Overview
The most complete and least rushed way to see Spiti and Kinnaur from Delhi. A private SUV collects you in Delhi and drives up through Shimla, with nights at Sarahan's temple, two in Sangla for Chitkul, then Kalpa, Nako and Tabo before you reach Kaza on day eight. By then your body has had a week to adjust. Two nights in Kaza, a night at Chandratal and one in Manali complete the loop before the drive back to Delhi. It's twelve days, but every day is manageable, and there's time to stop for the villages, temples and views that make this road famous.
Best for: Visitors from abroad and first-timers who want Spiti without rushing the altitude
- Door-to-door from Delhi
- Sarahan's Bhimakali temple
- Two nights in Sangla with Chitkul
- Nights at Nako and Tabo
- Two nights in Kaza for the high villages
- Chandratal and Manali to finish
Day by day
- Day1
Delhi to Shimla
About 350 kmOvernight: Shimla
Pickup in Delhi or at the airport early in the morning and the drive north past Chandigarh into the hills, reaching Shimla by late afternoon. Evening on the Ridge.
Road guide: Delhi to Shimla → - Day2
Shimla to Sarahan
About 175 kmOvernight: Sarahan
Along the ridge through Narkanda's orchards and down to the Sutlej at Rampur, then up to Sarahan for the evening light on the Bhimakali temple and the Shrikhand range.
- Day3
Sarahan to Sangla
About 95 kmOvernight: Sangla
Morning prayers at Bhimakali, then into Kinnaur and up the cliff road to Sangla. Afternoon walk to Kamru village and its fort-temple above the valley.
- Day4
Chitkul and Rakcham
About 50 kmOvernight: Sangla
Up the Baspa to Rakcham and Chitkul, the last inhabited village before the frontier, for its temple, wooden houses and river meadows. Back to Sangla for the night.
Road guide: Shimla to Chitkul → - Day5
Sangla to Kalpa
About 50 kmOvernight: Kalpa
A short day to Kalpa, above Reckong Peo, where foreign nationals collect their permit. Walk to Roghi village along the cliff road and watch the sunset on Kinnaur Kailash.
Road guide: Shimla to Kalpa → - Day6
Kalpa to Nako
About 105 kmOvernight: Nako
Into upper Kinnaur past Pooh and the Khab confluence, then up the switchbacks to Nako's lake and monastery at about 3,600 m.
- Day7
Nako to Tabo
About 60 kmOvernight: Tabo
A short drive into Spiti and an afternoon at Tabo's monastery, founded in 996, with its painted assembly hall and the cave shelters on the hill above. A quiet village night.
- Day8
Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar
About 50 kmOvernight: Kaza
Dhankar's cliff-top monastery and, if you're feeling strong, the walk up to Dhankar lake, then on to Kaza. Timings are flexible: tell your driver in the morning if you'd like to linger somewhere, skip a stop or add one along the way.
- Day9
Key, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim and Komic
About 80 kmOvernight: Kaza
The full high-village day: Key monastery, Kibber, Langza's Buddha and fossils, Hikkim's post office and Komic's monastery, all above 4,000 m.
- Day10
Kaza to Chandratal
About 90 kmOvernight: Chandratal
Up the valley via Losar and over Kunzum La to Chandratal's camps. Walk to the lake for the evening light.
- Day11
Chandratal to Manali
About 125 kmOvernight: Manali
Down the rough Chandra valley road to the Atal Tunnel and Manali, for a hot shower and a celebratory dinner.
Road guide: Manali to Chandratal → - Day12
Manali to Delhi
About 540 km
The long drive back to Delhi, about twelve to fourteen hours with breaks, to your home, hotel or the airport.
Road guide: Manali to Delhi →
Why the slow route matters
Altitude sickness is the biggest risk in Spiti, and it's mostly caused by climbing too fast. On this plan you sleep at about 2,200 m, 2,150 m, 2,700 m, 2,700 m, 2,900 m, 3,600 m and 3,300 m before reaching Kaza on day eight. Most travellers barely notice the altitude by then.
