spiti valley road trip video

Spiti valley Road Trip – The Complete & Ultimate Travel Guide

Himachal Pradesh

Last Updated on: Nov 18, 2023  

About the Blog: Spiti Valley needs no introduction in the Indian traveling circuit. With its mountains, monasteries and eccentric landscape, Spiti Valley is simply stunning. And it is a perfect place for adventurous souls. With this Spiti Valley travel guide and blog, we have tried to give you as much information about the place we could. Read it to know about the places to visit in Spiti valley and other important information that will help you plan your Spiti valley Road Trip. 

A Spiti Valley road trip or bike trip is actually a dream. The landscape changes as you travel from one region to the other, the monasteries loom in the horizon, there are rivers to cross and the stark barrenness of the land will leave you with nothing but wonder.

We had been planning our Spiti Valley road trip for a long time. The first time we visited Ladakh , I knew that I had to visit Spiti. Well, the trip happened only a few days back, but it was worth the wait.

So, if you are planning for a Spiti Valley road trip and are a bit clueless about what to do, you are in the right place. This travel guide will try to answer your most common queries about Spiti Valley and some more. Hope this helps you plan a perfect trip to Spiti Valley.

Spiti Valley You Tube Video

Oh! We have an entire series on Spiti Valley on our YouTube channel . Please have a look at that!

Spiti Valley – The Middle Land

Spiti Valley is located in the northeastern corner of Himachal Pradesh in the district of Lahaul and Spiti. The region borders Tibet in the east, Ladakh in the north, Chamba and Kullu in the west and Kinnaur Valley in the south.

For the uninitiated, Spiti and Lahaul are two distinct regions (though they are part of the Lahaul and Spiti district). Lahaul is another region centered around the town of Keylong located to the west of Spiti. As for Spiti, Kaza is the most important town of the region.

Spiti is a cold desert. Located at an altitude of between 3000 to 4600 meters, Spiti Valley is cold and barren with a beautiful and unique landscape.

Spiti Valley is also known as the Middle land. In essence, the valley of Spiti is actually a continuation of the Tibetan Plateau. Spiti is topographically and culturally similar to Ladakh in India and the Tibetan Autonomous region. Historically, the area had been a border area. The name, in Tibetan, also means “the middle land” – a place between India and Tibet.

How to Reach Spiti Valley?

Spiti Valley can be reached in two ways. One is from Shimla along the Hindustan-Tibet Highway that passes through Kinnaur Valley. Kinnaur in itself is a gorgeous destination that needs more time to explore.

You can also reach Spiti from Manali via Rohtang Pass or Atal Tunnel and Kunzum Pass. During peak season during the summer, tourists usually do a circular route starting from Shimla and exiting through Manali or vice versa. If you are planning to do a circular trip, then we recommend you enter from Shimla and exit through Manali. This helps you to acclimatize better to the increasing altitude.

Nearest Airport

The nearest airport to Spiti Valley is Bhuntar Airport in Shimla. The closest international airport is Chandigarh. Kaza is about 250 km from Bhuntar and 500 km from Chandigarh. From here, you have to get a bus or hire a car to reach Spiti Valley.

Nearest Railway Station

The nearest major railway station is Kalka Station. You can also take the mountain railways from Kalka to Shimla. From there you can either hire a car or take a bus.

Spiti Valley by Road

Whether you arrive by flight or train, the majority of your journey needs to be done on the road. For your Spiti Valley road trip, you can either hire a car with a driver or drive in your own car. You can also explore Spiti Valley on your bike. This trip is a favourite among bikers and as adventurous as a bike trip in Ladakh.

Spiti Valley from Shimla

The route from Shimla to Spiti is the longer one and requires at least a night stop at Narkanda or Kalpa or Reckong Peo before entering Spiti Valley. This road is better and is open all through the year and you can visit Spiti during the winters through this road. Having said that, it is usual to have landslides and land blocks in this route also during the monsoon season.

The route to Spiti Valley from Shimla passes through the Hindustan-Tibet Highway. This route has its own beauty. The landscape changes as you travel from one region to the other. You will see the difference in vegetation as you cross Shimla Valley to Kinnaur Valley. The difference in landscape and culture will be quite stark as you enter Spiti Valley from Kinnaur. So if you have time in hand, this route is worthwhile to take.

Spiti Valley from Manali

This is the shorter route and you can reach from Manali to Kaza in one day. However, the roads are quite bad. After crossing Gramphu until you reach Losar, the roads are merely dirt tracks and you will be off-roading for the majority of your journey. You might have to cross streams on your way and there can be several roadblocks on the way.

However, these roads are beautiful in their own right. You will cross Kunzum Pass, one of the highest motorable passes in India. The landscape is stark and extremely gorgeous and this journey is going to be a rather impressive adventure.

As this route covers some high-altitude areas, the roads from Manali to Kaza remain open only during the summer, officially between May to September. However, the authorities allow vehicles beyond this time if they see that road conditions are conducive for travel. We took the route from Kaza to Manali in late April.

Spiti Valley on Public transport – the most affordable way to reach Spiti

The most affordable way to reach Spiti and explore the place is with HRTC buses. These buses are limited in number, but reliable and have a fixed timetable. Let me share the timings of a few buses to Kaza as I had gathered during our Spiti Valley road trip.

Shimla to Kaza Bus: 6.30 PM

This bus reached Reckong Peo in the morning. Usually Shimla to Kaza is a long journey and I would recommend to take a night halt at Reckong Peo or Kalpa , stay for a couple of days to enjoy the beauty and Kinnaur valley and then proceed to Kaza.

Reckong Peo to Kaza Bus: 7.00 AM

Kaza to Shimla: 7.30 AM (via Tabo, Nako and Reckong Peo)

Manali to Kaza: 5.00 AM

Shared Vehicles from Manali to Kaza

There are some local cabs and tempo travelers available from Manali to Kaza. Walk around new and old Manali and ask for these tempo travelers. Try to book a day ahead as seats tend to get full. The drivers stop for lunch and breakfast, but they hardly stop for toilet breaks, So be careful with your water intake. Roads are bad, but the drivers are experienced. The price for a seat will cost somewhere around INR 1000-1500.

Self-drive in Spiti Valley

We would recommend you take a car with high ground clearance. Also, if you are taking the Manali route, then try to avoid smaller cars. We had traveled in Innova, but it had got stuck at a stream crossing while reaching Chandratal Lake. We had to walk to the campsite and the car had to be towed out by a Bolero truck.

Also, do this trip only if you are confident in your driving and your car.

Bike trip in Spiti Valley

A bike trip in Spiti is one of the most popular ways to explore the region. During the season, you’ll see many bikers on the road. You can bring in your own bike. Otherwise, bikes can be rented in Manali as well.

Do you need a Permit to Visit Spiti Valley?

There is no permit required for Indian citizens to visit Spiti valley. But foreign tourists require a special area permit to visit the area between Kaza and Reckong Peo.

If you are starting from Manali and want to cross the Rohtang Pass, then you will need a permit. But with the opening of the Atal Tunnel, you can skip the Rohtang Pass and travel via Atal Tunnel and continue your journey towards Kaza.

Protected Area Permit for Foreign Nationals

This is a bit complicated. If a foreign tourist starts from Shimla, they need no permit to visit till Reckong Peo. But beyond that, they would need a permit to visit Nako, Tabo, Gue, Dhankar and Kaza. Refer to the official site for details.

What is the Best time to visit Spiti Valley?

The best time to visit Spiti Valley is between May to September. This is the most popular and peak season for the tourists. However, you can visit Spiti at other times of the year as well. Here is a detailed breakdown of the seasons in Spiti Valley.

April & May

April and May is typically a shoulder season. If you want to visit Spiti valley during April, we recommend the second half of the month.

The roads are accessible and you can reach most of the tourist attractions and villages in Spiti Valley by road in April. It is also the beginning of tourist season and you will see very few tourists during this time. You will also find no problems in finding a place to stay as well. However, the road from Kaza to Manali will be closed during this time.

Historically, the roads to Kaza from Manali via Kunzum Pass open after May 15. But, sometimes BRO allows vehicles to travel through these roads if the weather is good and there is no snow on the roads.

We visited Spiti Valley in the second half of April. We were warned by our driver (who happened to be a fabulous guy) that the roads from Kaza to Manali might be closed and we were prepared to return by Shimla again. Fortunately, on our last day, we came to know that the roads from Kaza to Manali were open and so was Chandratal Lake. We took the road and had one of the best road trip experiences of our life.

Usually HRTC buses between Manali and Kaza are not operational during April and May. You might get shared tempo travelers if the roads are open. Buses from Shimla to Kaza and other buses in that route are operational, though.

June to September (Peak Season)

As mentioned before, this is the best time to visit Spiti Valley in terms of weather and facilities and is also the peak season for tourists. It does not rain much in Spiti Valley and there is no distinct monsoon. It is like the summer season seamlessly merging into the early autumn – something that you will encounter in Ladakh as well.

However, it will be prudent to remember that while Spiti Valley gets less rain, monsoons (July and August) are heavy in other parts of Himachal Pradesh – places that you might have to cross before entering Spiti. There might be heavy rains in Kinnaur Valley and Kullu, often resulting in landslides.

During this time, all the hotels and homestays remain open. HRTC buses are also operational fully, also in Manali to Kaza route. Weather is pleasant in Spiti with bright and sunny mornings perfect for your day activities.

October is another shoulder season, similar to that of April. Cold starts setting in and in the second half of the month the number of tourists decreases considerably. It also starts snowing over the Kunzum Pass after mid-October. So if you are planning a Spiti Valley road trip in October, do so in early October, especially in the first 10 days of the month.

November to March (Winter Spiti)

Spiti is a winter wonderland covered in a blanket of white snow. This has made Spiti Valley a coveted destination in the winters and winter Spiti trips are quite common these days. Apart from the snow covered landscape, winter is also the time to spot snow leopards in the region.

However, you need to remember that Spiti Valley is remote and you are not going to get much facilities here in the winter.  Also, not all of the attractions in Spiti Valley will be accessible to travelers during this time.

Winters, especially December and January, are harsh and cold. Temperature at night falls several degrees below zero. Even days are not much better. You need to be prepared to brave the biting cold of the region.

Quite obviously, you will not be able t o travel the entire circuit during this time. The roads from Kaza to Manali will be closed. Plan a trip in December only if you have a very good driver who can maneuver his way through the snow. If you are self-driving or riding, do so only if you are totally confident in your skills.

Spiti in winters is beautiful, but difficult. Do winter Spiti trips only if you are adventurous enough and are ready to face the challenges on the road.

Where to Stay in Spiti Valley?

Gone are the days when finding an accommodation in Spiti was tough. Now, there are many options of stay in Spiti Valley and around. Most of the expensive hotels and resorts can be found in Kaza, the headquarters of Spiti. Tabo also has a few hotels and guest houses.

Homestays at Spiti Valley

However, if you want to experience village life at Spiti, then stay at a homestay. There are many homestays in the region and you can find them in the villages. You might not have to book ahead for a stay at a homestay in Spiti Valley. In these homestays, you stay with the locals, eat local food and understand their way of life and get an insight into the culture. The costs are generally low and depend on the village and season.

We had stayed at homestays in Dhankar, Mud, Langza and Key village during our Spiti Valley road trip.

Backpackers Hostel

There are backpackers hostels at Kaza and Tabo.

Food at Spiti Valley

Food in Spiti valley is a mix of Tibetan, Nepalese and Himachali cuisine. You will find thukpas , momos, thentuk , mokthuk , chowmein in most of the restaurants and eateries. At the homestays, you might get some authentic Tibetan food.

We found good rajma Chawal at Nako and Tabo. At Dhankar, we ate Tibetan bread and thentuk at our homestay. Kaza had several restaurants serving Tibetan food. There was also a North Indian restaurant at Kaza market that served North Indian thali, samosa and chaats with very good milk tea.

At Mud village, our homestay served us chapati and chicken for dinner and sandwiches and aloo parantha for breakfast. At our homestay in Key village, once again we had thentuk and momos.

Also try the sea buckthorn juice or tea at Spiti Valley. It is amazingly refreshing.

If you are a culinary connoisseur, you will have a gastronomy adventure here for sure.

What to Buy from Spiti Valley

You can buy local woolen items, dry fruits, roasted barley and Buddhist memorabilia like prayer flags and incense sticks. I did not find anything special in Spiti Valley to collect as souvenirs. The only thing that piqued my interest was sea buckthorn juice.

Places to Visit in Spiti Valley

Once we visited Spiti Valley, we were quick to realize that the entire Spiti is a tourist destination. There are so many things to see and explore here. Even the mountain ranges looming in the horizon as you drive through the roads will mesmerize you. At every turn of the road, you will see something new and you will never be tired of clicking pictures. But then you have to start planning your trip somewhere. So here is a list of the most popular places to visit in Spiti Valley.

Kaza is the headquarters of Spiti Valley and is the most important town of the region. The small town has most of the hotels and all the HRTC buses arrive at and leave from Kaza. While Kaza itself is a small town and hardly has much to offer in terms of attractions, it can serve as your base to explore the region. There are numerous hotels, guest houses and homestays available in Kaza. There are a couple of backpackers hostels as well. It is perhaps the only place in Spiti Valley where you will get good wifi in some of the hotels.

So you can stay at Kaza, get fuel for your car from the world’s highest fuel station and explore the rest of Spiti Valley.

Tabo is a beautiful place. It is the first major village that you will come across in Spiti valley if you are coming from Shimla.

Tabo is also known as the “Ajanta of Himalayas” because of the ancient Tabo Monastery and the age-old murals that it houses. Tabo Monastery was built sometime in 996 CE. The monastery is located within the village and not on a hilltop. This was a distinguishing feature of the early period monasteries built before 1300 AD. Similar examples can be seen in Alchi Monastery and Mangyu Temple Complex in Ladakh.

Once you enter the Tabo Monastery Complex, you will be transported to a different era. And once you look at the ancient murals, you will understand why Tabo is known as the Ajanta of Himalaya. They are simply grand and magnificent.

Tabo village also has some ancient caves that you can explore.

Tabo is around 50km from Kaza. There are many hotels and homestays found in Tabo – many near the monastery complex and many in the villages. We highly recommend a night stay at Tabo. It is an enchanting place.

Dhankar is located about 36 km from Kaza, but you have to take a diversion from the main road to reach Dhankar Village. The place is known for Dhankar Monastery and Dhankar fort.

Words are not enough to describe the beauty and grandness of Dhankar Monastery and the village. The village looks as if it is hanging from a cliff and your photographer self would definitely want to click several pictures of the village and monastery.

Another attraction at Dhankar is the Dhankar Lake. It is a 5 km uphill trek from the village to reach Dhankar Lake. The trek is easy and can be done by moderately active people without prior preparation. Dhankar Lake is beautiful. But it is the serenity of the place that will take you in.

There are a few homestays at Dhankar village. We stayed at Dhankar for a night as we had planned to do the Dhankar Lake trek. A villager simply opened up his home and invited us to stay there. They only took INR 800 for the room and dinner.

Dhankar can be visited on your journey from Tabo to Kaza.

Key Monastery

Key village is located about 15 km from Kaza and the most famous attraction of the place is the Key Monastery, whose picture has become eponymous with Spiti Valley itself. The Gompa is grand and beautiful and houses several important artifacts, idols and murals. It is one of the largest and most important monasteries in the region. The Key Gompa has temples, prayer halls, meditation rooms, schools, monk’s quarters, and hostels for young monks inside the complex.

Once you are there, you will see several young monks  playing around. You can talk with them, visit the temples and meditation rooms and get a glimpse of the life of the monks.

Key village also has a few homestays and camps. We had stayed at a homestay in Key village as we wanted to stay away from Kaza and experience the village life at Spiti Valley.

Kibber is one of the highest villages in Spiti Valley. It is located about 19 km from Kaza town on the same road as Key. Kibber is also the entry point of Kibber wildlife sanctuary where snow leopards can be seen.

Kibber is a beautiful village. The houses perched on the cliff look quaint and beautiful. Look at the picture if you do not believe me!

Kibber is also the starting point of Kanamo Peak Trek and Parang La Pass trek.

If you have seen the picture of a gigantic Buddha statue lording over snow-capped peaks and valleys, then you have probably seen the Buddha statue of Langza. But that is not the only attraction of Langza. In Langza and a few surrounding villages, you can see marine fossils. It means that some 150 million years ago, Langza was under the sea.

Scientists observe that the Himalayas were not always there. Infact, the Himalayas happen to be one of the youngest mountain ranges on the earth. Earlier there used to be Tethys Ocean in its place. Due to tectonic collision, the mountains emerged and the ocean disappeared. This is the reason, one could find marine fossils at Langza and the surrounding villages. The villagers have preserved these fossils in their houses and you can see them once you visit there.

Langza too, is an extremely beautiful place. There are a few homestays available in Langza. These homestays provide basic amenities, but very warm hospitality. If you have time, spend a night at Langza.  

Komic is one of the highest motorable villages in the world. Located at an altitude of 4600 meters, there is a plaque at Komic saying that “You are at the highest motorable village in the world”. The village has very few houses and there is an ancient monastery at Komic.

We did see a small homestay at Komic. If you want to stay there, you have to ask around.

Hikkim is quite famous because it has World’s highest post office in the village. Quite naturally, the place is quite a tourist attraction is Spiti Valley. The village itself is small and the few houses that are there are spread out.

You can visit the Hikkim post office, talk to the postmaster, buy several postcards and send them over to any address you like.

Pin Valley is one of the most beautiful places that you will visit on your Spiti Valley road trip. The location is in a bit of a different area and you will need an entire day to visit the place. Mud village is the major settlement in Pin Valley that also has a few homestays for tourists and travelers.

Pin valley is quite gorgeous. The landscape is a bit different from Spiti and you can see more greenery here. The Pin River flows by the village and the entire river valley opens up to a majestic view. If you have time, we recommend you stay a night at Mud village. The experience will be quite different from the others.

At Mud, there is not much to do than explore the village at your own lazy pace. You can visit the river bank and spend time there.

Pin Valley also borders the Parvati Valley and Mud village is the base camp for the famous Pin-Parvati Pass trek and the Pin-Bhaba Pass trek.

While you are driving towards Mud village, do not forget to stop and see the confluence of the Spiti and Pin River.

Offbeat Places to Visit in Spiti

Now that you have planned to visit the main attractions of Spiti Valley and yet have some time in your hand, you can check out the following offbeat places in Spiti Valley. Spiti in itself is remote and raw, but these places are not much visited by tourists and can definitely make it in your itinerary.

Gue Mummy Stupa

Yes, there is a mummy in Spiti valley. Gue Mummy Stupa is a latest addition to the attractions in Spiti Valley. Gue village is located about 38 km from Nako. Just after crossing Sumdo, there is a diversion from the main road towards Gue village. The village is about 12 km from the main road and Tabo is another 26 km from the point.

Gue has a monastery, but its main attraction is the Mummy, believed to be almost 530 years old. The mummy you see here is that of the Buddhist monk Sangha Tenzing. It is believed that the monk had undergone the process of self-mummification to attain this state.

As of today, there are only 24 such mummies of monks who had undergone self-mummification. If you look carefully, you can see his teeth, small patches of hair on the head and nails on the body. And all these are not preserved in the way done in Egypt! This process is different.

This mummified body of Sangha Tenzing was found after an earthquake in 1975 opened an old tomb. It was excavated much later in 2004. The glass surrounding the mummy case was placed only a few years back.

You can visit Gue on your way from Nako to Tabo. There are a couple of homestays at Gue village if you want to stay there for the night.

Lingti Waterfall

Lingti is a small village on the way towards Pin valley. The place is famous for its waterfall, especially during the winter season. During summer, Lingti waterfall is just a simple waterfall on the way. But in winter, the waterfall gets frozen and looks quite imposing and beautiful. It’s brilliant, but scary!

Chicham Bridge

Chicham Bridge is the latest addition in the attractions of Spiti Valley. Located at an altitude of 13596 feet, this bridge is said to be the highest motorable bridge in Asia connecting 2 villages – Chicham and Kibber. It took almost 15 years to build this bridge. You can cross Chicham Bridge and take the road forward towards Manali.

Mane is another small, beautiful and offbeat destination in Spiti valley. You can reach there by taking a short diversion near the road towards Pin Valley. Mane village has an ancient monastery which is its main attraction.

Gette and Tashigang

Gette and Tashigang are two villages located on the same route. Tashigang is one of the remotest villages to reach in Spiti Valley. And believe me when I say that we did not see a single person or vehicle on the road when we were driving from Gette to Trashigang!

Well, Gette is a small village with houses so spread out that you will feel there is nothing but emptiness there.

Tashigang is located at an altitude of 15256 feet and has the world’s highest polling station in the village. There are only 52 registered voters in Tashigang and there was 100% turnout during the November 2022 assembly election.

The village is small with a few houses and a gompa in the middle of the village. Due to the altitude, the wind is very strong here.

Well, Tashigang is also located very near to the China border, a mere 30 km away.

Demul & Lhalung

Demul and Lhalunga are two nearby villages connected by motorable roads very recently. You can also trek from Demul to Lhalung if you want. In fact, we have seen many travelers trekking from one village to another in Spiti Valley. Perhaps one day, when we have enough time, we will do that.  Lhalung has an ancient beautiful monastery and the two villages are quite lovely themselves. If you have time at hand, visit these places.

Spiti Valley Itinerary

Here is a glimpse of a most-common itinerary for Spiti assuming you start at Shimla and end in Manali.

Day 1 : Shimla – Sarahan

Day 2: Sarahan – Kalpa

Day 3: Kalpa – Nako – Gue – Tabo

Day 4: Tabo – Dhankar – Pin valley (Mud Village)

Day 5: Mud village – Kaza – Key – Kibber – Kaza

Day 6: Kaza – Hikkim – Komic – Langza – Kaza

Day 7: Kaza – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal Lake

Day 8: Chandratal Lake – Manali

This is a very rushed itinerary for Spiti Valley.

I believe you need time for your Spiti Valley road trip. These days I have seen a 7 days itinerary for the entire Spiti Valley starting from Shimla and ending in Manali. I am not sure how they attain it. I think you will need at least 10 days to do justice to Spiti Valley. There is a separate post about it.

Cost of Spiti Valley Road Trip

The cost of a trip majorly depends on your choice of transportation and accommodation. So here I will divide the cost into modes of transportation, accommodation, food and miscellaneous.

On a Spiti valley Road trip, the major cost comes out to be for that for transportation or fuel if you are self driving or riding. Using public transport is quite cheaper, but it is challenging and difficult if you have time constraints.

As such, in Spiti Valley, travelers mostly commute by hiring a taxi or they self-drive on their cars and bikes.

Here I am assuming that you start the trip at Shimla and end it at Manali.

Cost for Privately Hired Taxi

The rate for taxis from Shimla to Kinnaur Valley and  Spiti valley is usually around INR 3800-4500 per day.

Self-drive by Car or Bike

On this Spiti Valley Road trip, you will probably be driving for around 1600 – 1700 kms in total. If your bike gives a mileage of 25-30 km per litre on an average, with the current cost of petrol (INR 105.00 approx), your fuel cost will be around INR 6,500.00 to INR 7,000.00.

If your SUV gives a mileage of 15 km per litre on an average and with the current cost of diesel (INR 92 approx), your fuel cost will be around INR 10,000.00 to INR 11,000.00.

If you are renting a bike or car, keep that cost in calculation as well.

Accommodation depends on what you choose. For basic homestays, guest houses and monastery stays, you can keep INR 800.00 to INR 1500.00 per night. For mid-budget hotels, it can be upto INR 4000.00.

Food will also depend on what you have and from where you have. If you have your meals at small eateries and dhabas, then it can cost you around INR 100.00 per meal. If you are visiting restaurants and cafes, the cost will be higher.

The trip cost will also increase if you decide to travel to remote places, spend on shopping and other activities.

What to Carry for your Spiti Valley Road Trip?

In addition to your regular clothes and shoes, there are a few things that you should carry during your Spiti Valley road trip. The area is remote, though not inhospitable and the infrastructure is not yet at its best.

• Let us first talk about clothes. During the summer months between June to September, carry cotton clothes, light woolen and a jacket. The mornings are usually quite sunny and warm. For April and October, carry woolen and proper jackets. Also carry socks, scarves and woolen socks.
• If you are visiting Spiti Valley during the winter, you have to carry enough warm clothes, thermals, heavy jackets, socks, scarves, gloves and balaclava.
• Good shoes are also important in any road trips. We usually wear these during our trips.
• Whenever you are visiting Spiti valley, always carry a good sunscreen that offers SPF 50 protection.
• Carry a skin lotion or cream. Also carry a lip-balm.
• Carry Vaseline with you. Spiti is a dry region and Vaseline can be a lifesaver there.
• Also, please do not forget a cap or hat. It will help protect you from the harsh sun rays during the day.
• Carry a basic first-aid kit having general medicines for cold, cough, fever and stomach problems. You may also carry Diamox for altitude sickness. But it is always better to travel slow and acclimatize than taking Diamox.
• Carry emergency kit for your car that includes a tyre inflator and puncture repair kit, battery jump start cable, towing rope, and empty 5 litre can for back-up fuel.

Petrol Pumps in Spiti Valley

On the Shimla to Kaza route, the last petrol pump is at Reckong Peo and Tapri. On the Manali to Kaza route, there are no petrol pumps once you leave the towns.

Spiti valley Travel Guide (FAQs Answered)

You will need at least 8 days for your Spiti Valley road trip assuming you enter from Shimla and return to Manali. This time, you will probably visit the most famous attractions of Spiti Valley. You will need at least 3 days to enter Spiti from Shimla via Kinnaur Valley and at least 2 days to exit to Manali via Kunzum Pass. However, I recommend that you travel slowly and enjoy the vibes of Spiti.

It is always better to start your journey from Shimla, travel through Kinnaur Valley and then enter Spiti. End your journey at Manali after crossing the Kunzum pass. This will help you to acclimatize better.

The best time to visit Spiti Valley is between June to September when the weather is at the best. The mornings are bright and sunny and evenings are cool. It does not rain much in Spiti, so the months of July and August are great as well. However, monsoons are experienced at other parts of Himachal Pradesh like Kinnaur Valley and Kullu and Manali during July and August and there might be landslides and roadblocks because of the rains.

Yes, you can visit Spiti valley during the winter. Spiti is a winter wonderland with a snow covered landscape. Snow leopards can also be seen during this time. However, winters are very harsh and cold and facilities are very less for tourists during this time. Also, the Manali to Kaza road will be closed and you will hardly get any public transport during this time.

Yes, you can do a Spiti valley Road trip by car. Just make sure that your car is a SUV having high ground clearance. Also make sure the driver is confident when driving at treacherous mountain roads.

Yes, there are mobile signals at the towns and in some villages in Spiti valley. Mobile networks of Airtel and Jio are found in Kaza, Key, Dhankar and Tabo village. There was no mobile network in the remote villages like Mud village, Langza, Tashigang and Gue.

You will have wifi at the hotels in Kaza town. Mobile internet is poor and you will not get any internet once you leave Kaza.

Hope this Spiti travel guide helps you plan your perfect Spiti Valley Road trip. If you wish to have an itinerary, we will be publishing a blog on that soon.

Do let us know whether you found this helpful. If yes, please share this blog with youyr family, friends and neighbours.

Keep travelling!

Agni Amrita

Related posts.

Kibber, Gette & Tashigang – Exploring Remotest Corners of Spiti

Chicham Bridge, Spiti – Visiting the Highest Bridge in Asia

Langza, The Fossil Village of Spiti – A Comeplete Travel Guide

Hikkim & Komic (Spiti) – Visit to The Highest Post Office in The World

Mud Village in Pin Valley (Spiti) – A Complete Travel Guide

Dhankar Monastery and Dhankar Lake Trek in Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley is indeed a gem in the Indian travel scene, and your blog beautifully captures its allure. The vivid descriptions and insights into the mountains, monasteries, and unique landscape create a compelling narrative. Your Spiti Valley travel guide is a treasure trove of information, offering a comprehensive look at the must-visit places and essential tips for a road trip. Reading this has sparked the adventurer in me, making Spiti Valley a top contender for my next journey. Thanks for sharing your passion and knowledge, making Spiti Valley even more irresistible!

Thank you so much!

Stunning locations in the Spiti Valley; I want to see them one day.

You will surely see them! Thanks for the comment.

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• Spiti Valley Road Trip
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Route 1: Shimla - Spiti Valley 

Route 2: manali - spiti valley, quick navigation.

Essential Information

How many days it take to reach spiti.

Best Time for Spiti Valley Road Trip

Spiti Valley Road Condition

Best Itinerary for Spiti Valley Road Trip

Places to Visit During Spiti Road Trip Via Shimla

Best of Manali

Places to Visit During Spiti Road Trip Via Manali

Rohtang pass.

Kunzum Pass

Must Visit Places in Spiti Valley

Key monastery.

While Himachal Pradesh is home to a dozen different monasteries, this spectacular place is not just the biggest, but also the oldest one around. A must visit tourist place in Spiti Valley ,  the Key Gompa is encircled by picturesque mountains and soothing valleys. A wonderful example of monastic architecture and decorated with beautiful paintings, murals, manuscripts, and wind instruments.

Top Experiences To Do in Key Monastery

Chandratal Lake

Chandra Tal is also known as "Moon Lake" is the source of the Chandra River. It is one of the finest treks for trekking in Manali. It was at one time a provisional spot for brokers from Tibet and Ladakh who went to Spiti and the Kullu valley, however today it draws in countless devotees from over the world and it is one of the best places in Kullu.        

You will go through two high mountain ranges named Moulkila and Chandrabhaga, which are entirely trying for mountain dwellers. Further, you will see the delightful snow-shrouded mountain tops and slants. There is an unbelievable story connected with this lake.

Sea Preferred Season son: June - mid-Oct

Maximum Elevation: 4250 mts/14000 ft

Duration: 10 day

Difficulty Level: High

Pin Valley National Park

India's highest cold valley National Park, this place was constructed to preserve the unique natural flora and fauna of Himachal Pradesh and is named after the gorgeous Pin River and acts as an interface between the Lahul and Spiti Valley. Against a backdrop of barbarous, rugged snow-covered mountain peaks of the Spiti Valley, the national park is home to Himachal's ferocious predators, the snow leopards, and their prey, the ibex.

The terrain is rough and precarious, so train hard and get into those fitness programs before you undertake this captivating journey. The sanctuary also witnesses a strong spiritual influence due to the presence of Buddhist monasteries around the area.

Location: Near Kaza.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM throughout the week.

Top Experiences To Do in Pin Valley National Park

Third highest lake in India and 21st highest in the world, the Suraj Tal is a divine water body surrounded by barbaric bare mountains and soothing valleys. It is a common belief that anyone who takes a dip in the pristine emerald waters of the lake is cleaned off their sins.

Whether you want to visit the Suraj Tal for spiritual reasons or to simply revel in the unsurpassed natural charm – you won’t regret it. An absolute haven for avid trekkers, the lake offers an asylum to refresh and recharge during the hectic Manali-Leh trek. Adrenaline junkie motorcyclists and mountain bikers will find this place a wonderful stopover on their journey.

Top Experiences To Do in Suraj Tal

Best of Ladakh

Tabo Monastery

Tabo Monastery is one of the most wondrous places to visit in Spiti Valley.   Founded a millennium ago, the temple is a unique amalgamation of history, culture and natural splendor. In the cold barren deserts of Tabo valley, the monastery appears as a sanctum from the brutality of barbarous rocky mountains around.

It houses centuries worth of Buddhist culture, tradition and heritage – a treat for history and cultural buffs. For those of you interested in art and handicraft – witness the amazingly preserved paintings, murals and sculptures. Or just kick back and take in the healing environment as calmness ascends over your being.

Discover the peaceful Tabo Monastery in the Himalayas with Spiti Valley Packages , where you can explore ancient Buddhist traditions and enjoy stunning mountain views in a serene setting.

Kunzum Pass is your high road to adventure, connecting Lahaul and Spiti valleys at an altitude of 4,551 metres. With 15 thrilling hairpin bends, it offers an adrenaline rush amidst the snow peaks and valleys. The temple of goddess Kunzum Devi stands guard here, blessing the travellers. It is a haven for bikers, trekkers, and photographers seeking extraordinary sights and thrilling experiences.

Discover the stunning Kunzum Pass where you can enjoy breathtaking views and thrilling adventures amidst the beautiful Himalayas with Spiti Valley Packages .

Nestled in one corner of the beautiful Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Kaza happens to be a tranquil and serene destination in Spiti Valley. Packed with majestic snow-covered mountains, bubbling rivers, picturesque landscape, and shimmering streams, this dreamy place is no less than a paradise on earth. 

The entire town of Kaza is categorized into 2 parts – New Kaza and Old Kaza. While the former accommodates the king’s palace, the latter is home to government offices. The presence of historical wonders, monasteries, and gompas adds a sense of magic to this charming town. At present day, the Himalayan town of Kaza features an exotic amalgam of ancient culture and modernity that is sure to leave every traveler totally awestruck and spellbound.

The pristine locales and mountainous terrain of Kaza lure tourists who are interested in experiencing spirituality as well as adventurous activities. The place even forms a base camp from where travelers can venture to experience activities such as mountaineering and trekking. Some well-known trails that start from the town of Kaza include Pin-Bhaba, Parang-La, and Pin-Parvati. In addition to trying adventure sports and visiting various Buddhist shrines, tourists flocking here also like to take a walk to the small villages nearby Kaza town, which offers an exciting and unique experience.

One can access Kaza from Lahaul Valley and Kinnaur Valley. While the latter route stays open all year round, the former route only opens during the summer season. Winter season in this destination comes with extremely low temperatures that make the weather of the town immensely cold. During this time, the locals prefer staying indoors and only venture out in case of absolute urgency. They always keep food supplies stocked up for this time of the year and utilize the whole time indoors by producing handicrafts.

The town of Kaza is blessed with a plethora of decent accommodation facilities and food outlets, helping tourists in having a comfortable vacation. All the elements put together, make tourism flourish in this small Himalayan destination.

Top Experiences To Do in Kaza

Dhankar Lake

Tucked atop a small hill at an impressive altitude of 4100 meters above sea level, the Dhankar, with its dazzling blue waters, is one of the most popular places to visit in Spiti Valley. The lake sits at the end of the famous Dhankar Lake trek known for its treacherous paths, rocky snow-capped mountains, and incomparable vistas. Adventure enthusiasts and photography lovers are enchanted alike by the magical realism of the trek. The Dhankar Fort Monastery sandwiched between Spiti and Pin rivers offers a special spiritual touch as it plays hide and seek on the trail. And once you reach the lake, the rare and diversified views will make your jaw drop! Location:  Near Rohtang Pass connecting Kullu and Lahul.  Timings: No timing restrictions.

Top Experiences To Do in Dhankar Lake

Kibber is a village located in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh at an elevation of 4270 meters. This village is surrounded by stunning mountains and landscapes. The Tibetan-style houses in Kibber, built with stone and bricks, are impressive to see. The village's landscape is unique in the Spiti Valley, featuring fertile fields that yield abundant crops, even for trading. Also called Kyibar, it is famous for the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kibber Monastery.

Top Experiences To Do in Kibber

Dhankar monastery.

Dhankar Monastery is located in Lahaul and Spiti Valley at 3,894 meters. It is recognized as one of the hundred most endangered monuments in the world. This monastery is also known as Dhangkar Gompa, and it was built around 1000 years ago by Lama Lha-od. It is one of the primary Buddhist centres and tourist attractions in Spiti. The Monastery also houses centuries-old Buddhist paintings. Visitors can experience the amazing beauty of Spiti Valley from the Dhankar Monastery.

Top Experiences To Do in Dhankar Monastery

Nako village.

Nako village, situated in the Himalayan mountains, is a tranquil getaway that captivates visitors with its beauty and quiet. This charming community, encircled by majestic peaks and verdant surroundings, provides an insight into the way of life in the Himalayas. For those looking for peace and natural beauty, Nako is the ideal location because of its gorgeous surroundings and welcoming residents. Nako village promises a memorable experience in the heart of the Himalayas, whether you choose to explore the village's meandering lanes or just take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Top Experiences To Do in Nako Village

The Nako Lake is located in Nako village of Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh. Situated at an altitude of 3662 meters, it is famous for its dense willow forests and beautiful mountain views. This lake in the Nako village is a pilgrimage destination for Buddhist followers. Legends say that Lord Padmasambhava (one of the founding fathers of Tibetan Buddhism) meditated here, making it sacred. So, no one is allowed to bathe, swim, or put their feet in the waters of the Nako Lake.

