Traveling to Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh can be done in two ways. You can travel to Spiti Valley from Shimla – Kinnaur side, or you can take the shorter route to reach Spiti Valley from Manali side. Many people opt to do the entire circuit; that is, they will enter Spiti Valley from either Shimla or Manali and then exit from the other side. Planning in this manner makes a perfectly balanced Spiti road trip.
I have already shared detailed articles on how to plan a trip to Spiti Valley via Kinnaur and Spiti Valley via Manali. These two articles got into the details of step by step travel guide to reach Spiti Valley and talked about what places to visit, where to stay, details on the itinerary, where to eat or when to visit Spiti, etc.. However, I did not detail about which route you should prefer over others in case required.
Let's quickly dive into the details:
Why travel to Spiti Valley from Manali route?
If I have to compare these two routes to Spiti with each other, then there are certain definitive advantages and disadvantages of traveling by each one of them. Although most people prefer to do the circuit only, entering from Shima – Kinnaur to Spiti and exit via Manali.
In the last article, I talked about 5 Reasons to Travel Spiti Valley from Shimla – Kinnaur Route, looking at the advantages you can get when traveling this long treacherous route to Spiti Valley. In this article, I will talk about the top five reasons to travel Spiti Valley via Manali side 🙂
Download your FREE high-resolution version pdf copy of this infographic guide to answer why you should travel to Spiti Valley from Manali side?. If, you liked it and found it helpful, please feel free to share it with your family and friends to help them too.
1. Lesser Time to Reach Spiti Valley
When you travel to Spiti Valley from Manali side, the time taken to reach Kaza from Chandigarh or Delhi is much lesser than compared to traveling to Spiti from Kinnaur side. Distance-wise, the comparison is not that significant with the distance of Delhi to Kaza via Shimla – Kinnaur is 791 km. In contrast, the distance of Delhi to Kaza via Manali is 772 km. So, a mere 19 km difference only.
However, when you travel to Spiti via Manali, you reach Manali in one night by overnight Volvo. The next day you can travel to Kaza from Manali in a day. Hence, within two days you will reach Spiti from Manali side. However, it takes at least two days to reach Kalpa / Sangla in general, and then you travel to Tabo or Kaza on the third day. So, it takes three days to reach Spiti Valley from Kinnaur side.
You can do Delhi to Manali 570 km easily in 12 hrs of a road trip because of better and wide roads. Then the next day, the remaining 202 km can be done to reach Kaza by evening. However, as discussed in the previous article, you have to brave the AMS when traveling to Kaza from Manali because the altitude difference is abrupt when we travel this route as apparent in my distance-altitude graphs below.
But, if you are short on the number of days and the road to Spiti Valley from Manali is open, then better travel to Spiti from Manali to save the day and also fatigue levels. You can always descend to Tabo from Manali to somewhat control the AMS symptoms by starting about 2 hours early from Manali.
2. Less Susceptible to Landslides
I understand that when you travel from Manali to Spiti Valley, you have to cross one of the worst roads of the world, which is from Gramphu to Kunzum Pass. The road between Gramphu and Kunzum Pass is very treacherous but an experience plus beauty in itself. Moreover, although the water crossings are more common on this route to Spiti Valley from Manali side, it is less susceptible to major landslides as compared to the roads in Kinnaur Valley, especially in monsoons.
On Manali to Kaza road, the major hurdle is, in general, slush around Rohtang Pass, about 10 km on the Northern side of Rohtang Pass towards Gramphu. Along with it, some nasty water crossing between Kunzum Pass and Gramphu can be a major concern as well.
If you leave early from Manali, these water crossings are manageable, but in Kinnaur Valley, monsoons wreak havoc, and there are many zones where constant shooting stones and landslides happen. Some of the major ones being Malling Nalla ahead of Nako and some stretches between Reckong Peo to Nako.
On the other hand, this is a time window when the route from Manali to Kaza is also open. Hence, you can use it to reach Spiti Valley. You can enter the rain shadow region as quickly as possible, of course, by risking the rains for a couple of days up to Manali mainly. The risk is almost a day less than traveling to Spiti Valley from Kinnaur – Shimla route.
