Well, something I mostly oppose traveling to Spiti Valley from Manali but still, the Kinnaur Valley route has its own disadvantages and a lot many people do not want to take that route. They prefer taking the route to Spiti Valley from Manali side and also come back from Manali side.
Hence, in this article today, I will suggest a travel plan to make a trip to Spiti Valley from Manali side and come back from Manali side as well. I suggest people travel Spiti Valley from Shimla – Kinnaur side because of better acclimatization as the altitude increases gradually on this route. However, you can also read in one of my previous articles, 5 Reasons to Travel Spiti Valley from Manali Route
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Let's quickly dive into the details:
A Trip to Spiti Valley from Manali Side in 9 Days
Today in this article, I will be suggesting a most common itinerary to travel to Spiti Valley from Manali side and make the best use of the time and energy to explore most parts of this hidden, magical middle land in the lap of trans-Himalayas.
I have already suggested plans for Spiti Valley from Shimla back from Manali and Spiti Valley from Manali back from Shimla, where I did mention that sooner or later Leh Ladakh will be full of the mad rush of tourists, almost you can see the glimpse of this thing happening in season time. However, Spiti Valley is altogether untouched as of now and people mostly confuse it with Lahaul Valley or they are more or less restricted to only a visit to Chandratal.
The real beauty of Spiti Valley starts beyond Kunzum Pass, towards Losar then to Kaza and then towards Tabo and then towards Nako or Kinnaur Valley… Not to forget the Pin Valley in between and there is a hell lot of heavenly beauty to explore in Spiti Valley.
Day by Day Plan
This article covers almost all major places in Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh including Tabo, Kaza, Losar, Chandratal, Kunzum Pass, Ki, Kibber, Pin Valley, etc. Below is the most common itinerary for Spiti Valley from Manali only spanning over about 9 days and making the most use of the time.
Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley
- Better stay at Solang Valley and avoid Manali as sleeping at Solang Valley does help in acclimatization
- If going by own car, get the permit made in advance to drive on Manali – Rohtang Pass road through by checking How to get Rohtang Pass Permits Online
- Overnight at Manali/Solang Valley
- About 13-14 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
Day 2 | Manali / Solang Valley – Rohtang Pass – Kunzum Pass – Kaza
- Head early morning to Kaza via Rohtang Pass, headquarters of Spiti Valley
- Visit Kunzum Pass and enjoy the moment there
- Drive through Batal – Chattru – Gramphu is out of the world
- There may be some headache or AMS this night, but enjoy this magical drive over Kunzum Pass to enter the middle land called Spiti Valley. You will enjoy the drive to Kaza greatly.
- About 10 – 11 Hrs drive easily if you do not get messed up Rohtang Pass or stuck in a water crossing
- Overnight at Kaza
Day 3 | Kaza – Pin Valley (Mud Village) – Tabo
- Traverse the Pin Valley | Kungri – Sagnam – Mud – Tailing
- Enjoy the magnificent vistas all-day
- About 4 – 5 Hrs of drive in the day
- Overnight at Tabo
Day 4 | Tabo – Dhangkar – Dhangkar Lake – Lhalung – Kaza
- Explore Tabo an around, check out monastery and old caves of monks
- Travel back the 47 KMs to Kaza from Tabo via Dhangkar and Lhalung villages
- Visit Dhangkar Monastery and Dhangkar Lake and leave after early lunch
- Take the diversion to Rama Village in Lingti valley and visit Lhalung village before returning back to Kaza by evening
- Enjoy the magnificent vistas all-day
- About 3 – 4 Hrs of drive in the day
- Overnight at Kaza
Day 5 | Kaza – Ki – Kibber – Gette – Tashigang – Kaza
- Visit Ki – Kibber – Gette – Tashigang and for more details, you can read: Key – Kibber – Gette – Tashigang – Local Sightseeing in Kaza
- Ki is a famous monastery and others are places to explore as a lovely drive
- Tashigang is where the road ends but again beautiful drive
- About 3 – 4 Hrs of drive in the day
- Overnight at Kaza
Day 6 | Kaza – Langza – Komik – Hikkim – Kaza
- Today visit the road less traveled or offbeat places near Kaza
- Great view of Chau Chau Kang Nelda peak from Langza
- Statue of the Buddha near Langza looking down the valley
- The Tanggyud monastery at Komik is one of the most important and the highest monastery in the Spiti Valley
- Overnight at Kaza
Do check my article on making an economic or budget-friendly trip to Spiti by Public Transport.
