Travel guide for Tabo Village: Best time to visit Tabo Village in 2024

Imagine yourself surrounded by rugged mountains with no one in sight for miles and miles, crisp mountain air, azure clear skies, and only you in the midst of all this! Yes, that is Spiti Valley for you. Your Spiti Trip Packages is waiting for you right here.

The true beauty of Spiti Valley lies in its small villages inhabited by only 80-100 people. These unexplored villages are still living their livelihood in simple ways and in some barter systems still prevail. You will not find any phone network or ATMs in most of these either, hence taking you back to the early days when these were luxuries in our lives.Tabo Village in Spiti Valley is one such quaint little place which is known for its 100-year-old operating monastery and Tabo Caves. Kaza, which is another important town in Spiti, is 48 km away from Tabo Village. Tourists often spend a night at Tabo Village, and it mostly serves as a pit stop for travelers to acclimatize themselves for their onward journey to Kibber Village, Dhankar Lake, Gue or Pin Valley.

There is actually no best time to visit Tabo Village. It is always a great time to explore this ancient monastery and experience this gem in the Himalayas. Also, it depends on your preference and purpose. The weather conditions vary throughout the year, and each season or month has its own charm and challenges. Here is a brief overview of what to expect in each season or month:

Suggested Read: Tabo Village

Spring (April-May):

This is generally the ideal time to visit Tabo Village and Spiti Valley if you want to enjoy the pleasant weather and the blooming flowers. 

The temperature during these months ranges from 10°C to 25°C, and the precipitation is also low. The roads are accessible and cleared up and the views are just stunning around this time of the year with a whiff of crisp sunshine shining on your face with a cool mountain breeze against your body. 

It is total bliss! The monasteries are also less crowded and more peaceful during this time. However, you may still encounter some snowfall or rain, so it will be a great idea to come prepared for any adversity in the weather.

Summer (June-August):

This is the peak season to visit Tabo Village and Spiti Valley in general. If you want to witness numerous festivals and ceremonies held all over the Valley, then summers are ideal for you. However, also keep in mind that this being the peak season, you will also find that it is pretty crowded in comparison to other months and face some difficulties in terms of finding solitude and peace while exploring the Valley. 

The temperature during this time ranges from 15°C to 30°C, and the precipitation is moderate. The roads are open and busy, and the views are obviously spectacular now. The monasteries and other tourist attractions are brimming with action and vibrancy during this time, as many monks, pilgrims, and tourists flock to the place. The most famous festival is the Chakar festival, which is held every three years in July or August in Tabo Monastery, hence it attracts a lot of monks all over the valley and tourists to be a part of this grand celebration.

It is a colorful and lively event that involves masked dances, ritual performances, music, and prayers. Another important ceremony is the tantric initiation ceremony, which is held every 12 years in May or June. It is a sacred and secret event that involves the display of a giant thangka (a religious painting on cloth) depicting Amitayus, the Buddha of long life.

Autumn (September-October):

This is yet another great time to visit Tabo Village if you want to experience the changing colours and the harvest season. 

The temperature during these cooler months ranges from 5°C to 20°C, and the precipitation is low. The roads are still clear and much quieter than in summers and the views are absolutely breathtaking. 

This is generally not a preferred time to visit Tabo Village. The entire valley comes to a standstill during the harsh and dry winter months. 

But if a little bit of challenge excites you then it is definitely a great time to explore the snow-capped mountains and a snow-laden valley.. The temperature in the winter ranges from -10°C to 10°C, and the precipitation is very high. 

Most roads, as you will find, are closed or blocked by snow, and the views are obscured by fog or clouds. Tabo monastery and nearby tourist locations are also isolated and frozen during this time, as most of the monks and locals migrate to lower altitudes. However, you may still find some brave souls who stay behind and practice their faith in harsh conditions. If you are prepared then exploring Tabo Village during the winters can be a great adventure and might be one of those storied etched in your mind forever.

