risk of landslides and makes the roads leading to the arid Spiti region slick and damp. It is, therefore, wise to avoid August. From mid-September to early April, there are the harsh winter months.
Wintertime temperatures often range from 15 to 45 degrees Celsius. During the winter, there is also a lot of snowfall.
Conclusion
One of the most well-known gompas in Himachal Pradesh is Tabo Gompa, also referred to as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas.” It is one of the most well-known monasteries in the Lahaul and Spiti Valley region and was founded more than a millennium ago, in 996 A.D. This ancient structure rises to an incredible height of 3050 metres above sea level in the Tabo valley’s stony, arid desert. Over the years, this unspoiled beauty has preserved Buddhism’s magnificent legacy, traditions, and culture. To tour this stunning gompa, reserve a Himachal Pradesh Fixed Departure Package.
F&Q’s Tabo Himachal Pradesh
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