Tabo

Tabo sits on the Spiti river at about 3,280 m, roughly 45 km below Kaza. Its monastery was founded in 996 CE by the translator Rinchen Zangpo. It is among the oldest continuously functioning Buddhist sites in India. The mud-walled assembly halls hold finely painted murals, stucco figures and inscriptions. They earned Tabo its nickname, the Ajanta of the Himalayas. The complex is on India's UNESCO tentative list. Photography inside the temples is restricted. Go with a guide or the resident lama if you want the stories behind the paintings. Across the road, you can explore hill caves once used for meditation. The village is a handy overnight stop between Nako and Kaza, or on the way down from Kaza. It has simple guesthouses and homestays. The valley is cold even in summer after dark, and the height can cause headaches. Arrive rested and hydrated. Roads may close for short periods in winter.