Road trips can be life changing. With the phone on mountain mode for days, these long trips give time to focus inwards. People you meet at every pitstop lend some perspective and expand our universe. A personal favourite roadtrip destination in India is the Kinnaur- Spiti circuit. The experiences this route offers on a week-long trip can be an eye-opener for any traveller.
Sambit and I of The Doi Host have spent the last three months travelling and hosting travellers on road trips in this region. After watching countless stunning night skies, driving for hours through surreal landscapes and meeting a bunch interesting locals who love to host you in their homes, we think we have a perfect itinerary for your next Spiti road trip. Believe me it can't get better.
Here's our detailed itinerary for the Kinnaur-Spiti road trip. Come, travel with us!
Arrive at Shimla (2,276m) in the wee hours of the morning. We will pick you up and, following the course of the Sutlej river, head straight to Kalpa (2,960m), a tiny village set in the backdrop of the Kinnaur-Kailash range. The drive from Shimla to Kalpa is a long one; but the transformation in terms of landscape and weather will make your jaw drop. We will have breakfast and lunch on the way. After checking in to our guesthouse, we will go on a walk through Kalpa village. Kalpa has a monastery, two lovely temples, and offers glorious views of the Kinnaur-Kailash range.
Distance : 225 kms
After breakfast, we will go on a long drive to Chitkul, the last village on the Indo-China border in Himachal Pradesh. We will go on a short hike down to and across the Baspa river that flows through Chitkul. We will also go uphill to the meadows where the shepherds take their cattle. In the evening we will drive back to Kalpa.
Distance : 130 kms
After breakfast, we will go on a short drive till Roghi village. After lunch, we will head to Nako (3,662m), the last village in the Kinnaur district. Nako is a quaint village situated on the slope of the Reo Purgyil mountain. Post dinner, once it’s gotten dark, we will go on a short walk to the helipad to gaze at the milky way which is clearly visible from the village.
Distance : 100 kms
We will have breakfast at the guest house, after which we will go on a walk through Nako village and to Nako Lake. Nako's thousand year old monastery is one of the main attraction of this village walk. Post lunch we will drive to see the mummy of Sangha Tenzin in Gyu (3,600m). The mummy of Sangha Tenzin was discovered in 2004 by the ITBP, and is now on display in a shrine next to the monastery. After this, we will head to the town of Tabo (3,280m), nestled in a valley with a 360 degree view of the mountains around us. We will visit the old monastery of Tabo. The paintings and sculptures inside the monastery are over a thousand years old. We will also go on a short hike to the Tabo caves.
Distance : 82 kms
Post breakfast, we will set off for Kaza ((3,800m). On the way to Kaza, we will make a stop at the historic monasteries of Dhankar (3,894m) and Lhalung (3,658m). Post lunch, we will drive to the high altitude villages of Langza (4,340m), Hikkim (4,450m), and Komic (4,587m). We will return to Kaza for dinner and stay the night there at our guest house. Dinner will be served at our guest house in Kaza.
Distance : 65 kms
After an early morning breakfast in Kaza, we will set off for a full day trip. First we will visit Kee Monastery (4,166m), then head straight to Chicham (4,145m) where the highest suspension bridge in Asia is located. We will stop at Kibber (4,270m) for lunch. We will then head to the village of Lossar where we will spend the night in our guest house.
Distance - 90 kms
This day is the big day. We will leave Lossar very early in the morning and head to Chandra Taal. At an altitude of 4,300 metres, this crescent shaped lake is situated in the lap of the Himalayas. After visiting Chandra Taal, we will stop at Batal for lunch and then head straight to Manali. Dinner will be at our cottage in Old Manali.
Distance - 230 kms
This is a reserve/free day. You are welcome to explore Old Manali at your own leisure. Buses will depart for Delhi on the evening of this day.
Our next trip through this route is scheduled from 8th to 15th September, and you can be a part of it. Sambit and I will be your hosts on this fantastic journey to Spiti.
Follow us @thedoihost on Instagram and DM us your queries. You can also call us on +91-9871083849 or +91-9654485394. You can also drop in your queries in the comments section below.
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