I know this is arguable. However, I will still prefer going to Spiti Valley from Manali in rainy seasons as compared to Shimla’s side on any day if I have to travel. Otherwise, I do not travel in the mountains in the monsoon season.
3. Ease of Accessibility
The route from Manali to Spiti Valley is also easily accessible using public transport when compared to the route to Spiti Valley from Shimla or Kinnaur. I do not mean that you cannot make a trip to Spiti Valley by public transport from Shimla side but what I mean is that in comparison the connectivity is better and more accessible on Delhi to Manali to Kaza route.
There are daily buses that run between Manali and Delhi. One can take an overnight bus to reach Manali from Delhi. You can also take a Volvo run by HRTC or HPTDC to Manali from Delhi, and then HRTC buses ply buses on Kullu – Manali – Rohtang Pass – Kunzum Pass – Kaza route.
Is there any bus from Manali to Kaza?
Two HRTC buses run between Manali and Kaza every morning, as soon as the road to Spiti Valley via Manali gets open in the season, mostly in June. These buses run from Kullu to Kaza via Manali, and it reaches Manali around 4.45 AM and leaves at 5.00 AM. Ticket to Kaza will cost you only about INR 300 approximately per person.
Furthermore, if you want to reach Tabo, there is an HRTC bus that runs from Kaza at 2 PM to Chango, which can drop you to Tabo for the night stay on Day 2. Sleeping at Tabo than Kaza helps in better acclimatization.
However, when compared, the buses are not that frequent when you enter Spiti from Kinnaur, and even Reckong Peo has a daily bus from Chandigarh. Hence, from Delhi, you need to hop onto three buses to reach Kaza from Kinnaur side and Chandigarh at least two buses.
4. Cheaper in Budget
Now, since we know that Spiti Valley is easily accessible from the Manali side by public transport, using HRTC buses, one can reach Kaza in the cheapest means with an overnight halt at just Manali. Plus it takes one extra day to travel to Spiti from Shimla side as compare to traveling from Manali side to Spiti.
While coming from Shimla to Spiti Valley, you will end up paying more for transport plus you will be staying on the route for two nights, which itself will increase the accommodation and food expenditure as well.
Hence, this route to Spiti Valley is cheaper as well when compared with the route from Shimla – Kinnaur side because you stay one night less, travel one night less and pay for one night less on Manali to Spiti route.
5. Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass
If you are one of those like me, who is fascinated by crossing over various high altitude passes in the Himalayas, then the preference between the route has to be the road to Spiti Valley from Manali.
On this route, you will be crossing Rohtang Pass (3980 Mtrs) first to enter Lahaul Valley from Kullu Valley and then you will cross Kunzum Pass (4551 Mtrs) to enter Spiti Valley from Lahaul Valley. Traveling over these mighty passes of Himachal is a kind of feeling in itself!!
Hence, do not miss the opportunity of stopping at Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass to take a photograph. At Kunzum Pass, do pay respect at Kunzum Devi temple by driving around it in the circuit in the clockwise direction to pay the respect before moving into Spiti Valley.
Still Confused??
Well, if you are still confused on which route to choose to travel to Spiti Valley, I will recommend that you wait and take some more days off to travel the full circuit of Spiti Valley, that is, starting the trip to Spiti from Shimla side and ending at Manali side.
Don’t have time to read the full article? Check this less than 3-minute video on Discover With Dheeraj YouTube Channel on why you may travel Spiti Valley from Manali side. If you like my video, please do not forget to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel.
Conclusion
I hope this short series of two articles on both the routes to Spiti Valley will help all of you who are in a bit of confusion choosing among these two routes, i.e., Spiti Valley from Manali side v/s Spiti Valley from Shimla – Kinnaur side.
Now, you can weigh the advantages of both these routes and decide which one suits you the best given the circumstances, which direction to take if interested in a complete circuit, etc.. to make a road trip to Spiti Valley.
Have a travel question?? You can subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a comment to ask your travel questions about traveling to the Himalayas.
