Jispa (elevation 3,200 m or 10,500 ft; population 202) is a village in Lahaul, in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It's located along the Manali–Leh Highway (NH‑3) on the banks of the Bhaga River, approximately 20 km north of Keylong and 7 km south of Darcha. It serves as a popular overnight stop for travelers en route to Lahaul‑Spiti or Ladakh.
Jispa experiences a cold, high-altitude climate with summer temperatures rising to around 15 °C and nighttime lows often near 3–5 °C. Heavy snowfall isolates the village from November to April.
The completion of the Atal Tunnel in 2020 has drastically reduced travel time between Manali and Jispa, making it a preferred overnight halt for travelers heading to Leh.
Geography Jispa is located north of KeylongJoe Bindloss & Sarina Singh. India. Lonely Planet (2007), p. 341. ."Jispa" . Himachal Tourism (2009). Accessed 22 October 2009. and south of Darcha,David Abram. Rough Guide to India. Rough Guides (2003), p. 523. . along the Manali-Leh Highway and the Bhaga river. There are approximately 20 villages between Jispa and Keylong.Sudha Mahalingam. "On the trail of two rivers" . Frontline (18–31 December 2004).
Regular buses operated by Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) ply between Manali, Keylong, and Jispa during the summer months (June–October). Shared taxis are also available from Manali. In winter, road access is restricted due to snow beyond Keylong.
Demographics According to the 2011 census, of the town's 202 residents, 113 were male and 89 were female. One belonged to scheduled castes, and 177 belonged to scheduled tribes. The village had 51 households. Though the official population remains small, local tourism and homestays have grown significantly post Atal Tunnel opening.
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