Overview
The full Spiti valley circuit in ten days, with one car and driver from Chandigarh: in through Kinnaur, out over Kunzum La to Manali. The route climbs gradually, with nights at Narkanda, Sangla and Kalpa before Kaza at about 3,650 m, which is the safest way to adjust to Spiti's altitude. You see the orchards and wooden villages of Kinnaur, Chitkul near the Tibet frontier, the Kinner Kailash range at sunrise, the cliffs of upper Kinnaur, Nako's lake, Tabo's ancient monastery, Key monastery and the high villages around Kaza, and finally the Kunzum La crossing back to Manali. It runs only when Kunzum is open, roughly June to mid-October. We send SUVs, Innovas and Tempo Travellers only, with drivers who run these roads every season.
Best for: Couples, friends and families who want the full Himalayan road trip, with time to acclimatise
- Chandigarhstart
- Narkanda1 night
- Sangla2 nights
- Kalpa1 night
- Kaza3 nights
- Manali2 nights
- Chandigarhend
- A gradual climb through Kinnaur: Narkanda, Sangla and Kalpa before Spiti
- Chitkul, the last village on the road towards the Tibet frontier
- Sunrise on the Kinner Kailash range from Kalpa
- Nako's lake and Tabo's ancient monastery on the way into Spiti
- Two full days around Kaza: Key monastery, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim and Komic
- The Kunzum La crossing to Manali, with an optional night at Chandratal
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to Narkanda
Chandigarh → Narkanda~160 km · 5–6 hoursOvernight: Narkanda
Drive up the NH5 past Solan, skirt Shimla via the bypass, and continue along the old Hindustan–Tibet road through Kufri and Theog to Narkanda's ridge at about 2,700 m. An easy first day; walk among the apple orchards in the evening, or drive up towards Hatu Peak if the road is open.
Road guide: Chandigarh to Narkanda → - Day2
Narkanda to Sangla
Narkanda → Sangla~160 km · 5–6 hoursOvernight: Sangla
Drop to the Sutlej at Rampur, follow the river up the gorge past Jeori and Wangtu to Karcham, then climb the narrow Baspa valley road to Sangla at about 2,700 m. Stop at Sarahan's Bhimakali temple on the way if you'd like a longer day.
- Day3
Chitkul day trip
Around Sangla~55 km · 2–3 hours with stopsOvernight: Sangla
Drive up the Baspa valley through Rakchham to Chitkul, the last village on the road, at about 3,450 m. Walk by the river, visit the Mathi Devi temple, and come back down to Sangla for a second night, which helps with the altitude. Kamru's tower fort, just above Sangla, fits in the afternoon.
- Day4
Sangla to Kalpa
Sangla → Kalpa~50 km · 2–3 hoursOvernight: Kalpa
A short day back down to Karcham and up the Sutlej to Reckong Peo, Kinnaur's headquarters, and on to Kalpa at about 2,960 m. Foreign nationals collect their Protected Area Permit in Reckong Peo today, on a working day. Evening walk towards Roghi village.
- Day5
Kalpa to Kaza
Kalpa → Kaza~208 km · 8–9 hoursOvernight: Kaza
Sunrise on Kinner Kailash, then the long day into Spiti: through Pooh to Khab, where the Spiti meets the Sutlej, up the Ka loops to Nako and its lake, through Sumdo and past Tabo's monastery to Kaza at about 3,650 m. Rest on arrival; this is the biggest climb of the trip.
- Day6
Key monastery, Kibber and Chicham
Around Kaza~60 km · 3–4 hours with stopsOvernight: Kaza
A gentle first day in Spiti: Key monastery on its hill above the river, the high village of Kibber, and the Chicham bridge over a deep gorge. Keep exertion light and drink plenty of water.
- Day7
Langza, Hikkim and Komic
Around Kaza~50 km · 3–4 hours with stopsOvernight: Kaza
Up to Langza, with its large Buddha statue and fossil-bearing slopes, then Hikkim, with what's often called the world's highest post office, and Komic. Back in Kaza by afternoon; Dhankar monastery is an option if you're feeling well.