Have you ever been to Spiti Valley through Hindustan Tibet Highway or via Manali? If yes, please share your viewpoints, suggestions or inputs as comments below. It will help other fellow travelers to plan their own journeys to Spiti as well.
Are you planning to go to Spiti Valley via Hindustan – Tibet Highway or Manali? If yes, please feel free to ask any questions or doubts you have regarding your plan in the comments section below. I will be happy to reply and discuss them with you. Looking forward to your responses 🙂
If you know your friends or family are planning a trip to Spiti, do share this article with them to help them make a memorable trip.
387 Comments
Comments section gets closed in 90 days. To ask your travel questions, you can follow my YouTube Channel for a faster reply or for a much slower reply follow me on Instagram. :)
Sir I want to go to spiti valley via manali.
Planning for 8th September
Are the routes open ?
Please suggest
Yes Praveen, all the routes to Spiti valley from Manali are open and will be open during 8th September too unless there is any fresh landslide.
Hi Dheeraj, good insightful articles. Very helpful. I am planning a road trip with my two other friends to Spiti but a but a bit confused on the route that we should take. We were thinking to complete a circuit starting Chandigarh Shimla Kinnaur Kaza Chandratal Manali to Delhi. Can you please tell me if this route is OK? We plan to leave on 7 Sep and return on 15 Sep. Thanks. Trupti
September is a good time to travel and I will recommend that you travel from Kinnaur side and come back from Manali side too. You have 9 days at hand and can follow a plan like below:
Day 1 | Delhi – Narkanda
Day 2 | Narkanda – Kalpa
Day 3 | Kalpa – Nako – Nako Lake – Geyu Mummy – Tabo
Day 4 | Tabo – Dhankar – Dhankar Lake – Pin Valley (Mudh Village) – Kaza
Day 5 | Kaza Local Sightseeing
— Ki, Kibber, Gette, Tashigang in the second half of the day
— Sakya abode or snow lion are two best options at Kaza. Get in touch with Tsering at 09418208987, he is more than a friend to me. Will offer you best price. Both are run by him only. He has home stays too.
Day 6 | Kaza Local Sightseeing (Hikkim, Koumik)
— Hikkim, Komik, Langza circuit
Day 7 | Kaza – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal
Day 8 | Chandratal – Manali
Day 9 | Manali – Delhi
We are traveling to Manali for 3 nights 4 days, can you guide if it will be possible to visit spitti valley along with other manali attractions and near by places. How can we plan our 4 days to cover spitti.
No Sonam, in case you are just planning Manali, best is to stick to Manali and around and make trip to Spiti Valley when you have more time on hand.
Hello sir,
I am from puducherry from down south:-). My question is what’s the cost of the entire spiti valley trip? The minimum no of days required to complete the trip. Please advise if it’s possible through public Transport, the best month to visit the valley? The dresses we need to carry?
Hi ILANCHEZHIYAN
You should read: How to make a budget trip to Kinnaur Valley by public transport? and How to calculate cost or budget for Spiti Valley trip?
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning for Himachal trip in Oct 1 – 9. We were initialy planning for Manali, Kasol , Keerganga and Tosh. But after reading your articles on Spiti valley we want to include that too on our trip and decided to spare few days exploring spiti valley else it will be a big miss.
Can you please suggest a plan including spiti as well(mainly kaza, tabo, pin valley and chandratal lake)?.
Is it possible to get a round trip(going from manali,return to shimla)?
We will reach manali on Oct 1st morning and we want to leave on oct 9 evening to delhi.
Can you please suggest the best option for us?
Replied to other comment.
Hi Dheeraj,
Its a great write up.
We are planning for Himachal trip in Oct 1 – 9. We were initialy planning for Manali, Kasol , Keerganga and Tosh. But after reading your articles on Spiti valley we want to include that too on our trip and decided to spare few days exploring spiti valley else it will be a big miss.
Can you please suggest a plan including spiti as well(mainly kaza, tabo, pin valley and chandratal lake)?.
Is it possible to get a round trip(going from manali,return to shimla)?
