Orchard cottage
Wooden cottages among apple trees, with balconies facing the snow peaks.
All ridesSummer 2027
Kinnaur & Spiti Circuit
Per person, 2 travellers · Private SUV · GST extra. Private and tailor-made versions on request.
Overview
From orchards to the high desert
Entering Spiti from the Kinnaur side is the gentle way to do it. The road climbs over several days, so you acclimatise naturally while the landscape shifts from forested gorges to high desert. We take our time in Sangla and Chitkul, Kalpa and Nako before arriving in the heart of Spiti.
In Spiti we stay four nights, with Kaza as a base for Key, Kibber, Langza and the Pin valley, then cross Kunzum La to camp near Chandratal before the final run to Manali through the Atal Tunnel.
Day by day
The itinerary
11 days, Shimla → Manali. Open a day for the route, travel time, stay and meals.
KinnaurDays 1 – 4
Orchards, wooden temples and the Sutlej.
Day 1Shimla to SanglaInto the Baspa valley
Route Shimla → Narkanda → Rampur → Sangla
Travel 8–9 hrs
Stay Sangla
Meals Dinner
Altitude 2,700 m
A long first day along the Sutlej, arriving in the green Baspa valley by evening.
Day 2ChitkulThe last village
Route Sangla → Rakchham → Chitkul → Sangla
Travel 2 hrs with walks
Stay Sangla
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,450 m
Walk among Chitkul's wooden houses and along the Baspa river, then return to Sangla for the night.
Day 3Sangla to KalpaKamru fort-temple
Route Sangla → Kamru → Kalpa
Travel 3 hrs
Stay Kalpa
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 2,960 m
Visit Kamru's fort-temple, then continue to Kalpa for evening views of the Kinner Kailash range.
Day 4Kalpa to NakoInto the rain shadow
Route Kalpa → Khab → Nako
Travel 5 hrs
Stay Nako
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,660 m
The landscape turns dry and dramatic past the Spiti–Sutlej confluence. An afternoon walk around Nako's lake.
SpitiDays 5 – 9
Monasteries and high villages.
Day 5Nako to TaboThe ancient monastery
Route Nako → Sumdo → Tabo
Travel 3 hrs
Stay Tabo
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,280 m
Spend the afternoon at Tabo Monastery, founded in 996 CE, and the meditation caves above the village.
Day 6Tabo to Kaza via DhankarA cliff-top monastery
Route Tabo → Dhankar → Kaza
Travel 3–4 hrs
Stay Kaza
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,800 m
Climb up to Dhankar, perched above the meeting of the Spiti and Pin rivers, then continue to Kaza.
Day 7Key, Kibber & ChichamSpiti's icons
Route Kaza → Key → Kibber → Chicham → Kaza
Travel 3 hrs with stops
Stay Kaza
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 4,200 m
Key Monastery, the high village of Kibber and the vertiginous Chicham bridge.
Day 8Langza, Hikkim & KomicFossils and high villages
Route Kaza → Langza → Hikkim → Komic → Kaza
Travel 3 hrs with walks
Stay Kaza
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 4,500 m
Look for fossils around Langza, send a postcard from Hikkim and visit Komic, one of the highest villages reachable by road.
Day 9The Pin valleyA greener side valley
Route Kaza → Gulling → Mudh → Kaza
Travel 4 hrs
Stay Kaza
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,800 m
Drive into the Pin valley to the village of Mudh, at the start of several classic treks.
Over the topDays 10 – 11
Kunzum La, Chandratal and Manali.
Day 10Kaza to ChandratalOver Kunzum La
Route Kaza → Losar → Kunzum La → Chandratal
Travel 5 hrs
Stay Chandratal camp
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 4,300 m
Cross Kunzum La and walk the last stretch to Chandratal, a crescent-shaped lake that changes colour with the light.
Day 11Chandratal to ManaliThrough the Atal Tunnel
Route Chandratal → Batal → Atal Tunnel → Manali
Travel 6–7 hrs
Stay —
Meals Breakfast
Altitude 2,050 m
A rough road to Gramphu, then the Atal Tunnel and down to Manali in the green Kullu valley.
Where you'll stay
Stays along the route
Chosen for warmth, cleanliness and character. Exact properties are confirmed when you book.
Homestay
Family homes with home-cooked Spitian meals and simple, warm rooms.
Lakeside camp
Tents with beds and heavy blankets a short walk from the lake. Nights are near freezing even in summer.
Dates & prices
Departures and prices
Prices are per person. Private journeys can start on any date in season.
| Departure | Type | Status | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any date, 1 Jun – 15 Oct | Private journey · depends on Kunzum La opening | Open | Enquire |
| Option | Indian residents | International |
|---|---|---|
| Private · 2 travellers | ₹74,000 | USD 1,250 |
| Private · 4 travellers | ₹56,000 | USD 950 |
| Private · 6 travellers | ₹49,000 | USD 840 |
Per person, 2 travellers · Private SUV · GST extra. Single rooms, upgrades and extra nights on request.
What's included
- 10 nights in guesthouses, homestays and a lakeside camp
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- Private SUV with driver from Shimla to Manali
- Inner-line permits for foreign nationals
- Local guide in Spiti
- Oxygen cylinder and pulse oximeter in the vehicle
Not included
- Travel to Shimla and from Manali
- Lunches and drinks
- Monastery donations
- Travel and medical insurance (required)
- GST at 5%
Before you go
Good to know
Practical notes on altitude, kit, permits and connectivity for this journey.
Altitude
Kaza is at about 3,800 m and some villages sit above 4,400 m. Approaching from Shimla through Kinnaur lets you climb gradually, and we keep the first nights lower.
Roads
The Kinnaur road is narrow in places and prone to rockfall after rain or snow. Our drivers know it well; we keep buffer time in every itinerary in case of a closure.
Permits
Indian citizens don't need a permit. Foreign nationals need an inner-line permit for the border stretch around Nako, which we arrange before you travel.
Phones and connectivity
BSNL and Jio generally work in Kaza and the larger villages. Signal is patchy elsewhere and Wi-Fi is basic.
Journey essentialsShimla → Sangla → Chitkul → Kalpa → Nako → Tabo → Kaza → Chandratal → Manali · Jun – Oct
Route notes: getting there & permits
Along the way
Photographs from the route
A few of the places you'll pass through.
Before you book
Questions we're often asked
Why start from Shimla?
The Kinnaur route climbs gradually, which is far kinder to your body than driving straight over Kunzum La from Manali.
When is Kunzum La open?
Usually from June to October, depending on snow. If it's closed, we'll reverse back through Kinnaur.
Is the Chandratal camp cold?
Yes — nights are near or below freezing even in summer. Camps provide heavy blankets, and we suggest a warm layer for sleeping.
Can I travel solo on a private journey?
Yes. Private journeys run for one traveller too; the per-person price is higher because the vehicle and guide aren't shared.
Can you change the itinerary?
Almost always. Private journeys can be reshaped around your dates, pace and interests, and on small-group departures we can add nights before or after the trip.
How do I pay?
A 25% advance confirms your booking and the balance is due 30 days before you travel. We accept bank transfer, UPI and cards.
What if I need to cancel?
Our cancellation terms are set out on the booking terms page — the earlier you let us know, the more we can refund. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and high-altitude evacuation.
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Start planning
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