Kaza, Lahaul & Spiti · Himachal
Spiti Valley circuit
A high cold-desert loop through Kinnaur and Spiti — monasteries, fossil villages and Chandratal lake.
Photo: pixabay
Spiti Valley circuit is an easy–moderate road trip in Kaza, Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal, reaching 4,590 m. The best time to go is June to September. Plan 8 to 10 days on the ground from Chandigarh / Shimla and about ₹3,000 per person per day.
What to do in Spiti Valley circuit
The one thing not to miss
Key Monastery
The hilltop monastery above the Spiti river; mornings are quietest.
- 2ChandratalThe moon lake, open roughly June to September. Camps are set back from the shore.
- 3Langza, Komic and HikkimHigh villages above Kaza; Hikkim has one of the world's highest post offices.
- 4DhankarThe cliff monastery and the lake above it.
- 5Tabo MonasteryFounded in 996, with murals inside mud-walled temples.
A sample plan: 7 days
Day 1
Shimla to Narkanda or Sarahan
An easy start.
Day 2
On to Sangla or Kalpa
Into Kinnaur.
Day 3
Kalpa to Nako or Tabo
The landscape turns to desert.
Day 4
Tabo and Dhankar, then Kaza
Two old monasteries on the way.
Day 5
Around Kaza
Key, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim and Komic.
Day 6
Kaza to Chandratal over Kunzum La
Only when the pass is open, usually June to early October.
Day 7
Chandratal to Manali
A rough road to the Atal Tunnel.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- ❄︎Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
The definitive Indian mountain road trip. Nothing else looks like it.
Why not
Long, rough drives at 3,500–4,500 m. Not a relaxing holiday, and altitude sickness is common.
Before you go
- Permits
- Indian citizens: none. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur–Spiti border stretch.
- Guide
- Not needed, but hire a local driver — don't self-drive if you're new to mountain roads.
- Safety
- Enter via Shimla–Kinnaur to acclimatise gradually. Kunzum Pass is usually open only June–October.
- Phone & internet
- BSNL and Jio in Kaza; long dead zones between towns.
Altitude
Spiti Valley circuit reaches 4,590 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- You arrive already high. Rest for the first two days: no long walks and no drives over high passes.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Speak to a doctor before the trip if you have heart, lung or blood-pressure problems, or are travelling with small children.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Himachal →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District emergency operation centre, Lahaul & Spiti, Keylong.
All emergency contacts for Himachal →What to pack for Spiti Valley circuit
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
8 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 4,590 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
9 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Pulse oximeter Lets you watch your oxygen level above 4,000 m. It does not replace descending if you feel unwell.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 4,590 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
- Moisturiser and a saline nasal spray The air is very dry; skin and the inside of the nose crack within days.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsIndian citizens: none. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur–Spiti border stretch.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereBSNL and Jio in Kaza; long dead zones between towns.
For what you're going for
4 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Car phone mount and charger Hands-free navigation on mountain roads.
- Portable tyre inflator Punctures happen far from the next repair shop.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Himachal Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Chandigarh / Shimla.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Possible, but high ground clearance is better. The Manali side needs high ground clearance. Carry spare fuel.
- Last petrol pump
- Kaza has the only petrol pump in Spiti
By road
From
Shimla
- Distance
- about 420 km
- Drive time
- two to three days
- Shimla
- Narkanda
- Rampur
- Jeori
- Karcham
- Reckong Peo
- Nako
- Tabo
- Kaza
Go in this way: the height comes on gradually.
Live directions from ShimlaFrom
Manali
- Distance
- about 185 km
- Drive time
- 8–10 hours
- Manali
- Atal Tunnel
- Gramphu
- Batal
- Kunzum La
- Losar
- Kaza
Come out this way, when the road is open (roughly June to October).
Live directions from Manali
Buses and shared taxis. State buses cover both legs but are slow; most people hire a car with a local driver.
Pickups & drivers
From Chandigarh / Shimla. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Spiti Valley circuit yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Spiti Valley circuit: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Spiti Valley circuit?
The best months for Spiti Valley circuit are June to September. May and October are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in January to April.
How difficult is Spiti Valley circuit?
Spiti Valley circuit is rated easy–moderate. No trekking is needed, starting at 3,800 m and reaching 4,590 m.
How many days do you need for Spiti Valley circuit?
Plan 8 to 10 days on the ground, counted from Chandigarh / Shimla. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Spiti Valley circuit cost?
Expect about ₹3,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹30,000 for 10 days, before the cost of getting to Chandigarh / Shimla.
How do you reach Spiti Valley circuit?
By road: from Shimla it is about 420 km, two to three days (Shimla → Narkanda → Rampur → Jeori → Karcham → Reckong Peo → Nako → Tabo → Kaza); from Manali it is about 185 km, 8–10 hours (Manali → Atal Tunnel → Gramphu → Batal → Kunzum La → Losar → Kaza). State buses cover both legs but are slow; most people hire a car with a local driver. The nearest gateway is Chandigarh / Shimla.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Spiti Valley circuit?
Permits: Indian citizens: none. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur–Spiti border stretch. Guide: Not needed, but hire a local driver — don't self-drive if you're new to mountain roads.
Is Spiti Valley circuit suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is possible with care; with seniors it is possible with care. It is moderately busy in season. Enter via Shimla–Kinnaur to acclimatise gradually. Kunzum Pass is usually open only June–October.
What should you pack for Spiti Valley circuit?
Pack 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, compact umbrella, rain jacket or poncho, comfortable walking shoes with grip. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Spiti Valley circuit?
BSNL and Jio in Kaza; long dead zones between towns.
Will I get altitude sickness at Spiti Valley circuit?
Spiti Valley circuit reaches 4,590 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. You arrive already high. Rest for the first two days: no long walks and no drives over high passes. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Spiti Valley circuit?
Spiti Valley circuit is not a good choice for families with small children, older travellers who find long walks or rough roads hard and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 4,590 m. Also keep in mind: Long, rough drives at 3,500–4,500 m. Not a relaxing holiday, and altitude sickness is common.
Close to Spiti Valley circuit
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Taboabout 33 km