Start in Chandigarh and climb gradually through Shimla and Kinnaur before reaching Tabo and Kaza. Spend three nights in Kaza exploring monasteries and high villages, then cross Kunzum Pass for Chandratal and return through Manali.
Spiti Valley Circuit · Himachal Pradesh · India
Spiti Valley Illustrative image
Duration
10 days
Attractions
18 stops
Travel style
Self-guided
Pace
Flexible
Trip at a glance
Day
Route
Night stay
1
Chandigarh → Shimla → Narkanda
Narkanda
2
Narkanda → Rampur → Sangla
Sangla
3
Sangla → Chitkul → Kalpa
Kalpa
4
Kalpa → Nako → Tabo
Tabo
5
Tabo → Dhankar → Pin Valley → Kaza
Kaza
6
Langza → Hikkim → Komic
Kaza
7
Key Monastery → Kibber → Chicham
Kaza
8
Kaza → Losar → Kunzum → Chandratal
Chandratal campsite, conditional
9
Chandratal → Batal → Atal Tunnel → Manali
Manali
10
Manali → Kullu → Mandi → Chandigarh
Departure
About this itinerary
The Kunzum Pass and Chandratal section is only possible when the roads are open and the weather is safe. Give yourself time to adjust to the altitude.
Spend nine nights in Narkanda, Sangla, Kalpa, Tabo, Kaza, a designated Chandratal campsite and Manali. Entering through Kinnaur gives you more time to gain altitude, but some drives are long and Chandratal is high up. Keep a spare day or two for delays. If Kunzum Pass is closed, you cannot complete this loop as planned.
Day by day itinerary
A day-by-day route with room to explore at your own pace.
Overnight · Narkanda
Chandigarh to Narkanda: into the mountains
Chandigarh → Shimla → Narkanda · Long drive
Leave Chandigarh early and let the road into the hills be the main event. Pass Shimla and continue to Narkanda through pine and deodar country. A short market walk is enough after check-in; Hatu Peak is only an option if you reach town early and have daylight to spare.
Leave Chandigarh for the hills
Morning
Start early and take breaks on the way through Shimla.
Continue to Narkanda
Afternoon
Allow the road and weather to set the pace; do not plan a fixed arrival hour.
Walk the local market if you have energy. Overnight in Narkanda.
Narkanda to Sangla: enter Kinnaur
Narkanda → Rampur → Sangla · Full travel day
Follow the Sutlej corridor past Rampur and turn toward the Baspa Valley at Karcham. This is a long driving day with changing road conditions, so keep sightseeing modest. Reach Sangla in daylight, look around the village and take the evening slowly.
Drive past Rampur
Morning
Follow the Sutlej valley and pause for meals or road delays.
Turn into the Baspa Valley
Afternoon
Continue toward Sangla and check in before dark.
Explore Sangla gently
Evening
See the village and rest by the river. Overnight in Sangla.
Chitkul and the road to Kalpa
Sangla → Rakcham → Chitkul → Kalpa
Travel up the Baspa Valley to Chitkul, then retrace the road and continue through Reckong Peo to Kalpa. Give the village and river time rather than trying to collect every viewpoint. The drive to Kalpa still needs a comfortable daylight margin.
Drive through Rakcham to Chitkul
Morning
Travel at a measured pace on the valley road.
Walk by the Baspa, then head for Kalpa
Afternoon
Leave Chitkul early enough for the onward drive through Reckong Peo.
Take in the mountain view if the clouds lift. Overnight in Kalpa.
Kalpa to Tabo: the landscape changes
Kalpa → Nako → Tabo · Full travel day
Continue into the drier upper valleys, with Nako as a worthwhile pause on the way. The road can take most of the day. Reach Tabo in time to settle in; a monastery visit is only an option if it is open and you have arrived with energy to spare.
Leave Kalpa for Spiti
Morning
Give the valley roads a full day and check the route before departure.
Pause at Nako
Afternoon
Walk near the lake if you are feeling well at altitude.
Begin with Dhankar’s monastery above the valley. If the Pin Valley road is suitable, continue toward Kungri and Mudh before driving to Kaza. This can become a very long day; drop Mudh or the whole Pin Valley detour if road conditions, daylight or your energy call for a shorter route.
