Overview
The shortest sensible Spiti trip, starting and ending in Manali. You cross the Atal Tunnel and Kunzum La into Spiti on day two, spend three nights in Kaza for the monasteries, the high villages and the Pin valley, and come back via a night at Chandratal lake. Because the road from Manali climbs fast, the plan starts with a night in Manali and keeps the first days in Spiti gentle. It suits travellers who've spent a few days in Manali or the Kullu valley first.
Best for: Travellers already in Manali who are acclimatised or have a few days to spare
- Kunzum La at about 4,550 m
- Three nights in Kaza
- Key monastery and Kibber
- Pin valley and Dhankar monastery
- Langza's Buddha and Hikkim's post office
- A night at Chandratal lake
Day by day
- Day1
Arrive in Manali
Local sightseeing, short drivesOvernight: Manali
Meet your driver in Manali, at Kullu airport or at the bus stand. A quiet afternoon around Old Manali to rest before the climb; drink plenty of water and have an early night.
- Day2
Manali to Kaza over Kunzum La
About 200 kmOvernight: Kaza
An early start through the Atal Tunnel and along the Chandra river to Batal, then over Kunzum La into Spiti, with a stop at the pass's stupa and prayer flags. Arrive in Kaza by late afternoon and rest.
Road guide: Manali to Kaza → - Day3
Key, Kibber and Langza
About 70 kmOvernight: Kaza
A short, slow day to help you adjust: Key monastery, Kibber village and the fossil slopes of Langza with its Buddha statue. Back to Kaza for lunch and an afternoon rest.
- Day4
Pin valley, Dhankar and Tabo
About 140 kmOvernight: Kaza
Down the valley to Dhankar's cliff-top monastery, into the Pin valley to Kungri gompa and Mud village, and on to Tabo's thousand-year-old temple if time allows. A long, varied day.
- Day5
Kaza to Chandratal
About 90 kmOvernight: Chandratal
Back up the valley via Losar and over Kunzum La, then the side track to Chandratal's camps. Walk to the lake for sunset at about 4,250 m.
- Day6
Chandratal to Manali
About 125 km
Sunrise at the lake, then the rough road down the Chandra valley to the Atal Tunnel and Manali, arriving by mid-afternoon. Drop-off at your hotel or the bus stand.
Road guide: Manali to Chandratal →
The altitude jump
Manali is at about 2,050 m and Kaza at about 3,650 m, with Kunzum La in between. That's a big jump for one day, which is why we start with a night in Manali and keep day three short. If you've just flown in from the plains, add a second night in Manali or choose the Kinnaur route instead.
The Pin valley
The Pin valley runs south from the Spiti river near Attargo and is home to the Pin Valley National Park, known for ibex and, more rarely, snow leopards. Its villages, such as Mud, are among the most remote in Spiti, and Kungri is the main monastery of the Nyingma school in the valley.
Chandratal
Chandratal, the moon lake, lies at about 4,250 m on a high plateau below Kunzum La. Camps are set back from the shore to protect it, and you walk the last stretch. Its colour shifts from turquoise to deep blue through the day.
Route and price at a glance
The Spiti from Manali trip covers about 645 km by road over 6 days, with overnight stops in Manali, Kaza and Chandratal. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 1,500 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 5 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹20,500 for 5 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹50,000 for the car and driver and a ₹10,575 service fee: ₹81,075 in all, or ₹40,500 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Arrive in Manali (short local drives, overnight Manali)
- Day 2: Manali to Kaza over Kunzum La (about 200 km, overnight Kaza)
- Day 3: Key, Kibber and Langza (about 70 km, overnight Kaza)
- Day 4: Pin valley, Dhankar and Tabo (about 140 km, overnight Kaza)
- Day 5: Kaza to Chandratal (about 90 km, overnight Chandratal)
- Day 6: Chandratal to Manali (about 125 km)
Spiti from Manali price
Per person, by hotel tier and group size. Prices last calculated 21 October 2026 from current rate cards and hotel listings.
3-star hotels, standard camps and homestays
| Travellers | Per person | Group total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ₹41,000 ≈ US$480 | ₹82,000 | Innova |
| 4 | ₹26,500 ≈ US$310 | ₹1,06,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹27,500 ≈ US$325 | ₹1,65,000 | Tempo Traveller |
Per person, twin sharing, all-inclusive of the items listed below. Dollar prices are approximate (₹85 = US$1). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book; it depends on dates, hotel availability and group size.
Where the money goes: 2 travellers, standard hotels
- Hotels and camps (breakfast and dinner)₹20,500
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹50,000
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹10,575
- Total for both₹81,075
Included
- 5 nights in Manali, Kaza and Chandratal, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 6 days (sedan or Innova for two, Innova for four, Tempo Traveller for six), including fuel, tolls, parking, state taxes and the driver's allowances
- Pickup from Manali and drop at Manali
- Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals, arranged on the way
Not included
- ×Train, bus or flights to Manali
- ×Lunches, drinks and snacks
- ×Entry fees, ropeways, activities and snow gear hire
- ×GST on the package, travel insurance and tips
Good to know: roads, permits and safety
- Kaza is at about 3,650 m and the villages above it are higher. Rest on arrival, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol for the first days; severe headache, vomiting, breathlessness at rest or confusion mean you should descend and get help. Starting from Manali means a fast climb, so take the first day in Kaza very easy.
- Foreign nationals visiting Tabo need a Protected Area Permit, arranged in Kaza; it's included in the foreign-national price.
- The Chandra valley road between Gramphu and Batal is rough, with stream crossings that swell in the afternoon.
When to go
Plan by month
Where to go in October
The whole year at a glance
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • Only possible when Kunzum La is open, usually from mid-June to early October.
- • Early season (late June) can bring snow walls on Kunzum and cold nights.
- • September is often the clearest month.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Spiti from Manali package cost?+
About ₹27,000 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹40,500 per person for a couple, for all 6 days. Comfort hotels cost more, and foreign nationals pay a little extra for the Protected Area Permit; the price table shows every option.
Is six days enough for Spiti?+
For Kaza and the main sights, yes, if you're already acclimatised. Our nine-day circuit is gentler.
Can we reach Spiti from Manali in winter?+
No. Kunzum La is closed from about October to June; winter trips go via Kinnaur.
What is Kunzum La?+
The pass between Lahaul and Spiti, at about 4,550 m, with a temple to Kunzum Devi and great views.
Do we need a 4x4?+
An SUV or Innova is enough in season; we don't use sedans for Spiti.
Which car do we get on the Spiti from Manali trip?+
A Toyota Innova for two travellers, an Innova for up to four and a Tempo Traveller for six, with the same driver for the whole trip.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Manali to Kaza taxi
- Manali to Chandratal taxi
- Spiti Valley travel guide
- Altitude sickness in Spiti and Ladakh
Price and route sources: Wikipedia: Kaza, Himachal Pradesh · Wikipedia: Pin Valley National Park · Wikipedia: Kunzum Pass · Spiti Valley Packages: published itineraries and prices
