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Spiti Valley Circuit · The Middle Land Between Tibet and India

Cliff-top monasteries, fossil villages and the clearest night skies in India

4.8312 reviews
8 Nights / 9 Days(8N/9D)
India, Himachal Pradesh
challenging pace
Great for friends, solo, couples

Destinations: Shimla → Sangla → Kalpa → Nako → Tabo → Kaza → Key → Chandratal → Manali

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Overview

About this Spiti Valley Circuit trip

Spiti is a cold desert at 3,600–4,500 m, and this circuit is designed to let your body adjust as you climb. Starting from Shimla, you follow the Sutlej through Kinnaur to Sangla and Kalpa, then cross into Spiti at Nako and Tabo, home to a monastery founded in 996 CE. From Kaza you visit Key Monastery, Kibber, the fossil village of Langza with its giant Buddha, Hikkim's high-altitude post office and Dhankar perched on its cliff. The loop ends over Kunzum La with a night at Chandratal (season permitting) before descending to Manali via the Atal Tunnel. Expect long drives on rough roads — and landscapes that make every kilometre worth it.

A full Spiti loop from Shimla to Manali via Kalpa, Tabo, Kaza, Key and Chandratal.

Duration: 8 Nights / 9 Days
Stay: 3-star hotels, homestay & lakeside camp
Transport: Private SUV with a mountain driver for the full Shimla–Spiti–Manali loop
Best time: Mid-June to mid-October (Kunzum La and Chandratal open)
Departures: 8 upcoming dates

Why this Spiti circuit works

Shimla-in, Manali-out loop for gradual acclimatisation — no sudden jump to 4,000 m
Experienced mountain drivers in SUVs, not tempo travellers
Two nights in Kaza to explore Key, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim and Komic
Homestay night in Spiti for local food and hospitality
Oxygen cylinder and first-aid kit in every vehicle
Inner Line documentation guidance and all local permits handled

Trip highlights

Key Monastery above the Spiti river
Dhankar Monastery on its cliff edge
1,000-year-old Tabo Monastery
Langza Buddha and fossil hunting
Postcards from Hikkim, one of the world's highest post offices
Chandratal lake under the stars

Itinerary

Day-by-day plan for Spiti Valley Circuit

9 days, planned end to end

D1
- Pickup from Chandigarh airport/railway station, drive to Shimla (approx. 4 hrs)
- Check in and rest — Shimla at 2,200 m is the first acclimatisation stop
- Evening walk on the Mall Road and the Ridge
- Trip briefing on altitude, packing and road conditions
D2
- Drive via Narkanda and Rampur along the Sutlej
- Enter Kinnaur at the dramatic Karcham dam junction
- Climb into the Baspa valley to Sangla
- Optional evening visit to Kamru Fort village
D3
- Morning drive to Chitkul, the last village before the Tibet border
- Walk by the Baspa river and Mathi temple
- Drive to Kalpa with views of the Kinner Kailash range
- Sunset over the Kinner Kailash from Roghi village road
D4
- Cross the Khab confluence of the Sutlej and Spiti rivers
- Nako village and its small lake at 3,600 m
- The hairpin bends of Malling Nallah and Gue mummy detour
- Overnight at Tabo; evening visit to the 996 CE monastery
D5
- Tabo caves and monastery prayer hall in morning light
- Climb to Dhankar Monastery on its eroded cliff
- Optional short hike to Dhankar lake (fit travellers)
- Arrive Kaza, the capital of Spiti, and rest
D6
- Key Monastery and its morning prayers
- Chicham bridge and Kibber village
- Langza Buddha statue and fossil fields
- Post a letter home from Hikkim; tea at Komic village
D7
- Drive along the Spiti river via Losar
- Cross Kunzum La (4,551 m) and circle the chorten
- Short walk to Chandratal lake in the afternoon
- Night in camps near the lake — clear skies are made for stargazing
D8
- Batal and Chhatru on the rough Chandra valley road
- Re-join the highway at Gramphu and take the Atal Tunnel
- Arrive Manali by afternoon and check in
- Celebration dinner in Old Manali
D9
- Breakfast and check out
- Drop at Manali Volvo stand or Bhuntar airport
- Optional private drop to Chandigarh at extra cost
- Trip ends with memories of Spiti

What's covered

Inclusions & exclusions

Read this before you book — no surprise add-ons later.

