Finding the best café or an authentic homestay in Lahaul and Spiti can easily feel perplexing. But, staying in a local homestay is probably the only way to best experience their real culture and lifestyle. As the district tourism has seen a significant boom in the recent years; valleys have also witnessed a proportional rise in the number of emerging cafes and homestays. Unfortunately, many have also been quick to exploit the situation taking advantage of locals and tourists’ naivety. Through this blog, we hope to compile a trustable guide for local cafes and homestays in the region. Let’s first have a quick look at top Lahaul and Spiti Cafes before we dig deeper into best homestays.
Local Cafes and Restaurants to visit on your Lahaul and Spiti Trip
1. The Himalayan Café, Kaza
2. Kunzum Café, Tabo
3. Spiti Organic Kitchen, Komic Village
4. Café Zomsa, Kaza
5. Tara Travellers Café, Pin Valley
6. Taste of Spiti, Kaza
7. Dragon Restaurant, Old Kaza
8. Mahabudha Restaurant, Spiti Valley
9. Yak Café, near Bazaar, Lahaul-Spiti
Top Homestays in Lahaul & Spiti by Locals
1. Nyingma House, Kaza
2. Tenzi Homestay, Langza
3. Zostel Homestay, Kibber
4. Winter White House; Near Sakya Monastery
5. Khabri Homestay, Lalung
6. Miklam Homestay, Rangrik
7. Grand Dewachen, Rangrik
8. Rabsal Homestay, Dhangkar
9. Tara/Sonam Homestay, Mudh Village Pin Valley
1. Nyingma House, Kaza
Nyingma house is a homestay facility that is being run by the locals of Spiti valley. The property offers well-maintained, spacious rooms along with all the basic facilities, free WiFi and parking space. The stay at Nyingma House will cost you around Rs 2500 to Rs 3000 per night. Warm welcome and beautiful views of Kaza from the residence’s terrace are its biggest perks. Additionally, if you are travelling with the pets, it will be one of the most comfortable choices for them too.
2. Tenzi Homestay, Langza
Located in the heart of Langza village; Tenzi Homestay comprises a total of five rooms. Three of these rooms have shared bathrooms while two rooms have attached bathrooms. One night stay at this homestay, which includes dinner and breakfast, costs Rs 1000 and Rs 700 per head respectively depending on your choice of room. In case you are trekking around Langza village; you can also request them to pack your lunch at the same nightly cost of the stay.
3. Zostel Homestay, Kibber
If you have a tight budget and are travelling alone; Zostel Homestay can be a great option for you in the Kibber village. Overlooking the tiny mud houses in the village, Zostel Homestay offers beautiful sights of the Kibber monastery and surrounding mountains. It has emerged as one of the most popular homestays in the Spiti valley among solo travelers especially the ones looking for more affordable stay. You can enjoy this stay at a mere Rs 500 to Rs 900 per head.
4. Winter White House; Near Sakya Monastery
If comfort is your priority, Winter White House is a nice homestay option in Kaza. One of the older homestays in the area, Winter White House is located 1 km away from the Sakya Monastery. Costing around Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 per head; it comprises a total of 8 spacious AC rooms along with generator facility too. Additionally, it also offers the basic facility of hot water supply, attached toilets and private balconies.
5. Khabri Homestay, Lalung
Located in the Lalung village of Spiti valley, Khabri Homestay provides facilities at a price of Rs 700 per head for one night. It also covers your dinner and breakfast. This homestay property has a total of four rooms, all of which have common bathrooms only.
6. Miklam Homestay, Rangrik
Run by a local family in the Spiti valley; Miklam Homestay offers incredible rooms at Rs 1000 to Rs 1300 per head. It is located inside the Rangrik village, just outside Kaza. Homestay owners are often appreciated and recommended by tourists for their friendly welcome while the Key Monastery view is the best-selling point for the local property. Moreover, the aforementioned price per night also includes tea, breakfast, lunch, and dinner in this one.
7. Grand Dewachen, Rangrik
A comfortable contemporary lifestyle in a traditional Himalayan house can be the perfect homestay for many on a Lahaul and Spiti trip. The luxurious Grand Dewachen offers you exactly this in its premium, eco-friendly property. It uses local materials like rammed earth, mud, stones and recycled wood but also ensures various facilities like internet. It also provides you views of Key Monastery and Rangrik at a price of Rs 6000 to Rs 8000 per night.
8. Rabsal Homestay, Dhangkar
At a high altitude of 3894m, Rabsal Homestay in the Dhangkar village has six rooms with common bathrooms. So, you won’t find any rooms with attached bathroom. However, in a small difference; five of these rooms are double bedded while the larger room can accommodate a group of five people. One of the most affordable homestays in the locality; one night stay (inclusive of dinner and breakfast) at Rabsal homestay only costs you Rs 700 per head.
9. Tara/Sonam Homestay, Mudh Village Pin Valley
Located in the Mudh Village of Pin Valley; Sonam Homestay and Tara homestay are two homestays owned by the same family. While Sonam Homestay has four rooms with a common bathroom; Tara has four rooms with a common bathroom and two rooms with an attached washroom.
Both of them share the same kitchen of Tara homestay. A night stay (inclusive of tea, breakfast, and dinner) at Sonam Homestay in Pin Valley will cost you Rs 900 to Rs 1000 per head. On the other hand, a night at Tara guesthouse will cost you Rs 1000 to Rs 1300.
That is our list of top cafes and homestays in Lahaul and Spiti. We really hope that this list will help you in planning your Lahaul and Spiti trip. In case you have anything to add or suggest; feel free to drop in your suggestions. Also, if you know of any good, local and authentic homestays in the district that we might have missed, do let us know in the comments below.
