how to plan spiti valley trip

Epic 7 Day Itinerary For Spiti Valley To Experience The Spellbinding Charm Of Middle Land As A Traveler

by Swapnil Sanghavi | Feb 9, 2021 | Himachal , Spiti | 0 comments

Spiti is home to some of most ancient monasteries, highest villages in the world along with insane landscapes. This makes Spiti absolutely worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. Therefore, 7 day itinerary for Spiti will be of a great help for those who are looking to make a brief visit to Spiti.

In my personal opinion, Spiti is a place where even a month will not be good enough to explore the sacred land. But I understand that not everybody has a lot of time. So, 7 day itinerary for Spiti will be great for those who are short on time, but want to get a hang of the middle land.

Best 7 Day Itinerary For Spiti For A Quick Trip To Middle Land

As I said earlier, 7 days are not at all enough to explore Spiti valley. Entering and exiting itself Spiti can take at least 2-3 days. But not everyone can take a lot of time out of their busy lives.

So to experience Spitian culture, villages, monasteries, landscapes in a quick time I have curated not one but a couple of 7 day itineraries for Spiti. By the way, if its your first time to Spiti here is detailed blog on 27 practical tips for Spiti for first-time visitors .

One of them is Spiti circuit Itinerary trip by entering via Kinnaur and exiting via Lahaul with some of the most popular places in Spiti. While the other one is entering and exiting via Lahaul and Manali with some lesser known places.

Epic 7 Days Spiti Valley Itinerary – Experience The Ultimate Spiti Circuit

For this travel Itinerary for Spiti valley, I have considered Kinnaur as the entry point to Spiti and the exit point is the Lahaul route. Of course, entering Spiti via Kinnaur takes a bit longer, but you get to witness the best of both Kinnaur and Spiti.

Also, for this Itinerary I have kept things simple and added the most famous places in Spiti which are a must-visit. By the way here is detailed blog on the best routes for Spiti . This will be really helpful for those looking to visit Spiti for the firs time.

For this Spiti valley Itinerary I have considered the circuit route. That is entering Spiti via Kinnaur and exiting Spiti via Lahaul. Also I have considered famous places that are a must a visit for this Spiti valley Itinerary. So here is run through of places you’ll be visiting on your trip to Spiti. Shimla – Reckong Peo – Tabo – Dhankar – Kaza – Key – Kibber – Langza- Komic – Hikkim – Kunzum La – Manali

For this Spiti valley Itinerary, I have considered the most famous places in Spiti. And I have considered Spiti circuit as the route of this itinerary. So, please note that this Itinerary will be only possible from June to October.

If you are planning to follow this Itinerary after October, then enter and exit via Kinnaur and you should be just fine. The reason you can’t make a circuit trip after October is due to being Kunzum La being closed due to heavy snow after October.

Take an overnight bus directly to Reckong Peo either from Chandigarh or Delhi. HRTC buses leave from ISBT Kashmere gate in Delhi and sector 43 from Chandigarh.

To book tickets online, you can head to HRTC’s online booking website . To book private volvo buses you can use Redbus app or website.

You’ll reach Reckong Peo either in the afternoon or in the evening depending from where you have boarded the bus from that is Chandigarh or Delhi.

Explore Kalpa and Reckong Peo if you have time and overnight at Reckong Peo. Places like Kalpa and Reckong Peo are some of the best places to visit near Spiti which you must visit.

Board an early morning bus to Tabo from Reckong Peo. You’ll reach Tabo by afternoon.

Visit the Gompa at Tabo which is one of the oldest monasteries of our country. Overnight you can stay at Tabo. There are a lot of guesthouses, hotels, homestays in Tabo as per the budget.

Today you’ll be heading the ancient capital of Spiti which is Dhankar or Dhangkar village. Trust me Dhankar is one of the best places to visit in Spiti, such is the beauty of this Spitian village.

Explore the ancient Gompa of Dhankar and if time permits you can also head the celestial Dhankar lake which is one of the famous lakes in Spiti.

There are a lot of homestays in Dhankar. And you should have no problems finding a place to stay as per your budget.

Head to Kaza, the administrative capital of Spiti which is also the biggest town in Spiti. Checkin in the place you have decided to stay and head straight to Key Gompa. Key Gompa is the biggest monastery of Spiti valley.

After paying your respects at Key Gompa, you can head to the pretty high-altitude village of Kibber. Key Gompa and Kibber monastery are quite close to Kaza. So you can easily make a day trip and return back by the dark.

Here is detailed blog on how to reach Kibber village and How to reach Key Monastery . Feel free to check it out.

Today you’ll be heading to some of the highest villages on earth. Langza, Hikkim, Komic are some of the highest villages on earth.

Again, all these villages are quite near to Kaza. So, making a day trip is easily doable. If you are in a group then you should probably hire a private cab.

If you are traveling solo then find like-minded people and hire a cab, that would be quite feasible. Otherwise, it would be difficult to make all of them at once.

Finally your epic trip to the middle land will be coming to a great ending. Today you’ll be heading to Manali while witnessing some of the most scenic landscapes you might have witness in your life.

If you start very early you can even reach Manali via Kunzum La and Atal Tunnel.

Explore the Lesser Frequented Spiti With This 7 Day Itinerary For Spiti

This Spiti valley itinerary for 7 days which I have curated is via Lahaul route both entry and exit. Since the Lahaul route is the fastest way to reach, it is perfect for those who are short on time.

Also, for this itinerary I have included a couple of Lesser known places which usually attracts not so many travelers.

For this Spiti valley Itinerary I have considered a mix of lesser frequented and popular places in Spiti valley. And for this itinerary I have considered Lahaul route for both entering and exiting Spiti. Since it is the fastest way to reach Spiti valley. Here is a brief run through of places you’ll be visiting on your trip to the middle land. Manali – Kunzum La – Kaza – Langza – Komic – Hikkim – Demul – Lalung – Dhankar

For this particular itinerary I have considered a mix of famous and lesser-frequented places. This will enable you to somewhat experience Spiti in a quick time.

If you wish to follow this itinerary, then make sure that your making trip between June-October, as I have considered Lahaul route via Kunzum La which is only open from June to Octobe r. But it is the also the fastest way to reach Spiti valley.

By the way, here is detailed blog on all the safety related questions you might have when visiting Spiti valley. Feel free to check it out.

Board an early morning bus from Delhi ISBT at Kashmere gate. There is one bus departing at 6.40 am from Kashmere gate. You should reach Kullu late in the night and stay there for the night.

Board early morning bus from Kullu at around 4.00 AM. You should easily reach Kaza by 1.00 in the afternoon thanks to Atal tunnel now being operational.

Explore the biggest town in Spiti which is Kaza and rest for the day. And stay overnight at Kaza.

Again, all these villages are quite near to Kaza. So, making a day trip is easily doable. If you are in a group then you should probably hire a private cab. If you are traveling solo then find like-minded people and hire a cab, that would be quite feasible.

Head to the pretty village of Demul today. If you are relying on public transport then you will have to wait till the evening or you can opt of share taxis or hitch hike.

Demul is one of the those villages which offers you a genuine homestay experience with their unique home stay setting. Overnight will be in one such homestay in the village of Demul .

Today you’ll be heading to the village of Lhalung. There is an evening bus to Lhalung but I am not sure very about the timing. But If you want to leave in the morning then you can hire a private cab or use share cabs if at all they are plying.

There is a beautiful monastery in the village of Lhalung which you should definitely visit . Overnight in of the pretty homestays in the village of Lhalung.

By the way, you can check out my detailed blog on 7 celestial monasteries you must visit in Lahaul valley , Spiti counterpart. Feel free to check that out.

Leave Lhalung today and head to the ancient village of Dhankar. Back in the day, Dhankar used to be the capital of the Spiti valley. Trust me the beauty of Dhankar will definitely leave you awestruck.

While there is no public transport from Dhankar to Lhalung directly, but both the places are near to each other. So you can take the help of the locals in case you are relying on the public transport.

Explore the village of Dhankar and do pay your homage at the ancient monastery of Dhankar. And the day will be quite hectic as you have to make it back Kaza for the night.

Bid your goodbyes to the middle land as today you’ll be boarding an early morning 4.00 AM bus to Manali. With Atal tunnel now operational you should be able to reach Manali in the afternoon at around 2.00 PM.

From Manali, board overnight buses to Delhi. There are a lot of buses departing from Manali during evening and night time.

To conclude, I hope that 7 day itinerary will be a great help to you if you are looking to make a quick trip to the Spiti. Personally I feel, that you should have more days in hand if you want to experience Spiti to the fullest.

But I have curated a couple of 7 day itinerary for Spiti in such a way that you get to experience a lot of Spiti without wasting too much time here and there. So, a couple popular places might have been excluded, but then if you have more days in hand then you can explore properly.

Feel free to reach me out if you have any queries and I’ll be happy to help.

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 Itinerary – The Perfect Detailed Guide

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from any qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

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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Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley , my friend, is a hidden gem , a well-kept secret that hasn’t quite made it to the mainstream travel radar. Tucked away in the northeastern heart of Himachal Pradesh, it goes by the name “the middle land” and is snugly cradled between Tibet to the east, earning its affectionate moniker, “the little Tibet.”  

Sitting pretty at a dizzying altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level , Spiti Valley is a living postcard from the mountains. But here’s the kicker – the star of the show is none other than the Spiti River itself, gracefully meandering through this breathtaking landscape. 

Spiti Valley is a captivating canvas, painted with diverse strokes that will leave you awestruck. So, if you’re up for an adventure that promises the allure of the unknown, pack your bags and get ready to explore the enigmatic winter charm of Spiti Valley.

Table of Contents

Is Spiti Valley Worth it?

Let’s dive right into one of the most common questions that pop up when planning a trip the Ladakh vs. Spiti Valley dilemma. And the big one – is Spiti Valley really worth your precious time? and hard-earned money? Well, to put it simply, a resounding YES! Spiti Valley is worth every single minute and penny you invest in it.

This journey will etch itself into your memory, becoming a lifelong treasure trove of experiences. It’s a voyage that serves up a delightful buffet of landscapes and cultures . Picture this: the gradual transition from the lush, emerald hills of Kinnaur to the stark, earthy canvas of Spiti , and then back again to the vibrant greenery of Manali – it’s a visual symphony that’ll leave you spellbound.

Best Time to Visit Spiti Valley 

When should you embark on your Spiti Valley adventure? Let’s break down the seasons to help you choose the perfect time

 1. Visit Spiti Valley in Autumn (September and October): 

Autumn is a splendid time to explore Spiti Valley . The weather is crisp, and the landscapes are adorned with hues of gold and amber. This is when the monsoon has bid adieu, leaving behind clear skies and pleasant temperatures . The roads are in good condition, making it ideal for road trips . Plus, the annual festivals like Losar and Ladarcha Fair add cultural vibrancy to your journey. 

2. Visit Spiti Valley in Winter (November, December, January & February): 

For the adventurous souls, winter in Spiti Valley brings its own magic. The valley is wrapped in a pristine blanket of snow , creating a mesmerizing white wonderland. However, be prepared for extreme cold, as temperatures drop well below freezing Between -15 to -30 Degrees Celcius ). Winters are perfect for those who loves snow, but road accessibility is limited, and some places may be closed due to heavy snowfall. Also, do not travel untill or unless you’re on reliable wheels, in groups, or with professionals .

3. Visit Spiti Valley in Summer (March April May June & July): 

Summer is the peak tourist season in Spiti Valley . The snow begins to melt, revealing lush green valleys and vibrant wildflowers . Roads are fully accessible , making it easier to explore the region. The temperatures are milder, but it’s essential to pack layers as weather conditions can change rapidly, especially at higher altitudes. Summer is also an excellent time for trekking and camping adventures. 

In conclusion, the best time to visit Spiti Valley depends on your preferences. Autumn offers a balance of pleasant weather and cultural experiences, winter provides a unique snowy landscape, and summer brings accessibility and lush beauty. Choose the season that resonates with your travel desires and get ready for an unforgettable Spiti Valley experience.

Places to Visit in Spiti Valley & Things to Do in Spiti Valley

Prepare to be enchanted by the captivating destinations that Spiti Valley has to offer. Here’s a list of places to visit Spiti Valley that will make your journey through this Himalayan wonderland unforgettable:

1. Key Monastery Spiti Valley:

Perched majestically on a hill, Key Monastery is an ancient Buddhist gem. Explore its labyrinthine halls adorned with scriptures and vibrant murals, and take in the serenity of this spiritual sanctuary.

2. Chandratal Lake Spiti Valley:

On the way from Manali to Kaza, Known as the “ Moon Lake ,” Chandratal is a shimmering jewel in the Spiti Valley crown . Camp by its crystal-clear waters, reflecting the surrounding peaks, and be mesmerized by the starlit nights.

3. Dhankar Village:

Visit Dhankar Village, where the ancient Dhankar Monastery and Dhankar Fort dramatically cling to a cliff’s edge. The panoramic views from this vantage point will leave you breathless.

Pin Valley National Park, Pin Valley:

Nature enthusiasts will find solace in the Pin Valley National Park . Spot elusive Himalayan wildlife like snow leopards and ibex amidst the pristine landscapes that beg to be photographed.

Tabo Monastery, Spiti Valley:

Step into the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tabo Monastery, often referred to as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas.” Explore its sacred chambers adorned with centuries-old frescoes and meditation caves.

Kaza, Spiti Valley:

The bustling town of Kaza serves as the heart of Spiti Valley . Meander through its charming streets, immerse yourself in the local markets and engage with the warm-hearted locals to grasp the essence of Spitian life.

Chicham Bridge, Spiti Valley:

Admire the engineering marvel of Chicham Bridge, one of Asia’s highest suspension bridges . It connects the villages of Chicham and Kibber , offering breathtaking views.

Hikkim Village, Spiti Valley:

Visit Hikkim , home to the world’s highest post office . Send a postcard from this remote location and cherish the uniqueness of this experience.

Explore Komic, one of the world’s highest motorable villages . Its stark beauty and remote charm are sure to leave an indelible mark. Don’t forget to have Chai and noodles at the cafe run by Monks.

Discover Langza , where a towering Buddha statue overlooks the village , and fossils from ancient seas can be found. It’s a place where time seems to stand still.

High-Altitude Treks:

Thrill-seekers embark on exhilarating treks such as the Pin Parvati Pass or the Chandratal Lake trek . Traverse rugged terrains and be rewarded with awe-inspiring vistas.

Local Festivals:

If you time your visit right, partake in local festivals like Losar and La darcha Fair. Experience the vibrant culture and traditions that define Spiti Valley.

Stargazing:

With minimal light pollution, Spiti Valley offers some of the clearest night skies . Lose yourself in the Milky Way and constellations as you’ve never seen them before.

Each of these destinations in Spiti Valley is a chapter waiting to be written in your travel story. Whether you seek spirituality, adventure, or a deeper connection with nature, Spiti Valley beckons with open arms. So, pack your bags and embark on a journey of a lifetime.

How to Reach Spiti Valley?

Spiti Valley’s remote location adds to its allure, but reaching this Himalayan paradise requires some planning. Here are the ways to access Spiti Valley:

How to Reach Spiti Valley By Bus:

• Manali to Spiti Valley By Bus : The most common route to Spiti Valley by bus starts from Manali. Manali to Kaza is a breathtaking journey that takes approximately 12-14 hours , depending on road conditions. The route opens during the summer months , typically from June to September , after the snow has melted.
• Shimla Spiti Valley By Bus : Another option is to take a bus from Shimla to Reckong Peo , and from there, take another bus to Kaza . This route is open throughout the year but is longer and may take around 20-24 hours.

How to Reach Spiti Valley By Flight:

• Nearest Airport to Spiti Valley : The nearest airport to Spiti Valley is Kullu-Manali Airport , also known as Bhuntar Airport (IATA: KUU) . After landing here, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Manali and then proceed to Spiti Valley as mentioned above. Please note that flights to Bhuntar Airport are subject to weather conditions, so check in advance.

How to Reach Spiti Valley By Train:

• Nearest Railway Station : The nearest major railway station to Spiti Valley is in Shimla, known as Kalka Shimla Railway . From Shimla, you can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Reckong Peo, and then continue your journey to Kaza. The Kalka to Shimla train covers 94km in 4 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes , hence it’s only suggested to travelers who really want to take this train as an experience, not as a transport.
• Chandigarh : This is one more option for those traveling by train. From Chandigarh you can take a bus or taxi to Shimla and then you can take the Shimla to Spiti route (This route remains open throughout the year). You can also consider Manali to Spiti Valley route in summer.
• Kalka : Some travelers also choose to reach Kalka Railway Station and then take the scenic Kalka-Shimla Railway to Shimla before proceeding to Spiti Valley.

Remember, these are the main ways to travel to Spiti Valley. However, keep this suggestion in mind that traveling there can be quite a challenge due to the rough terrain and unpredictable weather . It’s essential to stay updated on road conditions and consider planning your trip during the summer when most roads are accessible . Also, be ready for some lengthy journeys since reaching Spiti Valley can be quite an adventure. But trust me, the incredible experiences waiting for you make every bit of effort worthwhile.

Places to Eat and Accommodation in Spiti Valley

Exploring Spiti Valley’s stunning landscapes and vibrant culture can work up quite an appetite and call for a cozy place to rest. Here’s a guide to where you can savor local flavors and find a comfortable stay:

Places to Eat in Spiti Valley:

• Local Eateries : Spiti Valley offers a range of small local eateries and dhabas where you can savor authentic Spitian cuisine. Don’t miss out on trying momos , thukpa (noodle soup), and local bread known as tingmo .
• Hotel Restaurants : Many hotels and guesthouses in Spiti Valley have their own restaurants that serve a variety of Indian and continental dishes. These are great places to enjoy a hearty meal while taking in panoramic views.

• Cafes in Kaza : When you’re in Kaza, the primary town in Spiti, you’ll find a handful of Local cafes and bakeries. A few offer a delightful selection of freshly brewed coffee, delicious baked treats, and light snacks. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick snack or just a cup of tea, Kaza’s Local cafes are the perfect spots to satisfy your cravings.
• Homestays : Staying in a homestay not only offers you a cozy place to rest but also an opportunity to savor homemade Spitian cuisine. The hosts often prepare traditional meals, giving you an authentic taste of the region.
• Pack Your Own : In certain remote parts of Spiti, especially when you’re out trekking or camping, you might find it necessary to bring along your own food provisions. It’s a wise move to pack up on essentials such as canned goods, snacks, and an ample supply of drinking water.

Places to Stay in Spiti Valley:

• Hotels : Kaza offers a range of hotels, from budget to mid-range, with comfortable rooms and basic amenities. Some popular options include Hotel Spiti Heritage, Sakya Abode, and Hotel Deyzor.
• Guesthouses : You’ll find guesthouses scattered across Spiti Valley, offering a homey atmosphere and a chance to interact with locals. They often provide simple yet comfortable accommodations.
• Homestays : Staying with local families in homestays is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Spitian culture. These accommodations are cozy and offer a glimpse into the daily life of Spiti’s residents.

• Camping : For adventurous souls, camping is a fantastic option. Several campsites are set up near Chandratal Lake and other scenic spots. Be prepared for basic facilities and, of course, the unbeatable experience of sleeping under the stars.
• Monastery Stays : Some monasteries in Spiti Valley offer basic accommodations to travelers. This is an excellent way to experience the spiritual side of Spiti while enjoying a peaceful stay.

Remember that Spiti Valley is a remote region, so accommodation options may be limited, and amenities can be basic. It’s advisable to book your accommodations in advance, especially during the peak tourist season, to ensure a comfortable stay. Enjoy your meals and rest well to make the most of your Spiti Valley adventure!

Spiti Valley Weather

Spiti Valley’s weather is as diverse as its landscapes. Here’s a seasonal breakdown to help you plan your visit:

Spiti Valley Weather in Spring (March, April & May):

Spring is a time of awakening in Spiti Valley. As winter loses grip, the valley begins to come alive:

Temperature : Daytime temperatures gradually rise during spring, ranging from 5°C to 15°C . However, nights can still be chilly(Sub Zero) , with temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing.

