Spiti, Lahaul & Spiti · Himachal
Tabo
A 1,000-year-old mud-brick monastery often called the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas'.
Tabo is an easy pilgrimage in Spiti, Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal, reaching 3,400 m. The best time to go is June to September. Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground from Shimla / Kaza and about ₹3,000 per person per day.
What to do in Tabo
The one thing not to miss
Tabo Monastery
Founded in 996, with murals inside low mud-walled temples. No photography inside.
- 2The meditation cavesCut into the cliff above the village.
- 3DhankarThe cliff monastery, a drive towards Kaza.
- 4GiuA village near Sumdo with a naturally preserved mummy.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Shimla to Tabo
About two to three days on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings; go gently, you have gained height.
Day 2
Tabo Monastery · The meditation caves · Dhankar
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Tabo to Shimla
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
The oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monastery in India and the Himalaya, with original frescoes.
Why not
Photography inside the main hall is restricted, and the village itself is small.
Before you go
- Permits
- Monastery entry fee; photography pass separate.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Cold nights even in summer; the valley wind picks up after noon.
- Phone & internet
- Patchy BSNL.
Altitude
Tabo reaches 3,400 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common.
- Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water.
- Avoid alcohol on the first night.
- If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Himachal →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District emergency operation centre, Lahaul & Spiti, Keylong.
All emergency contacts for Himachal →What to pack for Tabo
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
8 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 3,400 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
5 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 The sun burns faster in the hills than in the plains.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- Moisturiser and a saline nasal spray The air is very dry; skin and the inside of the nose crack within days.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsMonastery entry fee; photography pass separate.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works therePatchy BSNL.
For what you're going for
3 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Car phone mount and charger Hands-free navigation on mountain roads.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Himachal Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
Links to shops are affiliate links: if you buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The shop handles payment, delivery and returns.
Share this place
Homestays in Himachal
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Getting there
The nearest gateway is Shimla / Kaza.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. The road beyond Rampur is cut into cliffs and prone to rockfall and landslides. Drive in daylight and check road status.
By road
From
Kaza
- Distance
- about 47 km
- Drive time
- about 1.5 hours
- Kaza
- Shichling
- Tabo
From
Reckong Peo
- Distance
- about 165 km
- Drive time
- 6–7 hours
- Reckong Peo
- Pooh
- Nako
- Sumdo
- Tabo
From
Shimla
- Distance
- about 370 km
- Drive time
- two to three days
Break the journey at Kalpa and Nako to gain height slowly.
Live directions from Shimla
Buses and shared taxis. The Reckong Peo–Kaza bus passes Tabo once a day.
Pickups & drivers
From Shimla / Kaza. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Tabo yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Tabo: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Tabo?
The best months for Tabo are June to September. May and October are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to February.
How difficult is Tabo?
Tabo is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 3,280 m and reaching 3,400 m.
How many days do you need for Tabo?
Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground, counted from Shimla / Kaza. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Tabo cost?
Expect about ₹3,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹9,000 for 3 days, before the cost of getting to Shimla / Kaza.
How do you reach Tabo?
By road: from Kaza it is about 47 km, about 1.5 hours (Kaza → Shichling → Tabo); from Reckong Peo it is about 165 km, 6–7 hours (Reckong Peo → Pooh → Nako → Sumdo → Tabo); from Shimla it is about 370 km, two to three days. The Reckong Peo–Kaza bus passes Tabo once a day. The nearest gateway is Shimla / Kaza.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Tabo?
Permits: Monastery entry fee; photography pass separate. Guide: Not needed.
Is Tabo suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is great. It is quiet in season. Cold nights even in summer; the valley wind picks up after noon.
What should you pack for Tabo?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, sun cap or hat, compact umbrella, rain jacket or poncho, comfortable walking shoes with grip. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Tabo?
Patchy BSNL.
Will I get altitude sickness at Tabo?
Tabo reaches 3,400 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common. Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol on the first night. If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Tabo?
Tabo suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Photography inside the main hall is restricted, and the village itself is small.
Close to Tabo
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Kazaabout 33 km
- Spiti Valley circuitabout 33 km
- Nakoabout 33 km
More in Kinnaur & Spiti
- Chitkul & Sangla3,450 mcompare
- Kalpa3,400 mcompare
- Kaza4,600 mcompare
- Nako3,800 mcompare
- Rupin Pass4,650 mcompare
- Spiti Valley circuit4,590 mcompare