Which adventure is more fierce than navigating in the snow? Spiti Valley Road Trip in winter is for those who love the winter sun, tea-soaked biscuits, and pacifying ride. Spiti in winter is a sumptuous three-course hot meal if spread on a platter: giant mountains, pacific villages, and monasteries. Translated as “The Middle land”, Spiti is geographically sandwiched between Tibet and India. The entire valley filled with snow seems to be stretched till eternity. You can’t guess where the land ends and the sky begins. With snow under your boots and mountains overlooking every direction, we promise there will be endless opportunities to mould life’s outlook.
Home to the world’s prettiest and oldest locations – including Key, Kalpa, Gue, Dhankar and Tabo monasteries, Pin Valley, Chandratal Lake, Khab, Kunjum and pass – Spiti is a cold mountain desert, also known as “Little Tibet”. It is bordered on the northern side by Ladakh, Tibet in the East, Kinnaur in the South-East and Kullu valley in the North. You will testify to extremities while traversing the bridge, India’s last inhabited village and highest post office.
Good things take time. It would not be easy for a traveller, but the thrill and adventure of Spiti Valley Roadtrip in Winter will keep you going. The road will take the following route: Delhi -> Shimla -> Chitkul/Sangla -> Kalpa -> Nako -> Kaza -> Spiti -> Kaza -> Kalpa -> Shimla -> Delhi. This 9-day trip is not for meek; it demands a strong mind. After this duration, you will become more compassionate, thankful, and respectful. Here is a brief itinerary of the Spiti Valley Road Trip in Winter:
Day 1: Delhi to Shimla | Overnight Journey
Day 2: Shimla to Chitkul/Sangla (225 Kilometers, 9 Hours Drive)
Day 3: Chitkul/Sangla to Kalpa (50 Kilometers, 3 Hours Drive)
Day 4: Kalpa to Nako (100 Kilometers, 5 Hours Drive)
Day 5: Nako to Kaza (110 Kilometers, 5 Hours Drive)
Day 6: Spiti Sightseeing Day (Komic, Hikkim, Langza)
Day 7: Kaza to Kalpa (200 Kilometers, 7 Hours Drive)
Day 8: Kalpa to Shimla (222 Kilometers, 8 Hours Drive)
Day 9: Delhi Arrival | Tour Ends
Distance: 340 km
Time: 8 hours
The group assembles at the pickup point. The time and pickup points will be communicated to you in a separate mail. Mostly, the pickup location will be RK Ashram or Majnu ka Tila (tentative).
After meeting and settling on the bus, trek leaders will brief you about the trip. However you come, we will disband your strangeness or any shackle of doubts. Once the group is ready to roll by itself, we will let you explore things independently.
We will leave Delhi at 9:00 pm and reach Shimla early in the morning.
Distance: 225 km
Time: 9 hours drive
We will reach Shimla via the Indo-Tibet highway. Here, we will collect all our belongings, leave the bus and change our mode of transportation from bus to tempo traveller. After breakfast break, we will head out for Chitkul/Sangla. It is a 9 hours drive.
Chitkul, India’s last inhabited village, is a tiny hamlet in the remote Himalayas. The place is blessed with natural beauty. Hills from three sides surround it; a river flows down from the mountains, with the sun rising in the backdrop. Snow-clad mountains, green-red apple orchards, deodar trees, and the gurgling Baspa river contribute to the beauty of Chitkul.
Over dinner, we will share anecdotes of our previous travels and indulge in bonding exercises. Stay here for the night and slip into a deep slumber in Chitkul’s atmosphere.
Distance: 50 km
Time: 3 hours
Altitude: 2960 m
After breakfast, we will start at Kalpa, a scenic paradise. En route, we will take a pit stop at Reckong Peo town. It is a chief village of the Kinnaur region, nestled at 2,768 m and is famously known as “the abode of god”. It also serves as the entry point to Kalpa. Nearby pine trees, apple orchards and deodars give it a unique aura. Plus, you will view the Kinnaur Kailash range throughout the day. Embrace it while you are here. Surprisingly, the Shivling peaks rise to 6,000 m. You can sit and observe the snow-clad mountains amidst the misty atmosphere.
Upon reaching Kalpa and after a short rest break, we will go for Kalpa sightseeing. Kalpa is a small village in the Sutlej river valley inhabited by the Kinnauri people. The town is famous for many things. The first one on our list is Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar or Kalpa Monastery. The monastery is old and was founded by Rinchensang-po (950-1055 AD).
Next, we will go to Suicide Point. It is notorious because of the jaw-dropping views and dangerously vertical trench. It’s said that a lady traveller fell from here while capturing photos. So be careful.
