Spiti Valley Circuit tour package
The cold desert on the far side of the Himalaya. Thousand-year-old monasteries, villages above 4,000 metres and roads that need a driver who has done them before.
- Duration
- 8D / 7N
- Highest point
- 4,551 m
- Distance
- About 1,000 km
- Best time
- Jun–Sep, while passes are open
About this trip
Spiti is a high, dry valley in a rain-shadow, nothing like the green Himachal most people know. Monasteries cling to cliffs, villages have whitewashed walls and prayer flags, and the sky at night is so clear the Milky Way throws shadows.
We do Spiti from the Manali side, through the Atal Tunnel and over Kunzum La, which is the shortest way in from Kangra. That road is only open in summer, roughly June to mid-October. It is rough and has river crossings, which is why we send only SUVs and only drivers who have done it many times.
Altitude is the big thing here. Kaza is at 3,800 metres and you will sleep higher than that at Chandratal. The itinerary climbs gradually, and we keep a spare half-day in the plan in case someone needs rest or a road is shut.
Highlights
- Chandratal, the moon lake, at about 4,300 metres
- Kunzum La pass at 4,551 metres
- Key Monastery and the village of Kibber
- Langza's fossils and Buddha statue
- Hikkim, home to one of the world's highest post offices
- Dhankar Monastery and Tabo Monastery, founded in 996 AD
Altitude on the route
Day by day
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Day 1
Kangra to Manali
Drive via Mandi and Kullu to Manali. Rest, hydrate, early dinner.
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Day 2
Manali to Chandratal
Through the Atal Tunnel, along the Chandra river past Chhatru and Batal, to the Chandratal camps. Walk to the lake in the late afternoon.
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Day 3
Over Kunzum La to Kaza
Sunrise at the lake, then over Kunzum La (4,551 m) and down through Losar to Kaza, the main town of Spiti.
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Day 4
Key and Kibber
Key Monastery, Kibber village and the Chicham bridge over a deep gorge. An easy day for acclimatisation.
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Day 5
Langza, Hikkim, Komic
Fossil hunting at Langza under its giant Buddha, posting a card from Hikkim, and Komic, one of the highest villages reachable by road.
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Day 6
Dhankar and Tabo
Dhankar Monastery on its cliff and the short walk to Dhankar lake if you feel strong, then Tabo's thousand-year-old murals. Back to Kaza.
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Day 7
Kaza to Manali
Long drive back over Kunzum La and through the Atal Tunnel to Manali.
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Day 8
Manali to Kangra
Drive back to Kangra, Gaggal or Dharamshala, or drop at Chandigarh on request.
Included
- 7 nights in hotels, homestays and camps, twin sharing
- Breakfast and dinner throughout
- Private SUV (Innova Crysta or similar) with a Spiti-experienced driver
- Tolls, state taxes, parking and driver allowance
- Basic first-aid kit and oxygen can in the vehicle
Not included
- Lunch
- Monastery donations and entry fees
- Personal medicines
- Any cost from road closures or landslides
Good to know
Altitude sickness
Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol for the first days and tell us at once about headaches or breathlessness. Talk to your doctor about altitude medicine before you travel.
Patchy network
Only BSNL and Jio work reliably in Kaza, and there is almost no signal between Manali and Losar. We share our driver's satellite check-in plan with your family.
Cash
ATMs in Kaza run dry often. Carry enough cash for the whole trip.
Road opening
Kunzum La usually opens in June and closes with the first heavy snow in October. For winter Spiti, ask us about the Kinnaur route.
Stay, pickup and who it suits
- Where you stay
- Simple hotels in Manali and Kaza, a camp at Chandratal, and a homestay night where possible. Comfort is basic, and that is part of Spiti.
- Pickup points
- Gaggal Airport, Kangra, Dharamshala, Pathankot or Chandigarh
- Best for
- Adventurous travellers in good health, photographers, and families with teenagers who are fine with long drives.
Spiti Valley Circuit: questions
What is the best time to visit Spiti Valley?
June to September, when the Manali–Kaza road over Kunzum La is open. Early October is also good, with clear skies, but nights get very cold.
Is Spiti safe for families?
Yes, for healthy families with children over 8. The main risk is altitude, so we climb gradually and keep a spare day. Spiti is not recommended for infants or people with heart or lung conditions without a doctor's clearance.
Do Indians need a permit for Spiti?
No permit is needed for Indian nationals on the Manali–Kaza route. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit only if they travel through Kinnaur.
Which vehicle is best for Spiti?
An SUV with good ground clearance, such as an Innova Crysta or Scorpio. We do not run sedans to Spiti.
Similar trips
Manali, Solang & Atal Tunnel
Kangra → Mandi → Kullu → Manali → Solang → Sissu
Plan your Spiti Valley Circuit trip
Tell us your dates and group. We will send hotels and a final price you can change freely.