Entire valley covered in snow, rivers often frozen, creating a “White Spiti”.

By Ajit Brar

Here is a detailed, day-by-day Winter Spiti Valley itinerary. This 9-day plan follows the Shimla route, which is the only way to access Spiti in winter, as the Manali route (Rohtang/Kunzum Pass) is closed.

Trip Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Route: Chandigarh > Shimla > Narkanda > Kalpa > Tabo > Kaza

Winter Warning: Drive times in winter are 30-40% longer than summer due to black ice and snow.

Day 1: The Ascent Begins

Route: Chandigarh to Narkanda

• Distance: 175 km | Time: 6–7 hours
• Elevation: 2,708m (8,880 ft)
• The Drive: Skip staying in Shimla (which is crowded) and push to Narkanda. The drive is lush green until you hit the higher altitudes where the temperature drops significantly.
• Highlights: Hatu Peak (likely covered in snow), dense pine forests.
• Stay: Hotel in Narkanda (heaters are usually available here).

Day 2: Gateways of Kinnaur

Route: Narkanda to Kalpa

• Distance: 160 km | Time: 7–8 hours
• Elevation: 2,960m (9,711 ft)
• The Drive: You will descend into the Sutlej valley. The roads can be slushy.
• Highlights:
  • Kinner Kailash View: As you reach Kalpa, the majestic Kinner Kailash peak (6,050m) dominates the horizon. The sunset here is magical.
  • Suicide Point: A famous vertical drop viewpoint (be very careful with ice on the edge).
• Winter Reality Check: This is your last night with “luxury” amenities (reliable running water/flush toilets). Charge all electronics 100%.

Day 3: Entering the Middle Land

Route: Kalpa to Tabo (via Nako)

• Distance: 150 km | Time: 7–9 hours
• Elevation: 3,280m (10,760 ft)
• The Drive: Today you enter the high-altitude desert. The landscape turns brown and white. You will cross the Malling Nala, a notorious landslide zone—start early (7 AM) to cross this before afternoon winds cause falling rocks.
• Highlights:
  • Frozen Nako Lake: A high-altitude lake completely frozen in winter. You can walk on it if the ice is thick enough (ask locals first!).
  • Gue Mummy (Optional): If the detour road is open, visit the 500-year-old naturally preserved mummy of a monk.
• Stay: Homestay in Tabo. Expect a bukhari (wood-fired heater) in the common room but freezing bedrooms.

Day 4: The Heart of Spiti

Route: Tabo to Kaza (via Dhankar)

• Distance: 50 km | Time: 3–4 hours
• Elevation: 3,800m (12,500 ft)
• The Drive: A short drive, but the detour to Dhankar is steep and often icy.
• Highlights:
  • Tabo Monastery: Called the “Ajanta of the Himalayas,” this 1,000-year-old mud monastery is warm and spiritual.
  • Dhankar Monastery: Perched on a cliff edge. The wind here is ferocious in winter. The view of the frozen confluence of Spiti and Pin rivers is iconic.
• Stay: Homestay/Hotel in Kaza. This will be your base for the next 3 nights.

Day 5: The Snow Leopard Loop

Route: Kaza > Key > Kibber > Chicham > Kaza

• Distance: 40 km round trip | Time: 4–5 hours
• Elevation: 4,270m (14,010 ft) at Kibber
• Highlights:
  • Key Monastery: Spiti’s largest monastery looks like a fortress in the snow. The monks often serve hot herbal tea to winter visitors.
  • Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary: Keep your eyes peeled for the Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep (Bharal), and Red Fox.
  • Chicham Bridge: The highest suspension bridge in Asia. Looking down into the frozen gorge is terrifyingly beautiful.

Day 6: Top of the World

Route: Kaza > Langza > Hikkim > Komic > Kaza

• Distance: 50 km round trip | Time: 4–5 hours
• Elevation: 4,587m (15,050 ft) at Komic
• Highlights:
  • Langza: Famous for the giant Buddha statue overlooking the valley. In winter, the white backdrop makes the golden statue pop.
  • Hikkim: Walk to the world’s highest post office. Bring your own postcards/stamps from Kaza (the postmaster might not have stock in winter), and drop them in the red letterbox.
  • Komic: The highest motorable village in the world.
• Winter Reality Check: This is the highest altitude you will reach. Do not run or exert yourself. Oxygen levels are very low.

Day 7: The Long Return

Route: Kaza to Kalpa

• Distance: 200 km | Time: 8–10 hours
• The Drive: Retrace your steps. You must leave Kaza by 6:00 AM to ensure you cross Malling Nala and reach Kalpa before dark.
• Stay: Hotel in Kalpa. Enjoy the return to “thicker” air and better amenities.

Day 8: Back to Civilization

Route: Kalpa to Shimla

• Distance: 220 km | Time: 8–9 hours
• The Drive: A long descent back to the capital.
• Stay: Hotel in Shimla. Celebrate the completion of the expedition with a hot shower (a luxury you will appreciate by now!).

Day 9: Departure

Route: Shimla to Chandigarh/Delhi

• Drive back to the plains to catch your flight or train.

• Dry Toilets: In Tabo, Dhankar, and Kibber, water pipes will be frozen. You will use a “dry pit” toilet (a hole in the ground). You cover your waste with a shovel of mud/sawdust.
• The Car: Diesel freezes at -15°C.
  • Tip: Park your car facing the sun.
  • Tip: Drivers often light a small fire under the fuel tank in the morning (let the locals do this!).
  • Tip: Add anti-freeze additives if you are self-driving (not recommended).
• Buffer Days: Always keep 1 extra buffer day. If it snows heavily at Narkanda or Malling Nala, the road can be blocked for 24 hours.

• Head: Woolen cap (must cover ears), Balaclava, UV Sunglasses (snow blindness is real).
• Body: Thermals (Merino wool is best), Fleece jacket, Down Jacket (-20°C rated), Wind/Waterproof Parka.
• Legs: Thermal bottoms, Waterproof trekking pants (ski pants work well).
• Feet: Woolen socks (3 layers), Waterproof high-ankle boots (Quechua/Columbia).
• Meds: Diamox (start 2 days before), Camphor (smell it if you feel breathless), Moisturizer (cold burn is common).

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