Circuit · Himachal
Kinnaur & Spiti
Sangla, Kalpa, Nako, Tabo and Kaza — the great high-desert road loop.
- Places
- 7
- Altitude
- 1,900–4,650 m
- Fly / train to
- Shimla / Chandigarh; Shimla / Reckong Peo
- Daily spend
- about ₹2,900
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Best for most places here: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. Each place here needs 2–10 days on the ground; places in one circuit share travel days, so pair two or three.
Places in this circuit
Chitkul & Sangla
The last village on the Indo-Tibet road, along the Baspa river in Kinnaur.
Kalpa
An old Kinnauri village of slate-roofed houses facing the Kinner Kailash range across the Sutlej.
Kaza
The sub-divisional capital of Spiti — base for Key Monastery, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim and Komik.
Nako
A high village around a turquoise lake on the old trade route to Tibet, with a 1,000-year-old monastery.
Rupin Pass
A dramatic crossover trek from Himachal into Uttarakhand, over a 4,650 m pass above the Rupin gorge.
Spiti Valley circuit
A high cold-desert loop through Kinnaur and Spiti — monasteries, fossil villages and Chandratal lake.
Tabo
A 1,000-year-old mud-brick monastery often called the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas'.
What to pack for Kinnaur & Spiti
Everything the places in this circuit call for, most widely needed first. Each place's page has its full list with reasons.
- Fleece or light sweater
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom)
- Down or padded jacket
- Woollen cap that covers the ears
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs
- Sun cap or hat
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines
- Insect repellent
- Power bank
- Light travel tripod
- Spare memory card and camera battery
- Compact umbrella
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Day pack, 20–30 litres
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Where to stay
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Pickups & drivers
No drivers listed for this circuit yet. Drive here? List your cab.
Kinnaur & Spiti: questions people ask
Which places are in the Kinnaur & Spiti circuit?
The Kinnaur & Spiti circuit in Himachal covers Chitkul & Sangla, Kalpa, Kaza, Nako, Rupin Pass, Spiti Valley circuit and Tabo. They share a gateway, so two or three are usually combined in one trip.
What is the best time to visit Kinnaur & Spiti?
June to September suit most places in Kinnaur & Spiti. Individual places differ, so check each one.
How do you reach Kinnaur & Spiti?
Travel to Shimla / Chandigarh or Shimla / Reckong Peo or Manali / Shimla, then continue by road.
How much does a Kinnaur & Spiti trip cost per day?
About ₹2,900 per person per day on the ground for a mid-range trip, averaged across the places in this circuit.
Which is the easiest place in Kinnaur & Spiti, and which is the highest?
Kalpa is the easiest (easy). Rupin Pass is the highest at 4,650 m.