We will reach manali on Oct 1st morning and we want to leave on oct 9 evening to delhi.
Can you please suggest the best option for us?
Krishna, if you want to visit Spiti valley and do round trip, I will advise to skip Kasol – Kheerganga for some other trip.
Day 1 : Reach Manali by overnight volvo of and stay overnight at Solang Valley as preferred for acclimatization
Day 2 : Manali / Solang – Chandratal – Kaza/Losar
Day 3 : Kaza/Losar – Key – Kibber – Kaza
Day 4 : Kaza – Langza – Komik – Hikkim – Kaza
Day 5 : Kaza – Pin Valley – Dhangkar – Tabo
Day 6 : Tabo – Geyu Mummy – Nako – Kalpa
Day 7 : Kalpa – Sangla / Chitkul
Day 8 : Sangla / Chitkul – Sarahan – Narkanda
Day 9 : Narkanda – Delhi
Hiii dheeraj your article is really very good insightfull.
I n my frnds are planning to visit spiti from 8 aug to 15 aug . We will be starting from mumbai on 8 aug evg n will be returning on 15 aug evg. Wanted to know the condition of road from manali to spiti n also landslide n flood situtation ??? Our spiti valley trip is via tour company n they have booked innova for us . Pls give ur suggestion .
Neelanjana, no one can predict that in so advance days. You are coming in monsoons and I will strongly suggest to go through: 10 Tips for a Trip to Spiti Valley in Monsoons
Hey Dheeraj.
We are planning to visit spiti via manali on the evening of 6th of july from delhi, for about 5-6 days.
Looking for a relaxed vacation with outdoor exploration as well (trekking or adventure sports).
Can you please suggest a suitable itinerary for the same.
Also, will this be a safe time to visit spiti?
Thanks! 🙂
Also, Would you recommend manali-spiti or manali-chandratal lake during this season, given the time (5-6 days).
How would I go about manali-chandratal?
Thanks.
Easy will be Chandratal with just 5 days in hand and bit hectic will be Spiti with 6 days in hand as suggested in my other reply
Hey Vidushi,
You can only make a bit hectic trip only to Spiti Valley. You should check: How to make a trip to Spiti Valley in 6 days?
Hi, Your article was indeed insightful. I have a query- I will be travelling to Kaza from Kullu and Wanted to know if the public transportation service is open yet in that route. Also at what time does the bus starts from Kullu. Thank you.
I will start from Kullu in the first week of July
Yes, the HRTC bus has started from Kullu and starts at around 3.45 – 4.00 AM from Kully bus stand.
Hello Sir,
I am planning to go to Kaza via manali route from chandigarh and return back from same route from 25 June to 30 June. We are coming with selfdrive SUV (zoom car) . So what permits are required and from where we can get them. And what can be the best itinerary.
You need to get Beyond Rohtang Pass Permit of Rs 50 to reach Kaza from Manali. You should read: How to make a trip to Spiti Valley in 6 days?
Hello sir
I am planning a trip to spiti valley and kasol from chandigarh
Will be travelling From 24th June to 4 July
Can you help me plan out the trip to both the places via manali
You can follow a plan like below for a 10 day trip to Spiti Valley:
Day 1 : Reach Manali by overnight volvo of and stay overnight at Solang Valley as preferred for acclimatization
Day 2 : Manali / Solang – Kaza
Day 3 : Kaza – Dhangkar – Tabo
Day 4 : Tabo – Pin Valley
Day 5 : Pin Valley – Kaza. Do Ki, Kibber in the evening.
Day 6 : Kaza – Langza – Komik – Hikkim – Kaza
Day 7 : Kaza – Chandratal
Day 8 : Chandratal – Manali – Kasol
Day 9 : Kasol rest day
Day 10 : Reach Delhi by overnight Volvo from Manali
Hello sir, it’s that I am planning to travel with my friend to Spiti Valley, via public transport and then we want to cover rest of the traveling by bike, to the surrounding areas, instead of renting a taxi. is it possible we can get a bike for rent there or nearby? or is the taxi only preferred mode of sightseeing?
