The middle land
Spiti Valley
A cold desert valley of thousand-year-old monasteries, fossil villages and some of the highest inhabited settlements in the world.
Why visit Spiti Valley
- Key, Dhankar and Tabo monasteries in a single valley.
- Villages like Komic, Langza and Hikkim at extraordinary altitude.
- Two very different approaches: Shimla's gradual climb or the Manali pass route.
- Dark skies and long, quiet days.
Best places to visit
- Kaza
- Valley hub for stays, fuel and permits.
- Key Monastery
- Spiti's most photographed hilltop gompa.
- Langza & Komic
- Fossil village and high-altitude monastery hamlet.
- Dhankar
- Cliff monastery with a short lake trek above it.
- Chandratal
- Crescent lake, accessible in summer only.
Top experiences
- Homestays with Spitian families
- Monastery visits at dawn
- Short high-altitude hikes
- Winter snow leopard expeditions with licensed guides
Best time to visit
- June – September
- Full circuit open including Kunzum La and Chandratal.
- May & October
- Shimla-side access with fewer travellers.
- December – February
- Deep winter, Shimla route only, specialist trip.
How many days
8–10 days for the full Shimla-to-Manali circuit.
How to reach
- Via Shimla: gradual altitude gain through Kinnaur — the recommended entry.
- Via Manali: shorter but crosses Kunzum La; summer only.
- Nearest airports are Bhuntar (Kullu) and Chandigarh.
Travel tips
- · Enter via Shimla and exit via Manali to acclimatise safely.
- · Carry cash — ATMs in Kaza are unreliable.
- · Nights are cold even in summer; pack layers.
Sample itineraries
9 days
Spiti Circuit
- Day 1 — Shimla arrival
- Day 2 — Sangla / Chitkul
- Day 3 — Kalpa to Nako
- Day 4 — Tabo and Dhankar
- Day 5 — Kaza base
- Day 6 — Langza, Komic, Hikkim
- Day 7 — Key and Kibber
- Day 8 — Chandratal to Manali
- Day 9 — Departure
Available journeys
Spiti Valley tours
8N / 9DSpiti Valley
Spiti Valley Expedition
The full Shimla-to-Manali circuit through Kinnaur and Spiti, with altitude gained the safe way and homestays in the world's highest villages.
Starting from
On request
Read before you go
Spiti Valley travel guides
Destination Guides
Spiti Valley for First-Timers: Route, Altitude and Timing
Why the Shimla side is the right way in, how to read the altitude profile, and what a safe Spiti circuit looks like.
Travelonama Travel Desk8 min read
Travel Tips
Ladakh Without Altitude Sickness: What Actually Works
Acclimatisation is an itinerary decision, not a supplement. How we sequence Ladakh trips to keep travellers comfortable.
Travelonama Travel Desk6 min read
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Spiti Valley travel FAQs
Which side should I enter Spiti from?
Shimla. The Kinnaur approach gains altitude gradually over several days, which is far safer than the direct climb from Manali.
Is Spiti suitable for families?
Yes for older children with a slow itinerary, but the altitude and long drives make it unsuitable for very young kids.
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