- Day8
Kaza to Manali over Kunzum La
Kaza → Manali~195 km · 7–9 hoursOvernight: Manali
An early start up the valley to Losar and over Kunzum La at about 4,550 m, down to Batal and along the rough Chhatru stretch to Gramphu, then through the Atal Tunnel to Manali. Add a night at the Chandratal camps here if you'd like: it adds a day and is far easier now that you're acclimatised.
Road guide: Kaza to Manali → - Day9
Manali at leisure
Around Manali~30 km · 1–2 hoursOvernight: Manali
A rest day after the high roads: Hadimba temple in its cedar forest, Old Manali's cafés, Vashisht's hot springs, or a short trip to the Solang valley.
- Day10
Manali to Chandigarh
Manali → Chandigarh~305 km · 7–9 hours
Down the Kullu valley, through the Aut tunnel and Mandi, and along the Kiratpur–Nerchowk four-lane to Chandigarh. Drop at your hotel, the airport or the station; Delhi drops can be added.
Road guide: Manali to Chandigarh →
Altitude: why the pace matters
Kaza sits at about 3,650 m, and the villages around it are higher still. Climbing too fast is the main cause of altitude sickness, which can spoil a trip and, in serious cases, be dangerous. This itinerary sleeps at about 2,700 m for three nights and 2,960 m for one before Kaza, and keeps the first two days in Spiti gentle.
Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol for the first days at altitude, and tell the driver at once if anyone has a severe headache, vomiting, breathlessness at rest or confusion. Descending is the most reliable treatment.
- Three nights around 2,700 m, then Kalpa
- Gentle first days in Kaza
- Descend if symptoms are severe
Where to stay
Narkanda and Kalpa have hotels with views; Sangla has hotels and homestays near the bazaar and in nearby villages. In Kaza, there's a wide choice of hotels and homestays, from simple to comfortable, and homestays in Kibber and Langza for travellers who want village life. Book ahead in July and August, when Spiti is busiest. In Manali, stay near the Mall Road for convenience or in Old Manali for the cafés.
What to pack
Spiti is a cold desert: hot sun by day, cold nights even in summer. Bring layers, a warm jacket, a hat and gloves, sunscreen and good sunglasses, and comfortable shoes for walking at altitude. Carry cash, since ATMs are limited outside Kaza and Reckong Peo, and download offline maps; mobile networks are patchy. A small first-aid kit with headache tablets and oral rehydration salts is worth having.
Shorter versions
With less time, the circuit can be cut to eight days by skipping Narkanda and the Chitkul day, though the climb becomes faster. Outside the Kunzum season, roughly mid-October to June, the trip runs in and out through Kinnaur, with Kaza and its villages as the turnaround point. Tell us your dates and we'll suggest the best version.
Tour price by vehicle
Starting prices for the whole 10-day tour (car, driver, fuel, tolls, state taxes and the driver's night allowance). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book.
Included
- Same car and driver for all days
- Fuel, tolls and state entry taxes
- Driver's food, stay and night allowance
- Local sightseeing on the days shown
Not included
- ×Hotels, homestays, camps and meals
- ×Driver night allowance (quoted upfront for each night)
- ×Monument and monastery entry fees, parking
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
- • Roughly June to mid-October, when Kunzum La is open; exact dates vary by year.
- • July–August: Spiti stays dry, but monsoon landslides in Kinnaur can hold traffic; we keep a buffer.
- • Outside the Kunzum season, we run an in-and-out Spiti trip through Kinnaur instead.
Frequently asked questions
Why go in through Kinnaur and out through Manali?+
The Kinnaur road climbs gradually over several days, so your body adjusts before Kaza. Leaving over Kunzum La is then much easier.
Do foreigners need a permit?+
Yes, a Protected Area Permit for upper Kinnaur and Spiti, usually arranged in Reckong Peo on day 4. Indian citizens don't need one.
Can we start from Delhi?+
Yes. Add a day from Delhi to Chandigarh or Shimla at the start, or a Delhi drop at the end.
Can we add Chandratal?+
Yes, as a night at the camps on day 8. It adds a day.
Is this trip suitable for children or older travellers?+
Yes, with care. The slow climb helps, but talk to a doctor first if anyone has heart or lung conditions.
What if Kunzum La is closed?+
We return through Kinnaur instead, about two days from Kaza to Shimla, and adjust the plan.
Which vehicles do you send?+
SUVs, Innovas and Tempo Travellers only; sedans aren't suitable for Spiti.