Location: Nako Village, Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh

Timings: It can be visited at any time.

Entry Fee: No entry charges

Top Experiences To Do in Nako Lake

Best of Leh

Tabo is a small village in the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. It is a treasure trove of culture and is home to the Tabo Monastery which is also known as the "Ajanta of the Himalayas." This ancient village is surrounded by snowclad Pir Panjal mountains and it is a great place to learn about Buddhist culture as well as traditions. Tabo is also an excellent destination to visit for those seeking tranquillity and historical exploration.

Things to Know During Spiti Valley Road Trip

Petrol pumps.

Mobile Connectivity

Safety Tips and Guidelines

Clothes to Carry

Things to Carry

Best of Sikkim

Information About AMS and Acclimatisation

Places for Night Stopover

Shimla - spiti valley route.

Manali - Spiti Valley Route

Spiti Tour Packages

Spiti valley from delhi | free lahaul excursion.

About the Tour:

Imagine starting your journey in Delhi, leaving behind the city's chaos, and entering the serene landscapes of Manali and Spiti Valley, where rugged mountains meet clear blue skies. Kaza, Tabo, Dhankar, Pin Valley, and the shimmering Chandra Tal Lake will be your playgrounds, each offering a unique flavor of Spiti's natural beauty and ancient monasteries. This journey is a rare opportunity to explore remote high-altitude villages and ancient monasteries and connect with the warm-hearted locals.

Quick Info:

• Route: Delhi  -  Manali - Kaza - Tabo - Dhankar - Pin Valley - Chandra Tal - Manali - Delhi
• Duration: 7 Days, 6 Nights
• Start Point: Delhi
• End Point: Delhi

Spiti from Chandigarh | FREE Highest Motorable Village Excursion

About the tour :

The Spiti Valley Tour Package from Chandigarh is your ticket to an unforgettable adventure. From the organized charm of Chandigarh to the breathtaking landscapes of Narkanda, Chitkul, Kalpa, and Kaza, this journey immerses you in the beauty of the Himalayas and the warmth of local culture. You'll explore remote villages like Komic, Langza, and Hikkim, where time stands still, and end at the mesmerizing Chandra Tal in Manali. It's a voyage that will leave you in awe and touch your heart deeply. 

Quick Info :

• Route: Chandigarh - Narkanda - Chitkul - Kalpa - Kaza - Komic - Langza - Hikkim - Chandra Tal - Manali - Chandigarh
• Duration: 9 Days, 8 Nights
• Start Point: Chandigarh
• End Point: Chandigarh

Chandigarh To Spiti Bike Expedition | Royal Enfield Special

Get ready for an epic adventure trip Spiti Valley Bike Trip through the rugged and breathtaking terrain of the Spiti Valley on two wheels Starting in Chandigarh, you’ll pass through the twists and turns that lead you to the snowy paradise of Narkanda, the remote beauty of Chitkul, and the peaceful charm of Kalpa. As you ride further, you'll encounter hidden gems like Nako, Gue, and Tabo, each with its own story to tell. However, the real thrill comes when you hit the trails of Kaza, Key, Langza, Hikkim, Komic, Chicham, and the high-altitude Kunzum Pass. It's an invitation to explore, connect, and create stories. So, gear up for an unforgettable adventure and answer the call of the mountains!

• Route:  Chandigarh - Narkanda - Chitkul - Kalpa - Nako - Gue - Tabo - Kaza - Key - Langza - Hikkim - Komic - Chicham - Kunzum Pass Chandratal, Manali - Chandigarh
• Duration:  9 Days, 8 Night
• Start Point:  Chandigarh

Winter Spiti Road Trip | Girls' Special

Your 7 day adventure starts from Chandigarh. You travel all the way around seeing popular, beautiful and hidden sites in the Spiti Valley and come back to Chandigarh. Stay at great places, eat local food, travel around the valley, know the culture and visit landmark spots that will take your breath away. Read the advisory and inclusions carefully before going for the tour. 

In peak winter i.e. January and early February all the places might not be open due to adverse weather conditions. We will keep you updated of the same in case any last minute changes need to be made to your plan. 

Spiti Valley in Winter 2022: Paint It White

Best of Meghalaya

Best of Spiti Valley | FREE Chandratal Lake Excursion

Begin the adventure with our Spiti Valley Tour, starting from the picturesque town of Manali and taking you through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Kaza, Kibber, Komic, Hikkim, Langza, Kunzum La, and the mesmerizing Chandratal Lake. This tour is about the immersive experience of connecting with the locals, experiencing the cuisine, and understanding the way of life. Don't miss out on this soul-enriching journey that will make your heart long for more

• Route:  Manali - Kaza - Kibber - Komic - Hikkim - Langza - Kunzum La - Chandratal and Manali
• Duration: 6 Days, 5 Nights

Start Point: Manali

End Point: Manali

Spiti Valley Tour Package from Shimla | FREE Excursion to chitkul

Let me paint a vivid picture of what awaits you as you embark on a journey from Shimla to Spiti Valley, from the serene beauty of Chitkul to the remote charm of Nako, Gue, and the captivating Key, Kibber, Kaza, Komik, Hikkim, Langza, Dhankar, and Kalpa. The journey becomes an exploration of nature's hidden gems, with each turn offering a new adventure. It's an opportunity to connect with untouched beauty, delve into ancient cultures, and create memories that will stay with you forever. Get ready to immerse yourself in its charm.

• Route: Shimla - Chitkul - Nako - Gue - Key - Kibber - Kaza - Komik - Hikkim - Langza - Dhankar - Kalpa - Shimla
• Duration: 6 Days, 5 Nights
• Start Point: Shimla
• End Point: Shimla

Manali To Spiti Bike Expedition | FREE Kaza Excursion

Fuel up your bikes from the world’s highest petrol pump at Kaza and fire up the rider in you for a most thrilling biking expedition into the rustic land of Spiti. This valley will fascinate you with its ever-changing vistas, the tricky terrain, and the nerve-chilling high altitude views that will give you a feel of being on top of the world. 

Feel like being on top of the world, as you look down at a tiny truck that lies below Asia's highest suspended Chicham Bridge. After a long riding haul, experience a unique calmness at your pitstop by the vibrant yet peaceful vibes of the 1000-year-old Key monastery that stand aloof on this rugged terrain. Don't forget to t ake a perfect postcard picture in the “I’m a conqueror” pose with your bike by the sparkling turquoise lakes, and cherish your dream vacation for life.

Route:  Delhi - Manali - Jibhi - Rampur - Chitkul - Kalpa - Kaza - Chandra Tal - Manali - Delhi

Duration:  11 Days 10 Nights

Start Point:  Delhi

End Point:  Delhi

Manali to Spiti | FREE Langza Excursion

Get your head out of the car window and indulge in the breathtaking views of the rugged Himalayan terrain as you embark on an adventurous trip to Spiti. Every curve in the road will greet you with endless valley views, snow-clad peaks, and a moon-shaped lake. The journey will take you through iconic attractions such as the Hadimba Temple, a serene Buddhist temple, the Clubhouse, the ancient Siyali Mahadev temple, the enchanting Van Vihar, and the rustic charm of Old Manali. Experience the thrill of driving through the Atal Tunnel under the famous Rohtang Pass and be mesmerized by the picturesque landscapes of the Kunzum Pass. Explore the vibrant town of Kaza and be amazed by the impressive Chicham Bridge, suspended between towering cliffs. Finally, prepare to be captivated by the ethereal beauty of Chandratal Lake, nestled amidst majestic snow-capped peaks.

Spiti Valley offers the perfect playground for adventurous off-road driving, with the added bonus of the possibility of spotting the ever-elusive Snow Leopard. Enjoy the fresh mountain air as you traverse the isolated slopes of the last village, creating memories that will last a lifetime. 

Quick Facts:

Route:   Manali - Atal tunnel - Kaza - Hikkim - Komic - Langza - Key - Kibber - Kumzum Pass - Chandratal - Rohtang Pass - Manali

Duration: 5 Days, 4 Nights

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Spiti Valley Top Attractions

Located close to India’s eye-catching Spiti river in the Spiti Valley, the Key Monastery is one of the must-visit places in Himachal Pradesh. Also known as the Kye Gompa or Ki and Kee Monastery, the spectacular Tibetan Buddhist Monastery is located on a picturesque hilltop at an altitude of 4,166 meters above the sea level. If you're planning to explore the spiritual and cultural treasures of the Spiti Valley, don't forget to include a visit to Key Monastery in your Spiti Tour Packages for an enriching journey through the Himalayas.The 1000-year-old monastery which dates back to 1100 CE is also the largest in Lahaul and Spiti district of India. The magnificent Key Monastery is believed to have been established by Dromtön (Brom-ston, 1008-1064 CE) who was a student of Atisha, a famous teacher of the 11th century.Home to around 250-300 Lamas, who are spiritual leaders in Tibetan Buddhism, the stunning monastery serves as a fully-functional religious training ground for Lamas run by a Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhist monks. The historic monastery with a breathtaking architecture will leave you spellbound with a resemblance to fantasy fiction.Surrounded by beautiful snow-capped Himalayas and glaciers, the monastery is visited by thousands of devotees and tourists from all over the world who come here to seek tranquility and inner peace. The pristine location of the monastery with gorgeous villages covered in snow and long winding roads will give you an unforgettable experience.As you step inside this amazing monastery, you will notice its beautiful walls which are covered with murals and paintings depicting the 14th-century monastic architecture, influenced by Chinese culture. It is also popular for its rare manuscripts, unique wind instruments, Buddha idols and a marvelous collection of weapons to ward off attackers and protect the monastery.With a fascinating history behind its emergence, the Key Monastery survived many attacks by the Mongols. Nevertheless, in the year 2000, it witnessed a grand celebration of completing 1000 years in the esteemed presence of the Dalai Lama.Experience the spiritual ambiance and rich history of Key Monastery as part of your Spiti Valley adventure with tailored Spiti Valley packages from Delhi.

Popularly known as the trekker's paradise, Chandratal Lake is reckoned as the most charismatic lake situated in the laps of Himalayas. This enticing lake is perched on the Samudra Tapu plateau which lies in close proximity to Chandra river. Situated at an altitude of 4300 meters, Chandratal offers the most splendid views of the Spiti region. If you're planning a trip to the Himalayas, don't miss out on including Chandratal Lake in your Spiti Valley Tour.The lake is crescent-shaped, and that is how it got its name. If you are looking for a perfect blend of adventure and laidback holidays, there could not be a better site to kickstart your journey than Chandratal. The road to Chandratal lake takes you through treacherous trails of Batal which will set your adrenaline pumping.Discover the beauty of Spiti on a trip from Delhi, where you'll find the stunning Chandratal Lake, offering a peaceful retreat amidst the mountains. With a Spiti tour package from Delhi, cherish unforgettable moments by the tranquil shores of Chandratal Lake.On your way, you will also get to climb the glaciers between Kunzum pass and Rohtang Pass. This mesmerizing site has much folklore attached to itself but what lures its visitors is its turquoise blue water, majestic mountains and serene surroundings which make it an apt place for camping. Sprawled over an area of 2.5 kilometers, Chandratal sees a massive influx of travelers during the summer months.In the winter months, this place majorly remains in the bucket list of adventure enthusiasts who want to push past their limits.

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Ultimate Guide to a road trip to Spiti: 5 minute read

A road trip to Spiti is the stuff of dreams. It boasts of some of the most remote panoramas in the world and some of the highest villages of the world. But it is the visions of monasteries perched on hills and barren nothingness that will leave your eyes reeling with wonder. After our self-drive road trip to Ladakh from Delhi NCR a few years ago we had always wanted to drive to Spiti valley, and glad we could do so this year!

Here is EVERYTHING you need to plan a road trip to Spiti including a day-by-day itinerary. Hope it helps you plan this trip for yourself 🙂

Best time to go on a Road Trip to Spiti

The best months are summer months as all hotels and restaurants are open and most places are accessible. If you are driving yourself avoid monsoon months & extreme winter months (although the landscapes are insanely gorgeous at this time). Try to go during summer months (April-July) or autumn (October-November). There are 2 routes to get to Spiti Valley – one is via Shimla and Kinnaur, and the other via Manali and Kunzum Pass. The route via Manali closes in winter months (usually by end October or Early November). Even in summer months when this route is open, it’s advisable to go via Shimla/Kinnaur side to acclimatise to the altitude and come back via the Manali route.

Cost of a road trip to Spiti

If you are driving yourself from Delhi NCR, then expect to spend around INR 15000 on fuel and tolls for the entire circuit. In addition, expect to spend approximately INR 4000 for mid-range accommodation + meals per night of stay. This cost will vary slightly depending on the hotels you choose. In terms of meals, there aren’t many options around, so the cost of meals & groceries stays constant. So an 8 day road-trip to Spiti from Delhi NCR cost us around INR 47000.

You can also take group tours from Shimla or Manali if you enjoy travelling in a group with other solo travellers. Make sure you check the places you will be staying at and the itinerary before paying for group trips.

Connectivity in Spiti

Wifi is, at best, patchy on this roadtrip to Spiti. Make sure you have lots of data and an Airtel or Jio connection as both those networks work very well in most large villages and towns . Good 3G & 4G connections in hubs like Kalpa, Kaza etc ensure you are well connected, even in remote places.

What to pack for a road trip to Spiti

In addition to your regular clothes and shoes, we would suggest packing the following items for your road trip to Spiti as this is a remote destination & infrastructure isn’t the best

• A good quality gimbal for your phone helps in getting better photos & videos. This is the one we use right now – would definitely recommend it
• Good sunscreen that offers SPF 50 protection. Here is the link to the one both of us used on this trip
• A hydrating serum for your skin. I packed this one and loved it
• Your favourite heavy-duty lotion or cream – I’ve been using this one for years 
• A high-quality lip balm as lips tend to get very dry and a comfortable lip tint that goes with every outfit – Revlon’s Sultry is an old favourite of mine . It’s perfect for most Indian skin-tones
• Waterproof hiking/ snow boots
• First-aid kit wand a medicine like Diamox for altitude sickness. In all probability, you will not need this medicine as you are driving and ascending altitude gradually but it is better to go prepared
• Fully body thermals – Uniqlo Heattech thermals are a good choice – they are affordable and will keep you warm
• Toilet paper, snacks, some instant meals and instant beverages, tea bags, and some plates and cutlery. There are long stretches of road without a single shop, especially in winter, so go prepared
• Emergency kit for your car that includes a tyre inflator and puncture repair kit, battery jump start cable , towing rope, and empty 5 litre can for back-up fuel.

Road conditions & driving to Spiti

Road conditions in general are pretty good given how remote the area is. However there are some extremely narrow and unpaved stretches and all throughout lots of stretches with shooting stones, so drive carefully. We wouldn’t recommend anyone who is not extremely comfortable with hill driving in India to attempt this drive. You could opt for a group tour instead

If you do decide to plan this drive, then expect the following road conditions (experienced in November 2021)

Delhi- Solan : Excellent Solan – Rampur : Good Rampur- Wangtoo : Poor & bumpy Wangtoo – Nako : Excellent Nako- Tabo : Bad, mostly unpaved. Roads are being made right now Tabo – Kaza : Average Kaza- Langza : Bad Kaza- Key : Good Langza to Komic: Excellent but narrow Komic-Hikkim-kaza: Bad

Day by day breakdown of a road trip to Spiti

If you plan this road trip during summer you can drive to Spiti via Shimla and drive back through the Atal Tunnel and Manali. However during winter months, the latter is often snowed under. In that case you will have to drive through Shimla on your way to Spiti and on the way back too.

Day 1 : Delhi – Narkanda

Leave Delhi NCR and drive to Shimla/Narkanda. This is a comfortable, though long drive. You could spend a couple of days in this area or leave for your next stop after spending the night there

Days 2 & 3 : Narkanda – Kalpa

On this day you will drive from Narkanda to Kalpa. We would highly recommend spending at least 2 nights in Kalpa as there is a lot to see & do in the area.

There are many home-stays, cottages, and hotels in the area but we ended up staying at Hotel White Castle because it is conveniently located and offers great views from the terrace. It is supposedly the best in the area, but don’t expect too much! Rooms are basic but clean, service is good, and the view from the terrace spectacular. We paid INR 4000 for a double room, including heater & wifi

Spend your time in Kalpa exploring the Kinnaur area- drive to the iconic Suicide point, the tiny village of Roghi, and go on a short hike to drink in mountain views and panoramas

Day 4 : Kalpa to Kaza

On this day, you will drive to Kaza. Make sure you leave at the crack of dawn as this drive is not long but it is peppered with lots of sightseeing. A few places which you must explore on the way to Kaza include

• Tabo Monastery & Tabo Caves
• Dhankar Monastery (must do) If you have a couple of extra days, you could also stay in this area and hike to the gorgeous Dhankar Lake or visit Mudh & Pin Valley National Park

Days 5 & 6 : Exploring around Kaza

At the end of Day 4, you will reach Kaza, which makes for an ideal base to explore the gems of Spiti Valley.

If you visit during winter, then chances are that there will be no tap water in Kaza as water pipes tend to get frozen between November to February. Electricity is also sporadic as power cuts are common and voltage is low. We really did not like the hotel we stayed at, so we are unable to recommend it. However a couple of nice hotels in the area include Dewachen Retreat & Serakhan. Alternatively, there are a lot of homestay options in winter months.

That said, the sights in the area more than make up for these inconveniences. Spend at least 2 full days in Kaza exploring some of the best sights and drives that Spiti has to offer. Some places you must see include

• Hikkim, home to the highest post office in the world
• Langza, home to a stunning statue of Buddha and some gorgeous hikes in the area
• Key Monastery, home to a surreal monastery perched on a hilltop. You could explore the monastery, meet the monks, and even eat at the in-house cafe
• Komic, famous for being the highest village in the world

Days 7 & 8 : Driving back to Delhi

After this memorable adventure, it’s time to drive back home. You can break the journey at Rampur or Narkanda if you are driving via Shimla.

If you are driving back via Manali, then take a couple of days to enjoy the area before heading home. You must visit Chandratal Lake (saved for our next trip in summer :))

That’s it! We hope you enjoyed reading this Guide To A Road Trip in Spiti. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below and we’ll get back to you asap

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15 thoughts on “ ultimate guide to a road trip to spiti: 5 minute read ”.

Hey Savi and vid , I’m planning for my Spiti road trip end of December and I’m not sure of how to dress up in such weather conditions. Can you please help here??

Hey Mounika – do check out this video we made for dressing up for extreme winter in Ladakh, Spiti, Finland etc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ojxPXGlXmY

Hi, Do you recommend going around last week of Jan or 1st/2nd week of feb? We will be travelling with 2 kids, aged 2 and 9.

Hey would definitely not recommend travelling with such young kids to Spiti during winter time due to extreme temperatures and lack of infrastructure

Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for this post!

The picture shot in Roghi village has incorrect (Kinnaru) caption. 🙂

Wangtoo – Nako road stretch is not excellent. It is in bad shape in places like Shongtong and Pangi Nallah.

Hey Sonu – anytime. When we went the road was pretty decent 🙂

Hi Savi & Vid,

We are planning to visit Spiti valley in Aug -Sep 22

As you have mentioned the road conditions from Nov 21 with some roads not being good.

Can a premium hatchback TATA Altroz go on such roads ?

Pls suggest

Hey yes should be fine that time of year as most roads are usually open in August/September – though some roads can be a lil tricky due to ground clearance 🙂

Hi Savi, Spiti road trip is undoubtedly one of the best road trip experience ever. The most peaceful and serene I’d say. Your write-up made me remember my trip to Spiti 🙂

Hi Savi & Vid, I am planning this trip with my family, age group from 12-60, would the road trip and weather in June be suitable for elder members of the group?

Hey yes June should be good – but best to check closer to the time as snow melting dates differ from year to year 🙂

Hi Savi & Vid, we are planning to go to spiti from 18th june and your post was really helpful in terms of planning our trip. Just wanted to know how much travel time to expect every day while going from shimla to manali stretch and do we have any options for loo breaks on the way. I know its least to expect but just wanted to have an idea. Also do we experience any traffic through the stetch.

Hii Savi & Vid,

I wanted to go spiti via manali route and come back from the shimla route to make it more adventurous. Which months are the best to choose this circuit? Also do you have an itinerary for this route as well?

Please advice. Thank you 🙂

Thanks for the crisp and lucid information. Would you recommend to visit Spiti in Feb ? I am planning to drive in my Tata Harrier. Any special precautions to be taken ?

Best Regards

Many people do the trip in Feb as roads from Shimla side are fine (unless it snows a LOT). We’d recommend having snow chains for the tyres at that time of the year. We hear Spiti is beautiful in Feb 🙂

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Spiti Valley Road Trip

Spiti valley road trip planning.

A road trip through the Spiti Valley is a must for every mountain and motorcycle enthusiast, trekker or nature lover. However, compared to Ladakh, this region remains harsh and desolate.

The Spiti Valley is a cold desert mountain valley high in the Himalayas in the northeastern region of Himachal Pradesh. “Spiti” means “the middle land” and refers to the area between Tibet and India. The Spiti Valley is also one of the most sparsely populated areas in India.

        Quick Navigation Index:

• Getting ready for Spiti Valley Road trip
• Best time for Spiti Vally road trip
• The Best route for the Spiti Vally road trip
• The Best Mode of transport for a Spiti Valley trip

Day-to-day itinerary of the Spiti Valley road trip

• Budget for Spiti Valley road trip

Getting Ready For The Spiti Valley Road Trip

The Spiti Valley Road Trip is one of the most daring excursions one can undertake. Driving through these uninviting yet fascinating landscapes requires a high level of passion. However, organizing a bike/car trip to the Spiti Valley requires more than passion. This is the reality in the Spiti Valley, and I am not saying this to scare you. Therefore, you must be mentally and physically ready before you start your ride or trip.

Physical fitness is one of the most important factors you need to pay attention to throughout the trip as you traverse different landscapes and weather conditions. Since oxygen levels are low at higher altitudes, you should do breathing exercises and yoga. Also, swimming and cycling can increase your endurance.

If you are planning this trip by bike, my video will help you prepare.

When is the best time for Spiti Valley Road trip?

The Spiti Valley can be visited all year round, but it depends entirely on your personal preferences. The valley is accessible both in summer and winter. However, from November to early March, the valley is covered by a thick layer of snow, which makes access difficult. In winter, the Manali-Kaza route remains closed, and access to the Spiti Valley only from the Shimla side can be extremely difficult. The trip to Spiti in winter is also known as the ” White Spiti Trip”.

The best time to visit the Spiti Valley is from June to mid-October when the snow melts and the skies clear. During this time, the roads from Manali and Shimla reopen, and access to the valley becomes much easier. You will also have access to all the necessary facilities such as good road conditions, hotels, vehicles, and public transportation. If you are planning a road trip through the Spiti Valley, it is recommended to visit between June and October.

The best route for a Spiti Valley road trip

To begin your journey to the Spiti Valley, you must reach Delhi or Chandigarh. You can arrive by any mode of transportation, including road, rail, or air. From Delhi/Chandigarh there are two routes to start your journey to Spiti Valley.

Route No. 1: Delhi/Chandigarh to Manali – Chandratal – Kunzum La Pass – Losar – Kaza – Tabo – Nako – Chitkul – Narkanda – Shimla and back to Delhi/Chandigarh.

Route No. 2: Delhi/Chandigarh to Shimla – Narkanda – Chitkul – Nako – Tabo – Kaza – Chandratal – Manali and back to Delhi/Chandigarh.

You can start from the Manali side and end from the Shimla side or vice versa. However, I personally would advise you to start from Shimla. And this is for several reasons. If you start from Shimla, it will be easier for you to acclimatize to the high altitude. From Shimla, you do not need to get permission to cross the Rohtang Pass. However, if you start from Manali-Kaza-Shimla or Manali-Kaza-Manali, you need to get a permit from the DC office in Manali.

Important Tip:

Before you leave for the Spiti Valley bike trip from the Shimla side, do not forget to check if Kunzum Pass is open. However, the route will still remain open from Shimla, but only until Losar. After a few kilometers from Losar (if Kunzum Pass is closed), you will have to return via the same route. I have also created a Map of the entire Spiti Valley Circuit for you guys, If you want you can download it for your reference & take a printout of it by clicking here.  or if you want you can download a pdf version of this map by clicking here.

To check day-to-day updates on local weather & roadblocks join the Facebook page of Lahul Spiti Police.  

How to choose the best mode of transport for the Spiti Valley Road trip?

You can also do the Spiti Valley road trip by car-jeep, bike, or HRTC bus. If you ask me, I would prefer the bike because I love to ride. But it all depends on your choice and budget.

For a road trip, your bike is the second most important thing after you. Right now, there are many choices available in the market from which you can choose your bike. If you already have a bike, that is a wonderful thing. However, you need to know the capabilities of your bike. Because this ride will come with extreme challenges. Besides, you can ride any vehicle anywhere if the rider has passion.

But if you want to make your ride more comfortable, you need to choose a bike with higher CC (more than 200 CC). Currently, I personally own a bike with 100 CC, but I know the limits of my bike. The engines of bikes with 100to 200 cc bikes are designed for city commuting. And during this trip, I will be riding on highways most of the time, covering 400-500 km in a day or riding in high altitude, rugged terrain. So I decided to buy a new motorcycle with a more powerful CC engine and advanced features. Now the question is, “Which motorcycle should I buy?” After a comprehensive analysis of the pros and cons and a comparison of different motorcycles, I finally chose the BAJAJ DOMINAR 400 as my travel companion.

Apart from this, we also require some essential touring accessories for our bike like  Saddle Stay & Top rack, Crash guard , Windshield , Saddlebags, Tank Bag & Top box, etc.  To know more about the essential touring accessories buying guide click Here.

Not just your bike, You should also be ready for Long rides in such harsh weather conditions. proper riding gears will keep you comfortable in a wide range of situations, and when you’re comfortable you’re a better rider. Good riding gears are designed for more than just crash protection; It’s act like your second skin and protects you from hash sun rays, blowing wind, and any unknown object that is flying through the air. For a complete list of riding gear & detailed   buying guide, Click here to read more.

If you don’t want to plan this trip by yourself, you can hire an agent who can plan this entire trip for you. In Delhi, you can find many travel agents who regularly organize such trips.

HRTC Buses are also an economical option for low-budget travelers or backpackers. From ISBT Delhi, you can get regular buses to Lahul Spiti Circuit. 

(To book online, go to HRTC’s website at https://online.hrtchp.com/oprs-web/

I am starting this trip on my Dominar 400, in Day 1 I will cover a distance of around 498 km from Gujarat to Rajasthan, In day 2, I will travel from Rajasthan to New Delhi. Day 3 was kept for some resting and shopping in Delhi. You can watch my Day 1, 2 & 3 videos down below.

As mentioned earlier, the Shimla route is ideal for first-time visitors. Let’s start with this route. Although I am riding from Mumbai, I will begin my journey from Delhi, so you can calculate and add the extra travel days from your home location to Delhi.

Day 1: Delhi-Shimla-Narkanda or Rampur (480 km).

To arrive early, I started my journey as early as possible. You can take an NH-44 and NH-5 from Delhi to Shimla via Chandigarh. If you are traveling on this route for the first time, you can stay at Shimla for a day of sightseeing before continuing on. Otherwise, you may carry on your journey toward Narkanda or Rampur. There are many budget hotels and homestays available in this area. You can spend an extra day in Narkanda if you have sufficient time.

Shimla Sightseeing

Shimla is one of North India’s most romantic and enchanting hill stations. Shimla is a tourist paradise for all types of visitors, from honeymooners to family vacationers, and friends-a-cations to the ideal long weekend escape. Shimla, often known as the Queen of Hills, is the capital city of the Himachal Pradesh state and has long drawn travelers from all over the world. Its well-known Mall Road, City Library, churches, and British architecture continue to enchant visitors.

During your sightseeing, you can visit the year-old Sankat Mochan Temple, the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, the Army Museum, and the Jakhoo Temple. In the evening, explore Shimla city on foot as vehicle entry is prohibited. You can see prime places in Shimla like Ridge, Church, Lakkar Bazaar, Mall Road, Scandal Point, Kali Bari Temple, etc. An ideal time for shopping and eating out at restaurants in mall road.

Narkanda is located at an altitude of 2708 meters or 8599 feet. This town has a peaceful atmosphere and abundant flora. Its scenic appeal is enhanced by the presence of apple and cherry orchards dotting its lush hills, making it a favorite amongst landscape photographers.

Narkanda’s main attractions include a beautiful lake named Tanni Jubbar Lake and a respected Hindu temple called Hatu Mata Mandir. Narkanda is also an excellent choice for thrill enthusiasts. Whether you enjoy trekking or skiing, this town provides plenty of possibilities to fulfill your adrenaline junkie side, including the chance to ascend to Hatu Peak, the Shimla district’s second-highest peak at 3400 meters. The dense forests of pine, oak, rhododendron, and deodar add a vibrant appeal to its hilly landscape for the rest of the year.

During the winter season, the minimum temperature drops to as low as -8 degrees Celsius at night. The temperatures in the summer are pleasantly cold, adding romantic vibes to the atmosphere.

I crossed Shimla by around 5:30 pm and reached Shilaru by around 7:30 pm. Shilaru was located just 10km before Narkanda, in Shilaru I stayed at Manas Home Stay by paying Rs.650/- per Night. To experience this entire journey you can watch my Delhi to Narkanda  Day 4 video on YouTube below.

Day 2: Narkanda - Rampur - Kharcham - Sangla - Chitkul (185km)

Chitkul is the next stop after Narkanda. However, there are many scenic spots to see before arriving in Chitkul. Kinnaur Gateway, also known as Rock Tunnel, is one of them. This little tunnel is a popular photo location for tourists, and it has also appeared in a number of films. It was recently shown in Aamir Khan’s film Lal Singh Chadda. On the main road in Rampur, you can also visit a Big Hanumanji Idol & Mahishasur Mardini Temple.

As you continue on, you will pass through the magnificent Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Plant and the Baspa Dam before entering the mesmerizing Sangla Valley. One road leads from Karcham Dam to Rekong Peo and another to Chitkul, India’s “Last village” on the Indo-Tibet border.  I continued my journey towards Chitkul, and after a few kilometers, the road was in very poor condition until Chitkul.

Chitkul is located at an altitude of about 11,319 ft located close to the Indian border before the Spiti Valley begins. There is nothing special that you can try here. But if you are looking for the perfect getaway spot from the busy city life then this is the place for you. One thing that you will find here in abundance is peace. Travelers come to Chitkul to enjoy the beauty of nature and to spend some time away from the man-made world out there. The village also contains a popular 500-year-old Mathi temple with Shakyamuni Buddha images, a Mangala wheel of life, and four directional kings on either side of the door. There are a few Campsites available in Chitkul, as well as a few hotels, homestays, and even a Zostal too. If you want you can pitch your own tent too with the permission of the locals.

Chitkul is also considered to be the final destination of the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra. Anyone who completes it concludes their yatra by praying at the Mathi Temple.

The Indo-Tibet border is just 90 km from Chitkul village. All civilian movement beyond Chitkul is prohibited. This is the reason why Chitkul is called the last village in India. The area lying beyond Chitkul village is under the control of the Indo-Tibet border police.

In Chitkul I stayed at  Jyoti Homestay  @ Rs. 400/- per bed.  To experience this entire journey you can  watch my Narkanda to Chitkul  Day 5  video on YouTube below.

Day 3: Chitkul - Rekong Peo - Kalpa - Khab Sangam - Nako (158km)

The next day, I had breakfast at the cafe located inside my Homestay. Furthermore, I visited Mathi Devi Temple, the Riverside area, & ITBP Check-post & proceeded to my next location Nako via Reckong Peo. To reach Rekong Peo, you have to head back toward Karcham from Chitkul. 

Reckong Peo is in the Kinnaur district at a height of 2,290 meters (7,513 ft). Reckong Peo serves as a base for the pilgrims who go for an annual three days trek to an 80 feet high holy Kinnaur Kailash which is considered to be one of the five Kailashas.

Reckong Peo is also the commercial and administrative center of the Kinnaur. Tourists can take buses to visit all the important villages and other places in the district from HRTC Bus Stand at Reckong Peo.

The primary attractions of Recong Peo are the Chandike Durga Temple, Bodh Mandir (Buddhist Temple), Durga Mata Temple, and many more. Apart from Kinnaur Kailash high mountain peak, you can also observe the high mountain peak of Raldang located in the Himalayas.  Rekong Peo is also known all over the world for its apples and chilgoza.

Your next stop can be Kalpa . The views from Kalpa were spectacular, but aside from the Kinnaur Point aka suicide point &  Narayan Nagini Temple ,  there were many locations worth exploring. Some viewpoints also provide views of the beautiful Kinnaur Kailash. After descending from Kalpa, the true adventure in the Spiti Valley begins. This route provides an unforgettable riding experience with a lot of variety. Furthermore, as you go, the scenery becomes increasingly beautiful.  Don’t forget to fill your petrol tank from Reckong Peo, Powari,  or at the newly opened Petrol pump at Pooh as until Kaza you will not find any petrol pumps.

furthermore, You will pass through the famous Khab Sangam Bridge on your journey to Nako, which was constructed at the confluence of the Spiti and Sutlej rivers. Don’t forget to capture a few pictures here. After Khab Sangam, the ascent towards Nako begins. 

I reached Nako by around 5:30 pm, and I stayed at Hotel Reo Praguil for Rs.1000/-. I stayed here because I had secure parking.  You can  watch my Chitkul to Nako  Day 6   Journey video on YouTube below.

Nako village is a popular tourist destination, with numerous natural and historical sites to visit. It is located at an elevation of 3,625 meters (11,893 feet). The Nako Monastery and the Nako Gompa are two of the most ancient monuments, both of which are very beautiful as well as historically significant. Nako Lake is known for its beautiful atmosphere, clean air, and natural beauty that is ideal for photography.  During the evening twilight hours, a very large number of birds flock to the lake. There is a rock here that is believed to have the footprint of Padmasambhava. The lake has boating facilities during the summer months and ice skating is practiced on the lake’s surface which gets frozen during the winter months.

Day 4: Nako - Sumdo - Gue - Tabo - Dhankar or Kaza (115 km)

The next day, I went for local sightseeing, and after breakfast, I resumed my journey towards Sumdo. After March 2023, the road was in very good condition until Sumdo. Sumdo falls under the military area, and you have to submit your details at the checkpoint. After traveling 3 kilometers from Sumdo, you will see a gate on your right side that leads to Gue village.

Gue Village

Gue village is 10 kilometers away from the main road, and 70% road is in bad condition. Gue Monastery is known for its 500-year-old mummy of Sangha Tenzin , a Buddhist monk who is believed to have started his mummification process while still alive. The monastery is located on the Indo-Tibetan border and is surrounded by mountains on all sides. 

This is a very rare example of natural mummification, as most mummies we read about are mummified and then wrapped in linen fabric. Monks adopt the natural process of mummification by a slow process of starvation in a seated position. The dead body is subsequently placed in a three-year underground chamber to allow the drying process to begin. There are only a few of these mummies in the world. The large majority are in Japan. Sangha Tenzin’s mummy is incredibly well preserved, with skin and hair intact. So don’t miss out on visiting here.

From Gue, I resumed my journey to Tabo. Tabo is the second largest town in the Spiti Valley. Due to its wide variety of accommodation choices, it is a preferred stop for people traveling between Shimla and Kaza. Tabo is also at a much lower altitude than other places on the Spiti Circuit, so if you are feeling symptoms of altitude mountain sickness, Tabo can be a great place to stay until you acclimatize better. I reached Tabo by around 3:30 pm.

Tabo is well known for its monastery, which is the oldest running monastery in India . The original monastery was first built in the year 996 CE . The current structure was built after the monastery was severely damaged in the Spiti Earthquake of 1975.

It is located at an altitude of 3,280 meters (10,760 ft) and is also known as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas”. Here you can also observe collections of Thangkas (scroll paintings), manuscripts, well-preserved statues, frescos, and extensive murals. Photography is not allowed inside the monastery, but you can take pictures of the complex from outside.

