Planning the right Spiti Valley itinerary makes the difference between a rushed trip and a well paced Himalayan journey. A standard Spiti itinerary runs across 7 to 9 days, covering Kaza, Chandratal, Key Monastery, Kibber and Langza, at altitudes ranging from 10,000 to over 14,000 feet.
This Spiti Valley itinerary 7 days plan works well for most travellers, balancing acclimatisation with sightseeing, since altitude sickness is a real concern above 12,000 feet. For those who prefer self drive routes, a Spiti Valley road trip itinerary via Shimla or Manali offers more flexibility, while riders often opt for a Spiti bike trip package to experience the Kinnaur and Spiti circuit on two wheels.
WanderOn has been running Spiti Valley tour packages for over 9 years, with a 4.9 rating and a dedicated Trip Captain on every departure. This guide breaks down each day, permit requirements and the best season to visit, based on routes we operate every year.
spiti valley tour packages
Route & Spiti Valley Itinerary 7 Days
Delhi – Shimla – Kinnaur Valley – Sangla/Chitkul – Nako – Tabo – Kaza – Key – Chicham – Hikkim – Komic – Langza – Lepcha La (Tibet Point) – Chandra Taal – Manali – Delhi
Day 0: Departure from Delhi to Shimla
Overnight Volvo journey
- Board the Volvo from Delhi in the evening
- Overnight ride reaches Shimla by early morning
- Full first day stays free for the drive into Kinnaur
Trip Captain note: Carry a light jacket for the bus. The AC gets cold once you cross Chandigarh.
Day 1: Shimla to Sangla or Chitkul via Kinnaur Valley
Distance: Approx 230 km | Duration: 10 to 11 hours
- Arrive in Shimla early morning and begin the drive towards Chitkul, the last Indian village on the route to the China border
- Follow the Sutlej river through steep mountains, pine forests and cliffside roads
- Reach Sangla or Chitkul, the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibet border, by evening
- Check into the hotel and relax after the long journey
Dinner and overnight stay in Sangla or Chitkul.
Trip Captain note: Network drops off after Karcham. Inform your family before you cross this point.
Day 2: Explore Chitkul and Transfer to Nako
Distance: Approx 149 km | Duration: 6 to 7 hours
- Wake up early to catch the sunrise over the Baspa valley
- Walk through Chitkul, see the wooden houses and spend time by the Baspa river
- Begin the drive to Nako by early afternoon through rugged, high-altitude terrain
- Stop at the confluence of the Sutlej and Spiti river at Khab for a few photos
- Reach Nako by evening and check into the hotel
Dinner and overnight stay in Nako.
Trip Captain note: Nako is where most travellers first feel the altitude. Drink plenty of water and skip alcohol tonight to help your body adjust.
Day 3: Nako to Kaza via Lepcha La and Tabo
Distance: 110 km | Duration: 7 to 8 hours
- Start early and enter the heart of Spiti
- Stop at Lepcha La, also called Tibet Point, for wide views of the Indo-Tibet border and the Tibetan plateau
- Explore Tabo Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the Himalayas
- Scenic drive to Kaza through wide valleys and barren mountains
- Reach Kaza by evening and check into the campsite
Dinner and overnight stay in Kaza.
Day 4: Key Monastery, Chicham Bridge, Hikkim, Komic and Langza
Distance: Approx 80 km | Duration: 6 to 7 hours
- Visit Key Monastery, perched dramatically on a hilltop
- Cross Chicham Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in Asia
- Reach Komic, one of the highest inhabited villages in the world
- Send a postcard from Hikkim, the world's highest post office
- End at Langza, known for its massive Buddha statue and marine fossils from the Tethys Sea era
- Drive back to Kaza by evening
Dinner and overnight stay in Kaza.
Trip Captain note: Buy your postcards and stamps at Hikkim itself. Also carry cash, since cards do not work here.
Day 5: Kaza to Chandra Taal
Overnight camp stay | Distance: Approx 95 km | Duration: 5 to 6 hours
- Check out of Kaza after breakfast and head to Chandratal
- Short halt at Losar, the last village of Spiti, for snacks
- Reach Chandra Taal or Batal by evening and check into camps
- Watch the turquoise lake change colours with the setting sun
- Dinner under a sky full of stars, with the Milky Way visible on clear nights
Overnight stay in camps near Chandra Taal.
Trip Captain note: Camps sit a short distance from the lake and there is no mobile network. Make important calls before you leave Kaza. Also, camping is prohibited now at the Chandratal lake, so you have to keep your camps at a distance from the lake.
Day 6: Chandra Taal to Manali and Old Manali Café Crawl
Distance: 111 km | Duration: 6 to 7 hours
- Start early and drive from Chandra Taal to Manali
- Cross high mountain passes, water crossings and off-road sections
- Watch the landscape shift from Spiti's barren beauty to Himachal's green valleys
- Reach Manali by evening and check into the hotel
- Head to Old Manali for a café crawl and local food
Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay in Manali.
