Spiti Valley

Short Itinerary – Spiti Valley

• Day 1: Delhi / Chandigarh → Shimla (Overnight Stay)

• Day 2: Shimla → Kalpa (via Rampur, Kinnaur Valley)

• Day 3: Kalpa → Nako → Tabo (visit Nako Lake & Tabo Monastery)

• Day 4: Tabo → Dhankar → Kaza (explore Dhankar Monastery & reach Kaza)

• Day 5: Kaza Sightseeing (Key Monastery, Kibber, Hikkim, Komic, Langza)

• Day 6: Kaza → Kunzum Pass → Chandratal Lake (overnight camp stay)

• Day 7: Chandratal → Manali (via Rohtang/Atal Tunnel)

• Day 8: Manali → Delhi / Chandigarh (Trip Ends)

How to Reach Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley can be reached by two major routes – via Shimla and via Manali. Both routes are scenic but differ in accessibility and experience.

1️⃣ Via Shimla – Kinnaur (Recommended)

• Route: Delhi/Chandigarh → Shimla → Rampur → Kalpa → Nako → Tabo → Kaza

• Travel Time: 2–3 days to reach Kaza

• Best For: Smooth acclimatization to high altitude (gradual ascent).

• Open: Almost all year (except heavy snowfall in deep winters).

2️⃣ Via Manali – Atal Tunnel – Kunzum Pass

• Route: Delhi/Chandigarh → Manali → Atal Tunnel → Batal → Kunzum Pass → Kaza

• Travel Time: 1–2 days to reach Kaza

• Best For: Shorter, more adventurous, with rough terrains.

• Open: Only from mid-June to mid-October (Kunzum Pass remains closed in winters).

🚉 By Train

• Nearest railway station: Shimla (for Shimla route) or Joginder Nagar (for Manali route).

• Both are narrow-gauge and connect with major stations like Chandigarh/Kalka.

✈️ By Air

• Nearest Airport (Shimla Route): Shimla Airport (limited flights), Chandigarh Airport (major option).

• Nearest Airport (Manali Route): Bhuntar Airport (near Kullu, 50 km from Manali).

⚡ Pro Tip:

• Take the Shimla route to enter Spiti (better acclimatization) and exit via Manali route (more adventurous).

Inclusions by Trip On Himalayas Include: 

• Accommodation

• Meals: both vegetarian and non-vegetarian 

• Trek equipment: Sleeping bag, mattress, tent, kitchen & dining tent, toilet tent, utensils and crampon 

• All necessary permits and entry fees.

•  First aid medical kits, a stretcher and an oxygen cylinder.

• Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide and Support staff.

• Transport from Dehradun to Sankri and return (According to the itinerary)

•  Mules to carry the central luggage

Exclusions Include:

• Any kind of personal expenses.

• Food during the transit.

• Insurance.

•  Mules or porters to carry personal luggage.

• Anything not specifically mentioned under the head.

•  Any kind of emergency evacuation charges.

Note: The Trip on Himalayas expects you to carry your personal luggage on your own; however, if you do not wish to carry your backpack, then you can give it to the mule. 

Charges of offloading backpack:-

• INR 1200/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance

• INR 1500/- if you inform us after reaching Sankri

Make sure the backpack does not weigh more than 11 kgs, and it should have a waterproof cover. 

Paying Process at Trip on Himalayas 

• The cost may be settled by demand draft, check deposit, or internet transfer. 

• Your confirmation email will be delivered with payment instructions.

•  Once your transfer is complete, kindly send us a confirmation email with your transfer details.

When to Book:

• Booking should be done at least two months in advance 

• However, we advise planning your vacation at least 5 months in advance if you want to get a discount.

TERMS FOR CANCELLATION & REFUND:

In case you have already booked and are now looking to cancel, see below for the refund policies. 

1. Prior 30 days of the confirmed date, 50% of the total amount would be refunded

2. Prior 25 days of the confirmed date, 40% of the total amount would be refunded

3. Prior 20 days of the confirmed date, 30% of the total amount would be refunded

4. Prior 15 days of the confirmed date, 20% of the total amount would be refunded

5. Prior 10 days of the confirmed date, 10% of the total amount would be refunded

Trek / Trip Essentials – Spiti Valley

Traveling to Spiti means preparing for high altitude, cold nights, and remote areas. Carrying the right gear will make your journey comfortable and safe.