In this monastery, nine temples and stupas are made out of mud itself. Another unique thing about Tabo Monastery is that it is located in a valley near the bank of a river, whereas most monasteries are built on top of a hill.

You should also visit the magnificent Tabo Caves , located just above the ancient Tabo Monastery. Some of the caves are fairly well-developed, and the walls and floors of the caves are smooth. These caves are the best places for meditating monks, as there is no place as peaceful as these caves for seekers of nirvana. Even today, some caves are used for meditation by monks. If you have sufficient time you can also plan your stay in Tabo. Tabo has many homestays, Hotels & even you can stay at the guest house located inside Tabo Monastery.

If you don’t want to stay at Tabo then you have two options. You can either you can drive to Dhankar and stay there. Dhankar is around 30 km away from Tabo or You can plan your stay at Kaza which is around 48km away, depending on how much time you have. 

For many years, Dhankar was the capital of Spiti, but nowadays the capital has shifted to Kaza. Dhankar is a small village, a group of just about 70 odd houses. At an altitude of 3,894 meters (12,774 feet), it is now best known because of the monastery, fort & lake.

There are two monasteries in Dhankar, the new and the old. The old monastery is an ancient one and is definitely a wonder in itself. The views from this spectacular 1200-year-old gompa are phenomenal. The lamas have now moved into the new monastery and no longer live in the old one.

The ruins of Dhankar Fort are a mud-brick fort palace located on the hilltop above the Gompa. During its days of glory, it once sheltered the entire valley’s population against invasions and during times of war.

Dhankar Lake is a high-altitude lake located around 2 km away from the main village. It’s at an altitude of 4,140 meters above the monastery and can only be reached after a short but difficult trek. You can start your trek across the road from the new monastery. It will take you about 2-3 hours to get to the lake, spend some time there, and come back. This lake is also a great spot for camping. However, there are no campsites here, so you will have to carry your own gear with you.

If you wanted to visit Pin Valley you should stay at Dhankar or Tabo, but this time I am not going to visit Pin valley hence I end up my day in Kaza.

watch my Nako to Gue  Day 7 Part 1,  and Gue to Kaza Day 7 Part 2   Journey video on YouTube below.

Day 5/6: (Option 1) Dhankar or Tabo – Pin Valley – Mud Village stay and back, (Option 2) Dhankar or Tabo – Kaza (Langza- Komic – Hikkim)

If you plan to visit Dhankar then you have two options from Dhankar: if the weather permits, you can explore Pin Valley & stay at Mud Village, or you can proceed directly to Kaza. First, we talk about the Pin Valley route.

Pin Valley & Mud Village

Pin Valley National Park is the only national park in Himachal Pradesh that is situated in the cold desert area. Mud Village is located in Pin Valley, where you can drive your bike or car, and for that, you need to cut off from the main highway to reach here. There is one hotel and a few homestays available in this beautiful village. You should spend a night in Mud Village to experience the beauty of this place.

The winter is very harsh here due to the park’s high altitude and cold desert climate. Hence, it is very difficult and dangerous to approach the park during the winter season from December to March. July, August, and September are the best times to visit here. 

The second option is that you can skip Pin Valley and proceed to Kaza and visit Langza famous for “The 1000-year statue of Buddha” then Komic, “The highest village” in the world, and Hikkim, known for “the highest post office” in the world. I did the same. I bypassed Dhankar and Pin Valley and arrived in Kaza around 6:00 p.m. In Kaza, I stayed at Lotey Homestay, which was recommended by the bikers whom I met in Nako. This was the first actual homestay of my entire trip; I paid Rs. 750 per night, which included breakfast and dinner; the family was very friendly and supportive; and this was the homestay that I most strongly recommended.

Kaza, is the new district HQ for Lahaul & Spiti. It is located along the Spiti River at a height of 3,650 meters or 11,980 feet and is the valley’s main settlement and commercial hub.

In Kaza, finding a place to stay is not difficult. Whatever your budget or preferences are, you will have no trouble finding a place to stay for the night. There are various hotels and homestays available. Though you can book online or in advance, I usually recommend that people arrive first, choose a hotel that suits their needs and budget, and then check in. In most situations, booking ahead of time will result in you paying extra.

After Rekong Peo, Kaza is the only place where you can refuel your vehicle. In Kaza, Indian Oil has installed the “world’s highest petrol pump,” which is operational for the majority of the year. During the winter, however, even this petrol pump may run out of fuel.

The monastery of Kaza itself is a popular tourist destination. It is a relatively young monastery, having been erected in 2009. It is also known as Sakya Tangyud Gompa. It is one of Spiti Valley’s most vivid, colorful, and attractive monasteries.

If you want to enjoy the sunset in Kaza, it is on the banks of the Spiti River. Simply walk through town in the evening, reach the river, and enjoy the magnificent evening view from there.

Another thing you will enjoy doing in Spiti is interacting with the natives and learning about their lives. The easiest way to do this is to stay with the locals at a homestay with a Spiti family. Learn about their culture, dine with them, and understand how they are able to survive in such harsh and distant weather conditions.

On second day you can plan your visit for Langza – Komic & Hikkim. if you want you can also vistit Key Monastery, Kibber village & Chicham Brid ge too.

Langza is a village located near Kaza. It is also known as “the fossil village” in India. Langza village is situated at an altitude of 4400 meters, or 14437 ft., with a population of approximately 137 people, and it’s divided into two sections, namely Langza Yongma (lower) and Langza Gongma (upper). The road from Kaza to Langza is in excellent condition. (as on oct-2022)

Langza Village is also famous for its golden-colored Buddha statue , which rests on a small hill overlooking the entire village and the surrounding valley. The most prominent image of Langza, or maybe Spiti Valley, on the internet, is of the Langza Buddha statue. The statue is accessible through a short descent from the parking area. The people think that the Buddha idol protects them from evil spirits, thus they adore the statue.

This location is rich in fossils of marine animals and plants discovered here millions of years ago, which is why many geologists and anthropologists visit the town each year to do research and learn more about the fossils. The Spiti Valley is thought to have sunk millions of years ago in the Tethys Sea. You can spend a day wandering around the village looking for fossils. However, you will require the assistance of a local. To our eyes, it will appear to be just another rock, and you will be unable to recognize the difference. A few of the villagers also sell these fossils. from Langza you should visit Komic first, then visit Hikkim & then descend towards Kaza.

Komic and Hikkim

Komic village is situated at an altitude of 4520 meters, or 14830 ft. The main reason travelers started visiting Komic was its title as the “highest village in the world  connected by a motorable road.” The road from Langza to Komic is also in perfect condition. Komic has very few homestays with basic facilities. You should be very cautious if you want to stay here due to its altitude. If you are not acclimatizing properly, then you may feel AMS. So get acclimated first and then stay at such high-altitude Himalayan villages.

Another attraction is Komic Monastery, which is one of the highest-altitude gompas in the world. The road from Komic to Hikkim is still under construction, as of Oct 2022. Earlier, the monastery was located in Hikkim village, but then it was shifted to Komic after the Spiti Earthquake of 1975. One of the attractions of the monastery is a stuffed leopard that hangs from its roof in one of the rooms. Please note that women are not allowed inside the main prayer sections of the monastery.

Hikkim is situated at an altitude of 14,400 ft. and is famed as the “world’s highest post office”. This post office was established on November 5, 1983, and it only remained operational for about 6 months and closed for another 6 months due to heavy snowfall.

Considering the fact that there is no mobile signal or internet available here, it is the only mode of communication with the world for the residents of Hikkim and other nearby villages. Travelers usually go there to send a postcard to their loved ones as a souvenir. The postcard will cost you about Rs. 35, including all charges, but it’s totally worth it.

To experience this entire journey you can watch my Kaza to Langza, Komic & Hikkim  Day 8 Part 1  video on YouTube below.

Key Monastery

The Key Monastery is the crown jewel of the Spiti Valley . In the Spiti Valley, the Key Monastery is a must-see. Every guidebook and travel company uses this monastery’s photo as the cover image for a Spiti trip itinerary.  Kye Monastery was established in the 11th century and has served as a Buddhist study center in the Spiti valley for more than a millennium. It is located on top of a hill at an elevation of 4,166 meters (13,668 feet). A cafe and a small homestay were located at the monastery’s entrance, while a school was located on the side. The monastery is divided into three stories. The first is mostly underground and serves as a storage facility. The assembly hall and monks’ residential quarters are on the ground floor. Other temples and places of worship, as well as a library, can be found on the first floor. The monastery’s walls are richly ornamented with paintings and murals.

The nicest thing about Key Monastery is that you may spend the night here for just Rs. 500, which is a very reasonable price (including meals). There isn’t a separate guest house or any additional accommodation for tourists at the monastery. Accommodations are made for you in the current Lama quarters. So, it’s a terrific learning experience because you actually live and dine with the lamas. Additionally, when you are here, you should try the special butter tea that is available. This is not your typical cup of tea, and I agree that not everyone will enjoy it, but you must try it at least once. It is created by churning tea, salt, and yak butter and is referred to locally as “Po Cha.” It contains no sugar. 

If you don’t want to stay at Key Monastery you can proceed further to Kibbar. Kibber village is located on the left bank of the Spiti River, at an altitude of 4,270 m (14,010 ft) acclaimed as the second highest motorable village in the world . The landscape of the village is captivating; it is surrounded by limestone rock mountains.

Kibber is also well-known for his The Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary spans 1400 square kilometers and is located at elevations ranging from 3600 to 6600 meters. This is India’s only sanctuary located in the cold desert. The majestic Himalayan Snow Leopard , which is difficult to spot makes the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary home. However, sightings of snow leopards have grown substantially in the last decade, and there are now approximately 25-30 snow leopards in the Kibber sanctuary. It can also be found in Pin Valley National Park, in addition to this sanctuary.

The sanctuary is also home to Tibetan wolves, Ibex, Bharal (Himalayan Blue Sheep), Tibetan Woolly Hare, Pale Weasel, Tibetan Wild Ass, and Red Fox in addition to snow leopards. The reserve is also adorned with Himalayan birds like griffons, bearded eagles, and snowcocks.

Chicham Bridge

The next stop is Chicham, Chicham is about 6 kilometers from Kibber. This settlement is home to Asia’s tallest (13,596 ft) suspension steel truss bridge, which spans a 1000-foot-deep valley and connects Kibber and Chicham. The process of building the bridge over such challenging terrain was obviously difficult, taking 14 years to accomplish.

However, the bridge has already cut the distance between Chicham and Losar by 40 kilometers and provided much-needed direct connectivity to Chicham. Chicham is located across the Parilungbo canyon, and until this bridge was built (just a few years ago), a ropeway was the only mode of transportation between Chicham and the rest of civilization. 

 To explore Key Monastery and Chicham Bridge you can watch my Hikkim to Key and Chicham  Day 8 Part 2  video on YouTube below.

Day 7: Kaza – Key - Chicham – Kiato – Losar (60 km) or chandra Taal (100 km)

After breakfast the next day, refuel your vehicle; don’t forget to fill your tank here, as there are no other petrol pumps until Manali. If you’ve already visited Key Monastery and Chicham Bridge, you can take NH-505 directly to Losar. Otherwise, you can go to Key & Chicham and then to Losar.

Losar to Chandra Taal via Kunzum Pass

From Chicham you can move further towards Losar, Losar is a small village located on Kaza-Gramphoo Road in the Lahaul and Spiti district, located on the right bank of the Spiti River. Losar is calming, soothing, and completely delightful. If you have not visited this heaven-like location near the confluence of the Losar and Peeno streams during your visit to Lahaul and Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, you are missing out. Losar village in Spiti Valley is located at an elevation of 4,085 meters above sea level, close to the Indo-Chinese border. It is situated at the far end of the Spiti Valley, which resembles Ladakh in appearance. Losar has magnificent mountains, stunning rivers, and breathtaking vistas that will captivate any tourist with their unparalleled beauty.

In Losar Village, one can actually hear the sound of silence. People come from all over the country and the world to relax in the tranquil atmosphere and eventually forget about their problems because the location is so beautiful and refreshing. Losar Village in Spiti is best visited between July and September when the roads are open to the general public.

 If you have sufficient time then you can proceed towards Chandra Taal otherwise you can stay in a homestay at Losar. 

Before you proceed further just keep one thing in mind after Loser the incline for Kumzum will start & road here is in extremely bad condition, consider it as there was no road until Gramphu. if you are on a bike then it may be your worst nightmare. Don’t try to ride alone anything can happen here & only ride during day time with sufficient time. 

Chandra Taal, also known as Tso Chigma (Moon Lake) a 2.5 km wide freshwater lake nestled between the mountains of Spiti Valley on the Samudra Tal plateau. Chandra Taal is located near the Chandra River’s sources. This lake is located in the Himalayas at an altitude of around 4,300 meters (14,100 feet). It is a popular destination for tourists and high-altitude trekkers. It is commonly associated with Spiti, yet it is actually part of Lahaul. The Kunzum La pass separates the Lahaul and Spiti valleys. From late May until early October, the lake is accessible by road from Batal or Losar.

As strange as it may sound, the mythical Chandra Taal Lake is associated with three legends. This enticing site in the Spiti valley bears huge significance in Indian mythology.

If legends are to be believed, Chandra Taal Lake is the site from where Lord Indra’s chariot picked up the eldest of the Pandava brothers, Yudhishthira. This is why the lake is frequented by a large number of Hindu devotees too.

Another tale that is popular among the locals talks about two lovers named Chandra and Bhaga. Chandra was the daughter of the moon, while Bhaga was the only son of Lord Sun.  Chandra Taal  Lake is said to be named after the moon god’s daughter, Chandra.

According to local legend, a shepherd from Hansa Village in Spiti Valley fell in love with a mermaid who lived in the glacial lake. Their love blossomed under the icy waters of the angelic lake. According to legend, shepherds still stop here to look for a long-lost friend.

Hence, swimming in this lake is strictly prohibited, as many have died here while trying to swim.

There isn’t anything to stay at  Chandra Taal  Lake because camping is banned and illegal. The region comes from  Chandra Taal  Lake wetland reserve, which is a Ramsar site protected under the wildlife act. Hence, one cannot pitch camps near  Chandra Taal  Lake. There is a dedicated camping site about 2 km before it where you can pitch your camps. It is also the parking site where vehicles are parked, and people trek further to the Lake.

Apart from self-camping at the camping site, there are temporary camps set up by locals. The camps are more spacious and comfortable. They also have mattresses and quilts and covered washrooms.  If you are looking for safer stay options other than self-camping, you will still be left with few choices.

There is a small place called Chacha-Chachi Dhaba in Batal that can accommodate around 7-8 people. If you are lucky, you will get to stay in igloo-style huts right in front of the Dhaba. You can also try to stay at Batal PWD Rest House. If you didn’t find a place for a night’s stay at any of these places, you can drive another 10 km towards Manali, a place called Chota Dara, where you may get a stay in a PWD guest house.

Day 8: Chandra Taal - Batal - Gramphoo - Koksar - Atal Tunnel – Manali (111km)

The next day, after spending some quality time at Chandra Taal, you can start your drive towards Manali to conclude your Spiti trip. Breakfast can be had at Batal’s famous Chacha-Chachi Dhaba. You can drive to Manali from Batal via the famous Atal Tunnel. Alternatively, if you want more adventure, turn towards Rohtang Pass from Gramphoo. It is all up to you. But you must keep in mind that the road is in the bed condition.

I personally choose the Atal Tunnel as a faster and safer way to get to Manali. After arriving in Manali, you can relax, explore the market, and if you’d like, stay an additional day to visit the surrounding area.

Manali Sightseeing

Manali is a traveler’s paradise for nature lovers, honeymooners, and other tourists. The popular features of Manali are its snow-covered peaks, vibrant gardens and plantations, and raving rivers. The tourist attractions in Manali include Vashisth hot water spring and temple, Tibetan monasteries, Hadimba Temple, Jogani Waterfall, Manu Temple, Manali Gompa, Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple, and there are many more to explore, like Solang Valley.

Solang Valley, 13 km from Manali, is one of the most beautiful tourist spots on the outskirts of the town. Solang bustles with tourist activity both in the summer and winter. A variety of adventure sports activities that include quad bike rides, zorbing, paragliding, gondola (ropeway) rides, rock climbing, ballooning, camping, and mountaineering can be indulged in at Solang. In winter, the slopes packed with snow become a winter sports arena for skiing, where even state and national-level ski championships are regularly conducted. Solang also serves as a base camp for mountaineering expeditions to Anjani Mahadev, Hanuman Tibba, and Patalsu peak.

With memories of a lifetime, you can proceed further to Delhi or Chandigarh and from there you can return back to your home. But, there is one more condition that can be applied here, like what happened to me. Due to Snowfall in high-altitude areas, the Road from Losar to Atal Tunnel was closed for all vehicles. So unfortunately I have to return from Kaza by taking the route from which I have come. It took me days to return back to my home, the videos of the return journey was shared below.

Ideal Budget for Spiti Valley Road trip in 2022-23

Budget Planning for any trip or vacation is a very important part. There are three major parts of the budget, first Transportation or Fuel cost, second is Accommodation and third is Food. So let’s break them down all one by one.

The above prices are given as per my calculations, they may vary from person to person. The prices mentioned above are excluding Bikes, Accessories, Riding gear, Camera gear, etc. You can choose them as per your choice & budget. 

By writing this article I have just tried to share my personal views & plans for my recent trip. Apart from this, if you have any queries please feel free to comment below or contact us.   

In the future, I have also shared complete videos on the topics mentioned above. to stay updated please  subscribe to our YouTube channel.  & if you like this article please share it with your family & friends.

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A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Spiti Valley- Everything You Need to Know

As India’s coolest travel community, we at Wander On, take pride in the fact that Spiti is a part of our daily routine. From one end to another, we have explored it all! Spiti is our favourite destination and for all the right reasons! Being a cold desert, harbouring nature’s gems with a rich cultural history- Spiti valley will not disappoint you in any way. Continue reading this blog to get all important information you need to know about Spiti valley road trips.

How to pack for Spiti valley road trips? 

One of the main things that one needs to take care of while travelling in Spiti valley is the extreme weather. Temperatures can drop to the negatives and hence layering is an important part of the trip. Here is a packing list that you can use to check your list!

• Down jacket
• Wooden socks
• Waterproof shoes
• A beanie or any cap

Extra Accessories

• Moisturising lotion
• Personal medicines
• Toilet Paper
• Reusable water bottles

Electronics

Even the network availability is poor throughout the trip, we recommend carrying the following items

• Power banks
• Necessary cords
• Your camera and tripod

Biking Accessories

• Riding Jackets
• Riding Gloves
• Knee and Elbow Guards

Things to do in Spiti valley

How to travel to spiti valley.

There are two routes through which you can reach the valley.

• From Manali: Enter the valley after crossing the Rohtang Pass and Kunzum La. This route is however closed during the months of winter. The route includes 80 km of well maintained road and 150km of gravely road.
• From Shimla/Kinnaur: You can also enter Spiti via Nako and Tabo from the Shimla side. This route is well maintained throughout the year.

Permits for Spiti valley

Unlike Ladakh, Indian nationals do not require a permit to visit Spiti. As a foreign national, you require a permit to visit the area near the Shipki La Pass (between Pooh and Nako).

How to handle acute mountain sickness in Spiti Valley?

Acute mountain sickness (commonly known as AMS) is the shortness of breathe in high altitude regions due to lack of oxygen. Travelling across in Spiti valley can be a bit tricky for some people. To avoid it, acclimatize well, keep your self-hydrated, avoid smoking and take proper meals.

Suggested Read: Acute mountain sickness in Spiti Valley – Everything you want to know

Time needed to visit Spiti Valley

7 to 10 days is a good amount of time to explore Spiti valley. You can complete and entire circuit within a week.

Everything You Want to Know About our Spiti Valley Trip.

Why should i consider spiti over ladakh.

One of the reasons you can choose Spiti if you’re confused between the two destinations is because of the fact that Spiti valley is still more raw. Although both of these beautiful destinations offer grand views, Spiti is less commercialised than Ladakh.

What are the conditions of the roads in Spiti valley?

The conditions of the roads vary according to the seasons. In summers, roads are well maintained from both the sides (Manali and Kinnaur). However during the winters, the Manali route is completely cut off due to heavy snowfall and use of chains is quite common. Biking during the winters is not possible on such roads.

Are we going to camp at Chandrataal Lake?

Camping by the lake is prohibited by the government. During the summers, we set camp 2-3 km away from the lake. Access to lake is cut off during the winters.

Where are we going to stay during the trip?

We are associated with different properties (hotels in Spiti valley) throughout the route. In Kaza, we have our own private camps.

What are the amenities available at the camps?

We provide proper Swiss like camps with bedding and attached washrooms inside the tents. You will get warm running water available through the solar geysers in the camps. We also offer meals (besides lunch) – both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available in the buffet.

How can we rent bikes in Spiti?

You can rent bikes from Manali as well as Kaza during our trip.

What is the best time to visit Spiti valley?

You can visit Spiti both during the winters and summers. During the summers (May-September), all destinations are accessible unlike during the winter months (February to May). In the winters, you will see a completely different side of Spiti valley. The famous white landscape of Spiti is something you cannot find anywhere else!

Which route is better – Manali or Kinnaur?

There is no better route. Depending on the road conditions and the places you want to visit on the way, both the routes have their own charm. From Manali side, you will cross Rohtang Pass, Kunzum La and Chandrataal. From Kinnar side, you’ll cross Kapla, Chitkul, Nako and Dhankar before finally reaching Kaza. The best way is to start from one end to another to fully enjoy the gems of both the routes!

What is the network availability in Spiti valley?

• Shimla: All networks
• Kalpa: Besides Vodafone, all networks work well in Kalpa
• Kaza: Only BSNL and JIO (Jio internet is the only available source to internet).
• Chitkul: Only BSNL

So, join us on our magnificent Spiti valley road trips as we provide you the best experience of India’s raw and unexplored region.

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Spiti Valley Itinerary (& Circuit Road Trip) from Shimla

Spiti Valley is a cold mountain desert located in the rain shadow region of the Greater Himalayan ranges . It is snuggled in the north-eastern part of Himachal Pradesh.

Proceeding in counterclockwise fashion from Chandigarh, roadway (NH5) of Spiti valley circuit route passes through Solan, Shimla, Narkanda, Rampur Bushahr, Sarahan, Chitkul , Nako, Tabo and Kaza.

The closing line of Spiti circuit traverses along the Spiti river and meets Manali town after it passes through the Atal tunnel or Rohtang pass.

The valley is bounded by the districts of Kinnaur in the south-east, Kullu in the south, and the valleys of Zanskar and Union Territory of Ladakh in the north. In the east, Spiti shares its boundary with Tibet (China).

The name Spiti or Piti — as it is known among the locals— means ‘The Middle Land’ that is the land between India and Tibet.

⚡ Rundown of Spiti Valley Trip

Departures in 2024.

Our Spiti valley circuit tour departures are scheduled for the last week of May, third week of June, first week of August and between 1-20th September 2024. We are looking for a minimum group size of 6 people.

We also can run personalized trips — tailored to your interests and travel plans — for smaller groups (less than 6 people) and for people willing to incur an additional cost. The trip dates are subjected to notifications prevailing weather and road conditions.

🚘 Spiti Tour (via Chandigarh to Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza-Manali)

Why take Shimla-Kaza-Manali route for Spiti Valley Road Trip?

There are two road routes to reach Spiti valley, but we recommend the Shimla-Kaza route because:

• Manali to Solang valley and Atal tunnel (north portal) road stretch gets busy during peak summer season (i.e. June-August). You may get stuck in a traffic jam.
• Gramphu to Batal Road is riddled with waterfalls, glacial water melts streams, and water crossings. It is easier and more convenient to drive through this part of the road from Kaza side.
• There is a gradual increase in altitude (barring Narkanda-Rampur Road segment) when driving on the Shimla-Kaza route. This gradual rise in altitude is good for acclimatization. Especially for people coming from the plains.

What Does It Cost?

All-inclusive price of Spiti valley tour starts from 25,500 INR. The final price will be determined by variables like:

• Vehicle (4WD SUV or standard)
• The level of comfort (during stays) you expect.
• Group size.
• Pick-up location (Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla or Manali)
• Departure date (pre-monsoon in June or post-monsoon in September or October)
• Add-ons availed such as driver, camping gear and guide, and drop location (Shimla, Manali, Chandigarh, or Delhi) etc.

To get the Spiti valley circuit tour cost details, please let us know the following details:

• The group size 
• Arrival city (Chandigarh/ Shimla/Manali), and tour type (standard/premium) etc. 
• Planned month and day of visit
• Number of days in itinerary
• Mode of transportation i.e. 4WD SUV / Sedan / Hatchback car.

Spiti valley and upper Kinnaur is a remote region with high-altitude rugged and difficult terrain. Expect stunning and spectacularly beautiful vales with dreamy vistas instead of fancy hotels or road tracks similar to F1 grand prix circuits.

Drop an email to avail group offers & early bird discounts.

⛗ Spiti Circuit Tour Itinerary From Shimla

Day 1 : Chandigarh to Shimla-Narkanda drive

Bucketlist experiences.

• Timber trail.
• Kasauli detour
• Shimla colonial architecture heritage walk.
• Experience 360° view from Hatu peak

Distance 175 km. 6–7 hours drivetime on NH5

On arrival at Chandigarh, drive to Shimla. Halt at Shimla for lunch and sightseeing. Resume the drive and drive to Narkanda(8,858 feet). Overnight stay at HPTDC hotel.

Day 2: Narkanda to Sarahan drive

• Visit Padam palace of erstwhile Bushahr dynasty.
• Explore Rampur Bushahr town.
• Explore Sarahan town.

Sightseeing day trips

• Detour to Tani Jubbar Lake
• Hatu temple

Distance 100 km. 4 hours drivetime on NH 5 and Jeori-Sarahan connecting road

Drive from Narkanda to Sarahan (altittude 2800 meters). Visit Hatu temple en route and relish Dhauladhar and Kinnaur-Garhwal mountain ranges from there. Drive to Sarahan. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Sarahan to Chitkul village of Kinnaur

• Drone photography at Tranda Dhank (built by Governor General Dalhousie in 1850s.
• Experience driving by steep Satluj river gorge and through Tranda Dhank (cliff) ― Old Hindustan–Tibet Road section that is carved into a rock face.
• Angling in Baspa river.
• See Western Tragopan (Jajurana) in Sarahan Pheasantry.
• Visit Sarahan Palace (Shanti Kunj) of Bushahr dynasty.
• Bhimakali temple visit.
• Sarahan Western Tragopan Pheasantry visit.

Distance 106 km. 5 hours drivetime on Jeori-Sarahan connecting road, NH5 and Karcham-Sangla-Chitkul Road

Sarahan is a beautiful village famous for the architecturally and historically significant Bhimakali temple, which has a history of more than 1500 years. One can take in the stunning views of the Srikhand Mahadev peak (5150 meters) from there.

While not actually close enough as it seems, the spectacular Srikhand Mahadev mountain range appears as if it is just an arm’s length away. Visit the bird sanctuary of a near-extinct bird species.

Drive to Chitkul village and stay there in a hotel. Drive distance is about 106 Kms. Night stay at hotel in Chitkul.

Day 4: Chitkul to Kalpa drive

• See temple architecture of Kamru Badri Vishal deity temple.
• See Kamru fort.
• Angling in Baspa River.
• Tibetan wood carving center.
• Sangla monastery.
• Temple architecture of Sangla Bering Nag Temple.
• Hike to Sangla Kanda Lake
• Chitkul village walk.
• Explore Sangla town and village.
• Rakcham village.
• Photography in Buckwheat fields of Rakcham village.
• Chitkul Mata Devi temple and monastery visit.
• Kamru temple and fort.
• Ranikanda meadows visit.
• Sangla village and Bering Nag temple visit.

Distance 62 km. 3 hours drivetime on Chitkul-Sangla-Karcham road, NH5 and Powari-Kalpa connecting road.

Chitkul (at 3400 meters above sea level), is the last village on the Indo-Tibet border. It is the most visited place in the Baspa Valley of Kinnaur.

We will visit Chitkul Mata temple and then drive back to Sangla . When we reach Sangla, we can visit the Bering Nag temple on our return trip. Visit the ancient fort at Kamru village.

As we continue on our journey, we will reach Kalpa, a well-known place – both among travellers and locals – for breathtaking sunrises over the Kinnaur Kailash mountain range.

After breakfast, drive (65 km distance) to Kalpa that is located at 8800 feet. Visit Chini village monastery and temple, Roghi cliff point and Roghi village. Overnight stay at the HPTDC Kalpa hotel.

Day 5: Kalpa to Charang village

• Explore Chini heritage village.
• Explore Kalpa Market
• Take in the stunning views of Kinner Kailash group of mountains (morning and evening views are unparalleled) from Kalpa.
• Spend time with local people of Kalpa and Roghi village.
• Visit 170+ year old Roghi Forest Rest House built by Governor General Dalhousie.
• Rolla Dokhang (infamous suicide point), and Roghi village visit.
• Roghi village and Narayan temple visit.
• Kalpa Vishnu Narayan temple and monastery visit.

Distance 60 km. 3 hours drivetime on Kalpa-Powari connecting road, NH5 and Moorang-Thangi-Charang road.

Kalpa (altitude 3000 meter). Kalpa offers a splendid view of Kinner Kailash mountain range. One can take in the visceral views of Kinner Kailash peak & Shivlingam, Raldang peak & Jorakanden peak.

Explore places around Kalpa like Chini market and village, monastery and Kalpa Narayanes & Vishnu temple. Drive to Charang village & camp there.

Day 6: Charang to Tabo monastery drive

• Visit one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Kinnaur, Charang Rangrik Tsungma monastery.
• Visit Moorang village fort and Buddhist monastery.
• Visit Rapuk Shankras Temple of Thangi village.
• Explore Nako village and Nako Lake.
• Gue village detour to see 500+ years old mummy and Gue Mummy Stupa.
• Leo-Chango-Hango village (Hangrang valley) detour.
• Charang village walk.
• Rangrik Tsungma Monastery visit.
• Visit last ITBP check post on Indian border.

Distance 160 km. 5 hours drivetime on Charang-Thangi-Moorang road, NH5 and NH505 (Khab – Sumdo Checkpost – Tabo)

Village walk in Charang (altitude 3400 mtr) and visit Rangrik monastery which is more than thousands of years old. Charang has Zanskar kind of landscape and houses and similar to houses built by the people of Zanskar region.

Drive to Thangi and visit to Lochwa monastery located in the middle of Thangi village. Visit Moorang fort and Moorang village.

After lunch, head toward Nako. Nako is located at an altitude of 10496 feet in the barren Hangrang valley of Kinnaur. Visit Nako Lake and monastery and drive to Sumdo check post and the oldest monastery of Himachal, Tabo. Overnight at a hotel/homestay.

Sumdo Check Post

Due to ever-increasing footfall of the tourists — and the resultant increase in their carbon footprint — in Lahaul and Spiti district, the district administration has started levying SADA (Special Area Development Authority) fee/toll at Sumdo Indian Army Check Post from 1 January 2024.

It was discussed (at a meeting of the Special Area Development Authority) that the tourist traffic is increasing day by day in the Spiti valley. Due to this, there is a financial shortage for solid waste management and sewage management in the Kaza and Tabo areas of Spiti block.  — Harsh Negi, SDM, Kaza 

Here are the details of the SADA fee charged for different type of vehicles entering in Lahual & Spiti district. 

Day 7: Tabo – Pin Valley drive

• See Thangka scroll paintings, frescos and mural paintings inside Tabo monastery.
• See mud stupas built around the monastery.
• Hike to Tabo caves (that were used by Buddhist monk of Tabo monastery for meditation).
• Visit Stupas and chortens, monastery museum and library.
• See the rock carvings near Tabo village government school.
• Visit over 1000-year-old Dhankar monastery and fort – A cliff fort and erstwhile capital of Spiti Nono Kings. Dhankar monastery was listed as 100 most endangered sites in the world by World Monuments Fund (WMF) in 2006. WMF is a New York based non-government and non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic architecture and cultural heritage sites around the world. 
• See the confluence of Spiti and Pin River and panoramic view of Spiti and Pin valley from Dhankar fort roof.
• Dhankar lake hike.
• See gold-leaf Buddhist sculptures at Serkhang Monastery of Lhalung village.
• Tabo monastery visit.
• Hike to caves above the village.

Distance 65 km. 3 hours drivetime on NH505 (Tabo-Attargo bridge) and Attargo-Mud village road.

On day 7 of Spiti circuit itinerary, we leave Tabo after breakfast and drive to Mudh village, the last village in Pin valley. Pin Valley is the least explored valley in Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti region.

Explore Mikkim and the village of Sangnam . Visit the Kungri Monastery and then the charming hamlet of Mudh — the Pin Valley’s last motorable village.

Stay at Mud for the night (12000 feet above sea level).

Day 8: Mud – Dhankar monastery – Kaza

• Watch stone breaking ceremony, ritual and drama performance by Buchen (shaman of Spiti Himalaya) in Mud village of Pin Valley.
• Sight rare Himalayan wildlife in Pin Valley National Park
• Photography on the beautiful banks of Pin River (right side tributary of Spiti river).
• Experience hospitality of people in Homestay.
• Taste local dishes and beverages in Homestay.
• See sangam (confluence) of a stream coming from Parvati Pass and Pin River and Sagnam village.
• Walk on Tailing village bridge. A wooden suspension bridge built over Pin river.
• Mud village walk.

Distance 50 km. 3 hours drivetime on Mud-Attargo bridge and NH505 (Attargo-Kaza road)

Drive to the eye-catching and imposing monastery of Dhankar . Perched on a riverfront cliff, Dhankar was the former capital of the Spiti Valley (when the valley was ruled by Nono kings).

Overlooking the Spiti river, it offers panoramic views of the river valley. Visit one of the oldest Gompa in the Spiti Valley. Overnight at a hotel in Kaza.

Day 9: Kaza-Hikkim-Lalung-Langza-Key-Kibber (5 – 6 hours drivetime)

• Visit Komic (or Komik) village – the highest altitude village of Asia accessible by road.
• Send postcards to your friends and family from highest altitude post office in the world from Hikkim post office by India Post.
• Tangyud monastery of Komic.
• See Snow leopard mannequin made with snow leopard skin.
• Take drone shots of Buddha statue at Langza hill.
• Kibber village drive.
• Key (or Ki) monastery visit.
• See Cham dance of buddhist monks at Key monastery during the Guitor festival.
• See murals and Thangka paintings inside the Ki monastery complex.
• Take drone shot from Chicham suspension bridge.
• Kaza market visit.
• Kaza monastery visit.
• Key-Kibber-Langza drive.
• Komic and Hikkim village visit.
• Chicham village visit.

The highest village in Asia, Komik, which literally translates to ‘eye of a snowcock’, is situated at a height of 4513 meters. Later, we drive to Hikkim where we visit the world’s highest post office in the world. After sending out a postcard, we drive to Langza.

Once you are here, you can walk around the village and visit the ancient Lang (Temple) which is estimated to be around 1000 years old. Visit to Key monastery . Overnight stay at Cherring’s homestay, Kibber .

Kibber is one of the two (other is Korzok) villages from where the trekkers start their quest for Parang La pass . Raacho Trekkers

Day 10: Drive from Kaza to Kunzum top (4551 meter) & camp at Chandertal Lake (4270 meter)

• Camping experience near Chandratal Lake.
• Explore small glacier lakes above Chandratal.
• Experience view of Spiti and Lahaul valley from 4551 meters high Kunzum-La pass.

Distance 102 km. 4 hours drivetime on Kaza-Kuzum-Batal road (NH505) and Batal-Chandratal lake connecting road.

Drive to one of the most photogenic places in Spiti Valley – the Chandra Tal Lake. Before that, we pass through the high altitude pass of Kunzum La. Stop by at the stupa and pay tribute to the local goddess, “Kuzum Mata” as she’s known.

At 15,000 feet above sea-level, the Kunzum Pass connects Kullu and Lahaul to the Spiti Valley. Live your dream of camping comfortably in the Himalayas as you spend your evening gazing at the Milky Way and the millions of stars on a clear night. Overnight at a camp 2 km away from Chandratal Lake.