This will mark the day as complete, and after a healthy dinner, we will spend the night here.
Distance: 100 km
Time: 5 hours
Post breakfast, we will be on the road to Nako. It is a tiny hamlet situated in the trans-Himalayan region.
Midway, we will stop at Khab, which serves as the union for two rivers: Sutlej and Spiti.
In Nako, we will visit the serene Nako lake. It is a high altitude lake that forms the boundary of the Nako village. The lake is at 3,662 m and is surrounded by Poplar and Willow trees.
Then, we will visit and pay our respects at Nako Monastery.
Dinner and overnight stay at Nako will be arranged. As soon as we are here, we will continue the party without unnecessary bemusing.
Distance: 110 km
Time: 5 hours
After early breakfast, the group will go to the headquarters of Spiti: Kaza. There are many monasteries on the route. We will visit as many as we can. Topping our list are Tabo, Gue and Dhankar Monasteries.
We will reach Kaza early and check in to our accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure. You can warm yourself by playing or trying local drinks.
At night, dinner will be served. After amazing conversations, we will call off the day and sleep.
Day 6 is about exploration, gaining spiritual meanings, filling our souls and packing the best views.
Starting our day with a power-packed breakfast, we will go for a spiritual experience at Key Monastery. It is locally known as Kye Gompa and is at 4,166 m.
Then we will go to the Chincham bridge, whose construction is a wonder in itself. It is generally touted as India’s highest road span crossing approximately 150 m above a tributary of river Spiti. It was completed in 2017.
Later, we will visit the world’s highest post office that is in Hikkim. Imagine how much love, warmth and spirituality you can pour in a letter and send it to your loved ones.
After this, we will move to Komic village. It is one of the highest villages in the world connected by a motorable road.
Lastly, we will go to “the land of fossils”, Langza. Here, we will visit the Buddha statue on top of the hill overlooking the village.
Finally, after absorbing all sights and cultures, we will head back to Kaza, where a delicious dinner will be waiting for you.
Distance: 200 km
Time: 7 hours
Head start the day with an energetic breakfast. After eating, we will start our way back to Kalpa. It is a long road. Cherish all ideas, dance on the rhythms, talk about anything, take pit stops, absorb and continue.
We will reach Kalpa by evening. Later, dinner will be served that will follow an overnight stay.
Distance: 222 km
Time: 8 hours
Pressing the resume button on our return journey, we will start from Kalpa to reach Shimla. After breakfast, we will pack and get on the route.
In Shimla, we will take a bus back to Delhi.
We will reach Delhi early in the morning. With heavy hearts and sweet smiles, it is time to bid goodbye with bundles of memories. With that, the Spiti Valley Roadtrip in winter comes to an end.
We will ensure that your trip with PTU will not be the last one. You are our companion, and taking you on such trips is always a pleasure. Meanwhile, check out our other itineraries. We will wait for your call. Till then, keep living each second of your life and keep inspiring.
The interesting thing about traveling alone is that you get to meet new people from diverse backgrounds, and towards the end you are no longer strangers. Hence solo travelers are always welcome to join us on our trips. Read more about solo travelling here and get inspired! https://www.plantheunplanned.com/solo-yet-accompanied/
Safety and security is our priority at all times. Hence it is absolutely safe for women/girls to join us on our treks and travels. Our trek leaders accompany the team at all times, and our campsites are secured and safe for accomodation. We also have female trek leaders who accompany on most of our treks.
Yes, we do have options for picking a traveler on board with a few locations provided they are on the route to our destination. Following are the same:
Croma Store, Sony World Signal
Trinity Circle Metro Station
Yeshwanthpur Metro Station
Goraguntepalya Metro Station
Nayanadahalli Metro Station
Well, most of our treks are usually confirmed by Thursday and you would receive a BON VOYAGE mail that would contain details as regards Pickup Points ( Location and Timings ), Outdoor Leader ( Point of Contact ), Do’s and Don’ts. You’ll be added to Whatsapp Group for all the further updates.
Details for availing discounts are mentioned in the following link, https://www.plantheunplanned.com/membership/
For Departures from Bangalore: In the event that YOU cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy we follow
Note: For All The Above Refund Cases Transaction Fees/Internet Handling Charges will be dedcuted from the overall amount and balance amount shall be refunded. You can transfer your ticket to anyone so that you could save your hard earned money
“Transfer to a future date is only possible only if you cancel between 3-6 days before the trek date and not on the day of departure or a day before”
For other trips and travels with us, and detailed terms and conditions check the following link : https://www.plantheunplanned.com/refund-cancellation-policy