Road Accessibility : Most roads to Spiti Valley start opening up in April , allowing travelers to access the region. Road conditions can be challenging, so be prepared for some rough patches.

Landscape : Spring brings a burst of color as wildflowers bloom across the valleys. The landscapes are a mix of lingering snow and emerging greenery , creating a captivating contrast.

Activities : Spring is an excellent time for high-altitude treks and exploring Spiti’s culture. It’s also when several festivals, such as Losar , are celebrated.

Spiti Valley Weather in Summer (June, July & August):

Summer in Spiti Valley is when the region truly comes to life:

Temperature : Spiti experiences daytime temperatures ranging from a pleasant 15°C to 25°C during the summer , making it the warmest season. The nights can get quite chilly , but it’s rare for temperatures to dip below freezing.

Road conditions : Summer is the perfect season for road trips since most of the region’s roads are open . However, do keep in mind that some high-altitude passes might still have lingering snow , especially in early June. “

Landscape : The valley transforms into a l ush paradise during summer , with vibrant greenery and blooming flowers. Rivers and streams flow vigorously, adding to the scenic beauty.

Activities : Summer offers the best conditions for trekking , camping , and exploring Spiti’s monasteries and villages. The weather is ideal for outdoor adventures .

Spiti Valley Weather in Autumn (September to October):

Autumn is a golden season in Spiti Valley , marked by clear skies and pleasant weather:

Temperature : Daytime temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C , with cooler nights (may dip below subzero) . It’s a comfortable time to visit with fewer temperature fluctuations.

Road Accessibility : Roads remain open during autumn , making it a great time for travel. The monsoon is over, and the region is at its most accessible.

Landscape : The landscapes are a stunning blend of golden hues as the vegetation changes color . The clear skies provide excellent visibility for stargazing .

Activities : Autumn is a fantastic time for trekking and photography. The pleasant weather allows for a leisurely exploration of Spiti’s attractions.

Spiti Valley Weather in Winter (November, December, January & February):

Winter in Spiti Valley is a realm of snow and isolation:

Temperature : Winter brings frigid temperatures, with daytime highs rarely exceeding 5°C and nighttime lows often dropping well below freezing, sometimes reaching -25°C or lower.

Road Accessibility : Most roads to Spiti Valley are closed during winter due to heavy snowfall. The region becomes isolated , and only the Shimla-Kaza route remains open for a limited period .

Landscape : Spiti Valley is blanketed in snow , creating a mesmerizing white wonderland. The stark beauty of the region takes on a serene, tranquil quality.

Activities : Winter in Spiti is for the adventurous few. It’s a time for solitude, meditation, and experiencing extreme cold. Some monasteries remain open, offering unique spiritual experiences.

Choose the season that aligns with your preferences, whether it’s the lush vibrancy of summer or the solitude and snowscapes of winter. Each season in Spiti Valley brings its own charm and allure.

What to Pack for Spiti Valley Trip (Season-Wise List)

Packing for your Spiti Valley trip requires careful consideration of the season you plan to visit. Here’s a season-wise guide on what to pack:

Trip to Spiti Valley in Spring (March, April & May):

• Warm Clothing : Days can be mild, but nights are still cold. Pack layers, including a warm jacket, fleece, and thermal wear.
• Sturdy Footwear : Comfortable and durable trekking or hiking boots are essential for uneven terrains and possible snow patches.
• Rain Gear : Spring can bring occasional showers, so a lightweight, waterproof jacket or poncho is a good addition.
• Sun Protection : Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat are essential due to the strong mountain sun.
• Backpack : A daypack for your essentials and a water bottle for hydration during treks.
• Medications : Basic first-aid supplies and any personal medications.

Spiti Valley in Summer (June, July & August):

• Light Clothing : Days are warm, so pack lightweight clothing like shorts, T-shirts, and breathable pants.
• Warm Layers : Evenings can still be cool, so include a light jacket or sweater.
• Sun Protection : Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat for sun protection.
• Water Bottle : Stay hydrated in the summer heat.
• Trekking Gear : If you plan to trek, bring appropriate gear, including trekking boots and poles.

Spiti Valley in Autumn (September to October):

• Layers: Similar to spring, pack layers for varying temperatures.
• Rain Gear: Be prepared for occasional showers with a waterproof jacket.
• Comfortable Footwear: Sturdy shoes for walking and exploring.
• Sun Protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat are crucial for the still-strong mountain sun.
• Camera: Autumn’s clear skies offer great photography opportunities.

Spiti Valley in Winter (November, December, January & February):

• Heavy Winter Clothing : Thick winter jackets, insulated pants, and thermal wear to stay warm in sub-zero temperatures.
• Cold-Weather Accessories : Warm gloves, a beanie or balaclava, and a scarf to protect against extreme cold.
• Insulated Boots : Waterproof and insulated boots for walking in the snow.
• Snow Gear : If you plan to engage in winter sports or trekking, bring appropriate gear like snowshoes and ice axes.
• Extra Blankets : Some accommodations may not have heating, so extra blankets or a sleeping bag liner can be useful.
• Emergency Supplies : In winter, roads can be unpredictable, so carry emergency supplies like a flashlight, high-energy snacks, and a portable charger. Spiti winters are harsh and rough, Do not travel without expert supervision.

Regardless of the season, don’t forget essentials like a good-quality backpack, reusable water bottle, personal medications, and a power bank. Spiti Valley’s weather can change rapidly, so it’s always wise to be prepared for unexpected conditions.

Essential Travel Tips for Spiti Valley

Traveling to Spiti Valley is an amazing adventure, undoubtedly, but it demands careful planning and preparation due to its remote and challenging terrain. Here are some essential travel tips to make sure your Spiti Valley journey is not only fun but also safe:

• Check Road Conditions : As it’s a high-altitude terrain, There could be multiple reasons for roadblocks. So, Before you set off, make sure to check the current road conditions and weather forecasts . The roads in Spiti can be challenging, especially during winter and early spring.
• Acclimatization : Spiti’s high altitude requires acclimatization. Spend your first day in a lower-altitude town like Kaza to allow your body to adjust to the thinner air .
• Altitude Sickness : Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath. Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol , and consider carrying altitude sickness medication as a precaution.
• Permits : Depending on your nationality and your planned destinations, you might need inner line permits. Check the latest permit requirements and ensure you obtain them in advance.
• Cash and ATMs : ATMs are scarce in Spiti Valley, particularly in remote areas. Carry enough cash , including small denominations, to cover your expenses.
• Fuel : Fuel stations are few (Only in Kaza) and far between, so always fill up your tank whenever you have the opportunity. Consider carrying extra fuel containers , especially if you plan to venture into less-traveled areas.
• Mobile Connectivity : Be prepared for unreliable mobile network coverage in many parts of Spiti (Only Kaza is well-connected). Inform your family and friends about your travel plans and expected return dates.
• Packing Essentials : Pack appropriately for the season you’ll be visiting. Essential items include warm clothing, rain gear, sunscreen, and a well-stocked first-aid kit.
• Respect Local Customs : Show respect for the local culture and traditions. Always seek permission before taking photographs , especially in monasteries.
• Proper Garbage Disposal : Be a responsible tourist by disposing of your garbage correctly. Always do Carry a reusable bag to collect your trash and take it back with you for disposal.
• Booking Accommodation : Especially during the peak tourist season, it’s advisable to book your accommodations in advance . Be prepared for basic amenities in some remote areas.
• Cuisine : While it’s great to try local dishes, prioritize food safety. Opt for well-cooked meals and exercise caution with street food, particularly in places with limited sanitation facilities.
• Travel Insurance : Consider investing in comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and delays.
• Emergency Contacts : Keep a record of essential emergency contact numbers, including local authorities and your country’s embassy or consulate.
• Photography Etiquette : Spiti Valley offers breathtaking photography opportunities, but always request permission before taking photos of people, especially monks and locals.
• Environmental Responsibility : Help preserve Spiti Valley’s pristine beauty by not disturbing wildlife, leaving no trace, and showing respect for the environment.

By following these essential travel tips, you can ensure a memorable and safe journey through Spiti Valley while also contributing to the well-being of the region and its people. Enjoy every moment of your adventure in this remarkable Himalayan destination!

Spiti Valley is a destination that is known for its striking beauty, deep-rooted culture , and untamed landscapes . Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a culture enthusiast, or just someone who cherishes the wonders of nature, Spiti Valley is a place that welcomes all . With its ancient monasteries adding grace to the scenery, high-altitude treks that test your adventurous spirit, and the genuine warmth of the local people, Spiti Valley is a realm where every encounter etches an enduring memory in your heart and soul.

As you chart your course to this remote Himalayan jewel, keep in mind the importance of checking road conditions, acclimatizing to the high altitudes, and preparing for the ever-changing weather conditions that vary depending on the season of your visit. Respect the local customs and environment, and practice responsible tourism to ensure that Spiti Valley remains pristine for generations to come.

With proper planning and a sense of adventure, your Spiti Valley expedition promises to be an unforgettable adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes, cultural immersion, and moments of serenity and awe.

Loved this post? Read our another Complet Travel guide here Explore Sissu Himachal Pradesh – Your Ultimate Travel Guide!!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Spiti Valley

What is the best time to visit spiti valley, do i need a permit to visit spiti valley, are there atms in spiti valley, is spiti valley safe for solo travelers, can i visit spiti valley in winter, what is the local cuisine of spiti valley, are there accommodations in spiti valley, can i use my mobile phone in spiti valley, what are the main attractions in spiti valley, how can i reach spiti valley, share this:.

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• An 8 Days Spiti Valley Trip In 2024 Is The Mother Of All Mountain Escapes In India

23 Mar 2023

Dream of snow-crowned mountains dotted with picture-perfect villages? Fancy a stay amid mountainous terrains outlined by restless rivers making merry on the rocks? If yes, you must plan a vacation in Spiti! The 8 days Spiti Valley trip is the most engrossing vacation you need to revitalize and rediscover yourself.

At a distance of 202 km to the northeast of Manali , the scantily populated land of Spiti separates Indian mainland from Tibet autonomous region. For tourists, it offers everything serene – from lush green land looming into the vastness to pre-historic monasteries resembling paintings on a canvas.

Go around, exploring the picture-postcard villages, crossing narrow mountain passages, and feeling the chilly wind penetrating your skin. As you embrace the wilderness at altitudes touching almost 5000 meters above sea level,  Lahaul-Spiti tour plan perfectly feeds your soul!

About Spiti Valley

Image Source

Unique geographical features make Spiti more desirable by explorers of different age groups belonging to different walks of life. But there are a few things that one must be aware of before sealing the Lahaul Spiti tour plan.

• The average elevation of the entire valley is 4270 m and weather is highly unpredictable.
• The valley boasts of wide varieties of flora and fauna. Snow Leopards and Himalayan Wolves are also spotted in the Pin Valley National Park during winters.
• Trekking and camping are a must when you are in the valley.
• Brace yourself for a detached life when you are in the valley. Network connectivity is obscure and Spitians are pretty cool with it. You may get lucky with BSNL signals at some places.
• The place is almost a mirror image of Tibet in terms of culture and lifestyle.

Best Time To Visit Spiti

May end to the beginning of October is considered the best time to visit Spiti because that’s the time when Shimla – Kinnaur highway is open, which makes the valley accessible to the rest of the world. These are the best months for planning your Spiti Valley road trip.

Temperature

• Summer – Ranges from 18 – 25 degrees celsius
• Winter – Experiences heavy snowfall in the valley region; all mountain passes leading to the valley are blocked making it impossible for any vehicle to enter the region.

Must Read: Couldn’t Get Leh’d During The Summer? Ride To Lahaul And Spiti This September-October!

Is Spiti The Right Destination For You?

Image Source Taking a Spiti Valley bike trip or even a normal trip to this place is every traveler’s muse and is, but is it the right destination for you? Let’s figure out.

With its rough terrains, Spiti is definitely not for the weak-hearted. It faces extreme weather conditions, and you need to pass through risky routes to reach the valley. Expect only basic facilities on the way as well as in the hotels you stay in. In some places, stay options will be limited to monasteries and homestays only. So clearly, a trip to Spiti is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Of the few people who brave these odds to reach Spiti, some seek solace, some do it in the name of adventure, and some are keen to explore the hidden riches in the of the Trans-Himalayan region . Mostly, we see adventure seeking youngsters and mountain lovers taking a Spiti bike trip , or some tired souls who desperately want to unplug from the mundane city life by engaging in meditation and some volunteer work in the valley.

And in case you are an adventure loving couple, who don’t care much about the luxury part of the honeymoon, Spiti is the ultimate destination for you! Begin a new chapter of life in a perfect set up around the colossal sky, vast mountains, and glittering stars, thus making the moments most romantic and perfect.

But Spiti is also a great destination to be in, if you are a wandered and love exploring new lands alone. A Spiti Valley solo trip is an experience that can only be lived and not explained. Extreme tranquility, massive land forms surrounding you, fresh air and so much more! If this though excites you, take a solo trip to Spiti .

If you are among any four of the above – an adventure seeker, a spiritual seeker, or a daring couple who love adventure as crazy as this, here is what Spiti has in store for you!

Suggested Read: 11 Travel Tips For Himachal Pradesh That Will Come In Handy For Your Trip

8 Days In Spiti Trip- Let’s Plan The Best Vacation Of Your Life

7 nights 8 days in Spiti is a fairly long stay. It gives you ample time to see the best places in Spiti and also soak in the beauty of its landscapes and culture. Before we start with the itinerary, here is a quick view of the route:

In the Spiti valley map above, you can see the keystops of the route I am suggesting in the itinerary below.

Route: Manali – Kaza – Ki – Kibber – Tabo – Dhankar – Mud – Pin Valley National Park – Demul – Komic – Hikkim – Langza – Chandratal lake – Rangrik – Ecosphere – Kunzum La Pass – Manali

Here is your Daywise itinerary for your 8 days vacation in Spiti. Take a look!

Day 1: Kaza – Ki – Kibber

A perfect weekend getaway from Manali, Shimla, Chopta, and Kanatal, Kaza is decked up with rocky mountain slopes and bustling market. Kaza has plenty of attractions and boasts of a world-class facility for travelers.

Elevation: 3800 meters

What’s there for youngsters: Yak safari , camping, trekking, go ahead and buy some fuel from world’s highest petrol pump, enjoy the panoramic view of the beautiful village, Cafe Sol , Kibber – Chicham ropeway, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary

What’s there for spiritual seekers: Ki monasteries , Komic village – Asia’s one of the highest village and the only village with polling station in the town

What’s there for honeymooners: There are plenty of places and experiences in Kaza for the honeymooners. Starting with a jeep safari to monasteries, a romantic stargazing session under the colossal sky, and an expedition to snow clad peaks, Kaza leaves everyone asking for more. Local handicrafts, and woolen products at state government handloom center and cooperative society run shops are a few places of interest for honeymooners.

Suggested stay in Kaza: Zostel Spiti, Banjara Retreat, Hotel Spiti Valley, Sakya Abode, Hotel Deyzor

Suggested Read: For The Love Of Mountains And Nature: Young, Wild, And Free In Spiti Valley

Day 2: Tabo – Dhankar

Image Source Located on the banks of Spiti river, Tabo is a dreamy village with humble roads and hospitable locals. Tabo has ancient attractions and things of religious importance that would certainly make your Spiti trip all the more special.

Elevation: 3280 meters

What’s there for youngsters: Prehistoric Tabo caves with plenty of photography options inside monastery complex, Dhankar Monastery (detour of 8 km from the main road, recommended only if you have a booked taxi or your own vehicle), mummy in Giu village (7 km detour from the main road, the village falls 1 km before Sumdo village )

What’s there for spiritual seekers: Prayer session at Tabo Monastery , library with books on Buddhist, a museum with artifacts and photos, prayers offered at Tabo gompa. Water driven prayer wheel in Dhankar, Tabo meditation caves

What’s there for honeymooners: The picturesque view of Tabo caves and local life of Tabo village and adjoining areas offer a lot to explore. A stay at one of the homestays is the best opportunity to interact with the locals at length. Their hospitality is an experience you wouldn’t like to miss. Dhankar lake, rock art, wall paintings, and mud statues, the confluence of Spiti and Pin rivers from Dhankar gompa.

Suggested stay: Tabo Monastery guest house, Dhankar monastery guest house, Dekit Norphel Tiger Den Restaurant

Note: A night stay at the Tabo Monastery is highly recommended for everyone traveling to Spiti to get an experience of a lifetime.

Suggested Read: Travel To These Buddhist Monasteries In India To Find Inner Peace

Day 3: Mud Village – Pin Valley National Park

Image Source While traveling back from Tabo to Kaza, the roads divert in two directions at Atargo bridge . Head left to take the road leading to Pin Valley national Park, heading straight will take you to Kaza. Another 1-hour drive takes you to Pin Valley – a popular reserve of flora & fauna in North India.

Pin Valley National Park boasts of adventurous escapades and lush greenery. It is also home to the rare breed of Snow Leopards.

Altitude: 3500 – 6000 meters

What’s there for youngsters: Sight of picturesque Mudh village – the official entry point of Pin Valley national Park, opportunity to capture amazing shots of vivid flora and fauna, Pin – Parvati trek, ibex and snow leopards (mostly seen during winters)

What’s there for spiritual seekers: Best of flora and fauna in the Himalayas, Sagnam Monastery , Khungri Monastery , stay at Mudh village

What’s there for honeymooners: Nature, wildlife, picture postcard view of valley, brown mountains, hanging glaciers, and fudgy white snowfields

Suggested stay: A homestay in the Mudh village is recommended by people who have already been there

Note: Don’t be too preoccupied with the thought of spotting the snow leopard, they rarely come down below an altitude of 5000 meters, if they do it’s mostly during the winters.

Suggested Read: 26 Spellbinding Places To Visit In Spiti Valley For A Surreal Holiday

Day 4: Demul – Komic – Hikkim – Langza

Image Source These villages fall in the fossil zone in Spiti and form the most amazing belt for sightseeing. In the  Lahaul-Spiti tour itinerary , a tour of these villages is of the unique experiences you can have here.

Altitude: 4580 meters

What’s there for youngsters: Komic village – the second highest village in Asia, fossils near Langza village, highest post office in the world in Hikkim, Demul – the village with only one telephone, picture-perfect locations around Komic monastery for photo bugs

What’s there for spiritual seekers: Komic monastery, village tour, the gigantic golden Buddha statue in Langza with snow capped mountains is a near-perfect spectacle

What’s there for honeymooners: Go around for a romantic walk with your partner in the picture perfect environs of the Komic village, write a letter to family/friends and post it from the highest post office in the world .

Suggested stay: Homestay in Langza

Suggested Read: 23 Offbeat Destinations In Himachal Pradesh That Will Help You Calm Your Senses

Day 5: Langza – Chandratal Lake

Langza to Chandratal is a 5.5-hour drive and it is recommended to start early in the morning, mostly by 7 am. Motorable road ends a kilometer before the lake and the remaining distance must be covered on foot.

Chandratal – a crescent-shaped lake makes for one of the most awe-inspiring escapades. It is one of the key highlights of the 8 days Spiti Valley trip. The lake has also remained in the news after people confirmed UFO-like objects sighted in the area.

Altitude: 4250 meters

What’s there for youngsters: Campsite – 2 km before the lake, picturesque view of frozen lake (before the onset of summer) with majestic mountains in the backdrop, ideal photography set

What’s there for spiritual seekers: An ultimate place for solace seekers, Chandratal Lake is a perfect peaceful retreat for soul searching. Come here to bask in the charm Chandratal’s natural beauty.

What’s there for honeymooners: Thrill and romance define the moments spent by the Chandratal lake – one of the highest lakes in India . Here you can go trekking and camp by the lake’s side. Also, at 4000 meters plus altitude, nothing beats the crazy view of twinkling stars in Spiti.

