Spiti Valley Itinerary: How to Plan the Trip

Spiti is the trip people remember for the rest of their lives, and the one they most often plan badly. It is a high cold desert in the far corner of Himachal Pradesh, where villages sit above 4,000 metres and the road is as much the point as the destination. Get the direction and the timing right and it is smooth. Get them wrong and you spend the first two days with an altitude headache.

A Spiti Valley trip is a high-altitude road circuit through the Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh, usually entered from Shimla and exited through Manali (or the reverse). The full loop takes eight to ten days, runs best from June to September, and needs gradual acclimatization because Kaza, the main town, sits at around 3,650 metres.

Which direction should you drive?

Go in from the Shimla side and out through Manali. The Shimla approach climbs gradually through Kinnaur, so your body gains altitude over several days instead of all at once. The Manali side crosses Kunzum Pass at nearly 4,600 metres almost immediately, which is a hard way to start if you have not acclimatized.

The Manali road also opens late and closes early, roughly June to October, because of snow on the high passes. The Shimla road stays open far longer. Entering from Shimla and leaving via Manali gives you the safer climb and the more dramatic exit.

A workable route

Shimla to Sangla or Kalpa in Kinnaur for the first night or two. Then Nako, and on to Tabo, where the monastery has stood for over a thousand years. Kaza becomes your base for three or four nights. From there, day trips reach Key Monastery, Kibber, the Chicham bridge, and the high villages of Langza, Hikkim, and Komic. Exit over Kunzum Pass, with a detour to Chandratal lake if the road is open, then down to Manali.

Build in at least one rest day around Kaza. The high villages are the highlight, and they are no fun with a pounding head.

What to plan for

Carry cash. The only reliable ATMs are in Kaza, and even those run dry. Fuel up at Kaza too, because the next pump is a long way off. Nights are cold even in summer, so pack real layers. And keep your schedule loose, since a single landslide can rearrange a day.

One opinion: do not try to do Spiti in four days from Manali and back. You will spend the trip acclimatizing and driving, and see the valley through a car window. It deserves the slow loop.

FAQ

What is the best time to visit Spiti Valley?

June to September, when both the Shimla and Manali roads are open and the weather is settled. The Shimla side is accessible for more of the year, but the full loop needs the summer window.

Do you need an inner line permit for Spiti?

Indian nationals do not need a permit for the main Spiti circuit. Foreign nationals may need an inner line permit for stretches near the border, so check the current rules before you travel.

How many days do you need for Spiti?

Eight to ten for the full Shimla-to-Manali loop with proper acclimatization and a rest day. Fewer than that means rushing the altitude, which is how trips go wrong.

Written by Kavinder Singh. Last updated: June 14, 2026.