DomesticAdventure

9-Day Spiti Valley Circuit — Shimla to Manali

The full circuit the sensible way round — up the Sutlej through Kalpa and Nako, into Spiti at Tabo and Kaza, then out over Kunzum La to Chandratal and Manali. Runs June to early October, when both sides are open.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Shimla to Kalpa
Along the Sutlej through Narkanda and Reckong Peo to Kalpa, facing the Kinner Kailash range.
Meals
Dinner
Stay
Kalpa
Day 2: Kalpa to Nako
Through Khab and the Sutlej–Spiti confluence to Nako village and its lake.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Nako
Day 3: Nako to Kaza via Tabo
Gue mummy, Tabo Monastery and Dhankar on the way to Kaza.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Kaza
Day 4: Kaza — high villages
Key Monastery, Kibber, and Hikkim, Komic and Langza — the highest inhabited villages in the region.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Kaza
Day 5: Pin Valley and Mudh
Into Pin Valley National Park to Mudh, the last village on the road.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Mudh
Day 6: Mudh to Kaza
Back down the Pin, with a stop at Kungri Monastery.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Kaza
Day 7: Kaza to Chandratal
Over Kunzum La at 14,931 ft to the lake. Camping beside Chandratal.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Chandratal
Day 8: Chandratal to Manali
Sunrise at the lake, then Batal, Gramphu and down to Manali.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Manali
Day 9: Departure
Trip ends after breakfast in Manali.
Meals
Breakfast

Trip Highlights

Gradual altitude gain via the Shimla side
Key Monastery and Tabo
Hikkim, Komic and Langza
Night at Chandratal
Kunzum La crossing

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.

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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 →