Transport: the main cost
Most travellers hire a car with a driver for the whole circuit. It's priced per vehicle per day or for the full route, including the driver's food and stay, fuel, tolls and state taxes, so the cost per person falls sharply for groups of four to six. An SUV is recommended for Spiti's rough roads and river crossings. Our Shimla to Kaza, Manali to Kaza and Delhi to Kaza pages show current fares, and we quote full circuits on request.
Cheaper alternatives are HRTC buses from Shimla, Reckong Peo or Manali to Kaza, which run on a limited schedule, combined with local taxis in Spiti. They take much longer and give you less flexibility.
Where you stay
Accommodation in Spiti is mostly homestays, guesthouses and small hotels, with camps at Chandratal in summer. Homestays often include dinner and breakfast. Rough ranges per room per night in season:
| Type | Indicative price per night |
|---|---|
| Village homestay, meals often included | About ₹1,000–2,500 |
| Guesthouse or budget hotel in Kaza | About ₹1,500–3,000 |
| Better hotel in Kaza or Tabo | About ₹3,500–7,000 |
| Camp at Chandratal (summer) | About ₹1,500–3,500 per person, often with meals |
Food, permits and extras
- Food: simple and inexpensive; budget roughly ₹500–1,000 per person per day outside homestay meals.
- Permits: Indian citizens don't need one; foreign nationals need a protected area permit, with a small fee.
- Monastery donations: entry is generally free; a small donation is welcome.
- Fuel: there are few pumps beyond Reckong Peo and Kaza, which your driver will plan for.
- Emergency buffer: keep money for an extra night if roads close.
Sample budgets
Rough totals for illustration only, in season. For a group of four sharing an SUV on a 9-day circuit from Shimla, staying in homestays and mid-range hotels, the total per person might be roughly ₹35,000–55,000. A couple doing the same trip in their own car with a driver will pay more per head, roughly ₹55,000–90,000 each, because the vehicle cost is shared by two. Budget travellers using buses and homestays can do it for much less, but need more days.
For an exact figure, tell us your route, dates and group size.
Ways to save
- Travel in a group of four to six to share the car.
- Stay in homestays, which usually include meals.
- Travel in June or September rather than peak August.
- Book the circuit as one trip rather than separate one-way transfers.
- Avoid backtracking: plan the loop through Kinnaur and out via Manali.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Spiti trip cost?+
It depends mostly on transport and group size. Shared among four, a 9-day circuit might be roughly ₹35,000–55,000 per person.
What is the taxi fare from Manali to Kaza?+
Our Manali to Kaza page shows current fares by vehicle. The road is open about June to mid-October.
Is Spiti expensive?+
Accommodation and food are cheap; the car is the big cost. Groups bring the per-person cost down a lot.
Is there a permit fee for Spiti?+
Indians don't need a permit. Foreign nationals need a protected area permit with a small fee.
Can I do Spiti on a budget by bus?+
Yes, with HRTC buses and homestays, but schedules are limited, so allow extra days.
Is a homestay cheaper than a hotel in Spiti?+
Usually, and many include dinner and breakfast, which makes them good value.
