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Spiti Valley road trip
9 Days · 8 Nights
9 Days Spiti Valley Road Trip Package
Starting from₹6750 per Person
9 days from Chandigarh through the gorges of Kinnaur into the cold desert of Spiti – the last village of India, thousand year monasteries, the Moon Lake at 4,300 metres, and the descent into Manali.
Itinerary
Day 1 / (Chandigarh to Shimla to Narkanda)
Narkanda(1 Night)
Stay: Narkanda
Morning pickup from Chandigarh or Ambala. Climb past pine forests and hill towns, with café stops along the way. Stay at Narkanda.
Day 2 / (Chitkul)
Chitkul(1 Night)
Stay: Chitkul
Into the deep gorge of the Sutlej and up the Baspa to Sangla and Chitkul, the last village of India, all wooden houses and snow peaks. Overnight at Rakchham / Sangla.
- Sangla Valley
- Baspa River
- Rakchham
Day 3 / (Kalpa)
Kalpa(1 Night)
Stay: Kalpa
A lazy, short day. Reckong Peo market, the ancient Kothi Temple and evening light on the Kinnaur Kailash range from Kalpa overnight Kalpa.
- Reckong Peo
- Kothi Temple
- Suicide Point
Day 4 / (Tabo)
Tabo(1 Night)
Stay: Tabo
Here the orchards stop and the moon landscape begins. Prayer flags at Nako Lake, the 500-year-old mummy at Gue Monastery and entry into Spiti. Overnight in Tabo.
- Nako Lake
- Gue Mummy
- Sumdo
Day 5 / (Kaza)
Kaza(1 Night)
Stay: Kaza
Morning in the ‘Ajanta of the Himalayas’ then cliff-hanging Dhankar above the confluence of rivers and the cold desert of Pin Valley. Arrival at Kaza in the evening.
- Tabo Monastery
- Dhankar
- Pin Valley
Day 6 / (High Villages)
High Villages(1 Night)
Stay: High Villages
Asia’s highest motorable village, a postcard from the world’s highest post office, fossils and the giant Buddha at Langza and the iconic Key Monastery. Kaza by night.
- Komic
- Hikkim
- Langza
- Key Monastery
Day 7 / (Chandratal)
Chandratal(1 Night)
Stay: Chandratal
Cross Asia’s highest suspension bridge at Chicham and Kunzum Pass (4,551 m) to Chandratal. Two hours to the crescent lake. Then the drive through the evening to Manali.
- Chicham Bridge
- Kunzum Pass
- The Moon Lake
Day 8 / (Manali)
Manali(1 Night)
Stay: Manali
Full day amidst deodars – Hadimba Devi Temple, Vashisht hot springs and Solang Valley with optional paragliding and ATV rides. Overnight in Manali.
- Hadimba
- Vashisht
- Solang Valley
Day 9 / (Manali to Chandigarh)
Return
The road home. Carry the silence with you.
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9 Days Spiti Valley Road Trip Package Overview
9 Days Spiti Valley Road Trip is the complete road trip from Chandigarh to Chandigarh through the cold desert of Himachal Pradesh covering about 1,500 km. The journey takes the travelers through Narkanda, Sangla, Chitkul, Rakchham, Kalpa, Nako Lake, Gue, Tabo, Dhankar, Pin Valley, Kaza, Komic, Hikkim, Langza, Key Monastery, Chicham Bridge, Kunzum Pass, Chandratal Lake and ends with a full day sightseeing in Manali. The itinerary provides the right combination of adventure, Buddhist culture, ancient monasteries, high altitude villages and the Crescent Moon Lake at 4,300m.
