The Spiti Valley road trip is a whole vibe! If you are looking for some big-time adventure, it’s time to hit the road. People go crazy for such adventurous rides that can really take your adrenaline to a whole new level!
The thrill of your tyres gripping the curvy roads, and the joy you feel while moving through the hidden villages in Spiti Valley is priceless.
To make your journey effortlessly comfortable and stress-free, you can check out Spiti Tour Packages so that everything is planned. From the moment you start your journey, you’ll find yourself experiencing immense joy. Every turn on the road will bring you closer to a never-experienced adventure before. So, here’s a Spiti Valley Road Trip from Delhi guide to make your trip extra special.
Spiti Valley Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Shimla to Narkanda
The best Shimla tour guide tip would be to begin your journey from Shimla to Narkanda, a small town hosting a panoramic view of the Himalayas and the beauty of Apple orchards.
This drive usually takes around 3-4 hours. You can spend the night in Narkanda and enjoy comfortable homestays in Shimla with crisp mountain air.
Day 2: Narkanda to Sangla
Your next day starts from Narkanda to Sangla. Sangla is a picture-perfect spot for all travelers who wish to click some amazing pictures. This place is in the Kinnaur district.
The drive usually takes around 7-8 hours, so be prepped up. If you follow the Travel Tips For Shimla, then carrying a water bottle and some ready-to-eat energy boosters would be great. In Sangla, you can visit charming villages, and visit the Kamru Fort and the Baspa River. Relax and soak in the natural beauty before hitting your next destination.
Suggested Read: Travel tips for Spiti
Day 3: Sangla to Kalpa
Gear up for the third day for a drive to Kalpa. Kalpa is a small town in the Kinnaur Kailash range known for its stunning views.
The drive to Kalpa takes around 4-5 hours. You can spend a day at Kalpa, enjoying the snow-capped peaks and visiting Kalpa Monastery.
Day 4: Kalpa to Nako
New day new adventure! Your fourth-day drive begins from Kalpa to Nako, which is a high-altitude village located near the Indo-Tibetan border.
This road drive will take around 5-6 hours. At Nako, you can explore places like the Nako Lake, ancient rock-cut temples, and the famous Nako Monastery. Nako is a beautiful place presenting the cultural traditions of the region.
Day 5: Nako to Kaza
Here comes the fifth day, dedicated to visiting the largest town in the Spiti Valley, Kaza. drive to Kaza through the high mountain pass of Kunzum La.
The drive takes around 6-7 hours to reach Kaza in Spiti Valley. here you can have a relaxing time visiting the Kibber Village, the Hikkim Village, known for the highest post office, and the Key monastery.
All these offbeat places in Spiti Valley are a true adventure to give you unforgettable memories.
Places to Visit during Spiti Road Trip
A trip to Spiti Valley circuit tour is never a dull experience. Spiti Valley is full of attractions showcasing its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Here are some of the best places to visit in Spiti Valley:
These are the most important things to know for the Spiti Valley road trip so that you can explore every little thing!
1. Key Monastery
The Key Monastery is one of the famous sightseeing points in the Spiti Valley. Situated at 4,166 meters, the biggest monastery in the region is more than 800 years old and belongs to the sect of Tibetan Buddhism known as Gelugpa. This is a monastery where a large population of monks resides and the facilities in the place include a setup for studying and for meditation. It is one of the most popular places to visit during Spiti road trip.
2. Tabo Monastery
Tabo Monastery is another well-known sightseeing in the Spiti Valley. This one was established in 996 AD and it is one of the oldest working Buddhist monasteries in India. The monastic church is compound and has many shrines, nine temples, several stupas, and cave grottoes. This monastery is highly prized for its frescoes and stucco works on the walls with themes of the life and preaching of the Buddha.
3. Dhankar Monastery
Located on the northern bank of the Spiti River, and on the right bank of the Pin River, the Dhankar monastery in Spiti is a beautifully built Tibetan Buddhist architecture. The monastery is about one thousand years old and has superb vantage points of the valleys and mountains that surround it. The tourists also have a scope for trekking to the Dhankar Lake which is a splendid high-altitude lake nestled amidst some formidable mountains.
4. Komic Village
Komic Village is one of the highest villages in the world situated at an altitude of 4,587 meters. Towns in the village consist of the Komic Monastery or Tangyud Monastery, which is considered one of the highest monasteries globally. It provides a magnificent panoramic look at the mountains around the village and gives the feeling of the traditional way of life of the Spitian people. Do not miss one of the best places to visit during Spiti road trip!
5. Langza Village
Langza Village has fossils dating back to millions of years as well as a very beautiful sight of Chau Chau Kang Nilda. It is perched at an altitude of 4,400m with a large statue of Buddha on the top of the mountain facing the village. The tourist interest in the village includes Mud House, interaction with local people, and Langza Monastery.
6. Hikkim Village
Hikkim Village - the place which is famous for having the highest post office in the world. Besides this universal fact, it also has a very serene location of the place which makes it a perfect destination for visitors to spend some time here.
Having a high elevation, this village remains snow-capped for a considerable time around the year. So, you should definitely visit Hikkim village when the weather is pleasant for tourists to come here.
7. Chandratal Lake
Chandratal Lake, also known as the "Moon Lake," is a magical place hidden in the high mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India. It gets its name because the lake is shaped like a crescent moon. "Chandra" means moon, and "tal" means lake.
This peaceful lake sits at a height of about 4,300 meters above sea level, in the Spiti Valley. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and open skies, making it feel like a dreamland. When the sun shines, the water changes color – sometimes it looks blue, sometimes green, and sometimes it looks like glass, reflecting the sky and mountains.
