Lahaul & Spiti Travel Guide – How to plan your trip
Lahaul & Spiti Travel Guide
Spiti, the name that creates many pictures in mind of those who haven’t been there. While some picture lush green hills, mountain rivers, waterfalls, others think of it as a a barren wasteland, a cold desert very similar to Ladakh. Whatever the picture is, it still attracts thousands of tourists every year because a journey to Spiti is an experience that you will not forget for the rest of your life. Get ready to taste entirely different cultures served on the same table called Spiti.
The name “Spiti” means “The Middle Land” which it actually is because it is in fact the land between Tibet and India and because of this very reason, it possesses a unique combination of both Indian and Tibetan cultures. A distinct lifestyle derived primarily out of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs gelled so well that its hard to tell them apart.
Spiti is one of the least populated regions of India. Mighty Rohtang Pass separates it from Kullu Valley while Kunzum Pass separates Lahaul and Spiti Valleys. The capital or sub-divisional headquarters is Kaza, Himachal Pradesh which is situated along the Spiti River at an elevation of about 12,500 feet. Interestingly, Spiti Valley has only been opened to tourists since 1992.
There are 2 ways to enter Spiti, you can either start from Shimla and exit at Manali or vice versa. The northern route, from Manali, is closed from October till March due to heavy snowfall and thick icing conditions at Rohtang & Kunzum La . Southern route , that is from Shimla, is however open round the year but only until the village of Lossar in winter because Kunzum Pass remains closed in Winter.
Below are a few articles that will provide you with pretty much all the information you need before embarking upon a journey to Spiti. If you still have a few questions, please contact me. You can also click on the forum link at the left and post your query in our community forum. I am not claiming this to be an absolute Lahaul & Spiti travel guide, but this will certainly help you to know the place and plan your trip better.
Most common Itinerary for Spiti Valley (Shimla To Manali)
Day 1 | Shimla-Narkanda
Take an overnight bus from Delhi to Shimla, takes about 8 Hrs
From Shimla, board a bus for Narkanda
Narkanda is about 60 KMs from Shimla & takes about 3 Hrs
You can go for Skiing, Mahmaya Temple or Tannu Jubar Lake
Overnight stay at Narkanda
Day 2 | Narkanda - Sangla - Chitkul (Kinnaur Valley)
Sangla is about 180 Kms, takes about 8-9 Hrs
Chitkul is further 25 Kms from Sangla
Enjoy the beautiful drive through Kinnaur Valley along Baspa River
You can take a halt at Sangla for lunch
Gaze at the enthrailing sunset in Chitkul - Last village of India
Overnight stay at Chitkul
Day 3 | Chitkul - Sangla - Kalpa
Visit Kagyupa temple and Hindustan ka akhiri dhaba in Chitkul
It will be a short drive today
You can visit Kamru Fort at Sangla as well before going back to Kalpa
Kalpa is about 60 Kms, takes about 3 Hrs
Watch the sunset over Mount Kinner Kailash
Overnight at Kalpa
Day 4 | Kalpa - Nako Lake- Geyu Mummy - Tabo (Spiti Valley)
Watch the sunrise over Mount Kinner Kailash, Kalpa
Leave early as it is going to be a long day
Enjoy the scenery enroute Hindustan Tibet Highway
Kalpa to Nako is about 100 Kms, takes about 4-5 Hrs
Stop at Khab, 25 Kms before Nako to see the confluence of Spiti and Satluj River
You can take a halt at Nako for lunch and visit Nako Lake
A lilttle ahead of Nako, you will encounter the famous dreaded Malling Nallah
You will enter Spiti Valley from Sumdo checkpost, which is 35 Kms from Nako, takes about an hour
After Sumdo, detour towards Geyu Village(about 12 Kms) to visit the 500 Year old Geyu Mummy
Sumdo to Tabo is about 30 Kms, takes about 1-2 Hrs
Overnight at Tabo
Day 5 | Tabo - Dhankhar - Pin Valley (Mud Village)
Wake up early to visit over 1000 year Old Tabo Monastery
Leave for Dhankhar after breakfast
Tabo to Dhankhar is about 30 Kms, takes about 1-2 Hrs
Visit Dhankhar Monastery, the King's Palace and Dhankhar Lake
Leave for Pin Valley post lunch
Dhankhar to Pin Valley is about 30 Kms
Visit Kungri Monastery, Sangnam Village and Mud Village(the last village of Spiti)
Overnight at Mud Village, Pin Valley
Day 6 | Pin Valley - Kaza
Pin Valley to Kaza is about 25 kms, takes about 1-2 Hrs
Explore streets of the heart of Spiti Valley
Visit Kaza Monastery and Rangrik Village (if that interests you)
Take a walk near Spiti River and relax
Overnight at Kaza
Day 7 | Kaza - Komik - Hikkim - Langza
Kaza to Komik is about 20 kms, takes about an hour
Visit Tangyud Monastery situated at the highest motor-able village in the world
Drive 3 Kms towards Hikkim - World's Highest Post Office
Send letters to your loved ones from here!