Travel Time
This 9-day circuit approaches Spiti through Kinnaur and leaves over Kunzum Pass, so that the altitude gradually increases for natural acclimatisation maintaining comfortable daily travel and enough time for sightseeing.
| Route | Distance | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh to Narkanda | 170 km | 6–7 Hours |
| Narkanda to Rakchham (via Sangla & Chitkul) | 190 km | 7–8 Hours |
| Rakchham to Kalpa (via Reckong Peo) | 60 km | 2–3 Hours |
| Kalpa to Tabo (via Nako & Gue) | 165 km | 6–7 Hours |
| Tabo to Kaza (via Dhankar & Pin Valley) | 110 km | 5–6 Hours |
| Kaza Local (Komic, Hikkim, Langza, Key) | 100 km | Full Day |
| Kaza to Manali (via Chicham, Kunzum & Chandratal) | 220 km | 9–10 Hours |
| Manali Local (Hadimba, Vashisht, Solang) | 30 km | Full Day |
| Manali to Chandigarh | 300 km | 8–9 Hours |
Best Time To Visit Spiti Valley
This entire circuit is only possible when Kunzum Pass is snow free. The best time to do this road trip is between June and October when both the Kinnaur and Manali sides are open and Chandratal is accessible.
June: Passes freshly open, snow on the peaks, fewer crowds.
July–August: Lush green Kinnaur valleys, warm days in Spiti, occasional water crossings.
September–October: Clear skies, stable weather and superb conditions for photography before the passes close.
July–August: Lush green Kinnaur valleys, warm days in Spiti, occasional water crossings.
September–October: Clear skies, stable weather and superb conditions for photography before the passes close.
Brochure
One road.
Nine days.
Another world.
Nine days.
Another world.
9 days from Chandigarh through the gorges of Kinnaur into the cold desert of Spiti – the last village of India, thousand year monasteries, the Moon Lake at 4,300 metres, and the descent into Manali.
Scroll to explore
We spend our lives in the plains — collecting noise, roles, and urgency.
But Spiti
strips all
of that away.
strips all
of that away.
The road climbs slowly, first the cedar forests of Narkanda, then the Baspa gorge, then Kinnaur Kailash filling the windscreen. As the last orchard of apples falls behind us at Nako a different question begins to emerge. Not “where then?” But “what’s left?”
"What remains when everything unnecessary falls away?"
WHY THIS ROAD TRIP?
The River Valleys
Kinnaur needs a slowness. Its river valleys are dotted with orchards and sheer granite cliffs, ending at Chitkul - India’s last inhabited village.
The Ancient Faith
Thousand year old monasteries on cliffs. Not as philosophy but as a living, breathing practice. Woven into everyday life.
The Wilderness
Pin Valley desert snow leopards and ibexes. The lunar plateau of Spiti stretches to peaks you can't name and don't need to.
The Sky & Silence
Under big skies and starfields brighter than you have ever seen, your own existence begins to feel smaller and more precise.
Kinnaur Valley
Ancient orchards · Kinnaur Kailash
Chitkul
Last village of India · Baspa River
Tabo Monastery
Founded 996 CE · 1,000-yr murals
Dhankar
Cliffside monastery · 300m above rivers
Chandratal
The Moon Lake · 4,300m
Manali
Hadimba · Vashisht · Solang Valley
Designed as a journey, not just a trip
Kinnaur and Spiti are on the way. And so is an inward journey that accompanies the drive in silence.
Outer Experience
- Narkanda's cedar forests
- Sangla, Chitkul & Rakchham
- Kalpa & Kinnaur Kailash
- Nako Lake & the Gue mummy
- Tabo, Dhankar & Pin Valley
- Kaza & the high villages
- Chandratal & Manali
Inner Experience
- Slowing down
- Observation
- Reflection
- Perspective
- Stillness
- Presence
- Return
The Itinerary
9 days · 8 nights · Chandigarh to Chandigarh
Day 1
Narkanda
Chandigarh → Shimla → Narkanda
Morning pickup from Chandigarh or Ambala. Climb past pine forests and hill towns, with café stops along the way. Stay at Narkanda.