Day 7 | Kaza – Losar – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal
- Enjoy the most scenic drive of the entire Spiti Valley between Losar and Kaza at an easy pace.
- Visit Chandratal via Kunzum Pass and enjoy the day there.
- Camps are about 2.5 KMs from the lake, either stay there or back to Batal where there is a PWD rest house now though without electricity. But, no point going back a painful ride to Losar over Kunzum Pass unless you want to stay in the guest house with electricity. Better stay at Batal and save time as well as energy for the next day.
- About 4 Hrs drive from Kaza to Chandratal.
- Overnight at Chandratal.
Day 8 | Chandratal – Batal – Gramphu – Rohtang Pass – Manali
- Drive through Batal – Chattru – Gramphu towards Rohtang Pass is out of the world
- Head back to Manali via Rohtang Pass
- About 6 – 7 Hrs drive easily if you do not get messed up Rohtang Pass
- If there is time explore Manali, that is if going by overnight Volvo which starts around 5.30 PM
- Manali Local sightseeing which includes Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Mall Road, Local Monastery, Old Manali, Vashisth Hot Water Springs (never found it interesting), etc.
- Overnight at Manali
Day 9 | Manali – Mandi – Jahu – Bhota – Una – Delhi
- If not taking Volvo and driving self to Delhi, you can try a different route
- Take a longer but different route to Delhi from Jahu – Bhota – Una side
- The route is pretty scenic, much better roads and offers good views
- About 14 Hrs, as it is about 55 km longer route but devoid of bad roads and truck traffic
- Sweet home
Day 10-11 | Buffer Days
For any trip to the remote Himalayas, you must keep some buffer days in case of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more 🙂
Add On Days in Spiti Valley??
If you have more days then perhaps you can choose any of the days to explore more beautiful places within Spiti Valley…
- Spend a Day to explore Rama Valley and Lingti Valley that includes Demul, Lhalung
- Spend a day to explore Mane Village in Spiti Valley or maybe a trek to Sopona Lake
Petrol Pumps Between Manali – Kaza – Manali
As you travel from Manali to Kaza and come back to Manali from Kaza, you must fill the petrol at Manali before leaving for Spiti Valley. Once you reach Kaza, make sure you fill the petrol at the Kaza petrol pump as well.
After doing the complete sightseeing in Spiti Valley, make sure you top up again at Kaza fuel pump before starting your journey back to Manali from Kaza. This way you do not need to worry about carrying extra petrol on your road trip to Spiti Valley via Manali only.
- Manali Do Top Up Here
- Kaza – Do Not Miss
Foreign Nationals visiting the protected areas of Spiti Valley and Kinnaur Valley are required to get the inner line permits or ILP. Domestic (Indian) tourist do not require any permits. If you are Indian, then just carry a valid photo ID proof of your nationality to be on safe 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 am sure the above itinerary if not help you 100% with planning a trip to Spiti Valley but can certainly act as a starting point for your upcoming Spiti Valley trip. Do share your valuable thoughts or queries or doubts you have in the comment section and we can discuss more on your upcoming travel plans for Spiti Valley 🙂
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If you know your friends or family are planning a trip to Spiti from Manali, do share this article with them to help them make a memorable Spiti valley trip.
65 Comments
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Also wanted to know…whether it is recommended to go to tso moriri from spiti valley..
Hey I’m planning a trip to spiti valley from Manali..can you please suggest me some tourist guides no. Lyk u have done for ladakh…because I used one of the guides no u suggested for ladakh and he managed the trip superbly. Eagerly awaiting your reply. Thanks.
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Thanks a lot for that…if you could also help me with the other query of going to tso moriri from spiti valley..
If you been in Spiti enough and did not feel much of AMS issues, you should be good to travel to Tso Moriri from Keylong. Keep i mind that nothing is guaranteed when it comes to AMS but you should be in better shape.
Hi, I am planning a road trip to Spiti from Manali – Spiti – Manali in July. Please tell me the most common itinerary with saving time. Also If we hire bike from Manali, we have to take permit for going to spiti pls tell..
Thanks
Prasoon, you can refer the article above for the most common plan. If you do not have that much time, refer: How to make a trip to Spiti Valley in 6 days?
In this photo Chandratal is soo greenish… Which month is this?
