Spiti Valley Road Trip
Starts and ends in Shimla covering Kinnaur Sangla and Kalpa along the way to Spiti. A beautiful trip through the high mountains and deep valleys of Kinnaur to Spiti and ending back in Shimla. Since Manali route is shut till June end and hence we suggest this trip. The right time to visit throughout the year
Spiti Valley Himachal Pradesh Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Chandigarh -Narkanda
- Pick up from Chandigarh and transfer to Narkanda via Shimla.
- Reach Narkanda in the evening. Transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay and dinner in your hotel.
Day 2 - Narkanda- Chitkul via Sangla
- Early morning drive to Chitkul from Narkanda
- Visit Chitkul- the last inhabited Indian village on the Indo-Tibetan border.
- Visit the temple, sit by the Baspa River or take a walk around.
- Evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay and dinner at Sangla.
Day 3 - Sangla to Kalpa
- After breakfast, check out and transfer to Kalpa.
- Check in and later visit Roghi village and suicide view point, ancient temple and monastery here.
- Evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay and dinner at Kalpa
Day 4 - Kalpa to Tabo via Nako
- After breakfast, transfer from Kalpa to Tabo via Nakko.
- Visit Nako Lake which is surrounded by willow and poplar trees. They form the boundary of the Nako village. The Lake seems to be buried in the lake’s borders. Sit back and admire the surroundings.
- Visit the Gue Monastery on the way to Tabo. It is famous for its Lama Mummy
- Tabo lies in the Pin Valley. check in and evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay and dinner at Tabo.
Day 5 - Tabo to Kaza in Spiti
- After breakfast, visit Tabo's ancient – thousand year old Monastery as it is second in importance only to the Tholing Gompa in Tibet.
- Also visit the Dhankar Monastery-optional hike to Dhankar lake.
- Later, drive towards Kaza.
- Check in and evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay and dinner at your hotel in Kaza.
Day 6 - Kaza local
- After breakfast, visit Langza and Hikkim.
Hikkim is the world’s highest polling station. It also has the highest post office of the world.
Monastery Hopping
- Visit Kaumik en-route Langza. View the Buddha statue looking at the valley near Langza. In addition to its being the highest village connected to road in Asia, Tanggyud Monastery here, is one of the highest in the Spiti valley.
- Interact with local tribes en-route Langza, Hikkim, Kaumik.
- Visit Chicham as you cross Asia’s highest bridge at Chicham village. Also visit the famous Key Monastery.
- Overnight stay and dinner at Kaza.
Day 7 - Kaza to Chandratal
- Early morning after check out from Kaza, head toward Chandratal.
- 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.
- Overnight stay and dinner at Chandratal camps.
Day 8 - Chandratal to Manali
- After early morning breakfast, check out and drive from your camps towards Manali via Batal & Gramphu.
- Overnight stay & dinner at Manali
Day 9 - Manali sightseeing
- After breakfast visit Hadimba Devi temple, Van Vihar, Manu temple, Vashisth baths and relax in the riverside cafes in old Manali.
- Evening at Mall road.
- Overnight stay & dinner at Manali
Day 10 - Manali to Chandigarh
- After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Manali and take return journey to Chandigarh. On the way, visit Naggar village.
- Visit the ancient Naggar castle, ancient temple and the famous Russian painter Nicholas Roerich art gallery and museum.
- Drop at Chandigarh railway station/ airport.
What is included in the tour
- Pick up from Chandigarh Station and cover Spiti valley and back to Chandigarh Station.
- Standard /Deluxe/ Luxury Hotel accommodation for 09 Nights / 10 Days with complimentary Breakfast and Dinner.
- Comfort vehicle for transfers & sightseeing. Vehicle will available to guest as per itinerary only.
- All Toll, Parking, Driver Accommodation food and allowance.
- All Basic Sight seen.
What is NOT included in the tour
- Any lunch, mineral water.
- Any meals other than those specified. Expenses of personal nature such as tips, telephone calls, laundry, liquor, shopping etc.
- Entrance fee, if any during sightseeing.
- Vehicle will be provided on point-to-point basis and will not be at disposal of the guest.
- Any activity or sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Certain sightseeing places may not be covered due to bad roads or unsuitable weather conditions and no refund is applicable in such circumstances.
- The guests should adhere to hotel / home stay check in and check out timings. Late or early check in & check out is at the discretion of the property and Hill Gypsy does not guarantee it.
- Any expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances like flight / train /bus delay / any additional meals / weather conditions.
- Bonfire and room heater charges extra.
- Sunscreen
- Goggles
- Basic hiking/ training shoes
- Lip balm
- Some thermals
- Woolen socks
- Woolen cap
- Muffler
- Wind cheater
- Sweat shirt
- Jacket
- Woolen gloves
- Toilet paper
- Moisturizer
- Extra camera batteries
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation before 30 days of start date will be charged processing fee equivalent to 10% per person;
- Cancellations between 20 days to 30 days before start date, 25% of tour cost would be charged as retention;
- Cancellations between 20 days to 15 days before start date, 50% of tour cost would be charged as retention;
- Cancellations made within 15 days of start date, entire tour cost shall be charged as retention;
- Above policy may vary during peak season.
Spiti Valley Road Tour
Will we cover Kunzum Pass ?
