8 Days Spiti Valley Trip: The Ultimate Travel Guide

This Spiti Valley tour is spread over 8 days and in the course of the journey, you are promised a breathtaking view of snow-clad mountains, the crystal clear water of Spiti River and an expanse of barren desert. The weather shifts from one day to another with each day offering a new experience of the place and its attractions such as the Key Monastery and Tabo Monastery and the beautiful villages of Kaza and Langza. The stiff mountains of the valley, together with the high altitude of the desert are all brilliant that a trip to the place will turn into an exciting event to remember for the rest of your life.

For even more convenience and additional excitement, you might want to take a look at Spiti Valley tour packages. Such packages usually comprise sightseeing services such as guided tours, quality accommodation, and transport to fully maximise your experience. Regardless of which of the mentioned packages you opt for, the primary purpose of these tours is to help you have a value-added experience that will make you fall in love with the enchanting beauty of Spiti Valley.

Buckle up for an adventure of a lifetime!

Day 1: Arrival in Manali

• Stay: Choose from options like Johnson Lodge & Spa or Apple Country Resort for a comfortable stay.
• Must-Visit: Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, and Vashisht Hot Springs.

Kickstart your 8 days Spiti Valley trip by soaking in the beauty of Manali.

Day 2: Manali to Kaza

• Stay: Sakya Abode or Hotel Deyzor.
• Travel Tips: Start early to avoid traffic at Rohtang Pass. Keep your camera ready for some stunning landscapes.

The drive from Manali to Kaza on your 8 days Spiti Valley trip is an adventure in itself.

Day 3: Exploring Kaza

• Must-Visit: Key Monastery, Kibber Village, Chicham Bridge.
• Local Cuisine: Try the local Spitian dishes like Thukpa and Momos at local eateries.

Kaza is the hub of your 8 days Spiti Valley trip, offering a mix of spirituality and adventure.

Day 4: Langza, Hikkim, and Komic

• Must-Do: Send a postcard from Hikkim, explore the ancient Lang Temple in Langza, and visit the Komic Monastery.
• Travel Tips: Carry some snacks and water as there are limited food options in these remote villages.

Discover the charm of high-altitude villages on your 8 days Spiti Valley trip.

Day 5: Dhankar and Tabo

• Stay: Dhankar Monastery Guest House or Tabo Monastery Guest House.
• Must-Visit: Dhankar Monastery, Tabo Monastery, Tabo Caves.

The historic monasteries of Dhankar and Tabo are highlights of your 8 days Spiti Valley trip.

Day 6: Pin Valley National Park

• Must-Do: Trekking in Pin Valley, wildlife spotting, and photography.
• Travel Tips: Ensure you have the necessary permits for the park and carry sufficient water and snacks.

Pin Valley National Park is a highlight of your 8 days Spiti Valley trip for nature lovers.

Day 7: Chandratal Lake

• Stay: Campsites near Chandratal Lake.
• Must-Do: Camping, stargazing, and photography.

Chandratal Lake adds a touch of magic to your 8 days Spiti Valley trip.

Day 8: Return to Manali

• Stay: Optional overnight stay in Manali if required.
• Must-Do: A farewell dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate the completion of your journey.

Conclude your 8 days Spiti Valley trip with a scenic drive back to Manali.

Additional Tips

 Travel Tips for 8 Days Spiti Valley Trip

1. Acclimatize Properly: It is recommended to spend at least a day at Manali, or any other place of lesser altitude before proceeding further into the Spiti Valleys to avoid altitude sickness.
2. Plan Your Stops: Try and book all your lodgings in advance for the particular areas that you want to travel to, especially during rush season.
3. Pack Wisely: Take additional clothing since weather conditions change a lot, and it may be chilly at one point and hot at another. Keep items that are likely to be needed like a first aid box, hygiene items, and personal prescriptions.
4. Stay Hydrated: To acclimatise your body to the altitude, ensure that you drink a lot of water.
5. Respect Local Culture: This is especially important when it comes to dress code and legal system. Be polite and request permission to capture photos or take pictures in restricted areas.

Suggested Read: Mane Village Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Budget Breakdown for an 8 Days Spiti Valley Trip

1. Transportation

• Manali to Kaza (Round Trip): The most convenient option is to hire a private conveyance. The fare for an SUV, or a comfortable car for the round trip (Manali to Kaza and back) would be Rs. 25000 to 35000.
• Local Transportation: For local travel within the Spiti Valley, there are shared taxi services and buses are also available. For local tourism, expect to spend INR 5,000 to INR 8,000 travelling via shared taxis or in a tour group.