This picture is from July and yes, mostly colors of Chandratal are similar once the reflection is gone and it is a sunny day.
Ooooo… Thank you so much..
can you please contact me through what’s app, cause I like the blog so much and I also have some Queries to be solved Mail.- kartikthakur52@gmail.com
What’s app – 8130230948
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Hi Dheeraj,
Have virtually read all your posts.. Big fan on the kind of work you r doin in helping people get to see such beautiful vistas of the Himalayas.
I want to travel to Spiti in June. I was wondering if you could guide me in what i can see and how to go about getting the permits to Rohtang and other places sorted. Am doin a solo trip. Would prefer to travel by road transport buses to better interact with people.
Thanks a ton. And once again great job on the posts.. Bless u
Thank you, Viral 🙂
If you plan a trip from Shimla to Kinnaur to Spiti to Manali, which is always recommended, you do not need any permits. 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.
Since, you want to travel by road, check: How to make a budget trip to Spiti Valley by public transport
Hey Dheeraj,
Had read both the posts you recommended earlier. I was planning to go to Spiti from Manali as it is a shorter route and would give me a little more flexibility in terms of things to do around Spiti with the time saved… am planning a 5 to 6 day sojourn.. do u think its too short?? Also if not, could u suggest a viable itinery??
Thanks and regards
I will suggest you to pick any of the following plans for 6 day trip to Spiti Valley
Day 1 : Reach Manali and stay overnight at Solang Valley as preferred for acclimatization
Day 2 : Manali / Solang – Kaza
Day 3 : Kaza – Dhangkar – Tabo – Kaza OR Kaza – Langza – Komik – Hikkim – Kaza
Day 4 : Kaza – Ki – Kibber – Ki – Rangrik – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal/Batal
Day 5 : Chandratal/Batal – Manali
Day 6 : Manali – Delhi
Day 1 : Reach Manali by overnight and stay overnight at Solang Valley as preferred for acclimatization
Day 2 : Manali / Solang – Kaza
Day 3 : Kaza – Dhangkar – Tabo – Kaza
Day 4 : Kaza – Ki – Kibber – Langza – Komik – Hikkim – Kaza
Day 5 : Kaza – Chandratal – Manali
Day 6 : Reach Delhi by overnight Volvo from Manali (do adventure sports in day time at Solang Valley)
Hey Dheeraj,
Thank u ever so much for the itinery. It works out perfectly for wot i had planned. Thank u so much. Hats off to ur dedication in helpin ppl out n ensuring they experience the beauty of the Himalayas. Bless u.
Thank you, glad. Always happy to help anything on the Himalayas 🙂 … Feel free to post any further questions you may have for the trip.
Hi Dheeraj.. didnt see anyone asking about a trip in August. I plan to do this sometime in mid-Aug. That’s a good time? Manali – Kinnaur – Manali.. and as always.. thank you very much for all info you provide!
Hey Anubhav,
Well, August in Kinnaur is not an ideal time as monsoons are in full glory and with fragile roads and mountains, I will not recommend making a trip through Kinnaur to Spiti in August.
Is June mid and July a good time to do Manali Spiti and Manali route back. We are 4 and we wish to do Spiti or Leh one of this while the same period. As I know it would be good time for Leh, pls advise is this the same for Spiti as well; as we are most likely to do Spiti considering its first time for others but 2nd time for me. We may settle as you suggest. As we plan to take this trip next year – hoping all goes well on our borders; I hope royal enfields are available from Manali still ? Pls advise if you have some contacts for good bike rentals.
Rest; I have to say that each time I come to your page it is new and just pulls me away from my work desk straight to mountains. Thanks
Yes Pavan, that should be good time to visit Spiti Valley because the road from Manali to Kaza over Kunzum Pass will open by that time of the year. Yes, rental of bikes are available in Manali. Sorry about the contacts though. Thank you for the warm words 🙂
Dear Dheeraj,
First of all your blog is great man!
We are two persons (me and my friend) planning for 6 days trip from Delhi to Spiti. We will be leaving on 7th Oct( night) and will come back to Delhi on 13 Oct. We have a few questions as mentioned below:
1. We are driving on Creta. Is this SUV ok for spiti.
2. As mentioned in your blog, I am looking for 1st halt at solang valley for better acclimatization. Since I have been to solang previously, I didn’t find any hotel enroute Manali to solang. I tried to find on Goibibo and MMT but they are showing Manali hotels under the name solang. Can you help me in this by providing some hotel name or link.