Day 2
Chitkul
Sangla Valley · Baspa River · Rakchham
Into the deep gorge of the Sutlej and up the Baspa to Sangla and Chitkul, the last village of India, all wooden houses and snow peaks. Overnight at Rakchham / Sangla.
Day 3
Kalpa
Reckong Peo · Kothi Temple · Suicide Point
A lazy, short day. Reckong Peo market, the ancient Kothi Temple and evening light on the Kinnaur Kailash range from Kalpa overnight Kalpa.
Day 4
Tabo
Nako Lake · Gue Mummy · Sumdo
Here the orchards stop and the moon landscape begins. Prayer flags at Nako Lake, the 500-year-old mummy at Gue Monastery and entry into Spiti. Overnight in Tabo.
Day 5
Kaza
Tabo Monastery · Dhankar · Pin Valley
Morning in the ‘Ajanta of the Himalayas’ then cliff-hanging Dhankar above the confluence of rivers and the cold desert of Pin Valley. Arrival at Kaza in the evening.
Day 6
High Villages
Komic · Hikkim · Langza · Key Monastery
Asia’s highest motorable village, a postcard from the world’s highest post office, fossils and the giant Buddha at Langza and the iconic Key Monastery. Kaza by night.
Day 7
Chandratal
Chicham Bridge · Kunzum Pass · The Moon Lake
Cross Asia’s highest suspension bridge at Chicham and Kunzum Pass (4,551 m) to Chandratal. Two hours to the crescent lake. Then the drive through the evening to Manali.
Day 8
Manali
Hadimba · Vashisht · Solang Valley
Full day amidst deodars – Hadimba Devi Temple, Vashisht hot springs and Solang Valley with optional paragliding and ATV rides. Overnight in Manali.
Day 9
Return
Manali → Chandigarh
The road home. Carry the silence with you.
Day 7 · The Crown of the Journey
Chandratal
Lake
Lake
The 'Lake of the Moon' at 4,300 metres is a crescent of impossibly blue water surrounded by peaks that don't have names on most maps. Its colour changes from jade green to deep cobalt with the light, and the two hours you spend walking its shore-line are the stillest of the whole journey. Want more? Ask us about adding a Chandratal camping night to tailor your itinerary.
What's Included
- Taxi service for the full 9-day route, Chandigarh to Chandigarh
- Pickup & drop-off at your hotels throughout the journey
- All passes & permits including Spiti Inner Line Permit
- Experienced local driver who knows the high-altitude roads
- Comfortable, well-maintained vehicle for the mountain terrain
- Volvo bus ticket (Delhi ↔ Chandigarh / Manali) addon available at checkout
- Chandratal camping addon available at checkout
- Flexible departure dates — book for your travel window
- Direct support line throughout your journey: +91 70181 23371
What's Not Included
- Volvo bus tickets Delhi ↔ Chandigarh / Manali, unless added as an extra at checkout
- Hotel accommodation (we can recommend options for each night)
- Meals, unless specified in your package
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended for high-altitude routes)
- Monastery entry fees, camera charges and personal expenses
- Optional activities — paragliding, ATV rides and other paid experiences
- Costs from weather delays, road closures, or altitude-related changes
Important Note
Spiti Valley is a high altitude area, with passes above 4,500 metres. The roads are genuine mountain roads — single lane stretches, water crossings and terrain that commands respect. Your safety will be our top priority, as our drivers have been running these routes for years.
The best time to travel is June to early October, when Kunzum Pass is open and the full circuit is possible. July and August offer the greenest Kinnaur valleys and the most reliable access to Chandratal.
The circuit enters through Kinnaur, so the altitude rises gradually over the first four days and your body acclimatises before Kaza and Kunzum Pass. If you have breathing conditions, heart concerns or severe altitude sensitivity, consult your doctor before booking. Altitude medication (Diamox) is available locally and is highly recommended for the Spiti leg.
Some journeys give you memories.
Some give you photographs.
Some quietly change the way you
observe the world and yourself within it.
Some give you photographs.
Some quietly change the way you
observe the world and yourself within it.