Suggested stay: Banjara Camps, Parasol Camps, and Retreat, self – camping by the lake, Himalayan Quest Chandratal Camp

Suggested Read: 50 Of The Most Beautiful Places In India You Have To See To Believe!

Day 6: Activities In Rangrik

As you get back to Kaza the next morning, you can spend the day at leisure or youngsters can take up some adventure activities in the Spiti river. River rafting in Spiti river is one of the most adventurous things to do in your Lahaul-Spiti tour itinerary.

Altitude: 3800 meters

What’s there for youngsters: Make your 8 days Spiti valley trip even bigger and better as you get a booking for river rafting session in Spiti river. Rafting in Spiti is one of the most exciting things to do in the valley. Even better the exceptional escapade here keeps your eyes glued to it.

What’s there for spiritual seekers: Not much, spend the day at leisure by going for a walk in the village and exploring more about the place.

What’s there for honeymooners: Take some private moment and go around Kaza or you can make the day more exciting by booking a river rafting session in the Spiti river.

Suggested Read: Spiti Valley In August: A Guide For Visiting The Heaven In The North

Day 7: Ecosphere

Spend a day amid the environment unique environment of Ecosphere headquartered in Kaza. Of many, you can take up volunteer traveling programs that they have to offer while spreading a word about responsible traveling . Spiti and Pin Valley come in the Carbon Neutral zone, and Ecosphere constantly runs programs for the betterment of the environment.

Altitude: 3850 meters

What’s there for youngsters: Volunteer travel, photo tour, experience of responsible traveling, experience of wild habitats

What’s there for spiritual seekers: An experience of sustainable living, organic farms, sustainable practices initiated in the valley, spiritual sojourn

What’s there for honeymooners: Local handicrafts of Spiti, eco-friendly tour programs, volunteer activities

Suggested stay: Traditional homestays

Suggested Read: These 7 Spiti Valley Hotels Are The Perfect Places To Blend In The Local Himalayan Culture

Day 8: Kunzum La Pass – Manali

Image Source You can end your 8th day Spiti valley tour on a high by taking a break at Kunzum La Pass while getting back to Manali . The pass is your official exit from the Lahaul Spiti valley. With snow-capped peaks, and hundreds of prayer flags fluttering around, Kunzum Pass is a piece of paradise! By visiting this place at the end, you’d ensure the best 8 days trip to Spiti Valley .

Elevation: 4590 meters

What’s there for youngsters: Camping, driving session one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world, nature photography

What’s there for spiritual seekers: Sign off from the wonderland of Spiti by seeking divine blessings. Offer your prayers at the temple of goddess Kunzum, and look around, you’ll find nature thanking you for being there.

What’s there for honeymooners: Look around and you will find too much of nature’s awesomeness overloaded everywhere. Kunzum Pass acts as a topping on your Lahaul-Spiti tour plan. Bara-Sigri – the second longest glacier in the world, surreal view of Chandra – Bagha mountains, and Spiti valley.

Suggested Read: 18 Things To Do In Spiti Valley That Would Satisfy Your Wanderlusting Soul

How To Reach Spiti Valley?

By air – If you want to go for a Spiti Valley tour from Kolkata , then your flight would land either at Bhuntar Airport or Kullu Airport . The distance from there is approximately 245 km that you can cover via a cab which is easily available from the airport.

By rail – The nearest major railhead to Spiti is Shimla Railway Station . The valley can be reached by a cab from the railway station.

By road – Reaching Spiti by road is mostly preferred by travelers. Government buses, as well as private vehicles, ply from Manali and Shimla to Spiti.

Manali to Spiti is a 4-hour journey . It is preferred because it is less time consuming (195 km), easily accessible, less prone to landslides, and crosses the iconic Kunzum Pass and Rohtang Pass . A bus from Manali to Spiti runs every day from 6 am from mid-June to September. That’s the time the road to Spiti is open for public use.

P.S: No permits are needed to enter the valley. Only if you take the Shimla route and enter the valley from Kinnaur side you would be required to take a permit.

Note: Given the number of detours that you would be required to take during the 8 days Spiti Valley trip, it is recommended to travel to Spiti in your own vehicle or book a taxi from Manali.

Further Read: Test Your Grit, Take The Spiti Valley Trek

Lahaul Spiti never turned its back on a single soul! So, what are you waiting for? Get packed, book your trip to India with TravelTriangle and go, find out what’s in there for you! Let the cold mountains welcome you warmly.

Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spiti Valley Trip

Is it safe to travel to Spiti valley during COVID times?

You need to follow all the mandatory guidelines mentioned by the government such as maintaining social distance, wearing a mask at public places, washing or sanitizing hands after entry & exit, etc.

When should I go to Spiti?

April to mid-May is the time when you should visit Spiti.

What is Spiti valley famous for?

Spiti Valley is famous for its old monasteries, cold deserts, and stargazing scenes at night. The valley has a tourist appeal due to its natural beauty, lush green landscapes and a serene environment.

How do I get to Kaza Spiti?

To reach Kaza Spiti, the nearest airport is Bhuntar (250km) and Shimla (445km). From the airports, Kaza can be reached via road by hiring a cab.

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The Ultimate Travel Planner for Visiting the Spiti Valley

A Less-Touristy Alternative to Ladakh in Himachal Pradesh

The spellbinding Spiti Valley, located in Himachal Pradesh in India, is often proclaimed by those who see it to be world within a world. With an average height of around 12,500 feet above sea level, it consists of stark high-altitude alpine land. This is scattered with small villages and monasteries, and enclosed by soaring peaks crowned with snow.

Spiti is bordered by Ladakh in the north, Tibet to the east, Kinnaur to the south east, and the Kullu Valley to the south. It shares the same religion as Tibet -- Tibetan Buddhism.

The majority of people who inhabit the area are farmers who produce crops of barely, wheat, and peas. They rise early every morning to attend to their crops. Only one crop per year is possible, due to the extreme weather.

Climate in Spiti

Spiti receives heavy snow fall during the winter. This results in many villages being completely cut off from the rest of the valley. The ideal time to visit Spiti is from May to October. During this time, the weather is sunny and pleasant. Spiti is also the most accessible during these months.

Altitude Sickness

Due to Spiti's high altitude, special care must be taken to avoid altitude sickness. You should allow a couple of days to acclimatize before heading up to the higher villages in Spiti. In addition, you should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Plan Your Trip to Spiti

Scroll through the following pages of this Spiti travel guide to plan your trip to amazing Spiti. Your experience is sure to be a memorable one, as Spiti is such a unique travel destination.

How to Get to Spiti

Spiti isn't that far away from the rest of India in terms of distance. Yet, due to the condition of the roads, it's not possible to get to Spiti quickly or easily. Even though the drive to Spiti is long, it's far from boring. The ever changing scenery is so stunning, it's unlikely that you'll be tempted to take even the shortest of naps.

There are two routes leading to Spiti. These are from Manali, and from Shimla.

• Manali to Spiti -- the distance from Manali to Spiti is a little over 200 kilometers (125 miles). It can be covered in eight to 12 hours, depending on whether you go by bus or by jeep, and the condition of the road around Rohtang Pass near Manali. It's best to leave Manali as early in the morning as possible (before 6 a.m.), to avoid major traffic congestion and delays at Rohtang Pass. Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass are covered in snow for most of the year, with the roads only open from May to October. Therefore, it's only possible to travel from Manali to Spiti during these months. (Note: the road has been opening in late June or early July as opposed to May in recent years). Nevertheless, this route remains the most straightforward way of getting to Spiti. It's also very popular with motorcycle enthusiasts. There's a police checkpoint at Losar village, at the entrance to the Spiti Valley, where foreigners are required to produce their passport and register their details.

To get an idea of what to expect along the way from Manali to Spiti, check out this Manali to Spiti Photo Gallery .

• Shimla to Spiti (via Rekong Peo in Kinnaur) -- the distance from Shimla to Spiti is around 420 kilometers (260 miles). It can be covered in about 20 hours by bus or 16 hours by jeep along the Hindustan Tibet Road. The journey is arduous and best broken up by a stop in Rekong Peo. If you take this route, be aware that foreigners must get an Inner Line permit from the District Collectors office in either Shimla or Rekong Peo. The permits allow travel in the restricted area from Rekong Peo to Tabo. According to the rules, such permits are only issued to groups of two or more people traveling together. However, the office at Rekong Peo is less strict about enforcing this (and less busy too).

Which Route Should You Take?

Both routes have their advantages or disadvantages. Although it's significantly longer, a major benefit of the Shimla to Spiti route is its gradual ascent. This allows for better acclimatization and reduced risk of altitude sickness. The route is also open all year round, except for when there's heavy snowfall in Kinnaur and really inclement weather. Plus, you'll be able to avoid the inconvenience of having to go through Rohtang Pass. The dramatic and at times hair-raising Hindustan Tibet Road is an adventure in itself. Foreigners may not want waste time (two to four hours) getting an Inner Line Permit for this route though. If you have enough time, you can do a complete circuit -- arriving at Spiti by one route and departing by another.

Types of Transport

If you don't have your own vehicle, taking a taxi is the easiest way of getting to Spiti. However, it's expensive! You can expect to pay 8,000-10,000 rupees for a private jeep taxi from Manali (this price will reduce to about 3,500 rupees per day if you book the vehicle for the whole trip including return), or about 1,000-2,000 rupees per person in a shared taxi depending on the size of the vehicle. Buses are cheaper and cost about 400 rupees per person. There are two Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation services a day from Manali to Kaza, and they depart really early in the morning (5 a.m. and 5.30 a.m).

Expect to pay more from Shimla to Spiti. Bus services from Shimla run to Reckong Peo, and then from Reckong Peo to Kaza. You can choose to depart Shimla either early in the morning or in the evening.

Villages in Spiti

Spiti has a total population of around 10,500 people. These people inhabit villages spread over three levels of altitude -- lower, middle, and upper -- with Kaza being the region's main administrative center. Kaza, with an altitude of 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) above sea level is in the upper region, and is popularly used as a base by travelers.

These spectacular photos of the Spiti Valley show its stark beauty.

A trip to Spiti wouldn't be complete without exploring the villages, and discovering exactly what it’s like to inhabit such a remote, high altitude environment. The harsh winters force residents to stockpile food and remain housebound for months at a time. During this period, they occupy themselves by making handicrafts.

There are a number of villages in the Spiti Valley that are of interest:

• Kibber -- once the world's highest village with a motorable road and electricity, it's located not far from Kaza at 14,200 feet (4,270 meters) above sea level. It's popular with travelers and has a few laid-back guest houses.
• Komic -- Asia's highest village with Spiti's highest monastery at an altitude of 15,049 feet (4,587 meters) above sea level.
• Langza -- known for its fossils, is a small village with a huge and colorful statue of Lord Buddha presiding over it. It has an altitude of 14,500 feet (4,400 meters) above sea level.
• Demul -- is a lively and alluring village, with a captivating vista at 14,300 feet (4,360 meters) about sea level. It's an excellent place to spend a day or two at a homestay. It's also becoming Spiti's model sustainable village, with solar power and waste management.
• Lhalung -- located at a height of 12,000 feet (3,660 meters) above sea level, is rich in diverse flora including Seabuckthorn trees.
• Dhankar -- is a large and remarkable village, that was once the capital of Spiti. Located 12,760 feet (3,890 meters) about sea level, the village is an unforgettable sight as it balances precariously on the edge of the cliff face. Attractions include the Dhankhar monastery, ruined fort, lake, and awe inspiring views. (Foreigners require a permit for this area, obtainable in Kaza).
• Hikkim -- has the world's highest post office.
• Giu -- has a 500 year-old mummy.

Monasteries in Spiti

There are five main Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Spiti -- Ki, Komic, Dhankar, Kungri (in the Pin Valley) and Tabo. Visiting these monasteries is a fascinating experience. Inside, they're filled with mystical dimly lit rooms and ancient treasures. You’ll be able to unearth well preserved artwork, scriptures, and statutes as you delve into the Tibetan Buddhist religion.

The monasteries have significant influence over the lives of Spiti’s inhabitants. Tradition requires that families donate their second eldest son to the monastery in their area, or pay a hefty (and usually unaffordable) fine.

• Ki Monastery -- located not far from Kaza, Ki Gompa is the largest and most accessible monastery in Spiti. It's full of narrow stairways, box like rooms, and courtyards. The monastery rewards those who enter with a magnificent view over the valley. Another highlight is seeing the bedroom that the Dalai Lama slept in during his visit to the monastery. Don’t miss the annual three day Chaam festival, featuring masked dancing monks, that's held at the monastery in late July.
• Tabo Monastery -- founded in 996 AD, Tabo is the oldest monastery and has an important role to play. The Dalai Lama will retire from his duties there. Although Tabo is located two hours from Kaza, it's well worth a visit. There are nine temples in the complex, as well assembly hall, captivating statues, incredibly beautiful art work, and a public library. You'll also find meditation caves nearby. (Foreigners require a permit for this area, obtainable in Kaza).
• Dhankar Monastery -- it's the spectacular rocky setting that makes this monastery special. The sculptures and frescoes are also interesting. (Foreigners require a permit for this area, obtainable in Kaza).
• Komic Monastery -- this small monastery is perched on a desolate hilltop overlooking Asia's highest village.

What to Do in Spiti

To make the most of your trip to Spiti, you'll want to get out and about, and explore its essence. There are a wide range of options for immersing yourself in the attractions that Spiti has to offer.

• Trekking -- adventure enthusiasts love trekking in Spiti. Opportunities are almost endless. Some well-known treks are Pin-Parvati, Parang- La, and Pin-Bhaba. Village to village treks are also popular, such as the one from Kaza to Demul via Komic. It’s possible to visit less frequented areas as well.
• Yak Safari -- if you're not up for trekking (which does require excellent fitness and stamina!) a yak safari is a perfect alternative. Each village family usually owns one yak, which they let roam freely during the summer. Your safari will take place on one of these yaks, fetched by the village boys. A yak safari from Komic to Demul villages takes around four hours, including a stop for lunch.
• Cultural Performances -- Demul and Lhalung villages are renowned for their cultural shows, featuring traditionally dressed dancers and live music.
• Tracking Endangered Wildlife -- track India's exotic and endangered Snow Leopard and Himalayan Wolf in the Pin Valley National Park and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Mountain Biking -- traverse little known valleys and plateaus on a mountain bike.
• White Water Rafting -- the Pin and Spiti rivers offer some great white water rafting opportunities.
• Excursions to villages and monasteries.
• Volunteering.

All these activities can be arranged by Ecosphere Spiti , a highly recommended and award winning organization, based in Kaza. Ecosphere has a committed focus on conservation, responsible tourism, and sustainable development.

Adrenaline junkies who want to experience everything should check out Ecosphere's 12 Day Classic Spiti Adventure trip. It combines trekking, biking, yak safari, and whitewater rafting. Departures run from June to October.

Where to Stay in Spiti

You'll find a range of comfortable hotels, guesthouses, and backpacker hostels in Kaza and Kibber.

In Kaza, expect to pay around 1,000 rupees upwards per night for a clean room, with western toilet and 24 hour hot water. Hotel Deyzor is undoubtedly the most popular place to stay, with rooms from 1,400 rupees per night. The next best option is Sakya Abode (in the new part of town). Kaza now has a Zostel hostel and notably it's Asia's highest backpacker hostel. There are dorms, tents, and private rooms. The Traveller's Shed is another new budget option, with dedicated service center for bikers.

Accommodations in Kibber (where backpackers hangout) are cheaper, and more basic. There a number of guest houses to choose from. The best place is Norling Guest House at the entrance to the village, with rooms from 1,200 rupees per night. They offer tours as well as accommodations with balconies. Plus, beer on request.

One of the most fascinating things that you can do in Spiti is to stay in one of the villages with a local family. The rustic homestays are are all very similar in terms of facilities, although each village differs in its nature, and cost around 3,000 rupees per night including meals. Be prepared to use traditional composting toilets, which are not much more than a hole in the ground.

While staying in Spiti’s villages, you’ll be able to dine on delicious home made local cuisine, often consisting of momos (vegetable dumplings), thukpa and thenthuk (hearty noodle soups).

Ecosphere Spiti arranges homestay accommodations for travelers.

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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

To call Kibber beautiful would be putting it lightly – arid landscape, rocky mountains, meadows covered in vibrant wildflowers, and all this paired with pristine pollution free environment. Stargazers and photography lovers flock alike to Kibber to gaze at the unsurpassed, exquisite view of the Milky Way. Go to the nearby Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and witness the amazing fauna of Himachal – ibex, blue sheep, red fox, snow leopards, wolves etc. You can visit various tiny monasteries around or go hiking on the small trails around the village. The locals are friendly and offer a warm and comfortable stay, if not the most luxurious, with both Indian and Tibetan home cooked food. Location: Lahul and Spiti Valley Best time to visit: October to February

Top Experiences To Do in Kibber

Dhankar monastery.

The Dhankar Monastery of Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley is like stepping into a spiritual oasis among the rugged terrain.It is more than a millennium old and perches dramatically on a cliff, offering breathtaking Himalayan views as well as solace.Visiting this site feels like standing still in time, allowing you to connect with yourself and the earth beneath you.The Dhankar Monastery welcomes all who wish to experience its profound sense of peace and history, whether seeking serenity, cultural insight, or simply awe-inspiring beauty.

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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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 2023.

Our Spiti valley circuit tour departures are scheduled for the third week of June, first week of July and between 1-15th September 2023. 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 melt 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
• 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 to Tabo)

Village walk in Charang (altitude 3400 mtr) and visit Rangrik monastery which is more than thousands 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 the oldest monastery of Himachal , Tabo. Overnight at a hotel/homestay.

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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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 itinerary – How to plan

Hey Traveller, you landed on this blog post as you were searching for a ready-made itinerary to visit Spiti valley . In this Blog post I have tried to address your query and I have tried my best to provide you a perfect itinerary for Spiti valley trip. I hope this blog be helpful, if you are also planning a self-drive trip to Spiti. I hope the below itinerary suits your vacation time period. If not , then please comment below your number of vacation days and I can provide you a customized travel Spiti Valley itinerary.

There are two routes to reach Spiti valley. The first route starts from Shimla. The second route starts from Manali. You have an option to start your trip from Shimla and end your trip at Manali or vice versa, this is called Spiti circuit tour. So, let me first tell you an itinerary for Spiti circuit tour.

Spiti valley circuit – A 7 day Itinerary

Spiti itinerary from shimla.

Day 1 – Start early from Shimla and reach Kalpa . I would suggest to start at least by 7AM from shimla. Reach Narkanda by 9-9:30 AM and have your breakfast in Narkanda . After breakfast start your journey towards Rampur . Once in Rampur, have your lunch and start your journey towards kalpa. Once you are in Kalpa, visit the famous suicide point. Cherish the valley view from this vertical cliff. Night stay in Kalpa

Day 2 – Wake up to mesmerizing view of the Kinner Kailash . Try to start your day early. Stroll through the Kalpa village and reach the famous Chandika killa temple and Narayan nagini temple. These temple premises are an amazing piece of architecture. Have your breakfast and then start your journey towards Nako. Once you are at Nako Enjoy the amazing views from here, then visit the Nako lake and Nako monastery. Now, start your journey to Gue village to visit the Gue monestary. After visiting Gue, travel to Tabo and Night Stay in Tabo .

Day 3 – Visit Tabo Monestary, Tabo caves and head towards Dhankar. Visit the Dhankar monestary and if you like trekking you can trek to Dhankar lake. Night stay in Dhankar. or if you dont want to trek then travel to less visited Maneyogma Village and have your night stay there.

Day 4 – Start your travel to pin valley . Enjoy the picturesque views of the pin valley. On your way, visit the kungri monastery and also keep halting on the way to cherish the views of the valley. Reach Mud village . Explore the village and night stay in Mud village.