Estimated Total Transportation Cost: INR 30,000 to 43,000

2. Accommodation

• Manali: The local medium scale hotels such as Johnson Lodge & Spa or Apple Country Resort cost about INR 3,000 to INR 5,000 per night.
• Kaza: Lodging facilities such as Sakya Abode or Hotel Deyzor fall within the INR 2,000 INR 4,000 range for per night stay.
• Chandratal Lake: Tariffs for camps near ChandraTal are in the range of INR 1,500 to INR 3,000 if booked per night.

Estimated Total Accommodation Cost: INR 16,000 to 32,000 (based on mid-range options)

3. Meals

• Daily Meals: Count about INR 500 to 1,000 per person per day for food and this includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Local Eateries: The expenses for food depend on the places you try local foods and cost INR 200 to 500 for a meal.

Estimated Total Meals Cost: INR 4,000 to 8,000 per person

4. Permits and Entry Fees

• Permits: Inner Line Permits for restricted areas are relatively inexpensive, within the range of INR 400 to 600.
• Entry Fees: Costs for entering the monasteries and parks can cost between INR 100 to 300 depending on the places.

Estimated Total Permits and Entry Fees: INR 1,000 to 2,000 per person

5. Activities and Experiences

• Adventure Activities: For various adventurous activities such as trekking, river rafting, and being on guided tours you should budget between INR 2,000 and 5,000.
• Cultural Experiences: Local workshops or cultural shows may vary from INR 500 to INR 1000.

Estimated Total Activities Cost: INR 2,500 to 6,000

6. Miscellaneous

• Shopping: Budget around INR 1,000 to 3,000 for souvenirs and local handicrafts.
• Emergency Funds: It’s wise to keep some extra cash for unforeseen expenses, around INR 2,000 to 5,000.

Estimated Total Miscellaneous Cost: INR 3,000 to 8,000

Suggested Read: Adventure, Culture, and Solitude: Spiti valley solo trip

Overall Estimated Budget for an 8 Days Spiti Valley Trip

• Transportation: INR 30,000 to 43,000
• Accommodation: INR 16,000 to 32,000
• Meals: INR 4,000 to 8,000
• Permits and Entry Fees: INR 1,000 to 2,000
• Activities and Experiences: INR 2,500 to 6,000
• Miscellaneous: INR 3,000 to 8,000

Estimated Total Cost: INR 56,500 to 99,000

This budget is for one person but depends on one’s preferences, travel style and whether they are travelling alone, in a group or in a family. Travelling as a group is cheaper than travelling on your own, especially on aspects like transport and lodging.

Tips for Budgeting

1. Book in Advance: When it comes to going for a vacation, you need to book the accommodation and the means of transport in advance to save for the best offers.
2. Travel in Groups: Split the bills with other travellers to minimise expenses.
3. Choose Local Eateries: Choose local foods in order to reduce expenses on foods and snacks.
4. Stay in Homestays: As for accommodation, it could be better to find homestays, which are much cheaper and provide closer contact with the locals.
5. Monitor Spending: Record your daily expenses so that you can balance the amount you need to spend.

Bonus Tip: Currency and ATMs

However, one may face such a situation when there are no nearby ATMs or these machines do not have money, or they are temporarily offline because of connection problems. 

It is also important to have enough with you in cash to cater for all your needs till you complete the tour. This involves money for accommodation, meals, transport and any other expenses that would be incurred. While few of the hotels and shops in the larger towns and cities might possibly accept the use of credit cards, most of the businesses, especially those in the remote and rural areas are operated on a cash base. 

Therefore, when in Spiti Valley, there are no ATMs around and to avoid any inconvenience, it is advisable to withdraw enough cash beforehand.

These suggestions will enable you to save a lot of your money and ensure that the entire 8 days Spiti Valley trip is full of fun without any financial strain.

Suggested Read: Yak Safari in Spiti Valley: Unforgettable Adventure Awaits

Conclusion

Here in this guide, you have all the details that can help reach up to the memorable 8 days Spiti Valley trip including – the route map and destination highlights, an ideal time to travel and how to reach there, the must-visit places, some general and useful tips and tricks, and the most important and mandatory, packing list. 

Happy travels!