Detailed itinerary
Spiti Grand Circuit — Sangla, Chitkul & Kaza 7N/8D
From
₹30,900
Our most complete Himalayan road trip. Baspa Valley and Chitkul at the start, Kalpa under Kinner Kailash, Nako and Tabo on the way into Spiti, Dhankar, and the full Kaza cluster before the Kunzum Pass exit. The gradual climb from 7,000 ft to 14,000 ft makes it the most comfortable way to see Spiti.
Trip at a glance
- Sangla and Chitkul in the Baspa Valley
- Kalpa and Kinner Kailash sunrises
- Nako lake and Gue Monastery
- Tabo's thousand-year-old murals
- Key, Hikkim, Langza and Kunzum Pass
Day by day
8 days, start to finish — travel, activities and where you sleep each night.
- 1
Day 1
Shimla to Sangla — into Baspa Valley
Leave Shimla early and drive the Sutlej road via Rampur into Kinnaur, turning up into the Baspa valley for Sangla. Green, terraced and forested — the last of the tree line before Spiti's cold desert begins. Check in and walk the village in the evening. Overnight in Sangla.
- 2
Day 2
Chitkul, then on to Kalpa
Morning drive to Chitkul, the last inhabited village before the Tibet border, with the Baspa running clear beside it and the old wooden temple in the middle of the village. Time by the river, then drive back down and up to Kalpa for the evening. Overnight in Kalpa.
- 3
Day 3
Kalpa at leisure — Kinner Kailash mornings
Wake to Kinner Kailash catching the first light directly across the valley — worth setting an alarm for. A relaxed day around Roghi village, the cliff-edge 'Suicide Point', and the Narayan Nagini temple with its Kinnauri woodwork. Walk through the apple orchards and village lanes in the afternoon. Overnight in Kalpa.
- 4
Day 4
Kalpa to Tabo
Drive on through Kinnaur via Khab and the Satluj–Spiti confluence, climbing to Nako for its lake and mud-brick lanes, with a stop at Gue Monastery. Reach Tabo in the afternoon and spend proper time in the monastery complex — the thousand-year-old murals inside the earthen halls are the reason to be here, and they close early. Overnight in Tabo.
- 5
Day 5
Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar
Short drive up-valley to Dhankar, the fort monastery balanced on an eroded spur above the confluence, with the optional steep trek to Dhankar Lake. Continue to Kaza in the afternoon and settle in with the evening free for the cafés of the new town. Overnight in Kaza.
- 6
Day 6
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.
- 7
Day 7
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.
- 8
Day 8
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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