Kaza, also known as Kaze is the administrative headquarters of Spiti Valley in the Lahaul & Spiti District, located in Himachal Pradesh. Kaza is surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks on all sides 2ith the Spiti river flowing through it. Kaza is situated at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level and is widely regarded as one of the coldest places in India, with the weather dropping as low as -37°C during winters accompanied with massive snowfall. The highest temperature here during the summers is 13°C.
Kaza is the largest township in the district and is also the commercial center of the valley. There are 2 main access points to Kaza, one from Lahaul Valley and the other one from Kinnaur. (i) The route from Lahaul Valley starts all the way from Manali and goes along the Rohtang Pass and finally joins Keylong, from where it leads to Kaza. This road generally remains closed during the winter between October and June owing to heavy snowfall. (ii) The route from Kinnaur remains open for a majority of the year except for unforeseen circumstances arising due to landslides or snowfall.
Kaza is very popularly known for its colorful festivals and ancient architecture. The most popular attraction here is the ancient Tangyud Monastery. Adventure enthusiasts would always vouch for Kaza as it is an ideal destination for adventure sports. Its central location attracts adventure seeks from across the nation and the world. It acts as an ideal base camp for mountaineering and trekking. Its most popular festival is the Ladarcha Fair which is held in the 3rd week of August. Villagers from neighboring districts come to Kaza to trade their produce and to enjoy the festive mood.
Kaza also acts as a starting point for trips to villages around the valley such as Kibber, Langza and Komic. Some of the other major tourist attractions around Kaza include the Pin Valley National Park, Losar Village and the Key Monastery/ Kye Gompa.