The Spiti Valley circuit
Monasteries on cliffs, fossil-strewn villages and a night sky so loud you’ll stop scrolling mid-reel.
Mail yourself a postcard from the world’s highest post office.
Spiti is the trip everyone “planned” in college. We go the slow way — in through Kinnaur, out over Kunzum Pass — so your body gets time to adjust and your eyes get time to process. Thousand-year-old monasteries, villages at 4,000 metres, and a post office in Hikkim where you can send a postcard to your past self.
- Spiti has been on your list since the dial-up days
- You want big landscapes without roughing it
- You’d like your next profile picture to need no filter
A sneak peek
Day by day
Every day has built-in rest. Timings bend for weather and moods; sunsets don’t.
- Day 01
Shimla to Narkanda: ease in
Meet in Shimla and drive a short two hours to Narkanda’s apple orchards. Sunset from Hatu Peak and an early, warm dinner.
- Day 02
Into Kinnaur: Kalpa
Follow the Sutlej into Kinnaur. Kalpa sits right across from the Kinner Kailash range, which turns pink at sunset if you’re lucky.
- Day 03
Nako to Tabo
Stop at Nako’s lake village and the river confluence at Khab, then on to Tabo, whose monastery has been around for more than a thousand years. The murals are worth the drive alone.
- Day 04
Dhankar to Kaza
Dhankar Monastery, perched on a cliff that seems to defy physics, then Kaza — the valley’s little capital and your base for three nights.
- Day 05
Key, Kibber and a very high bridge
A deliberately slow acclimatisation day: Key Monastery, Kibber village and the Chicham bridge, slung high over a gorge. Butter tea with the monks if they offer.
- Day 06
Langza, Hikkim, Komic
Fossil-hunting in Langza under its giant Buddha, postcards from the Hikkim post office, and Komic — one of the highest villages reachable by road. Night: a guided stargazing session.
- Day 07
Over Kunzum to Chandratal
Cross Kunzum Pass (about 4,550 m) to camp near Chandratal, the moon lake. The water changes colour every hour. So will your opinion of camping.
- Day 08
Chandratal to Manali
Down through Batal and Chhatru, then out through the Atal Tunnel to Manali. Hot showers have never felt this good. Farewell dinner.
- Day 09
Departure
Breakfast and onward travel — the overnight Volvo to Delhi or a flight from Bhuntar.
Your Field Guide, previewed.
A taste of what’s printed in your pocket Field Guide. The full edition comes with route maps, local phrases and your trip lead’s number.
Getting there
Reach Shimla from Chandigarh (about 3 hours by road). The trip ends in Manali: take the overnight Volvo to Delhi or fly out of Bhuntar (Kullu).
When to go
June to September. Days are 15–25°C, nights near freezing at Chandratal. Kunzum Pass usually opens in June and closes with the first heavy snow in autumn.
Pack this
- Thermals and a down jacket
- Woollen cap, gloves and lip balm
- SPF 50 and good sunglasses (the UV is serious)
- A power bank — power cuts happen
- Cash; ATMs are rare outside Kaza
Eat this
- Thukpa
- Momos, obviously
- Butter tea (acquire the taste)
- Sea-buckthorn juice
- Kinnauri apples, in every form
Know this
- Above 3,500 m: skip alcohol for the first days and hydrate
- Walk clockwise around monasteries and stupas
- Ask before photographing monks or villagers
- Only some mobile networks work beyond Kaza — we’ll tell you which SIM to carry
Included
- 8 nights in hotels, homestays and a comfortable camp
- Breakfast and dinner daily, all meals at Chandratal
- Private SUV with an experienced mountain driver
- Oxygen cylinder and first-aid kit on board
- A Pravaa trip lead throughout
- Your printed Pravaa Field Guide (and a postcard)
Not included
- Travel to Shimla and from Manali
- Lunches
- Monastery donations
- Anything not listed as included
Your trip lead
A Pravaa trip lead travels with the group from pick-up to drop: local, unflappable, and suspiciously good at finding the best chai on the route.
Want this one? Send us a postcard.
Tell us roughly when, and who’s coming. We’ll call back with dates, rooms and an honest answer to “will I manage the trek?”