3. Is it OK if we take tents on rent and do camping near chandrtal lake. Or is it a bad idea seeing October month?
4. Can you provide details of some guide who take charges on per day basis and be with us.
5. How to book Home stays in kaza and other places enroute? Or is it done on the spot.
Thnx in advance!
Hi Ankit,
1. Car is OK for the trip.
2. Well, you can land there and search for hotels which will be much cheaper else Hotel Iceland is there. No need to pre-book them.
3. The time you are planning will be too cold a night to spend camping at the camping site. Also, camping near the lake it not allowed and yo are allowed to camp only about a KM before.
4. There is no need of guide, the road exists and you can just follow it.
5. Best is done on the spot, yo are traveling in off season any ways.
Thanks!
I have one more doubt. I read somewhere on your post that beyond Rohtang pass we need some undertaking from SDM office and online permit is up to Rohtang pass only. Thing is that we will reach Manali on Saturday and SDM office remains close that day(2nd Saturday). If we take permit online up to rohtang pass only then beyond that pass there is no check post, then how they will check whether some one has taken this undertaking or not.
Ankit, the SDM office now remains open on Holidays as well including Sundays up to 12 PM.
Hi Ankit
Pls share your feedback if you drove through Kaza to Kunzum la, Chandertal and then Manali via Rhtang la, as I am also planning to Visit this circuit Entry from Shimla and Exit from Manali.
Any specific feedback for your SUV Creta as me too will be using the same Car.
Abhinav
Hello Mr. Dheeraj.
We (2 persons) are planning a 6 day trip to Kaza.
We will be leaving from Chandigarh on 8 October by night Volvo and reaching Manali on 9th morning.
We plan to take a taxi (shared or non-shared) from Manali to Kaza.
We have booking at PWD rest house at Kaza from 9-12 October (details will be shared with us 5 days before we depart) and reservation by night Volvo from Manali to Chandigarh on 13th October.
Please hep me on following points:
1. Taxi from Manali to Kaza (Is taking a shared taxi safe?) and whether we should take a one-way taxi or two-way taxi.
2. We are not getting much help from internet regarding availability of taxi from Manali to Kaza, but hopeful.
3. Need help on planning the itinerary during the stay at Kaza.
4. Any other point regarding getting permits, health aspect etc.
Many thanks.
Sumit
Hi Sumit,
You have very very less time to plan a Spiti Valley trip and that too in October when it is cold. Frankly speaking you will be highly vulnerable to AMS as you plan to travel the same day you reach Manali. That means your body will not rest at all and will reach in the bounds of what is considered as Very High Altitude of Kaza. I will recommend something below for safe:
Day 1 (9th Oct) | Reach Manali and rest in Manali or Solang Valley for one day
Day 2 | Manali – Chandratal – Kunzum Pass – Kaza
Day 3 | Kaza – Dhangkar – Tabo
Day 4 | Tabo – Pin Valley – Kaza and then around Kaza (Hikkim, Komik, Langza) in second half.
Day 5 | Kaza – Manali and then catch the evening bus
Regarding queries:
1. Shared taxi will be surely less costly but then you miss to see Chandratal and stop for fun on the way. Better take personal taxi
2. You can get connected directly to some drivers in Spiti Valley or Kinnaur Valley at the link: List of Taxi Drivers for Spiti Valley & Kinnaur Valley. These drivers can come and pick you up from Manali / Shimla / Delhi / Chandigarh too, of course with a price of pickup as well.
The rates of the taxis are about Rs 3000-3500 per day depending upon the number of days you plan to travel, more the days, less the price.
Otherwise, taxis in general are also available on the spot from Shimla or Manali from respective taxi stands
3. Suggested above
4. If going by taxi, no permit required.
Thanks a lot, Mr. Dheeraj.
I have another query: Are bikes available on rent at Kaza for day touring?
Thanks.
No Sumit, bikes are not available in Kaza for renting.
Hi Dheeraj,
Must commend you and the team for putting up and updating this fantastic blog on the himalayan travel!
I am travelling with wife and kids (14 and 9 years old) and we are wondering if our time of travel is appropriate to visit Spiti Oct 7th – 11th. I checked on the weather predictions and max seems really low in single digits with min being -7/ 8!! Would this kind of weather allow one to travel around or restrict movement drastically?
If yes, any recommendations on precautions to handle the weather?