Yash, there are no motor bike rentals within Spiti valley or Kaza. So, you will have to get the bike either from Delhi, Chandigarh or Manali
hello can we go kaza in july second week?
can we go by maruti ritz diesel car there?
Rohit, you can surely go to Kaza in July. Possible = Yes, Difficult = Yes, at quite a few place. For hatchback/sedan taking on Manali – Leh Highway Or Spiti Valley via Manali Or Ladakh, please refer the link: FAQ | Can I do Leh – Ladakh / Spiti / Manali – Leh trip in Hatchback or Sedan? for more details.
Hi Dheeraj,
Planning to do Spiti between 25th June – 1st July. From Manali and return to Manali. (Not doing Kinnaur). How are the roads from Manali to Kaza at that time? Is it a good time to visit or would you suggest some other place?
Thanks!
Manali to KAza has been opened now and road are always mostly bad in that section.
Thanks for your update.
Is there any hotel/other facilities available in Spiti Valley for night stay? I am planning to go with my wife this month, is it the correct time?
For stay options in Kinnaur and Spiti, check the link: Some Good Options of Stays in Spiti Valley / Kinnaur Valley.
Hello Dheeraj,
Losar to Manali, will we be crossing Rohtang pass?
Yes, you will be crossing Rohtang Pass to reach Manali when you travel from Kaza to Losar to Manali
Thanks very much. We are travelling by a XUV 500, trust that can handle the route?
Yes, Anand with careful and cautious driving, you should be able to do good in Spiti Valley in XUV500
Dear Dheeraj,
I am planning to visit Spiti Valley from 15th June with one of my son and few of his friends. I have few queries please look into the same and advise accordingly. We would be starting from chandigarh and quite flexible with the number of days which can be 7 to 10. My queries are as follows.
1) We would be travelling by our own conveyance and currently having mostly luxurious sedans ( Low road clearance around 170mm) which would be mostly driven by me and I consider myself to be good driver on normal hills and plain roads. Please advise if travelling by these sedans are possible or we definitely require rugged Suvs. If yes then can we hire one from Manali and what would be the tentative cost.
2) During this time which would be the better route via Kinnaur or Manali. i understand Manali route so far is closed and being cleaned, hope that by then it may be open. We would consider the one with more scenic beauty, rural life, road condition and off course have few options for comfortable stay.
3) Please suggest a complete itinerary for the route you suggest with the target towns & places to stay.
4) I have travelled on Srinagar leh by road before in a normal hired Toyota Innova and found that it may be difficult for the normal driver to drive at some of the places. Please advise if the road conditions are similar, worst than that or better.
5) Any other advice which you think is appropriate and we must know.
Thanks & Regards
Hi Sanjeev,
1. Highly recommended to drive an SUV, no self drive options available in Manali.
2. It is always best to go from Kinnaur side and come back from Manali side
3. You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Spiti Valley followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 10-11 days: Most Common Itinerary for Spiti Valley.
4. The roads are worse than Srinagar – Leh road, especially the Manali – Kaza is more like driving on river bed.
Hi Dheeraj
Please advise our family is planing to go spiti from Delhi in august month, so will it be the right time to visit there also please help me to advise what will be the best & safer transport to use.
Thanks well in advance:-)
Hey Govind, I will recommend that you plan the trip in September not August because rains and monsoon is not a good time to visit through Kinnaur Valley to Spiti Valley and same is the case with Manali route. Spiti Valley itself remains in rain shadow region but going over to Spiti will cause some issues in the lower hills in monsoons.
Hello, we are planning to go for 10days tour from 14th to 24th of June, leaving on 14th from Mumbai to Chandigarh-shimla-manali-dharamshala-delhousie-amritsar-mumbai. Can you please guide in developing itinerary? Also if you can tell us about the places to visit?