🧥 Clothing

• Warm Jacket (down/fleece for cold nights)

• Light Woolens & Thermals

• Quick-dry T-shirts & Trek Pants

• Windproof / Waterproof Jacket

• Comfortable Shoes (trekking / sturdy sneakers)

• Extra Pair of Socks & Gloves

• Cap, Muffler, or Balaclava

🧴 Personal Essentials

• Sunglasses (UV-protected, to avoid snow blindness)

• Sunscreen (SPF 50+), Lip Balm with SPF

• Personal Toiletries & Wet Wipes

• Hand Sanitizer, Tissues, Biodegradable Soap

💊 Medical Kit

• Basic First-Aid Kit (band-aids, crepe bandage, antiseptic cream)

• Personal Medication (if any)

• Medicines for Altitude Sickness, Headache, Cold & Stomach Upset

• ORS / Electrolytes

🛠️ Travel Gear

• Backpack (50–60L) + Small Daypack

• Water Bottle / Thermos (keep hydrated)

• Torch / Headlamp with Extra Batteries

• Power Bank & Chargers

• Camera / GoPro (optional, but highly recommended)

📄 Documents

• Valid ID Proof (Aadhar, Passport, Driving License)

• Permits (if required for certain routes)

• Few Passport-size Photographs

🍫 Snacks

• Dry Fruits, Energy Bars, Chocolates for quick energy during travel.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the best time to visit Spiti Valley?
👉 The best time is mid-May to mid-October, when roads are open from both Shimla and Manali sides. In winter (Nov–April), Spiti is accessible only via Shimla but the weather is extreme.

Q2. How difficult is the Spiti Valley trip?
👉 The trip is moderate. While there’s no intense trekking involved, the high altitude (up to 15,000+ ft) and long road journeys can be challenging. Proper acclimatization is important.

Q3. Do I need a permit for Spiti Valley?
👉 Indian citizens do not need permits for most of Spiti. Foreign nationals require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit areas like Tabo, Kaza, and Dhankar (can be obtained in Shimla, Kaza, or Reckong Peo).

Q4. Is there mobile network and internet in Spiti?
👉 Connectivity is very limited. BSNL, Jio, and Airtel work in some areas (mostly around Kaza). Expect poor or no network in remote villages. Internet is slow.

Q5. What type of accommodation is available?
👉 Spiti offers guesthouses, homestays, and camps. In Kaza, you’ll find hotels and cafes. In villages, homestays give you a cultural experience.

Q6. Will I get ATM and fuel facilities in Spiti?
👉 ATMs are available only in Kaza, but often unreliable. Carry enough cash from Shimla/Manali. For fuel, the last reliable pumps are at Reckong Peo (Shimla route) and Manali. There is one pump at Kaza but supply is not guaranteed.

Q7. Is Spiti safe for solo travelers and women travelers?
👉 Yes, Spiti is considered very safe. Locals are warm and helpful. Still, travel with a group or operator is recommended for convenience.

Q8. What kind of food is available?
👉 You’ll get simple Indian meals (dal, rice, chapati, vegetables). In Kaza, some cafes serve Tibetan, Continental, and Israeli cuisine too. Carry snacks for remote areas.

Q9. How do I prepare for high altitude?
👉 Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol/smoking, eat light, and rest well. Carry medicines for altitude sickness. Enter via Shimla route for gradual acclimatization.

Q10. Can I see snow in Spiti?
👉 Yes. You can find snow in May–June (patches near Kunzum Pass, Chandratal) and again in late September–October.

Tips to get fit for Trekking

Experiencing a trekking adventure is almost everyone’s passion and dream.  But before starting or planning for a hike, you must be aware of the pain during and post-trek pain of your trek. 

It is essential to be strong enough to enjoy your whole trek without any disruption of body ache. One book or decide several months before going on a hike, so you have a significant amount of time exercising your body and training it to become flexible for the trek.

The following are some advantages of training yourself before trek:

• It fosters aerobic fitness.

• It improves blood circulation and breathing functions as well.

• It makes the heart strong, preventing it from any problem.

• It helps in toning legs.

• Muscles get build-up which is very beneficial.

Therefore, one must practice to gain all these benefits. This is not only for the trek but for lifetime fitness also.
Let’s have a look at some factors which must be kept in mind to practice before trek:

Importance of Stretching

• It helps the body become flexible and allows you to move your body in any direction you want quickly. 

• It helps to make the joints, such as shoulders, elbows, hips, and knee,s stronger to prevent any mishap. 

• It provides much relaxation to your body and relieves the pain. 

Sleep like a baby

It is always said that one must sleep like a baby. It means sleeping without any worries. This allows you to have an adequate amount of sleep, which is a significant factor in one’s daily life. So, practice it daily and also before your trek. Try to make yourself comfortable to sleep at higher altitudes.

Good Shoes-Good Trek

One has to do a lot of walking during trekking, so it is essential to have a good pair of trekking/hiking shoes. Practice walking wearing your boots before the trek, so that you become comfortable in them. Pin Bhaba Pass Trek – The Great Himalayan Crossover The Pin Bhaba Pass trek is a trek across two different regions – from the Bhaba valley in Kinnaur to Spiti Valley. If one wants to know about the trail: Then it starts from Kafnu in Kinnaur Valley, goes up to 4,915 M and goes down to a small village in Spiti. One should fully prepare oneself for an overstimulation of all one’s senses on this trek. However, one should keep in mind that this trek is not only about the beauty around, but also about the Himalayan culture – the way of living, structure of houses, and lifestyle.