Hikkim to Langza is about 8 Kms takes less than an hour
Langza-The fossil land offers magnificient view of Chau Chau Kha Nilda peak
Visit Buddha Statue, walk around the village and try local cuisine
Overnight at Langza
Day 8 | Langza - Key Monastery - Gette - Tashigang - Kibber
Leave early from Langza towards Key
Key is 25 Kms, takes about an hour
Before going to Key Monastery, you can stop at Key Village and visit Old age home
Visit over a 1000 year old and the biggest in Spiti Valley, Key Monastery
Have lunch at Key and leave for Gette which is about 13 Kms
Watch the magnificent aerial view of Key Monastery
Move to Tashigang which is about 5 Kms
Tashigang village is where the road ends and has 4 houses only
Kibber is 16 Kms, takes just about an hour
You can trek to Chicham Village (5 Kms) and walk at the 900 m high bridge over a gorge
Overnight at Kibber
Day 9 | Kibber - Losar - Kunzum Pass- Chandertaal
Kibber to Chandertaal Lake is about 75 kms, takes atleast 6 Hrs. Be ready for a bumpy ride!
You can have lunch at Losar and stroll around this beautiful village
Cross one of the highest motorable mountain pass - Kunzum La
Visit Kunzum Devi Temple where all vehicles must stop to pay respects to the goddess
Reach the campsite of Chandertaal which is about 2 Kms from the lake
Trek for a km to Chandertaal Lake
Overnight at Chandertaal Camps
You can visit the lake early morning to get a glimpse of reflection
Day 10 | Chanderataal - Batal - Rohtang Pass - Manali
Head back to Manali via Rohtang Pass
Chandertaal to Batal is just about 14 Kms
Have a tea at famous Chacha-Chachi Dhaba, Batal
Batal to Manali via Rohtang Pass is about 115 Kms takes about 6 Hrs
Batal-Chattru-Gramphoo via Rohtang offers exquisite vistas
Pass through Rohtang Pass, the pile of corpses
Overnight at Manali
Or you can take an overnight bus to Delhi
Day 11 | Manali
Explore Manali ; visit Hadimba Temple, Mall Road, Monasteries, Old Manali, Hot Water Spring
Or head back home.
Day 12-13 | Take atleast 1-2 buffer days in hand, incase of road closure due to landslide or BRO working or bad weather!
Accommodation option in Spiti Valley
I will list all the preferred, comfortable as well as cheap stays across the tribal circuit. Since, most of the travelers plan the trip starting from Shimla and exiting from Manali, I will provide stay options in the same order for every village. Let's get started!!
Good stay options in Sangla
Prakash Guest House, Mr Mohan ji 09816283268
Kinner Camps, 094183 39866
PWD Rest House, 01786-253303
Yograj Homestay, Mr. Yograj 09418209557
Good stay options in Chitkul
PWD Rest House, 01786-253303 Pancholi Resort, 09816803505, 09418036006 Shahenshah Hotel
*I would suggest if you are looking for Homestays in Chitkul, prefer booking on the spot.
