# Spiti Circuit: Shimla to Manali

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

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.

## Highlights

- 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

## Day-by-day itinerary

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
8. **Chandratal to Manali.** Trip ends in Manali. Down the Chandra valley and through the Atal Tunnel to Manali, where the trip ends.

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

## 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

## 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.

## Frequently asked questions

**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.

Price: quoted with your itinerary. No payment on this website. Enquire on WhatsApp: +91 76500 90909.

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