Jispa
Luxury at 10,500 Feet.
Welcome to Jispa.
Tucked inside the remote Lahaul Valley at 10,500 feet, Jispa is where the Himalayas feel truly untouched. A small settlement on the banks of the Bhaga River, it sits on the ancient trade route between Manali and Leh — a passage once used by Tibetan merchants and now by adventurers seeking solitude beneath the widest skies in India. This is not a tourist town. There are no malls, no traffic jams, no noise. Just glacial rivers, barley fields, and the kind of silence that makes you hear your own heartbeat.
Where to Sleep in Jispa.
Glamping · Geodesic Domes
India's Most Remote Luxury Camp.
Sleep in a transparent geodesic dome by the Bhaga River at 3,200m. Watch the Milky Way from your bed. Wake up to glacier views.
- Transparent geodesic domes with stargazing views
- Riverside location on the Bhaga River
- Expert-led glacier & high-pass trekking
- Off-grid, satellite-connected
What Makes Jispa Special.
Gateway to Ladakh
Jispa sits on the Manali–Leh Highway (NH3), making it the last major halt before the mighty Baralacha La pass at 4,890m. It's the transition point where the lush green Kullu Valley gives way to the stark, lunar landscapes of Ladakh.
Buddhist Heritage
The Lahaul Valley has deep Buddhist roots. Centuries-old gompas (monasteries) dot the hillsides, and prayer flags flutter above every bridge. The nearby Kardang Monastery and Tayul Gompa in Keylong are living links to Tibetan Buddhist traditions that have thrived here for over 900 years.
The Bhaga River
Born from the Suraj Tal glacier at 4,890m, the Bhaga River carves through the valley with aquamarine water so clear you can count the stones on the riverbed. YOLO Outdoors sits right on its banks — the sound of the river is your constant companion.
How to Reach Jispa.
Bhuntar Airport
The nearest airport is Bhuntar (Kullu-Manali Airport), approximately 170km away. From there, it's a scenic 6-hour drive through the Rohtang Pass or the Atal Tunnel. Daily flights connect Bhuntar to Delhi and Chandigarh.
From Manali
Jispa is 140km from Manali — about 4 hours via the Atal Tunnel (open year-round) or 5+ hours via Rohtang Pass (open June–October only). The drive beyond the tunnel is one of India's most dramatic mountain roads.
530km / 14 Hours
Take the NH3 via Chandigarh and Manali. Overnight Volvo buses run from Delhi to Manali (10–12 hours), from where you can hire a cab for the final leg. Break the journey in Manali for a night — your body will thank you.
Best Time to Visit.
June — September
The only window when the valley is fully accessible. Days are warm (15–25°C), nights are cool (5–10°C), and the landscapes are at their greenest. The Milky Way is visible almost every clear night. This is when YOLO Outdoors operates.
May & October
Roads open tentatively in May and start closing in October. Expect unpredictable weather, some snow at higher passes, and fewer tourists. The landscape has a raw, transitional beauty — half snow, half green.
November — April
Jispa is cut off by heavy snowfall. The Rohtang Pass closes, temperatures plunge to -15°C, and the valley enters a deep, beautiful hibernation. Access is only possible via the Atal Tunnel, but most services shut down.
Things to Do Near Jispa.
Baralacha La Pass
One of India's highest motorable passes at 4,890m. A 60km drive from Jispa through stark, moon-like terrain. A must for bikers and road-trippers on the Manali–Leh Highway.
Deepak Tal
A pristine glacial lake 20km from Jispa, sitting at 4,270m. Its still, turquoise waters perfectly mirror the surrounding peaks. Ideal for a quiet afternoon picnic and photography.
Suraj Tal
The "Lake of the Sun God" is India's third-highest lake at 4,950m, near the Baralacha La pass. Fed by glacial melt, its otherworldly blue waters are considered sacred by locals.
Keylong Town
The district headquarters of Lahaul, just 22km from Jispa. Visit the Kardang Monastery, explore the local market, and experience the unique Lahauli culture — a blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
Darcha to Palamau
A moderate day trek from the village of Darcha (15km from Jispa) through wildflower meadows and shepherds' camps. The trail follows the Bhaga River upstream into increasingly remote territory.
Stargazing
At 3,200m with zero light pollution, Jispa offers some of the clearest night skies in India. The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye, and shooting stars are a nightly occurrence during summer months.