Overview
In winter, Spiti is cut off from Manali and reached only by the long road through Kinnaur. It's deeply cold, with nights far below freezing, but the valley is white, the sky is clear and you'll share the monasteries with the monks and almost no one else. This eight-day trip goes in and out the same way, through Kalpa and Nako, with two nights in Kaza for Key monastery, Kibber and the snow-leopard country around it. You travel in a 4x4 with a driver who works this road in winter, and stay in heated homestays and the few hotels that stay open.
Best for: Experienced travellers and photographers who want Spiti under snow, without crowds
- Spiti under snow, almost empty of tourists
- Key monastery and Kibber village
- Frozen Nako lake
- Tabo's thousand-year-old monastery
- Kinnaur Kailash from Kalpa
- 4x4 vehicle and winter-experienced driver
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to Narkanda
About 180 kmOvernight: Narkanda
Up through Shimla and along the ridge to Narkanda, often snowy in winter. A gentle first day at about 2,700 m to start acclimatising.
Road guide: Chandigarh to Narkanda → - Day2
Narkanda to Kalpa
About 165 kmOvernight: Kalpa
Down to the Sutlej at Rampur and up the Kinnaur valley to Reckong Peo, where foreign nationals collect their Protected Area Permit, then up to Kalpa, facing the Kinnaur Kailash range across the valley.
- Day3
Kalpa to Nako
About 105 kmOvernight: Nako
Past Pooh and the dramatic gorge at Khab, where the Spiti river meets the Sutlej, and up the hairpins to Nako village at about 3,600 m. In winter the lake is often frozen.
- Day4
Nako to Kaza via Tabo
About 110 kmOvernight: Kaza
Into Spiti proper, with a stop at Tabo, whose monastery was founded in 996 and has some of the oldest surviving murals in the Himalaya. Continue past Dhankar's cliff-top gompa to Kaza.
- Day5
Key monastery and Kibber
About 60 kmOvernight: Kaza
The white walls of Key monastery above the snowy valley, then on to Kibber, one of the bases for winter snow-leopard tours. Local spotters run day trips when cats are seen; they're optional and charged separately.
- Day6
Kaza to Kalpa
About 210 kmOvernight: Kalpa
A long but beautiful day back down the Spiti and Sutlej valleys to Kalpa, in time for the evening light on Kinnaur Kailash.
- Day7
Kalpa to Shimla
About 230 kmOvernight: Shimla
Down through Kinnaur to Rampur and back up to Shimla, about eight to nine hours. A warm hotel and a hot shower.
Road guide: Shimla to Kalpa → - Day8
Shimla to Chandigarh
About 115 km
The short drive down to Chandigarh, timed for your onward train or flight. Your driver helps with luggage at the station or airport, and if your train or flight leaves late we can add a lunch stop or a short detour on the way.
Road guide: Shimla to Chandigarh →
Why go in winter
Summer Spiti is busy with bikers and tour groups; winter Spiti is silent. The monasteries hold their winter prayers, villagers have time to talk, and the light on the snow is extraordinary. It's also the season for snow-leopard tours, which have made Kibber known among wildlife photographers.
How we keep it safe
We use a 4x4 with a driver who drives the Kinnaur road in winter, carry chains and keep a spare day in mind for road closures. Homestays are chosen for their heating, usually wood or kerosene stoves. If the road closes, we wait it out somewhere warm rather than take risks.
What to bring
Down jacket, thermals, fleece, a warm hat and balaclava, insulated gloves, snow boots and good sunglasses. A sleeping-bag liner and hot-water bottle help at night. Lip balm and moisturiser matter in the dry cold, and a power bank is useful because power cuts are common.
Route and price at a glance
The Winter Spiti trip covers about 1,175 km by road over 8 days, with overnight stops in Narkanda, Kalpa, Nako, Kaza and Shimla. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 2,000 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 7 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹28,000 for 7 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹66,800 for the car and driver and a ₹14,220 service fee: ₹1,09,020 in all, or ₹54,500 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Chandigarh to Narkanda (about 180 km, overnight Narkanda)
- Day 2: Narkanda to Kalpa (about 165 km, overnight Kalpa)
- Day 3: Kalpa to Nako (about 105 km, overnight Nako)
- Day 4: Nako to Kaza via Tabo (about 110 km, overnight Kaza)
- Day 5: Key monastery and Kibber (about 60 km, overnight Kaza)
- Day 6: Kaza to Kalpa (about 210 km, overnight Kalpa)
- Day 7: Kalpa to Shimla (about 230 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 8: Shimla to Chandigarh (about 115 km)
Winter Spiti 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 | ₹55,000 ≈ US$645 | ₹1,10,000 | Innova |
| 4 | ₹36,000 ≈ US$425 | ₹1,44,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹37,000 ≈ US$435 | ₹2,22,000 | 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)₹28,000
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹66,800
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹14,220
- Total for both₹1,09,020
Included
- 7 nights in Narkanda, Kalpa, Nako, Kaza and Shimla, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 8 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 Chandigarh and drop at Chandigarh
- Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals, arranged on the way
Not included
- ×Train, bus or flights to Chandigarh
- ×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; rest on arrival, drink water and avoid alcohol. Severe headache, vomiting or breathlessness at rest mean you should descend and get help.
- Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for the stretch beyond Jangi, arranged at Reckong Peo; it's included in the foreign-national price.
- Water pipes freeze in winter; many homestays provide hot water in buckets and dry toilets.
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
- • January and February are the coldest months, with nights of minus 20°C or lower in Kaza.
- • December and March are a little milder but can still bring heavy snow.
- • Roads through Kinnaur close for a day or more after heavy snowfall or rockfall; build in a spare day.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Winter Spiti package cost?+
About ₹36,500 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹54,500 per person for a couple, for all 8 days. Comfort hotels cost more, and foreign nationals pay a little extra for the Protected Area Permit; the price table shows every option.
Is Spiti open in winter?+
Yes, through Kinnaur from Shimla. The Manali road over Kunzum La is closed from about October to June.
How cold does it get?+
Often minus 15 to minus 25°C at night in January and February, and below freezing in the day.
Can we see snow leopards?+
Sometimes. Local spotters in Kibber run tours when cats are seen; sightings aren't guaranteed and cost extra.
Who should not do this trip?+
People with heart or lung conditions, very young children and anyone who hates the cold. Talk to your doctor first.
Which car do we get on the Winter Spiti 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
- Spiti Valley travel guide
- Shimla to Kaza taxi
- Altitude sickness in Spiti and Ladakh
- Permits for foreign visitors
Price and route sources: Wikipedia: Kaza, Himachal Pradesh · Wikipedia: Tabo Monastery · Wikipedia: Key Monastery · The Thrill Himalaya: Spiti package prices · Spiti Valley Packages: published itineraries and prices