Day 5 – Have your breakfast and start your travel to Kaza. Once you reach kaza, visit the Kaza monastery and move on to visit Langza, Hikkim and Komic. Night stay in Kaza.

Day 6 – Start your day early and head on to visit key monastery. Then visit Kibber and if you have time then visit Tashigong as well. Now, start your journey towards Kunzum pass. On the way you’ll also see the the Chicham bridge. Cross the Chicham bridge and start your travel towards kunzum pass. Cross kunzum pass and reach Chandtratal. Night stay at chandrataal .

Day 7 Visit chandrataal lake and travel to Manali. End your trip at Manali .

Spiti Itinerary from Manali

Day 1 – Start from Manali and reach chandrataal. Visit the Lake and night stay at Chantrataal.

Day 2 – Start your journey towards kunzum pass. After visiting kunzum pass travel towards Kibber village. On the way to Kibber village visit chicham bridge. visit the tashigong village and Night stay in Kibber.

Day 3 – Start from Kibber and visit the Key monestry and move on to visit langza and hikkim komic and head towards Kaza. Night stay in Kaza.

Day 4 – Visit the Kaza Monestary and travel to pin valley. Reach mud village and explore the village. Night stay in Mud.

Day 5 – Have breakfast and travel to Dhankar. Visit the Dhankar monestary and head towards Tabo. Visit the Tabo caves and the Tabo Monestary and Night stay in Tabo.

Day 6 – Start your travel towards Gue village. Visit the Gue monestary and head towards Nako. Visit Nako lake, Nako monestary and head towards Kalpa. Night stay at Kalpa.

Day 7 – Wake up to mesmerizing view of the Kinner Kailash. Try to start your day early and Stroll through the Kalpa village and reach the famous Chandika killa temple and Narayan nagini temple. Then have your breakfast and head on to visit the famous suicide point. Cherish the valley view from this vertical cliff and then start your journey towards Shimla. End your trip in Shimla

Spiti valley itinerary 8 days from Shimla

The complete Spiti Circuit can’t be completed if kunzum pass is closed. It mostly opens in the month of April. So, a lot of people visit Spiti valley from Shimla and without crossing the Kunzum pass they travel back to Shimla. This itinerary is for such condition.

Day 1 – Start from Shimla and reach Kalpa. Night stay at Kalpa.

Day 2 – Wake up to mesmerizing view of the kinner Kailash mountain. After breakfast visit the travel attractions in Kalpa. Checkout from the hotel in the after noon and start your journey towards Nako. Visit the Nako lake and Nako monestary and night stay at Nako.

Day 3 – Have breakfast and travel from Nako to Gue monastery. Visit the Gue monastery and travel to Tabo. Visit Tabo Caves, Tabo Monastery night stay at Tabo.

Day 4 – After Breakfast, start you journey towards Dhankar. Visit the Dhankar Monastery and then travel to pin valley. Reach Mud village and explore the village. Night stay in Mud village.

Day 5 – Start your day early and travel to Kaza. Head on to visit langza, hikkim and komic. Come back to Kaza and spend the night in Kaza.

Day 6 – Visit key monastery then move on to visit Kibber and chicham bridge. Cross the Chicham bridge and reach kunzum pass. visit the Kunzum pass and return towards Kaza. While coming back from Kunzum pass you can stay at beautiful village, Pangmo or else you can travel back to Kaza.

Day 7 – Start early from Kaza and reach Rampur Bushahr.

Day 8 – Visit the Rampur palace and get back to Shimla.

I hope the above itinerary suits your vacation time period. If not, then please comment below your number of vacation days and I can provide you a custom travel itinerary to Spiti Valley.

How much days required for Spiti Valley trip ?

It takes time to reach Spiti valley. 1 Day you need to reach there and 1 day you need for travelling back. Minimum 2 days you will require to travel to and from Spiti valley. Hence, if you are having time crunch, you can have a 4-day trip. But, if you want to travel all the major areas, then 7-10 days itinerary can be prepared, and you can have a good visit to the spiti valley.

What is the best time to visit spiti valley?

The ideal months to plan your Spiti valley trip would be April, may, June, September and October. I would like to warn against any travel to Himachal in July and August. This is the peak monsoon season in Himachal and landslides are quite common. Also, if you are traveling to spiti valley from Manali then May and June months are ideal to travel.

Also Read – Spiti Valley Trip – Travel Blog series

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

Rudyard Kipling has described Spiti Valley as ‘A world within a world’. It is perhaps the most peaceful, and one of the least populated areas in India. Spiti lies on the Tibetan plateau and has an average elevation of over 3500 meters. Spiti Valley serves as both a research hub and a cultural center for Buddhists, drawing visitors with its unique attractions. Among its highlights is the Key Monastery, renowned as one of the world's oldest monasteries and a personal favorite of the Dalai Lama. The valley has also been a captivating backdrop for numerous Bollywood films, including "Paap," "Highway," and "Milarepa," which narrates the adventurous biography of one of Tibetan Buddhism's most celebrated saints. To explore this rich tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty, you can check out Spiti Valley trip packages . These packages can help you plan a well-rounded and insightful journey through this culturally significant and visually stunning region. Whether you're interested in spirituality, history, or the cinematic allure of Spiti, these packages can make your trip both enjoyable and enriching.   Lahaul and Spiti district is surrounded by high mountain ranges. The Rohtang Pass, at 13,054 feet (3,979m), separates lahaul and Spiti from Kullu Valley. A road connects the two divisions, but is cut off frequently in winter and spring due to heavy snow.

Prime time to visit Spiti Valley:

The best time to visit Spiti is from March to June. The ones who are into a relaxing vacation should visit Spiti during this season when the temperature ranges from 0⁰C to 15⁰C, which starts from March and lasts until June. Winters in Spiti are for the daring. The road connectivity is unreliable during the winters with Manali- Kaza highway being cut-off. The snow leapord expedition is one activity that takes the cake during this season. It is best to avoid planning a trip to Spiti during the monsoons months (July- September), since the continuous heavy rainfall, followed by landslides and slippery roads, may spoil your holiday mood to a great extent.

Best conveyance and routes for Spiti:

Spiti Valley is situated at a distance of roughly 235 km from the hill station of Shimla. Given below is a route map you can follow to reach the Valley via Kinnaur Valley starting from Shimla: 1. Delhi- Narkanda - Reckong Peo or Kalpa or Sangla- Tabo(Spiti) 2. A minimum of three days will be needed to reach Spiti from Shimla, over NH05. 3. It is also recommended to travel to Spiti Valley over Hindustan- Tibet Highway as it is one of the most scenic routes to reach Spiti.

Read Blog:  10 Most beautiful places to visit in Spiti Valley ( Expert Guide ) By bus You can take a bus from Chandigarh to Shimla or Reckong Peo and then you can travel to Kaza by taking a bus between Reckong Peo to Kaza. From Shimla, the bus to Reckong Peo operates daily at 5:00AM. Two HRTC buses run regularly between Shimla and Kaza every day, one early in the morning, while the other in the evening.

By trains: 1. Via Chandigarh- the best option among these three would be to reach Chandigarh first by train and then to Spiti Valley by taxi or bus. 2. Via Shimla- you can also board the Kalka- Shimla toy train that travels between Shimla and Kalka. (trains that run between Kalka to Shimla: Rail Motor, KLK SML Pass, Kalka Simla EXP, Shivalik DLX EXP, and Himalayan Queen.) 3. Via Jogindernagar- it is the nearest railway station to Spiti Valley located at around 160 km from Manali. To board this train you’ll first have to reach Panchkot, and from here you board the toytrain that will drop you at Jogindernagar. (trains that run between Pathankot to Jogindernagar: PTK JDNX PASS Daily, PTK JDNX PASSENGER Daily.)

By air: The best way to reach Spiti by air is from Delhi, Chandigarh, or Jubbar- Hatti of Shimla, whichever falls closer to your location. The flights mostly run in the morning, and the major airline is Air India. The flights will take you directly to Kullu Airport. Major cities like Mumbai and others are also interconnected to the airport, via the three primary options.

Best packing strategy for Spiti:

Here’s a list ranging from essentials,

1. ID Card: Mandatory to carry a government approved photo ID Address Proof (i.e. Aadhar/Passport/Voter’s ID/DL and PAN CARD) 2. Bags: One big bag for clothes, a smaller one for meds and other valuables and gadgets and other personal and body care essentials etc. Waist bags bags can be very useful and handy. 3. Medicines: Meds for headache, fever, stomach ache, cold and cough syrup and motion sickness maybe required by you too. Also carry any other medicines, specific to your health conditions. 4. Clothes: Its best to wear layers as temperature can change rapidly in terrains such these. Hence wear layers as its convenient to add/subtract layers as and when needed. Make sure apart from your regular clothes carry sweaters, gloves, caps etc. comfortable lowers will make your journey a lot better. Woolen socks will keep your feet warm. Crocs/slippers preferably which is wearable with socks. Comfortable walking shoes with good grip. 5. Body Care: Lip balm (glycerin is must for cold weathers), UV sunglasses (UV rays in high altitude can be quite damaging to our eyes), Sunscreen lotion (UV rays at high altitude are quite damaging to our skin it can cause severe sun burns and wrinkles which lead to make us look aged and old sooner), Moisturising lotion/Mustard oil (cold season demands for extra moisture and mustard oil can be helpful for lubricating the insides of your nostrils which can become quite dry and painful due to dry and cold winds) 6. Eatables and drinks: Glucose: small sachets of glucon C/D is a very good idea for taking on a trip like this, because high altitude can strip people of their energy hence instant energy is needed. Remember to carry small packaging of stuff not the bigger ones, Chocolates, biscuits, dry fruits and nuts: energy bars are great things to carry on these trips they provide maximum sustenance with minimal effort. Other than these dry fruits are also a very great way to gain some good fats and energy. These instant snacks will come very handy on long journeys. 7. Other personal essentials: Paper soaps, hand sanitizers and toiletries are other personal essentials needed on journeys of course. 8. Gadgets: Power banks, earphones/headphones, DSLR/Go PRO/SLR/POINT & Shoot & Spare set of batteries for camera, spare memory cards, portable speakers, old school phones (mostly for long lasting battery life). 9. Miscellaneous: LED Torch/ Headlamps, Thermos Flask/Bottle- if you’re tea/coffee lover, Eye mask, Neck pillow, Light blanket, Ear plugs, Book to read, Board games, Lock for your bag packs.

Read Blog:  8 reasons to visit Spiti Valley in winters

List of places (towns) you shouldn’t miss while in Spiti:

Chango’s apples are the best in Spiti. Chango is also the place with 108 Buddhist original temples.

2. Nako: 

Lying geographically in Kinnaur, Nako is located in Hangrang Valley. It’s a pretty village with the ancient Monastery- Nako Monastery. Nako Lake is a pretty water body located just a short walk from Nako village.

Kept in a glass chamber in Gue are mummified remains of Lama recovered while digging, its finger nails still grow and hair too. Quite a lovely village with fascinating stories

4. Tabo: 

Tabo Gompa is aworld heritage site. Tabo Monastery is known as Ajanta of the Himalayas. Huge Gompa with stucco statues of Bodhisattvas and exquisite wood carvings.

5. Dhankar: 

1200 year old Dhankar Gompa built on a cliff with barren rock face slowly sinking into a river. The Monastery is impossibly perched with views that inspire euphoria.

6. Kungri: 

One of the most important Monasteries in Pin Valley and the largest too. Ugyen Sanga Choling Gompa is 600 years old and has vivid murals of protector deities. There is a huge new Monastery and museum too in the same complex.

7. Mudh: 

A beautiful village in Pin Valley with the Pin river flowing by. Picturesque landscape with all possible colors, purple flowers bloom. A road is being constructed to Pin Bhabha Pass. Snow might be visible near Mudh village even in the end of July. The last motorable village in Pin Valley. Great views.

8. Kaza: 

Kaza is the biggest settlement in Spiti located on the eroded flood plain of the Spiti river. Sakya Gompa is colorful and has interesting Thangka(s) inside. Kaza has good hotels and a local market with many restaurants. Rest easy with the availability of a hospital in Kaza for altitude-related concerns, as you gear up for an exhilarating Spiti Valley bike trip , exploring the rugged terrains and cultural marvels of this breathtaking Himalayan destination.

9. Kibber: 

Kibber was once claimed to be the highest village in the world and is located at 4200m. home to Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.

10. Langza:

Medicine Buddha statue with views of the peaks named Chau   Chau Kang Nilda. There’s also a fossil park nearby.

11. Hikkim:

Highest permanent post office in the world at 4360m.

12. Demul- Komic- Lhalung:

Seemingly unreal high altitude villages. Roads feel like they are above the skies. Komic lays claim to the highest gompa in India and a tantric Mahakala temple with a stuffed snow leapord. These three villages can be visited in one day as they lie not too far from each other.

 Losar village is the biggest village in Spiti Valley and has grand views of surreal landscapes. The last place with staying facilities before crossing Kunzum La.

14. Kunzum La: 

Kunzum La pass is the gateway to Spiti, Goddess Kunzum keeps guard over the 4551m Kunzum La. There is a scenic temple built at the top and the vehicles pass by from the left for good omen.

15. Chandrataal lake: 

A jeepable track (14km) runs from the lovely and tranquil Chandrataal Lake. It is also called Moon Lake and is set among the mountains at 4270m. The last 1.5 kms have to be walked – cars are not permitted to drive further as it is a wildlife  protected area – a Ramsar Site.

16. Batal-Chhota Dara-Chhatru :

Rudimentary dhaba type shelters available with basic food. This stretch is scarier than any other roads where the drive is in reality on a dried riverbed. The Chandra river criss-crossing the way numerous times makes it a pure adrenaline rush.

17. Wildlife Sanctuaries 

of Pin Valley National Park known as ‘land of ibex and snow leopard’, and also Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary known for sightings of Tibetan wild fox and snow leopard.  

Eccentric activities to explore while in Spiti:

1. Quirky Experience : Chicham – A bit farther than Kibber lies Chicham village and to get there is a feat not meant for the faint hearted. A trolley will take you overlooking a 900 metre drop. 2. Local Food : Tsampa, Thukpa, churpe, buckwheat chiltas are some of the names of Spitian dishes. Momos or steamed dumplings are incredibly delicious wherever you chose to eat in Spiti. 3. Tibetan salt and butter tea is consumed mostly in the winters as it is warm, locally called cha-cha. 4. Chhang (a kind of beer) made from barley is available at mostly every home. The distilled form of the same called Arak is very potent. 5. Yak cheese is bitter but very healthy and can be bought at any of the yak rearing high-altitude villages. Sometimes available at the market in Kaza (locally called Churpe.) 6. Cham Dances : Elaborate masked dances, performed by colourfully attired lamas. Dances depict the victory of good over evil. Villagers from far and sundry come to attend and it resembles a sort of ‘mela’. Nyingmapa Kungri Monastery – Cham dance is held in late June or early July. Kee Monastery’s cham dances are the most famous and are held in July. Tabo in first week of October followed by hardly known Tangguid festival at Komic. Dhankar cham dances are held in November. 7. Losar festival : Spiti’s biggest festival, also known as the Tibetan New Year. Held between late January – to early February. Special food, changing of juniper wood on the rooftops. Nights pass in feasting, dance and song as the entire village is in very happy spirits and Chhang flows freely. Ladies dress in their traditional best.

Spiti Valley Budget Trip: 10 Day Itinerary and Daily Cost

traveller Tarang

Spiti Valley budget trip is a dream come true for every backpacker. This part of the world is one of the most surreal places that you’ll ever visit in your lifetime. It will leave a permanent imprint in your mind as a traveler.

Since Spiti is located remotely in the mountains, it is extremely important that you plan your trip well. Not only should you be aware of the rugged terrain but also of the daily cost throughout your Spiti Valley budget trip.

Regions in the mountains are often expensive owing to limited local resources and the overall difficult lifestyle of the natives. Not to forget emergency travel budget situations arising due to unpredictable weather.

Taking a trip to Spiti and maintaining a pre-defined budget has been quite an achievement for me as a traveler. Therefore, through my current blog, I’d like to share my travel experience in Spiti with anybody seeking a decent plan, itinerary and an effective budget.

Also useful:

The complete travel itinerary for bikers heading to Spiti

Trekking and camping at Chandrataal Lake in Spiti

Spiti Valley Budget Trip

Let me start this blog by addressing a common question asked by most travelers -“is a Spiti Valley budget trip even possible?” Well, with the right planning, it surely is possible.

If you happen to be one of those travelers who wants too much to see but doesn’t have enough funds, do not worry. You are not the only one having this concern. I had the same when I first started my journey. However, I did manage well and so will you.

It needs to be mentioned here that on my first trip to Spiti, I traveled along with two more friends. Therefore, all the prices mentioned throughout this blog have been calculated accordingly.

As a first time traveler, you should visit Spiti with at least one or two more persons. That way, you will have no problem managing your expenses. 

If you want to travel solo to Spiti, then I’d urge you to do so after your first trip. That way you will understand the locale well and will be able to plan your budget accordingly. Traveling solo on your maiden visit to Spiti will prove to be hugely expensive. 

Spiti Valley is home to enchanting monasteries, snow-capped mountains, the pristine Spiti River and clear skies that boast countless stars. It is also home to Moon Lake or Chandratal Lake as the locals call it. 

Also, this region has the world’s highest and old-fashioned petrol pump at Kaza, the world’s highest motorable village Komik and the world’s highest post office at Hikkim.

In addition to the natural beauty of the place, your Spiti Valley budget trip will turn out to be memorable because of the heartwarming people of the region. They will welcome you with open arms and make you feel at peace . 

Let me sum up my overall experience in Spiti by pouring my heart through the following words –

“We held our breaths with our bodies stiffened, as our bus found itself on the very edge of the hazardous road. On the other side, there were just a few centimetres between our wheels and the cliff from which the road had been carved. It was dangerous and scary but totally worth it”

Thus, Spiti Valley is not for the faint-hearted. This needed to be set right at the outset.

It is important to be aware of the overall budget when you plan to take a trip anywhere. Without the right kind of budget allocation, you will end up spending much more than required without exploring much.

Now this should be avoided at all costs.

Your goal as a traveler pursuing a Spiti Valley budget trip should be to explore much more by spending less.

Spiti Valley Budget Trip – A Brief Overview for Travelers

Here’s a brief overview of how your Spiti Valley budget trip should like. There are things on which you shouldn’t mind spending but on others, you should certainly save. I’m sharing all of the points below based on my own personal experience.

A cold and remote desert valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Spiti is almost cut off from the rest of the world. A lot of people don’t even know if Spiti is safe or dangerous for travelers ? However, even then, hundreds of travelers visit Spiti each year.

Despite the rough terrain, harsh environment, unpredictable weather, and tough living standards, Spiti Valley marks the list of almost every traveler today.

If you ask me the reason, I’d say – It’s a dazzling beauty that also happens to pump out your Adrenalin. Not to forget the honesty of the people there and their simplicity.

10 Day Itinerary for a Good Spiti Valley Budget Trip

As travelers, my friends and I had planned a trip to Spiti Valley via the Shimla side and not Manali. The reason is , the roads from the Shimla side are better. Also, that route is open throughout the year, unlike the Manali route.

If you’re struggling with the question of how to reach Spiti Valley and which route to take to reach there , do not worry. Spend some time knowing all the routes. Make a final call depending on the timing of your trip and the duration of your stay.

Anyway, here is the itinerary that we three friends followed on our first ever trip to Spiti –

Let me now share the day-wise itinerary of my Spiti Valley budget trip in detail. I will also be sharing daily costs for each day. 

Day 1 of Spiti Valley Budget Trip: Reaching Reckong Peo from Shimla

After getting a good night’s sleep and resting our bodies tired from the long journey to Shimla from Mumbai (our home city), we were finally heading towards Spiti Valley.

In case you have additional days, feel free to stay for at least 3 days in Himachal Pradesh’s capital – Shimla. There are so many reasons to visit Shimla . Trust me, you will love the pretty town.