Included

1 night Shimla, 1 night Sangla, 1 night Kalpa, 1 night Tabo (3-star / best available)
2 nights Kaza (hotel or homestay)
1 night Swiss tent camp at Chandratal (in season; else Kaza/Losar)
1 night Manali (3-star)
Daily breakfast and dinner throughout
Chandigarh pickup and Manali drop by SUV (Innova / Xylo or similar)
All Inner Line / local permits and green tax
Portable oxygen cylinder and first-aid kit in the vehicle
Experienced Spiti driver who doubles as a local guide

Not included

Flights or trains to Chandigarh and from Manali
Lunches and snacks on the road
Monastery donations and camera fees
Extra nights due to landslides or road closures
Personal travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Tips and personal expenses

Stay & travel

Hotels & transport

Hotel category

3-star hotels, homestay & lakeside camp

Twin-sharing rooms with daily breakfast unless stated otherwise. Single rooms and upgrades on request.

Transport

Private SUV with a mountain driver for the full Shimla–Spiti–Manali loop

Airport and station pick-ups, sightseeing and inter-city transfers are arranged by our ground team.

Overnight stops: Shimla · Shimla → Sangla · Chitkul & Kalpa · Kalpa → Nako → Tabo · Tabo → Dhankar → Kaza · Key, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim & Komic · Kaza → Kunzum La → Chandratal · Chandratal → Atal Tunnel → Manali · Manali → Chandigarh / Delhi

Route

Route map

12 stops from start to finish

ChandigarhStart
2ShimlaStop 2
3SanglaStop 3
4ChitkulStop 4
5KalpaStop 5
6NakoStop 6
7TaboStop 7
8DhankarStop 8
9KazaStop 9
10KeyStop 10
11ChandratalStop 11
ManaliFinish

Plan ahead

Best time & what to pack

Best time to visit

Mid-June to mid-October (Kunzum La and Chandratal open)

Things to carry

Down jacket and thermals — nights are below 5°C even in summer
Sturdy trekking shoes
Sunglasses with UV protection and a wide-brim cap
Lip balm, SPF 50 sunscreen and moisturiser
Reusable water bottle and electrolyte sachets
Prescribed altitude medicine (consult your doctor about Diamox)
Cash — ATMs are unreliable beyond Reckong Peo
Original photo ID and photocopies for permits
Headlamp for camp nights

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How serious is the altitude?

Kaza is at 3,800 m and Kunzum La at 4,551 m. The Shimla-side approach climbs slowly, but mild headaches are common. Drink 3–4 litres of water a day, avoid alcohol, and tell your driver at once if symptoms worsen.

Will my phone work?

BSNL and Jio work in Kaza and a few villages; expect no signal for long stretches, including at Chandratal. Hotels in Kaza have patchy Wi-Fi.

Is it suitable for children or seniors?

We recommend it for ages 12–60 in good health. Travellers with heart or lung conditions should take medical advice first; the drives are long and bumpy.

What happens if a road is blocked?

Landslides are possible during monsoon. The driver reroutes or waits as needed; any extra nights are paid locally, and we adjust the remaining plan to protect your return dates.

What food is available?

Simple North Indian and Tibetan food — dal, rice, rotis, momos, thukpa. Vegetarian meals are easy everywhere; tell us in advance about Jain or other diets.

Reviews

What travellers say

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4.8

312 traveller ratings

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Policy

Cancellation & refunds

Refund by days before departure
When you cancel	Refund
30+ days before departure	90% refund
15–29 days before	75% refund
7–14 days before	50% refund
Less than 7 days	No refund

Cancel 30+ days before departure: 90% refund · 15–29 days: 75% · 7–14 days: 50% · under 7 days: no refund. Refunds go back to the original payment method within 7–10 working days. Cancel any time from My Trips — the refund is calculated instantly.

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