Day 11 : Chandratal lake to Manali drive via Atal tunnel

• Experience savoury food at Chacha-Chachi dhaba at Batal.
• Crossing numerous streams and nallahs en route.
• Drive through Atal Tunnel – the engineering marvel by BRO (Border Road Organisation.

Distance 110 km. 3 hours drivetime on Batal-Atal Tunnel (NH505) and Atal tunnel-Manali road.

On the 10th day of this Spiti Valley tour, drive from Chandratal Lake towards Manali. Drive through the engineering marvel i.e. Atal tunnel and drive to Manali to end our breath-taking Spiti Valley sojourn. Overnight at a hotel in Manali.

Day 12 . Manali to Chandigarh.

After breakfast, enjoy some brilliant views of the Himalayas from your hotel in Manali. Proceed to Chandigarh after breakfast. Drop off at Chandigarh airport in the afternoon. The Spiti circuit tour ends here.

₹ Cost Inclusions in Spiti Circuit Trip

• All arrangements for overnight stays during the trip.
• All food expenses.
• Driver, fuel and toll charges.
• Food will usually consist of morning breakfast, lunch, evening high tea and dinner.
• Special trained certified guides trained for emergency situations.
• Local guides and workers with in-depth knowledge about the local area.
• It will be a cultural and traditional experience as all stays will be mostly in villages.
• Inner line permits and arrangements en route will be arranged by the operator.
• All stays and lodging on a twin sharing basis shall be provided.
• Any kind of personal expenses.
• Camera fees or any other costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances and situation beyond our control.
• Anything not mentioned in the inclusion section.

🧭 Places to visit en route Spiti valley

Narkanda is a small town in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at an altitude of 2750 meters on the Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH 05). Surrounded by the forest Kinnaur – Garhwal Himalayan Range. The experience of a panormic view from the Hatu top is not to be missed.

Padam Palace, Rampur Bushahr

The palace of erstwhile Bushahr princely state is built in neo-gothic architecture. Built between 1919 and 1925 for the Raja of Bushehr, the main building is still private, but one section is now the Nau Nabh Hotel, and the garden is open to visitors. From here you can admire the facade’s stone arches, carved-wood upper storey, peaked gables, and turreted towers. In front is a remarkable multi-gabled bandstand carved with peacock figures.

Sarahan is a small village near Jeori town. It is the site of the Bhimakali Temple, dedicated to the goddess Bhimakali, the presiding deity of the rulers of the former Bushahr State. The temple is situated about 170 kilometers from Shimla and 12 kilometers from Jeori town.

Sarahan Pheasantry

Also known as Jajurana Bird Sanctuary, this park is worth a visit. It hosts Jajurana, the state bird of Himachal Pradesh and a few other rare birds. Please note that the sanctuary remains closed from July to September for bird mating season. If you are traveling in any month apart from these three, a visit is highly recommended.

Baspa valley of Kinnaur

Bordering along western Himalaya with Tibet and Garhwal, the Baspa valley of Kinnaur has been open to visitors since the early nineties. The valley got its name from the Baspa river which originates from Chung Sakhago pass and meanders for around 30 km before meeting Satluj on its left bank near Karcham. Unlike the Spiti valley and Hangrang region of Kinnaur, the Baspa valley is a green paradise in largely barren mountains.

Baspa valley or Sangla valley is known for fruit-laden orchards, cedar-covered slopes and flower crusted meadows. Bhojpatra tree is abundantly found in the Chitkul region. A land of blue skies, buzzing Baspa river, soaring peaks, deep valleys, apple orchards, and syncretic culture — Baspa valley a place for people who are seeking genuine peace and soul-calming solitude far, far from the madding crowd. The fort of Kamru is another landmark in Baspa valley.

Chitkul, Rackcham, Sangla, Kamru and Chansu villages should be on your bucket list if you are visiting Kinnaur for the first time.

Kalpa Village

A small village about 10 kilometers from district headquarters Reckong Peo, known for the magnificent view of Kinner Kailash peaks . The focal point is Chini village and surrounding places like Kalpa Narayanas temple and Buddhist monastery.

Kalpa will probably be the last town where your phone will work flawlessly, no matter which network you are on. As you cross Kalpa and continue towards Pooh, your phone services will be a come and go before it completely dies. Only the BSNL network works in the Spiti & Lahaul valley.

Reo Purgyil peak view

At an altitude of 6816m, it is the highest peak of the state of Himachal Pradesh . You can get a good view of the peak from Khab Bridge if the weather is clear. If not from Khab Bridge, you will have to go up to Namgia or Tashigang village to get a clear view. Nako Village is located on the slopes of this mountain.

Nako Lake And Monastery

A small man-made lake in the village of Nako. It is not much to look at during the daytime but try some photography around the lake at either dusk or dawn and you will be able to get some good shots. Nako Monastery is an 11th-century ancient monastery located in the village of Nako . It was built by Buddhist Mahaguru Rinchen Zangpo who translated many Sanskrit Buddhist texts into Tibetan. He founded around 100 monasteries in western Tibet including Tabo monastery.

Tabo Monastery

Tabo Monastery: An ancient monastery believed to be over a thousand years old and one of the holiest. Founded in 996 AD it is also known as Ajanta of the Himalayas . Many priceless collections of scroll paintings, manuscripts, well-preserved statues, frescoes, and extensive murals can be found here.

Dhankar Monastery

Also known as Dhangkar Gompa, it is an ancient monastery built on a 1000 foot high cliff overlooking the confluence of Spiti and Pin Rivers. Apart from its heritage, this monastery is also famous for its spectacular setting. “Dhang” means cliff and “Kar” means fort, hence the literal name of the place is “Fort on a cliff”.

Key Monastery

Also known as Kye or Ki Gompa, it is one of the largest monasteries in Spiti valley that also serves as a training center for Lamas. It is believed to be over a thousand years old and has a vast collection of ancient murals and books.

Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary

It was established in 1992, Kibber is India’s only wildlife sanctuary in cold desert and is home to several rare animals like Ibex, Blue Sheep, Red Fox, Tibetan woolly hare, Himalayan wolf, lynx, pika, Tibetan wild ass.

Kunzum Pass

Your first high altitude pass of the journey, unless you have somehow managed to climb up to Shipki La in which case Kunzum will be your second. Connecting the valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, this pass is at an elevation of 4,590 meters, higher than Rohtang La. It remains closed from late October until early June.

Chandratal Lake

A beautiful lake is also the source of the river Chandrabhaga . If you can manage to be around here after sunset, it is a perfect place for capturing some magnificent sky and milky way pictures.

This small lake is one of the key highlights of the journey to Spiti valley and a perfect camping spot. There is also a legend associated with this lake. The confluence of the “moon-born” Chandra and the “sun-born” Bhaga takes place at Tandi, where the fabled Chandrabhaga or Chenab River comes into being.

Interestingly enough, Wikipedia article refer this lake as Tso Chigma . Tso is a Tibetan / Bhoti word which translates to lake, but there is no reference of Chigma either in Tibetan or Bhoti language. A lake is referred to as Dhar in Spiti vernacular language.

The mighty Rohtang pass, the spot where you will cross over to Manali and finish your Spiti journey. The name of this pass literally means “a pile of corpses” which I believe attributes to the fact that a lot of people died while crossing it in ancient times. Expect to find snow at the top no matter which month you are traveling in. The vistas around from the top of the pass and even on the ascent/descent are quite breathtaking.

Palari (or Balari top) is one and hour hour hike away from Demul village. From this vantage point, one can see about 15 (including Demul) villages of Spiti valley.

Spiti Road Trip In Summers

Hit the road on our epic overland journey spanning over ~1200 km, as you traverse seven picturesque districts and explore some of the most sought-after hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. Before venturing into the hidden gems of Spiti valley and Kinnaur, this adventure will take you through breathtaking hill towns like Narkanda, Sarahan, Kalpa. Discover the untamed wilderness of vales like Pin, Hangrang, and Tidong, and marvel at the incredible engineering feat that is the Atal Tunnel. This is an experience of a lifetime, offering a perfect mix of Himalayan beauty, tribal cultural experiences, and adrenaline-pumping road adventure on the old Hindustan-Tibet highway.

BSNL works in all regions of Spiti valley and Kinnaur. Reliance Jio has started expanding its network in Spiti valley. It is expected to get functional by the summer of 2021.

In summers, the maximum temperature crosses the 20 degrees Celsius mark in Spiti valley. During sunny daytime, you’ll feel comfortable just by wearing a t-shirt and trousers. It is always good to get wrapped in layers of clothes, as the weather can change anytime in the Himalayas. Even if the sun starts shining again, you can always get rid of the outer layers of clothing.  Here is the packing list (summers) for Spiti valley:  T-shirts.  A windcheater/ rain jacket. Jeans/trousers.  Light woolen.  A cap/hat.  Sunglasses.  A pair of hiking shoes.  3/4 pairs of regular socks.  A water purifier and filtration bottle (avoid plastic bottle).  Personal hygiene essentials.  Sunscreen sunblock cream. Spiti valley packing list (for winters):  A pair of good quality waterproof trekking boots. Three pairs of cotton socks. Two pairs of waterproof hiking pants. One pair of shorts Two pairs of fleece jumpers.  Two pairs of thermal tops and bottoms One down jacket. Headgear (1 beanie/skull cap, 1 buff, and 1 trekking cap).  A pair of thick gloves Personal hygiene essentials(alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer, soap, towels, toilet papers, baby wipes, etc.).  UV-block sunglasses. First aid kit. A water purifier and filtration bottle.

Spiti valley is acclaimed for its distinctive Moon-esque landscapes and interesting landforms. 5 entities that define the Spiti valley are:  Chandratal — .the lake of moon.   Buddhist monasteries of Ki, Kaza, Kungri, and Tabo.  Snow leopards of Kibber — the grey ghost of the Himalayas. Fascinating Tibetan culture and customs.  Fossils — dating back to the Triassic period (252-201 million years ago) — of  Langza village.  

Shimla to Narkanda-Rampur Bushahr-Powari-Pooh-Dubling village drive is on National Highway 5 (NH5). The Dubling village to Nako-Tabo-Kaza drive is on NH505. Kaza is the headquarters of Spiti valley. During winters, Shimla-Narkanda-Rampur road gets closed for a day or two whenever there is a long spell of snowfall. During such events, take the Shimla-Suni-Rampur Bushahr route along the Satluj river. This route stays open for all 365 days of the year. It takes longer — when compared from Manali to Spiti valley (Via Atal tunnel) route — to reach Kaza from Shimla. Shimla is one of the two places (second is Manali town) to start the Spiti valley circuit tour .

The road from Manali follows the Solang Valley-Atal tunnel-Gramphu-Batal-Kunzum Pass-Losar-Kaza route. The distance from Manali to Kaza is 183 km, and it takes about 6-7 hours (at one go) to reach Kaza. Manali-Kaza is a shorter route than the Shimla-Kaza route.  Though the Atal Tunnel has hardly reduced the road distance between Manali and Spiti valley by nearly 20 km, the drive time between the two places has now been reduced by over 2 hours. Manali town is one of the two — the second is Shimla — places to start the Spiti valley circuit tour .

You need to follow Ambala-Zirakpur Expressway on National Highway(NH) 44 and Zirakpur to Shimla (111 km) on NH5 in Himachal Pradesh. Shimla to Narkanda-Rampur Bushahr-Powari-Pooh-Dubling village drive is on NH5. Dubling village to Nako-Tabo-Kaza drive is on NH505. Kaza is the headquarter of Spiti valley.

Yes. The circuit is doable in October, though, the weather gets highly erratic — after September — in high altitude regions of Kinnaur, Spiti valley and Lahaul valley.

No. The Manali-Spiti route gets closed when thick layers of snow blankets the Kunzum pass in November/December. The traffic movement resumes only after March month. 

Though the Manali to Spiti valley route gets closed — most often after November/early December till March — during winters, the Shimla-Narkanda-Rampur-Nako-Kaza road stays open even during wintertime. During long spells of snowfall, Shimla-Kaza road may get closed for a day or two. BRO team from Project Deepak and local administration employs dozers, snow cutters, and excavators to clear the snow and reopen the route after a spell of snow in the route. Ping us to get the latest road and connectivity updates.

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Spiti Valley Road Trip

A Spiti Valley Road Trip , Know everything about this trip . The Spiti Valley is a high-altitude desert with Cold weather and terrain. It’s recommended to get a taxi if you want to take in the sights. Driving here demands great abilities and entire attention. Furthermore, at an average altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. Before you leave, read. 

In recent years, the valley has seen an influx of tourists seeking the serenity it offers as well as the excitement offered by Spiti’s treacherous terrains. We make sure that you get the most out of this Spiti valley road tour by ensuring that you get to see the stunning Spiti Valley in all of its grandeur as well as enjoy the thrill that the impassable roads of Spiti have to offer.

Spiti Valley serves as a link between two divergent cultures, and it is the horizon where people from various cultures come together to lay the foundation for Spiti. The valley is noted for its century-old monasteries and strong Buddhist influences, which can still be found in every community. 

Mudh, Komic, and Langza are just a handful of the places where you may enjoy life at a slower pace. You’ll never get the entire flavor of Spiti Valley unless you visit these villages and connect with the inhabitants. Because Buddhism has roots all throughout the valley and impacts the lives of the people who live here, it’s only natural that you’ll get to see some of the country’s top monasteries.

Best time to go on Spiti Valley Road Trip

When is the best time to go for a spiti valley road trip via the shimla route.

Summer is the greatest time to explore this remote yet beautiful region of Himachal Pradesh, which runs from May/June to October. It is the only time of year when the roadways are free of ice. Though some tourists love the dead winters and the roads stay open during that time, some routes are closed owing to excessive snow.

The months of December to March are ideal for a Spiti Valley winter road trip because there is snowfall. You can enjoy Winter Spiti Valley tour during this time.

Summer season (May-September): With temperatures ranging from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius, this is the best time to visit Lahaul and Spiti Valley. During this season, the weather remains mild and moderately chilly, allowing for a variety of outdoor and trekking activities. With the snow melting and the skies clearing, it is the ideal time to see the icy deserts of Spiti and the lush greenery of Lahaul.

When is the best time to go for a Spiti valley road trip via Manali?

Because there is no snowfall and the roads are clear, the months of May through October 1st Week are ideal for a Spiti Valley road trip. On the paths, you may enjoy both the rustic beauty and the lovely climate.

In addition, during the winter months of December to March, you can enjoy snowfall in this valley.

Traveling to Spiti from Manali to Kaza is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It can easily become a once-in-a-lifetime journey for many people. From Gramphu to Kunzum Pass, the treacherous river crossings and road conditions make your heart race like nothing else. As a result, it’s critical that you know what to expect on this exciting journey to Spiti.

When traveling from Delhi to Spiti through Manali, it takes at least two days to reach Kaza. On the first day, you can travel to Manali, and the next day, from Manali, you can travel to Kaza. If you go from Delhi to Spiti Valley by the Hindustan Tibet Road, it will take three days to reach Tabo, with overnight stops in Narkanda and Kalpa. As a result, when compared to the Shimla – Kalpa – Kaza route, traveling from Manali to Spiti will take less days.

The majority of first-time visitors to Spiti Valley plan a round-trip excursion. That is, they will enter from one side (usually Kinnaur) and leave from the opposite side (mostly Manali). You can always schedule more journeys to Spiti from either of the routes after your first trip to focus on distant areas in the Spiti Valley.

What automobile is best for a Spiti valley road trip?

Let’s be honest: the route to Spiti is terrible. As a result, you must ensure that your vehicle has adequate ground clearance. The road from Manali to Kaza is quite difficult, and it becomes even more difficult during the monsoons due to numerous river crossings. You, Sir, deserve a medal if you plan to drive a small car or a sedan on the Manali-Kaza road. The drive from Shimla is much more pleasant. Even little automobiles can make it via this path if driven cautiously.

The term “road” is being used generously here because you will be travelling through a real nightmare for the most of the journey. Spiti is known for mud, slush, dirt trails, water crossings, boulders and large stones on the road, shooting stones, and narrow steep hills, and so.

With all of this in mind, which car would be ideal for transporting it to Spiti? If you try to look at it from the standpoint of a brand, it becomes quite difficult. It’s more important to consider what an automobile has to offer from the standpoint of what I just described. Any SUV will most likely be the ideal vehicle for driving in Spiti Valley. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 2WD or 4WD vehicle; a vehicle with high ground clearance will come in handy while navigating through Spiti. It may be taken to almost any location and will be able to manage the terrain nicely.

For a spiti valley road trip, which route should you take?

Spiti may be reached by car from either Manali or Shimla. It takes about eight hours to go to Kaza from Manali, and two days to get there from Shimla. It’s preferable to do the entire circuit from Shimla to Manali, passing through Tabo, Kaza, and ultimately Manali. Allow at least 8 to 10 days to appreciate the journey and all of the stunning detours along the way.

On both routes, here’s what to expect:

Route 1: Shimla – Spiti Valley  

Delhi → Shimla → Narkanda → Chitkul → Kalpa → Tabo → Dhankar Village – Kaza – Kibber – Hikkim – Komic – Langza – Losar Village – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal Lake – Batal – Atal Tunnel – Manali 

Route 2: Manali – Spiti Valley  

Delhi → Manali → Atal Tunnel → Grampu → Kunzum Pass → Kaza – Pin Valley – Tabo – Dhankar – Hikkim – Komic – Langza – Losar Village – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal Lake – Batal – Atal Tunnel – Manali 

Regulations for the Spiti valley road trip

For your vehicle, you must have a ‘Beyond Rohtang’ authorization. To visit locations near the Sumdo, foreign citizens traveling on this route will need an Inner Line Permit, which can be obtained easily from the Special District Magistrate’s office in Kaza.

Where should you dine while driving through the Spiti Valley?

Your alternatives are severely limited as you pass via Marhi (35 kilometers from Manali). We recommend that you stop at every food booth you come across. The only choices are Chhatru, Batal, and Losar. Chacha – Chachi dhaba is well-known in Batal. You can have a cup of tea or eat your lunch there.

There are several dining options along the Shimla route – 

• Narkanda: The Himalayan Dhaba/Negi Dhaba is a nice alternative for regular Indian meals.
• Lovon Guesthouse and Dhaba is a good place for Tibetan food, according to Nako. Tabo: Tabo offers a variety of delicious dining options. But it’s mostly Tibetan.
• There are numerous food stalls along this road, allowing you to readily obtain meals.

Where should you stay during your Spiti tour?

There are hotel, homestay, and camping options in the Spiti Valley. Make sure you’ve scheduled your stay ahead of time. Because so many sites have few lodging options, tourists have trouble finding places to stay during peak season.

Where are the petrol pumps?

In the Spiti Valley, there are only a few petrol stations. So, if you’re planning a road trip through the Spiti Valley, you may fill up your tank at the following locations:

– Narkanda 

– Reckong Peo 

– Kaza 

– Manali 

ATMs Facility in Spiti Valley: 

In the Spiti Valley, ATMs are available. We recommend that you bring enough cash on your road journey to Spiti. The ATM may not work owing to a power outage or a lack of cash in the machine. You can find ATMs below these locations –

– Shimla

 – Rampur 

– Reckong Peo (126 kilometers from Shimla) (41 kilometers from Sangla)

– Tabo (200 kilometers from Reckong Peo)

– Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Mobile Connectivity in Spiti Valley  

Mobile coverage in the Spiti Valley is now good. In Kaza, however, the Reliance Jio and BSNL networks are available. (Some Places Like Chitkul, Chandratral Lake in Spiti Valley, you can fece Network issue during your Spiti Tour)

Although internet connectivity is difficult to predict, BSNL may be able to provide service in the Spiti valley.

What to Bring on Your Spiti Valley Road Trip –

For Summer (1st week: May to October)

Summers in Spiti valley are not particularly cold, therefore you won’t need to bring a suitcase full of woolens. 

The essentials are:

– A warm wool coat 

– A hat or a cap

– Light warm clothing 

– Hiking shoes 

– Sunglasses 

– Gumboots if riding 

– Woolen Socks

Winters in the Spiti Valley may be brutal, so bring plenty of woolens. The following are some of the must-haves:

– Warm thermals 

– Windcheater 

– Trek gumboots

– Gloves and stockings made of wool

– Heavy woolen jacket

– Thermoflask Bottle

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Spiti Valley Road Trip (9N/10D)

Spiti is a land of monasteries and wide-open landscapes preserved deep in the mighty Himalayas. Spiti and Pin Rivers make their way through the desert mountain valley that is positioned along the Indo-Tibet border, abutting the Zanskar mountain ranges of the Himalayas.  

Spiti has entirely contrasting terrain compared to its sister valley, Lahaul . As you drive into the Lahaul valley from the Manali side, you might notice that this part of the Lahaul & Spiti district is inordinately greener than Spiti valley. 

Culturally and geographically, Spiti is almost indistinguishable from Ladakh. If you never get a chance to visit Ladakh in your lifetime, you can experience similar cultures and landscapes by going on a road trip to Spiti valley.  

Hikkim Village in Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley Road Trip Highlights

• Drive through one of the most treacherous terrains in the world, well-accompanied by wide landscapes and beautiful Himalayan lakes
• Camping, photography, and stargazing at Chandra Taal
• Tabo village and monastery. The 1000-year-old Buddhist monastery is famed for Bodhisattva Stucco sculptures, murals, and rock paintings.  
• Watch the confluence of the Sutlej and Spiti River at Khab bridge. 
• Catch a glimpse of the mighty snowy peaks of the Kinnaur Kailash mountain range while driving on Kalpa-Roghi road. 
• Views of Reo Purgyil peak (the highest peak of Himachal) from Khab and Nako.
• Driving by the banks of the shallow Spiti river. 

Lahaul, Kinnaur, and Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh

9 Nights/10 Days

Rs. 35,000/- per person

Spiti Valley Road Map

Spiti Valley Road Trip Map

Spiti Valley Road Trip Itinerary

• Delhi/Chandigarh to Shimla to Kotgarh (410/210 km, 7-9 hrs)
• Kotgarh to Baga Sarahan (80 km, 4 hrs)
• Baga Sarahan to Sangla to Rakcham (155 km, 6 Hrs)
• Rakcham to Chitkul to Kalpa (70 km, 4 hrs)
• Kalpa to Nako to Tabo (150 km, 6 hrs)
• Tabo to Pin Valley to Kaza via Dhankar Monastery (110 km, 6-7 hrs)
• Kaza – Langza – Hikkim – Komic – Key – Kibber – Gete – Kaza (30 km, 4-5 hrs drive time)
• Kaza to Kunzum Pass to Chandratal Lake (90 km, 4-5 hrs)
• Chandra Taal to Atal Tunnel to Manali (134 km, 6 hrs)
• Manali to Chandigarh/Delhi (8-9 hrs)

The cultural and traditional heritage this place holds is over 1000 years old. Monasteries and stupas that have stood unmoved in their places for centuries are witnesses to the great turmoil that took place in the Greater Himalayas to give origin to this heavenly place.

Snow-capped peaks rise on both banks of the Spiti and Pin Rivers to spear the sky and protect its inhabitants from all uncalled-for travesties. The priceless gift of mother nature as a pure environment, crystal clear water, fertile land, picturesque landscapes, century-old glaciers, and snowfields make Spiti a must-visit place on earth.

High passes, lowlands, small and long flights of bridges connecting two ends of the open valley at places have been our companions for years on our journeys to this most beautiful land. We have been driving through these picture-perfect valleys and Himalayan villages for years.

To share one of our most memorable travel experiences with you, we have designed the Spiti Valley road trip in a way that you have time to explore Spiti inside out. From food to Spitian culture to extended natural landscapes, you will get a chance to live the life of a local.

Pin Valley in Spiti

An overland trip to Spiti Valley is one such unmatched experience that leads to craving another Spiti road trip.  

The itinerary that we will follow is set up and customized considering the extreme weather and geographical conditions and to adapt well for driving on the most treacherous road in the world’ – National Highway 5.

We know people by their stories: their quirky ways, their habits, and their life journeys. The road trip to Spiti valley is a great opportunity to get to know not just the fellow road trippers but also the people of the Himalayas – their daily life, food, and cultural practices.

Be it standing at the world’s highest village – Komik (or Komic)’ or driving through the world’s most treacherous road, you will experience it all firsthand and take home lovely memories and myriad adventure tales you lived in real-time.

Just imagine how watching an extended landscape of multiple layers of misty mountains in front of your eyes and clear blue sky above your head would feel. If this is the place you have been planning to be for so long, come join us and let’s make fresh memories that will remain etched in your mind forever.

Detailed Spiti Valley Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Delhi/Chandigarh to Shimla to Kotgarh (410/210 km, 7-9 hrs drive time)

We will start our journey from Delhi/Chandigarh in the morning. Through the Himalayan Express Highway and NH5, we would be reaching Kotgarh by the evening — into the heart of the lesser Himalayas. 

All through the drive, we would be gradually gaining altitude — from 656m at Kalka to 2276m at Shimla. This will continue till we reach Narkanda which is located at 2700m. 

From Narkanda, there is a 15km long gradual descent to Kotgarh (altitude 1900m).     

Beautiful roads snaking through forests of pine, deodar, and oak trees offer glimpses of small beautiful villages on the way. We will stop at Shimla and Kufri for a while and then move ahead to reach Kotgarh by evening, which is our halt for the night. 

The overnight stay is at a cottage amidst apple and cherry orchards.

Day 2: Kotgarh to Baga Sarahan (80 km, 4 hrs drive time)

On day 2, we take a connecting road that will take us down to Bithal on National Highway 5. From Bithal, we head towards Rampur Bushahr. At Duttnagar (a place on NH5), we take a left turn and take Duttnagar-Nirmand connecting road. 

This road will take us to the mountain meadows of Baga Sarahan.  Baga Sarahan is around a 45km drive away from Duttnagar.  

Baga Sarahan is a beautiful plain grassland spreading up to miles. Baga Sarahan is about 160 km from Shimla. The open meadow reveals itself to travelers as they traverse through small bridges and narrow, vista roads uphill to finally discover this beautiful gem of nature.

Baga Sarahan is still a hidden Himalayan gem yet to be explored by nature lovers. The place is surrounded by mountains and water streams on all sides. A small village and apple orchards in the periphery of the pasture add another dimension to the beauty of this place. The place receives heavy snow during winters that paint everything from meadows to tall deodar trees to the ancient temple built in traditional white architecture.

Mother nature reveals its first marvel as soon as we reach Taranda to see a deep gorge on the left-hand side of the road. The road roofed by multiple rock tunnels ushers you into Kinnaur Valley. Rakcham is a beautiful village at an altitude of 3050 m. This place has a charm of its own. The green forested mountain beautifies the landscape on either side of the glacial waters of the Baspa River.

Dinner and overnight stay at a camp/cottage in Baga Sarahan.

Day 3: Baga Sarahan to Sangla; Sangla to Rakcham (155 km, 6 Hrs drivetime)

Sangla Valley, Kinnaur

On day 3 of the Spiti valley road trip expedition, we take the same serpentine road to reach National Highway 5. As we reach the Baga Sarahan connecting road-NH5 road junction, we take a left turn and head towards Rampur Bushahr.

At Rampur Bushahr, we may take a halt to visit Padam palace.

The standout of the day’s drive will be traversing the Tranda Dhank (cliff) road span. This tunnel-shaped road stretch is a part of the old Hindustan-Tibet road that was constructed in Viceroy Dalhausie’s time (in the 1850s). You will remember the drive by the huge gorge on the river-side will be remembered by you for each meter driven.

From Tranda, we will continue the drive on NH5 till Karcham. Karcham bridge is the gateway to the Baspa (or Sangla valley). An 18km long connecting road will take us to the town of Sangla.

Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Rakcham.

Day 4: Rakcham to Chitkul; Return to Sangla & Drive to Kalpa (70 km, 4 hrs)

Kalpa, Kinnaur

After breakfast, we will drive to the last village of India on the Indo-Tibetan border – Chitkul. The village is at an elevation of 3450m from mean sea level. Don’t be surprised if you see big snowflakes falling from the sky even in the month of May. This place is the starting point for some popular treks like Borasu, Nalgan valley, and Lamkhaga Pass.

We spend the morning hiking along the river and enjoying a blissful day in solitude by the river banks of Baspa.

After Lunch drive towards the village of Kalpa. Kalpa is more famous for the views it offers of the snow-covered Kinner Kailash Ranges. This is the place for an overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 5: Kalpa to Nako; Drive to Tabo Monastery (150 km, 6 hrs drive time)

Finally, on day 5 of the road trip, we would be driving on lunar terrains of Spiti valley.  In the first leg of the trip, we drive along the Sutlej river until we reach a place called Khab. 

Khab is the place where Sutlej and Spiti River meet. From here the road ascends till you reach an elevation of 12000 ft to a place called Nako. 

Nako is a picturesque village with amazing views of snow-covered Manerang Ranges. There is also a lake located on the valley side of the village. This place is the base camp for climbing Reo Purgyil – the highest peak in Himachal Pradesh. Then we proceed further to reach Tabo village by evening for an overnight stay in a homestay/guest house.

Dhankar Monastery Spiti Valley

Day 6: Tabo to Dhankar Monastery to Pin Valley; Drive to Kaza  (110 km, 6-7 hrs drive time)

Our first destination on day 5 will be the Dhankar (sometimes spelled as Dankhar or Dhangkar) monastery. It is a 900-year-old monastery built on a valley spur. The word literally translates to Fort (Kar) built on a mountain (Dhang). 

A 23km long drive on NH505 will take us to a point from where we take a right turn and continue the drive on a serpentine road connecting road (Sichling-Dhankhar Gompa). 

The Dhankar monastery offers vantage views of the valley and the confluence of the Pin and Spiti Rivers. After spending some time at the monastery, we descend down to reach NH505, take a left turn, and continue driving on the highway. 

At Attargo, we drive over the Attargo bridge and start our road journey into the Pin valley. 

Instagrammable places in Pin valley

• Kungri monastery 
• Sagnam village
• Mud village (the last village of the Pin valley). 
• Pin river terraces. 

By the evening, we head back to Attargo and reach Kaza — the administrative center of Spiti valley. 

Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Kaza. 

Day 7: Kaza – Langza – Hikkim – Komic – Key – Kibber – Kaza (30 km, 4-5 hrs drive time)

Kaza to Key Monastery in Spiti Valley

Today we drive to the 4400 m high Langza village. After Langza, we head further to the village of Komic, following the route that offers a mesmerizing view of a handful of peaks (all above 6000 m). 

Situated at an elevation of 4513m, Komic is one of the highest villages in Asia and literally means the eye of a snowcock.

From Komic, we’ll make a return trip to Kaza and drive to Key Monastery. After visiting the monastery we head to Kibber village. 

In the evening, we would drive back to Kaza for dinner and an overnight stay.

Langza Village in Spiti Valley

Day 8: Kaza to Kunzum Pass to Chandra Taal Lake (90 km, 4-5 hrs)

Chandra Taal, Spiti

We start the day early as the weather at the 4550 m (15,060 feet) high Kunzum Pass can turn from bright sunshine into snow showers in a minute. 

Kunzum Pass acts as a crossover between Spiti Valley and Lahaul Valley. When in Lahaul, you might notice that this valley is a lot greener than Spiti.

Kunzum Pass offers amazing views of the Chandrabhaga Ranges. It has a Hindu temple and a Buddhist Chorten dedicated to the eponymous Goddess Kunzum Mata.

After a short descent from the pass, we take a detour on a narrow road to Chandratal Lake. Chandra Taal – the name that translates to moon lake – is a beautiful lake at an altitude of 14,100 feet. 

Nestled between the mountain ranges of Chandra Bhaga and Kunzum top, Chandra Taal is acclaimed and admired by travelers as one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire Himalayan region.

After enjoying beautiful views, we will settle for a lakeside overnight stay in camps at Chandra Taal.

Chandra Taal, Spiti Valley

Day 9: Chandra Taal to Atal Tunnel to Manali (134 km, 6 hrs)

After savoring the pristine views of Chandra Taal Lake and surrounding mountain ranges, we would head for Manali. After a short halt at Batal, we drive along the Chandra River to a place called Gramphu.

From Gramphu we can take one of the two routes to Manali:

• Gramphu – Rohtang pass – Kothi – Palchan – Manali
• Gramhpu – Koksar – Chandra Bridge – Atal Tunnel – Solang Valley – Manali

We’ll reach Manali by evening. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 10: Manali to Chandigarh/Delhi (8-9 hrs)

Time to bid farewell. Drive through Chandigarh to Delhi.

FAQs about Spiti Valley Road Trip

Q: Is this trip for me?

A: If you are crazily in love with the Himalayas, then Spiti Valley Itinerary, Spiti valley road trip is meant for you. If you have never felt how driving through the world’s most treacherous road and standing on the world’s highest inhabited village feels like, then this road trip is for you. Ear-deafening noise coming from furious Sutlej and Spiti Rivers and the calmness and beauty of Chandra Taal will make your trip worth it.

Q: How is the weather out there?

A: Temperatures might be as low as -2 °C or even lower while crossing Kunzum Pass and Rohtang Pass. And, the only mantra to enjoy this road journey is to be well equipped. It’s perfectly fine if the maximum space of your bag is eaten up by an extra pair of woolen socks, cap, warm jacket, and thermals.

Q: Can I bring my spouse/friend with me?

A: Of course, you can. We will be visiting many beautiful villages, lakes, and monasteries during the course of our journey; which implies, we will be having a good time during the trip.

Q: Is there any trekking involved in the trip?

A: No. This is a road journey. All the destinations you are visiting are accessible by vehicle. At a couple of places, you might have to take short walks, but they cannot be categorized as treks. Anyone with a reasonable fitness level can do most of the activities during the trip.

Q: What is the maximum altitude we will hit?

A: 15,059 feet (4,590 m) at Kunzum Pass

Q: What about the level of physical fitness?

A: A person with reasonable fitness can join the group because there is no trekking involved throughout the trip. Still, it is always good to be fit when going to high altitudes.

Q: Does physical fitness protect against altitude sickness?

A:  As suggested it’s always good to be physically fit when you plan to go to high altitudes. But there is no evidence that people with high physical fitness levels don’t fall prey to AMS (acute mountain sickness or altitude sickness). Rather, they might challenge themselves to exert more, hence increasing the probability of becoming an AMS victim.

Q: Can I drink alcohol at a high altitude?

A: Drinking alcohol at high altitudes is a practice you should avoid in all possibilities, because alcohol can obstruct your breathing, directly hampering the acclimatization process of your body. Furthermore, alcohol may cause dehydration.

Q: Should I take Diamox when going to high altitude?

A: There is no need to take Diamox until or unless your body has enough time for acclimatization. We have planned the trip in stages to offer your body sufficient time for acclimatization during the ascent. Hence taking drugs in the mountains needs to be avoided. You should consider taking Diamox only if you are gaining altitude very quickly (flying to high altitude locations), that too only if you have no history of allergies to the drug.

Cancellation Policy

In the event of cancellation of tour/trek/adventure activity/services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reasons, we must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive the information in writing (email), and cancellation charges will be as follows:

• 30 days or more prior to the departure date: 90% of the total package fee refundable.
• Between 21-30 days prior to the departure date: 60% of the total package fee refundable
• Between 20-11 days prior to the departure date: 30% of the total package fee refundable
• Less than 10 days prior to the departure date: No refund
• No show: No refund
• No refund will be made if a participant is unable to complete the tour/trek/adventure activity owing to medical conditions or any other reasons, after starting the tour/trek/adventure activity

How to Plan a Trip to Spiti Valley – A Complete Travel Guide

Over the last few years, I have written several articles on how to plan a trip to Spiti Valley. These articles are spread over numerous pages and shuffling through trying to find the information that you need can actually be quite a task. So I thought to add this one sticky page at the front; more like an index to all the information.

How to Plan a Trip to Spiti Valley is really a very broad question because there are several aspects to it, and several factors will contribute to how your final plan turns out.

I will break this information as per different aspects of the trip, and provide links to articles where I have detailed the information related to it. Please take a look at the post below and it should answer all your questions about traveling to Ladakh.

If there some a question that wasn’t answered or if you need my advice on your travel plan or itinerary, you can follow me on Instagram and chat with me live there. Or you subscribe to my YouTube channel and ask any questions there.

