Kaza: The Hub of the Spiti Valley Road Trip

Kaza is the largest town in the Spiti Valley, sitting at about 3,800 metres (12,500 feet) above sea level. It has a small market, a handful of cafés, and is the administrative headquarters of the Spiti sub-division. On the Spiti Valley Road Trip, the group stays in Kaza for two nights and uses it as a base for two full days of exploration.

**Key Monastery**

Key Monastery (also spelled Ki or Kee) is the largest monastery in Spiti Valley, perched on a hilltop at 4,166 metres with the Spiti River visible below. The monastery is centuries old and was historically important as a religious and administrative centre. It houses a large collection of paintings, antique weapons, and thangkas. The view from the monastery courtyard — looking across the valley to the bare ridgelines opposite — is one of the defining images of Spiti.