Planning to pick up a self drive SUV from chandigarh.
Thanks a ton!
Vikram
Vikram, well, with family and kids and just 5 days in hand I will not recommend a trip to Spiti Valley in October. In 5 days, max I recommend is Chandratal trip but sleeping at Chandratal during that time of the year will be too cold and risky.
Thanks ton Dheeraj for the reply.
Point noted on chanadratal- especially outdoor camping with kids seems precarious.
Just a clarification – the days I have in hand for an onwards from Manali is 7th (IXC on 5th) and must be back in Chandigarh by 12th…would you still say the time at hand is less than appropriate for Spiti?
Cheers!
Vikram
This is what you will be doing in the 5 days you have in hand to/from Manali.
Day 2 : Manali / Solang – Kaza
Day 3 : Kaza – Dhangkar – Tabo
Day 4 : Tabo – Pin Valley – Kaza. Do Ki, Kibber in the evening.
Day 5 : Kaza – Langza – Komik – Hikkim – Kaza
Day 6 : Kaza – Chandratal – Manali
Do not take it as an easy trip still as the terrain is too rough to a little kiddo.
Hi,
This is madhu here,i enjoyed reading through ur blogs.could you please help me with few questionsi have.i am planning to travel to spiti in october ..na di have leaves at the end of October.could tou please suggest is it good time to go to spiti at that time.asni am planning to take manali route
Yes, try to visit till 15 october only.
Madhu, it is fine to travel to Spiti Valley during that time of the year but it will be cold out there and you should only travel from Kinnaur side and come back from Kinnaur side only. Manali – Kaza road is not recommended to travel during that late in the season.
Hi Dheeraj,
Really informative blog , keep up the good work. Well I want to to do a bike trip from manali to kaza and back with chandratal in between. We are two guys and we are thinking of renting bikes from manali. Is it doable? I mean does Rohtang Pass allows rented bikes ?
Yes Aditya it is doable but keep in mind that Manali – Kaza is one of the toughest roads you would have ever ride a bike. Don’t go easy on that route. How many days you have in hand? Yes, rented bikes are allowed to pass through Rohtang Pass, you will need a permit.
Thanks for the reply Dheeraj.
If its doable then we are in. I was just worried about the weather and also the season timings of Rohtang Pass. We are planning form 8th October morning manali to 13th October. We have 5 days and i know we cant do the whole Kaza trip entering from shimla route and exiting at manali, coz its 10 days atleast. So i am planning for chandratal and kaza.
This is what it will be
Day 1 | Delhi – Manali and stay overnight at Solang Valley
Day 2 | Solang – Khoksar/Sissu/Chatru/Batal
Day 3 | Khoksar/Sissu/Chatru/Batal – Chandratal – Battal/Khoksar/Sissu
Day 4 | Battal/Khoksar/Sissu – Manali
Day 5 | Manali – Delhi
Dear
Please do help me out with ur suggestions. Am planning for a Ladakh trip which has to include even Manali sight seeing. We are of 3 couples (Honeymoon Trip) and we do have only 12 days in hand. Infact we will be reaching Delhi from blore( by flight) early morning and taking up a zoom car ( Xuv or Scorpio). Please put your valuable options to plan our trip day by day including all the stays at perfect spots .
Just replied to your other comment.
Hi Dheeraj I admire this blog so much because its a work selflessly done to help people like me who want to travel on our own. We are planning to go to Kaza-Tabo from Manali side(Volvo from Delhi). Can you please check our itinerary and see if its ok and feel free to make any suggestions. We are also planning to stay in Circuit Houses in Kaza so as to bring the cost down. My concern about this is since we are a family of three we’d like to interact with fellow travellers and locals for stories, i too have a blog. Will I get this if I stay at PWD/Circuit Houses?
Day 1 Manali-Kaza
Day 2 Kaza- Ki Monastery– Kibber –( read somewhere that one can go to Gette – Tashigang where road ends, but is it correct?)– Kaza (About 4 – 5 Hrs of drive?)
Day3 : Kaza- Dhankar Fort- Dhankar Monastery – Traverse the Pin Valley-( confused whether Kungri – Sagnam – Mud – Tailing will come here and should we go) Tabo.(Stay in monastery)
Should we try to cover Lalung village on this day? is it worth it?
