Spiti Road Trip (Full Circuit - 9 Days) - Fixed Departure

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.

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 major tourist attractions in Spiti Valley?

 Spiti Valley have several noteworthy tourist attractions. Popular ones are:

• The Key Monastery is one of the highest monasteries in the world at an elevation of 4,215 metres (13,668 ft).
• Campers and hikers alike go to Chandratal Lake, a high altitude lake that sits at an elevation of 4,400 metres (14,100 ft).
• Park visitors can see snow leopards, Himalayan ibex, and other endangered animals at Pin Valley National Park.
• As one of the world's oldest monasteries, Tabo Monastery has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is widely regarded as a cultural treasure for its priceless collection of thangkas and other works of ancient Buddhist art.
• Kibber is an attractive highland settlement that serves as a starting point for a number of hikes due to its elevated position at an elevation of 4,400 metres (14,200 ft).

What are the different modes of transportation available for traveling to Spiti Valley?

By Road: Driving is the most popular way to get to Spiti Valley. From either Shimla or Manali, you can reach the airport via bus or cab. The trip is long and hard, but the beautiful scenery makes it worth it.

By Air: the closest airport to Spiti Valley is in Bhuntar, which is about 240 km away near Kullu. You can take a taxi or a bus from there to get to Spiti Valley.

By Train: Shimla, approximately 450 km away, has the closest train station to Spiti Valley. One can take a taxi or bus to Spiti Valley from there.

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.

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.

Spiti's weather and temperature

Spiti Valley has different weather and temperatures depending on the time of year.

Summer (April–June): Spiti Valley summer temperatures are 10–25 °C. To enjoy the valley to its fullest, go now while the weather is fine and the sky is clear.

Monsoon (July–September): Spiti Valley has little rainfall and a short monsoon season. Temperatures range from 5 °C to 20 °C. Before travelling, check the weather to avoid landslides and blockages.

Autumn (October–November) in Spiti Valley is 5–15 °C. The fall colours and chilly temperature are lovely.

Winter (December–March): The average temperature in Spiti Valley is -20 °C. Due to the severe snowfall, the route leading to the valley is mostly closed. Tourists should avoid the winter.

Important Details to Note

Minimum requirement: The trip runs if we have a minimum of 4 confirmed participants. In the event that we don’t get the requisite numbers we can run with less than 4 participants if participants are willing to pay extra. We will revise the costing according to the no. of participants. Alternatively in the event the trip gets cancelled, we will reimburse the amount paid to the participants minus any minimal bank charges that may have been cut.

Room Sharing: All stays in guesthouses will be on a twin sharing basis except for homestays where it will be as per the layout of the homestay i.e 2,3 or 4 people in one room basis the size of the room. Rooms are divided amongst same sex participants which is most comfortable for solo travellers. Only if there is a couple amongst the group will they get to stay together.

Type of participants: Our groups usually have participants between the ages of 20-40 and we have a healthy 50-50 male to female ratio in the group, with friends, couples and solo travellers alike.

Homestays: You shall stay in homestays where you shall be sharing some space with a local family. It will be a wonderful experience to see the life of people at this altitude and how content they are. Stay and food will be very basic and they shall serve what they eat.

Dry Toilets: Since there is lack of water in cold deserts and carrying water is not easy at such high altitudes- the concept of dry toilets have been prevalent in Spiti since the beginning. While trekking we shall be covering a terrain where all the homestays have dry toilets. We can also provide a stool if some people have difficulty squatting but there shall be an extra charge for the same.

Bathing and Hot Water: Since we shall be around 4000 meters, getting hot water for everyone will not be possible. Hot water for drinking shall not be an issue but for bathing it will not be possible.

Important luggage during the trek: For the trek you shall be carrying only oneway pack which shall have all the important stuff that you shall need for the trek. Rest of the rest shall be left at Kaza in our hotel. You will also be required to carry your own water bottles which can be refilled at various places.

The guide won’t carry your luggage: The guide shall be carrying his own stuff so he won’t be able to carry your stuff. So be very particular about what you are carrying for the trek as you will have to carry it. In case extreme condition the guide will help but not otherwise. Please keep this in mind.