Visit Dhankar
Morning
Take time at the monastery and stay on permitted paths.
Use your first full Kaza day for the high villages above town. Stop at Langza, then Hikkim and Komic if the road and your comfort at altitude permit. Keep walks short, avoid collecting fossils and leave time to descend before dark.
Explore Langza
Morning
Keep walking light at elevation and take in the valley views.
Visit Key Monastery before heading toward Kibber and Chicham. Keep enough time back in Kaza to refuel, confirm your accommodation and check the latest official road status for Kunzum and Chandratal. If access is doubtful, use this day to plan a return through Kinnaur instead.
Visit Key Monastery
Morning
Arrive respectfully and check any visitor restrictions.
Refuel and verify Kunzum road and campsite access. Overnight in Kaza.
Kunzum Pass and Chandratal
Kaza → Losar → Kunzum → Chandratal · Conditional full day
Leave Kaza early only after confirming that Kunzum Pass, the Chandratal approach and a designated campsite are operating. The lake lies above 4,000 metres, and the final approach requires a walk from the permitted parking area. Stay away from the lakeshore overnight; if you are unwell, not acclimatised or road access is uncertain, do not attempt this stage.
Leave Kaza via Losar
Early morning
Set out only with confirmed road and campsite access.
Cross Kunzum Pass
Midday
Keep stops brief and let conditions determine the pace.
Visit the lake, then return to a designated operating camp. Overnight only if acclimatised and well.
Chandratal to Manali
Chandratal → Batal → Gramphu → Atal Tunnel → Manali · Full travel day
Travel west from the campsite through Batal and toward Gramphu, then use the Atal Tunnel route to Manali. Rough surfaces, water crossings, road work and weather can stretch this drive. Reach Manali, check in and rest rather than promising an evening of sightseeing.
Leave the Chandratal campsite
Morning
Check the route again and start early with enough supplies for delays.
Cross via Batal and Gramphu
Afternoon
Follow your driver’s judgement at water crossings and road repairs.
Arrive in Manali
Evening
Check in and have a warm meal. Overnight in Manali.
Manali to Chandigarh: journey home
Manali → Kullu → Mandi → Chandigarh · Full travel day
Leave Manali early for the long drive through Kullu and Mandi. Break for meals and accept that highway traffic may push your arrival later than planned. Finish in Chandigarh; an early onward flight or train on the same day leaves too little margin.
Leave Manali
Morning
Check out and begin the drive after breakfast.
Continue through Kullu and Mandi
Afternoon
Take short breaks and keep an eye on traffic and road advisories.
Reach Chandigarh
Evening
The circuit ends here. Allow extra time before any onward connection.
Good to know
This circuit is rewarding when conditions cooperate, but the high pass, altitude and long drives deserve more attention than a fixed sightseeing checklist.
Travel in the right season
Plan the full Kunzum–Chandratal–Manali circuit for the summer access window, often mid-June to September, and check current official road updates before departure. The western crossing is commonly closed in winter and can close earlier after snowfall. If it is shut, return through Kinnaur and add days rather than trying to force the circuit.
Take altitude seriously
The route climbs into very high country, and Chandratal is above 4,000 metres. Keep the first days gentle, drink regularly and do not continue uphill if you develop concerning symptoms. Descend and seek urgent medical care for severe or worsening altitude illness. Consider medical advice before travel if you have health concerns.
Check permits and local rules
Indian citizens generally do not need an inner-line permit for this route. Foreign visitors using the Shimla–Kinnaur approach may need one for protected sections; confirm the current requirement and where to obtain it before travelling. Stay only at designated campsites near Chandratal.
Choose the vehicle and driver for the road
The approach beyond Kaza and toward Chandratal can be rough, with water crossings and repairs. An experienced local driver and suitable high-clearance vehicle are sensible. Avoid night driving to make up lost time.
Carry a little resilience
Mobile data may be unreliable. Save offline maps, carry cash, refuel when you can and keep one or two buffer days if possible. Accommodation, vehicles, permits and any campsite must be arranged separately; this itinerary is a planning guide, not a booked trip.