Covering a distance of 230 kms till Reckong Peo

We grabbed breakfast along with our haversacks and hopped onto a local bus that would cover a distance of 230 kilometres and take us to a place known as Reckong Peo. The locals call it just Peo.

Now you do have the option of booking a cab instead-but believe it or not, the bumps, the stares, and the cramps that accompany the economical bus rides will make your journey memorable. Therefore, travel by bus. Also, travelling by bus is the best option to genuinely pursue your Spiti Valley budget trip.

Checking in our homestay at Reckong Peo

We made it to Reckong Peo at around 4 pm and were almost desperate to have a room to ourselves, to rest our backs, and to devour some steamy momos. Reckong Peo finds itself at about 2290 meters above sea level, in the Kinnaur district of Himachal.

It is a bustling town as per Himachal standards but nevertheless pretty with its breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayas. While the options were many, we finally checked in to Hotel Jeevan Jyoti. This place turned out to be clean, hospitable, and affordable.

We made sure that we slept early so as to take complete rest before starting the next day. As it turned out, the next day was way tougher than we thought it would be as first-time mountain travelers.

 Money spent on day 1 

Day 2 of Spiti Valley Budget Trip: Reaching Kaza in a Bumpy Bus 

We started our second day waiting for a bus. It was supposed to carry us from Reckong Peo till Kaza. To our horror, a crowded bus with almost no space approached us at 7:15 am in the morning.

After somehow stuffing our haversacks in the dusty back of the bus, we squeezed in where we almost felt like foreigners.

Bagging a seat on a public bus 

We managed to bag just one seat even though we were three friends. This was us being lucky (yes that is correct because in buses here bagging even one seat is getting lucky). We tiresomely alternated this one seat amongst the three of us almost till the very end. 

This had probably been the most tiring journey of my life. However, what made it special were the little things – steaming hot rajma chawal (broad beans and rice) for lunch at our halt at a place called Nako, driving through gorgeous mountain views, holding tight as we made it through steep roads, landslides, and unpredictable weather conditions, and gaping at the ever-changing terrain.

Reaching beautiful Kaza and checking in our place of stay

We reached Kaza at about 5 pm, and we couldn’t believe where we were. It was almost like time stood still. Vast stretches of nothing but barren mountains capped with snow and chilled winds, and the three of us almost forgot how tired we really were.

We headed to what was going to be home for the next days – Pema Homestay, where we were greeted by the cutest of kids, hot chai (tea) and a cosy room warmed by Achaktap (indoor furnace).

Money spent on Day 2 

Day 3 of Spiti Valley Budget Trip: Visiting Langza, Komik & Demul Khas

This was our very first morning in mainland Spiti Valley. We were super excited. An early morning walk around the place exposed us to happy puppies and locals jetting water out of pumps.

We were served delicious aloo parathas (Indian bread stuffed with potatoes) for breakfast at our place of stay.

Heading to the fossil village of Langza

We headed to a remote village known as Langza right after breakfast. It is essentially a place filled with ancient fossils.

What we noticed within a millisecond was a towering Golden Buddha statue pitched against clear blue skies. Numberless prayer flags signifying a strong Buddhist presence marked the already charming Langza.

Reaching Demul Khas and witnessing fresh snowfall

Our final destination for the day was Demul Khas. This is a place not as visited as Langza but it is splendid.  A good 2-hour drive made us all witnesses to blue sheep and turbulent weather.

Our whims and fancies got catered to as we reached Demul around 4:30 pm and it started snowing. We then headed to an unknown house, one that felt homely, one that warmed us up with chai (tea) and food .

Making it to the highest motorable village in the world

Our next stop was Komik.  This place is situated at a lofty 4,587 meters above sea level and is known as the “world’s highest motorable village.” It is for this reason that Komik attracts travelers from far and wide.

Known for the Tsemo Gompa Buddhist Monastery, Komik is a lovely place.

Back to Kaza

Our Spiti Valley budget trip was turning out to be exemplary. We got back to Kaza at 7 pm and witnessed a power cut. Our cold bodies craved the electric heaters placed in our rooms.

But we warmed ourselves up in a room made cosy with people and a chaktap (indoor furnace).

All in all, life was good.

Money spent on Day 3 

Day 4 of Spiti Valley Budget Trip: Visiting Key Monastery and Offbeat Villages

Day four started with a fresh zeal. After all, we were about to visit the most photographed places in Spiti. These places are all over travel websites on the internet.

Visiting the magical Key Monastery and Gete Village

A 15-kilometre drive from Kaza took us to the very prominent Key Monastery – one that features in a number of master photographs from Spiti.

Key looks almost magical, straight out of a fantasy book. When we reached the monastery, the monks at Key were performing Badipooja (prayer) which we were lucky enough to witness.

Picture this – 30 monks dressed in bright maroonish-red colour in a  mystic architecture, and vast stretches of land of nothingness. You know you can stay in Key Monastery itself and even become a volunteer.

We then proceeded to the not very popular Gate Village, which offers you a top view of the enchanting Key Monastery. Rely a little on locals’ advice over Google in the region.

Reaching the villages of Tashigang, Chicham and Kibber

Driving a little further, we reached Tashigang. This was apparently the highest village in Spiti Valley – 2,650 meters above sea level. This place barely had 5 to 6 homes. It was a little village, indeed.

We then moved on to Chicham. There, we got lucky and saw about a hundred yaks being tamed for agriculture. 

We then boarded our cab which drove on vast stretches of nothing but ice. We trusted the driver because he was a local inmate and was familiar with driving on ice.

We finally made our way to Kibber. It is a large village by Spitian standards. It is also popular for snow leopard spotting. We checked in to our homestay here.

20 km drive till La Darcha

What made Day 4 the best day of my Spiti Valley budget trip was a 20-kilometre drive to a place no blog will tell you of – La Darcha. An invisible moon and electricity cut led us to see about a million stars, comets and shooting stars in the sky.

Right after checking in Kibber, we took this lovely drive.

The temperature dropped to a freezing -18 degrees Celsius, our hands were numb, and all we had to keep ourselves warm was a flask of chai (tea) , a bonfire, and our high spirits.

Money spent on Day 4 

Day 5 of Spiti Valley Budget Trip: Trekking at Dhankar & Staying Overnight within Pin Valley National Park

Day five began with a long 50 kilometre drive that took us to Dhankar. Home to about 150 monks, Dhankar Monastery is the newest of all in Spiti Valley.

What makes it even prettier is the breathtaking view it withholds – that of the beautiful confluence of Spiti and Pin Rivers.

Trek till Dhankar Lake

In spite of being worn out, we made up our minds to trek to Dhankar Lake. The trail of this short trek was 3 km.  Although 3 kilometres might sound easy, the high altitude leaves you breathless at multiple points. Reconsider the trek if you have any serious health conditions.

After spending a happy 2 hours with dogs that voluntarily accompanied us on the trek, we commenced our descent. The best thing to do for a successful Spiti Valley budget trip would be to choose trekking over driving. 

Spending the night at Mudh in Pin Valley National Park

Next on our list was Pin Valley National Park. We chose to spend a night in the park at a place called Mudh hidden deep within Pin. We reached the top in an hour and were amazed to see a lake that was 80% frozen and 20% water.

Once again, to ensure a Spiti Valley budget trip in all its ingenuity, make sure you scan through all the options available for accommodation before finalizing one. Tired from the long day, we spent the night watching a movie indoors.

Money spent on Day 5 

Day 6 of Spiti Valley Budget Trip: Mailing Postcards at Hikkim & Shopping at Kaza

We finally headed to the destination we’d read the most about and that is Hikkim. It is the nearest major town from Kaza and is at a distance of about 45 km from there.

Getting postcards stamped at the highest post office in the world

Since the very start of our trip, we’d dreamed about getting postcards stamped at the highest post office of the world, which happens to be in Hikkim. 

A beautiful mud structure painted in white, with a cute little postbox right by the door totally stood out. We received a warm welcome from Rinchen Cherring, the postmaster, who has been doing this very job for the past several decades.

Cherring successfully ensures that amidst no cell phone reception, the residents of Hikkim have at least some connection with the rest of the world. With no other employees to assist him, he indeed is an unsung hero.

If you leave Hikkim without sending out postcards to your loved ones, your Spiti Valley trip won’t be complete. 

Shopping in Kaza

We spent the evening strolling around the markets of Kaza and relishing the best momos we’d eaten in a while.

We also shopped for warmer woollens than we owned already. The reason being, the next day i.e. Day 7 was going to be the coldest of all.

To make your Spiti Valley budget trip even more economical, do try your hand at bargaining.

Washing our car

What we did after our spending hours at Kaza was not on our itinerary at all. We drove our car plastered in mud and snow into the Spiti River and washed all the dirt away.

This is definitely not something we would get to do back at home, and we were thrilled by the sheer experience.

 Money spent day 6 

Day 7 of Spiti Valley Budget Trip: Visiting Losar, Kunzum Pass and Returning to Kaza

This was to be our last day in Spiti per say. The remaining 3 days were meant for exploring sights beyond mainland Spiti in other districts of Himachal on our way back to Shimla and finally to our home city – Mumbai.

Visiting the last inhabited village on the Indo-China border – Losar

We were told by the locals that our Spiti Valley budget trip would be wholesome if we spared a day to visit Losar and Kunzum Pass.

Losar is a scenic hamlet, known to be the last inhabited village on the Indo-China border. There isn’t much to do out there, but that’s where the beauty lies oftentimes – in doing nothing.

Another 20 kilometers ahead of Losar, lies Kunzum Pass.

Enjoying the mystical Kunzum Pass

After being reassured about the roads by locals, we proceeded to Kunzum as planned. The mountains, the roads and the trees were all covered with a thick blanket of pitch white snow.

With our car’s windshield covered with mud, we finally made it to Kunzum. We had snow up to our knees, but we sure did not mind it.

After glaring at the stark beauty of Kunzum, after failed attempts at building a snowman, after hiking up to the temple, and after bringing back to life a car stuck in mucky snow, we made our way back.

Our Spiti Valley budget trip was coming to an end, but we’d never been happier. Our journey back to Kaza had in store for us sightings of Himalayan Drifters and Red Foxes. We were elated.

Money spent on Day 7 

Day 8 of Spiti Valley Budget Trip: Leaving Kaza and Reaching Kalpa

With heavy hearts, we bid goodbye to Kaza. It almost felt like we were completely disconnected from the world outside, and that we had nothing to do with it. That feeling, by the way, was most beautiful.

Bus journey till Kalpa

There’s just one bus that leaves for Reckong Peo from Kaza on a daily basis at about 7 am. We boarded it.

A comfortable bus journey, one where we constantly found ourselves mulling over photographs from the trip, was all we needed. We reached Reckong Peo at about 4:30 pm but we decided to stay the night at Kalpa instead.

Kalpa finds itself at a distance of about 6-8 kilometres from Reckong Peo and is much colder, greener and quieter. Reckong Peo and Kalpa are connected by a number of daily local buses.

Enjoying the greenery of Kalpa

We made it to our accommodation at about 6 pm and were flattered by the greenery – something we missed back in Spiti. An economical option for your stay at Kalpa, as part of the Spiti Valley budget trip, would be the Alpine Nest Stay . This place is affordable, clean and safe.

Money spent on Day 8 

Day 9 of Spiti Valley Budget Trip: Exploring Sangla & Chitkul

Although not a part of Spiti Valley, it would be worth making a visit to Sangla and Chitkul in Kinnaur District at either the beginning or towards the end of your Spiti Valley budget trip, just as we did.

If you want, you can even visit Batseri – a beautiful village nestled high in the mountains .

Your eyes would definitely be craving some greenery after witnessing the cold desert of Spiti. You can easily get local buses starting from Kalpa and Rekong Peo to both Sangla and Chitkul.

Clarify the timings of these buses beforehand, to avoid further confusion.

Traveling to Sangla in an open jeep

We made ourselves comfortable on a terrace-café and as we sipped on hot coffee and watched the locals farming, life seemed to be perfect.

To our horror, there were no buses back to Sangla for the day. We, however, got lucky, and made it back in an open jeep; it was windy, and the sun was setting.

Hopping onto a bus and reaching Chitkul

We finally hopped onto a bus to Chitkul that left Rekong Peo at 12 pm. Only a few kilometres away from the Indo-Tibet border, Chitkul is a majestic place.

After spending some time in Chitkul, we headed back to Sangla. There, we checked into this decent place known as Lake View Resort and spent the night. 

Money Spent on Day 9

Day 10 of Spiti Valley Budget Trip: Bidding Adieu to Himachal and Returning Home

We took the bus to Shimla early in the morning, and a bus to Delhi at night from there. It was time to head home after a beautiful journey. Spiti will always remain in our hearts. Also, we will visit again.

Overall Transportation Costs to Visit and Explore Spiti

Transportation costs formed a major bulk of our Spiti Valley budget trip. Reason being, that we travelled from a faraway place like Mumbai. Hence, let me share with you the exact cost incurred from Mumbai to Spiti and back.

Train from Mumbai to Chandigarh

1800 INR per person

Bus from Chandigarh to Shimla

200 INR per person

Bus from Shimla to Reckong Peo

340 INR per person

Bus from Reckong Peo to Kaza

250 INR per person

Cab from Kaza to Langza, Demul Khas and Komik and back

550 INR per person

Cab for covering Key Monastery, Gete village, Tashigang, Chicham, Kibber and La Darcha

Cab for covering Dhankar and Pin Valley National Park

Cab from Kaza to Losar, Kunzum Pass and back

Bus from Sangla to Shimla

300 INR per person

Bus from Shimla to Delhi

700 INR per person

Train from Delhi to Mumbai

2500 INR per person

Thinking about life on the road often brings to the fore fears of lack of money. Although money is crucial, it is fortunately not all that is required for a worthy trip. So plan well, travel with a happy heart and everything will fall in place.

Now that I’ve shared my Spiti Valley budget trip itinerary with you in great detail along with the cost, I’d like to throw some light on some of the other aspects.

Although Spiti Valley is being frequented by travelers now more often than ever, it doesn’t change the fact that elaborate planning is required to enjoy the rugged terrains and the extreme weather conditions.

Therefore, let me share some crucial travel aspects of Spiti with you below.

Phone connectivity in Spiti

Only BSNL connection will work in Spiti Valley and has the widest coverage of connectivity. Hence, make sure to buy a SIM card beforehand. Other networks are no good here.

Washrooms in Spiti

A number of villages in Spiti offer only organic toilets. So get used to them.

Carrying cash

Make sure you have anticipated your expenses well in advance, for depending on ATMs or card payments in Spiti is risky. Cash is a safer way to proceed.

Layering of clothes

Carry clothes that can be worn in layers – this will help you adjust to fluctuating temperatures. Wear more synthetic fabrics than cotton.

Portable chargers

Spiti is a remote desert and electricity cuts aren’t a rare phenomenon. Make sure you’re well prepared for the same. Carry portable chargers.

Dry weather

To avoid skin problems, make sure you’re well moisturized at all points. Carry Moisturizers and sunscreen lotions.  Weather in Spiti tends to chaff the skin.

Medicines needed

Along with your personal medicines, make sure you carry medicines for Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Biking in Spiti

Please makes sure to go biking from the Manali side in order to reach Spiti . The journey is shorter and safer than Shimla.

Before I end this blog, let me mention some of the most reasonable ways to save money in Spiti Valley. These might come across as strange but I can tell you for a fact that they totally work. So try them out.

6 Important Ways to Save Money in Spiti 

I’m sharing with you below a few simple but crucial ways that will ensure that your trip to Spiti turns out to be as economical as it can get.

Choose the correct season to visit

Traveling to Spiti in the months of August and September will fetch you better deals. Traveling during April and May will turn out to be expensive.

Use HRTC buses wherever possible

Although it might get a little too bumpy at times, the local HRTC buses are as efficient as they can get and will make sure you have a safe and cheap journey. So at least while traveling from Shimla to Peo to Kaza, use public transport only.

Travel as a group

I’ve said this before and I’m saying it again tha t travelling in groups of 3 or more would help you save on costs when it comes to staying and cabs meant for internal exploration. There, buses won’t be of any help because there aren’t any.

Eat at your stay and carry food

Make sure to eat meals at your place of stay. In fact, pack lunch from there and carry it with you. The temperature is cold so it won’t even rot.

Take lifts from locals

It isn’t very difficult to get a free lift from one town to another in Spiti Valley, and while this will save you a few dimes, it will also give you the experience to remember always.

Book spontaneously

Although you might lean towards wanting to have a fixed plan and have advance bookings, a lot can go wrong when travelling to Spiti – landslides, roadblocks, etc. It would thus make sense to book on the spot, to avoid any cancellations

Spiti Valley: A Video by Me

When my friends first asked me about pursuing a Spiti Valley budget trip, it took me no convincing to book my tickets. Now when I look back, I know that backpacking to Spiti was one of my best life decision.

If someone asks me to describe these 10 days of my life, I wouldn’t be able to do it in less than a few hours or maybe a few days. This is how much Spiti had made me aware of it as a travel destination.

Spiti has so much to offer that there are definitely going to be certain places you’ll miss out on your first trip. Nako, Tabo and Chandratal Lake were some of the many places that we couldn’t cover. But isn’t that where the beauty lies? Spiti will keep calling out on you. Over and over again.

When it’s my turn to return, I surely will explore Spiti even more vigorously next time.

Happy Wayfaring 🙂

THIS POST IS AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF BUDGET WAYFARERS. ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ASSOCIATION INDULGING IN PLAGIARISM WILL BE DEALT WITH STRICTLY . IF YOU WANT TO USE INFORMATION FROM THE ARTICLE ABOVE, KINDLY QUOTE THE SOURCE.

How to plan a Short Spiti Valley Trip – Tips, Mistakes and Guide for Spiti Valley tour

Spiti Valley Trip is a dream trip for many who crave for mountains and have looked up those splendid landscapes of Himalayas. My ambition has always been to do Ladakh and Spiti together, to visit the two great Himalayan place that everybody flocks to. And I did pack my bags this time with the intention of doing it that way. But I got back doing only Spiti valley trip. Cos mountains are an altogether different terrain to be at and trying to accomplish a lot of stuff in the mountains is not so wise. I did this trip from Manali to Kaza to Manali, it was a short trip. This blog post on planning your Spiti Valley trip will be useful to people who are,

• Visiting Himalayan range mountains or Spiti valley for the first time.
• You are not at your fittest or peak of health. Some people trek all through Spiti, you will find this post laughable.
• Planning a road trip through Spiti valley from Manali
• Wanting to take a maximum of Spiti valley in a short time
• City dwellers or enthusiastic tourists who want to explore Spiti valley

About Spiti Valley

Spiti valley is in the Trans Himalayan region and it is the cold mountain desert that you will get to see a lot of towering barren mountains but still spectacular landscapes. Spiti is known as the middle land as it is like the gateway to Tibet, lies between Tibet and India. And hence non-Indians need a permit to visit certain parts of Spiti valley. Spiti is filled with remote villages, simple homestays, farms, treks to picturesque places, forts and monasteries. As it is close to Tibet, they mostly follow Tibetan Buddhism and we can see the monasteries too pertaining to them, governed under Dalai Lama. It was only in Pin Valley I could see a monastery that was under Nyingmapa sect, the origin from Guru Padmasambhava, the kind you see most in Bhutan. Hindi is a common language they understand and speak. But you try to listen to what they are speaking and you are gonna get confused. They speak a dialect pertaining to Spiti and Tibet. Spiti valley has many prominent villages like Kaza, Dhankar, Kibber, Komic, Hikkim, Mudh, Langza and all these are connected by fine roads. Spiti caught my attention not just because of the landscape, people go there looking for Snow Leopard.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chittra M #India #Travel (@masalaboxtravel)

How to reach Spiti Valley

There are two ways to reach Spiti valley and this has been like explained umpteen times in other blogs and forums. You can reach Kaza through Shimla – Kinnaur – Kaza which involves halting at Reckong Peo or Narkanda or Kalpa. I was told that this is a better route and it is a gradual ascent to the valley. Kaza is at a height of 3800m, so you need to get properly acclimatised else it is gonna get difficult. The other route is Manali – Kaza. Simple, one day route that takes minimum of 12 hours and more depending on the landslides and water level Enroute. Now Manali to Kaza is actually not a road. It is a mud track and basically, you are doing off roading till you reach Losar. But it is very scenic as you pass through high altitude passes like Rohtang pass and Kunzum La. And because they are in higher altitude, these roads are accessible only from May to September and rest of the year the road is closed. Whereas the route from Shimla is open all through the year. To reach Manali, there are plenty of buses from Delhi that takes about 12 to 14 hours overnight to reach. You can also fly to Chandigarh and take bus or vehicle from there to cut down the travel time.

