Third week of August, three days

Ladarcha Fair: Spiti's August trade fair in Kaza

A barter fair of the old Tibet road, revived in the thin summer air of Spiti

The Ladarcha Fair is a three-day state-level fair in Kaza, the headquarters of the Spiti sub-division of Lahaul and Spiti, held in the third week of August. It began as a barter fair of the old trade routes between Spiti, Ladakh, Tibet and Rampur Bushahr, and today it is the largest annual event in Spiti. The Kaza sub-division administration names the week in July and announces the exact three days in August.

The Kaza sub-division administration names the third week of August in July and publishes the exact three days in August.

The legend

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Ladarcha began as a barter fair: each July, traders from Ladakh, Rampur Bushahr and Spiti met on the ground near Kibber in upper Spiti.

Merchants from Tibet and Kullu came too. The old trade fair ended after the Sino-Indian war of 1962.

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In the 1980s the Himachal Pradesh government revived the fair and moved it to Kaza, where it is now the biggest event of the year in Spiti.

Customs

Meeting of valleys

In the third week of August traders and visitors from Kullu, Lahaul and Kinnaur gather in Kaza.

From the Kibber barter ground to Kaza

Every July, traders from Ladakh, Rampur Bushahr and Spiti used to meet on the Kibber maidan in upper Spiti to swap farm produce and local goods; merchants from Tibet and Kullu came too. Cross-border trade ended after the Sino-Indian war of 1962, and with it the old fair. In the 1980s the Himachal Pradesh government revived it and moved it down to Kaza.

The name and the barter are what survive. The Lahaul and Spiti district administration describes today's Ladarcha as a fair of trade and barter that has grown into a cultural gathering linking Spiti with Ladakh, Kinnaur and the plains.

The fair today

Traders and visitors from Kullu, Lahaul and Kinnaur gather in Kaza for three days of stalls, trade and cultural programmes. Recent fairs opened with a procession through Kaza and closed with prizes for the winners of the sports competitions held during the fair. No single day is the main one: any of the three works.

The fair falls shortly after Independence Day, in the only weeks of the year when both roads into Spiti are usually open, so it fits easily into an August trip to Key Monastery or the villages of Hikkim and Komic.

Roads into Spiti in August

There are two road routes to Kaza, both given by the district administration:

Via Shimla and Kinnaur: about 412 km from Shimla, roughly 20 hours of driving without the overnight halt. The district calls it an almost all-weather road; it enters Spiti at Sumdo.
Via Manali, the Atal Tunnel and Kunzum Pass: Keylong to Kaza over Kunzum is about 185 km, roughly 6 hours. Kunzum is generally closed from about October or November to June or July.

The nearest airport is Bhuntar (Kullu); the nearest railheads are Jogindernagar, Shimla and Chandigarh, with the rest of the way by road. Check the district's road status before setting out. Kaza stands at about 3,650 m: the district's own travel advice is to gain altitude slowly.

Permits and practical rules

Parts of Spiti and Kinnaur near the border are a protected area for foreign nationals. Permits are issued by the Himachal Pradesh district administrations, and the two district pages do not fully agree, so confirm the rules with the issuing office before you travel.

Foreign nationals: Protected Area Permit — The Kinnaur district page says foreigners need a Protected Area Permit for the villages on the road from Kinnaur into Spiti, among them Samdo, Tabo and Dhankar, but may visit Kaza without one. The Lahaul and Spiti district page lists Kaza itself among the protected areas, with Khab, Samdo, Dhankar, Tabo, Morang and Dubling. Coming via Kinnaur you pass the protected stretch either way. Permits are issued by the District Magistrate at Keylong, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Spiti at Kaza and, among others, the SDMs at Kalpa and Pooh. Lahaul and Spiti asks for groups of four or more foreigners sponsored by a recognised Indian travel agency, Kinnaur for two or more; ask the issuing office which rule applies.
Indian citizens: carry ID — The Kinnaur district page states that everyone moving in the notified area must carry a valid identity card.
No satellite phones — The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) notes that possessing or operating satellite phones or GPS devices without permission from the Indian authorities is illegal, and that a phone signal is unlikely in the mountains.
Insurance for altitude — FCDO advises insurance that covers altitudes above 2,400 m and mountain rescue. General safety: Is India safe? and emergency numbers.

FAQ

When is the Ladarcha Fair?

Three days in the third week of August, in Kaza. The Kaza sub-division administration names the week in July and announces the exact days in August.

What is the most famous festival in Lahaul and Spiti?

In Spiti, Ladarcha is the largest event of the year. It is a revived barter fair, held in Kaza since the 1980s.

Do foreigners need a permit for Kaza?

The district pages differ: Kinnaur's says foreigners may visit Kaza without a Protected Area Permit, while Lahaul and Spiti's lists Kaza among the protected areas. The road from Kinnaur passes protected villages such as Tabo and Dhankar in any case; confirm with the SDM Spiti at Kaza.

Where was the Ladarcha Fair held originally?

On the Kibber maidan in upper Spiti, in July, until trade with Tibet ended after 1962.

How do you reach Kaza in August?

From Shimla through Kinnaur (about 412 km) or from Manali through the Atal Tunnel and over Kunzum Pass; Kunzum is usually open in August. Check the district road status first.

Sources (9)

Facts checked: 22 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.

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