Good stay options in Kalpa
PWD Rest House, 01786-226027
Circuit House, 01786-222252 HPTDC Kinner Kailash, 01786-226159
Rakpa Regency, Mr Sandeep 09816803505, 09477870625, 01786-226587
Kotyong Homestay, Mr Jasbir Singh 09418141376, 09805041376
Abhishek Homestay, Mr Amar 09418838469
Good stay options in Rakcham
Kailash View Camps, Mr Naresh Negi ji 09805380746
Hotel Apple Pie, Mr Aman Ahuja 09857985700, 0999934003
Good stay options in Nako
Angel Homestay, 01785-236074 Dandup Guest Homestay, Mr Chhering Dandup 01785-236047 Sonam Homestay, Mr Sonam Ram 01785-236127
Dorje Guest Homestay, Mr Kunjang Dorje 01785-236078
Lal Guest Homestay, Mr Lalsingh Negi 01785-236051
Good stay options in Tabo
Tow Dhey Guest House, Mr Anil Bodh 09418271129, 09418537574
PWD Rest House, 01906-222252
Kunzum Guest House, 01906-223365, 094185-55210
Siddharth Guest House, 09418581203, 09418887549
Namsay Homastay, Mr Suresh 094186 00825
Good stay options in Dhankhar
Ea Ma ho Homestay, Mr Lofsang 08988276392
Shirin Homestay
Dhankhar Monastery Guest House
Good stay options in Pin Valley
Tara Guest House, 08988062293, 09418365251, 09418441453, 09418571167, 08991723015
Snow Valley Guest House, 09418985242, 08991723015
PWD Rest House Kungri, 01906-222252
Pin Parvati Paying Guest House, 09418571167
Good stay options in Kaza
Phan Dhey Homestay, Mr Angchuk 09418620454 ; This is one of the best places I have stayed at!
Circuit House, 01906-222202, 01906-222252
Zostel - HPTDC Hotel Spiti 01906-222752 HPTDC Tourist Lodge 01906-222566
Hotel Spiti Sarai, Mr Ramesh Ji 09418439247
Good stay options in Langza
Phan Dhey Homestay, Mr Angchuk 09418620454 ; their homestay in Langza offers amazing view with amazing food and all the basic amenities.
Anjana Homestay
Tanzin Homestay, 01906-200363
Chhering Angdue Home Stay, 094185-37689
Good stay options in Komic
Komic Homestay, Kunga 09459981295, 01906200050
Good stay options in Kibber and Chicham
Sarkong Home Stay, Mr Dorje 09418411532, 09418538140, 01906-200166 ; the food and people are just amazing!
Thuktan Home Stay ( Chicham), 01906-262313
Tara House Home Stay, 01906-262314
Rainbow Guest House
Pema Home Stay, 01906-200403
Good stay options in Losar
PWD Rest House, 01906-222252
Samsong Hotel, Mr Rakesh 08988106969, 08988106970
IBEX Home Stay, 09459270076, 09459847136
Good stay options in Chandertaal lake
You can find temporary camps set around 2.5 km before the lake. One can't pitch tents near the lake, it is banned. If you wish to pitch your own tents, find a plain surface around parking site. Or if you want to book temporary camps, contact any of the following;
Parasol Camps, Mr Bishan 09418845817, 09459910098
Nawag, 09459073908, 01906-200204
The common rate per night with food and accommodation in tent is INR 1000-1500.
ATMs/CASH
Carry enough CASH from Manali/Shimla. Though, there are two ATMs in Kaza, but they work only once in a blue moon.
Weather in Spiti Valley
Fall/Winters (from November to end of April) cuts off Spiti Valley from the rest of the world and becomes lifeless, the temperature even dips down to -35 degree Celsius. Though, one can travel from the route via Shimla, popularly know as Hindustan – Tibet Highway as it is open throughout the year unless there is heavy snowfall after which the roads usually open in a week's time. Spring/Summers in Spiti Valley from May to September are pleasant and sunny. Everything starts getting into life after an hibernation period of 6 months.
Want to add something in this post that I have missed? pl email me.
Any other query? Pl email me at asktoitc@gmail.com or drop a comment down below, I will try and help you with all I can.