Day 7: Self Exploration in Manali and Departure for Delhi
Distance: 510 km | Duration: 10 to 11 hours
- Free morning in Manali after breakfast
- Visit Hadimba Devi Temple, Old Manali streets or Mall Road
- Café hop, shop or relax before the journey back
- Regroup by evening and board the traveller for Delhi
Overnight journey to Delhi.
Day 8: Reach Delhi
Distance: 510 km | Duration: 10 to 11 hours
- Reach Delhi by morning with a camera full of mountain photos and memories from the trip
Best Time to Visit Spiti Valley
The best time to visit Spiti Valley is from mid May to early October, when both the Shimla and Manali routes are open and the full Spiti Valley circuit can be completed in a single trip.
- Summer (Mid May to June): Daytime temperatures stay between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Both routes are open, making this the ideal window for a complete Spiti valley tour itinerary. Chandaratal lake is also open at that time for travelers.
- Monsoon (July to Mid September): Spiti lies in a rain shadow zone and receives little rainfall. However, the Shimla to Kaza route through Kinnaur is prone to landslides, so the Manali entry route via Atal Tunnel is safer during these months.
- Autumn (Late September to Early October): Crisp, clear weather with golden valleys. This is the last window to complete the Spiti Valley circuit before winter shuts down the Manali side.
- Winter (Mid October to April): The Manali to Spiti route closes and temperatures drop to minus 15 to minus 25 degrees Celsius. Recommended only for experienced high-altitude travellers.
Trip Captain note: For most travellers, mid June to mid September remains the sweet spot for the itinerary for Spiti valley, with stable weather and every stop accessible.
How to Reach Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley is reached by road through two main routes: the Shimla route via Kinnaur and the Manali route via Atal Tunnel and Kunzum Pass. There is no direct airport or railway station in Spiti itself.
At WanderOn, we operate the full Spiti Valley circuit as a Delhi to Delhi loop, entering from Shimla and exiting through Manali. This route forms the base of our Spiti Valley Itinerary and is the safest for acclimatisation.
By Road
- Shimla to Kaza (Approx 412 km): The longer but safer entry route via Narkanda, Sangla, Chitkul, Nako and Tabo. The gradual altitude gain from 2,200 metres to 3,800 metres helps the body adjust naturally, which is why we use this side for entry in our Spiti itinerary.
- Manali to Kaza (Approx 200 km): The shorter and more dramatic route via Kunzum Pass at 4,551 metres. Stays closed from mid October to May. We use it as the exit route in our Spiti valley tour itinerary.
Trip Captain note: Do not attempt Manali to Kaza as the entry route on your first Spiti trip. The sudden altitude jump often triggers altitude sickness before you even reach Kaza.
By Air
- Nearest airport: Bhuntar in Kullu, approximately 245 km from Kaza
- Alternative: Chandigarh Airport, better connected to major cities
- Onward journey to Spiti is by road
By Rail
- Nearest broad gauge station: Chandigarh, roughly 350 km from Shimla
- Nearest toy train station: Shimla, via the Kalka to Shimla heritage line
By Bus
- HRTC buses run from Delhi to Shimla and Delhi to Manali
- From Shimla, buses to Kaza run subject to weather
- From Manali, direct buses to Kaza operate only from June to early October
The WanderOn Route
Our Spiti valley trip plan is a Delhi to Delhi loop: Delhi to Shimla, Shimla to Kaza via Kinnaur, Kaza to Manali via Kunzum Pass, Manali to Delhi. This is the Best itinerary for Spiti Valley for first time travellers, since it uses the Shimla side for gradual climb and the Manali side for the descent, without repeating any road.
Trip Captain note: Our on-ground team in Kaza confirms road conditions every morning before departure, especially during monsoon.
What Makes WanderOn the Right Choice for Your Spiti Trip
WanderOn has been running Spiti group departures for over 9 years, with a 4.9 rating. Our Spiti Valley Itinerary is refined every season based on real road conditions and traveller feedback.
- 9 plus years operating the Shimla to Manali circuit since 2017
- Trip Captain on every departure, trained for high-altitude regions
- Gradual acclimatisation built into our Spiti tour itinerary via the Shimla entry route
- Safest structure for a Spiti Valley itinerary for first timers, with Chandratal scheduled after four days of altitude exposure
- India Book of Records holder for the largest Spiti Valley group tour
- Fixed departures with real groups of solo travellers, couples and friends
- All inclusive packages covering transport, stays, meals, permits and Trip Captain fee
- No hidden charges, with weather-based route changes handled at no extra cost
