Spiti Valley Circuit — Shimla to Manali
MountainSpitiHimalayaMonastery

Spiti Valley Circuit — Shimla to Manali

Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh 6N / 7D4.9 (0 reviews)

Trip overview

The classic Spiti Valley circuit through the Trans-Himalaya — a high-altitude cold desert of thousand-year-old monasteries, fluttering prayer flags and impossibly blue skies. From Shimla you climb to Chitkul, 'India's last village', then trace the Sutlej and Spiti rivers through Kalpa, Nako and Tabo to Kaza. Send a postcard from Hikkim's highest post office, stand in Komic and Langza, see the 500-year-old Gue mummy, visit the Dhankar and Key monasteries, cross Asia's highest Chicham bridge and camp under the Milky Way at crescent-shaped Chandratal before crossing the Atal Tunnel back to Manali. From ₹19,990 pp ex-Delhi (6N/7D, triple sharing); ₹21,290 / ₹23,990 pp ex-Ahmedabad (8N/9D, Non-AC / AC sleeper train); couple-sharing ₹2,000 pp extra.

Trip highlights

  • Chitkul — 'India's last village' before the Indo-China border
  • 'Hindustan ka Akhri Dhaba' & Kinnaur valley views from Kalpa
  • The 500-year-old Gue mummy and ancient Tabo & Dhankar monasteries
  • Komic, Langza & a postcard from Hikkim — the world's highest post office
  • Key Gompa monastery & Asia's highest Chicham suspension bridge
  • A night under the Milky Way at crescent-shaped Chandratal lake
  • The Atal Tunnel crossing back to Manali

A glimpse of the journey

Spiti Valley Circuit — Shimla to Manali — view 1
Spiti Valley Circuit — Shimla to Manali — view 2
Spiti Valley Circuit — Shimla to Manali — view 3
Spiti Valley Circuit — Shimla to Manali — view 4
Spiti Valley Circuit — Shimla to Manali — view 5

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. 1Day 1

    Delhi → Shimla → Chitkul

    After an overnight Volvo from Delhi, meet your representative in Shimla for a tour briefing and breakfast near Narkanda, then drive on through the Sangla and Kinnaur valleys to Chitkul — the last inhabited village before the Indo-China border. Check in, then swap stories around a warm bonfire. Overnight at Chitkul.

    Dinner Hotel in Chitkul
  2. 2Day 2

    Chitkul → Kalpa

    Wake to a beautiful Himalayan sunrise. Visit the famous 'Hindustan ka Akhri Dhaba' and the local Mathi temple, then drive to Kalpa along the Baspa river. If time permits, visit the village monastery and temple in the evening. Overnight in Kalpa, overlooking the Kinnaur Kailash range.

    Breakfast, Dinner Hotel in Kalpa
  3. 3Day 3

    Kalpa → Nako → Tabo

    Drive the Indo-Tibet highway towards Tabo, stopping at the famous Suicide Point and the Khab bridge where the Spiti and Sutlej rivers meet. Enter Spiti via Sumdo, visit the Gue monastery and its 500-year-old mummy, and pause at Nako lake and monastery. Reach Tabo by evening. Overnight at Tabo.

    Breakfast, Dinner Hotel in Tabo
  4. 4Day 4

    Tabo → Dhankar → Kaza

    Drive towards Dhankar to visit its 1,000-year-old monastery set among rocky spurs, then explore Pin Valley National Park — the only green pocket in this cold desert and home to endangered Himalayan wildlife. Reach Kaza by evening; the rest of the day is free. Overnight at Kaza.

    Breakfast, Dinner Hotel / homestay in Kaza
  5. 5Day 5

    Kaza – Langza – Hikkim – Komic – Kaza

    A full-day excursion of upper Spiti: the giant Buddha statue at Langza, the high-altitude village of Komic and its Tang Gyud monastery, then Hikkim — home to the world's highest post office, where you can mail a postcard to your loved ones. Back to Kaza by evening. Overnight at Kaza.

    Breakfast, Dinner Hotel in Kaza
  6. 6Day 6

    Kaza – Chicham – Key – Chandratal

    Cross Asia's highest suspension bridge at Chicham and stop at Key Gompa, the oldest monastery in Spiti. Continue to the crescent-shaped Chandratal lake, cradled between mountains and a cirque. Check in to the campsite. Overnight in camps under the Milky Way.

    Breakfast, Dinner Tented camp near Chandratal
  7. 7Day 7

    Chandratal → Manali → Delhi

    Drive back towards Manali via the Kaza road, with a pit stop at the famous Chacha Chachi Dhaba and a crossing of the Atal Tunnel through stunning landscape. Enjoy some leisure time at Manali's cafés, then board the evening Volvo to Delhi (arriving the next morning).

    Breakfast Overnight Volvo

What's included

  • Volvo / AC coach Delhi ⇄ Shimla & Manali ⇄ Delhi (or round train from Gujarat on the ex-Ahmedabad tiers)
  • All sightseeing & transfers across Kinnaur and Spiti by mountain vehicle
  • Accommodation: hotels / homestays at Chitkul, Kalpa, Tabo & Kaza (×2) plus tented camp at Chandratal, on sharing
  • Daily breakfast & dinner (Day 1 dinner through Day 7 breakfast)
  • Monastery & village visits — Chitkul, Gue, Nako, Dhankar, Pin Valley, Key, Komic, Hikkim & Langza
  • Inner-line permits for the Indo-Tibet border region
  • Experienced mountain driver, tour leader & first-aid support

Not included

  • GST as applicable
  • Couple-sharing accommodation supplement (₹2,000 per person)
  • Lunches and any meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Monastery camera fees, personal expenses & tips
  • Costs arising from weather, landslides or roadblocks beyond our control
  • Anything not listed under inclusions

Frequently asked

What does the package cost from my city?

₹19,990 pp ex-Delhi (6N/7D, triple sharing); ₹21,290 pp ex-Ahmedabad (8N/9D) by Non-AC sleeper train; ₹23,990 pp ex-Ahmedabad (8N/9D) by AC sleeper train. Add ₹2,000 pp for couple-sharing accommodation. Also available from Baroda, Surat, Mumbai or your hometown.

How tough is the trip?

Moderate. There's no major trekking, but Spiti sits at roughly 3,000–4,500 m with long mountain drives, so come prepared for high altitude and simple mountain stays. Give yourself time to acclimatise and stay hydrated.

Do I need permits?

Yes — inner-line permits are required for the Indo-Tibet border belt and are arranged by us. Carry several passport-size photos and a valid government photo ID.

When does the trip run?

Summer only — June to September, once the high passes and Atal Tunnel routes are reliably open. Contact us for the exact group departure dates.

You might also love

Related journeys