Lingti Waterfall- A mesmerising natural wonder in Lingti Valley

In a fast-paced world, Lingti Waterfall in Spiti Valley is the epitome of nature’s splendour and bounty. This waterfall is sure to enthral you and make you stop in your journey and just admire its virgin beauty and hold you in awe. 

Lingti is the name of a remote valley, a river and its waterfall. ‘Lingti’ in the local Spitian language means an instrument that cuts rocks. 

Lingti Valley is a challenging and offbeat location in Spiti Valley where not many have been as there are limited options to access this area. In the mid-1980s, it was notified as part of the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. 

 Lhalung village in Lingti Valley is home to the ancient Lhalung Monastery. The historic monastery, established in the 10th century by Rinchen Zangpo, stands to this day despite the harsh climate of Spiti Valley. This monastery is held in high regard by the local people. It is believed that the monastery was built by angels from willow trees to safeguard the village. 

The Lingti Waterfall cascades gracefully down the rugged cliffs creating a breathtaking spectacle of crystal clear water, surrounded by towering peaks and lush valleys. The pristine waters of the Lingti River feed this majestic waterfall thus creating a mesmerising sight that leaves everyone spellbound. 

Lingti Waterfall in Winter

The Lingti Waterfall freezes while the river below is still flowing. It looks as if time has come to a standstill with you locked in between where you can spend hours and hours admiring this ethereal beauty. The Lingti Frozen Waterfall is a mesmerising capture that will be etched in your memories forever.

The entire valley of Lingti is blanketed with snow during the winter months from November to mid-February. The surrounding Himalayas also adorn a jaw-dropping awesomeness with heavy layers of snow. Even the roads leading to this region gets difficult and challenging as the surface is covered with snow and can be slippery and roads can be blocked due to heavy snowfall.

The tributary of the Spiti River that flows through Lingti Waterfall gets frozen and the water freezes as the temperature dips below zero degrees Celsius. Ice climbing is one adventure activity that you can undertake on Frozen Lingti Waterfall, Spiti Valley.

Adventure seekers and photographers love the Lingti Frozen Waterfall and are attracted to this natural wonder as bees to flowers. However, if you are travelling to witness the Lingti Frozen Waterfall, you need to keep an important thing in mind and that is, if you travel to Spiti Valley during the winter then you must keep a good amount of warm clothes and be mentally prepared for anything which may come as a sudden hiccup in your plans. Remember, Spiti Valley is cut off from the mainland for these seven months of winters and it can be very harsh during these tough months.Come prepared with layers of warm clothes which will help you to protect yourself from harsh weather and always plan your adventures after consulting the weather forecasts.

Lingti Waterfall in Summer

Summer casts a different spell on Lingti Waterfall as well. As the valley awakens revealing its lush meadows, glistening streams and cascading waterfalls the pleasant weather and clear skies make summer an ideal time for outdoor activities, allowing travellers to soak in the panoramic vistas of the Valley.

Adventure enthusiasts start visiting Spiti Valley for their trekking expeditions to Lingti Waterfall in summer, while witnessing picturesque trails adorned with alpine flora and fauna.

Best Time to Visit Lingti Frozen Waterfall

Depending on your choice of weather and preferences, the Lingti Waterfall during the summer season, i.e., from the months of April to June is a cascading marvel. On the other hand, if you visit the Lingti waterfall in the winter season (from November to mid-February) you will be in India’s winter wonderland, where the Lingti Frozen Waterfall is a different sight altogether with frozen icicles hanging from the rugged terrain and time coming to a standstill.

Based on your preferences, you can choose the ideal time to visit the Lingti Waterfall and we have listed down a detailed month-by-month description of the waterfall for you to decide which season suits you the best.

• Spring between April-June: The months of April to June are actually the ideal time to visit Lingti Waterfall, as the surrounding valleys come alive with vibrant hues of spring and flora and fauna. But it is also the month of peak tourist season which itself comes with a lot of other challenges like busy hotels, cafes, crowded, etc.
• Monsoons between July-September: Waterfalls during the rainy season are a different feeling altogether. Monsoons in Spiti Valley are no different with occasional rainfall and risks of landslides but it also amplifies the waterfall’s grandeur, as the cascading waters gush down with renewed vigour.
• Autumn between October-November: October to November bring in autumnal hues all over the valley and it is a delightful time to visit Lingti Waterfall, as the surrounding foliage transforms into a medley of golden and crimson hues, casting a spell charm all over Spiti Valley.
• Winter between December and February: Despite the harsh winter months from December to February, Spiti Valley during these months offer a unique panorama. The Lingti Waterfall transforms itself into a frozen marvel, adorned with hanging icicles thus creating an ethereal peace and calm around it.

How to reach Lingti Frozen Waterfall

• By Air- You can book a cab from Shimla Airport to reach Lingti Waterfall. It takes almost 12 hours to reach the Lingti Waterfall from Shimla.

• By Train- The Shimla Railway Station is well-connected to all major cities of India. After reaching Shimla, you can either drive or travel by bus to reach Lingti Waterfall.

• By Road- The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) runs buses for people to travel to and fro. Hence, you can also take a bus from any major Bus Depot, like Shimla, Manali or Kaza in Spiti Valley to reach the Lingti Waterfall.

Places to visit nearby Lingti Waterfall

• Langza Buddha Statue

The Langza Buddha statue is an iconic monument in the village of Langza and is located only 19.9 km away from the Lingti Waterfall. It is believed to stand as a guard in the Langza Village and can be seen from afar as you approach Langza. It is the village’s highest establishment, positioned at the very top of the hill, and the most ideal place to visit in Langza village. The statue is a ten-minute trek from the base parking area. The statue is believed to be 1,000 years old.

• Tabo Monastery

Tabo Monastery is located in the enchanting Tabo Village, is a history and spirituality treasure trove. This ancient Buddhist monastery, also known as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas,” dates back over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest functioning monasteries in the world. Tabo Monastery showcases remarkable murals, intricate sculptures, and ancient scriptures that glimpse the region’s rich cultural heritage.

• Komic World’s Highest Village

This deserted village is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Komic Village is a quaint village with a population of approximately 114 people who live in very simple mud houses built quite close to each other with narrow lanes, making it very cosy and intimate, which explains the unity and love among the locals. The village houses a small monastery, called the Tangyud Monastery, which is also one of the oldest monasteries of Spiti Valley and is of great religious and cultural significance.

• Key Monastery

Key Monastery in Spiti Valley is the largest monastery and a religious training centre for lamas. The Key Monastery is dedicated to Lochen Tulku, the 24th reincarnation of the great translator Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo. It is about 12 km north of Kaza, the sub divisional headquarters of Spiti Valley. 

The walls of the monastery are covered with paintings and murals. The monastery also has a collection of ancient books, including Buddha images. There are three floors in the Monastery, the first one is mainly underground and used for storage.