Detailed itinerary
Spiti via Kinnaur — Kalpa & Kaza 5N/6D
From
₹23,900
The circuit route, and the safer one for altitude. Up the Sutlej gorge to Kalpa opposite Kinner Kailash, across via Nako, Gue and thousand-year-old Tabo into Spiti, then the Kaza villages before exiting over Kunzum Pass to Manali. You never drive the same road twice.
Trip at a glance
- Old Hindustan–Tibet road through Kinnaur
- Kalpa and the Kinner Kailash range
- Tabo Monastery, founded 996 AD
- Key, Kibber, Hikkim and Langza
- Exit over Kunzum Pass
Day by day
6 days, start to finish — travel, activities and where you sleep each night.
- 1
Day 1
Shimla to Kalpa — up the Sutlej
An early start from Shimla for one of the great Indian road journeys: the old Hindustan–Tibet road along the Sutlej gorge via Narkanda and Rampur into Kinnaur. Ten to eleven hours with apple orchards, cliff-cut roads and the river far below. Reach Kalpa in the evening, opposite the Kinner Kailash range. Overnight in Kalpa.
- 2
Day 2
Kalpa to Kaza — entering Spiti
A big transit day into the cold desert. Drive via Pooh and Khab, where the Spiti river meets the Sutlej, and up to Nako with its high-altitude lake and old village. Optional stop at Gue to see the naturally mummified monk. Then Tabo, the 'Ajanta of the Himalaya', founded in 996 AD with its earthen walls and original murals. Continue to Kaza. Overnight in Kaza.
- 3
Day 3
Kaza local — Key, Kibber, Hikkim and Langza
The classic Spiti day. Key Monastery, stacked up its hill in fortified tiers and still a working Gelugpa school. Kibber, one of the highest villages connected by motorable road. Hikkim, where you post a card from the world's highest post office. And Langza, with its giant Buddha looking out over a valley floor that is full of marine fossils from the Tethys Sea. Overnight in Kaza.
- 4
Day 4
Dhankar Monastery and Pin Valley
Drive to Dhankar, the thousand-year-old fort monastery perched on a spur above the Spiti–Pin confluence, with the option of the short but steep trek up to Dhankar Lake. Afternoon across into Pin Valley National Park — snow leopard country in winter, ibex country year round — and the village of Mud at the road's end. Overnight in Kaza.
- 5
Day 5
Kaza to Manali via Kunzum Pass
Leave Kaza early for the drive back west, crossing Kunzum Pass and following the Chandra river through Lahaul, with an optional stop at Chandratal Lake if it is accessible. Reach Manali by evening. Overnight in Manali.
- 6
Day 6
Departure from Manali
A leisurely morning in Manali — Old Manali cafés, the market, or simply a slow breakfast — before your onward journey to Chandigarh or Delhi.
Inclusions & exclusions
What's included
- Accommodation in homestays, guesthouses and hotels on sharing basis
- Daily breakfast and dinner through the circuit
- Private vehicle (Tempo Traveller/SUV) for the entire route
- All sightseeing and village visits as per the itinerary
- Inner Line Permits where applicable
- Driver allowance, fuel, tolls and parking
- Trip captain and on-road support
- Oxygen cylinder and first-aid kit in the vehicle
Not included
- Travel to and from the start/end point (Shimla or Manali)
- Lunches and any meals not specified
- Monastery donations, camera charges and entry fees
- Optional treks with local guides (Dhankar Lake, Chandratal walks)
- Personal expenses, tips and shopping
- Costs due to roadblocks, landslides or route changes
- Any medical or evacuation expenses
- Travel insurance and medical expenses
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Inclusions
Where you stay
Homestays and guesthouses in Kaza, Tabo and Kalpa, run by local families — simple, warm and the best way to see the valley.
Good to know
Which side should I enter Spiti from?
The Shimla–Kinnaur route gains altitude gradually and is far better for acclimatisation, which is why the longer itineraries use it. The Manali route is faster but climbs to 14,900 ft on day one — fine if you've been at altitude recently.
Do I need to worry about altitude?
Yes. Kaza is at 12,500 ft. Drink plenty of water, skip alcohol, and take the first evening easy. We carry oxygen and our trip captains are trained to spot AMS early.
Is Chandratal guaranteed?
No. The road to Chandratal opens roughly June to early October and closes with snow or rain without notice. We attempt it whenever conditions allow and are honest when they don't.
What are the homestays like?
Clean, family-run rooms with warm bedding and home-cooked Spitian food. Some have attached bathrooms, some are shared, and hot water is often bucket-supplied. That's the trade for staying in villages at 14,000 ft.
Is there network and ATM access?
Only BSNL and Jio postpaid work reliably, and only in Kaza and Tabo. Kaza has the only ATM in the valley and it runs dry often — carry enough cash for the whole trip.
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