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Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley is a name that creates many pictures in the minds of those who haven’t been there. While some picture lush green hills, mountain rivers, and waterfalls, others think of it as a barren wasteland, a cold desert very similar to Ladakh.

Whatever the picture is, it attracts thousands of tourists every year. A journey to Spiti is an experience that you will cherish for a long time, probably all of your life.

The name “Spiti” means “The Middle Land” which it actually is; because it is in fact the land between Tibet and India. And because of this very reason, it possesses a unique combination of both Indian and Tibetan cultures. A distinct lifestyle derived primarily out of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, gelled so well that it’s hard to tell them apart.

Is Spiti Valley Worth It?

I will start with this because it is one of the most frequently asked questions. A lot of people get confused about whether to visit Ladakh or Spiti Valley and then they think about whether or not Spiti Valley is worth visiting. If I am to answer this in a single sentence, yes Spiti Valley is definitely worth every minute or penny that you spend here.

It is going to be a journey that you will remember for all of your life. This trip will give you a taste of many things in terms of vistas and culture. The slow transformation from lush green hills of Kinnaur to barren brown of Spiti and then again the green of Manali will leave you mesmerized.

The white of snow-covered mountains and the blue of the lakes here are like nowhere else. You will get to see an entirely different part of our country and meet people following a very different culture than yours.

Yes, Spiti Valley is very well worth it and you must visit here. In many ways, it will actually be even better than visiting Ladakh.

When to visit Spiti Valley

This definitely is the first question that comes to mind when you think of planning a trip. Choosing the right time to go in my opinion is of utmost importance; both in terms of convenience and sightseeing.

Spiti valley is open by road for all 12 months. When to go to Spiti will really depend on what your preference is but the majority of the tourism happens in the months from June till September.

This is the time when both the routes from Shimla and Manali remain open. Take a look at the article below for more details on what can you expect in which month; and which would suit you the most.

• When is the Best Time to Visit Spiti?
• Spiti Roads: Opening and Closing Times

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

Is Spiti Safe?

This is a question that must be addressed and answered before you go visit a new place. In my opinion, a person’s safety is entirely in their own hands and gets driven by the choices they make.

What you should know about Spiti Valley is that the roads here can be really bad, narrow, and sometimes even dangerous to drive on. So a certain amount of driving experience would be required (especially on hills) before you bring your vehicle here.

You definitely do not want this to be your first time when you were behind the wheel in the hills. If it was then I would recommend that you make a short trip to some other hill station and then drive to Spiti.

The local people here are very humble and gentle. The majority of the valley are simple villagers and the crime rate here is next to none.

So as long as you drive sensibly, did not take any unnecessary risks, did not wander alone into the wild on your own, and did not get into arguments with anyone, Spiti Valley is a very safe place to visit.

I would recommend reading through Is Spiti Safe for Tourists for more information and details on this topic.

Permits for Spiti Valley

Permits for Spiti Valley remain to be a topic of confusion really. Take a look at the articles below and these should help clarify any doubts. In a nutshell, as an Indian citizen, you do not need a permit for Spiti Valley. You are free to travel on the circuit any time of the year.

As a foreign national, you will need a permit to travel but it is only for traveling in the area near the Shipki La Pass (between Pooh and Nako). If a foreigner was coming from Manali to Kaza only, they do not need a permit. From the Shimla side, no permit is required for traveling till Reckong Peo but one is needed for going beyond Peo.

Irrespective of whether you are an Indian or a foreigner, you will definitely have to obtain a permit for Rohtang Pass; if you intended to enter the valley from Manali’s side. Go through the posts below please and these should clarify the matter further.

• How to Get Permits for Spiti Trip
• Rohtang Pass Permits: Details, Charges & How to Apply

How to Prepare

Once you have decided when to go, next in line comes the question of how to prepare. Spiti Valley is not really a place where you can just pack your bags and go.

You will have to seriously consider every aspect of the trip and pack accordingly. This will include packing the right kind of clothes, getting your vehicle ready, and carrying every essential item that you will need for the trip.

Below is a link to articles where I have provided this information in detail.

• Clothes for Spiti Trip: What to Pack?
• Carrying your Laptop to Spiti
• How to Transport your Motorcycle for Spiti Trip
• Mobile Network in Spiti – Coverage and Data Connectivity

Spiti Valley with Family

Not too long ago, Spiti Valley was considered a place only for the adventurous type and motorcycle enthusiasts. Back then, people were not even aware of the name ‘Spiti Valley’, and the ones who knew of it as a region close to the border and where no one goes.

Much however has changed in recent times. The number of people visiting Spiti now increases with each passing year and the place is slowly getting transformed into a tourist hotspot.

With that being said, the fact cannot be denied that it is still a high altitude desert where the terrain is not only challenging but dangerous too sometimes.

If you are thinking of a Spiti family trip then you would have to seriously prepare for the journey ahead; especially if you were traveling with a child, or elders of your family maybe.

Please take a look at the following post. The first one details preparations and precautions you would need to practice while coming to Spiti with an infant, toddler, or children of any other age.

The second article talks about how to plan a trip to Spiti if you had your parents or other elders of the family accompanying you.

• How to visit Spiti Valley with Family?
• Planning a Spiti Trip with Children?
• How to Travel to Spiti with Senior Citizens?

What to buy in Spiti Valley

Shopping is of course an important part of any trip anywhere; especially if you are traveling with family. Spiti Valley is considered to be a very remote region. But makes no mistake, there is plenty that you can buy to remember your time here.

Local Warm Socks, Sweater, Shawl, Roasted Barle, Dry Cheese, Barle Powder, and Sea Buckthorn Tea are some of the most common items that are bought by tourists.

But the list just does not end here. It is merely the beginning. Please take a look at Shopping in Spiti – What To Buy and Where for more details on these items and several others.

What to eat in Spiti Valley

One of the must-do things, when you visit a new place, is to try the local food there. You may or may not like it, and it may or may not agree with your stomach but you must do it nonetheless. After all, traveling is in the end all about being in new places and trying new things.

A mix of Indian and Tibetan Cultures, the local food in Spiti valley looks exotic, smells mouth-watering, and tastes delicious. Please take a look at Local food in Spiti – What to Eat in Spiti for a list of some local dishes that you must try.

Get Your Vehicle Ready

Aside from getting ready yourself, you will also have to make sure that your vehicle too is ready for the arduous journey ahead. Spiti Valley is still a remote area where mechanics are rare to find in some places.

Out here, even a simple breakdown or a flat tire can ruin your trip if you weren’t prepared for it. You should know which vehicle to bring to Spiti, how to get it ready and what spares to bring. The articles below will help answer all these questions in detail.

• How to Prepare your Car for Spiti Trip
• Which is the Best Car for Spiti Trip
• How to Prepare your Motorcycle for Spiti Trip
• Which is the best motorcycle for Spiti Trip?

Time Needed

It will entirely depend on where you were coming from and your mode of travel. But assuming Delhi as a starting point, a total of 9 days is what I will recommend for this journey.

You can, of course, do away with a lesser number of days as well but with 9 days in hand, you will be able to make sure that you did not rush anywhere during the trip, saw everything that was worth seeing, and made the best out of your time.

The itinerary section below breaks down the trip by the number of days and gives you an idea of how you can plan your trip.

Itinerary for Spiti Valley Trip

A well-laid itinerary in my opinion is the most important part of visiting Spiti Valley. Based on the days you have in hand, you must have a carefully drafted plan on where do you want to be on which day.

A Spiti trip is not really a frequent affair so while you visit here, you need to make sure that you make the most out of it and visit as many places as you possibly can. I have written several articles providing examples of different itineraries broken by days; links to which I have provided below.

Depending on how long your trip is going to last, you can pick an itinerary from the ones I have listed in these articles.

• 3 Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 4 Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 5 Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 6 Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 7 Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 8 Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 9 Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 10 Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 11 Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 12 Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 13  Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 14  Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 15 Days Itinerary for Spiti
• 3 Detailed Plans to Visit Spiti in 6 Days
• A Detailed Itinerary for Visiting Spiti in Winters
• A Detailed Spiti Itinerary from Manali
• Chandratal Itinerary – How to Plan a Trip for 4 – 5 Days?
• 2 Weeks Itinerary for Spiti Trip
• Shimla to Spiti Itinerary: A Detailed Travel Plan

What to See in Spiti Valley

The next piece of information that you should keep handy is a list of places that you would like to see. You have been told that entire Spiti is a tourist destination in itself which is entirely correct.

Every turn of the road here will present you with something new and you will not get tired of clicking your camera for hours. But there must be some places that can be called the prime attraction, correct?

You are right. In the article below, I have listed every place in Spiti Valley that is worth a visit. Depending on the time you have for the trip, you can decide which one (or all of them) you want to cover.

• Tourist Attractions In Spiti & Its Vicinity
• Festivals of Spiti
• Kaza – Sightseeing, Accommodation, and Other Facilities

Where to Stay in Spiti Valley

After what to see comes information related to accommodation. Spiti Valley is getting more popular with each passing year but the fact is that it still remains to be a remote region.

Knowing what your choices of accommodation are and where you can break your journey for the night is of utmost importance. It will also play a crucial part in drafting your final itinerary and deciding on the number of days for the trip.

In the articles below, I have listed some recommended hotels available on the circuit.

• Recommended and Best Hotels in Spiti
• HPPWD Rest House: Locations, Contacts, Charges & How to Book
• Accommodation in Spiti: Recommended Hotels & Guest Houses
• Accommodation at Chandratal – What are the options
• Camping at Chandratal – Best campsites

Monasteries in Spiti Valley that allow Night Stay

A lot of people look forward to staying at a monastery in Spiti Valley. This is a great choice for experiencing something different and local. However, this option is not available at all the monasteries.

In Spiti Valley, there are only 5 monasteries that I know that have this kind of arrangement. Before you decide to stay here though, please know that your stay will be very basic and may feel uncomfortable to you. But if you want do want to give it a try, then you can stay at either of the following monasteries for the night.

• Key monastery near Kaza
• Tabo Monastery
• Dhankar Monastery
• Kungri Monastery, Pin Valley
• Komic Monastery

How to Travel to Spiti Valley

Now since we have all the information we need, let us talk about how to travel to and in Spiti Valley.

In the articles below, I have talked about how to journey on the two roads leading to Spiti Valley; the Manali – Kaza, and Shimla – Kaza routes; and then how to go to areas like Kibber, Pin Valley, and Chandratal after you have arrived in Kaza.

The first article is a very comprehensive road map of the entire Spiti Circuit; then the following articles are detailed explanations of the route.

• Lahaul Spiti Road Map With Distances
• Spiti via Shimla or Manali – Which one is Better?
• Lahaul Spiti Route Guide
• Riding to Spiti on 100CC Motorcycle or Scooter
• Plan a Trip from Delhi to Chandratal Lake?
• Kaza to Komik, Hikkim and Langza
• Kaza to Kibber, Gette & Tashigong
• Trip to Chandratal Lake
• Spiti Trip In Winters
• How to Plan a Trip to Pin Valley, Spiti

Renting a Bike for the Trip

A trip to a place like Spiti Valley is best when done by your own vehicle. This however is not really a choice open to everyone. For one reason or another, a lot of people travel here by other modes of transport as well of which, renting a motorcycle is one of the top ones.

There are several places that you can rent a bike from for the trip like Manali, Shimla, or Kaza itself. However, before you finalize the deal, you must carefully inspect the motorcycle to ensure that it will not give you trouble anywhere.

In the articles below, I have provided information on where you can rent a bike from with some recommended names; and what is it that you should pay heed to before renting a bike.

• Why and When you should rent a Motorcycle for Spiti Trip
• Where to rent a motorcycle in Manali for Spiti Trip?

Cost of Spiti Trip

The budget for the trip is one of the biggest deciding factors. While your overall expense incurred during the trip will completely depend on your own personal spending habits; some idea of the minimum cost will still be beneficial.

Below is a list of articles that can help you calculate the overall cost you will incur during the trip; and how you can keep it within budget.

• How to Calculate Minimum Budget or Cost of Spiti Trip?
• Calculate Spiti Trip Cost by Motorcycle
• How to Plan a Budget Trip to Chandratal?
• 8 Tips to Make a Budget Trip to Spiti

Public Transport Services in Spiti Valley

Off-late, a lot of people have started to visit Spiti valley using public transport services; either in form of a Bus or shared cabs. If you too are planning a trip here by Public transport, then in the article below you will find information related to bus schedules and shared taxis.

• Spiti Bus Service: Frequency, Fare & Time Table

Last but not the least, below are some articles where I have shared some quick tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Most of these tips are based on my own personal experience of Spiti Valley after being there several times.

Read through and I am sure this information can be of help to you.

• How to Handle Acute Mountain Sickness In Spiti
• Top 10 Things NOT to do in Spiti
• Why you should avoid traveling from Manali to Kaza in October
• Is it Safe to Travel to Spiti during Monsoon Season?
• Other Facilities In Spiti

Months to Visit Spiti Valley

Which month you would want to go really depends on your own personal preference. Below is a list of articles explaining Spiti valley month by month. The information I have included in these posts is relevant to that particular month only. Depending on which month you want to go in, click on the link and read through the information.

• Spiti in January
• Spiti in February
• Visiting Spiti in March
• How to Plan Spiti Trip in April
• Spiti in May
• Spiti Trip in June
• Visiting Spiti in July
• Spiti in August
• Spiti in September
• How to Plan Spiti in October
• Spiti in November
• Spiti in December

When does Spiti Valley open for Tourists?

Contrary to common belief, Spiti valley actually remains open for all 12 months of the year. People tend to think that it gets shut down in the winter months but that is not true.

Of the two roads connecting Spiti with the rest of the country, it is only the Manali Kaza highway that gets blocked in winter. The reason behind this is that there are two high altitude passes on this route and both of them are notorious for receiving high amounts of snow each year. Yes, I am referring talking about Rohtang La and Kunzum La.

On the other hand, there is not even a single high altitude pass on the route from Shimla to Kaza. Due to this, it remains open throughout the year.

There could be a temporary block if the weather turned extreme and it snowed too much; but even if that happens, authorities clear the road just as soon as they are able to and restore connectivity.

With that being said, the tourist season in Spiti really starts in the month of May. People visit here in other months as well but the majority of the tourism happens only between May and September. This is the time when all tourist areas are open, and all hotels and guest houses are operational.

Is Spiti Valley Dangerous

If you are asking in terms of people then no, it is not at all dangerous. People here are very humble and simple. But if you are asking in terms of terrain then it will depend on how sensibly you travel.

Roads are bad and narrow in some places but as long as you drive sensibly and slow, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

But if you take unnecessary risks, drive insensibly, try to be at places where you should not be, or get into altercations with people then you are just making things difficult for yourself.

Spiti Valley is a very safe place to visit but the end result will entirely be in your own hands.

Is Spiti Valley safe for a woman to travel alone?

All that I explained above in this article about safety in Spiti valley applies to a solo woman traveler as well. Plan your itinerary well, chose your hotels wisely, keep your folks informed about your whereabouts, do not get over-friendly with everyone you meet, maintain your distance, do not venture out in remote areas all by yourself and you will be fine.

Do not also tell people that you are all alone. If asked, just tell them that you are with a group but alone just for that very moment. I know girls who have been on the Spiti Circuit alone, both by public transport and motorcycle, and they were able to travel without any problem at all.

I hope the information above on how to plan a trip to Spiti Valley was of help. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below. You can also follow me on Instagram  and chat with me live there or  subscribe to my YouTube channel and ask a question there.

Vargis.Khan

Not much to write about me really except for that I love to travel around whenever I can and to wherever I can. This blog is just a small attempt to share my travel experiences with the world. Hope you like it !!!

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Rohtang pass status 2024 – 2025, spiti valley road status 2024 – 2025, chandratal status 2024 – chandratal lake road, 170 comments.

You have defined Spellbinding landscapes, ancient monasteries, and vibrant culture make Lahaul-Spiti a must-visit. Your travel guide is a gateway to adventure and awe-inspiring beauty!

Thank you !!!

Planning to visit Spiti soon, your spiti guide is one of the well informed blog, you have really defined it so minutely, Thanks for this amazing info.

Sir… What will be the taxi cost for 5 days spiti trip from manali side and return through same route to manali?

Hi bro Can I visit to 27th nov 23 to 3rd dec 23 to Spiti trip?? Plz answer I m already packed my luggage for trip solo bike ride.

You will have to go via Shimla Bhai and come back the same way

Hello Vargis, Just read your article about the iteneraries of all the places and much loved all the details of your step by step guide. I’m planning for a 9 days Spiti trip by solo. Can you please help me out the details of the planning procedures, cost of staying and tarnsportation and the best time to visit please? I’ll be much obliged if getting a helpful advise from you.

Hi Mr Vargis, can you please suggest that i am planning to the spiti circuit from Shimla to manali somewhere around 12 jun onwards for around 8-9 days with my family of 04. Can you suggest will it be ok if don’t book accommodation in advance. Will we be able to find it at the spot. What could be pros n cons. Is there any issue of accomodation if we don’t book in advance? Are there good homestay on affordable rates on the route?

Hi Dhirendra – Yes, you will be able to find hotels upon arrivals as well, it should not be a problem.

What be d Surity to reach chandratal or getting d kunzum open in second wk of June? Would you plz recommend any specific tour operator for spiti circle road trip?

It will be open in June for sure. Take a look at the contact me page. I have provided some numbers there.

Hi … Instagram says you can’t receive messages from new contacts . HD few queries for my Spiti trip .

I just messaged you on Instagram

[…] have a look a How you can Plan a Journey to Spiti Valley for another particulars associated to visiting […]

I have visited Spiti during Winder ( Feb) 2020 & 2022, It is just heaven on earth. I visited Laznha, Komic, Hakkim, Kaza, Chichum etc., LIfe Time visit.

Can I go Manali from Kaza on my Maruti Brezza on 8 June

Hello Vargis,

We are group of 4 people trying to plan a tour to and from Chandigarh as it’s the nearest airport.

A private tour organizer I had a word with is quoting about 30k per person for 10 days 9 nights trip including innova taxi to and from Chandigarh, stay as well as breakfast and dinner during this time.

Need your inputs on this if these rates are reasonable, if not what costs should I be looking at for the kind of tour we are planning.

It would be good also if you can share any contacts of tour organizers who are experienced in this area and can provide a better deal.

I visited Spiti Valley in 2021, It’s so beautiful, I have read your article it’s well written and rightly explained…keep it up.

Thank you Robin

Dear Vargis,

I just returned from a fantsastic road trip to the KInnaur & Spiti valleys. I’d like to thank you for the wealth of information that I could gather about the trip from reading your blogs. I also am a travel blogger & if you wish you can read my blogs at https://ghumakkarindian.com/

Keep travelling & keep writing. Best wishes, Lt Col Sudeep Vijai (Retd)

Hello Sudeep Bhai – Just read your blog. Thank you for mentioning me there and for your kind words, I really appreciate it. You may also want to change the category of the post there, it still shows in your bucket list.

I am myself the Son of a retired Army officer. So it felt really great to have someone from the Army like my posts. 🙂

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I like ur article. It is very nice and valuable infermation. We are planing at the end of may from kerala to spiti through shimla.

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Hi Mr. Vargis We have planned to visit Spiti starting from Shimla on 01.11.2020

Our TOUR ITINERARY: Day 01, 01.11.2020: Shimla to Saharan, O/N at SAHARAN Day 02, 02.11.2020: Saharan to Chitkul vai Sangla Chitkul Road, O/N at CHITKUL Day 03, 03.11.2020: Chitkul to Nako, O/N at NAKO Day 04, 04.11.2020: Nako to Pin Valley (Mud Village), O/N at MUD VILLAGE Day 05, 05.11.2020: Pin valley to Kaza, 50 Km, 1.00 hr, Kaza Local Sightseeing: Ki, Kibber, Gette, Tashigang in the second half of the day, O/N at KAZA Day 06, 06.11.2020: Kaza Local Sightseeing (Hikkim, Komik) — Hikkim, Komik, Langza circuit, O/N at KAZA Day 07, 07.11.2020: Kaza to Tabo via Dhankar, O/N at TABO Day 08, 08.11.2020: Tabo to Kalpa, O/N at KALPA Day 09, 09.11.2020: Kalpa to Shimla, O/N at SHIMLA Day 10, 10.11.2020: Shimla to Delhi and Delhi to Kolkata

We are total in 6 persons (2 families). Is it okay or some changes are to be need.

Seeking your observation and guidance.

Thanks and regards.

Ashokesh Biswas Kolkata

see my spiti timelapse video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDNjH7XS7bE

Amazing blog! Amazing content thank you for sharing knowledge. valuable information!!!

I loved Ur article… We are planning to visit the valley by end of April, hope it’s a good time and we would be traveling from Mumbai to Manali… So how to arrange 4 wheeler or is there any public transport available? You also mentioned about the Rohtang ,that we would require a pass whom to contact so that the pass would be ready by the time we reach Manali…. And if we have to rent a car what are the best options… I have been to Manali and Rohtang but we had hotel transport … But for Spiti valley if u can guide us plzz

[…] Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Spiti Valley – A Complete Travel Guide […]

Hii vargis bhai..ur vlog just stun me because its reflecting your hardwork and i loved it and its truely helpful.. Brother i want to know can hash is available in kaza and mud village and in recongpeo pls dont mind my question brother because im going with my friend and we want to enjoy it fully for a rememberable journey ..pls reply brother

Bhai it is available everywhere as long as you know who to ask and talk to.

Thnks so much brother for d reply

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Read all your blogs on Spiti and loved the detailed info. Only a true traveler can write such blogs. Huge congratulations to you to have reached this stage in life which many travelers like me just dream about, I have 2 questions for you and would really appreciate if you could help me out-

1) I want to do the complete Spiti circuit and understood from your blogs that the best time to do it is June until September. I have seen the Rohtang pass in movies like “Jab we met” and I noticed that the route of the pass has tall ice/snow walls on both the sides… as if a hill of snow has been cut from middle to make a road. I want to see this particular landscape wherein the vehicle passes from the road with snow walls on both sides. Which week of which month can I see this view of the Rohtang pass? Does this happen when the BRO has just opened the pass in June? So if i start from Shimla on 20th June and reach Rohtang suppose on 30th June (after completing the Spiti circuit),will I still get to see these tall snow walls on Rohtang Pass or will the snow walls melt by then?? Will you in this case suggest to start the Spiti circuit from Manali in the first week of June (here I am assuming that the snow walls will be fresh and intact during the 1st or 2nd week of June). Please clarify me on this. I dont mind starting from either Shimla or Manali…. date of month is also not a constraint… but I really want to see these snow walls on Rohtang road. Please suggest.

2) Like your Spiti blogs, do you also have blogs on Uttrakhand? I want to do Nainital, Almora, Kausoni, Ranikhet, Binsar, Munsiyari, Chopta, Auli and Valley of Flowers. If you have this itiniary/blog, please send me the link. Thanks a lottt in adavance 🙂

Hi my Friend Vargis, You wrote awesome articles and I see your passion in writing and traveling. Very Appreciative:)

I’ve questions : Info : Will reach Chandigarh on 8th and in evening by taxi we will reach kasol (wanted to reach direct till pulga no travel agency is ready to drop why ?).

Questions : Can we travel after 5PM from chandigarh till Kasol for keerganga trek? Ola available and works well ? Or do you have any suggestions ?

Question : How many days before we have to rent a bike for Spiti with rothanpass permission ? from the rental services (This is very confusing) ?

Question : On 11th October we will start journey from Manali to Spiti for chandratal lake and start return journey on13th morning. Will this work ?

This will be really a great help if you can help me with this informations:)

thank you so much in advance Vargis. You are a travel hero:)

Best wishes from: Laxminarayana

Hi Laxminarayana,

Thank you for your kind words.

1. Yes you can travel overnight to Kasol if you have made arrangemetns for a cab and hotel in Kasol. I do not think Ola will work for this. 2. Let them know 3-4 days in advance so they can arrange your permit for Rohtang as well. 3. Yes, provided that the weather holds. It can snow anytime now and if it did, it will ruin your plans.

Hii vargis bhai..ur vlog just stun me because its reflecting your hardwork and i loved it and its truely helpful.. Brother i want to know can hash is available in kaza and mud village pls dont mind my question brother because im going with my friend and we want to enjoy it

Excellent blog, I have read almost all of your posts regarding spiti valley trip and it has been really helpful so far. I am planning to visit spiti starting from Shimla ending at Manali on 25th sep to 2nd of October 2019. Can you please suggest me is it good season to visit and will I face any road closures including rohtang pass? Thank you in advance for your help!

Hi Nikhil – Your timings are OK. Rohtang won’t close that early.

Hello can you recommend any tour operators who have fixed departures to spiti

I do not know anyone who has fixed departures. Sorry.

Dear Vargis Bhai, We are planning to travel to Spiti from 30th September to 8th October from Shimla side. Understanding will be cold but have a few questions. 1. We are travelling by own vehicle from Shimla side. Would we be able to cover Chandratal or would it get closed by then? Or would you recommend from the other side? 2. By when does Spiti start to shut down in October? 3. Any other general precautions ? Regards, Amit

Hi Amit Bhai

1. Yes. 2. The Manali Kaza route and Chandratal remains open in first half of October. 3. See this post please.

https://vargiskhan.com/log/plan-trip-spiti-in-october/

An adventurer you are Vargis and very well info blog, so Kudos to you.. I’m planning a trip from Delhi – Shimla – Spiti – Manali – Delhi from 13 Sep because the way from Manali will be closed in October and I want to see green lush + Chandra Taal Lake.

QUERY : I’m travelling via Activa 125cc with a pillion, Is it possible at this time of the year?

INFO : I’ve done Dharamkot, Lansdowne, Nanital, Rishikesh, Shimla, and itty bitty on my Activa 125.

PS : If my scooty get’s stalled the pillion will push it till needed

Thanks Kashif. You can do this trip but it would very tough with a Pillion rider.

Hi.. any recommendations for travel agents who do fixed departures. I’m a solo traveller and will be happy to join a group

Great post, really helpful.

Just one query, will there be many muddy patches/water crossings on the way to Spiti via Shimla?

I am planning for a bike trip. Just wanted to check on this since will be using footwear accordingly. What do you suggest?

Regards, Robbie

Hi Robbie – There are a couple of crossings between Shimla andd Kaza but mmost are between Kaza andd Manali.

Do you suggest gumboots or waterproof shoes?

Waterproof shoes will be better

You are welcome !!!

Hi Varrgis, first of all thank you so much for your inputs. That has really helped.

I am planning to visit Spiti in June end to July. Need your advise for the points below. 1. Dates? (June 21-30) OR (July 5-13) ?? Which one? 2. I plan to take a zoomcar. Is it a good option? As that will give me independence to explore that area, I am inclined to take a self-driven rental car. 3. Can we find a good stay option on-the-spot there?

1. Both are pretty much the same, not much difference. Try in June though, you will be able to avoid monsoon. 2. Yes 3. Yes

Thank you. One last question.

Hi, I have a good amount of driving experience, have driven 3 hrs at a stretch also. But have no experience in hilly area. Is it okay to drive there on my own?

Yes you should be OK. Just go slow and be careful.

Is Rohtang pass open now? I wanted to cover the complete SPiti circuite from shimla->kalpa->rohtangapass -> manali -> shimla!

No it will probably open by June 1st week

whether BSNL prepaid bought from outside Himachal Pradesh will work in spiti circuit?

Yes it will

Hi Vargis, I am planning to visit Spiti with my wife starting 2nd June from Shimla. Below is my tentative plan. Day1: Shimla to Sangla Day2: Sangla to Chitkul Day3: Chitkul to Nako Day4: Nako to Mud covering Gue Day5: Mud to Kaza covering key, kibber Day6: Kaza -komic,langza, hikkim Day7: Chandrataal (if open)/ stay in kaza Day8: Manali

Does the plan look reasonable? Also am planning to rent a cab. Is it okay to travel in smaller cab as SUVs are expensive.

Hi Amit – Yes your itinerary is fine and yes, it is OK to rent a smaller car as well.

Hi Vargis bro, We 4 friends are planning a trip to Sangla-Chitkul and Spiti. How abt takng a taxi from Shimla or Narkanda to Sangla-Chitkul-Kalpa-Peo then catch bus to Kaza. From Kaza again hiring a taxi to visit all d places arnd ther including Chandratal thn retn to Kaza and take direct bus to Manali. will it be expensive?

Hi Rakesh – It will not be expensive but you will not save too much either. The cost will more or less come out to be the same if you hired a cab for the entire trip.

Hi sir, Can vehicle( with driver) be hired at shimla for spiti circuit? If yes, from where? What would be approx charges for 10 days vehicle, which vehicle is best ? If you know any good driver , please give details . Thanks

sir. thanks for such good information for spiti valley. each every point is cover in your post. thanks once again

Thanks for taking the time to drop a note Ritesh

Any comments on availability of camps or homestays? Are they available all the time or prior booking is required?

Hi, I am planning to tour lahaul spiti from 11 Jun to 15 Jun, if any group or individual is planning a tour in this period then we can form a group to visit lahaul spiti

Hello VARGIS,

I must say that what I have found here in your blog is by far the best one will come across in the digital medium.

I am from Mangalore and I am at initial stages of planning a 9/10 days trip to cover Spiti circuit . Starting point may probably be Delhi and ending via Manali and Chandigarh.

I have previously covered whole of Sikkim with my wife, mom and dad. Through a Travel agency last year.

And before that I and my wife have been to Ladakh too.

This year since I am planning for Spiti , Probably in July or September,with my family , should I take the help of online travel agency again ? Because I have no idea about how to book a taxi for 10 days from Shimla. The online package is costly (28k per head), but sometimes I feel they will take care of everything na..

Don’t know what to do . Do suggest.

Hi Virgis Bhai…Very useful informations, thanks.

We are planning to go to spiti in 1-2 week of June. Just wanted to know, if it is possible to reach chitkul starting from shimla in 7-8 hours time? As we are thinking of leaving shimla early at 9:00 AM.

Is june 8th to 16th good time to complete shimla – Spiti – Chandratal – Manali – Chandigarh?

Hi Piyush – Shimla to Chitkul will be about 8-9 hours and yes June is a good time

Dear Vargis Bhai, Thank for writing a great article about the hidden of Himachal. It is enriching us. Thanks a lot. We are planning to go Spiti & Lahaul on 25.0819 to 03.09.2019. Any suggestion please inform me.

Thanks Kaustav. It is a good time to go. Just keep a check on the weather before you go.

Thanks a lot. I will be touch with you for your kind information.

This April is good time for spiti?

It is but you can only travel via Shimla.

Nice article, I’m planning to go Spiti via Shimla from 07 June 2019. Do you think if it is the right time? Also, the trip is for 10D/8N. Do you think it will be too exhausting considering I’m from south India?

Hi Rahgav – Yes June is a good time. How are you traveling from South India though?

I have not seen this great documentation for million dollor softwares anywhere. Keep up the good work 🙂

Thank you Abhishek !!!

Awesome yaar!! So much efforts in ur blog. Keep traveling and guiding us. Thanks a ton!!

Thanks for taking the time to drop a note Bhushan.

Your information did helped me alot during my Manali-Leh trip last year so Thanks a ton for guiding.

Next year we are planning a round trip Chandigarh-Spiti-Leh-Srinagar-Chandigarh so i have an unusual doubt as no one or very few have done this route.

While going to Leh from Manali one has to acquire ILP to produce in Rohtang pass and further checkpoints as well. If a person doesnt have the Rohtang stamp on ILP then he will be interrogated in Koksar as to why you missed and all ?

So my doubt is, As we dont need any ILP to do Spiti circuit, if i exit from Gramphoo and directly show up in Koksar then will they allow me to do further route ?

And even if i apply for ILP online and get it before going to Spiti, i would still miss Rohtang pass’s stamp on it and then i will be questioned in Koksar.

Please help me on this as there is no/minimal information on this.

Waiting for your response.

No you do not need Rohtang permit if you are coming from Spiti. Just keep a receipt of the hotel or anything handy and in case they stop you at Kokhsar, just produce the receipt to prove that you are coming from Spiti and not Manali.

Thank for writing a great article about the spiti valley, you have given the complete details about the hidden himachal , keep posting ……

Hello Mr. Katoch, Thank you so much for your kind words. I am glad that the information posted was of help.

Your articles have been really helpful for us to plan our this year’s trip, which is to Spiti. I would like to thank you for that.

We are leaving for Manali on 17Aug and start our Spiti trip from Manali on 18Aug. Eventhough I visited your Road Condition page and forum, however was not able to find any latest info on the same.

So please let me know on how the roads and weather are in the area, if u have any updated info on the same.

The roads between Manali and Kaza is badly damaged Vinod, rest of the route is a mix of good and average. In fact the Manali Kaza route was closed for 2-3 days last week due to landslides.

Thanks Vargis for the reply. It looks like, it will be a gamble.Will come back and let you know how it goes. Regards.

I just confirmed with my contact at Kaza and the roads are all open. Between Manali and Kaza however is in terrible conditions brother.

How are the roads now?

Mix of good bad and ugly

Hi Vargis, thanks for the update bro. We completed the trip. There was rain in those region on 17.08.2018 and due to a landslide we were stuck some 10kms before Chatru for 7hrs. Had to spend the night in Prem Dhaba at Chatru because before Batal a tempo was stuck in the road due to slush. Also, Manali-Leh highway was completely slushy. However, from the next day onwards there was no delay as the weather was fine and the roads dried up. Chatru to Losar is still in bad condition, lots of water streams and rocks. Losar to Kaza is good and on our return we came from Chicham side, which was very good road till Kyoto. Then again from Kyoto to Gramphoo, its bad. Lots of water streams though, Chandratal Road is in very bad condition. The slush was gone on the way back, Rohtang was very foggy and visibility was very low. So I guess the mantra is, if it is rainy slow down the schedule and make the journeys in the morning when the water stream will have less force 🙂

Hi Vinod Bhai – Welcome back. I am glad that your trip went well and thank you for the updates on road conditions brother. Do share some pictures if possible.

Hi Bro, We are planning to visit spiti valley next week. Aug 15th to 26th. Shimla -> Spiti Valley -> Manali. But we heard that roads to spiti valley is closed because of landslides. When it will open and is it safe to travel on these days?

Hi Shylesh, Yes the Manali Kaza road got closed earlier this week due to heavy rainfall. It is expected to reopen in next day or two so you should be OK to ride. Just be prepared for rain, waterproof everything and keep a couple of days as buffer.

Harlo Vargis. i am mr tow and glad that i found ur page. I am interested in a 8days trip to spiti valley and hope taht u can help recommend someone who are experience in photography to help me in planning my trip. i am a landscapes photographer and eventhou i enjoyed the itinerary proposed but i am wondering if it is possible to be in certain places during sunset and sunrise just to get the best light for the landscapes and also some astrophotography in specific location for best composition. i really need an experience guide with photography knowledge to help me and advise my trip. thanks

Hello Mr. Tow – I wish I could be of help in this aspect but I really do not know anyone who could be your guide in terms of photography.

Found your blog and Spiti series just at the right time. 🙂 Thank you for writing these posts. Super helpful and a treat to read.

Thank you Rama

Must say really enjoying your blog… Great detailed posts…

Wow !!! The blog is a perfect answer to all the faqs regaeding the spiti valley road trip.

Thanks Aabhas. I am glad that the information posted was of help.

What an amazing piece of information.I usually read but never comment on blogs, but the first time I’m commenting on your blog..,seriously that’s amazing piece of content.., cheers.

Thanks Uday

Hope you are well! At the outset, thank you so much for creating such informative and exhaustive blogs on travel. I have been an ardent follower, and had planned my Ladakh trip, last year based on your itinerary suggestions – it was awesome. This year, my peeps and I are planning a trip to Spiti tentatively from 3rd to 12th August. All of us are from Delhi and would require to resume office from 13th August. May I request you to share a feasible itinerary, if possible? I understand, you have a busy schedule, but would love to hear from you! Best, Srirupa

Hi Srirupa – Thank you for your kind words and I am glad that the information posted was of help. Before I suggest an itinerary, can you please let me know how will you be traveling? You own car?

Hi Varghis – We usually take the overnight bus to Manali and from there onward, we hire a car.

Thanks again.

