Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 10-day road journey through the heart of the Himalayas. This itinerary takes you from Chandigarh through the lush Kinnaur valley to the remote cold desert of Spiti — touching the last Indian village of Chitkul on the Tibetan border, the ancient monasteries of Tabo and Key, the world's highest post office at Hikkim, and the stunning Chandratal Lake at 4,250 metres — before descending through Manali.
Spiti means 'Middle Land', sitting between Tibet and India. With river-cut gorges, mud-brick villages, Buddhist monasteries clinging to cliffsides, and roads that test every nerve, this is a journey for those who want to experience India in its most raw and majestic form.
Our Spiti Valley circuit begins in Chandigarh — a 45-minute flight from Delhi, or a comfortable overnight train from Delhi. Guests travelling from Ahmedabad or Mumbai fly to Delhi and connect to Chandigarh. The circuit concludes in Manali, from where return flights to Delhi are available.
Tour Highlights
Detailed Itinerary
Chandigarh to Shimla
Depart from Chandigarh in the morning and drive through the Shivalik foothills to Shimla — the charming former summer capital of British India. Arrive by afternoon, stroll along the Mall Road and Ridge, explore the colonial architecture, and settle in for the night.
Overnight: Shimla | Drive: approx. 115 km / 3–4 hrs
Shimla to Sangla Valley
Drive along the Sutlej River through scenic Kinnaur, passing through Rampur and Wangtu before ascending into the lush Baspa Valley. Sangla is a beautiful village surrounded by deodar forests, terraced apple orchards, and snowy peaks.
Overnight: Sangla | Drive: approx. 200 km / 7–8 hrs
Sangla – Chitkul – Sangla
Morning excursion to Chitkul (3,450 m), the last inhabited village before the Indo-Tibetan border. Stand at the edge of India — beyond this point, it is Tibet. Visit the ancient Mathi Temple, walk along the turquoise Baspa River and take in the dramatic landscape of snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows. Return to Sangla for the night.
Overnight: Sangla | Drive: approx. 60 km round trip
Sangla to Kalpa
Continue along the Hindustan-Tibet Highway to Kalpa (2,960 m) — a scenic village with arguably the finest views of Kinnaur Kailash (6,050 m). Explore old Roghi village, visit the Narayan-Nagini Temple complex, and watch the sun set on the silver-and-black peaks.
Overnight: Kalpa | Drive: approx. 30 km / 1.5 hrs
Kalpa to Tabo
Cross into the stark, lunar landscape of the Spiti Valley. Your destination is Tabo — home to a monastery founded in 996 AD, often called the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas' for its remarkably preserved murals, stucco sculptures and ancient thangkas. Explore the monastery complex and the cave shrines carved into the cliffs behind the village.
Overnight: Tabo | Drive: approx. 170 km / 6–7 hrs
Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar & Pin Valley
Begin with a stop at Dhankar — a medieval fort-monastery perched 300 m above the Spiti-Pin river confluence. Continue to Pin Valley National Park — a pristine habitat for snow leopards and ibex. Then drive to Kaza, the district headquarters of Spiti, passing the iconic Key Monastery (11th century) on a rocky hilltop at 4,166 m.
Overnight: Kaza | Drive: approx. 85 km / 4–5 hrs
Kaza – Local Village Day Trips
A full day exploring the remarkable villages around Kaza. Visit Kibber (4,270 m) — one of the world's highest motorable villages with a small monastery and fine valley views. Then Hikkim (4,440 m), where the world's highest post office has been operating since 1983 — send a postcard home with a unique postmark. Continue to Komic and Langza — home to a giant Buddha statue and marine fossils found in the fields (this region was once an ancient seabed).
Overnight: Kaza
Kaza to Chandratal Lake
One of the most dramatic drives of the trip. Cross Kunzum Pass (4,551 m) — a sacred pass adorned with prayer flags and a small Devi temple. Descend to Chandratal (4,250 m) — the crescent-shaped 'Moon Lake' with electric-blue glacial waters. Camp by the lakeside and spend the evening in absolute silence under a canopy of Himalayan stars.