Ready to
cross the passes?
cross the passes?
Weather In Kinnaur And Spiti Valley
| Month | Temperature |
|---|---|
| June | 5°C to 20°C |
| July | 8°C to 22°C |
| August | 8°C to 20°C |
| September | 3°C to 18°C |
| October | -5°C to 12°C |
Kinnaur stays noticeably milder than Spiti, but evenings above Kaza and at Kunzum Pass are cold in every month, so warm layers are essential regardless of when you travel.
Road Conditions
Conditions change along the circuit. The Chandigarh–Shimla–Narkanda stretch is smooth highway, and NH-5 through Kinnaur is mostly metalled with a few rough cuttings beyond Reckong Peo. The Nako–Sumdo–Tabo–Kaza stretch is in decent shape, while the Kaza–Kunzum–Chandratal–Gramphu section is the roughest of the trip, with water crossings and narrow mountain sections where a high-clearance vehicle and an experienced driver matter most.
How To Reach
The tour starts from Chandigarh, with pickup also possible at Ambala. Chandigarh is easily reachable by flights, trains or road transport from major cities of India like Delhi, Jaipur, Amritsar and Dehradun. Coming from Delhi? A Volvo bus ticket to Chandigarh can be added as an extra at checkout. If you want, we can arrange a custom pickup for you from Delhi, Shimla or any other city.
Altitude Information
| Location | Altitude |
|---|---|
| Narkanda | 2,700 m |
| Kalpa | 2,960 m |
| Rakchham | 3,050 m |
| Tabo | 3,280 m |
| Chitkul | 3,450 m |
| Nako | 3,625 m |
| Kaza | 3,800 m |
| Key Monastery | 4,166 m |
| Chandratal | 4,300 m |
| Kunzum Pass | 4,551 m |
| Komic | 4,587 m |
Permits Required
Indian nationals do not require a permit to travel the Kinnaur–Kaza–Chandratal–Manali circuit, but a valid government issued photo ID is mandatory for the entire journey. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to travel through the restricted border areas of Kinnaur and Spiti, which can be obtained at Shimla, Reckong Peo or Kaza.
Inner Line Permit: Required for foreign nationals. Available at
Sub-Divisional Magistrate offices in Shimla, Reckong Peo or Kaza.
Atal Tunnel route: No Rohtang Pass permit is needed on the descent to Manali, as the Atal Tunnel bypasses Rohtang from Lahaul.
Atal Tunnel route: No Rohtang Pass permit is needed on the descent to Manali, as the Atal Tunnel bypasses Rohtang from Lahaul.
Packing List For Spiti Valley Road Trip
- Thermal wear (base layer)
- Warm fleece jacket and windproof outer layer
- Woolen cap, gloves and neck gaiter
- Polarized sunglasses (UV protection essential at altitude)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balm
- Portable power bank (charging points are scarce)
- Sturdy trekking or hiking shoes
- Personal medicines including altitude sickness tablets (Diamox)
- Government-issued photo ID (mandatory at checkpoints)
- First-aid kit and rehydration sachets
- Offline maps downloaded (Google Maps or Maps.me)
Accommodation Options
The accommodation available changes dramatically along the route. Narkanda and Kalpa have comfortable hotels and orchard-side guesthouses, while Sangla, Rakchham and Chitkul offer riverside camps and wooden homestays. Tabo has simple guesthouses and a monastery stay, and Kaza has a growing choice of hotels, homestays and hostels, including the option of a local Spitian homestay. Manali has everything from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts for the final two nights.