Kunzum Pass is only open from June to October, so we won't be able to visit it on this trip. After visiting Kaza, we'll head back to Kinnaur-Shimla.
Which is the best time to visit Spiti Valley?
Spiti Valley is best from mid-May to mid-October. Clear skies, mild days, and cold nights define this season. From mid-July to mid-September, monsoons can cause landslides and blockages, making travel difficult. Snowfall closes several routes and passes in the winter. If you want a winter adventure, visit between November and February to see the stunning snow-covered landscapes. But harsh temperatures and road restrictions make travel difficult.
What are the major tourist attractions in Kinnaur - Spiti Valley?
Kinnaur and Spiti Valley have several noteworthy tourist attractions. Popular ones are:
-
Tabo Monastery: This 1000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Tabo. Its murals and old treasures are famous.
-
Key Monastery: The oldest and greatest monastery in the region is in Kaza. Its architecture and mountain views are famous.
-
Kalpa: Kinnaur's apple orchards and Kinner Kailash mountain views make Kalpa a lovely settlement.
-
Nako Lake: Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, this tranquil lake in Nako is a popular picnic and trekking location.
-
Pin Valley National Park, a wildlife sanctuary in Spiti Valley, is home to various rare and endangered species, including the snow leopard.
Distance from Kinnaur to Spiti Valley
There are many ways to get from Kinnaur to Spiti Valley, so the distance between the two places varies depending on which route you take. The most common way to get from Reckong Peo, the main town in Kinnaur, to Kaza, the main town in Spiti Valley, is to take the NH-5 and NH-505 highways. This route is about 200 to 220 kilometers long and takes about 7 to 9 hours to drive, depending on how the roads are and how much traffic there is.
The Hindustan-Tibet Road is another popular route. It goes from Shimla to Kinnaur and then to Spiti Valley. This route is longer, but the views of the Himalayas and the Sutlej river valley are breathtaking. Shimla and Kaza are about 450–500 kilometers apart. The trip can take anywhere from 2–3 days, depending on how many stops are made and what kind of transportation is used.
Is Spiti Valley safe?
Spiti Valley is generally considered a safe destination for travelers. The local people are friendly and welcoming, and the region has a low crime rate. However, it is always recommended to take necessary precautions to ensure your safety while traveling.
One of the main safety concerns in Spiti Valley is the terrain and altitude. The region is located at an average altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level, and the lack of oxygen can cause altitude sickness, which can be life-threatening in severe cases. It is advisable to acclimatize properly before engaging in any physical activity or undertaking treks.
What are the different modes of transportation available for traveling to Spiti Valley?
Travel to Spiti Valley depends on your budget and choices. These are some common types of transportation:
Go to Spiti Valley by private cab or automobile from Manali or Shimla. Customizing your route and stopping at different destinations makes this the most convenient option. It's pricey, and the roads to Spiti Valley require a skilled driver.
Public buses: HRTC runs daily buses from Manali, Shimla, and other major towns to Spiti Valley. Budget-friendly buses are pleasant and inexpensive. Unfortunately, bus schedules may be infrequent, making the trip tedious and uncomfortable.
Shared taxis: Manali, Shimla, and other cities offer shared cabs to Spiti Valley. It's cheaper than a private taxi for solo travellers or small parties. The ride is uncomfortable, and you may have to wait for other people.
Motorbikes: Manali and Shimla provide motorbike rentals for Spiti Valley. Adventurers like this since they can explore the beautiful scenery at their own time. You must be an experienced biker and prepared for difficult roads and weather.
Does Spiti Valley have an oxygen problem?
Spiti Valley is at a high altitude. At this altitude, the air is thin, which can make it hard for some people to breathe because there isn't enough oxygen. Most people, though, can get used to the altitude over time, and altitude sickness can be avoided by getting used to the altitude slowly and drinking lots of water to stay hydrated.
It's important to remember that some people may be more likely to get altitude sickness, like those who have problems with their lungs or hearts. Before going to Spiti Valley or any other high altitude place, people in these situations should talk to a doctor.
Why doesn't Spiti Valley have any trees?
Since the area is in a rain shadow, it doesn't rain much, so the mountains don't have any plants. The climate has sharp changes in temperature, high-speed winds, an atmosphere at a high altitude, and low humidity. All of these things make the soil dry and almost completely devoid of organic matter.
Weather and temperature in Spiti
Spiti Valley's weather and temperatures change with the seasons.
Summer (April to June): In Spiti Valley, the temperature ranges from 10°C to 25°C during the summer. It's a great time to visit the valley because the weather is nice and the sky is clear.
Monsoon (July–September): It doesn't rain much in Spiti Valley, and the monsoon season isn't very long. The temperature during this time can be anywhere from 5°C to 20°C. During heavy rain, landslides and roadblocks can happen, so it's best to check the weather forecast before travelling.
Temperatures in the Spiti Valley range from a low of -5 degrees Celsius to a high of 15 degrees Celsius during the fall season (October to November). The air is cool and pleasant, and the leaves are turning beautiful colours.
Winter (from December to March): During winter, the average temperature in Spiti Valley is around -20°C, which is below freezing. Heavy snowfall has closed the road to the valley, which is covered in a blanket of snow. The winter is not a good time to travel.