I will recommend you something like below:
Day 1: Delhi to Manali
Day 2: Rest in Manali and do local sightseeing in Manali
Day 3: Manali – Snow Point towards Rohtang Pass (Marhi / Gulaba)
Day 4: Manali – Naggar Castle
Day 5: Naggar Castle – Dharamshala – Mcleod Ganj
Day 6: Mcleod Ganj and around
Day 7: Mcleod Ganj and around
Day 8: Mcleod Ganj – Dalhousie – Chamba
Day 9: Chamba – Gete (17 Km) – Jot (12 KM) – Gete (12 KM) – Khajjiar (7 KM)
Day 10: Khajjiar – Dalhousie – Amritsar
Can we cover spiti valley as well if we reduce days in Mcleod ganj?
In such a case just focus on Kinnaur and Spiti Valley only including Manali. You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Spiti Valley followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 10-11 days: Most Common Itinerary for Spiti Valley.
Hi there, we r group of 6 planning to explore Spiti in last week of may. Do you suggest we opt for travel agencies or plan our own tour?? I read somewhere today that Manali kaza route is open now.. not sure if this update is reliable.. we will reach delhi on 27 th may midnight n would depart on 4 th Jun afternoon.. can u suggest suitable itinerary covering places which are not to be missed.. thanks for your help
Hi Payal,
There is enough info. on this website to plan a trip yourself to any part of Spiti valley or Kinnaur Valley or Ladakh. So, if you OK to read and do some part on yourself, making the trip yourself will save you a good money. Manali – Kaza route is not open and will open towards the end of May as expected. But, reality it does not go as expected so consider June first-second week the safe bet
Hi Amar, i have planned my trip in June 5-10 full 6 days, out of which I want to spend 3 days in manali 5-7 full can you please give me a plan for next 3 days , also as i am travelling with my mother i won’t prefer much sports activities, will kufri shimla be a nice place?
Or it’s just a city type and time waste?
Please help
Hi Kamna,
Avoid Shimla in June. It is much better to visit Tirthan Valley during that time in the remaining days. You may plan the trip like below two options
Day 1 – Leave from Delhi by overnight Volvo for Manali. Get down at Aut/Bhunter near Kullu next morning (Day 2) where you can get to reach Tirthan Valley (about 40-45 KMs from there)
Day 2 – Tirthan Valley – Relaxing day besides Tirthan River
— Stay at Raju Bharti Guest House (you will need booking well in advance, so finalize it ASAP) other you need to stay at some other property. Raju is a pioneer in that region, so will say do not miss the stay there as it is quite an experience in itself.
Day 3 – Tirthan Valley
— Enjoy the walks in the GHNP. There are two Waterfalls nearby Raju GH in the woods.
Day 4 – Tirthan Valley – Naggar Castle (about 50 KMs)
— Stay at Naggar Castle and enjoy the place. Very romantic with great views and food. Visit Roerich Musueum, Art Gallery and do not miss the hike to ancient Krishna Temple at the top
— It is one of the most romantic places in Himachal
Day 5 – Naggar Castle – Manali (about 30 KMs)
— Manali Local sightseeing including Manu Temple, Hadimba Temple, Local Monastery, Shopping at Mall road etc etc
Day 6 – Manali – Marhi/Gulaba Snow Points towards Rohtang Pass – Solang Valley – Manali
– You can enjoy the first half of the day at snow point MArhi/Gulaba (whichever is accessible) and if interested may also visit Solang Valley snow point for other adventure activities
Day 7 | Manali – Delhi by overnight Volvo
— Relax in Manali by evening and leave from Manali by overnight Volvo.
OR
Day 1 – Reach Manali, take rest for the evening
Day 2 – Manali Local sightseeing which includes Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Mall Road, Local Monastery, Vashisth Hot Water Springs (never found it interesting) etc.
Day 3 – Manali – Snow Point either at Solang Valley or Marhi/Gulaba on the way to Rohtang Pass. Enjoy in snow and come back to Manali
Day 4 – Manali – Naggar Castle (stay at Naggar and enjoy the place)
Day 5 – Naggar – Tirthan Valley
day 6 – Tirthan Valley
Day 7 – Start the return
Hi
Hi
Hi Kamna, I replied to your question last evening. Please check and let me know in case you are able to find it else post it under Ask A Question section for better tracking and email updates.
