Overview
This 7-day Winter Spiti Valley road trip starts from Delhi and takes you through the scenic Himalayan routes of Shimla and Kinnaur before entering the cold desert of Spiti. The journey includes remote villages like Sangla, Chitkul, Tabo, and Kaza, with highlights such as ancient monasteries, frozen landscapes, and high-altitude villages like Kibber and Chicham. The return route via Kalpa offers stunning views of the Kinner Kailash range and peaceful apple orchards, making it a perfect mix of adventure, culture, and Himalayan beauty.
Highlight
- 🚐 Scenic Himalayan road journey from Delhi to Spiti via Shimla & Kinnaur ❄️ Stunning winter landscapes of snow, cold desert, and high mountain passes 🏔️ Visit to remote villages like Sangla, Chitkul, Kaza & Kalpa 🏯 Ancient monasteries including Tabo Monastery and Dhankar Monastery 🌉 Thrilling walk/drive near Chicham Bridge (Asia’s highest suspension bridge) 🏘️ Explore high-altitude villages like Kibber Village 🌄 Beautiful sunset views of Kinner Kailash in Kalpa 🧭 A complete Himalayan circuit covering green valleys, deserts, and snow regions
Itinerary
This 7-day Winter Spiti Valley road trip starts from Delhi and takes you through the scenic Himalayan routes of Shimla and Kinnaur before entering the cold desert of Spiti. The journey includes remote villages like Sangla, Chitkul, Tabo, and Kaza, with highlights such as ancient monasteries, frozen landscapes, and high-altitude villages like Kibber and Chicham. The return route via Kalpa offers stunning views of the Kinner Kailash range and peaceful apple orchards, making it a perfect mix of adventure, culture, and Himalayan beauty.
- Distance: ~350 km
- Travel time: 7-8 hrs (night drive)
Route:
Delhi → Panipat → Karnal → Ambala → Chandigarh → Shimla
Highlights:
- Night departure from Delhi (around 6–7 PM)
- Dinner stop at highway dhaba (Kurukshetra/Ambala stretch)
- Ascend to Shimla via hills (cooler temperatures begin)
Stay:
- Overnight journey
- Distance: ~220 km
- Time: 7 hrs
- Altitude: Sangla ~2,700 m | Chitkul ~3,450 m
Route:
Shimla → Narkanda → Rampur → Karcham → Sangla → Chitkul
Sightseeing en route:
- Narkanda – apple orchards, Hatu peak views
- Rampur Bushahr – Sutlej river valley drive
- Karcham Dam – confluence of Baspa & Sutlej rivers.
🌄 Chitkul (India’s last village) – 22 km from Sangla
- Wooden houses, Baspa river, snow views (if open)
Stay:
- Sangla (preferred) or Chitkul (if roads permit)
- Distance: ~200–220 km
- Time: 6-7 hrs
- Altitude: Nako 3,600 m | Tabo 3,280 m
Route:
Sangla → Pooh → Nako → Tabo (via Hindustan-Tibet Highway)
Sightseeing:
- Khab Sangam Point – Sutlej & Spiti river confluence
- Leo Village viewpoint
- Nako Lake (frozen in early season) – prayer flags, monastery
- Drive through cold desert terrain begins
Tabo Highlights:
- Tabo Monastery
- “Ajanta of Himalayas”
- 1000+ year old monastery (UNESCO heritage candidate)
overnight stay in Tabo/hotel.
- Distance: ~50–60 km
- Time: 3 hrs (with stops)
Route:
Tabo → Dhankar → Pin Valley turn → Kaza
Sightseeing:
- Dhankar Monastery
- Cliff-top monastery (dramatic valley views)
- Dhankar Lake (optional 1–2 hr trek if accessible)
- Pin Valley views en route
Arrival:
- Kaza
- District HQ of Spiti
- Café stops, acclimatization walk
overnight stay in Kaza/Hotel.
- Total distance: ~40–50 km round trip
Route:
Kaza → Kibber → Chicham Bridge → Kaza
Sightseeing:
- Kibber Village
- One of the highest inhabited villages in the world
- Snow landscapes (very likely in early season)
- Chicham Bridge
- Asia’s highest suspension bridge (~13,500 ft)
- Deep gorge views
Optional:
- Wildlife spotting (ibex, blue sheep in Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary)
Stay:
- Kaza.
- Dista.nce: ~180–200 km
- Time: 7hrs
Route:
Kaza → Tabo → Nako → Pooh → Kalpa
Sightseeing:
- Reverse drive through Spiti desert
- Stop again at:
- Nako Lake viewpoint
- Khab Sangam
Kalpa Highlights:
- Apple orchards
- Stunning views of Kinner Kailash range
- Sunset mountain glow
Stay:
- Kalpa
- Distance: ~350–370 km to Delhi
- Time: 10–12 hrs
Route:
Kalpa → Rampur → Narkanda → Shimla → Chandigarh → Delhi
Sightseeing en route:
- Sutlej valley drive
- Narkanda apple belt (if daylight travel)
- Shimla quick stop (Mall Road optional tea break)
Overnight Journey:
- Return drive to Delhi.
Early morning we will reach in Delhi.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Include
- 🚐 Tempo Traveller (Delhi to Delhi) for entire journey (as per itinerary)
- 🏨 5 Nights Accommodation (Hotel / Homestay basis in Sangla, Tabo, Kaza & Kalpa)
- 🍽️ Meals (as per plan) – Breakfast & Dinner during stays
- 🧭 Experienced Driver-cum-Guide familiar with mountain & snow routes
- ⛽ Fuel, tolls, parking & state taxes included for entire route
- 🏔️ Complete sightseeing as per itinerary:
- Chitkul (if accessible)
- Tabo Monastery
- Dhankar Monastery
- Kibber Village
- Chicham Bridge
- Kalpa
- 🧳 Basic assistance during travel (route guidance & stops)
- 🆘 First aid kit available in vehicle.
Cost Excludes
- 🍽️ Lunch, snacks & personal food expenses during travel days
- 🛏️ Room heater / hot water charges (in some Spiti homestays, extra payable)
- 🚕 Any local taxis or off-route excursions not mentioned in itinerary
- 🎟️ Entry fees, permits (if required for foreigners), or monument tickets
- 🧳 Personal expenses like laundry, shopping, phone calls, etc.
- 🏥 Travel insurance, medical emergencies, or evacuation costs
- 🍻 Alcohol, soft drinks, or beverages
- ❄️ Snow chain rental or special vehicle upgrades (if required due to road conditions)
- 🧑✈️ Guide services for personal trekking/activities (not part of itinerary)
- 🚨 Delays due to weather, landslides, or road closures (force majeure situations).
FAQS
Yes, Spiti is accessible via the Shimla–Kinnaur route. The Manali route usually remains closed till late May/June due to snow at Kunzum Pass.
BSNL & Jio work best (patchy)Airtel/Vi mostly stop after KalpaLimited or no internet in remote areas.
Nights: -2°C to 8°C in Kaza/KibberDays: 8°C to 15°C
Expect colder conditions in villages like Kibber Village.
Yes, high chances in:
- Kibber & Chicham area
- Around Kaza (early season)
- Roadside patches depending on weather
Indians: No permit neededForeign nationals: Need Inner Line Permit for Spiti.
Spiti Valley
