Spiti circuit: Kinnaur in, Kunzum Pass out

Day 1: Arrive in Shimla

Shimla

• Mall Road, the Ridge and Christ Church · 2.5 h. The pedestrian heart of Shimla; the lift from Cart Road saves the climb. Christ Church is lit up at night.
• Viceregal Lodge (Indian Institute of Advanced Study) · 1.5 h. Guided tours of the 1888 viceroy's residence where Partition talks took place; check the opening days.

Local tip: The pedestrian heart of Shimla; the lift from Cart Road saves the climb. Christ Church is lit up at night.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Shimla → Sangla & Chitkul

Sangla & Chitkul · Shimla to Sangla & Chitkul, Car ~7–8h via Rampur and Karcham

• Kamru Fort and Badri Narayan temple · 2 h. A wooden fort-temple above Sangla; wear the cap offered at the gate and follow the rules for visitors.

Local tip: A wooden fort-temple above Sangla; wear the cap offered at the gate and follow the rules for visitors.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Sangla & Chitkul

Sangla & Chitkul

• Chitkul village and the Baspa riverbank · 4 h. The last inhabited village on this road before the border; wooden houses, a carved temple and the 'last dhaba of India'. It's cold even in summer.
• Rakchham village and meadows · 2.5 h
• Apple orchard visit · 1.5 h. Harvest runs roughly August to October; buy apples and dried apricots direct from growers.

Local tip: The last inhabited village on this road before the border; wooden houses, a carved temple and the 'last dhaba of India'. It's cold even in summer.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Sangla & Chitkul → Kalpa

Kalpa · Sangla & Chitkul to Kalpa, Car ~2h via Karcham

• Kinner Kailash sunrise · 1 h. The sun lights up the 6,050 m Kinner Kailash peak and the Shivling rock face right across the valley.
• Roghi village and cliff road walk · 2.5 h. A narrow road carved into the cliff leads to Roghi; stay well back from the unfenced edges.

Local tip: The sun lights up the 6,050 m Kinner Kailash peak and the Shivling rock face right across the valley.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Kalpa → Kaza (Spiti)

Kaza (Spiti) · Kalpa to Kaza (Spiti), Car ~7–8h via Nako and Tabo (often split with a night in Nako or Tabo)

• Key Monastery · 2 h. Spiti's largest gompa on a hilltop above the river; monks often serve butter tea to visitors. Walk clockwise and ask before photographing.

Local tip: Spiti's largest gompa on a hilltop above the river; monks often serve butter tea to visitors. Walk clockwise and ask before photographing.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Kaza (Spiti)

Kaza (Spiti)

• Langza, Hikkim and Komic villages · 5 h. Langza's Buddha statue and fossil beds, Hikkim's high-altitude post office (send a postcard) and Komic monastery at about 4,500 m. Don't do this on your first day at altitude.
• Kibber village and Chicham bridge · 3 h. One of the highest villages reachable by road, with the Chicham suspension bridge high over a gorge; snow leopard tours run from here in winter.

Local tip: Langza's Buddha statue and fossil beds, Hikkim's high-altitude post office (send a postcard) and Komic monastery at about 4,500 m. Don't do this on your first day at altitude.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Chandratal Lake via Kunzum Pass

Kaza (Spiti)

• Chandratal Lake via Kunzum Pass · 9 h. A crescent lake at about 4,300 m, reached only when the Kunzum road is open (roughly June–October). Camps are a short walk from the lake, not on its shore.

Local tip: A crescent lake at about 4,300 m, reached only when the Kunzum road is open (roughly June–October). Camps are a short walk from the lake, not on its shore.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Explore Kaza (Spiti)

Kaza (Spiti)

• Dhankar Monastery and lake hike · 4 h. A cliff-hanging monastery above the Spiti–Pin confluence; the lake is a steep 1h climb further up.
• Tabo Monastery · 2 h. Founded in 996 CE, with some of the finest early Buddhist murals in the Himalaya; carry a torch for the dim halls.

Local tip: A cliff-hanging monastery above the Spiti–Pin confluence; the lake is a steep 1h climb further up.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Kaza (Spiti) → Manali

Manali · Kaza (Spiti) to Manali, Car ~9–11h via Kunzum Pass and the Atal Tunnel (open roughly Jun–Oct)

• Hidimba Devi Temple and Dhungri forest · 1.5 h. A pagoda-roofed wooden temple from 1553 among giant deodars; go early to beat the queue.

Local tip: A pagoda-roofed wooden temple from 1553 among giant deodars; go early to beat the queue.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Explore Manali

Manali

• Old Manali cafés and Manu Temple · 3 h
• Vashisht hot springs and Jogini Falls hike · 3.5 h. Temple hot baths in the village, then a 1.5h walk up through orchards to the falls.

Local tip: Temple hot baths in the village, then a 1.5h walk up through orchards to the falls.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Depart from Manali

Manali

• River rafting on the Beas · 2 h. Short grade II–III runs near Kullu and Pirdi; suspended in the monsoon, roughly mid-July to mid-September.

Local tip: Short grade II–III runs near Kullu and Pirdi; suspended in the monsoon, roughly mid-July to mid-September.

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.

Open day 11 route in Google Maps