Day 4: Tabo – Pin valley- Demul- Hikim-Komic – Langza( fossil fields) – Kaza
Can we do a yak safari to fossil fields or walk? I would have loved to do a homestay but need a western toilet, which I believe the home-stays don’t have them?
Pin valley route should be done on this day or earlier day? Which places exactly come on this route?
Day 5 : Kaza- Losar- Kunzum pass- Chandrataal camp- Lake- Stay at Parasol camps, I rang them up, they will be open or should we stay at Battal?
Day 6 : Chandrataal lake- Rohtang pass- Solang valley- Manali ( Stay)
Day 7: Manali- Delhi
I am going to use a taxi from Manali and if he is good then will give his number and you can add him to your most comprehensive list. Actually called up many from your list but they are charging more, this fellow will charge 3000/ per day. He seems to be good. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards
Sumita
Hello Sumita ji,
Thank you for the admiration 🙂 … Below are my suggestions:
1. You should opt to stay with home stays instead of circuit houses. That will help you interact and know about locals as well as it will keep the cost of the trip minimum.
2. Yes, you can travel to Tashigang – Gette villages. There are couple of houses only at Gete.
3. Day 3 will be packed. First you will have to enter Pin Valley and next you go over to Dhangkar and then reach Tabo. However, I will recommend that you do Dhangkar only and reach Tabo. While coming back from Tabo you do Pin Valley and Lhalung village. It will ease out both days evenly.
4. Day 5 you can do Langza, Hikkim, Komik in first half and move to Chandratal lake by evening.
5. Great to know about the driver, please do share his feedback so that it helps other fellow travellers too.
Hope it helps.
Regards
Dheeraj
Thanks Dheeraj, never expected such a prompt reply. Will modify my itinerary according to your guidance. Would love to do homestays but issue is the western toilet( i suffer from osteoarthritis in the knees). if you know any place which has one can you please let me know.
I know Tsering’s place Sakya Abode is amazing. spoke to him too giving your reference but beyond budget. Let’s see if we can stay one night at his place.
I am planning on staying first night on 9/10/16 at HPTDC, then one night at PWD and perhaps one night at Sakya abode?
Is yak safari possible? I’m a geographer so fossil field visit is a must do, but again problem of walking there hence the question.
Your blog has my unending appreciation.
So my final itinerary will look like this. Please see if its okay.
Day 1 Manali-Kaza
Day 2 Kaza- Ki Monastery– Kibber –Gette – Tashigang – Kaza
Day3 : Kaza- Dhankar Fort- Dhankar Monastery – Tabo.
Day 4: Tabo – Pin valley-Kungri – Sagnam – Mud – Tailing- Demul- Lalung village – Kaza
Day 5 : Kaza- Langza, Hikkim, Komik-Losar- Kunzum pass- Chandrataal
Day 6 : Chandrataal lake- Manali
Day 7: Manali- Delhi
Yes, in fact a much better alternative is below:
Day 1: Manali – Kaza
Day 2: Kaza – Dhankar Fort – Dhankar Monastery – Tabo
— This will help you acclimatize much better
Day 3: Tabo – Pin valley (Kungri – Sagnam – Mud – Tailing) – Lhalung village – Kaza
— Leave out Demul for some other time
Day 4: Kaza – Langza – Komik – Hikkim – Kaza
— It is much more beautiful, different terrain and lovely. Spend more time here
Day 5: Kaza – Ki – Kibber – Rangrik – Kunzum Pass – Chandrataal
— Leave out Gette, Tashigang in case you feel tired else take a call when you are at Kibber. Make a decision based on the fact that it will take about 3.5 Hrs to reach Chandratal from Kaza.
Day 6: Chandrataal lake- Manali
Day 7: Manali- Delhi
Sumita ji, you can stay at guest houses too. Talk to Tsering, he has another hotel kumphen and also Sakya Home stay as well which have cheaper range. Also, at Tabo you can stay at Kunzum Guest House, run by family only. Your three nights will be in Kaza only. There are other guest houses as well in Kaza. HPTDC will be of similar budget as of Sakya/Kumphen. Better to negotiate a bit as I never liked the food in HPTDC 🙂
Hmm, yak safari might be limited as villager leaves yaks in summers to graze in upper hills. However, fossils, that is why I have recommended changes in the plan as you will find them in plenty around Langza, Komik, Hikkim.
Dear Dheeraj
Really admire your selfless prompt replies. In all my years of research for travel purposes you are the first person who is so prompt is answering queries and giving good tips.