Note: Chandratal overnight camping is subject to weather and road conditions. Camps are booked and paid directly on site.
Overnight: Camp at Chandratal | Drive: approx. 115 km / 5–6 hrs
Chandratal to Manali
Rise early for the golden hour at Chandratal before the lake and its surroundings come alive. Drive to Manali through the Rohtang Pass or via the Atal Tunnel (if Rohtang is closed). Arrive by afternoon — explore old Manali bazaar, visit Hadimba Temple, and enjoy a warm meal after days in the cold desert.
Overnight: Manali | Drive: approx. 120 km / 4–5 hrs (variable)
Manali to Chandigarh – Departure
After breakfast, drive back to Chandigarh through the Kullu Valley alongside the Beas River and past Pandoh Dam. Arrive Chandigarh by evening — tour ends here with wonderful memories of a lifetime.
Drive: approx. 310 km / 8–9 hrs
✅ Inclusions
- Accommodation in hotels, guesthouses and camps throughout (as per itinerary)
- Daily breakfast and dinner (MAP plan)
- Private vehicle (Innova / Xylo / similar) for the entire journey
- Experienced driver familiar with Spiti mountain roads
- All toll, parking and state entry tax
- Inner Line Permit for Spiti Valley (Indian nationals)
- Assistance with oxygen cylinder and basic first aid
- All currently applicable taxes
❌ Exclusions
- Airfare or train fare to Chandigarh / from Manali
- Lunch and any meals beyond MAP plan
- Personal expenses — laundry, tips, phone calls, beverages
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Any costs arising from road blocks, bad weather or landslides
- Chandratal overnight camp charges (booked and paid directly on site)
- Adventure activities opted separately
- Anything not specifically mentioned in inclusions
⚠️ Important Notes
- Chandratal overnight camp is subject to weather and road conditions — it is booked and paid directly on site. Atharva Travels will not be liable for camp unavailability or cancellation due to adverse weather.
- Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required for Spiti Valley and is arranged for Indian nationals. Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) — please inform us at the time of booking.
- This is a high-altitude trip reaching up to 4,551 m. Altitude sickness is possible. We strongly recommend consulting a doctor before travel, carrying personal medications, and avoiding overexertion on arrival days at high altitude.
- Road conditions in Spiti are challenging — narrow mountain roads, river crossings and landslide-prone sections are common. All travel time estimates are approximate and subject to actual road conditions.
- Best time to visit is June to October. Spiti is largely inaccessible November to May due to heavy snowfall and road closures.
Frequently Asked Questions
June to October is the ideal window — roads are generally open, weather is stable, and Chandratal and Kunzum Pass are accessible. July and August offer the most reliable road conditions.
It is manageable for fit and adventurous first-timers, but requires good physical fitness. The itinerary includes gradual acclimatisation. We do not recommend this trip for people with cardiac or respiratory conditions. Please consult your doctor before booking.
Accommodation is basic but comfortable — clean guesthouses and homestays with simple rooms, hot water (often solar-heated), and home-cooked meals. Kaza has some mid-range hotels. Chandratal is a tent/camp stay. We pre-book the best available options on the circuit.
Indian nationals require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Spiti Valley, which we arrange as part of the tour. Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) — please inform us at the time of booking with your passport details.
Warm layers (nights are cold — below 5°C even in summer at altitude), a waterproof outer layer, sturdy trekking shoes, sunscreen (UV is intense at high altitude), sunglasses, personal medications, and a portable power bank. Mobile connectivity is limited in most of Spiti — download offline maps before departing Shimla.
The price is on request and depends on group size, accommodation type, travel dates, and any customisations. Contact us on WhatsApp or via the enquiry form for a personalised quote tailored to your group.
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