Mistake 1  Manali to Kaza is a tough route. If you are not used to driving on streams and rocks and in the mountains please don’t adventurously attempt this for the first time. Am saying this not for your welfare, it piles up vehicles behind you and causes inconvenience to everyone.

Tip 1  Manali to Kaza is the shortest route. You can reach in a day. However, ensure you have rested one full day at Manali before proceeding to Kaza. Start early and head straight to Kaza. Not to Chandratal lake as you will not be ready for the weather or the height and will land up getting Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

What Transport to Chose for Spiti Valley Trip

From Manali everyday, a bus from HRTC (Himachal road transport corporation) leaves to Kaza at morning 5:30. You can go to Manali and book the bus ticket the previous day of boarding the bus. The buses are in good condition in spite of the bad to no roads. In Spiti valley too there are regular buses leaving to the remote villages. But the thing is you need more time in hand if you are going to rely on buses. For e.g., bus to Kibber from Kaza might leave in the noon, reach by evening and it will halt at Kibber and leave from Kibbar early in the morning. You will have to halt two nights if your intention is to stay and feel Kibber. Whereas if you have your vehicle you can start early, go to Kibber, key monastery and pair up a couple of more villages after that.

You can always reach Kaza by public transport and hire bikes and scooters from there to explore the villages. I wish somebody had told me this. We hired a cab from Manali itself as everyone was so sure that we will not get a vehicle to hire at Kaza and I was afraid we might get holed up in Kaza. The moment you go to Manali town centre, numerous cab drivers and middlemen come to you to take you to Leh, Ladakh, Rohtang pass, Spiti, Manali sightseeing. You can always find a cab there and negotiate. People also hire Zoomcars from Chandigarh, Delhi but am really sceptical about it because these cars that I saw on the route had a lot of damages as they would have been up and down these mountains many times. Don’t even think of taking small cars on this road. A Honda Amaze in front of us was struggling so much and our cab driver got down to help in every stream crossing. Believe me, even an Innova got stuck in the stream. We had a sumo and a very very efficient driver who managed it amazing that I was literally clapping my hands sitting in the car.

Mistake 2  Please don’t take hatchbacks and sedans to Spiti valley. Not just your car, you are putting yourself in risk too and both your body and mind will get exhausted.

Tip 2  Hire Ashok Karpa from Manali for a hassle-free travel. He has a fleet of vehicles and it was a blessing that he was our driver. Not just about the driving, friendly, calm and a good person by heart. Knows the mountains in and out. Everybody on the way and the villages we visited knew him. He is reachable at +91 9418021822. You can hire him for Manali, leh, spiti, anything around that area.

What is the Best Time to visit Spiti Valley

Am not a lover of cold weather and that is one of the reasons why I have not set on a Snow Leopard expedition. So Spiti is open all round the year through Shimla side but it is going to be harsh winters. I was there in July and it was freezing cold in the night at times. Best time to visit is in late August to October, when the monsoons are done and autumn has set in and you can expect lesser landslides and have a safe trip. July to August is going to be raining! Not much in Spiti but the approach to Spiti gets treacherous. May to July you might still see snow on the way, Rohtang pass might have snow.. If you want to enjoy a harsh winter rest of the months is your cup of tea.

Mistake 3  I went in July. Almost every day I read about landslide or river in spate in Manali and I was seriously considering calling off the trip. We were lucky to have had a safe trip without any incidents. After we came back Manali was all about rain and landslide and even the Kinnaur side of reaching Spiti was cut.

Tip 3  It does rain in Spiti! People call it cold desert and had given me a picture like it will never rain up there and the source of water is only through melting snow and glacier. No, it does rain! So carry your rain gear if you are going during the monsoon period.

Sample Itinerary for Spiti Valley Trip

Am giving simple itineraries here that as a tourist you can try to cover. These are the common mainstream places that you can visit on road in the comfort of your vehicle. There are many more smaller villages than this which am not covering here. Note that am not including Kinnaur or Manali in the itineraries. So add sufficient days around the plan when you are looking for a number of days to take off from work.. 

2 Day Spiti Valley Trip  

Day 1 – Arrive at Kaza Day 2 – Leave Kaza.  Just Kidding. Don’t attempt to do Spiti if you have just overall three or five days in mind. Time will go off in commute and acclimatisation . There is no point undergoing that arduous road trip to reach Kaza.

4 Day Spiti Valley Trip  

• Day 1 –  reach Kaza. Halt
• Day 2 – Explore Hikkim, Langza, Komik village. Halt Kaza
• Day 3 – Explore Dhankar Monastery. Proceed to Pin Valley national park. Halt at Mudh Village
• Day 4 – Leave early. Explore key monastery, Kibber, Chicham bridge and proceed to Manali

5 Day Spiti Valley Trip

• Day 4 – Leave early. Explore key monastery, Kibber, Chicham bridge and proceed to Chandratal Lake. Halt at Chandratal Lake
• Day 5 – Hike to Chandratal lake. Leave to Manali. Leave early to avoid full water streams

6 Day Spiti Valley Trip

• Day 1 – reach Kaza. Halt at Kaza
• Day 2 – Explore Hikkim, Langza, Komik village. Halt at Langza or Komik
• Day 3 – drive to Dhankar. Dhankar Monastery. Trek to Dhankar lake. Halt Dhankar. You can also squeeze in a visit to Tabo Monastery if you don’t want to hike Dhankar lake.
• Day 4 – drive to the Pin valley national park. Halt at Mudh village
• Day 5 – Come back to Kaza. explore Kaza market. Or Head to the Key monastery. Explore Kibber village. Halt at Kibber or Key Monastery.
• Day 6 – Proceed to Chandrataal Lake. Hike to the lake. Halt at Chandratal.
• Next day early morning leave to Manali that is the basic itinerary for Spiti valley trip. But I would insist that staying two nights in one of the villages is the best thing to do. So extend your trip for a longer duration and enjoy the serenity.

Alternatively, leave it to the experts to plan your trip – Lahaul and Spiti Tours

Mistake 4   Very first day I went straight to Kibber because everybody was like there is nothing to do in Kaza, go straight to Kibber or Key monastery. So from Bangalore, I went to Delhi to Manali to Kibber. From 920m to 4270m in a couple of days and I could feel my heart beating super fast! Kaza is at 3800m which is at a lower altitude.

Tip 4  Stay at a village homestay. Waking up to the sounds of the village, birds chirping, Yaks and sheeps setting out for grazing, the songs of the villagers, star gazing at night, it is just beautiful.

Also read:  Must have Food at Spiti Valley    From eating Spiti Thali to tasting butter tea and having Thingmo at a homestay. Check out the post to know all the stuff you can eat 

What to Pack for Spiti Valley Trip

Pack your thermals whatever time of the year that you are visiting it. A day at Spiti starts with you wearing your jacket or sweater and muffler and even socks. And as the day proceeds you will be like where is my sunglass, where is the hat, why is it so hot! It is a confusing place. The nights were super cold at places like Kibber and Batal, that even thermals were not enough. This was not even winter.

Mistake 5  I did not pack enough woollens. I did not buy that windcheater!!

Tip 5  Pack such that you can wear in layers.

Acclimatisation and Acute Mountain Sickness

This one is a real deal. If you are not properly acclimatised you are gonna feel a headache, nausea and can get even worse. Just because a hundred others are going to Spiti valley and seem to post happy pictures does not mean you will be fine too. Coping with altitude differs from person to person, depends on your body and health. So if you already have a breathing problem and all, check with your doctor if you are fit to go and carry proper medication. Ascent gradually into the valley and first day don’t walk around or do anything as such. Diamox is a popular tablet that people carry with them for AMS and it takes 24hours for it to kick in. I took it with me but it decided to play hide and seek and I was just gasping for breath for the first couple of days!!

Mistake 6  In spite of it being tough to transport and stock alcohol up in the mountains; beer, arrack and chang are cheaper in Spiti than Manali or the cities around. But don’t drink! Not good for you at that altitude.

Tip 6  Kaza is the only place with a medical shop selling medicines and a reasonably better hospital. Rest of the villages, I did see medical centre boards but most of them did not even have Diamox. So always have your first stop as Kaza even if people say there is nothing in Kaza, you are wasting time, etc.

Do you need Permit to visit Spiti Valley

For non-Indians, at Losar which is the entry point of Spiti, you need to get down at the check post, show your passport and make an entry. If you want to explore areas like Dhankar and Pin valley then again you need to obtain a permit from Kaza. It was a government office and I forgot if it was ADC office or not. Do carry passport size photographs. If you want to explore the Kinnaur region too you need a permit. If you are entering from the Kinnaur side, you should get this permit down from Reckong Peo. All this because we are super close to Tibet. For Indians, am not sure if you need a permit to cross Rohtang pass. Since we hired a cab we did not have this hassle. However, I had read that you need to get a permit to cross the pass and move further. Inside Spiti, you don’t have anything to do.

Where to stay?

You can as well walk into any village and book, am pretty sure you should be able to find stay options. The best option is to stay at Kaza and do trips to other villages. Am pointing to few homestay options at Kaza here, choose your pick.

To book your stay at Kaza –  Click here 

Some more Tips for Spiti Valley Trip

Am just gonna add the rest of the tips I have in mind here. 

• Tip 7  Only BSNL network works. You can get a SIM card from Manali or Kaza. And BSNL network works only in Kaza. Forget about internet data connectivity. In one of the events, a minister was talking about JIO network to arrive soon too.
• Tip 8  If you are on your own, download offline maps. There are not really boards kept for direction. If you do not know the mountains, it gets difficult to figure out which road takes you where. 
• Tip 9 Keep yourself hydrated. Apparently, mountains don’t make you feel thirsty and you tend to ignore taking water, which in turn worsens your AMS. So keep drinking water. I had ginger candies with me and kept chewing as I read Ginger Lemon honey tea helps.
• Tip 10  Have sufficient cash with you before driving to Spiti. There is one SBI ATM in Spiti which is almost always crowded and runs out by evening. 
• Tip 11  Pack as less as possible. I couldn’t carry that and walk around as the weight exhausts you more.
• Tip 12  All the villages might look close by and you might feel that you are done exploring by late noon. But trust me trying to do anything more or stuffing your day with too many things to do will make you get extremely tired. 
• Tip 13  Do not trust the google map distances and time to reach. It is hills, you can anticipate road in certain areas and not in some. So don’t think 120km equates 2 to 3 hours etc. Takes much much longer, you can double the time that google shows. 
• Tip 14  Leave Manali or Spiti always early which means like 5 am types. This ensures lesser water streams on the way and you will not get stuck in them. 
• Tip 15  From Manali to Spiti, food options are available at Chhatru and then at Batal. No restrooms or food options available en route. Stock with snacks and dry fruits in case you get hungry or there is landslide and you are stuck 
• Tip 16  Carry a can of Diesel or Petrol. The petrol bunk option available is at Kaza only. And my cab driver got a can filled up at Manali itself. This was because in case there is a landslide and you are stuck for days or take a different route, etc 
• Tip 17, 18,19 20  – Ha ha cos it is the most important tip. Travel with people you love. Mountains work on your mind big time. I did not want to go solo because I was afraid if at all AMS hits me I do not want to die at Spiti alone. So I kind of managed to find backpackers in Manali and we went as a bunch of strangers. There were many times we were catching hold of each others throat. They are memories that we laugh at now but still travel with people who will put up with you even if you turn crazy to the core.

That is pretty much I have to say about planning a Spiti valley trip. Enjoy your trip to the mountains and do share your experience in the comment section below. Would love to know about them. Happy traveling. Oh before that check out the road trip through Spiti.

Pin It for a Later Read

Beautifully written post with valuable tips. Thank you!

Thank you 🙂 Glad you liked it

My tip for avoiding AMS: choose the Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza route. It should be preferred by people having lung/heart disorders as the ascent is gradual on this route. Diamox has many side-effects. Good health, stamina, and good workout sessions are all you need to tackle AMS.

That’s true Pawan.. the shimla kinnaur route is a gradual ascent and better. maybe next time will do tht. thank you

Find more tips on how to reach from Delhi to Spiti Valley

I’ts Great! There are many destinations in India where you can visit with your family, Friends, Office member etc. But if we are talking about any destination in northern India then you should visit a wonderful destination which is known by Lahaul Spiti. It is a wonderful destination. If you are wanderer or fond of picturesque destinations then you should visit this place. This destination offers you a beautiful natural environment. This destination is surrounded by snow peak mountains which is very delightful. A tour is a moment when you can spent your time with your family and make a chance to get strong your relations with each other.

True.. trips to such places are lovely times..

This was an amazing blog post to read, I am reading your blog for the first time and found it just amazing. Picture are so beautiful that I am now willing to go there and experience the adventure on my own. Thanks for sharing such amazing post. Cheers!!!

Thank you Aparna 🙂 Do come for more blog posts

Well written post Chitra. Please add following link for wildlife in Spiti & Kinnaur. https://raachotrekkers.com/spiti-snow-leopard-trail-winter-in-kinnaur-spiti

My god it is a complete reference to Spiti Valley tour. I am sure it will help for ppl like me. Thanks for sharing Chittra.

Glad you found it useful 🙂

[…] Read more on How to Reach Spiti Valley here  […]

What an amazing article! One that I’m going to save for later reference. There’s so much detailing to your post and the effort that you have put in is evident. Brilliant photographs supplement it all. Thanks for the share.

Thank you so much. Glad you found it useful 🙂

An exhaustive and detailed guide,Chitra and I the photographs are a delight!

Thank you so much Meenakshi 🙂

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How to plan a trip to Spiti Valley in Winters

Planning to make some crazy adventure trips in the coming winters? I have an answer for you, “how about planning a trip to Spiti Valley in winters and enjoy the views of the frozen cold desert of trans-Himalayas?”. Well, the answer in the form of a question is very much appropriate when you think about making some crazy adventure trip up in the Himalayas.

However, there are things you must be aware of while making a trip to Spiti Valley in winter. You do not want to repeat the common mistakes of the Spiti Valley trip in winter .

Let's quickly dive into the details:

Can I make a trip to Spiti Valley in Winters?

Spiti Valley is not a region where you can land, having no clue about the place, especially when you are talking about an offseason trip to such a remote place in the Himalayas. Your habit of unplanned trips to the Himalayas could lead you to in serious trouble if you are really interested to take on the challenge of making a trip to Spiti Valley in winters.

Hence, in today’s article, I will help you go through some basic tips covering Do’s and Don’ts, what and what not to expect in Spiti Valley in winters so that you are prepared for it.

I will also suggest a recommended day by day itinerary for a trip to Spiti Valley in winters in my next article. It will help you plan your night stays in a much better way. It is important to strike the balance of basic amenities on offer, the temperature you need to deal with, and the probability of getting stuck for a few days to months in remote regions of Himalayas.

Frankly speaking, trust me, being stuck in such a remote region with limited facilities in winters is not such a good feeling. It may seem fun as you fantasize about sitting on your couch in an AC room. But, the reality is harsh. So, you must give utmost attention to a couple of articles I am dedicating for traveling to Spiti Valley in winters.

Trip to Spiti Valley in Winters – Things to Expect

You may have been to Kinnaur and Spiti Valley in summers or autumn sometime back and of course, like me, would have imagined how would it look when filled with white gold we call snow.

How these wide, beautiful valleys of Spiti surrounded by towering brown mountains will draw your attention while offering only one color around, that is, White? How will life be when everything around in Spiti Valley is frozen? Well, the answer only lies behind the adventure of taking a trip to Spiti Valley in winters.

However, before you plan such a trip full of adventure, please go through the top 15 things listed below that you should expect while on a trip to Spiti Valley in winter.

1. Expect road closures for a couple of days to few weeks to few months

This is the most probable thing that will happen. During the extreme winters, the snowfall can close the roads for a couple of days to weeks to months. A month is rare as BRO keeps the road to Spiti Valley up to Kaza open all around the year but still, monthly closure has happened at times, 2013 as an example.

Hence, go well prepared with nothing major to go back home even if you get stuck for a month and carry enough cash to survive the month. ATMs will be at mercy of electricity.

Dheeraj Sharma

2. Expect driving on ice and snow on roads

If you are riding or driving yourself, then be careful of the ice and snow on roads that make the road conditions too much prone to skid. You should have experience of riding or driving in snow as one hard brake can lead you either flying down the gorge or crashing the car in the mountainside. Any help with the vehicle with be very scarce to find as most mechanic shops are closed.

Hence, it is very important to drive with extra caution and care on icy patches and snow-filled roads.

3. Expect basic stay and very basic food to eat along with other facilities

Most of the hotels or guest houses will be shut down along with places to eat. Stays will be available in the form of homestays, where they provide basic food. Do not expect other facilities like mechanics, groceries, fruits, filter water bottles, etc.. to be available readily as well.

You should be planning well and be prepared with anything and everything you might need in the winter adventure to Spiti Valley. Also, you should read about the tips on budget of Spiti trip .

4. Expect no water in toilets and usage restricted to on dry pits

The water in pipes freezes and hence, there will be no toilets with running water. In winters, the toilets remain locked, and only dry pits (traditional toilets) are used where there is no water available. Hence, keep your expectations straight. Along with toilets, the washrooms will also not have any running water.

You can boil water and use it quickly to wash your face and hand a couple of times a day. So, those of you who bath every day and cannot live without it, winters will not be the right time to travel to Spiti Valley 😉 …

5. Expect bone freezing temperatures as you go past lower Kinnaur Valley

Needless to say, as soon as you cross Kinnaur Valley and enter higher regions of Kinnaur such as Nako, you will experience bone freezing temperatures.

Hence, be prepared with winter gear and carry enough heavy woolens. You should protect yourself and include warm shoes as you will not feel your toes for most of the day. The feeling of freezing increases as you cross Schichiling village (base of Dhangkar) ahead of Tabo in Spiti Valley.

6. Expect bad and worse roads with shooting stones

The presence of snow and ice at times when the sun shines makes the road slushy. So, apart from snow and ice, expect to drive in slush as well. When the snow melts, especially towards the end of winters, March – April, the shooting stones are common as they come along with the dripping water. These are more common when there is light snowfall as that snow melts quickly.

7. Expect to freeze your car’s fuel in the tank and other fluids

All fluids, including diesel in your car, will mostly be frozen. The car will require starting every few hours and protect the engine with some cloth to keep it warm. You might need to wake up at night as well and keep ignition on for 15-20 minutes to keep it warm. At times, parking the car in an upright position also helps but not always. Sometimes even the oil in hose pipes also freezes.

Don’t forget to prepare and refer my list of 40 must-have things to carry on a self-drive trip to Spiti Valley .

8. Expect only a handful tourists around or no tourists & handful public transport

There won’t be many tourists around and hence, options of sharing vehicles or dependent on public transport will be limited. The HRTC buses do run between Reckong Peo and Kaza daily. However, they will park the bus on both ends in case it is not safe to travel beyond a certain danger point.

People walk the danger point on foot and exchange buses coming from either direction. This hiking is very common in winters among locals. Hence, be ready for such an adventure and make sure you are keeping your family informed on using any such transport option.

