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Key Monastery in snow, Spiti Valley

Spiti Circuit: Shimla to Manali

7 nights · 8 days · Spiti Valley

  • 7 nights · 8 days
  • Road trip
  • Up to Kunzum Pass, ~4,550 m
  • Runs June – mid-October
  • Private or group
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Overview

A full loop of Spiti that goes in through Kinnaur and comes out over Kunzum Pass. Climbing slowly from Shimla gives your body time to adjust before Kaza, where you spend three nights at our own hotel, Spiti Villa. Then you finish at Chandratal and drive down through the Atal Tunnel to Manali.

  • Three nights at our own Spiti Villa in Kaza
  • Slow climb through Kinnaur to help you acclimatise
  • Tabo, Dhankar, Key and Komic monasteries
  • Fossil village of Langza and Hikkim post office
  • Sunset at Chandratal lake
  • One local driver and SUV for the whole route
  1. ShimlaStart
  2. SanglaDay 1
  3. KalpaDay 2
  4. TaboDay 3
  5. KazaDays 4–6
  6. ChandratalDay 7
  7. ManaliDay 8

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Shimla to Sangla

    Night: Sangla · Kinnaur

    Pick-up in Shimla and a long drive along the Sutlej into Kinnaur, with lunch at Rampur. A long road day, so we start early.

    Night stay
    Sangla · Kinnaur
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2

    Chitkul and Kalpa

    Night: Kalpa

    Up the Baspa valley to Chitkul, then back down to Kalpa for the night, with views of Kinner Kailash.

    Night stay
    Kalpa
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  3. Day 3

    Kalpa to Tabo via Nako

    Night: Tabo · police check at Sumdo

    Through upper Kinnaur with a stop at Nako lake. Foreign nationals show their Inner Line Permit at the police check at Sumdo.

    Night stay
    Tabo · police check at Sumdo
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  4. Day 4

    Tabo, Dhankar and on to Kaza

    Night: Spiti Villa, Kaza

    Morning at Tabo Monastery, founded in 996 CE, then the cliff-top gompa at Dhankar before the drive to Kaza. Rest on arrival.

    Night stay
    Spiti Villa, Kaza
    Altitude
    Kaza, about 3,650 m
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  5. Day 5

    Key, Kibber and Chicham

    Night: Spiti Villa, Kaza

    Key Monastery, the largest in the valley, then Kibber, one of the highest villages lived in all year, and on to Chicham.

    Night stay
    Spiti Villa, Kaza
    Altitude
    Kibber, about 4,270 m
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  6. Day 6

    Langza, Hikkim and Komic

    Night: Spiti Villa, Kaza

    A half-day loop above 4,300 m: the fossil village of Langza, the high-altitude post office at Hikkim and the monastery at Komic.

    Night stay
    Spiti Villa, Kaza
    Altitude
    Above 4,300 m
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  7. Day 7

    Kunzum Pass to Chandratal

    Night: camps near Chandratal

    West out of Kaza and over Kunzum Pass, at about 4,550 m, to the camps near Chandratal. Walk to the lake for sunset.

    Night stay
    camps near Chandratal
    Altitude
    Chandratal, about 4,300 m
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  8. Day 8

    Chandratal to Manali

    Trip ends in Manali

    Down the Chandra valley and through the Atal Tunnel to Manali, where the trip ends.

    Night stay
    Trip ends in Manali
    Meals
    Breakfast

The Manali side is usually open from June to mid-October. Outside those months we return the way we came, through Kinnaur.

What’s included

Included

  • SUV with an experienced local driver, Shimla to Manali
  • 7 nights’ stay, including 3 at Spiti Villa
  • Breakfast and dinner daily
  • Inner Line Permit help for foreign nationals
  • Monastery and village visits as listed
  • Help on WhatsApp throughout the trip

Not included

  • Travel to Shimla and from Manali
  • Lunches, snacks and personal expenses
  • Entry fees and camera charges
  • Travel insurance
  • Extra nights caused by road closures

Where you’ll stay

  • Sangla

    Riverside guesthouse

  • Kalpa

    Hotel with Kinner Kailash views

  • Tabo

    Guesthouse near the monastery

  • Chandratal

    Basic camp, shared facilities

Before you go

  • Altitude

    You will sleep at about 3,650 m in Kaza. Rest on arrival, drink plenty of water and tell us about any health conditions.

  • Roads

    Expect long road days, landslide-prone sections and rough stretches near Kunzum. We keep buffer time in the plan.

  • Permits

    Indian citizens need only photo ID. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur stretch, checked at Sumdo.

  • What to pack

    Warm layers even in July, a down jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, a basic medical kit and cash for remote villages.

FAQ

How many days do I need for the Spiti circuit?

Eight days, Shimla to Manali, is the pace we recommend. It allows a slow climb through Kinnaur, three nights in Kaza and buffer time for the passes. If you are already in Kaza, our five-day Spiti from Kaza trip covers the main monasteries and villages.

When does the Spiti circuit run?

From June to mid-October, while the Manali side over Kunzum Pass is open. June to September is best. Outside those months we return the way we came, through Kinnaur.

Do I need a permit for Spiti?

Indian citizens need only a valid photo ID. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur stretch, checked at Sumdo; we help with it as part of your booking.

How high does the trip go?

The highest point is Kunzum Pass, at about 4,550 m. You sleep at about 3,650 m in Kaza and near Chandratal, at about 4,300 m, on the last night, so we rest on arrival and climb slowly.

Why go from Shimla to Manali and not the other way?

Going in through Kinnaur climbs gradually, which helps you acclimatise before Kaza. Finishing over Kunzum Pass and at Chandratal saves the highest stretch for when your body has adjusted.

Read our cancellation policy before you confirm.

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