Hi Dhiraj we are planning to visit in that area between 15 – 22 May can you tell us whats best tour for us?? Is manali – shimla or Spiti Valley
Hi Amar, you should plan to visit Kinnaur Valley: Kinnaur Valley – Most Common Itinerary
Can you suggest on some Spiti tour package please ? We are planning to travel during 17th-25th June. I wish to start my journey from Shimla and end it in Manali. Let me know if you know any travel agent who could plan a tour for us
Though we prefer that you plan the trip yourself but still, If you are looking for competitive and customized Ladakh tour and packages, you can connect with info@offbeatescapes.com as most of the readers in the past couple of years have had very good feedback about them and especially their transparent policies along with being there with you all the time in need.
You can plan the itinerary here and may be just forward them or others for package details 🙂
Given below is a 9 day plan for a Spiti Valley trip
Day 1 | Delhi – Narkanda
Day 2 | Narkanda – Kalpa
Day 3 | Kalpa – Nako – Nako Lake – Geyu Mummy – Tabo
Day 4 | Tabo – Dhankar – Dhankar Lake – Pin Valley (Mudh Village) – Kaza
Day 5 | Kaza Local Sightseeing
— Ki, Kibber, Gette, Tashigang in the second half of the day
Day 6 | Kaza Local Sightseeing (Hikkim, Komik)
— Hikkim, Komik, Langza circuit
Day 7 | Kaza – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal
Day 8 | Chandratal – Manali
Day 9 | Manali – Delhi
Hi,
Will I be able to get the bus from manali to kaza in the first week of june this year?
It is unlikely that Manali – Kaza road will be open during that time of the year
Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information. We are planning to Manali and spiti Valley for our anniversary. Which is best time to visit both locations? How safe it is?
September is the best time t visit Spiti Valley
Hi dheeraj
I am planning spiti in August either on bike or bus ( lil confused) from Manali .can you suggest will it be a good time to go spiti on a bike. Or should i choose shimla kinnaur route.
Nitin, Kinnaur is much worse than Manali – Kaza in monsoons, so you can decide upon the fact. I will recommend to make the trip in September to avoid monsoons altogether
We are planning to go Spiti via Manali in Third week of April. Is it possible to go..? We had been till Nako last year via Kinnaur route. So we are planning to go Via Manali. Is it possible and what will be the way..! We want to explore Chandrataal lake too..?
The road from Spiti via Manali opens up in June first or second week including Chandratal. So, postpone your trip to June.
Hi Dheeraj,
Can I visit Spiti Valley in Jan… I am planning weekend of Jan 26?
Please refer: How to plan a trip to Spiti Valley in Winters
Hi Dheeraj,
Congratulations on this wonderful blog. Going to Spiti later this month and lots of tips in here 🙂
Yet, some questions: will local bus be available from Losar to Manali towards the end of the month, around 29th Oct? How long will it take? Will it be safe? Somebody mentioned shared tempos – is there such a thing as that? How can one pre-book these?
Thanks in advance!
Madhu, it is a touch and go. Manali – Leh has been declared officially closed now owing to the risk of lives to the people. Same desolation and life threatening risks applies to the road of Manali – Kaza. I will not recommend you doing that road during that time of the year.
Thanks Dheeraj! I also happened to contact Tshering, who I found in your blog and mentioned DoW. He was helpful. Cheers!
Great to know that Madhu, Tsering is a wonderful person in entire Spiti Valley 🙂
Hi, very informative post.
I’m planning to visit spiti around 8-15 october, that too alone.
I’m relying on public transport. Would that be available around this time, manali to kaza.
And lastly is it safe for solo travel?
Thank you
Yes public trnsport will be available during this time. You can travel to Spiti Valley with locals.
Hello Dheeraj
good handy information you provided. i am planning a bike trip to Spiti valley from 17th oct-24th oct. Can you help me with the info related to, where to get the permit for passing the Rohtang pass and will the Manali – spiti Route be opened during the mentioned time frame.