Suggested Read: How to reach Spiti valley

Tips and suggestions for visiting Tabo Village during different seasons

What to wear: You will need different types of clothing and accessories depending on the season that you are visiting Tabo Village. In general, you should wear layers of comfortable and breathable clothes that can protect you from the sun, wind, cold, and rain. Also, it is a good idea to pack some extra jackets, warm gloves socks and caps/hats . You should also carry comfortable but sturdy shoes or boots that can handle rough terrain and slippery surfaces. You should also pack hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves, scarves, etc.

What to expect: Depending on the season or month, you may encounter different types of weather conditions and events that can affect your travel plans and experience. In general, you should be flexible and adaptable to any changes or surprises that may occur. You should also be respectful and mindful of the local culture and customs, especially during festivals and ceremonies.What to avoid: Depending on the season or month, you may face some adversities or some disruptions in your travel plans. Come prepared with an open mindset and be prepared for anything during your exploration of this part of the country. In general, you should avoid traveling alone or at night, drinking tap water or eating street food, taking photos without permission touching sacred objects, etc. You should also avoid any activities that may disturb or offend the monks or locals. Be respectful and mindful of the locals and their traditions. People here are very simple and honest, please be courteous and kind to them and you will be floored with their hospitality.

• Tabo Monastery

Tabo Monastery dates back to thousand years. It is one of the oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayan region. Also known as the “ Ajanta of the Himalayas”, it is a testament to Buddhist culture and tradition. The old part of the monastery has 9 temples and a number of stupas all made of mud. It is now maintained by Archaeological Survey of India.

• Tabo Caves

The Tabo Caves are located just above the Tabo Monastery, which was also founded around the same time as the Tabo Monastery. This ancient archaeological site has been hollowed out by several caves that used to serve as dwellings for monks during the harsh winters of the Himalayas. Termed as ‘Tabo Caves,’ these marvelous caverns were artificially excavated and were initially used as an assembly hall by the monks. There are many caves in Spiti Valley, but it is not completely clear when and who started the tradition of building such caves and for what purpose.

• Chicham Bridge

Chicham Bridge is the highest bridge in Asia, standing at a staggering height of 13596 ft . It connects two villages named Chicham and Kibber. If you look down below this bridge you will find yourself gaping below a 1000 ft deep gorge! The gorge below is known by the name of Samba Lamba Nallah.  This bridge cuts down the journey from Kibber to Losar Village by 40 km.

• Kibber Village

Kibber aka Kyibar village is located at an altitude of 14200 ft. It is famous for several things  Key monastery, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, the highest post office in the world, and as the highest motorable road to this village. Kibber is also a great place for Stargazing in Spiti Valley

• Key Monastery

Located around 70 km from Tabo, Key Monastery is an iconic Buddhist monastery perched atop a hill. It is known for its unique architecture, exquisite murals, and a vast collection of ancient Buddhist scriptures. The monastery also serves as a training center for monks.

• Dhankar Monastery

Situated approximately 30 km from Tabo, Dhankar Monastery is perched atop a rocky cliff and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Spiti Valley. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the region and is renowned for its stunning location and ancient Buddhist relics.

• Pin Valley Natural Park

The Pin Valley National Park is a must for all nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. This national park is home to diverse flora and fauna, including the elusive snow leopard. Trekking and wildlife spotting are popular activities in this park.

Tabo Village can be reached by road (taxi/bus) from any nearby large town. This is the most preferred and convenient way to reach Tabo. There are no rails or flights directly to Tabo Village.

Taxis can be hired from Shimla and Manali to reach Tabo village. Only one bus runs between Reckong Peo and Tabo, which is the Kaza bus starting from the Reckong Peo bus stand at 6:30 A.M. You can also take the bus from Manali to Kaza to travel to Tabo which takes around 9 hours.

To visit the Tabo Village by train, the nearest railway station is the Kalka railway station located at a distance of 452 km from Tabo. To visit Tabo by air, you take a flight to the Kullu airport which is the nearest air base located at a distance of 294 km from Tabo. Taxis are available from the airport to Tabo which take around 5 hours to reach.