Spiti from Manali, out through Kinnaur

Day 1: Arrive in Manali

Manali

• Old Manali cafés and Manu Temple · 3 h

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Atal Tunnel and Sissu day trip

Manali

• Atal Tunnel and Sissu day trip · 6 h. The 9 km Atal Tunnel needs no permit; beyond it Sissu has a waterfall, the Chandra river and snow most of the year. Traffic queues build by mid-morning, so leave Manali early.

Local tip: The 9 km Atal Tunnel needs no permit; beyond it Sissu has a waterfall, the Chandra river and snow most of the year. Traffic queues build by mid-morning, so leave Manali early.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Manali → Kaza (Spiti)

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

• 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 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: 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.
• 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: 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 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: 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 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: 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.

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

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Kaza (Spiti) → Kalpa

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

• 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.
• Narayan-Nagini temple and Kalpa old village · 1.5 h

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

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Kalpa → Sangla & Chitkul

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

• 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.

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 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Sangla & Chitkul → Shimla

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

• 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.

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

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Depart from Shimla

Shimla

• Jakhoo Temple and ropeway · 2 h. The giant Hanuman statue tops Shimla's highest hill. Monkeys snatch glasses, phones and food — keep everything zipped away.

Local tip: The giant Hanuman statue tops Shimla's highest hill. Monkeys snatch glasses, phones and food — keep everything zipped away.

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

Open day 10 route in Google Maps