DomesticAdventure

9-Day Spiti Photography Expedition

Built around light rather than distance — fewer stops, longer at each, and days planned around sunrise and sunset at Key, Dhankar, Langza and Chandratal. Small group, photographer trip leader.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Shimla to Kalpa
Up the Sutlej. Evening light on Kinner Kailash from Kalpa.
Meals
Dinner
Stay
Kalpa
Day 2: Kalpa to Nako
Khab confluence at midday, Nako lake at dusk.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Nako
Day 3: Nako to Tabo
Gue mummy, then Tabo — interiors in the afternoon light.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Tabo
Day 4: Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar
Dhankar Monastery at golden hour, then Kaza.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Kaza
Day 5: Key and Kibber
Key Monastery at sunrise, Chicham bridge and Kibber later.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Kaza
Day 6: Langza and Komic
The Buddha statue at Langza against Chau Chau Kang Nilda.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Kaza
Day 7: Kaza to Chandratal
Kunzum La, then the lake for sunset and a night sky session.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Chandratal
Day 8: Chandratal to Manali
Sunrise at the lake, then down to Manali.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Manali
Day 9: Departure
Trip ends after breakfast.
Meals
Breakfast

Trip Highlights

Sunrise and sunset slots at the main viewpoints
Night sky sessions at Chandratal
Small group of eight
Photographer trip leader

What's included

Accommodation as per the itinerary, on twin sharing
Daily breakfast and dinner
All transfers and sightseeing by tempo traveller or SUV with a Spiti-experienced driver
Inner Line Permits where required
Oxygen cylinder and basic first aid in the vehicle
Driver allowance, fuel, tolls and parking

What's not included

Travel to and from Shimla or Manali
Lunch throughout unless specified
Monastery donations and camera charges
Any activity not listed under inclusions
Travel insurance — recommended at these altitudes
Costs arising from road closures, landslides or weather delays

Pickup point

Shimla (Old Bus Stand) or Manali (Mall Road), depending on the route

Cancellation policy

Cancel 30 days or more before departure — full refund minus a ₹2,000 processing fee.

Cancel 15 to 29 days before departure — 50% of the trip cost is refunded.

Cancel 7 to 14 days before departure — 25% of the trip cost is refunded.

Cancel within 7 days of departure — no refund.

Kunzum La and the Manali side stay closed until roughly June and shut again by October. If a road closure forces a reroute or a shortened trip, unused services are refunded — the passes are not ours to control.

Frequently asked questions

Which way round should I do the Spiti circuit?

Shimla in and Manali out. You gain altitude gradually up the Sutlej — Narkanda, Kalpa, Nako, Tabo — which is far kinder on the body than starting at Rohtang and dropping straight into Kaza at 12,500 ft.

When is Spiti open?

The Shimla side runs almost all year. The Manali side over Kunzum La usually opens in June and closes by mid-October, so a full circuit is a summer trip. Winter Spiti is Shimla in and Shimla out.

How cold does it get?

Summer nights in Kaza drop to single digits. Winter runs to −20°C and colder at night, with limited running water in homestays — we tell you exactly what to pack before a winter departure.

Is there mobile network?

Only BSNL postpaid works reliably beyond Reckong Peo. Kaza has patchy Jio. Assume no signal between Nako and Kaza and none at all at Chandratal.

Are homestays or hotels used?

Both. Kalpa and Kaza have proper hotels; Nako, Mudh and the high villages are homestays with shared or basic bathrooms. That is part of the trip, not a compromise.

Ready to book Spiti Photography Expedition?

Tell us your dates and group size and our team will confirm availability, hold the rooms and send you the invoice and vouchers.

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₹32,999₹38,000

Save ₹5,001

+ tax as applicable

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Tour Option

Twin Sharing₹32,999

Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

A cold desert with monasteries on the cliffs.

Know Before You Go

Which way round should I do the Spiti circuit?Shimla in and Manali out. You gain altitude gradually up the Sutlej — Narkanda, Kalpa, Nako, Tabo — which is far kinder on the body than starting at Rohtang and dropping straight into Kaza at 12,500 ft.
When is Spiti open?The Shimla side runs almost all year. The Manali side over Kunzum La usually opens in June and closes by mid-October, so a full circuit is a summer trip. Winter Spiti is Shimla in and Shimla out.
How cold does it get?Summer nights in Kaza drop to single digits. Winter runs to −20°C and colder at night, with limited running water in homestays — we tell you exactly what to pack before a winter departure.

All questions →