9. Expect no power (electrical) for a couple of days to a few weeks to few months

Well, when it snows heavily, the electric poles are swayed away or gets buried in a load of snow. So, carry enough spare batteries and keep them warm somewhere as batteries will also freeze to exhaust. Hence, keeping them warm is the key to run them long. This warm thing includes your phones, as well. Keep phones inside your blankets/quilts while sleeping.

Carry enough cash as ATMs might not work as well. SBI bank in Kaza does provide you money even from the POS machine they have installed in the bank in case ATM is not working. However, cash is limited to Rs 1000 in a day.

10. Expect no mobile signals for a couple of days to a few weeks to few months

Similar to electricity, you should not expect mobile signals for a few days to weeks to months. Hence, you should inform your safety back at home, friends, and relatives as soon as you see a possibility. Wifi in the bank, wifi in some hotel running a generator, use any possibility you can see available. Messages and Whatsapp work much better than calling homes. Carry only BSNL/MTNL connection.

Do read my detailed article about mobile networks in Kinnaur & Spiti Valley .

11. Expect bare minimum medical help and support in case required

Similar to other things in winters, do not expect much from the medical facilities as well when traveling to Spiti Valley in winters. At times people have to use a helicopter to be dropped off to a safe spot in case of a medical emergency. However, if the helicopter will be able to fly or not, you will still be at the mercy of weather gods. Shimla will be the nearest major help .

Carry basic and any ongoing medicines in enough stock to last long for a month or so in case required. Do not rely on anything to be procured locally. I will not recommend traveling at all in winter in case you have some ongoing ailment or illness.

12. Expect most villages under hibernation & some tourist destinations being closed

Roads to most of the tourist villages in Spiti Valley including Dhangkar, Lhalung, Demul, Langza, Lhalung , etc.. will be closed and can only be reached by foot, if at all. The roads to Ki – Kibber, most of the time remain open though. Don’t make a solo backpacking trek to these high villages of Spiti Valley and always travel with some local guide or villager.

13. Expect missing Chandratal along with doing the full circuit from Shimla to Spiti to Manali

The road ahead of Kaza will remain closed for the entire winters. Hence, you cannot do the entire circuit from November to mid of June, including Chandratal lake. The road clearance from Kaza towards Chandratal – Kunzum Pass starts in March and ends by the first or second week of June connecting Kaza to Manali.

14. Expect locals being as warm & as welcoming as they are in summers

Needless to say, locals will greet you with the same warmth and hospitality as if you are visiting them in summers. They will do almost all the things to help and feel you comfortable in their homes anywhere in Himachal Pradesh.

You will enjoy the real, local life when you visit in the winter months in Spiti Valley. It helps you witness each day of harsh life in winters for the locals. Your problems back in air-conditioned rooms and cars will seem nothing, and I am sure you will return as a changed soul 😉 😉 …

15. Expect to lose your soul in frozen beauty of Spiti Valley in winters

As in summers, the frozen beauty of Spiti Valley is no less generous, and your soul will fall prey to it with the very first sight of it 🙂 🙂 … I am sure that a part of your soul will be lost forever in Spiti Valley as you live the winter experience in this remote region of the trans-Himalayas .

Spiti Valley in Winters – Detailed Travel Plan

Download your FREE high-resolution version pdf copy of this Spiti in Winters day by day plan infographic guide. If, you liked it and found it helpful, please feel free to share it with your family and friends to help them too.

As described in this first article of the series on traveling to Spiti Valley in Winters, I have tried to highlight what things you can expect while making such an adventure trip. I hope you will take these things as inputs to arrive at the answer to the questions like “Should I make a trip to Spiti Valley in winters?” or “What to expect on a trip to Spiti Valley in winters?”.

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my YouTube channel to ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram or comment on my YouTube videos.

This article will help you come to a fair and wise decision. Once you have arrived at a decision, I am sure that the following article in the series will help you plan the right itinerary for a trip to Spiti Valley in winters.

Feel free to share this article with any friends or family whom you know are making such a trip to Spiti Valley in winters. Also, please share your thoughts or inputs in case you feel that will add value and help other fellow travelers making a trip to Spiti Valley in winters.

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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 ,

Your blog is really informative and clear. I am visiting HP on 16th of October 2018 – 25 October of 2018. I am interested going to Spiti valley. Would you personally suggest this, what are the pros and cons of such a plan. Any any alternatives that i could go with.

I am really interested in seeing snow, no matter where, but bound by a little tight schedule. What are my chances of seeing snow at that time( NOT necessarily SNOWFALL) .

SK, by that time of the year the snow will be all gone. Only snow will be possible if you are lucky to get any fresh snowfall, which indeed is possible by late October. It will surely be cold during that time but yes you can make a trip to Spiti valley at that time of the year

Hi Dheeraj,

Thanks a lot for the blog it helps a lot and is very detailed. As you are experienced I just want to ask that I am planning for Spiti in Jan first week. I want to visit Spiti because of Snow, will I get snow in Jan first week? Is it advisable to visit Spiti in Jan 1st week?

For an immersed experience of snow in Spiti, you should visit Spiti Valley in February or March. January sometimes have snow and sometimes it does not have snow.

Dear Dhheraj, What would be an ideal time to catch the first snowfall in Spiti this year? Also, how different is the weather during December as compared to say February. And, of December and February which month gives us a better chance of accessing villages like Demul, Dhankar and Hikkim by car. Thanks in advance.

Best will be to travel Spiti Valley in the month of February and March if you want to experience snow in Spiti Valley. Most upper villages will not have access by hiking/trekking. March has better chances of partial access

Thank you for your prompt reply. Also, does December hold any chances of access to the upper villages? And, approximately when does access to the upper villages get cut?

You can travel to upper villages in December. It does not snow much in December and upper villages get cut by Jan mid to Feb

Cool. That was really helpful. Thanks again.

Thanks for the very detailed article. I have a question as I’m planning to go for this during winter. Should I do this mid Jan or mid Feb? What will be the difference? Which month will be more harsh and when will it be snow covered?

If you are interested in snow, then go towards end of Feb-Mar.

hi , I am planning for spiti valley in july ..s their any snows on that time?

There wont be much snow left in July in Spiti Valley

Hi Dheeraj, Thank you for an excellent article. Planning to go to kaza from shimla on my Scorpio next year around 19 th January. Never driven on snow or ice ever, it’ll be my first experience. Have done both ladakh and spiti trip on my car but in summers. We’ll surely keep your points in mind. Any last minute suggestions?

Hey Vikash, most of the stuff in my mind I have explained in the article itself. I will suggest you to refer: Spiti in Winters – Most Common Itinerary

I am planning to go spiti valley in december end.. so i can go buy road on car??

I am plannig to go from shimla-kalpa-kaza..roads are closed but i can go buy road on car??

Shimla – Kalpa – Kaza remains open all round the year but closes during the time of heavy snowfall only. Also, please read that the road may close from some days to some weeks, so plan accordingly. All depends upon the amount of snow.

Thanks man!!!.. we have take snow tyres chain with us??

Probable yes in case it snows around during that time. It might come very handy.

This is an excellently written article. Which month does the photos above depict though? I’ve been to spiti in May and September already and wanted to experience the winters there. So I have planned a trip there in early December (first week). This time I plan to go to pin valley as well. The best part is I know people there so i think there wouldnt be any problem for the stays. But anything else I should keep in mind? Also, would the water freeze which is being carried in a backpack?

Aman, the pictures are from March first week. I think whatever mentioned in the article must be kept in mind and make sure that weather is clear before entering Pin Valley. Pin Valley remains cut off from rest of Spiti Valley in winters and in case you take that road and snowfall happens overnight or on the way, you may get blocked for the whole of winters. Water will freeze overnight.

Hi I am traveling to Spiti this Dec by 25th. And I have discussed it with Spiti Inbound to facilitate my trip. Any suggestions from your side ?

All the tips, suggestions and risks regarding winter trip to Spiti Valley has been mentioned under the article: How to plan a winter trip to Spiti Valley

We planned to travel from 20th Jan 2018 will it be safe.

Amit, Spiti Valley will be quite harsh during that time of the year. Have you read the article above? Are you still interested in making the trip? If yes, we can discuss the plan futher.

Thanks for the reply so we have changed our date to First week of April 2018. So this date good enough to travel

You will still face the chill and harshness of the Spiti Valley plus the slush/snow slides is still common in the month of April Please read: Best Season to Travel on Road to Spiti Valley

We are a group of 4 guys from Kolkata planning to travel from Shimla till Kibber this year between Dec 25 to 1st Jan-18. Researching on the trip I agree that the trip is very risky, but doable. I contacted some local taxi associations in Shimla, but no one is ready to venture that road in Dec end. Can you please provide some details or contacts if we want to hire a car from Shimla for this trip? Also it would be helpful if you can provide some local contacts along the way.

Arita, no one will be willing to take that road during the winters. You will have to make that journey either on public transport or your own transport. As mentioned in the article the road between Reckong Peo to Kaza can close from a couple of days to a couple of weeks to couple of months. So, no commercial person will be ready to take that risk when they have business down at their current locations.

Hello dheeraj , found your article v helpful for travelling in spiti. I am travelling to spiti from 4th nov through shimla kinnaur and will be back to shimla on 14th. what will be the temperature at that time in spiti? means can i expect a snowy roads? as i want to have glimpse of it. so selected november and not completing the circuit as every1 told kunzum will be closed. will i be able to see the roads covered with snow and passing in middle of it

Neeta, the temperature will be sub-zero mostly and nights will go below 0 as well. It will be cold and dry in Spiti Valley during that time and most hotels will be closed. You need to rely on basic food and basic stay. Rest I have provided tips for a trip to Spiti Valley in Winters above. Snow on the roads will only be possible if it snows during that time. Usually, there is not much snow in November.

thank you dheeraj for your guideline. I selected november so that we dont need to go through harsh winter of spiti unlike december january now i just hope that it snow during that time and also that we dont get stuck.

Best wishes for the trip, please go prepared.

Hi dheeraj, Loved the way you described Spiti here. I travelled there last year from manali. It was mesmerising, though I agree with your AMS suggestions. This time I want to explore the Hindustan Tibet highway. I have never experienced snowing, hence want to do this trip in October. Will that be feasible?

Yes Rucha, October is just fine. Please read: 5 Reasons to Avoid Manali Kaza Road in October

Thanks a ton Dheeraj for a prompt reply. I researched last night and they say it doesn’t snow in October. Is that true? If yes, when does it start snowing there?

Yes Rucha, in October it snows a day or two and then it melts away. The main snow starts in November end and December. If you want to make a winter trip to Spiti with snow all around, then Feb – March will be a better time to visit, of course with risks of no light, road being closed from days to weeks.

In that case, is Ladakh safe to be travelled to in November?

Rucha, Ladakh has flight connectivity so that means you cannot get stuck for weeks to months in Leh.

Hey dheeraj, whats the best route to spiti valley during New Years time to avoid snow blocked roads and is the calley even accessible during that time.

There is no such route that you can avoid from snow blocked roads. In case it snows very heavily, the Shimla – Kinnaur – Spiti road can close for weeks to months. So, plan with a calculated risk.

Regards Dheeraj

Dheeraj, Will it be worth going during that time. And what route should be taken.

Unless you are used to such harsh conditions and very cold conditions, I will not recommend making the trip to Spiti Valley. Raw and basic food will be available and hotels will be closed. Stay options will be limited to home stays and even toilets will be dry pits without water. If you still want to make the trip, you have to go from Shimla – Narkanda – Powari – Reckong Peo – Nako – Tabo – Kaza route and come back the same route.

Dheeraj, Is it advisable to go on a trip to spiti trip in November 2nd or 3rd week?? What are the chances of finding snow ?? If not spiti at what places can i find snow starting Novemeber last week or even before??

Well, it gets cold up there in winters in Spiti Valley. You can travel by road from Kinnaur – Shimla but avoid going from Manali side that late. Rest most of the suggestions in the article above holds true here as well.

Witch is the best time (month) to travel for spiti by bike with ice filled rodes

Jan End to February will be the best month in such a sense to make white Spiti Valley trip

Hi witch is the best time (month) to visit spiti by bike

September is the best month but since you are interested in frozen Spiti Valley experience, Jan End to Feb will be great.

Hi Dheeraj, We are planning to go to spiti valley in May first week. Plan is to go till kun zum la and trek to chandrataal. Would trekking be feasible? If not, any other treks you would suggest in the Spiti

No Charu, the road to Chandratal does not open and trekking is not feasible in the month of May to Chandratal. It is as if going into the dead land, so even if some insane agency/individual offer you something like this, please turn down the offer.

Thanks for the quick reply Dheeraj. In that case, what other treks we can do in the region, perhaps up to kunzumla. Could you share a few things

You can surely trek to the remote villages in Kaza and around towards Langza, Hikkim, Komic or Demul

Cool! Thanks a lot!

Can I do the full circuit of Spiti from Shimla to Shimla in End of July. Is it right time to do ? How many days should I have Shimla to Shimla ?

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 .

Dheeraj Sir my question would be if we want to enjoy spiti valley with medium snow will april last week or may first week will good time to be there … pls let me know

Yes Yogender, April last week will let you enjoy snow in Spiti Valley. You can especially travel beyond Kaza till the point where road is open and enjoy in tons of snow towards Kunzum Pass.

hi DHIRAJ, I GOT SOME BASIC IDEA FROM YOUR DESCRIPTION ABOUT TRIP TO KINNAUR, SANGLA VALLEY AND SPITI VALLEY.I AM PLANNING TO TRAVEL IN MARCH END TO SHIMLA, 26TH TO 29TH EXACTLY , AFTER WORD WHICH PLACES I CAN VISIT FROM THERE? I HAVE SARAHAN, SANGLA CHITKUL IN MIND, WILL BE SELF DRIVING CRV4WD AND HAD BEEN UPTO THANEDHAR IN APRIL END BEFORE 3 YR. WE ARE FAMILY OF 3. CAN U SUGGEST ITINERARY AND PLACES TO STAY AND ANY PARTICULAR PRECAUTIONS? THANKS MANISH

Request you to please avoid CAPS letters. I see you have just 4 days in hand and going to any of these places will basically mean lot of hectic driving in just 4 days. Are you starting from Delhi to Chandigarh?

Hi Dhiraj, thanks for prompt reply. I am in Shimla from 26 th to 29 th and then after I am free for 6 days as I am not sure of what to expect weather wise. Bhave plan to go upto chitkul , if u recommend for this time period. Actually I am coming from Gujarat.will start on 25 th march

Manish, for sure you can give a try to Sarahan, Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa with 6 days in hand from Shimla. Refer: Kinnaur Valley – Most Common Itinerary

Hi Dheeraj, I wil, be going to Spiti in end March. My itinerary is Kalka-Kufri-Reckong Peo-Kaza-Tabo-Chitkul-Narkanda-Kufri-Kalka. The period is from 17/03/ to 27/03. i think it must be filled with snow. Can you guide me with some taxi drivers? Also will it be more sunny during this dyas as it is winter end? Thanks in advance for your inputs

You can get connected directly to some drivers in 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 pickup as well.

The rates of the taxis are about Rs 3000-3500 per day depending upon the number of days you plan to travel, more the days, less the price.

Otherwise, taxis in general are also available on the spot from Shimla or Manali from respective taxi stands

Weather depends upon during those days weather only. Sometimes sunny sometimes dark, we had sun only 1.5 day of our travel.

Thanks a lot. I believe PWD Guesthouses will be open at hat time, right?

It depends, sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends upon the caretaker and toilets working or not.

Hey Dheeraj, I have plans of visiting the Spiti Valley in mid-end Jan. Is Dhankar & Pin accessible in this part of year ? Also do let me know for homestays with contacts(if possible) at Tabo, Dhankar, Pin(if possible), Kibber.

Pin Valley is not accessible but Dhangkar should be accessible. You can get in touch with Tsering bhai +91 94-18-208987

Thanks Dhreeraj, So when is the best time to visit and see snow too ? how about end of May or 1st week of June ? will i get to see some snow ?

Sean, in case you are not interested to do whole circuit and are OK to go from Kinnaur and come back from Kinnaur only, then go in April end of May to get snow filled views.

I am planing to take a full circuit with 15 days in hand – starting from Shimla – Narkand – Kalpa – Nako – Tabo – kaza -Kibber – Manali and back to Shimla.

In that case, June will be apt time to do the entire circuit because the road from Kaza to Manali opens around second week of June.

I have gone through the article and comments, I am planning a trip in first week of Jan 2017 and have few question.

Is it possible to cover the stretch till Chandra taal Lake and back to Shimla in 4 Days. If not how far i can travel ? Is it safe to drive a SUV, Based on road condition & Snow, I will be traveling with family , friends & a KID too. Will there be too much snow on the roads.

The road beyond Kaza gets closed in winters, so Chandratal is not possible. You can travel up to Kaza at max. I will not recommend to make a trip with family and kids into Spiti Valley at that time of the year. It will be too dangerous to go up there with kids.

I am planning to Visit Spiti starting from 25 Dec to 5 Jan 2017. I will be driving Bike from Delhi, 1- What preparation should I follow if travelling by bike to spiti from Dec end to Jan start 2- Can I expect White Spiti in this time frame(25 Dec to 5 Jan) as It is shown here ( https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/spiti-in-winters-common-itinerary/ ) for March month.

1. You have read the article above and that’s best pointers that you should keep in mind. Then, apart from that you sould definitely be prepared with stocks of food, dry fruits and heavy woollens and a heavy jacket. Do not forget woollens socks and if possible warm shoes. 2. It may not be completely white by that time as snowfall has just started but you may get glimpses of it. This much snow is better if you visit in Jan end to March.

Hi Dheeraj, Thanks for info!! BTW can you redirect me to the page where I can find some pics of Kaza/Spiti of time frame of Dec end to Jan start, if it wont be satisfying(in Pics) I will re-plan my travel for March month.

Try to explore this forum in case there is any: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/india/lahaul-spiti-kinnaur-valley-travel-tales/

How will be the weather in March? Any idea on availability of Public transport?

Anshul, it is all frozen in March. Check the travel tales section to read about my trip in March to Spiti Valley. The buses runs for sure between Reckong Peo and Kaza. Public transport is limited to road opening or closing.

Hi Dheeraj, I just came back from Kinnaur-Spiti trip this Oct-end. I am planning to visit Himachal again at the beginning of March. I would love to be in snow and beautiful places, considering that I already had the taste of the most beautiful places of Himachal just few days back. Can you please let me know which places should I cover in March, where there will be less chances of road block due to snow but can match upto Spiti standards. We are not self-driving. We will hire a car. Thanks for your help in advance.

Hi Ria, that is a bit difficult question comparing anything else in Himachal than Kinnaur – Spiti in March 😀 😀

I will be frank, it will be difficult to get such a place in March as both Pangi and Lahaul valley will be closed during that time and remain cut off. Those are the only places come close to the beauty of Spiti and Kinnaur Valley in Himachal. So, it will be better if you choose something like Tungnath – Chandrashilla – Deoria Tal – Rohini Bhugyal hikes in Uttarakhand to enjoy great views of Chaukhamba range and hike in wilderness of nature.

🙁 .. But anyway, thanks a lot 🙂

Hey can u provide contact detais of homestay in kaza for winters?

You can get in touch with Tsering bhai at +91 94-18-208987

Hi Dheeraj, I am planning to go to Himachal in December for 6-7 days. To be precise from 5th December to 13th December. I read your replies to other comments and realised that going to Spiti is not feasible. However, is is possible to explore other parts of Himachal on the said dates? Kindly suggest. Thank you in advance.

Yes Pushkar, the article describes how you can plan a trip to Spiti Valley and what shall be expected up there during that time period. You can surely try to visit Kinnaur Valley including Sarahan, Kalpa and Sangla during that time of the year. Chitkul will be closed in December.

As always, thank you for this article and many others I’ve reliably used for my Himalayan trips. This November 16th, I’m planning to take a trip with my wife in an SUV. This is our first road trip so I thought of going till Kalpa/Sangla and returning to Shimla. Can i expect snow fall on the road to Kalpa region in mid November?