Manalo – Spiti route will be open but it is not recommended to travel over that route during that time of the year. The route beyond Rohtang Pass towards Kunzum Pass becomes very desolated and very risky. Are you sure you want to take that risk and make such a trip?
Dheeraj bhai kudos for your good work. Have a question in mind. Want to visit shimla and near by places for our babymoon. Will it be okay to visit spiti by this route in november last week. Any itinerary or suggestions.
Mukesh, will not suggest traveling with kid to Spiti Valley and November is a harsh time to visit Spiti 🙂
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning to visit Spiti valley next month(Oct 1st week). Can I get more information on transportation between Manali – Kaza. In some of your post you have mentioned about HRTC buses. Can I get more details like timing and reservation info. I am solo traveller. Your suggestions would be more helpful for me.
Thanks,
Nisarg
Nisarg, the bus starts at 5 AM from Manali and reaches by 3 PM at Kaza. Same way, it starts at 5 AM from Kaza while coming back. Also, the fare is about 250-275 and can be booked at Manali bus stand.
Dear Dheeraj ji,
we are planning tour at last of september via bike manali to kaza so please share about the stay between these routes.
regards
Lovepreet Singh
Lavepreet, there will be PWD Guest House with no light at Chatru, then at Batal along with Dhabha and then guest houses at Losar and finally you reach Kaza.
Hi Dheeraj:
Just wanted to check if the roads to Kaza from Manali – via Rohtang & Kunzum – will possibly be accessible during this week of 26th Sept? The weather is cold with about 2-3 degrees of minimum temp.
The local/public transport will be open, right?
Richa.
Hi Richa,
Yes, the road from Kaza to Manali will be open during end of September and Kaza – Manali – Kullu bus will also be running.
Hey hi,
Can anyone tell me if I can visit Spiti valley in Late December and is it still beautiful in all that frozen scene and which route should I take if I travel in Late december maybe around 25 december?
Yes RV, you can travel to Spiti Valley in winters as the road from Kinnaur remains open all round the year barring few days of heavy snowfall. Sometimes 2-3 weeks you may get stuck in the valley. Plan with ample of time on hand with nothing much to depend here back home.Check: https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/frozen-locked-kaza-spiti-valley/
Hi Dheeraj,
Is it wise to go to Kaza from Manali in October (7-14). Will the roads be open, how the climate will be and do one require permit for Bikes hired from Manali.
Thanks
Basudev
Roads will be open, only travel to go on that route after chcking the weather conditions as it can snow anytime during that time. The cold will make it hard to ride a bike, so be prepared for it. Yes, you need permit to cross Rohtang Pass on any vehicle, rented or private.
Hi Dheeraj,
A friend and I (both girls) plan to travel to Spiti Valley. The dates are 4-14 August from Chandigarh and back. Could you please suggest an itinerary for us and places where we can stay. Thanks in advance 🙂
You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Spiti Valley followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 10-11 days: Most Common Itinerary for Spiti Valley.
Thank you for your response! Will the weather be an issue? Heavy rain is forecasted. Also, could you provide some accommodation options we could look at?
For stay options in Kinnaur and Spiti, check the link: Some Good Options of Stays in Spiti Valley / Kinnaur Valley
Regarding weather, Kinnaur is not a place to be in monsoons and in case it is predicted heavy rains in lower hills, I will suggest to give it a skip and plan some other time. Once you reach Spiti region, it remains mostly rain-free being rain shadow region. Either light rains or over cast skies you will experience in Spiti.
Hi Dheeraj,
I was planning for 4 days trip to Manali and from there to Spiti but after reading this I think it will be too less time.I will reach Manali on thursday late morning and leaving on Sunday evening. Can you please suggest where i can get amazing views in and around in such a short stay.
Thanks in advance:)
You can try this
Day 1 | Delhi – Manali and stay overnight at Solang Valley
Day 2 | Solang – Khoksar/Sissu/Chatru/Batal
Day 3 | Khoksar/Sissu/Chatru/Batal – Chandratal
Day 4 | Chandratal – Manali
Day 5 | Manali – Delhi