Nearby Attractions
- Chitkul — the last inhabited village of India on the Baspa
- Kalpa — sunrise views of the Kinnaur Kailash range
- Nako Lake — high-altitude lake ringed by prayer flags
- Gue Monastery — 500-year-old naturally preserved mummy
- Tabo Monastery — founded 996 CE, 1,000-year-old murals
- Dhankar Monastery — perched 300 m above river confluence
- Pin Valley National Park — snow leopard and Siberian ibex habitat
- Key Monastery — largest monastery in Spiti, 4,166 m
- Chicham Bridge — highest motorable bridge in Asia
- Hikkim — world's highest post office at 4,440 m
- Komic — Asia's highest motorable village at 4,587 m
- Chandratal Lake — crescent-shaped lake at 4,300 m
- Solang Valley — paragliding and adventure sports near Manali
Mobile Network And Internet Connectivity
The most reliable network coverage in Kaza and surrounding villages is provided by BSNL and Jio. Coverage through Kinnaur is patchy beyond Reckong Peo, and in remote areas such as Chitkul, Nako, Chandratal and the high passes, internet connectivity is sparse or unavailable. Download important documents and offline maps before leaving Shimla or Kaza.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The 9 Days Spiti Road Trip Suitable For First-Time Visitors?
Yes. The circuit enters Spiti through Kinnaur, so the altitude rises gradually from Narkanda (2,700 m) to Kalpa (2,960 m), Tabo (3,280 m) and only then Kaza (3,800 m) and Kunzum Pass (4,551 m). This is the classic acclimatisation-friendly direction. First time visitors should drink plenty of fluids, avoid alcohol for the first two days and not over-exert at altitude.
Can I Join This Trip From Delhi?
Yes. The tour starts from Chandigarh, and a Volvo bus ticket from Delhi to Chandigarh (and back from Manali or Chandigarh) can be added as an extra at checkout. Overnight buses reach Chandigarh early in the morning, in time for the Day 1 pickup.
Is Spiti Valley Safe For Families?
Yes, Spiti Valley is safe for families, couples, solo travellers, and senior citizens who are medically fit. The roads are adventurous, but with a good vehicle and an experienced local driver they are manageable.
Is Oxygen Low In Spiti Valley?
At altitudes above 4,000 m, the oxygen content is about 40–50% less than at sea level. The gradual climb through Kinnaur helps the body adjust before Kaza and Kunzum Pass. Diamox (Acetazolamide) is commonly used for prophylaxis.
Does This Package Include A Night At Chandratal?
The standard itinerary spends around two hours at the lake on Day 7 before continuing to Manali, so no camping gear is needed. If you would like to camp a night at Chandratal instead, the camping addon is available at checkout and we adjust the Manali leg accordingly.
Can Senior Citizens Visit Spiti Valley?
Yes, provided they are in good cardiovascular health and acclimatize properly. It is advisable to have a medical check-up prior to travel. The gradual Kinnaur-side ascent of this package gives older travellers time to adjust before the high-altitude leg.
What Is The Total Distance Covered In This Package?
This 9-day package covers approximately 1,500 km from Chandigarh through Narkanda, Kinnaur, Spiti Valley, Chandratal Lake and Manali, and back to Chandigarh.
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Reviews
Reviews from people who experienced this package.
Average Reviews: 5/5 stars
Tanish Verma
8 Jul 2026, 6:44 pm
Booked them for my corporate trip. Responsive, changes itinerary if needed. Perfect for ad hoc plans.
Why Choose Rajesh Car Rental?
We know you're here to relax, not to hassle.
No Hidden Charges
All inclusions and exclusions discussed upfront — no surprises at checkout.
Professional Drivers
15+ years on the road, including the toughest high-altitude routes in Himachal.
We Go Places
Pickup and drop available across multiple cities — wherever you are comfortable.
Comfortable Rides
Modern, air-conditioned vehicles so you arrive fresh, whether alone or with a group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the price include GST and toll tax?
Yes — the price listed includes both GST and toll tax.
What types of cars are available?
Sedans, SUVs, and hatchbacks — choose based on your comfort and group size.
Are prices transparent?
No hidden charges. You see the full cost before booking.
Rajesh Car Rental is a trusted tour provider based in Shimla with 15+ years of experience serving thousands of customers across Himachal Pradesh.