Do you just want to cover Spiti valley? I mean reach Kaza via Manali and then come back the same way? I am asking because I would recommend completing the entire circuit since you are hiring a private cab and have 9 days for it. Also, hiring a taxi from Manali will also be costlier. Do it from Shimla. Rent a taxi from Shimla and then finish the journey at Manali.

We would love to cover the whole circuit if you are suggesting that 9 days will be enough to do that! Would you be kind enough to give me some idea about how our itinerary should be? I understand I’m taking a lot of your time but really appreciate your gesture! Thank you so much

Hi Srirupa – For 9 days, you can travel like this.

1. Delhi to Shimla / Narkanda 2. Shimla / Narkanda to Chitkul 3. Chitkul to Kalpa 4. Kalpa to Nako / Tabo 5. Nako / Tabo to Mud Village, Pin Valley 6. Mud to Kaza 7. Kaza to Chandratal 8. Chandratal to Manali 9. Manali to Delhi

Hello Vargis, we intend to travel from 28th Jun’18 to 6th Jul’18. Starting from Rohtak (Haryana) to Spiti Valley & returning to Rohtak. Can you pls suggest an itinerary? We do have one but I would need your expert advice. I am an Indian National. TIA Sewa Singh

How will you be traveling Sewa? By your own vehicle, cars or bikes? Also, Let me know what your itinerary is and I can suggest if a change is required.

HI Vargis, I will be travelling by Royal Enfield Bullet. There will be one more biker and one car. Our tentative itinerary is as below: 28th Jun’18 – Rohtak to Rampur 29th Jun’18 – Rampur to Raksham / Chitkul 30th Jun’18 – Chitkul – Kalpa 1st Jul’18 – Kalpa – Kaza 2nd Jul’18 – Kaza (sight seeing) 3rd Jul’18 – Kaza to Chandratal 4th Jul’18 – Chandratal to Mandi / Manali 5th Jul’18 – Mandi / Manali to Rohtak

We can extend the trip by a day or two, say return to Rohtak on 6th or 7th Jul’18

Hope this information enables you to provide your expert advice. Thanks

If you can extend by 2 days then incorporate a visit to Pin Valley as well. From Kalpa, go to Nako and stay there for the night. From Nako, go to Pin Valley and stay at Mud Village. From Mud Village then, go to Kaza the next day. Rest of your itinerary looks great.

Which car is going to be traveling with you?

Hi Vargis, thanks for your inputs. Much appreciated. Hyundai Santa fe is going with us. Where are you based? Pls share your contact details (if you feel like) on my email [email protected]

Hi Sewa – I am based out of Delhi, just dropped you an email on the mentioned address.

Please be careful on the Chandratal stretch. That road is extremely bad and very narrow, barely wide enough for one car.

Hi Vargis, thanks for connecting. We will be careful on the Chandratal stretch. We appreciate your inputs. You are doing a great job. Let me know if you are ever in Australia. Rgds Sewa Singh

Thanks Sewa. I will surely connect with you if I am ever in Australia.

At Chandratal, stay with Jamaica’s camps, greatly recommended. You can contact him at 9418200183 to book. In case you are not able to reach, just drop a message on watsapp and he will call back.

At Kaza, you can stay at Hotel Spiti Valley right opposite Kaza Monastery. Contact person is Tanzin and his number is 9418927312.

Thanks for sharing these contact details. It will be quite handy. Can I mention your name? And yes look forward to your visit to Australia anytime. Rgds

Yes absolutely. Give my reference and they both will take great care of you. Let me know if I can be of any other help.

Sure Vargis. Will do.

Do let me know how your trip went brother after you return.

Sure brother..

Hi Vargis, we finished our trip yesterday and can’t thank you enough for your valuable inputs. Our itinerary was like this: Day 1 – Shimla Day 2 – Sangla Valley Day 3 – Chitkul (went upto Rani Kund, couldn’t go to Dumti because of heavy flow in the nullah on the way. Camped next to the river) Day 4 – Nako Day 5 – Mudh (Pin Valley) Day 6 – Kaza (visited Langza, Hikkim and Komic). I would recommend staying in Langza, Hikkim or Komic rather than Kaza Day 7 – Chandratal (pitched our own tent) Day 8 – Shamsi (near Kullu) Day 9 – Back home in Rohtak (487 kms ride)

Ride from Kaza to Chandratal was not that bad but Chandratal to Rohtang was hell of a ride…loved every bit of it…real adventure…tougher than the Manali Leh route…did get a chance to view the mummy in Gue village…overall a different experience than the Ladakh trips that I had in the past…

Hi Sewa – I am glad your trip went well and thank you for dropping a note. Do share some pics if possible specially of your trek at Chitkul. Even I have not covered that part.

sir i am planning a trip to spiti valley on sept 9. we are 1 couple and a small child abt 1 yr old. i want to hire a taxi from shimla and have a total to 7 to 8 days and return back to shimla.does the weather ia gd from shimla to spiti.and temp also.kindly provide me the itinary and also sugest hotels and stay point.kindly add stay at chitkul also.

Hi Deepak – Please take a look at the itineraries for 7 and 8 days at the links below. Let me know if you have any other questions.

https://vargiskhan.com/log/spiti-valley-in-7-days/ https://vargiskhan.com/log/how-to-visit-spiti-valley-in-8-days/

Is it possible to plan a trip for 3 -4 days for SPITI? If yes then how ?

See the itinerary section in the post above.

Hi, I am alfas. I am planning to do spiti circuit in coming two months, this time i wish to do in groups. anybody who are planning to do spiti who are looking for travel mate are welcome

Alfas – Post a thread at community forum at the link below and annyone interested can join you.

http://roadragas.com/index.php?forums/travel-partners.20/

Hi Vargis, Planning to travel from manali to Kaza tomorrow, taxi driver is saying there’s a landslide in spiti. Please let me know of that’s a correct information. Thanks in advance

Hi Neha. Yes, there is a roadblock after Batal as of now. Expected to open day after tomorrow, Monday.

hii …can we go by fortuner automatic transmission….are the roads safe …we are planning on 20 th june

Yes you can but it will depend on how good the person sitting at the wheel is.

Can’t thank you enough for all the effort that you put into writing these articles. The information that you provide in your articles, makes it convenient for all the travelers like us to travel a remote region like spiti valley.

Now, We will be travelling in July 1st week and here’s our itinerary for the Shimla – spiti – Manali circuit —

Day 1: Shimla – Kalpa Day 2: Kalpa – Nako Day 3: Nako – Kaza Day 4: Kaza – Komic/Hikkim/Langza Day 5: Kaza – Key/Kibber Day 6: Kaza – Chicham – Chandratal Day 7: Chandratal – Manali

We have excluded places like Chitkul and Mudh village as we are short on time. Do you find the itinerary ok?

We are a group of 5 friends from Bangladesh and we are willing to hire a car/SUV for the trip.

Could you please tell us how much would it cost to hire a standard car for our above-mentioned itinerary for 7 days?

and also what about the permits required? do we need to obtain it beforehand in delhi? or can we just collect the permit from Shimla like others? is that a time-consuming process?

Thanks a lot. Hope to hear from you soon.

Hello Atin,

Just one change needed in the itinerary. You do not need 2 days for Kibber and Langza / Hikkim. All this can be done in a single day. Do this in one day and use the day saved to cover Pin Valley as well.

In terms of arranging the permits and taxi for your trip, please talk to Jamaica @ 9418200183. Give my reference and he will take care of the arrangements for you.

Are the roads safe to travel around mid june?

Roads are always bad in Spiti valley but yes, June is better than traveling in July or August when its raining there.

Dear Mr Vargis Khan,

I m Harish Sharma in Delhi pls advice which date open Manali to leh Highway ASAP

[…] Open for Year 2018 Manali Leh Highway Opens for 2018 How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh… How to Plan a Trip to Spiti Valley… Manali Kaza Road Opens – HRTC Bus Service… Chandratal Lake in June – The Frozen […]

Sure.. Near chandigarh – siswa jungle lodge Near Narkanda – Krish Rauni resort Chitkul – samaa resort Tabo – Namesay homestay Kaza – Sakya Abode (I tried calling the hptdc hotel there too and they to my surprise also said that we have not done it in the past but will be ok with it ) Chandratal – Jamaica camp Still need to do booking on Manali route but didn’t do it as we are planning to cover as much ground as we can and halt at mandi/Sundarnagar

All the above listed hotels were very accomodating to my request.

In Losar (though we are not staying their because by the time we chose to stay the place was booked) , the nomads cottage was also very open to our request .

Hope this helps

Hello sir I have been following your writeups for quite some time now and am an admirer of the efforts you are putting in to help people in planning their Leh and Spiti travel . I have a question though. We are planning to do Spiti circuit in June and are planning to take our dog along with us. We will be consulting his vet on precautions we need to take on the same however wanted to check if yoj know someone who has done this circuit with their pet and if yes then what all places would you suggest as good pet friendly accommodation on this circuit Delhi to Shimla to Kaza to Manali to delhi

Hello Himanshu – I wish I could help you with this question but I really do not have an answer. I don’t know anyone who has done the circuit with their pet dog.

Hey Himanshu,

Could you find anything which would accomodate your pet dog? Asking as I am also planning the same thing. Please share details if you have found something.

Thanks Sunipa

Hello Sunipa.. to my pleasant surprise, I have been able to.find accomodation on the complete Spiti circuit and have gotten the booking done. Most of the places I called were accomodating to my request to allow pet with us. The only place I found issue in was finding a place in chandigarh area that allows pet in property, but eventually found it too.. let me know what your travel itinary looks like and I will tell you accomodations I have found accordingly.. when are you travelling thoigh, if yours is post June 10 then I can share my experiences at those places too

Thanks Himanshu Bhai. Can you let me know the hotels you called? I would like to add that information on a different post to help others.

Really appreciate your effort in providing such good information. Just wanted to know if there’s any expected date when the Manali Kaza route will open. I’m planning a trip from Delhi to Spiti valley between May 12-19 and would like to return via Manali. Assuming the route opens by then, what all permits would I need? I’ll be hiring a cab from Delhi

Thanks in advance

Hi Srujan, It will most probably not be open by your date of travel. Rohtang Pass is expected to open by 16th and after that they will start working at Kunzum..

sorry I mean to say 3000-4000 Feet and not Meter

My another question is I am 35 year old and have undergone Angioplasty 1 year back. Is it ok to visit Spiti or will be there any risk of Acute Mountain Sickness? Please note that I have done the trekking to places which are around 3000-4000 M above sea level after treatment.

I do not really feel qualified to answer that Saket Bhai. Best consult a doctor before going and get a professional opinion.

Hi Vargis Bhai,

I am planning to visit Spiti Valley starting from Shimla around 20th May and then to do complete circuit to get down from Manali side. I will be planning to visit Chandratal Lake on 24th or 25th May and then go to Manali. I will be taking local vehicle on rent.

My 1st question will be is Chandratal Lake open by 24th or 25th May? and 2nd question will be is Kaza – Manali route open by 26th or 27th May?

Thank you very much for providing details.

Saket Bhai – Its really hard to predict right now the way the weather at Rohtang has turned in last one month. Rohtang La is still not open and Kunzum will come after. Manali Kaza in all probability will be open by May end so if possible, try delaying your trip by a couple of weeks.

[…] How to Plan Your Trip to Prashar Lake? How to Make your Car look Stupid –… How to Plan a Trip to Spiti Valley… How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh… How to Plan a Visit to Spiti Valley… How to Plan a Trip […]

Very good article. Thank you

I have few queries that we are planning to go Spiti on 30th June. Is it good time to visit Spiti. Also is it rainy season in Himachal(Kullu, MANALI)?

Hi Som, 30th June is a good time to go. It starts to rain sometime towards 2nd half of July.

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Spiti Valley Itinerary – The Perfect Detailed Guide

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Spiti Valley is a cold desert in the remote parts of Himachal Pradesh. While Himachal is known for it's greenery, you won't find much of it in Spiti. However you'll see lots of stunning landscapes and extraordinary monasteries. This Spiti Valley itinerary focuses on the practical aspects of travelling to Spiti from Delhi. You'll find the information for planning a trip to Spiti Valley along with the perfect Spiti Valley itinerary for 8 days that covers all major attractions.

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Table of Contents

Spiti Valley Itinerary for 8 Days

Let's be honest. Spiti, being a remote relatively unexplored land, has many unknowns. It's quite possible that you've done a whole lot of research into your Spiti Valley trip. You've gone through many websites and there is just so much to think of. Are you flustered yet? I know I was. Planning a trip to Spiti wasn't easy. While I did leave some things to chance and spontaneity, I did my research beforehand as well. That's why I've put together everything I know about Spiti in this handy little Spiti Valley itinerary for 8 days. So read on and thank me later. If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment or send me a message on instagram (@ thespicyjourney ).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Time to Visit Spiti Valley

How to reach spiti valley, shimla to spiti valley, manali to spiti valley, delhi to spiti valley, spiti valley tour cost, what to pack for spiti valley.

• Avoiding AMS during Spiti Valley trip

Renting Bikes in Kaza for a Spiti Valley Bike Trip

Spiti valley hotels, important tips for planning a spiti valley trip.

• April to June : This is the best time of the year to visit Spiti Valley . The snow has melted away and summer is just around the corner. You'll meet lots of travellers and bikers around this time.
• July to August : While it doesn't rain in Spiti Valley, it's the monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh due to which there will be frequent landslides and chances of flood in nearby places. It's best to avoid travelling during this season.
• September to October : September is a good time to visit Spiti Valley. There's no rain or snow and lesser number of people as compared to the summer season. Keep in mind though that it may start snowing anytime in October in Spiti. The road between Manali and Kaza closes when it snows so you'll have to travel via Shimla. The road between Shimla and Kaza is always open.
• November-March : These are the winter months in Spiti Valley. There will be lots of snow, the road from Manali to Kaza will be closed and there will be very few people in sight. If you're one who enjoys a challenge, you can travel to Spiti during this time.

There are two ways of entering Spiti Valley - via Shimla and via Manali. Take a look at the pros and cons of travelling to Spiti from each of these places:

This is a longer route as compared to Manali but it's open throughout the year . Moreover, the plus side is that you can visit Kinnaur valley along the way while coming from Shimla. Kalpa and Chitkul, particularly, are two places that cannot be missed. The biggest plus point for me was that when you take a trip to Spiti Valley via Shimla, you gradually climb higher. Shimla is at a height of 2276 m above sea level, Kalpa at 2960 m, Chitkul at 3480 m and finally Kaza (in Spiti) at 3800 m. Climbing to a high elevation suddenly can give you AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) but travelling to Spiti from Shimla can help avoid it.

Must Read: Things to do in Shimla - Complete Guide

The route from Manali to Kaza is a shorter one compared to the one via Shimla however the road condition is terrible . In fact, at most stretches there aren't even roads. There are just rocks and lots of water crossings as well. There are two passes on the way - Rohtang pass and Kunzum pass which close the moment it snows . Thus you have to keep a check on the weather conditions. Another negative of this route is the problem of AMS . You will be going from 2050 m to 3800 m in a matter of 10 hours. This can be a problem for some people. If you stop at Chandrataal, you'll be at 4250 m. A lot of people come down with AMS on climbing to this height from Manali. Make sure your bike or car is in good working condition and that you are fully prepared for the crazy but beautiful road from Manali to Spiti Valley .

It's most likely that you'll be starting your journey to Spiti Valley from Delhi. You have two options before you - to either go to Shimla or Manali. There are overnight buses to both these cities. Shimla even has a railway station and an airport. If you have very little time, take an overnight bus from Delhi to Manali and cover Spiti. However, if you want to do a proper trip with 7-10 days in hand, do the Delhi to Spiti valley stretch via Shimla. The route you will be taking is Delhi-Shimla-Kinnaur-Spiti-Manali-Delhi . This is the best way to cover the best spots and enjoy a wholesome trip to Spiti valley.

The cost of a Spiti Valley tour mainly depends on two factors - the kind of accommodation you book and the means of transport. If you desire on making a budget trip to Spiti Valley then book hostels and home-stays rather than hotels. Furthermore, use the cheaper means of getting around such as local buses or even hitchhike. State run buses run through Himachal and can be used to reach Spiti Valley. In fact, there are buses within the popular places in Spiti Valley as well. Hitchhiking is another popular means of getting around Spiti Valley. Since there are many bikers who visit Spiti, it's common to hitch a ride with them. Doing all this will help you make a budget trip to Spiti.

What to pack for Spiti valley generally depends on the time of the year that you visit Spiti. If you're doing Spiti in April, there might be a little cold since the snow has just melted. You'll need a sweater and a light jacket. From May to August, regular t-shirts will be just fine. September might get a little cold so once again, carry a sweater and jacket. Whereas, if you're travelling to Spiti Valley in winter between October and March, be prepared for snow.

Keep in mind that Spiti is a cold desert. The terrain is harsh and there's a lot of dust in the air. Keep yourself covered by wearing full sleeved clothes and jeans or pants down to the ankle . Carry a face mask or buy one at a local shop. It's also advisable to carry some dry snacks in case your vehicle breaks down at the Manali-Kaza stretch or you face a landslide on the Shimla-Kaza stretch.

Avoiding AMS during Spiti Valley Trip

AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness occurs when you reach a high altitude (typically around 4000 meter) suddenly over a short span of time. This happens when you travel from a low altitude to a high one in one day. Ideally, you should gain altitude over a span of 2-3 days . This is the reason I suggest travelling to Spiti from Shimla. Some of the signs and symptoms of AMS are headache, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhoea. You can avoid AMS by taking tablets before hand . However, if you don't do that and experience AMS, there are a few solutions to help curb your problems. Keep yourself hydrated . This is the most important thing to do in Spiti - AMS or not. Keep drinking water. Drink the local seabuckthorne juice and garlic soup as well. If you don't feel well even after 12 hours, you need to get down to a lower altitude immediately and see a doctor.

Once you reach Kaza, there are 3 ways of getting around Spiti - hire a taxi cab, rent bikes or use local transport. The buses within Spiti are very few and the timings are inconvenient for sightseeing. Therefore I suggest either hiring a cab or renting bikes. You can find a range of bikes and even a scooty in Kaza. Make sure you rent one the moment you reach Kaza since this is a popular option and bikes tend to get sold out. Me and a friend rented a Royal Enfield Himalayan from the Himalayan Cafe. The price of bikes ranges from INR 1400 to 2000 depending on the type bike. A scooty will cost you around INR 700. Do note that there is only one petrol pump in Spiti which is at Kaza itself.

This itinerary assumes that you are taking the route from Shimla and Kinnaur . You can take a look at the Kinnaur Valley itinerary where all local sightseeing places and transport options are mentioned. This Spiti valley itinerary will start from Kinnaur and end in Delhi via Manali .

Day 1 - Reckong Peo to Kaza

How to reach kaza from delhi and reckong peo.

In order to reach Spiti from the Delhi-Shimla-Reckong Peo-Nako route, you need to reach Reckong Peo first. There's a direct bus from Delhi to Reckong Peo which is run by the Himachal state transport corporation. since this journey can be long and tiring, you can even break your journey at Shimla, like I did. Take an overnight bus from Delhi to Shimla then take another bus from Shimla to Reckong Peo the same morning or the next morning.

Next, you can either roam around Kinnaur Valley or head straight to Spiti Valley i.e. Kaza.

Whether you're coming from Reckong Peo or Nako in Kinnaur, you can take the same bus that leaves Reckong Peo at 5 am for Kaza . This bus goes to Kaza via Nako and reaches in around 10 hours.

Must Read: Delhi Travel Guide

How to Reach Kaza from Manali

While I personally don't recommend starting your Spiti trip from Manali, if that's how you're going to do it, you need to keep certain things in mind. Firstly, be prepared to avoid AMS. Keep yourself hydrated and take a tablet as a preventive measure. Secondly, choosing the right mode of transport is very important. Don't take the Himachal state run buses (which I highly recommend on any other route) because this route is treacherous and the chances of getting stuck somewhere are high. Due to this reason, I suggest booking a seat in a ride-sharing jeep or mini bus. This ensures comfort and speed even though it costs more than a bus ride. Just ask around the Manali bus stand for jeeps to Kaza and book a seat one day in advance.

Where to Stay in Kaza

The view from a private room in Zostel Kaza

There's no shortage of hotels in Kaza. Since it's the capital of Spiti, Kaza has lots of hotels, home-stays, and hostels. I stayed at Zostel Kaza aka Zostel Spiti. It's located close to the market as well as the bus stand. Moreover, it's a big property with lots of open space and incredible views of the river and landscape. I stayed here throughout my trip to Spiti valley. They have dorm rooms, comfortable private rooms, alpine tents and regular tents. The staff was really helpful and I couldn't recommend this place enough!

Check availability at Zostel Kaza on Booking.com

Day 2 - Chicham, Kibber, Key

Start your first day of local sightseeing in Spiti on bike (or scooty or cab or hitchhiking) by visiting some close-by places.

Chicham Bridge

How would you like to be standing on Asia's highest bridge ? That's Chicham bridge for you. Chicham bridge in Spiti Valley is a small yet hauntingly beautiful bridge located less than an hour's ride from Kaza. The road to get here is pretty good by Spiti standards and the landscape is so stunning. Reach here early in the morning before 9 am to beat the crowds and get a picture of the empty bridge.

Kibber is a charming little village near Chicham and Kee. The terrain here is unbelievable. Once you get over how beautiful that is, you'll be stuck admiring the beauty of the village. Each house has the same whitewashed walls with a maroon roof and the same blue and white pattern on it. Once you have visited Chicham, Kibber and Kee, you can either spend the night at the basic rooms in Kee Monastery or stay at Kibber itself. There's a ZostelX property here with great views.

Kee Monastery (Ki Monastery)

Kee Monastery (also spelled as Ki Monastery) is one of the most marvellous works of mankind that I have ever seen. While you ride from Kaza towards Kee, you'll see the monastery looming at a distance. Just watching it from far will give you goosebumps. The monastery is almost 800 years old and still standing strong. You can walk around, sit in the prayer hall and talk to the monks about the history of Kee monastery. You can wrap up for the day either by staying at Kee or Kibber. I suggest staying the night at one of these places because Langza, Hikkim and Komic (which you will visit the next) are at a higher altitude. You need one more day to get acclimated in order to avoid AMS.

Day 3 - Langza, Hikkim, Komic

From Kee or Kibber, make your way to Langza. You'll have to take the road to Kaza and find the diversion for Langza which is just before the Kaza city limits while coming from the Kee/ Kibber side.

Langza is a high-altitude village with views to die for! The scanty little village is identified by the massive Buddha statue at the top. You'll notice this statue as the backdrop for many night photographs. While a lot of people choose to stay at Langza, I found Komic village (descibed below) to be much more beautiful and decided to spend the night there.

Hikkim is a place that must be on your Spiti valley itinerary because it's home to the world's highest post office at 4440 meter. You can buy postcards from the old man selling them on the road when you reach Hikkim or from the cafe/ store right opposite the post office. Keep in mind there's no connectivity here so make sure you get the addresses of your loved ones beforehand. Sending postcards from the world's highest post office in Hikkim is truly a unique and fulfilling experience!

Komic is a remote high-altitude village in Spiti. The Tangyud monastery is the predominant landmark here. This beautiful monastery can be found at the highest point in Komic village. There's a cafe called Spiti Organic Cafe located near the monastery that serves delicious local food. Try the Spiti shahi thali at this cafe if you're looking for authentic local food make from locally grown ingredients in Spiti. You can spend the night at the Not On Maps property which is located right above this cafe.

Check availability at Not On Maps Komic on Booking.com

Must Read: Places to Visit in Dharamshala and McLeodganj

Day 4 - Dhankar and Tabo

There's a direct road which will take you from Komic to Dhankar without having to go via Kaza. This route will also take you through small relatively lesser known villages.

Dhankar is one of the most extraordinary places I've seen during my Spiti trip. This unbelievable village is perched high on a cliff. It makes you marvel at ancient architectural practices of building homes and monastery by placing them within mountains. In Dhankar, you can visit the Dhankar Gompa , the old monastery and hike to the Dhankar lake . The lake is at a higher altitude than Dhankar village. While I didn't do the hike myself, I was told it's a relatively easy one.

Take the road that goes down from Dhankar to Sichling. It's one of the best stretches of road in all of Spiti. From Sichling, ride for over an hour to reach Tabo. Tabo is one of the places that people either love or dislike - there's no in-between. I, myself, absolutely loved this place. In Tabo you'll find the Kalchakra Stupa with a phenomenal backdrop of barren mountains. There are two monasteries in the same complex - the new and old Tabo monastery . While the new monastery is beautiful, the old monastery is breathtakingly serene and peaceful. With intricate hand-painted walls and a delicate structure, it immediately became my all-time favourite monastery. You'll easily find lots of hotels and home-stays near Tabo monastery to spend the night.

Day 5 - Pin Valley

Now coming to the most striking places in all of Spiti. I met a lot of travellers who skipped Pin valley during their Spiti trip but I urge you to include this place in your Spiti valley itinerary. Now, I didn't get good enough pictures of Pin Valley due to the direction of the sun while we rode here in the evening but I assure you it's the most divine place in all of Spiti. While we were riding to Pin valley, both me and my friend agreed at some parts that it felt like we were in Scotland. Whereas at some other stretches, there were grassy mountains on one side, a river flowing down and a long empty stretch of road ahead of us. Nothing can describle the feeling of being there in that moment.

Mudh Village - Pin Valley

We rode right to Mudh village in Pin valley. The sun had almost set by the time we reached here. There are around 8-10 hotels and home stays on the main road of the village. Some of the good ones we saw were Tara Guest House and Pin Parvati Guest House . Due to lack of availability, we ended up at another home stay just between these two. The stays in this village are very basic and almost all of them have a shared washroom only. So be prepared accordingly. Coming to food, the restaurant at Tara guest house had phenomenal food. We had both dinner and breakfast here itself.

Day 6 - Kaza

Spend your last day at Spiti valley by coming back to Kaza, doing local sightseeing and shopping for souvenirs. The Kaza monastery is an impressive structure that can be seen even from far away. Don't miss out on visiting this one. Next, go to the market near the bus stand where you'll find lots of shops selling flags, key-chains, stickers, fridge magnets and the likes. You can take these back home for friends and family.

Buying Tickets : Kaza to Manali

There are 4 ways of going from Kaza to Manali - hired cab, traveller bus, shared taxi and government bus. Obviously having your own taxi is convenient but it's not cost-effective. Taking a bus is the cheapest option but it can be an exhausting journey that starts way too early in the morning. On the other hand, the shared taxi can get quite crammed up. The best option that I found to go from Kaza to Manali was those little tempo-traveller buses. You get comfortable seats and the cost is quite decent. You can find booking counters near the Kaza bus stand. Come here one day prior to your journey to make a booking.

Day 7 - Manali

You'll start your journey from Kaza at 6 in the morning and reach Manali in 10-12 hours depending on the road conditions. Spend a night (or more) rejuvenating and enjoying getting  back cellular connectivity in Manali! I based myself in Old Manali for a few days, staying at Zostel Manali and Alt Life Manali, enjoying the Old Manali vibes. Take a look at this complete Manali travel guide that I've put together based on my 2 visits to Manali.

Check availability at Zostel Old Manali on Booking.com

Day 8 - Delhi

Once you've explored Manali, take an overnight bus to Delhi. You'll find government as well as private buses plying from Manali to Delhi. I took a CabIndia Volvo semi-sleeper AC bus. They provided a blanket in the bus and the journey went quite smoothly.

Must Read: Top 8 Instagrammable Spots in Delhi

During your Spiti Valley trip, Kaza will be your base. From Kaza, you will either be taking day trips of spending a night at father places. In any case, Kaza is the capital of Spiti which has plenty of hotels, home-stays and hostels. Moreover, the only petrol pump in Spiti is located in Kaza itself. During my trip to Spiti Valley, I stayed in Zostel Kaza and moved around Spiti from there. In most other places in Spiti, you'll find family-run home-stays which are not available online. When you reach a place, ask around, see a home-stay for yourself and stay there.

Even after you've planned the perfect Spiti Valley itinerary for 8 days or any number of days and you've read the best Spiti Valley guides, you still need to be prepared. Spit Valley is unlike any other place I've seen before. The landscape and the weather conditions can be unforgiving at times. For this reason, take a look at some of the important tips for planning a Spiti Valley trip:

• Keep buffer days . No matter what the season is - winter, monsoon or just after monsoon, there's always a chance of roads being closed. The Manali-Kaza route is notoriously infamous for it's bad conditions. If even one vehicle breaks down or gets stuck, every vehicle behind it gets stuck. Chances of landslides are also very high For this reason, always keep atleast 1 buffer day in case you get stuck on some road.
• Carry water and snacks . Coming back to the previous point, since there's always a chance of getting stuck somewhere, be prepared for this scenario by always carrying water and light snacks such as chocolates, snack bars or biscuits with you.
• Don't litter . While this is a general advice that should be taken no matter where you go, Spiti, in particular, is a remote place where managing waste is extremely difficult. It's crucial for visitors to realise this and do their best to prevent littering.
• Carry your own water bottle . To avoid generating plastic waste during your Spiti Valley trip, carry your own water bottle and keep refilling it as you go.
• Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol . One of the ways to prevent getting affected by AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) is to keep yourself hydrated by drinking water at regular intervals. Moreover, refraining from drinking alcohol will prevent dehydration thus reducing the chances of getting inflicted by AMS.

Did You Enjoy this Spiti Valley Itinerary for 8 Days?

Did you enjoy reading this article detailing a Spiti Valley itinerary for 8 days? If yes, take a look at my other articles on Himachal Pradesh . Also, make sure you follow me on my social media handles ( Instagram , Facebook , Pinterest ) to stay up to date with information on more such hot places.

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Thanks for sharing this article! Very informative!

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Lahaul & Spiti Drive

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Lahaul & spiti valley self-drive tour.

Trip Overview

Embark on a heart-pounding Lahaul Spiti drive where you navigate hairpin bends and conquer the treacherous Himalayan off-road trails with the coolest convoy.

From feeling the adrenaline surge as you navigate through some of the deadliest routes to finding serenity in age-old monasteries, the valley offers both white-knuckle thrill and heartwarming serenity.

Get ready for an off-road adventure that will leave you breathless.

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The convoy will assemble in the dream city of Chandigarh where everyone will meet our representative at the designated hotel. Afterward, a briefing session will be conducted where all travelers will be given a gist of what to expect in the next 7 days as we embark on this thrilling off-roading Lahaul Spiti road trip . After a delicious lunch, we will start driving towards Narkanda.

The highways turn into winding roads amplifying the excitement of the drive and as you ascend the Shivalik range, the small town of Narkanda renowned for its apple orchids beckons you closer.

By the time we reached our destination for the day, it would be time for dinner. 

7 Nights / 8 Days

The next morning we embark on a thrilling drive towards Sangla. En route, we’ll be traversing the Hindustan Tibet Highway , notorious for being one of the country's deadliest roads. The drive consists of navigating some treacherous Himalayan routes, the occasional breeze caressing your hair along with the sound of the Baspa River keeps you company. 

The gateway to many exhilarating treks has earned Sangla the title of being a trekker's paradise. Still, the valley is also bestowed with eden-like forests, alpine meadows, and snowscapes that are to die for. 

Finally, we will reach our luxurious camps for a surreal glamping experience and to have it as our not-so-humble (and we say it with utmost delight) abode for the next two days.

Navigating the jagged terrains of one of the most iconic Himalayan routes, and experiencing the true thrill of offroading, our convoy will head towards Chitkul which is a significant stop in this Lahaul Spiti itinerary . Renowned as the last village in India, this charming hamlet is also considered to have the cleanest air in the country providing you, quite literally, a breath of fresh air. 

The trails here are adorned with apple orchards and quaint wooden cottages which provide a delightful sight especially because of their juxtaposition against the majestic Himalayas that stand gloriously in the backdrop.

Chitkul is also home to the iconic “Hindustan Ka Aakhri Dhaba” where we will stop for lunch and after spending some peaceful moments in this quaint town, we will head back to Sangla.

As we move closer to our destination on our four wheels, we’ll be exploring the hidden gems that serve as the very foundation of the centuries-old heritage and culture of the valley.

Traversing the impassable trails that lead us to Spiti with the Himalayas beckoning us closer on every turn, we’ll be witnessing the vibrant town of Kalpa and the majestic Kinner Kailash peak, and snowscapes of Nako en route.

After conquering some particularly tricky terrains, the ones that are bound to give you the best kind of adrenaline rush, we will reach Tabo which is perched on the banks of the Spiti River.

Often referred to as The Ajanta of Himalayas, the Tabo Monastery is a national historic treasure containing thangka paintings and other relics that have been preserved since the 9th century making it one of the most revered places in Spiti. 

On the other hand, the Dhankar Monastery which sits gloriously atop a spurring rock is a sight to behold as well. But it’s the journey that makes the destination feel more rewarding as the terrain to Dhankar monastery is completely beaten, full of bumps, and will surely give you the adrenaline high you crave.

As we continue our road affair, we’ll conquer many wicked Himalayan trails on our Lahaul and Spiti expedition to discover the picturesque landscapes that have remained hidden for ages before reaching Kaza.

On our sightseeing tour of the day, we will first visit Langza, home to the thousand-year-old Buddha statue that overlooks the entire village and is believed to ward off all kinds of evil like a rightful protector. 

The charm of Spiti lies in all the “highs” it has to offer. From the world’s highest post office in Hikkim to the highest motorable road in the world, Komic, this offroading Lahaul Spiti expedition is all about making you embrace the raw beauty of the middle land. 

Along with that, we’ll also traverse the iconic Chicham Bridge, which at an altitude of 13,244 ft has the title of being Asia’s highest bridge. The valley of Spiti is the embodiment of postcard-worthy landscapes and one of the most prominent scape that it is known for is the Key Monastery . The largest and oldest gompa in Spiti that also serves as the training center for young Lamas, Key is an iconic landmark that we’ll be ticking off at the end of the day.

Today we will leave Kaza and start our return journey. To say that the drive to Manali is exhilarating would be an understatement as the route consists of sharp hairpin bends that will turn you dizzy in the best way possible. En route, you’ll be conquering the famed Kunzum Pass as well as crossing the iconic Atal tunnel which is the longest tunnel in the world to be perched at such a high altitude. The drive would be full of twists and turns and conquering them in your sturdy 4x4 vehicles would be an adventure of a lifetime.

In the evening, a farewell dinner will be organized where the entire group will come together to share not just a meal but stories that they will carry for the rest of their lives.

A 7-day escapade to the Himalayas will come to an end in Manali and the group will part ways with the promise of seeing each other on the road again!

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Arrive in Chandigarh either in your own car or collect a rented car in Chandigarh before embarking on the drive to Lahaul & Spiti with Adventures Overland Convoy.

The best time to visit this Himalayan Terrain is June & July.

Must-visit destinations in this region include Sangla, Tabo, Kaza, and Hikkim.

You will be accommodated in luxury camps and carefully selected 4-5 star properties throughout your stay.

Thukpa, Skyu, Thenthuk, Tingmo, and sea buckthorn are among the renowned local dishes highly recommended for a delightful culinary experience in the region.

Certainly, the itinerary includes the Raksham Trek and a challenging meadow trek in Sangla and Chitkul, providing ample opportunities for exploration through Tabo, Kaza, and Hikkim with rewarding walks.

Ensure adequate hydration as you ascend to higher altitudes; your body will naturally acclimatize. Avoid overexertion with intense workouts to support a smooth adjustment to the changing elevation.

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Lahaul & Spiti Road Trip – Himalayan Self-Drive with AO

Discover the magic of the Lahaul Spiti Drive with AO Himalayan Drives – your ticket to a seven-day adventure filled with off-road thrills and stunning landscapes.

From a detailed Lahaul Spiti itinerary that ensures you get to experience all the shades of Spiti Valley to the coolest convoy consisting of like-minded people who make the experience ten times better. 

Adventures Overland, known for creating unforgettable experiences, promises a unique blend of excitement and natural wonders on the Lahaul Spiti Drive .

Commencement of Lahaul Spiti Drive from Chandigarh:

The journey begins in Chandigarh, a dreamy city where participants gather for a comprehensive briefing. Adventure Overland’s friendly representative ensures everyone is set for a week of exploration. The drive to Narkanda unfolds like a captivating movie scene, with winding roads leading to the charming town known for its apple orchids.