Suggested Read: Budget Trip To Spiti Valley: Affordable Travel Guide
Spiti Valley Road Condition
Driving in & around Spiti Valley requires strategic planning to make the trip as safe and enjoyable as possible. Here are some essential tips to help you prepare for your trip: They include rough roads, steep hills, and narrow passes; hence, the road network in Spiti Valley can be considered to be rough.
One has to make sure that the roads are appropriate for driving and also endeavour to drive safely. It is advised that one must have a strong and dependable car, preferably a Four-wheel drive for the journey. Ironically, it is also recommended to have spare tyres, a toolkit and extra fuel, since fuel depots are scarce in the valley.
Delhi - Solan: Excellent
Solan - Rampur: Good
Rampur - Wangtoo: Poor and Bumpy
Wangtoo - Nako: Excellent
Nako - Tabo: Bad, mostly unpaved
Tabo - Kaza: Average
Kaza - Langza: Bad
Kaza - Key: Good
Langza to Komik: Excellent but narrow
Komik - Hikkim - Kaza: Bad
Cost of a Road Trip to Spiti Valley
While preparing for a road trip to Spiti Valley, one must consider the expenditure ranging from the means of transport, lodgings, food, permits, and other related charges. Here is a breakdown of the typical costs you might incur:
1. Transportation:
- Fuel: Fuel expenses will also be influenced by the total distance the vehicle is used throughout, depending on the vehicle’s consumption rate. Delhi to Spiti Valley is approximately 800-1000 km one way, and the round trip will be approximately 1500-2000 km. The estimated fuel economy is 12-15 km/litre and the best starts at INR 90/litre, thus, make sure you set aside INR 10,000-15,000 for fuel.
- Vehicle Rental: If you are hiring a car or motorcycle the cost of hiring differs ranging from INR 1,500-3,000 for a car and INR 1,000-1,500 for a motorcycle per day. Self-drive car rental for a 10-day trip might cost between INR 15,000 to INR 30,000, while for a motorcycle it can cost anything between INR 10,000 to INR 15,000.
- Public Transport: If one does not have personal means of transport then one can engage in the use of buses and shared taxis for transport. The tariff for experiencing local transport from Shimla/Manali to Spiti Valley and inside the valley fluctuates between INR 5,000-7,000 per individual for the whole voyage.
2. Accommodation
- Standard class options including guest houses and homestays are between INR 500 and 1500 per night. In case of stay, depending on the duration of travel, for instance, INR 5,000-15,000 per person for 10 days of travel may be spent in accommodation.
- Camping is another arrangement and costs about INR 1,000-2,000 for one night or even includes meals at campsites.
3. Food
Food costs are fairly reasonable in Spiti Valley. The budget for food is INR 300-500/day; this amounts to INR 3,000 – 5,000 for 10 days of traveling.
4. Permits
As for the Indian citizens, there are no restrictions on obtaining permits for visiting the Spiti Valley. Still, foreigners need to possess an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for some of the zones. The permit cost trends at around INR 600 to 800 per head.
5. Miscellaneous
Extra costs are related to payments for entries to the monasteries, buying souvenirs, and any unforeseen circumstances. For these, one should set aside INR 2, 000- INR 3, 000.
- For a budget road trip on your own vehicle: INR 25,000-35,000 per person
- For a road trip using rental vehicles: INR 40,000-50,000 per person
- For a trip using public transport: INR 20,000-25,000 per person
This approximate cost depends on how long you plan to stay, how you move around, and on the current global fuel costs as well as accommodation costs.
Best Time to Go on a Road Trip to Spiti Valley
Timing for the perfect Spiti Valley Road Trip depends much on what the traveler would want like deep snow or dry curves. Here is a detailed overview of the best time to visit Spiti Valley:
1. Summer (May to June):
- Cons: It may be crowded by tourists, and accommodation rates for the same may also be a little on the higher side.
2. Monsoon (July to September):
- Cons: The roads particularly those from Manali are so risky and complex due to issues of landslides and torrential rainfalls. Do not venture out during this time unless you have prior experience in road travel in the mountains.
3. Autumn (September to October):
- Cons: Nights at this time can be cold, and some of the high-altitude trails could begin closing off by the end of October due to early snow.
4. Winter (November to April):
- Cons: The majority of the roads leading to the valley and up to the Manali route are normally blocked by snow during the season. This implies that there is only one route available through Shimla, which at times can be a little difficult. Cold climate has been observed to fall between -20°C to 5°C and thus people need to get well prepared, especially during winter. They also have to understand that many accommodations and beneficial facilities can be closed.
What to Pack for a Road Trip to Spiti?
As far as things to carry while travelling to Spiti are concerned, they are mainly of two categories: the necessities and the comfort items. The essentials to bring on a Spiti Valley Road Trip include warm clothing, including layers, a medical kit, water/energy bars/snacks, a charging port, a torch, and a camera. It is also recommended to have all the required prescriptions with you and a photocopy of the travel papers.
The Spiti Valley Road trip is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing experiences in life, which indeed is an amalgamation of the beauty of nature and the heritage of culture. The natural beauty, the architectural brilliance of monasteries, and the friendly people are the characteristics of the Spiti Valley, making it an ideal tourist destination.
While on the road bumpy mountainous terrains, the opportunity to camp by the calm lakes or interact with the few residents of the villages, or even the amazing sunrises that you will have to endure to make the trip successful, are unforgettable and that’s why the Spiti Valley Road Trip is one of the best.
