Overview
Kaza to Shimla is roughly 410–430 km through Kinnaur, usually two days by taxi with about 14 to 16 hours of driving: down the Spiti valley past Tabo, through Sumdo and Nako, along the Sutlej through Pooh to Reckong Peo and Kalpa for the night, then via Rampur and Narkanda to Shimla. It's the way out of Spiti for most of the year, and the only one when Kunzum La is closed, roughly from mid-October to June. The road descends gradually, from about 3,650 m to Shimla's 2,200 m, so it's comfortable on the body. We pick you up in Kaza and drive you all the way to Shimla with one driver.
Usual route: Tabo, Sumdo, Nako, Khab and Pooh to Reckong Peo, then along the Sutlej via Rampur and Narkanda to Shimla
Included
- Fuel and driver allowance
- Tolls and state entry taxes
- Pickup anywhere in Kaza
- Short refreshment stops
Not included
- ×Parking at sightseeing stops
- ×Detours beyond the agreed route (quoted upfront)
- ×Night allowance on trips that need one (quoted upfront)
The climb from Kaza to Shimla
How high you go, and the stops along the way. Useful if anyone in your group gets motion sick or feels the altitude.
Start
3,650 m
Kaza
Total descent
−1,274 m
over ~420 km
Finish
2,376 m
Shimla
- Kaza
- Tabo
- Nako
- Khab
- Kalpa
- Narkanda
- Shimla
Illustrative profile. Start, finish altitudes are approximate; stops are shown in order, not to scale.
Kaza to Shimla taxi fare and cab rates
Starting prices for a one-way trip (~420 km), per vehicle, with fuel, driver, tolls and HP entry tax included. Your exact price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book; it can vary with dates, vehicle model and extra stops. All Himachal taxi fares
₹12,200
starting · one way
₹13,450
starting · one way
₹21,850
starting · one way
Your quote
Kaza → Shimla
SUV · one way · ~420 km
- FuelIncluded
- Driver & driver allowanceIncluded
- Highway tollsIncluded
- Himachal state entry taxIncluded
- Pickup anywhere in KazaIncluded
Total you pay
starting price
₹12,200
Only ever extra: parking at sightseeing stops you choose (paid at cost), and detours you add on the day (quoted before you go).
Driving tips for this route
- 1Day 1: Kaza to Kalpa or Reckong Peo, about 208 km and 8–9 hours. Day 2: Kalpa to Shimla, about 7½–8½ hours.
- 2Landslide-prone stretches, especially near Nako and Malling, can hold traffic; leave early.
- 3Fuel is available in Kaza and Reckong Peo; our drivers plan the stops.
- 4In winter, the road is usually open but icy, and closures happen after snow.
- 5Foreign nationals: keep your Protected Area Permit handy until you're past Jangi.
Worthwhile stops on the way
Kaza
Pickup
Tabo
Ancient monastery complex, about 1½–2 hours from Kaza.
Nako
Lake village at about 3,600 m.
Khab
Confluence of the Spiti and the Sutlej.
Kalpa
Overnight facing Kinner Kailash.
Narkanda
Ridge town about two hours before Shimla.
Shimla
Drop at your hotel
Two days down through Kinnaur
The first day leaves the high desert of Spiti behind: past Tabo's monastery, through the gorge at Sumdo, up to Nako's lake and down the Ka loops to Khab, where the Spiti river meets the Sutlej. From there, the road follows the Sutlej through the cliffs of upper Kinnaur to Reckong Peo and up to Kalpa. The second day runs down the Sutlej valley through Rampur, then climbs over the ridge at Narkanda to Shimla.
Breaking the trip at Kalpa means waking up to the Kinner Kailash range at sunrise, a fine way to end a Spiti trip.
- Day 1: Kaza to Kalpa (about 208 km)
- Day 2: Kalpa to Shimla (about 220–230 km)
- Optional extra night in Sangla or Sarahan
When this is the only way out
From roughly mid-October to June, Kunzum La is closed by snow, and the Kinnaur road is the only route between Spiti and the rest of Himachal. Even in summer, many travellers choose it to avoid the rough Manali road. If you came in from Manali, leaving this way makes your trip a full circuit.
Adding Sangla and Chitkul
The Baspa valley, with Sangla and Chitkul, branches off at Karcham, about an hour below Reckong Peo. With an extra day or two, you can stop there on the way down: Kalpa, then Sangla or Chitkul, then Shimla. It's one of the most beautiful valleys in Himachal, and easy to add when you're already driving past.
Vehicles and what the fare covers
We send SUVs, Innovas and Tempo Travellers only. The starting fare covers the distance at our per-km rate, with fuel, tolls and Himachal taxes. Because this is a two-day drive, the driver's night allowance is added and quoted upfront, along with any extra nights you'd like on the way.
Nako and Tabo on the way
Two stops are worth slowing down for. Tabo, about 1½–2 hours from Kaza, has one of the oldest Buddhist monastery complexes in the Himalaya, with mud-walled temples and old murals inside. Nako, a little further, is a stone village around a small lake at about 3,600 m. Both are easy to visit in an hour each, and Nako makes a peaceful overnight if you'd rather split the first day.
Weather & road conditions
When to go to Shimla
Shimla: Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov; Snow: Jan–Feb, Dec; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Pickup options
- • Kaza hotels and homestays
- • Kibber, Langza and Key (nearest road point)
- • Tabo (on request)
Other ways to travel
HRTC buses run from Kaza to Reckong Peo and on to Shimla, taking about two days with a change.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Kaza to Shimla cab cost?+
Starting one-way fares are SUV ₹12,200, Toyota Innova Crysta ₹13,450, Tempo Traveller ₹21,850, all-inclusive with fuel, driver, tolls and Himachal entry tax. Your exact taxi price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book.
How far is Shimla from Kaza?+
Roughly 410–430 km via Kinnaur, about 14–16 hours of driving over two days (approximate; verification pending).
Is this road open all year?+
Usually, yes, though snow and landslides can close it for a day or two. It's the only way out of Spiti when Kunzum La is shut.
Where do we stop overnight?+
Usually Kalpa or Reckong Peo, about 208 km from Kaza.
Can we add Sangla or Chitkul?+
Yes, from Karcham; add a day or two.
Can you drop us in Chandigarh instead?+
Yes. Chandigarh is about three hours beyond Shimla; tell us when you book.
Which vehicles do you send?+
SUVs, Innovas and Tempo Travellers only.
Reviews
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