Things to do in Kaza — 9 worth the drive, and what each costs
How this list is built
Sorted by distance from Kaza's own centre, because that's how a Spiti day actually gets planned: what's a short hop, what needs Chicham Bridge crossed, what's a half day into the Pin valley on a different road entirely. The minutes are our own road routing; the prices are typical local bands with the date checked, never a booking — pay on the ground. Each entry links to its own page, and most sit inside one of our copyable itineraries.
Photos: Timothy Gonsalves (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Timothy Gonsalves (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Deepank Ranka (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Timothy Gonsalves (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Closest to town
1. Key Monastery
A drive of about half an hour from Kaza, on a hilltop above the Spiti River — the largest monastery in the valley and a training centre for lamas since the 11th century. Free, a modest donation customary. Key Monastery.
2. Kibber
Further along the same road, about 41 minutes out, at 4,270 m — one of the highest villages on the regular circuit, with its own small monastery and a base for the nearby wildlife sanctuary. Kibber.
3. Chicham Bridge
On the road between Key Monastery and Kibber: a suspension bridge at 4,145 m over a deep gorge, about 50 minutes from Kaza. A short stop, free, no set hours. Chicham Bridge.
A slower half day
4. Dhankar
About 46 minutes from Kaza, on the way to Tabo: a fort monastery on a 300-metre spur directly above the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers — one of the most dramatic settings for a gompa anywhere. Dhankar.
5. Dhankar Lake
A further climb on foot above Dhankar, at 4,140 m — no road access at all, a couple of hours round trip for most visitors. Dhankar Lake.
The Pin valley — a different road
6. Kungri Monastery
About 51 minutes from Kaza, into the Pin valley: Spiti's second-oldest monastery, of the Nyingma school, known for an annual sword dance performed by dancers from Mud village. Kungri Monastery.
7. Lhalung Gompa
Further up the same valley from Kungri, about 54 minutes from Kaza: a quiet fort monastery with a notable statue of Manjushri inside. Lhalung Gompa.
8. Tangyud Monastery
Back near Kaza, about 16 minutes out, at Komic village: a fortified 14th-century gompa on the rim of a deep canyon overlooking the town below. Tangyud Monastery.
Further into the Pin valley
9. Pin Valley National Park
About 73 minutes from Kaza, past Kungri and Lhalung Gompa: 675 km² of cold-desert habitat for snow leopards, Siberian ibex and blue sheep, established in 1987. A landscape more than a wildlife guarantee. Pin Valley National Park.
What it adds up to
Key Monastery, Kibber and Chicham Bridge: one day. Dhankar and its lake: a second, slower day built around the climb. Kungri, Lhalung and Tangyud in the Pin valley: a third day on a different road entirely. Pin Valley National Park, further along that same road, is a fourth day for anyone with time to spare. That's why the honest answer to "how many days" is two for the main circuit, three for the full range of Spiti's fort monasteries, and four for the park too — see the Kaza guide for a plan of every length.
Plans that include this
All Kaza itineraries →
Questions people ask
What are the top things to do in Kaza for a first visit?
Key Monastery, Spiti's largest, then Kibber and Chicham Bridge over the gorge between them — three stops, one day, no permit needed for Indian visitors. Dhankar and its lake are the natural second day for anyone staying longer than that.
What can you do in Kaza for free?
All of it, in the sense that none of the monasteries or Chicham Bridge charge an entry fee — a modest donation is customary at each monastery, not required. What costs money is the taxi between stops, since no local bus covers most of this circuit.
How many days do you need in Kaza?
Two days covers Key Monastery, Kibber, Chicham Bridge and Dhankar with its lake. A third day reaches the quieter Pin valley monasteries, Kungri and Lhalung, and Tangyud Monastery at Komic — each on a different road from the main loop around town.
Is there anything to do in Kaza outside the main season?
Very little on the circuit itself — the Manali road closes for roughly seven months, and most guesthouses in the outlying villages close for winter too. Kaza is reachable year-round via the longer Shimla–Kinnaur route, but the main visiting season stays June to September for a reason.