Heading to Sangla becomes a delight on the Hindustan Tibet Highway, offering thrilling yet challenging routes. The Baspa River accompanies the convoy, creating a picturesque backdrop. Luxurious camps in Sangla promise a comfortable stay, blending nature’s beauty with modern comforts.

The journey continues to Chitkul, where the scenery transforms into a visual masterpiece. Wooden cottages and apple orchards line the trails, leading to the last village in India. A visit to the iconic “Hindustan Ka Aakhri Dhaba” adds a flavorful touch to the cultural experience.

Entering the Land of Lamas – Spiti 

Getting closer to Spiti, the convoy discovers hidden gems like Kalpa and the majestic Kinner Kailash peak, offering a glimpse into the valley’s rich heritage. Traversing impassable trails, Tabo unfolds alongside the Spiti River, sharing its centuries-old cultural treasures.

Kaza reveals cultural wonders, from the historic Tabo Monastery to the thrilling journey to Dhankar Monastery. The Lahaul and Spiti expedition becomes a visual feast, showcasing landscapes that have remained hidden for ages.

Exploring the heart of Spiti Valley – Kaza

The best part of the Lahaul Spiti drive is that you get to embark on a captivating journey through Spiti’s soul, uncovering treasures like the Key Monastery—standing tall at 13,668 ft, a sanctuary of Buddhist wisdom where young Llamas receive their training amidst ancient relics.

Witness the marvel of Chicham Bridge, Asia’s loftiest at over 13,000 ft, linking Chicham and Kibber. Suspended above the Samba Lamba Nallah gorge, it took 15 years to craft this engineering feat, offering a breathtaking traverse for locals and tourists alike.

Ascend to Hikkim, home to the world’s highest post office at 14,400 ft and a fascinating spot in this Lahaul Spiti itinerary. Immerse yourself in 90s nostalgia, crafting heartfelt letters and dropping them into the red mailbox, a ritual embraced by many, especially women, during their Lahaul Spiti road trip . 

Komic beckons with its distinction as the highest village connected by a motorable road. Wander its streets, embracing the unhurried pace of Spiti life.

Finally, Langza unfolds with ancient fossils and spiritual significance. A village of gods, it cradles a millennia-old Buddha statue, looking over the locals—a timeless guardian in the heart of Spiti.

The drive from Kaza to Manali becomes a blend of sharp bends, conquering Kunzum Pass, and passing through the world’s longest Atal Tunnel. In sturdy 4×4 vehicles, participants navigate twists and turns, turning each moment into a memorable adventure.

The journey concludes with a heartfelt farewell dinner in Manali, where participants come together to share not just a meal but stories that will be cherished for a lifetime. Until the next adventure, the promise is made to meet again on the road.

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Best Time to Visit Spiti Valley – A Month by Month Guide

The popularity of traveling to Spiti Valley is increasing day by day. Now more and more travelers want to know about the best time to visit Spiti Valley or travel on the road to Spiti Valley either via Shimla – Kinnaur or Spiti Valley.

The road to Spiti Valley remains open all around the year through Shimla – Kinnaur while the road from Manali side closes in winter as soon as Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass close. So, tourists must know about the right time to travel to Spiti Valley.

In this article of the series, “ Comprehensive Travel Guide for Spiti Valley ”, I will try to share my inputs on the best time or season to travel the road to Spiti Valley or in other words what is the best time to visit Spiti Valley.

Let's quickly dive into the details:

When is the best time for Spiti Valley road trip?

We all know that you can travel to Spiti Valley by two routes. One traverses the roads from Delhi via Manali to Kaza, Spiti Valley as Manali – Rohtang Pass – Gramphu – Chattru – Kunzum Pass – Kaza (Spiti Valley). And, then the other one goes from Delhi to Kaza via Shimla – Kinnaur Valley as Shimla – Kinnaur – Nako – Sumdo (Spiti Valley) – Tabo – Kaza.

Shimla to Kaza Route

The route via Shimla – Kinnaur is also commonly known as Hindustan – Tibet Highway or NH-05 . The Hindustan Tibet Road remains open throughout the year via Kinnaur Valley, and you can make a journey to Kaza or Spiti via Shimla – Kinnaur all around the year because there is no high mountain pass that comes on this route which gets heavy snowfall.

It is said to be motorable all around the year; however, traveling to Spiti Valley, especially in the winter months, is not that easy as it reads. The road conditions in winters on the Hindustan – Tibet highway are quite challenging and tough .

Hence, you should avoid traveling to Spiti Valley in winter in case you do not want to try extreme winter cold conditions and live the extreme adventure.

Manali to Kaza Route

Traveling to Spiti Valley via Manali side , by and large, depends first upon the opening of Rohtang Pass and then opening of the route from Gramphu to Kunzum Pass and Kunzum Pass in itself. The snow clearance operations begin in March and continue till May end or June the first half when the road from Manali to Kaza gets open.

This generally takes time and hence, Manali to Kaza route remains closed for almost six-seven months in a year. Rohtang Pass generally opens after April and further, the route to Kaza over Kunzum Pass opens by the second week of June.

So, you have very little time in a year (mid-June to October), in case you are interested in the entire Spiti Valley circuit that is Delhi – Shimla – Kinnaur – Kaza (Spiti Valley) – Kunzum Pass – Rohtang Pass – Manali – Delhi.

But, still, the question is :

When is the best time to visit Spiti Valley?

In the following part of the article, let’s check in detail, how the whole year month-by-month looks like in terms of traveling on the road to Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh . After understanding the Spiti Valley weather for these months, you can evaluate which month or season shall work out best for you to plan a Spiti Valley road trip.

Spiti Valley in January – February – March

January, February, and March are called the extreme winter months in Spiti Valley when there is a dense blanket of white snow all around you in Spiti . The road from Manali to Kaza is closed, and most hotels are shut off. You need to rely on limited homestay options in Spiti Valley. Hence, you need to prepare very well for your trip to Spiti in these winter months.

You should not expect much from facilities in Spiti valley in these months. The Spiti Valley temperature in winter can go well below -20 deg C, so you must go well prepared with proper woolen clothing. As snowfall can happen anytime in this period, you should keep buffer days for road closures.

Dheeraj Sharma

There aren’t any toilets with running water or water available in Spiti Valley in the months from January to March. Hence, you need to use dry pit toilets. You should carry a hand sanitizer with you to best maintain sanitization wherever possible. The food will be pretty basic as available in the homestay. Carry a good temperature rating sleeping bag with you as well to beat the cold in homestays.

Roads within Spiti Valley are open only to an extent. Kaza to Losar is closed, and hence it is not the best time to visit Kunzum Pass because the road is closed. Kaza – Langza – Komic – Hikkim – Kaza road remains also closed during peak these winter months.

January has the least snow while February and March have snow in abundance in comparison to all other months. In my honest opinion, March is one of the best time to enjoy winter Spiti trip .

Spiti Valley in April to May

When the months of April – May come, the snow starts to melt, and some link roads within Spiti Valley start to open up. These roads including the road to Losar from Kaza and the road to Pin Valley towards Mud, the road to Lhalung – Demul, or the roads to Langza – Hikkim – Komic circuits.

The opening of Kunzum Pass and the further road towards Manali from Kunzum Pass takes more time. Generally, Manali to Kaza via Kunzum Pass gets open in June only.

However, overall, as the temperature in Spiti Valley comes into a positive scale in April – May, the conditions in Spiti Valley become bearable. The road journey to Spiti Valley is not that hard this period of April – May. The season for Spiti starts to open in these two months only when adventurists from various parts of the country start planning their trips to Spiti Valley .

Hotels start to come out of hibernation, and things, including fruits/vegetables, start to arrive in Spiti Valley frequently. If you are interested in watching snow-studded peaks or want to play in the snow at Kunzum Pass, then this is the ideal time to be in Spiti Valley.

If you are one of those who wants to feel the deserted roads, low tourist count, OK with basic facilities and OK to take a chance on giving up a place or two as that link road might not have opened then it is OK for you to travel in this window. But, keep in mind that you will not be able to do the complete circuit from Shimla to Kinnaur to Kaza to Manali as the road from Kaza to Rohtang Pass to Manali does not get open.

Spiti Valley in June to July

June – July is the beginning of the actual main season to travel to Spiti Valley when a large number of tourists make their journey over these. The season eventually takes the rapid move as the road to Kaza from Manali over Kunzum Pass also opens by the second week of June. This time would mean that the road to Chandratal from Manali will also open up in June and Chandratal is one of the most popular places to visit in Spiti Valley.

In June – July, mostly all the link roads to various sightseeing places in Spiti or remote villages in Spiti Valley also get open in this period. So, you can plan your visit to Langza, Hikkim, Komic, Demul, Lhalung, Pin Valley – Mudh Village , Gete, and Tashigang villages.

Hotels in Spiti Valley are all also open with full facilities, and there is quite a lot of hustle-bustle of tourists all around in Spiti Valley, especially Kaza town. Even Chandratal lake becomes accessible in June soon after the Kunzum Pass opens.

Well, it is one of the good times to make a road trip to Spiti Valley and a desperate retreat from the HEAT of northern cities of India. There are many water crossings active during this period as the snow melts, so it is always better to reach the destination well in the afternoon to avoid getting stuck either in one of those water crossings or behind it.

Hence, follow my “ Leave Early, Sleep Early ” principle very strictly. In the recent past, June appears to have good pre-monsoon showers on the way to Spiti Valley, especially in Kinnaur, and even Spiti experiences one or two spells of snow in June as well, not to forget the (June 2013) tragic flash floods in Kinnaur district. So, even the Spiti Valley weather is somehow becoming unpredictable nowadays. However, this is considered one of the better times to travel over the road to Spiti Valley that is Hindustan Tibet Highway.

Spiti in August

This is the time when the monsoon is in a full flurry in Kinnaur Valley and other parts of Northern India. You MUST understand that Kinnaur is not a place to be in rains with its history of massive landslides and the live landslide zone of Malling Nalla ahead of Nako.

In this period, the roads leading to Spiti Valley are almost in a horrible state as compared to the rest of the year, especially in Kinnaur Valley. In recent years, even the roads from Delhi to Manali have also caused major concerns.

Having said all that, it does not mean that it is not a season to travel to Spiti Valley. The Spiti Valley region falls under the Trans Himalayan region which is generally rain shadowed but in recent past rains have started to reach even Spiti though not that much just frequent drizzles and overcast skies. So, generally, this time shall be avoided, if possible. You may only think about it when you have enough buffer days in hand to face intermittent delays or even cancellation of the trip.

Once you reach Spiti Valley, things remain mostly OK. But do not forget that you have to return via either Manali – Kaza or Kaza – Kinnaur again, which DO experience good monsoon rains, especially Rohtang Pass will be in a big mess, and roads to Mandi may be submerged.

Also, keep in mind that August is also the peak time of apple season and crop transportation, which creates a good amount of traffic jams owing to a high number of trucks that ply on the Kinnaur Valley route. If you happen to be there, then do take one or two cartons of golden apples or red apples from Kinnaur 🙂

You should read my tips on traveling to Kinnaur and Spiti Valley in monsoon time .

Spiti in September to mid-October

This is the time which is my favorite when autumn colors of Spiti are blooming with oranges leaves on the trees enhancing the beauty of magnificent backdrops by many levels. The aqua colors of water in the river add jewels to the pristine beauty all around Spiti Valley.

The Spiti Valley temperature at night and morning is quite cold, in some parts, almost close to 2-3 degrees Celsius. Hence, do carry heavy woolens or thermals at this time of the year with you. You can also get your hands on super delicious Spiti Apples around Tabo or Hurling and even in Kaza at a house of locals. Spiti Valley is famous for its apple. DO NOT miss to taste them or buy them if possible; I am sure you would not have tasted such an apple before 😉 …

If you are a snow lover then you will not like this month as almost all the peaks around you would be naked without any snow on them.

Regarding making the complete circuit, especially after mid of October, yes you can come from the Kinnaur side and go via the Manali side BUT do check the weather updates for few days before making the trip across Kunzum Pass in late October or November when you are at Kaza or Losar.

Kunzum Pass starts getting snowfall by September end and it can be very tricky and risky crossing over it in no man’s land in late October or November. Hence, you need to be very, very sure of the weather, especially in October, when making a move from Kaza to Manali beyond Kunzum Pass. My frank and modest advice will always be to avoid traveling from Manali to Kaza in later October and November .

Spiti Valley in November to December

November – December is generally the winter months in Spiti Valley or at least the beginning of winters. Spiti Valley weather is quite cold during this time, and water starts to freeze in the water pipes. Hence, running water is a luxury at this time of the year.

While traveling to Spiti Valley in November you go through some hardships of ice on the roads, lack of electricity, winter cold conditions with sub-zero temperatures topped with basic facilities as most of the guesthouses get closed.

Kunzum Pass gets closed by November for the next 6-7 months, so one cannot complete the circuit from Shimla – Kinnaur to Manali during this period. You should note that in this winter period, the water in the taps freeze, and people depend on hand pump water at certain places or boiled water in buckets. Kaza especially suffers from a shortage of water in these months and washrooms are big nightmares without tap water.

Do not forget to check what things and clothes to pack for Spiti trip ?

So, in all this period, life is not that easy. In December, the link roads to various places like Gyu Mummy, Pin Valley – Mudh, Gete, Komik, Langza, Losar ahead of Kaza, etc. in Spiti Valley start getting closed one by one after snowfall starts.

Hence, you can only make a trip up to Kaza on this route, and there is always a chance of closure of roads for a few days if it continues to snow for some time during winters. So, if you are making a road trip to Spiti Valley in winters, be ready for extreme adventure and delays too!! Go very well prepared at this time of the year concerning mental levels, physical levels, and food to carry along with having some buffer days.

You should also check my article on the best time to visit Ladakh if you are planning a trip to Leh Ladakh and Spiti Valley together.

Still confused??

<strong>When to visit Spiti Valley?</strong>

I hope this article will help you decide when to travel to Spiti Valley or Kinnaur Valley. Feel free to ask any queries or share your valuable inputs on the season to travel on the road to Spiti Valley in the comments section below.

I hope you are not looking for any Spiti Valley tour packages. If yes, before committing do check the guides and article on this website before you shell out that money.

Have a travel question?? You can subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a comment to ask your travel questions on traveling to the Himalayas.

If you know your friends or family are planning a trip to Spiti, do share this article with them to help them make a memorable trip.

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I am Dheeraj Sharma - a traveler, techie, and Himalayan lover. Since 2009, I have been helping thousands of travelers every year plan memorable & budget-friendly trips to the Himalayas - Smartly, Safely, and responsibly.

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Hi Dheeraj , I have gone through your posts and it seems that you have traveled a lot in the spiti and himachal area. i m planning a trip to himachal . i m planning to leave delhi on 6th oct evening and need to come back on 16 oct night or 17th oct early morning. In this whole trip i have to spent 10th of october morning to noon at dalhousie for urgent work .I have seen dalhousie , khajiyar , shimla, dharamshala and chamba a few times , so i m not interested in those places but i need to be in dalhousie on 10th. Now can u plan me a trip which covers spiti / kinnaur/ lahual/ chandratal in between these days. I have gone through many posts but not able to decide how to plan it .As dalhousie is exactly opposite to spiti and i need to be there in middle of my trip that is on 4th day . Is it possible to plan out anything which can solve my purpose? It would be great if u can help me out. Thanks Regards Dr Pritesh

Hi Dheeraj, very well explained n so much information collected from your post.But i need your final verdict on my spiti valley trip.We ppl will be traveling in the last week of feb 19 so what will be your opinion. Thank you in advance.

Hello… I am planning to visit spiti in next week(14-19august) Is it ok..??means in terms of safety..coming from delhi

Nishu, the roads have just opened from Manali side, Kinnaur side the road is still closed. Please keep an eye on weather before planning to travel to Spiti Valley or Kinnaur Valley in monsoon.

Hi Dheeraj I along with my 4 friends are planning to visit Spiti from September 15 to 24 doing circuit from shimla side.. my query is:- 1. shall we be able to see the colors of autumn? 2. Chances of overcast skies all through the journey?

1. some colours will be there, however October, colours are more prominent. 2. Less chances of overcast skies

Hey. Great post this. Thanks for the detailed information.

Just one question. I am planning to cross the Kunzum pass on the 22nd of September on the way from chandratal to Manali. Is there any possibility of the kunzum pass being closed during that time? Has it even happened in the recent years?

Akshay, very unlikely unless it snows heavily during that time which is rare in recent years. Last year the road was opened all the way up to December 😉

i am planning to visit spiti by the end of july around 22nd july.(9 days trip ) is it safe to travel during monsoon time.Also tell me an alternative plan instead of Kinnaur since you wrote that there are more chances of landslides at that region . (we are interested in doing a full circuit trip from delhi to spiti) thank you 😉

Well, you should read about 10 Tips for a Trip to Spiti Valley in Monsoons

You can do below for Manali plan

Day 01 : Reach Manali and stay overnight at Solang Valley as preferred for acclimatization Day 02 : Manali / Solang – Kaza Day 03 : Kaza – Pin Valley – Tabo Day 04 : Tabo – Dhangkar – Dhangkar Lake trek – Kaza Day 05 : Kaza – Ki – Kibber/Kaza Day 06 : Kibber/Kaza – Langza – Komic – Hikkim – Kaza Day 07 : Kaza – Chandratal Day 08 : Chandratal – Manali Day 09 : Manali – Delhi

WE R PLANNING TO VISIT KAZA,MANALI ON FEB 1 CAN YOU GIVE ME THE TOUR PLAN

You can read: Spiti in Winters – Most Common Itinerary and How to plan a trip to Spiti Valley in Winters

Hi Dheeraj I am planning to travel spiti in the month of August. Please suggest me any precautions due to rains and landslides and which week should i prefer?

It will be monsoon season, you should read: 10 Tips for a Trip to Spiti Valley in Monsoons

we r plaining to visit spiti in mid dec 2018 can we see snow???

Snow starts around that time, but white Spiti or tons of snow can be seen in February – March period

so in mid december which places of himachal Pradesh can we find thick snow???

There are very less places in mid December to find snow in Himachal Pradesh, Rohtang Pass is the best bet but December last year was almost dry and it started snowing in late December only

Hi we are planning to Spiti Valley in 9th June – 16th June or 7th July – 15th July this year. please which time will be best this year for bike trip. if we are going in june will there be snow view? or in july will there be chances of rain/land slide conditions.

I’m planning to complete the spiti circuit from shimla to manali with my Bike Honda Hornet CBS 160cc. should it be good bike option or should i go for some other bike?

Both time windows shall be fine, July will be better as crowd in lower towns will be less because vacation finishes. If you need some snow then June is better. Bike of 160cc should be fine.

I am planning to do the Spiti circuit, in mid October. I will get festival holidays during mid October till first week of November. I have read your blog and your advise on the best season to travel to Spiti.

As I wouldn’t get my leave (for 14-15 days at a stretch), I have no other alternative than mid October. Taking into consideration of my situation, what should be my itinerary? Enetering from Shimla or from Manali?

Kindly suggest me an intinerary.

Thanks in advance

I will suggest that you enter from Manali side so that risk is minimum towards the end of October and do not have to deal with situation of Kunzum Pass getting closed.

Thanks for your prompt response.

Thank you Dheeraj. That answers my question too. Even i am planning Spiti valley tour in mid October from Delhi…

Best wishes for your Spiti Valley trips, have fun and if possible do share the experience on DoW 🙂

Hello Dheeraj , 

Your post is very helpful and thank you for guiding us all through. 

I with 2 of my friends planning to start my trip on 23rd June from Shimla and end on 30th June at Manali on bike .

Could you please recommend if the dates are fine , our main concern is the rains . If it would be heavy rainfall during this time then it would be difficult as there could be land slides . 

Request your suggestion on our trip and dates. 

Dates seem to be OK, if you extend the trip by a couple of days, You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Spiti Valley followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 10-11 days: Most Common Itinerary for Spiti Valley .

Hey sir, i am planning spiti on a solo trip on 1st june right after my exams ends. Planning to complete the entire circuit. This would be my first solo trip of life and anticipatedly i am expecting it to completely chnge my life , free me out of tensions and motivate me to work for myself ahead in life. Can you tell me what kind of things i can expect during this 1june to 10th june? I mean i love little snow but the greenery medows in between the route is also so wonderful, would i be see both during the route? And where? Also, how much time do i need 9 days enough? And how much should i keep in my pocket, are homestays become costly during this time. It would be an extremely budget travel. Plz guide me sir you have a wonderful guide.thanks

Pranay, I will suggest that you start from reading the article: How to make a budget trip to Spiti Valley by public transport

This will help you go through the commute, plan in detail and overall budget expectation.

hii dhiraj,

we are 4 friends planning for spiti vally around 15th june, 2018. is it right seascon ? can you share your valuable thoughts on this…

Yes, mid June to July end is good time to visit Spiti Valley

Hi Dheeraj,

Cheers for such a wonderful post. We are four friends looking to travel spiti valley in July 1st week. Can you please tell the how can we get the rohtang pass permit or is DL very necessary in those areas? FYI we will be travelling on rented bikes.

Help Appreciated!

Varun you can get the permits for Rohtang Pass by following the details mentioned in the article: Permit for Rohtang Pass – Updates 2017

Thanks for your help Dheeraj.

Is Driving License necessary for the trip or it could be adjusted with any personal ID?

Driving license is necessary to drive/ride

Firstly thanks for your valuable information, I need your help Me and 3 friends are planning to go SPITI VALLEY in second week of may 18″,we can’t take other dates because of some personal reasons,so how can we reach SPITI in above mentioned dates We are from Kerala, we are planning a bike ride. How, where ll’ get bike

You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Spiti Valley followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 10-11 days: Most Common Itinerary for Spiti Valley .

Hey Dheeraj, This was indeed useful! Just had a question. How risky is the drive here on an SUV and what should we keep in mind while driving ?

I will strongly suggest that you go through and read my series on Ladakh/Spiti Self Drive tips at the links below:

7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh/Spiti

hi, i am planning to go spiti this season. I have some queries please ans this.

I am travelling to Spiti on 1 week of August(is it open via manali?)

Vikas, the roads are open but you should read: 10 Tips for a Trip to Spiti Valley in Monsoons

Firstly, thanks a tonne for all the information you continue to provide. This is like an encyclopedia into Spiti. My question was, any info on the possible rumour that due to less snowfall this year around Kunzum, the Manali-Kaza road will be thrown open by April end possibly ? Even the HRTC FB page posted about this and so did the Spiti Valley travels on their FB page. Planning to go via Kinnaur into Spiti and back via Rohtang.

Keep up the awesome work ! Regards.

Thank you Tristan, Manali – Kaza is surely expected to open early this season but personally, I have a feeling it will not open by mid-May to third week of May especially after the two spells of heavy snowfall recently. HRTC FB page is privately run and not govt. run, so I will not 100% rely on the authenticity as if it is coming from GOVT. order. I have talked to locals and they echo my feelings as well. But, BRO definitely is pretty close to Chatru

I am travelling to Spiti on 1 week of may( is it open via manali?) Is it possible to go spiti form manali in 1 day Is it good itinerary for spiti from delhi via manali Day 1 Thursday 

Board the volvo from delhi

Day 2 Friday

Reach manali and stay

head to spiti from manali on bike reach spiti and rest

back to manali and rest

board the volvo to delhi

Spiti valley will not be open by first week of May from Manali – Kaza side. Also, in order to enjoy Spiti valley, you need about 78- days from Manali side and 10-11 days from Kinnaur – Shimla side.

Hi Dheeraj.

I found your blog lately. Appreciate your efforts for helping fellow travelers on their journey.

I need a help planning whole Spiti and Leh-Ladakh itinerary. Have read your post on separate itinerary. I’m kinda clueless on how to plan both places with single itinerary. Since I’m planning to take hiatus from work after April so number of days and dates won’t be issue. But I want to explore whole beauty of Himachal and Leh-Ladakh. So can you please suggest me when will be good time and what is best mode of transport for whole journey. I will be traveling with my partner so I’m ok with self drive SUV or if it is good to hire bike in respect to road condition. Sorry for selfish request. I don’t want to get disappointed coming from South, this will my first trip to north. I have backpacked here and there but this is due for very long on bucket list. Thanks.

Hey Nagendran,

The roads of Manali – Leh and Srinagar – Leh and Manali – Kaza will not be open in April. If you want the whole circuit with Spiti and Ladakh, the roads open in June only. In April you can make individual trips to these places like flying into Leh for Ladakh trip and going – coming back form Shimla – Kinnaur side for Spiti Valley trip.

Thanks for your comment. Sorry I didn’t mentioned I’ll be completely free for a year precisely. So when will best time of year to travel both together. I was thinking to land Chandigarh and start trip from there.

Cool, in that case best month to travel will be September but if you need adventurous trip then mid June to mid July will be ideal. You can start from: Spiti Valley to Ladakh from Manali – Most Common Itinerary

How many days are you planning?

Really not concerned of number of days. But thinking 25-30 days as of now. If I’m flexible with days what are the places I can add along with your 16 days itinerary considering 30days max. Also can you suggest me best mode of transport for whole journey. I will be traveling with my partner so I’m thinking of taking rented self drive SUV or do you suggest to hire bike in respect to road condition.

Awesome, then, in that case, look no further and plan the trip as defined below to include Zanskar Valley too in the plan. You can take the rented self drive car but once you will reach Leh, you need to park it and cover Ladakh sightseeing places by local LAdakhi taxi or some places like Sham Valley and all can be covered by rented bike from Leh. You can even go to Nubra Valley on rented bike if you have experience with riding. Here is the one dream trip you can take 😀

Day 1 | Delhi – Jammu / Patnitop — Overnight at Jammu or Patnitop

Day 2 | Jammu / Patnitop – Srinagar — Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well — If you have time then check out, floating market, Shalimar Garden. — Overnight at Srinagar

Day 3 | Srinagar – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil — Enjoy the vistas enroute — Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil — Overnight at Kargil

Day 4 | Kargil – Padum (Zanskar Valley) — Head straight to Padum

Day 5 | Padum Local Sightseeing — Enjoy Zangla, Stongde, Karsha

Day 6 | Padum – Zongkhul Monastery – Penzi La Pass – Rangdum — Start back and stay at Rangdum

Day 7 | Rangdum – Panikhar – Sankoo – Kargil — Checkout rock carved statue at Khartse Khar

Day 8 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh — Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes — On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu — Overnight at Leh

Day 9 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits — To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link  here — Overnight at Leh

Day 10 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder – Turtuk — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Turtuk — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — enjoy the culture in the Turtuk Village — do mention Turtuk on the permits

Day 11 | Turtuk – Hunder — Spend whole day at Turtuk and reach Hunder by evening — Overnight at Hunder

Day 12 | Hunder – Deskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari — Enjoy drive upto Panamik, visit Yarab Tso Lake and back to overnight stay at Kyagar or Tiger or Sumur — Enjoy walks in Hunder, Deskit, Sumur villages for the last 3 days

Day 13 | Sumur/Kyagar – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh — Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs — Overnight at Leh

Day 14 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour — Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, Stakna and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only. — Overnight at Leh

Day 15 | Leh – Sham Valley – Leh — Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib — Overnight at Leh

Day 16 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake — Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso — Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik)

Day 17 | Pangong Tso Lake – Shey – Thicksey – Leh — Mention all the places of this route as mentioned above on the permits and Nyoma as well — Overnight at Hanle

Day 18 | Leh – Chumathang – Mahe – Nyoma – Loma – Hanle — Overnight at Hanle

Day 19 | Hanle – Loma – Nyoma – Mahe – Korzok / Tso Moriri Lake OR Hanle – Salsal La – Tso Moriri Lake — Overnight at Tso Moriri lake

Day 20 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Moore Plains – Pang / Sarchu — Try to start early in the day so that you reach Sarchu where the accommodation options are better than Pang — Overnight at Sarchu or Pang

Day 21 | Pang / Sarchu – Baralacha La – Jispa — On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only — Overnight at Jispa

Day 22 | Jispa – Chandratal Day 23 | Chandratal – Kaza Day 24 | Kaza (Ki, Kibber, Gette) Day 25 | Kaza/Langza Homestay (Hikkim, Koumik, Langza) Day 26 | Kaza – Dhankar – Pin Valley Day 27 | Pin Valley – Tabo – Nako Day 28 | Nako – Kalpa Day 29 | Kalpa – Sangla/Chitkul (if you cannot extend, skip) Day 30 | Sangla/Chitkul (if you cannot extend, skip) Day 31 | Sangla/Chitkul – Narkanda Day 32 | Narkanda – Chail / Shimla – Delhi

I’m finding short of words to thank you on helping me with the detailed itinerary. Having read multiple detailed post of you and your selfless comment on repeated questions, initially I bit hesitated to post a question regarding itinerary. But yet whole heartedly you replied with lengthy detailed information. Thanks once again for your generosity. If you plan to come down to South (Tamilnadu), please do call me I’ll be happy to host you. 🙂

My pleasure buddy !! Happy to help with the Himalayas. Thank you for sharing the contact details, will surely let you know whenever in future I will plan a trip. Much appreciated…

Hi Dhiraj, Last year we completed a superb trip to Ladakh,doing the entire circuit from Srinagar to Manali starting in early June and finishing by mid June. This year we were planning a trip to Spiti valley…Also a full circuit going in via shimla and exiting via Manali….In early June. I am setting aside 15 days for the same. Would it be feasible if we start somewhere around 25thmay from Chandigarh thru kinnaur and exit via kunzum pass somewhere around 8th to 10th june. Also, is it true that the weather is cloudy in Spiti in early June?

Mayoor, it is wonderful to see you back here !! If possible postpone the trip by a week so that there is even higher chance of having the Manali – Kaza road open. Otherwise, it becomes difficult sometimes and the road from Manali – Kaza opens around mid June. Weather wise it shall be fine and like Ladakh Spiti Valley is also a rain shadow region, so it does not rain much there.

Actually due to early school reopening in Mumbai, the latest that i can postpone is by 3-4 days, maybe we can do the Kunzum crossing by 12th june…..should that be ok? I was just going thru the historical data regarding opening of Kunzum Pass. Since last 2 years, it has opened by 2nd June. I am not sure about the state of the road though. I will mostly try to keep a buffer day so that if by chance the pass is closed, I will have to return via Shimla. Is Chandrataal lake journey possible at that time?

The max you can delay, the better. Go ahead with whatever maximum delay you can extend. The state of the road remains bad and it is not just the Kunzum Pass that matters, actually the main problem lies beyond Kunzum Pass between Chatru and Batal where they BRO has to cut off the big giant walls of glaciers. Chandratal lake will most certainly be possible towards mid of June unless there is heavy snowfall this year and the diversion road is still blocked and PWD hasn’t cleaned it yet.

Thanks Dhiraj for your suggestion. I will try to rework & delay as much as possible. Also, wanted to know if there is any Gallery section where we can post some really awesome Photographs along with Captions.

Hello Mayoor,

Sure, feel free to ask any further questions too. Well, you can join our DoW COmmunity Facebook group and shares wonderful photos with us which also gets you a chance to win some cool DoW Goodies: https://www.facebook.com/groups/devilonwheels/

Hi Dhiraj. Sorry for the extremely long Post. I have prepared a tentative Itinerary for Spiti. Pl let me know if any changes or improvement is required

Day 1 : 5th June : Mumbai to Chandigarh via Air. Leave Chandigarh at 12 noon and go to Narkanda via Chail (Is a short visit to Chail Palace possible?). O/n Narkanda.

Day 2 : 6th June : Late sleep-in. Narkanda sightseeing…Hatu Peak, Thanedar, Tanijubbar lake, Ski ground. O/n Narkanda

Day 3 : 7th June : Leave Narkanda early by 8:00 am. Reach Chitkul in evening (Want to avoid staying in Sangla or Kalpa as have already visited both previously) O/n Chitkul. Is this journey possible in a day or is it too long?

Day 4 : 8th June : Relax & then local sightseeing like Batesari village, ITBP camp, walk along Baspa river. O/n Chitkul. How is Samaa Resorts for stay?

Day 5 : 9th June : Leave early…Chitkul to Khab, Nako, Sumdo, Geu, Tabo. O/n Tabo

Day 6 : 10th June : Tabo monastery in morning. Then leave for Pin valley..Kungri, Sangnam, Tailing, Mud village. O/n Mud village. How is Tara Guest house? Does it have an attached toilet?

Day 7 : 11th June : Mud to Laalung to Dhankar to Dhankar lake to Kaza. O/n Kaza

Day 8 : 12th June : Kaza day trip to Langza, Hikkim, Komic & back. O/n Kaza

Day 9 : 13th June : Kaza to Ki, Gette, Tashigong, Kibber & then to Losar. Is it advisable to return back to Kaza or can we stay overnight at Losar to save time the following day.

Day 10 : 14th June : Losar to Chandrataal lake via Kunzum Pass (if Kunzum is open). Can we return to Losar for the night (Is it possible?) or should we stay in the camps there. I have heard that the camps are very basic there.

Day 11 : 15th June : Chandrataal to Manali. O/n Manali

Day 12 : 16th June : Manali local sightseeing

Day 13 : 17th June : Manali to Chandigarh for evening flight to Mumbai

Hey Mayoor, replied you in Q&A section

Sorry Dhiraj, but I couldn’t locate your answer. Should I post the question again in the Q & A section

The only problem sleeping at Chitkul will be AMS as your body may not be acclimatized to sleep at high altitude that early in the trip. I will recommend to sleep at Sangla only.

Try to get a room at Sagnam PWD Rest House, if he does not provide you then go to Tara Guest House for stay. The guest house is more like a home stay with basic amenities. As you plan to stay at Chandratal, I will suggest keeping it simple and stay either at Langza or Kibber. If you stay at Kibber then you can travel to Chichcham and further to Chandratal directly and explore a new route too.

Rest looks good to me.

PS: Sorry I guess I mistook your query with someone else.

Thanks Dhiraj for your reply. Actually I have read rave reviews from people who have stayed at Samaa resorts, Chitkul about the resort and the verdant surroundings. But, I guess you are right about AMS as day 3 would be too early to spend at Chitkul. I can stay at Sangla on Day 3. Can I spend Day 4 night at Chitkul or would you recommend a day trip only to Chitkul and go over to Kalpa to spend the night

Yes Mayoor, I will go with Chitkul on Day 4 but then again it depends if you are really interested to ease out, go for it and skip Kalpa altogether and move on further towards upper Kinnaur and Spiti. Nako will be better than spending night at Kalpa if you are already spending two nights in Sangla and Chitkul.

Hello sir, is it possible to take lancer cedia for the trip. We are planning for September 2018. Group of 3 people. Consider the fact that that cedia gives a mileage of 10kmpl, are there enough fuel stations to complete the circuit. Your help will be highly appreciated.

Omar, fuel should not be a problem. For taking Lancer Cedia to Spiti Valley, Possible = Yes, Difficult = Yes, at quite a few place. For hatchback/sedan taking on Manali – Leh Highway Or Spiti Valley via Manali Or Ladakh, please refer the link: FAQ | Can I do Leh – Ladakh / Spiti / Manali – Leh trip in Hatchback or Sedan? for more details.

Thank you for the information. I appreciate it.

Moreover the car currently has a GC of 175mm. We might increase a bit further to avoid the bad patches and protecting her more. Currently the car has done 1lac kms mostly on highways.

Cool, as long as you are confident of its working, you should be fine.

Hello Dheeraj, We 5 persons all boys are planning a trip to spiti in 2nd week of December with Fortuner 4*4… Is this possible & also plz suggest where to visit in December..we have been to Leh this June but via Srinagar.

Sourav, it is possible to make Spiti Valley trip in winters but only from Shimla – Kinnaur side. I will recommend that you read: Spiti in Winters – Most Common Itinerary and How to plan a trip to Spiti Valley in Winters

Hi Brother,

When should we travel if we want to avoid more water crossings or bad roads on India-Tibet highway? Especially Malling Nala 😀 Thanks.

In that case you should travel in the month of late September.

Thanks Bro 🙂

By the way, can we do it with a pillion? They say the Roads to spiti are worse than those to Leh

Yes, the roads especially Manali – Kaza is worse than Ladakh roads. Rest mostly similar to Manali – Leh Highway and at places good to average. Regarding riding with pillion, lots of people do it. I do not think there should be any issue besides walking few times specially around Kunzum Pass and Manali – Kaza road.