For visitors from abroad
Many international travellers want to see Spiti but don't want to arrange permits, vehicles and stays on their own. This trip handles all of that, includes the permit for foreign nationals, and uses drivers who are used to explaining the places you pass. It also connects easily with flights in and out of Delhi.
Where you sleep
Expect comfortable but simple hotels in Shimla, Sangla, Kalpa and Kaza, village guesthouses in Sarahan, Nako and Tabo, and a camp at Chandratal. On the comfort tier we use the best-located boutique hotels where they exist.
Route and price at a glance
The Complete Spiti and Kinnaur trip covers about 1,770 km by road over 12 days, with overnight stops in Shimla, Sarahan, Sangla, Kalpa, Nako, Tabo, Kaza, Chandratal and Manali. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 3,000 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 11 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹40,500 for 11 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹1,00,400 for the car and driver and a ₹21,135 service fee: ₹1,62,035 in all, or ₹81,000 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Delhi to Shimla (about 350 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 2: Shimla to Sarahan (about 175 km, overnight Sarahan)
- Day 3: Sarahan to Sangla (about 95 km, overnight Sangla)
- Day 4: Chitkul and Rakcham (about 50 km, overnight Sangla)
- Day 5: Sangla to Kalpa (about 50 km, overnight Kalpa)
- Day 6: Kalpa to Nako (about 105 km, overnight Nako)
- Day 7: Nako to Tabo (about 60 km, overnight Tabo)
- Day 8: Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar (about 50 km, overnight Kaza)
- Day 9: Key, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim and Komic (about 80 km, overnight Kaza)
- Day 10: Kaza to Chandratal (about 90 km, overnight Chandratal)
- Day 11: Chandratal to Manali (about 125 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 12: Manali to Delhi (about 540 km)
Complete Spiti and Kinnaur 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 | ₹81,500 ≈ US$960 | ₹1,63,000 | Innova |
| 4 | ₹52,500 ≈ US$620 | ₹2,10,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹54,500 ≈ US$640 | ₹3,27,000 | 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)₹40,500
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹1,00,400
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹21,135
- Total for both₹1,62,035
Included
- 11 nights in Shimla, Sarahan, Sangla, Kalpa, Nako, Tabo, Kaza, Chandratal and Manali, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 12 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 Delhi and drop at Delhi
- Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals, arranged on the way
Not included
- ×Train, bus or flights to Delhi
- ×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.
- Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for upper Kinnaur and Spiti, collected at Reckong Peo on day five; it's included in the foreign-national price.
- Days 1 and 12 are long drives; you can swap them for a flight to Chandigarh or Kullu on request.
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 as a loop when Kunzum La is open, usually mid-June to early October.
- • Outside that window, we can run the same trip in and out via Kinnaur.
- • September is the clearest month; July and August are busier.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Complete Spiti and Kinnaur package cost?+
About ₹54,000 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹81,000 per person for a couple, for all 12 days. Comfort hotels cost more, and foreign nationals pay a little extra for the Protected Area Permit; the price table shows every option.
Why twelve days?+
It lets you climb slowly, which is the best protection against altitude sickness, and leaves time for the villages.
Can we start from Chandigarh?+
Yes. It removes about 250 km of driving each way and lowers the price.
Is this suitable for older travellers?+
Often yes, because the pace is gentle; but check with your doctor about altitude first.
What if a road is closed?+
Landslides happen. We wait or re-route, and the extra night is charged at cost.
Which car do we get on the Complete Spiti and Kinnaur 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
Price and route sources: Wikipedia: Spiti Valley · Wikipedia: Kinnaur district · Wikipedia: Tabo Monastery · The Thrill Himalaya: Spiti package prices · Spiti Valley Packages: published itineraries and prices