Mohid, in November unless it snows on the day you are traveling it will be hard to find snow on road to Kalpa. Surrounding peaks will surely be having snow on them though. Go prepared with heavy woolens.

Hi Dheeraj, thank you for this wonderful info, Is it possible to do Spiti in Oct’16? Plan is to do: Mandi – manali – Keylong -spiti – Kinnaur we will be on bikes, thanks

Yes, it is possible to do Spiti but better plan before mid of October so that chances of getting stuck between Manali – Kaza are less scary.

Hi Dheeraj Your article is awesome!!! That is u making me to go to this trip.. i hav been to keylong, manali, kashmir, kargil, srinagar before but this time i m planning to go leh via spiti ( Hindustan-Tibet HIghway) just bcz u hav desribed its beauty very well with pictures, so is it possible if i leave from palanpur(gujarat) on 29th Oct as my vacation starts from this date? or if Leh is not possible(due to winter & POK issue) than what r the other choice? bcz i know it will be winter time as i reach himachal on 1st of Nov.. we r frnds(5 Person) planing this trip with Duster RXZ 110ps Diesle. guide me if i m doing any wrong….

No Amin, it is not possible to make a trip to Leh from Spiti Valley or Manali – Leh Highway that late in the season. You can get stuck in the middle of no where for months and no help at all.

Amazing photographs. Very useful post.

Thank you 🙂

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How to plan a food trip through the Ribble Valley, UK

Michelin-starred dining, independent butchers and artisan cheesemakers make this beautiful corner of Lancashire a rural idyll for food travellers.

From its blasted fells and verdant plateaus to its tangled woods and meandering rivers, the Ribble Valley is a rural wonderland that apparently inspired the otherworldly landscapes of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings . It is a natural haven for birders, walkers and cyclists, particularly where this corner of Lancashire merges into the Forest of Bowland, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Ribble Valley also tastes amazing. A seasonal food ethos grows out of its fertile farmland, underpinning the work of Michelin-acclaimed restaurants such as the Northcote in Langho and market-town gems such as Cowman’s sausage shop in Clitheroe. Key local producers, such as cheesemaker Mrs Kirkham’s, enjoy national recognition. Yet none of this feels overexposed. With the majority of travellers passing by the Ribble as they rush north to the Lake District, it continues to offer visitors a sense of discovery.

Where to eat at in the Ribble Valley

1. The Parkers Arms , Newton-in-Bowland

Reaching No 7 on the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs in the UK list in 2023, The Parkers Arms has long been a place of pilgrimage for clued-up foodies. It serves gutsy Lancastrian cooking – and its pies are legendary. But that only tells half the story. Chef Stosie Madi’s work is often deft and light, exemplified by her fish cookery, while her French-Lebanese heritage brings a distinctive flavour to the menu. Dishes might range from minced mutton manoushe flatbreads to braised Bowland rabbit leg, butter-roasted loin, mustard sauce, mash and greens. Passing walkers or cyclists can snack from the bar menu. Three courses, £50.

2. Northcote , Langho

The valley’s benchmark dining destination for more than three decades, this Michelin-star restaurant and boutique hotel is constantly evolving. From its cookery school to the annual international guest chef event Obsession (in January and February), there are always interesting things happening at Northcote. Expect seasonally driven dishes, such as halibut with Jerusalem artichoke and winter truffle or aged dairy cow tartare, warm bone-marrow, alliums and horseradish, accompanied by exceptional wines from managing director Craig Bancroft’s lovingly curated cellar. Mains from £29; doubles from £216 per night, B & B.

3. La Locanda , Gisburn

High-quality local, seasonal ingredients are the cornerstone of Italian cooking – so, naturally, chef Maurizio Bocchi feels at home in the Ribble Valley. Key imports such as wine and olive oil aside, the Modena native cooks authentic Italian dishes using local meats, game, dairy and vegetables. The menu might include rabbit stuffed with Tuscan sausage and cabbage with rosemary potatoes, or cappellacci pasta filled with pumpkin and amaretti biscuits, finished with butter, sage and hazelnuts – served up in La Locanda’s comfortable farmhouse-style space. Mains from £15.  

4. The Inn at Whitewell , near Dunsop Bridge

This remote inn on the River Hodder has accommodated travellers since the 16th century. It is an evocative old building; all worn flagstone floors and roaring fires. Eat in its cosy bars or restaurant. First visit? Look to those dishes, such as the fish pie, chicken liver pate or bangers and champ with onion gravy, that have become established classics over many years. Do not miss the in-house wine shop. Mains from £16.50; doubles from £145 per night, room only.  

5. Freemasons at Wiswell , near Whalley

A degree of fine dining glitz runs through chef Steven Smith’s polished pub. You will find Sunday roasts as well as complex and creative dishes, such as prawn mousse-filled sea bass with Thai mussel curry, and salt and pepper tempura broccoli. There is a tasting menu, a chef’s table for those who like to watch kitchens work and, for those staying over, four stylish bedrooms. Mains from £39; doubles from £240 per night, B & B.  

An unmissable experience

Bowland Brewery

In its attractive food hall, upmarket cinema and bowling lanes, Holmes Mill development in Clitheroe offers numerous distractions. Heaven for cask and craft ale drinkers, its large beer hall is also the home to Bowland Brewery, which for 20 years has quenched local thirsts with tipples such as its classic, citrusy pale Hen Harrier or the Bowland Bumble, made with honey from the brewery’s beehives at nearby Little Middop Farm. On select Fridays, outside operational brewing hours, tours offer visitors the chance to learn about the brewing process: from raw malts and hops to the mash tun and the fermentation tanks. A tutored tasting of three third-pints follows. One-hour tours, £20 per person.  

Where to stay

The Higher Buck, Waddington

Is Waddington the Ribble Valley’s prettiest village? Fans of Hurst Green, Downham or Chipping might disagree, but this cluster of ancient buildings huddled around a gurgling stream is unquestionably idyllic – and home to three individually compelling pubs (see also The Lower Buck Inn and Waddington Arms). The Higher Buck has seven handsome, well-maintained bedrooms while its crowd-pleasing menu similarly excels. A cheddar soufflé with apple chutney and the Buck’s sensational steamed steak and ale pudding are testament to chef-landlord Michael Heathcote’s rigour. Mains from £17; doubles from £115 per night, B & B.  

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Spiti Valley with Family – How to Plan a Safe Trip

If you had suggested a trip to Spiti Valley with family to someone a decade ago, you would probably have probably received one of the two reactions. Either the person at the other end would have asked you where in the world Spiti Valley is or they would just have laughed at you and called you crazy.

Why? Well, the reason is behind the first reaction is that Spiti was largely unknown until some time ago. In fact, the tourism here was not even allowed till the late 90s. The reason behind the second reaction would be that it was definitely not considered a family place. The entire route was famous among bikers as Spiti Circuit and planning a family trip here was not deemed appropriate because of the challenging roads, harsh weather, and remoteness of the region.

Thankfully, such is not the case anymore. Tourism has been on increase in places like Ladakh and Spiti and with that, the pool of the kind of tourists also is increasing. It is now a place that gets considered for family vacations as well. What is more? I have even had people ask me whether they can visit Spiti for their honeymoon even.

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

So if you were wondering whether or not you can plan a family trip to Spiti Valley, the answer would be that yes you can. But there are a few things that you must keep in mind and prepare for, to ensure a safe and hassle-free journey.

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How to visit Spiti Valley with Family

Spiti Valley is a high altitude cold desert and your entire preparation should be around this statement only. As you gain altitude, you reach a region that remains cold for all 12 months. The term ‘road’ here is just a relative one. You will travel on some of the toughest and narrowest roads you have ever been on in your entire life.

It is the least populated region of our country so there won’t be many people around. For the most part of your journey, you will be on your own. Something as simple as a flat tire here can ruin your day if you weren’t prepared.

Acute Mountain Sickness is Real

Kaza, the headquarters of Spiti Valley, is at an altitude of 3,810 meters (12,500 feet). Chandratal is at an altitude of 4,300 meters (14,100 ft). Of the two high altitude passes en route, Rohtang is at 3,980 meters (13,058 ft) and Kunzum La is at 4,590 meters (15,060 ft).

What am I getting at? The point I am trying to make here is that a trip to Spiti means you are bringing your body to altitudes that it has never been to before. So yes, the chances of altitude sickness are high and even more so at places like Chandratal.

For more details on what mountain sickness is, what its symptoms are and what can you do to avoid it, please read How to Handle Acute Mountain Sickness in Spiti Valley .

The rule is quite simple really. You cannot make this trip with a baby in your arms. The lungs of a baby of under 1 year of age are not mature enough to handle altitude sickness. So a journey with an infant or a toddler is a complete no.

But even with babies over 1 year, I will not suggest making this trip unless your child is at least 3-4 years old. This way, your child will at least be able to communicate with you if they weren’t feeling well. You won’t be guessing half of the times about why they were crying.

Secondly, if your kid was under 3-4 years old, they will just be a liability on the trip and you will be tending to their needs more than enjoying the journey. Spiti Valley is not going anywhere. Let your child grow a little and then plan it a year later.

For more information on this topic, please read Necessary Precautions for a Trip to Spiti Valley with Kids .

Consult a Doctor

If you were bringing your parents or any other elder member of the family along, please consult a doctor first. Do not go asking around or seeking answers to questions on the web. Talk to a doctor first and take their professional opinion. Once you have consulted your doctor and have their OK to travel to Spiti, please ensure that you are carrying all of your prescribed medicines on your trip to Spiti Valley with family.

For more details on this topic, please read Necessary Precautions for a Trip to Spiti Valley with Elders .

Plan between late May to September

You should plan your trip only between late May and September. Within this window as well, if you can plan in May, June or September, it would be even better because you are then removing the risk of the monsoon season. The weather in these months is very pleasant and your family will be able to enjoy the trip better. All the routes and roads remain open at this time so you will be able to explore all areas and make the most out of your journey.

Any before May or after September means that you are bringing your family to an extremely cold environment and may also not be able to cover all tourist areas. There are numerous incidents when tourists traveling to Spiti after September or before May were stuck in different places and had to be rescued by the authorities. Do not take the risk; it is simply not worth it.

For more details, please read When is the Best time to visit Spiti Valley .

Medical Conditions

A doctor will be able to advise on this better but if you are a heart patient or have respiratory ailments like Asthama, I will not recommend that you take the risk and travel to Spiti. There are numerous other places in India that are far more beautiful than Spiti Valley and that is where you should go.

In terms of kids as well, If your baby was born premature or has a heart or lung condition, it is highly advised that you do not bring them along on the journey or at least consult a doctor before you do so.

Carry some Basic Medicines Along

You should bring some basic medicines along like for headache, upset stomach, body ache, fever, flu, common cold, etc. A few band-aids, anti-septic lotion, nasal drops, and pain relief spray can be of huge help. Lip Balm, cold cream and moisturizer will be required as well.

Prepare for the Cold

No matter what time of the year you are planning your trip Spiti Family Trip in, you must prepare for cold weather during your trip. During the winter season, the temperature here drops down to -35 degrees Celsius. This should give you an idea of how cold things can get here.

The weather of Spiti is very unpredictable and the temperature can drop significantly without warning. I have seen snowfall in Spiti in late September as well and was stuck at Chandratal in 4 ft of snow for 3 days before we were able to move out.

During summer, days will be very warm and nights very cold and your packing should be sufficient to handle both kinds of weather. If traveling early or late in the season, you should prepare yourself to handle temperatures close to 0. For more details, please read What kind of Clothes to Pack for Spiti Valley .

Prepare for the Sun

The sun in Spiti is very harsh and can give some very serious sunburns. Find a sunblock lotion of the highest SPF and apply it regularly. Keep yourself covered and protect against the sun. This will apply both in the winter and summer seasons. Do not also forget to pack a good and light pair of sunglasses (especially in the winter season).

Start from Shimla

The importance of this cannot be stressed upon enough. You must start your trip from Shimla and end at Manali. Do not do it the other way around. By starting from Shimla, you are bringing down the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness to almost 0. The increase in altitude in this manner will be gradual and spread evenly over a few days.

On the other hand, if you went via Manali , then the increase is very sudden and too much for your body to handle. It is highly possible that your first day of the trip will be a very unpleasant one as your body tries to acclimatize. AMS is a condition that if turned serious can actually even be fatal so this is not a matter that should be taken lightly.

Take the Journey Slow

By this, I mean allowing your body time to acclimatize and not rushing anywhere in the journey. Do not go by distance and assume that you will be able to cover 400-500 kilometers in a day easily. The mountain roads take double the time to cover a distance than the plains. Keep your average distance between 100-150 kilometers per day; no more than that. Your average speed will come out to be no more than 20 kilometers per hour so plan our day and hours accordingly.

Do not stay at Chandratal

If possible, do not stat overnight at Chandratal and make cover it on a day’s journey from either Kaza or visit while on your way to Manali. Chandratal is a camping site and there is absolutely nothing here. It is also at a very high altitude and the temperature here drops down to 0 at night even in the months of May, June and July. If something was to go wrong here at night, you will be stuck with the nearest help at either Kaza or Manali.

Eating Habits

Drink lots of water and keep sweet biscuits or chocolates to munch on while traveling. Avoid salties like chips as they tend to dehydrate your body. Eat a lot of fresh fruits and light food. Don’t overeat, especially before long drives.

Keep your child in Check

Exhaustion is one of the primary triggers of acute mountain sickness. If your kid was running and jumping around all the time, they will tire themselves, will run short of breath and may suffer from altitude sickness. Keep them under check and do not allow running around all the time.

Also, keep an eye for any symptoms of AMS in your kid. If your child suddenly starts acting up, complains of body pain, headache, throws up, refuses to eat or drink, you know they are suffering from altitude sickness.

Also Read: Which is the Best Car for Spiti Valley?

Do carry toilet rolls and Pee Safe (for ladies) while visiting Spiti Valley with family as it is not easy to get clean toilets always.

I am not really an advocate for booking hotels in advance. I would rather like to reach the destination, find a hotel per my liking, negotiate an on the spot deal and check-in. This, however, is better suited for a solo trip or with friends. When traveling with family, the last thing you want is to hop from one hotel to another after traveling the entire day. Do some research, read some reviews and see if you can book your hotel in advance.

Seek a Travel Agent

This is another thing that I usually do not recommend. In my opinion, It is always better to manage your trip on your own. But it doesn’t apply to everyone every time. If you aren’t too sure of the region, don’t have time to do research or feel that you may miss out a few things if you went on your own, then it wouldn’t hurt to contact a local travel agent and book him for your Spiti Family Trip. But yes, do a thorough search and book a reliable agent. You do not want to book just any random guy and have him ruin your trip.

Also Read: How to Prepare your Car for Spiti Valley?

Watch out for Shooting Stones

One of the things that happens a lot when you are traveling with family is to stop at every scenic spot and click pictures. While driving on the Spiti Circuit, take a look around; and make sure you are not stopping in a shooting stone area.

What is a shooting stone? In very simple words, it is a stone that falls from the mountain above on the road below. If anyone happens to be on the spot it fell, it will kill the person. In Spiti, there are a lot of shooting stone areas but fortunately, Army have them marked as such. If you read a board warning you of shooting stones, do not stop and continue driving.

Spiti Valley with Family – Conclusion

I hope the tips above on planning a safe trip to Spiti Valley with family were of help. If you have any questions; or need any other details; please feel free to ask in the comments section below; or at our Community Forum ; and I will be glad to answer.

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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We are 5 family Age 54 to 62 Planning spiti tour from shimla side and from kaza Back to shimla Tour will start on 2 nd April from chandigarh and will end on 10 april at chandigarh Can these days it is perfect time and good for our age group

It is going to be very cold at that time so better to pack acccordingly

Hi Vargis! I am planning a trip to Spiti with my daughter who is 5 years old. I am planning for May 2024 and also want to spend about 10 days at a nunnery near Kaza. Can you suggest what time in May will be the best from weather perspective? It’s only me(mother) and my daughter so wanted to check if it is safe for women? Also if I am travelling from Chandigarh to Kaza, how many days does it take and do we need to stopover very often? Another concern is food (specially for my daughter ), do we get all kinds of food there or is it limited to the local cuisine? Many thanks

Hi I am Susan from Kolkata, I am planning a program to complete the circuit from Shimla to Manali ( sarahan, chitkul, kalpa, tabo, kaza) via chandratal in 10 days. My daughter is 13years and son is 8 years old, my father is 70. We are planning our journey from 2 October, because it will be Puja Vacation at that time.please suggests weather the time will be recommended or not to visit Spiti covering chandratal? Please guide us..

Hi Susan – 2nd October is fine. Most of the Bengali families plan a trip to Kinnaur at this time only. Just make sure that you are not delaying it any further than October 10th.

Hello Vargis, I have gone through most of your blogs and they are very informative. I want to plan a trip to Spiti (Complete Circuit) starting from Shima, ending at Manali. I am coming from Mumbai with my Family (myself, wife and 11 years old son). I will flying to Chandigarh and hire a local taxi (Innova) for next 10 days.

We already did Ladakh in 2016 including a stay at Pangong. I want to know the best time to visit Spiti and Chandrataal (for Star Gazing at night) and need clear blue skies. Please advise the best time for the same.

My initial plan was for first week of June 2022. Please guide me through. Thank you.

Hi Sachin – June will be the best time for this circuit. Plan around 10-15th of June.

hi.can we plan to visit spiti in december with our 5 yr old son.

not in December, no. It is way too cold for a 5 yrs old kid.

Hello. I am planning for spiti trip in last week of March with a kid of 13 yrs. Can you guide me for stay in route and any other precaution?

Hello,we wish to travel cover Lahaul-Spiti area at leisure.We can spare 10-12 days.Shall fly from Mumbai to Chandigarh.Will try to relax fora day or two at Shimla-Narkanda & then on to extensive,but slow journey to Manali.We wish to fly out from Bhuntar after spending a few days in Manali. How should we plan,can U guide?

We area a family of 4(2+2,kids above 14 yrs) & one more family from US might join us who would like to have a slow paced journey.Can we get a caravan for this journey & is it advisable?

Hi, We want travel to spiti valley in late may with 1.5 years old kid, we r travelling via Shimla and will come back to shimla from kaza. Is it going to be risky for kid?

I would not recommend the trip with a 1.5 year old Baby. Give it at least another year and plan in 2021 to be on a safer side.

Sorry for the delayed reply. Yes, we will fly to Chandigarh from Mumbai and then hire a taxi for the circuit.

You are OK to go then. Since your child is 5 years almost, even staying at Chandratal should not be a problem. But determine that on how he was in Kaza. If he was fine in Kaza and looked all happy and cheered up, the you can play a stay at Chandratal. If he complained of uneasiness in Kaza, go straight to Manali. Keep him well covered at Chandratal and do not let him run around coz that may trigger AMS if he exhausted himself.

We wish to visit Spiti & Lahaul Valley (including Chandratal) and would appreciate your guidance. 1.. We plan to start on 21st August and have around 10 days to return to Mumbai. 2.. We will be travelling with our 4.5yr old son.

Need your expertise ~ if the route is doable and safe during that time to travel with a child? (Landslides, weather, etc)

~ if you feel that we should avoid Chandratal, then we can do the Spiti Valley anytime from mid-April to mid-June. Your views?

How are you planning to travel locally? Are you flying in from Mumbai?

Thanks. How will the weather be? Do we have to worry about landslides due to monsoons?

Hard to tell that right now, entirely depends on how the weather will trend this year.

Ok. When is a good time to start planning for August since we will need to prebook accommodations considering we have a child?

Wait until July to see how the monsoon was affecting.

Hi Vargis, Thanks for your details about Spiti. We are planning for Spiti in last week of june. We will go in our own car via Shimla route. We will be accompanied with our 7.5 yrs old daughter. Would like to stay at Chandratal. Could you please suggest if it is safe to stay at night there. TIA

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