Thanks a lot Bro.. I appreciate your response 🙂

Hey Brother.. A last question… I’ve seen a news that due to frequent landslides at malling nala, a new road has been built which connects Nako and Chango other than NH5.. Is that true? Or it’s the same road which I see in those youtube vidoes 😀

AFAIK Yuvraj, there is no new road. What they do is they cut the mountain further deeper and make road from it. The road is same but I can confirm from the locals and update. There was a major landslide this year which washed away the road so they had to cut the mountain more to to make the road again.

Oh.. Thanks a lot bro 🙂

Sir , i am planning to travel spiti this october from 10 to 17 .which route should be taken by us ? Manali to shimla ,? And can u tell me kunzum pass will be open or not ?

Hi Himanshu,

You can enter from Manali side and come back from Shimla side. Route will be open through Kunzum Pass now adays up to mid of October. But, a snowfall can block it for a day or two.

Me and and my friends planning for a bike trip to Spiti on 16 oct ,I want to know it will be at that time?

Well PRashad, please read: 5 Reasons to Avoid Manali Kaza Road in October

I wanted to know if I had 4 days to visit spiti, will it be better if I visit only the Shimla side or only the Manali side? 30th September to 3rd October!

In such a case, it will be better to visit from Manali side only. 4 days from Shimla or Manali? Or you want to have travel to Shimla and Manali also included in these 4 days?

Just one side would do… Can I have an itinerary..

Day 1 : Reach Manali and stay overnight at Solang Valley as preferred for acclimatization Day 2 : Manali / Solang – Kaza Day 3 : Kaza – Dhangkar – Tabo – Kaza OR Kaza – Langza – Komik – Hikkim – Kaza Day 4 : Kaza – Ki – Kibber – Gette – Chandratal Day 5 : Losar – Chandratal – Manali Day 6 : Manali – Delhi

Assuming 4 days does not include travel to Manali

Hi Dheeraj, I have been following DoW for a few years now. You are doing a wonderful job! I consulted your blogs in detail for my maiden Ladakh trip last year. Though Ladakh was done in end of August, this year I want to do Spiti but I can make it only in September end. Can you please help me with my planning. We are two people who will be travelling in a Scorpio, but only one of us can drive. Can you please let me know if a full circuit (i.e.Chandigarh-Shimla-Kinnaur-Spiti-Manali-Chandigarh route) can be done realistically in this time of the year. And we want to mix home stays and camping along the way. Can you suggest places which will be ideal for homestays and which places to pitch our own tent? Dates: 28th September to 7th October (+1 Day buffer) i.e. 9 days+1 day buffer.

For stay options in Kinnaur and Spiti, check the link: Some Good Options of Stays in Spiti Valley / Kinnaur Valley .

You can keep an average of 900-1200 per person per day for food and stay on the tour to Spiti Valley.

I will request that you please refer the following articles for planning a trip to Spiti Valley: Spiti Valley via Manali | How to Plan Your Journey AND Spiti Valley via Kinnaur | How to Plan Your Journey

They have all the details. Feel free to let me know in case of any doubts

You can also read: Top 10 Tips for Camping in Ladakh & Spiti Valley

I am planning to go to spiti from 30th sep-7th Oct in i20 car. Is it a good time to go ? Will i 20 be suitable for the trip ? I want to do the complete circuit…Can you please suggest the itinerary

Mohak, time is OK to travel to Spiti Valley. It will be cold a bit and windy. Regarding i20, it will struggle on Manali – Kaza road but water will be very less in water crossings by October first week, so one less hurdle. But, the struggle will be there due to low GC and car will surely take a beating.

Thanks for the suggestion…will look out for an alternative car…can you please suggest the itinerary

Opt to go via Manali – Leh Highway and I will suggest that you refer the thread for more details on the route and night halts though it is of 9 days: Manali – Leh – Ladakh – Manali | Itinerary for 9 Days .

Hello and thanks for a wonderful article!

I am planning on a bike trip going from manali to Key gompa and back during end of september – beginning of october. From Google Maps it says it is about 5 hours each way so I guess this whole trip could take around 4 days including some visits in Spiti valley.

Is the Kunzum pass usually open at these times? Is it usually passable without too many problems?

Thanks in advance!

I should also add that I can start this trip earlier, around 20 September, if it makes conitions more favorable.

Definitely, 20th September, you will be able to enjoy more.

DEan, Google maps and the roads in the Himalayas do not go hand in hand. It will take about 10-11 Hrs to reach Kaza, Key monastery from Manali. Kunzum Pass will be open during that time. With just 4 days, it is possible but like

Manali – Kaza Kaza/Key Kaza and around, Langza, Hikkim, Komic Kaza – Manali

We, five couple with children, wants to visit spiti valley during next May, 2018. We want to start our journey via shimla route and return via manali route. We have spared 8 days for same from chandigarh. So please kindly provide us itinerary for same. We have not visited Leh-Ladakh yet, instead we are visiting spiti valley first. Is it good thing ? We want to book tempo-traveller for our journey. Is the road of rohtang pass remain open during end of May. Please kindly provide me your opinion.

It should be OK to travel in May but the problem is that you cannot do a full circuit of Spiti Valley in May because the road from Manali to Kaza opens in mid-June types.

Regards Dheeraj

Hi Dheeraj We are 4 friends from chandigarh planning to go spiti around 22nd of august via shimla by vw polo so what do suggest is safe to go at this time of year and is polo compatible according to the route? Please reply asap becouse its urgent

The road at Nako is closed due to a massive landslide at Malling Nala. It is expected to open in weeks time but nothing certain.

Me and my husband are planning to visit spiti in 3rd week of september via manali. Could you please suggest whether it is good time to visit spiti

Yes September is a good time to travel to Spiti Valley.

Hi Dheeraj We me and my wife 50 and 47 years of age are planning to go Jalandhar-Simla-kaza-kunjum-Rohtang -Manali -jalandhar from 6 October to 13 oct. 2017 by Pajero sports. Is it fine as these are earliest dates we have. We are only couple. Never been to this route however covered Srinagar Leh Manali thrice by this car. Pl suggest with regard to climate and weather on those days. Regards

Harish sir, It starts to get cold during that time of the year in Spiti valley and there can be occasional snowfall as well. Since you are versed with terrains, it should not be an issue but just don’t any unnecessary risks. Once you reach Kaza, check the weather and then make a call to drive from Kaza to Manali because getting stuck in between Kaza and Manali due to weather will not be pleasant

Thanks for your suggestions. Best as always

Best wishes for the trip sir, if possible keep sharing the updates as it may help others too.

Hello Sir! I am planning to leave for Spiti on 11th of August 2017. Would it be a right time to visit Spiti. Also, considering the recent rainfall in Spiti would you suggest us to go in this month?

I will suggest to check weather and then only venture out. Please do read: 10 Tips for a Trip to Spiti Valley in Monsoons

Also please suggest good places to stay in Kalpa, Tabo & Kaza

I am travelling to Spiti in September, is it fine if we go without booking hotels ?

Yes, Amit, september is a very good time to travel to Spiti valley. You should not worry about stay options and will get on the spot.

We are traveling from 26th of aug to 3rd of sept on motorcycles. Any advise? We are looking to explore more at pin valley,Pls suggest.

Do you need itinerary advice? What is your plan, going from Manali side or Shimla or doing circuit?

Is it advisable to go to Spiti in Novemeber??.

When do the hotels close and what are the chances of finding snow in November??

Also, can you let me know the places where we could find snow starting November last week to December 2nd or 3rd week??

I think I replied to your other comment, please let me know in case there is still any doubt.

We want to visit Spiti in Mid Aug; self drive in a rental jeep. Would any one know of any groups which are planned around that time that we can join?

No Pradipta, please check the DoW Travel Calendar from the main menu.

Hi Pradipta,

If you wish, you can contact me at 9888000543 or [email protected]

Thanks and regards Harry

Hi Dheeraj, Need one advise – we are doing a bike trip from Delhi to Spiti and back via Manali on 23Sep to 30Sep. Our trip is 23 – Gurgaon-Narkanda 24 – Narkanda-Kalpa 25 – Kalpa-Kaza 26-27 – travel in and around Kaza 28 – Kaza-Manali 29 – Manali-Chandigarh 30 – Chd-Gurgaon

We have done this circuit many times; however, not in Sep-end. Any guidance on weather and route planning?

Thanks, Rishi Raj

September end is still a good time to travel Spiti valley and Kinnaur with beautiful colors of fall and of course, apples 😉

Thanks. Also request you to please advise on the two days that we have at Kaza – to help us plan an itinerary. We have seen Tabo and Dhankar and don’t want to stress ourselves too much on these two days by riding a lot.

Day 1 : Kaza – Langza – Komik – Hikkim – Kaza Day 2 : Kaza – Key – Kibber – Gette – Tashigang – Kaza – Rangrik – Chandratal

Hello sir! We r planning for spiti from 24 july to 2 august bt we r confused as its not a right time as many travellers say… we r travelling by our suv .last year we travelled to leh via srinagr in same dates bt not any kind prblm was there ….. jst tell us should we go or not ???? Now it totally depends on your suggestion ….

Happy, you can travel but just keep in mind the tips mentioned in the article: 10 Tips for a Trip to Spiti Valley in Monsoons

Sir! i hv gone through them …. So, we should go ahead without any fear as its not as difficult as peopl says ….

Manali – Kaza is a bit struggle with water crossings and all but rest is fine.

Hi Dheeraj, We are planning to visit SPITI VALLEY or leh ladakh from 25-01 Nov. what would be the best place to visit @ this time?. Planning to cover complete Circuit. Need your suggestions on following: 1. Route/ itinerary? 2. Places to visit? 3. Where to stay?

Kulbhushan, it is winters in trans Himalayas and rough/dry time to travel to these places with minimum facilities open. Are you sure you want to go at such harsh time?

Hi Dheeraj, We are planning to visit SPITI VALLEY from 9-17 sept. Is it good time to visit? Planning to cover complete Circuit. Need your suggestions on following: 1. Route/ itinerary? 2. Places to visit? 3. Where to stay?

Regards, HITESH KUMAR

September is a good time to travel Spiti Valley. With 9 days at hand, you can follow below plan:

Day 1 | Delhi – Narkanda Day 2 | Narkanda – Kalpa Day 3 | Kalpa – Nako – Nako Lake – Geyu Mummy – Tabo Day 4 | Tabo – Dhankar – Dhankar Lake – Pin Valley (Mudh Village) – Kaza Day 5 | Kaza Local Sightseeing  — Ki, Kibber, Gette, Tashigang in the second half of the day Day 6 | Kaza Local Sightseeing (Hikkim, Komik)  — Hikkim, Komik, Langza circuit  Day 7 | Kaza – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal Day 8 | Chandratal – Manali Day 9 | Manali – Delhi

Hi,we planing a trip to spiti valley on 8th of July via shimla- kinnaur side and end up throw rotang pass-manali.please update weather condition

Kaif, weather updates can be checked for Kinnaur and Kaza at weather websites. However, regarding road updates now the roads are open.

Hi, i wanted to visit spiti-kaza -nako-chandratal lake and near by places for my pre wedding shoot on 24th july to 30th july. Is it fine?? Will i get good view and no problems of rain and landslides?? Is it safe???

Sejal, the lower hills starts to get rains during that time while Spiti is rain shadow, you might face issues in lower hills. You can read: 10 Tips for a Trip to Spiti Valley in Monsoons

Hello Sir, I am Shaurya and I would like to know the feasibility of going to Spiti Valley in mid August (11th-15th/16th August). We are a group of 7-8 guys eager to explore the best of Spiti in the limited time we have. I’ve heard the current situation of roads is pathetic, also keeping in mind that we are planning to go in mid August i.e after monsoon , will you advise us to continue with the plan.

Most of us will travel from Delhi/Gurgaon and few are coming from Bangalore and Mumbai via flight. All of us will be leaving on 11th (Friday) night from our respective places and hope to come back by 15th (Tuesday) or 16th (Wednesday) night at the max. Hence kindly suggest a suitable itinerary through which we can make the most of these 4-5 days that we have. Also suggest the most feasible mode of transport keeping in mind the condition of the roads at that time of the year (Private cabs will be preferred).

PS- I understand that we have a time constraint hence we would like to cover the major/best parts in and around Spiti Valley.

Hey Shaurya,

With limited time on hand, you can check: How to make a trip to Spiti Valley in 6 days?

Regarding now traveling in August, well you will face the challenge up to Manali. Once you reach Spiti Valley from Manali, it is a rain shadow region meaning it does not rain much but you have to go through the monsoon hassles for sure in lower hills.

Hi I am planning for a trip to lahaul spiti around 17th or 18th of June 2017. I am from Chandigarh. 1. Which road route will be best for me? 2. Are LMVs like swift, polo fine to travel on? 3. Important points to be noted and taken care of ?

You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Spiti Valley followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 10-11 days: Most Common Itinerary for Spiti Valley . For hatchback/sedan taking on Manali – Leh Highway Or Spiti Valley via Manali Or Ladakh, please refer the link: FAQ | Can I do Leh – Ladakh / Spiti / Manali – Leh trip in Hatchback or Sedan? for more details.

Hello Sir, We are a group of 10 people planning to visit Spiti from 13-23 july. I understand from your article that it is not the right season to travel. But we really want to as no other time in the year is convenient for us. So if we had to try our luck, can you please chalk up an itinerary for us? Will be very grateful.

Hi Dhreeraj,

How are you?

Need you help to plan the trip of 6-8 people of Spite Valley this August 15, 2017. We will be travelling from Delhi/Gurgaon. Will planning to leave by Friday (11th ) night and return by 15th Tuesday. As we don’t have that much of time so need to take the shortest route. Also we will be travelling via public transport.

Thanks in advanced..

Soumyadeep, you should plan the trip in such a case from Manali side. There is a direct bus that runs from Manali and Kaza.

Day 1 : Reach Manali by overnight volvo of and stay overnight at Solang Valley as preferred for acclimatization Day 2 : Manali / Solang – Kaza Day 3 : Kaza – Dhangkar – Tabo Day 4 : Tabo – Pin Valley Day 5 : Pin Valley – Kaza. Do Ki, Kibber in the evening. Day 6 : Kaza – Langza – Komik – Hikkim – Kaza Day 7 : Kaza – Chandratal Day 8 : Reach Manali and take overnight Volvo from Manali to Delhi

Hey Dheeraj,

Is it advisable to travel alone on a self driven trip? I know it depends on individual to individual but thought to ask you.

Also I am in a dilemma whether to explore it in June or in september. The thing is i love the view of snow capped mountains (though I have seen enough of snow in last few years) but at the same time I dont like crowded places. I am more inclined towards the month of September, but open to your suggestions and feedback.

Hey Siddharth,

Lots of people do it every year. You can read: Top 10 Tips for a Solo Trip to Ladakh or Spiti Valley

If you love snow then June is the best time and if you love colors/less crowd then September is the best time.

I have 4 points pls. clear my doubt. We are planning to visit Spiti Vally in 2nd week of Oct-17. We have 2 plane. pls advice which one is good to go ?? We are group of 3 couple (6 people)

From To Day1 Delhi Manali Day2 Manali KAZA Day3 Kaza Local Day4 Kaza Local Day5 Kaza Keylong Day6 Keylong BARLACHA LA & BACK Day7 Keylong Manali Day8 Manali KALKA TO HOWRAH

From To Day1 Chandigarh Kalpa Day2 Kalpa Tabo Day3 Tabo Kaza Day4 Kaza Kaza Day5 Kaza Keylong Day6 Keylong BARLACHA LA & BACK Day7 Keylong Manali Day8 Manali Chandigarh

We tried to conact car driver for the trip but we are informed that no car driver is ready to go from Manali to Kaza through Rotong pass. Is thre any restriction ?? Is snow available at BARALACHA LA in Oct. ?? Hotel or home stay will be available Rs.700/800 p.d at KAZA,TABO or KEYLONG ??

Watting for your valuable reply .

Regards, Soumen(kolkata) M-8697141703

I do not like any of the plans as it does not let you enjoy the beauty of Spiti Valley to fullest and ease. I will recommend focusing just on Spiti Valley and keep Lahaul Valley for some other time.

Yes, you need to get Rohtang Pass permit to cross Rohtang Pass to get to Kaza, Keylong or Leh. Snow will not be present anywhere unless it snows a day or two before your trip or on the trip itself.

You can get connected directly to some drivers in Himachal or Spiti Valley or Kinnaur Valley at the link: List of Taxi Drivers for Spiti Valley & Kinnaur Valley . These drivers can come and pick you up from Manali / Shimla / Delhi / Chandigarh too, of course with a price of the pickup as well.

The rates of the taxis are about Rs 3200-3500 per day depending on the number of days you plan to travel, more the days, less the price. If you are 2-3 in the group, you can opt for sedan taxi cars as well which charges around Rs 2200 per day.

Otherwise, taxis, in general, are also available on the spot from Shimla or Manali from respective taxi stands. These drivers can help you with finding local stay options too.

Hii Dheeraj, I love to travel basically m solo traveller so i wanted to know that is it posible to travel solo in spiti valley ??. Even i have done solo travelling in ladakh also. Or is there any chances to attach to other group from manali or chances to get sharing taxi from manali for whole spiti valley in this september??

You should read: How to make a budget trip to Spiti Valley by public transport and Top 10 Tips for a Solo Trip to Ladakh or Spiti Valley

Hi Dheeraj, I shall be visiting Spiti valley for the first time this August. Reading about the weather and road conditions in this post made me feel a bit disheartened, given the fact that after much anticipation and wait, I have finally planned a trip to Spiti. August is the only free month that I have. I won’t be bugged down by some rain, but are road blockages frequent? How’s the temperature during that time? Any suggestions on winter/rain clothing that need to packed?

Yes Amrita, especially in Kinnaur, road blocks are common as the mountains are fragile in Kinnaur. You may try your luck from Manali side. Temparatures will be pleasant, light woolens will do for you.

Hey, Thank you for your prompt reply. I am not doing the entire circuit anyway, will stick to manali-spiti-manali route. Keeping my fingers crossed regarding this one. Once in spiti, would I need poncho/rain jackets? What are the chances of visiting and camping near Chandratal during August? Warm regards, Amrita.

I will suggest carrying one, however, Spiti is rain shadow region and we get very little rain up there in Spiti. The road to chandratal will be open, it may be overcast on a rainy day but people do make a visit to Chandratal.

is a sedan-maruti swift or tata indigo fine along shimla-kaza in end-may to earlyjune?

Vinay, Shimla to Kaza is fine but main challenge will be faced on Manali – Kaza route. You have to be very very careful and car will surely struggle and suffer.

Great Information..

I am planning a visit to Spiti Valley in September 17 with my family and complete the circuit as follows:

1. Chandigarh- Narkanda 2. Narkand-Sarahan- Sangla 3. Sangla- Chitkul- Sangla- Kalpa 4. Kalpa-Nako-Kaza 5. Kaza 6. Kaza-Chandratal (can be skipped also) 7. Chandratal- Solang-Manali 8. Manali- Back

Is it possible to do the trek with Hundai I20/ Ford Figo?? I have done Manali-Leh-Jammu with the same type of car.

Any suggested change in itinerary?

Hey Pradeep,

The car will struggle on Manali – Kaza road, so you need to be cautious over the nallas and stones. Also above itinerary is doable but you are not resting much. It will be better to add one day to the plan and halt at Tabo from Kalpa instead of going directly with Kaza. This will give you opportunity to visit Dhangkar and Pin Valley while going from Tabo to Kaza next day.

Hello Dheeraj,

I’m sure your article is going to be very helpful for folks out there. I do appreciate your inputs.

It may sound over-adventurous. Nevertheless, I need to get this done. I’m planning to do this circuit during the winter. May be during the month of Jan/Feb. I will have enough buffer days to cover this trip. So, a mitigation can be achieved in case of an emergency . Just want to know whether I can reach the Spiti Valley from Uttarkhand or I need to depend on the Shimla route alone? I’ve taken all the cons into consideration but apart from that what are the other challenges I might face? I can anytime toggle back and forth to change my plan. So, that shouldn’t affect me much. Since I’ll be on a two-wheeler all alone during the entire trip, I just want to know whether I can get hold of a mechanic if there’s a major issue with the machine. I can take care of small concerns though. Will I get an accommodation during this period? Since I’m in no hurry, it will mostly be a leisure ride. Could you please pour your views?

Vivek, please let me know what route are you planning from Uttarakhand, then I can comment on it if it is feasible or not. Spiti via Kinnaur if road is open can be done in winters too.

Hey, Myself and my friend have decided to take the journey to Spitti, we’re from Chennai,Tamil Nadu and so are not used to high altitudes, So is acclamitisation going to be a major problem and what can we do to face it. And are there any suggestions about insulation clothing that we have to know beforehand ? We’re going on June 22 for a period of 5 days returning on 27. Taking the Shimla Route hoping that it will help us acclimatise at least a little. Thank you very much in advance…

You just have 5 days in hand, so that means you will be just on road and AMS is bound to happen with tired body. Best you will be doing is below in just 5 days in hand:

Shimla – Kalpa Kalpa – Tabo Tabo – Kaza Kaza – Manali Manali – Delhi

Hi Dheeraj We are a group of 7 Adults planning for Manali-Spiti route on 6th jul to 14th July. We have planned to Hire Bikes in Manali. Any Suggestions ?

Bhargav, do you need suggestion on planning the trip like a trip plan or any other question?

Hi Dheeraj We need suggestions on the Flowing questions : 1. Since our plan is Manali-Spiti-Chandratal-Manali , Will stay at Kaza be a central point wherein we can do daily trips around the valey. 2. While returing to Manali we are planning to stay over night at Chandratal, Can you throw some light Camping facility at Chandratal. 3. Any Bike renting agency is Manali which has reasonable costing? 4. Will Rotang be open during Jul-6 to Jul 14th ? 5. Lastly, Wil the Mnson play a spoil sport during these dates?

Your Inputs will be highly appriciated

Please find my replies below:

1. Yes, Kaza should be the place from where you can traverse on day trips. 2. Please accommodation or stay section in the article: Delhi to Chandratal Lake Spiti Valley – Travel Guide 3. Sorry on that front 4. Yes, Rohtang Pass will be open 5. Most likely now a days we are having delayed monsoons, so before mid of July it should be fine to travel

I m planning spiti in last week of May .please suggest wats the weather like ?

Astha, weather is pleasant in Spiti with cool nights/mornings in May. The road from Manali – Kaza will not be open though

Thank you for the valuable information and responses. Last year we went to Ladhak and your inputs were very helpful. This year in the 1st week of October we (a group of 9 including 3 couples) want to visit Spiti. 1) Is it the good time for Spiti? 2) We don’t want to do the full circuit, want to know the best and safe route in October (will it be best and scenic beauty?

Kindly advise

October is a bit cold in night and morning but colors are pretty nice. If you plan to do Spiti in first half of October, it should be even fine to make the circuit but as an exception to the normal route, go from Manali side and exit from Shimla side in such a case.

Hi Dheeraj,. I have never been to the hills on bike and i want to have a bike ride trip from delhi to spiti. Please suggest is it safe cz i m planning to go in june. And want to go from shimla route and what arethe conditions of road and how much days i need for this.

Vaibhav, if you have never been on hills with bike, I will not recommend you to take the bike directly to Spiti on your first trip to hills.

Are the roads are that bad and dangerous ?

Yes, the roads are bad as well as dangerous especially in case there is some rain.

Hihihi, we are planning a trip in 26th September shimla-sarhan-kalpa-chitkul-tabo-kaza-keylong-manali..ends up by 10 the of October. Is it a good time for the trip?how will be doing road conditions?will it be safe to visit each places? We have a 6+yrs kid too

Puja, it is fine to travel on this time window, it will be a bit cold though. Road conditions will be best in comparison to the whole season. Since you have a good amount of days in hand, it should be OK.

Thank u for your suggestions. …

Hi,I want to another thing that is what will be the condition of khunzum pass,could we able to pass through it?and is there any chance of getting show throughout the trip?if yes how much and where?

For the last couple of years, even if during that time it snows at Kunzum Pass, it is not too much. May be just a day’s delay. There will be no snow in september – October up there in Spiti.

Hi, I am going to travel Lahaul Spiti at the end of this September by exactly following your itinerary which you have posted under “Spiti valley:most common itinerary”. Just need your suggestion in following points 1. Where to stay in Tabo? 2. I am planning to stay at Kaza for 3 nights instead of 1 night at Mud villege and 2 nights at Kaza. How far is Kaza from Pin valley? 3. Is it possible to cover both Dhankar lake and Pin valley in a single day? 4. Can you suggest any reliable car rental for 10 days Chandigarh to Chandigarh?

Hello Nandini,

1. There are few options in Tabo. TowDhey Guest House, Kunzum Guest House, Siddharth Guest House. 2. Kaza – Pin Valley first village is about 32 KMs apart and but then up to Mud Village, it is about 49 KMs. 3. Yes, you can easily do Tabo – Dhangkar – Pin Valley – Kaza 4. You can get connected directly to some drivers in Himachal or Spiti Valley or Kinnaur Valley at the link: List of Taxi Drivers for Spiti Valley & Kinnaur Valley . These drivers can come and pick you up from Manali / Shimla / Delhi / Chandigarh too, of course with a price of the pickup as well.

Thanks Dheeraj. One more thing, if I stay in Kalpa and plan to do Kalpa-Sangla-Chitkul-Kalpa in a day, is it feasible?

How is the weather during end of September and beginning of October?

You will be coming from Shimla side, right? If yes, then do it first stay at Sangla. Next day do Sangla – Chitkul – Sangla – Kalpa by evening.

It is a fabulous time to travel with lovely fall colors and tons of apples around 🙂

Hi Dheeraj We are planning for one night camping at chandratal. Can you suggest anyone who can arrange that and what are the possible charges?

Hi Nandini,

Please read the accommodation/stay section of article: Delhi to Chandratal Lake Spiti Valley – Travel Guide

Hello Dheeraj, can you suggest some accomodation at Sangla and Chitkul?

Hi Dheeraj, I am travelling to spiti valley in first week of July and completing the whole circuit from manali to shimla. Will it be the best time? Or monsoon will be there?

First week of July should be good to visit Spiti Valley and come back from Manali route.

Hi Dheeraj, we plan to travel to Spiti valley or Leh Ladakh this year after 16th June.. need some help: 1. How many days are required minimum? I can spare 6 days max. Is this trip doable? 2. What’s the best route and best time? 3. I plan to travel with my two young kids- 8 yrs and 5 years. Any precautions?? 4. What do you suggest for that part of year- spiti or Leh- Ladakh?

Looking to hear from you soon.

1. 6 days are not sufficient for a Ladakh trip unless you plan to fly in and out of Leh. 2. Best time for beautiful colors, better roads in comparison is September. 3. In general, it is fine to take the children of such age group because AMS do not matter with respect to age or sex or any fitness level. It can happen to anyone of any age or sex or fitness I shall say :D.. The issue with children is that they tend to exert the body considering it the same kind of place they belong to and this elevates the chances of getting struck with AMS. Secondly, they are not much expressive about their uneasy feelings, so it is parents who need to watch out and take care that the child is not suffering from uneasy feelings, headache or nausea and is behaving properly. With 5+ year child, I think he/she would be able to convey the uneasiness with little efforts. If you notice any such feeling or he/she tells you about such a feeling then please do not ascend anywhere, either descend to lower altitude or stay at the same place to watch things overnight and if symptom increase then start descending immediately. Same is applicable for any adult as well. And yes, do keep the body adequately hydrated!! Also, PLEASE read the article: Traveling to Ladakh with Kids or Babies . This article covers this topic in complete detail. 4. 6 days for both Spiti and Ladakh are too less. For spiti, you can refer: How to make a trip to Spiti Valley in 6 days?

Hey Dheeraj

Thanks for all the updates for Ladhak, last year we planned a trip there. Your blog was of great help 🙂 : )

Now planning for a trip to Spiti. Start date 23rd September and coming back on 3rd October. Want to cover the full circuit. Shimla – Spiti – Manali. Can you suggest is it a good time. Will the manali route be risky to take on those dates.

Regards Rashmi

Yes, Rashmi, that is good time window to travel and you will get a chance to see some vivid colors of Spiti as well as apple loaded trees. Spiti apples are one of the best apples you can ever get a hand on in India 🙂 … You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Spiti Valley followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 10-11 days: Most Common Itinerary for Spiti Valley .

Thanks for the prompt response Dheeraj. I read in your article “Kunzum Pass starts getting snowfall by September end and it can be very tricky and risky crossing over it in no mans land.” our return will be somewhere around that time. We are planning this during Durga Puja holiday so will be difficult to shift the dates. Let me know if there is any other way out here. Else will plan for somewhere else and park Spiti for June next year.

Weather conditions have changed now, Kunzum Pass remains open almost in November too now. So, those dates should be OK to travel almost up to mid of October. After that it becomes windy, desolate and cold.

Thanks dheeraj, That was helpfull and one more advice,if we plan to take our tent -do we need to take permission to install it as we want to make this a complete fun trip and something like a survival by our own.please let me know few other places which can be totally extreme and can we do any trekking on the way as we have a lot many days in hand

You can do the village treks (Kibber – Langza – Komic – Hikkim – Demul – Lhalung) once reach Kaza depending on the days in hand. All these are half day treks. Or for a 2-3 hrs, do the trek to Dhangkar Lake from Dhangkar Monastery. Regarding camps, please read Top 10 Tips for Camping in Ladakh & Spiti Valley

Hi dheeraj,we are conform to travel on 11th from delhi,please suggest how could we do both places,we have 10days in total,we can take any route,please suggest.

So Ankit, you can only make a plan for Spiti Valley and Kinnaur Valley in such a case as roads to Ladakh will not be open. You can plan as below:

Day 1 | Delhi – Narkanda Day 2 | Narkanda – Rakcham/Sangla Day 3 | Rest day in Sangla, visit Chitkul in day time. Day 4 | Rakcham/Sangla- Nako – Geyu Mummy – Tabo Day 5 | Tabo – Dhangkar – Dhangkar Lake – Pin Valley – Kaza — For stay check Sakya Abode or snow lion are two good options at Kaza apart from PWD Guest houses. Get in touch with Tsering, the guy who runs it. He is a very good friend of mine and you can refer my name or DoW to him. Read more about Sakya Abode at: Sakya Abode Kaza – An Enriching Experience in Spiti Valley Day 6 | Kaza Rest and Local Sightseeing — Ki, Kibber, Gette, Tashigang Day 7 | Kaza – Hikkim, Komik, Langza circuit – Kaza, may be in the second half go towards Kunzum Pass or till where the road is open towards it. Day 8 | Kaza – Tabo – Nako – Kalpa Day 9 | Kalpa – Narkanda Day 10 | Narkanda – Delhi

Sir when manali kaza roads gets open

It is expected to open by first week of June. However, it snowed again today, so expect some delay.

Hi please advise as we are planning a trip to kaza on 11th may from delhi and further to leh from shimla route on bike would it be possible at this time of month

No Ankit, the roads from Kaza – Manali and Manali – Leh will not be open by 11th May. So, you cannot make this trip by road.

Hello sir, I am planning to visit Spiti valley in second week of may. Can I find snow along the road?

Rochit, if you travel beyond Kaza towards Kunzum Pass, you will surely find snow around roads in May. This could be a day trip from KAza towards Kunzum Pass to get a feel of tons of snow.

Hi dHEERAJ,

I would like to ask about the route to Kaza. I’m planning to go Spiti on 9th May Night and will come to Delhi on 14th May (NIght). Could you Please let me know about the Route, what should I take to reach there and come back, Is Rohtang route is open? I’m planning to hire a Car “Polo”, would it be fine? Please suggest.

Aanchal, Manali – KAza route is not open and to travel from Shimla – Kinnaur route, it takes 3 days just to reach Spiti and three days to come back. You only have 6 days in hand, so you may not be seeing anything in Spiti but just be on road. Are you sure you want to do it?

Hi dheeraj.

Which is the best travel route for August? And how many days would we require to complete a trip?

Thank you for a great blog.

Blaire, no route is best for August as it is monsoon time and hence, both Kinnaur route and Manali route will offer hassles of monsoons and rains. However, in comparison, route from Manali to Kaza is better as Kinnaur is quite bad & fragile in rains.

Its a awesome post and its great to see how you are replying to all the comments/queries. Thanks !

I am planing a solo bike ride from 16-26 May 2017 for Chandigarh-manali-chandratal-Kaza-shimla-chandigarh. My dates are not flexible.

My queries are: 1. Can i hope rohtang and kunzum to be open enough for a bike… ? 2. I would also like to go to chandratal ….. will it be possible to manage some accomodation in batal and ride upto chandratal and trek the last few kms…. ?? 3. If this trip is totally impossible according to your experience, can you please suggest some other route in remote himalayas for the dates….

Thanks a lot !

Thanks Vikas, glad it is helpful.

It is unlikely that Manali – Kaza road will open by that time of the year. Chandratal road will not be open for sure. Best is to take the trip from Shimla – Kinnaur – Kaza side and hope for Manali – Kaza opens by the time you finish the tour of Spiti else come back the same way exploring Kinnaur.

I was planning to do Spiti trip end April through bus Shimla side. All tickets are already in order. But then just had a crazy idea today. How bout travelling in Chevrolet spark all the way to Kaza and it’s surrounds. Would you recommend it ? We have 9 days in hand ex- Delhi. Thanks.

Well, I have been to Spiti in all sought of vehicles including my sedan as well. So, it is surely possible. Please get in touch with some hotel in Kaza or Tabo to confirm if the road has been opened or not. It will surely take a beating in Kinnaur but it is manageable unless you love your car very much.

Hiiii sir…..well I am planning to visit spiti n doing a solo trip in the month of November will it be a good time to visit? N also I know to drive car but I don’t want to take risk by driving alone. N next thing is that I don’t know how to ride a bike.can you help me in travelling ?

Rutik, by November it gets pretty cold in Spiti Valley. It is possible to travel but I am not sure how much cold sensitive you are. It will be dry and cold in November in Spiti.

Dear Dhiraj,

I am planning to travel to Spiti via Shimla starting 8th May with 2 young children (5 and 9). Would we find good hotels on the way? Please share names of the best hotels at various locations.

Prashant, For stay options in Kinnaur and Spiti, check the link: Some Good Options of Stays in Spiti Valley / Kinnaur Valley .

We are planning to visit Spiti valley in the month of June. From 13th to 18th and places we would like to stay in order are Raksham, Tabo, Kaza, Rohtang. I just want to know is this route possible for us in June and we will be driving Tata Zest and Swift..? Please guide us… Thanks

You are planning a very hectic trip in just 6 days. Also, the road from Manali – Rohtang Pass – Kaza will not be open by that time of the year or would have just opened. Better plan it towards the end of the June. Also, hatches and sedans very much struggle on Manali – Rohtang Pass – Kaza road.

Hi Dheeraj. Great to see that you are replying to all the queries very promptly. Really appreciate. I am Lalit from Bhopal. We are a family of 3 adults. Keeping in view the dates of opening of Kunzum pass I have booked my flights from 15th July to 26th July for a full circuit trip to Spiti valley from Shimla to Manali.

But now I am very anxious as lot of websites are saying this time time would be a rainy season.

I need your advise should I change my dates from 24th June to 5th July or should I stick to the original plan.

Mostly the monsoons are delayed nowadays and July is still a good time to travel to Spiti Valley, IMO. Rather if you look at last few years, June end there are some rains always. Also, once you are in Spiti, you are in rain shadow region and it does not rain much up there.

Sir please tell me if i can complete the whole circuit from shimla side to manali by my swift car or not in the mid June.do i require any permit.

No permit is required if you traveling from Shimla side. Chandratal road may not be open by 15th June, so better that you plan the trip up to Kaza in your car and then take a taxi beyond Kunzum Pass and trek to Chandratal and be back in that taxi.

I’m very much confused to travel spiti in this month…. They are many questions in my mind ! How ? , Which way ?, Where to stay ? , How can I get busses to cover this entire valley ? And much more …. Plz help me with this deeraj sir ! We are not able to plan this area …

Nithin, you mean traveling in the month of April? You cannot do the entire circuit in this month. You have to go from Shimla side and come back the same road.

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