Overview
This 6-day Spiti Valley itinerary is a compact Himalayan road trip starting from Delhi and covering Manali, Kaza, Chandratal, and back. It combines overnight Volvo journeys with an adventurous Tempo Traveller circuit through high-altitude desert landscapes, monasteries, villages, and one of India’s most scenic alpine lakes.
The journey begins from Delhi with an overnight Volvo ride to Manali, where travelers briefly acclimatize before entering the rugged terrain of Spiti. From Manali, the road climbs sharply via the Atal Tunnel into Lahaul Valley, passing Sissu waterfall, Keylong, and remote Himalayan hamlets before crossing the dramatic Kunzum Pass. The route is challenging but extremely scenic, eventually reaching Kaza, the main town of Spiti Valley.
Kaza serves as the base for exploring the region’s cultural and geographical highlights. The local sightseeing day includes ancient monasteries like Key Monastery, iconic high-altitude villages such as Kibber, Langza, Hikkim (home to the world’s highest post office), and Komic, one of the highest motorable villages in the world. These stops offer a mix of Buddhist culture, stark mountain landscapes, and fossil-rich terrain.
From Kaza, the journey continues deeper into the wilderness toward Chandratal Lake via Chicham Bridge and Kunzum Pass. Chandratal, also known as the “Moon Lake,” is a high-altitude glacial lake surrounded by barren mountains and is reached after a short trek from the parking point. The night is spent in basic camps near the lake under a sky filled with stars, making it one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
The return journey retraces the same route back to Manali through Batal, Chhatru, and Sissu, crossing back through the Atal Tunnel. After a night in Manali, the trip concludes with an overnight Volvo ride back to Delhi.
Highlight
- 🚍 Epic Road Journey Delhi → Manali overnight Volvo journey (comfortable start) Manali → Kaza via Atal Tunnel (entry into Trans-Himalayan region) Return via Chandratal → Manali → Delhi One of India’s most scenic and adventurous mountain road circuits.