Gypsy 4*4 Spiti Expedition (Manali to Shimla)

Let us look at this day by day detailed travel of Spiti Valley trip in 10 days from Manali to Kaza to Kinnaur and exiting via Shimla. This way you can also plan your stays on this journey in remote corners of Himachal Pradesh.

Day 1 | Delhi – Manali

• Reach Manali by overnight Volvo of and stay overnight at Solang Valleyas preferred for acclimatization
• If there is time explore Manali
• Manali Local sightseeing which includes Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Mall Road, Local Monastery, Old Manali, Vashisth Hot Water Springs (never found it interesting), etc.
• About 12-14 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
• Overnight at Solang Valley or Manali

Day 2 | Manali – Rohtang Pass – Battal – Chandratal – Battal

• Head early morning to Chandratal/Kaza via Rohtang Pass
• Visit Chandratal via Kunzum Pass and enjoy the day there
• Drive through Batal – Chattru – Gramphu towards Batal Chandratal is out of the world
• Camps are about 2 KMs from the Chandratal lake, either stay there (not recommended at all) or back to Batal (preferred) where there is a PWD rest house now though without electricity. Unless you want to stay in a guest house with electricity, better stay at Batal and save time as well as energy for the next day.
• About 7 – 8 Hrs drive easily if you do not get messed up Rohtang Pass or stuck in a water crossing
• Overnight at Batal

Day 3 | Chandratal / Battal – Kunzum Pass – Rangrik / Kaza

• Head for Kaza, headquarters of Spiti Valley
• Have lunch at Kaza and check in to Hotel
• There must be some headache or AMS the previous 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 4 – 5 Hrs drive minimum
• Overnight at Rangrik / Kaza

Day 4 | 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
• About 4 – 5 Hrs of drive in the day
• Overnight at Kaza

Day 5 | Kaza – Hikkim – Komik – Langza – Kaza / Pin Valley

• 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 Komikis one of the most important and the highest monastery in the Spiti Valley.
• You can move to Pin Valley if you would like to stay away from the hustle-bustle of Kaza
• About 2 – 3 Hrs of scenic drive in the day excluding Pin Valley
• If planning to go to Pin Valley, enjoy the most scenic drive of entire Spiti Valley between Losar and Kaza at an easy pace
• About 2 – 2.5 Hrs drive between Pin Valley and Kaza, depending upon the breaks you take in between
• Overnight at Kaza or Pin Valley (Mud Village)

Road Conditions of Spiti Valley from Manali route

Day 6 | Kaza / Pin Valley (Mud Village) – Dhangkar – Dhangkar Lake – Tabo

• Traverse the Pin Valley | Kungri – Sagnam – Mud – Tailing
• Visit Dhangkar Monastery and Dhangkar Lakeand leave after early lunch
• Enjoy the magnificent vistas all-day
• About 4 – 5 Hrs of drive in the day
• Overnight at Tabo

Day 7 | Tabo – Geyu Mummy – Nako – Nako Lake – Kalpa

• Start your day early and watch the vistas en route over Hindustan Tibet Highway
• Before Sumdo police registration and after Hurling, detour towards Geyu Village to visit the 500-Year-old Mummy
• After Chango – Sumdo you will exit Spiti Valley.
• Meet the dreaded Malling Nalla before of Nako
• Have your lunch at Nako Lake
• Check Out Khab,Confluence of Spiti and Satluj Rivers
• See the Leo Purygal Peak from Khab Bridge
• About 8 – 9 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
• Watch the lovely sunset and sunrise at Kalpaover Mount Kinner Kailash
• Overnight at Kalpa

Day 8 | Kalpa – Sangla / Chitkul

• Leave early to spend some time at beautiful Chitkul Village
• Visit Kamru Fort at Sangla
• About 4 – 5 Hrs of a total drive on this day
• Overnight at Sangla / Chitkul

Day 9 | Sangla / Chitkul (Kinnaur Valley) – Shimla / Narkanda

• Leave early and enjoy the vistas en route
• You can plan for lunch at Rampur
• About 8 – 9 Hrs of beautiful drive through Kinnaur Valley
• Overnight at Shimla / Narkanda

Day 10 | Shimla / Narkanda – Delhi

• Shimla sightseeing includes Famous Ridge, Mall Road, Lakkar Bazaar, Jakhu Temple
• Shimla is about 60 KMs from Narkanda takes about 2 Hrs
• About 8 Hrs drive to Shimla
• Overnight at Delhi / sweet home

Day 11-12 | Buffer Days

When planning such an adventure trip, like this one to Spiti from Manali side, you should always plan for a couple of buffer days. These buffers days will help in case of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more 🙂

More fun at the road to Spiti Valley from Manali