I have often found that clinching a deal with a person whether he be a tour operator or car rental person depends on their responsiveness and eagerness. I know you are in neither category and do this work as a passion, hence my unending surprise.
I will change my itinerary to what you have suggested. Thanks. I will speak to Tsering too, let’s see if he has a change of heart.
Thanks again from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you Sumita ji, it really helps to read such words of appreciation and coming from a blogger, it means furthemore as a blogger can understanding the time and effort spent in replying and sharing info. Best part is I keep a copies of such comments which helps me regain momentum and elevate the spirits which have gone down at times. So, thank you for sharing it 🙂 🙂
Hi Dheeraj, I wish to make a solo trip to Spiti during sept (3-10), would you be able to guide in case there is public transport available and would that be a)safe and b) wont be that long to travel. I am looking at some good buses or sharing cabs.
Also if you can suggest an itinerary for me as i would be taking volvo from Delhi-manali.
Reg
Shivi
Hi Dheeraj I admire this blog so much because its a work selflessly done to help people like me who want to travel on our own. We are planning to go to Kaza-Tabo from Manali side(Volvo from Delhi). Can you please check our itinerary and see if its ok and feel free to make any suggestions. We are also planning to stay in Circuit Houses in Kaza so as to bring the cost down. My concern about this is since we are a family of three we’d like to interact with fellow travellers and locals for stories, i too have a blog. Will I get this if I stay at PWD/Circuit Houses?
Day 1 Manali-Kaza
Day 2 Kaza- Ki Monastery– Kibber –( read somewhere that one can go to Gette – Tashigang where road ends, but is it correct?)– Kaza (About 4 – 5 Hrs of drive?)
Day3 : Kaza- Dhankar Fort- Dhankar Monastery – Traverse the Pin Valley-( confused whether Kungri – Sagnam – Mud – Tailing will come here and should we go) Tabo.(Stay in monastery)
Should we try to cover Lalung village on this day? is it worth it?
Day 4: Tabo – Pin valley- Demul- Hikim-Komic – Langza( fossil fields) – Kaza
Can we do a yak safari to fossil fields or walk? I would have loved to do a homestay but need a western toilet, which I believe the home-stays don’t have them?
Pin valley route should be done on this day or earlier day? Which places exactly come on this route?
Day 5 : Kaza- Losar- Kunzum pass- Chandrataal camp- Lake- Stay at Parasol camps, I rang them up, they will be open or should we stay at Battal?
Day 6 : Chandrataal lake- Rohtang pass- Solang valley- Manali ( Stay)
Day 7: Manali- Delhi
I am going to use a taxi from Manali and if he is good then will give his number and you can add him to your most comprehensive list. Actually called up many from your list but they are charging more, this fellow will charge 3000/ per day. He seems to be good. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards
Sumita
Just replied to other comment.
Shivi, whole of Spiti valley circuit is well connected with daily buses between Delhi – Manali, Manali – Kaza, Kaza – Reckong Peo, Reckong Peo – Shimla/Delhi, Shimla – Delhi. Once you reach Kaza, you can opt to get shared taxis of locals or hitch hike to local places like Kibber, Tabo, Ki, Langza, Komik, Pin Valley.
Hi Shiv, myself and another friend are travelling in spiti at the same time. Lets do it together and share costs.
Hello Dheeraj Sir
Iam planning to visit Manali and Shimla in the first week of September 2016. is the weather Will be comfortable between this time?
Warm regards
Hashim Bava
Yes, weather will be pleasant in Manali and a bit warm in Shimla.
dear dhiraz can you please share some low cost hotel details in the entire spiti valley tours. it will be really helpful
Apart from low budget homestays all over in Spiti Valley, for stay options in Kinnaur and Spiti, check the link: Some Good Options of Stays in Spiti Valley / Kinnaur Valley.
Hey,
Had a couple of enquiries regarding my trip to Spiti this week.
1) Can I rent out jeeps in Manali/Kaza? (self-driven)
2) Can the Spiti circuit be done on cycle? (Renting from Kaza)
3) I’m reaching Delhi at 9 PM tomorrow and I want to depart for Manali the same night. How can this be done?
Hi Tarun,
1. No self drive cars available in Manali or Kaza for rent
2. Yes, it can be done but you need stamina to do high altitude cycling trip as well as 10-12 days to do it.
Very informative post!!!
Thanks alot.