Quick answer: Spiti Valley is best driven from mid-June to September as a circuit: enter via Shimla and Kinnaur (about 420 km to Kaza) for gradual acclimatisation and exit via Kunzum Pass to Manali (about 200 km). Indians need no permit; foreigners need an Inner Line Permit.
Short answer: The best way to do a Spiti Valley road trip is as a 7 to 10 day circuit from mid-June to September, entering via Shimla and Kinnaur (about 420 to 430 km to Kaza) and leaving via Kunzum Pass and the Atal Tunnel to Manali (about 200 km). Indian citizens do not need a permit, only registration at checkposts, while foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Jangi to Sumdo stretch near the Tibet border.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Best months | Mid-June to September for the full circuit; Shimla side is open most of the year |
| Altitude | Kaza about 3,600 m; Kunzum Pass about 4,550 m (around 15,000 ft); Chandratal about 4,300 m |
| Climate | Cold desert; summer days 15 to 25 degrees C, nights near freezing; winters below minus 20 degrees C |
| Duration | 7 to 10 days for the full Shimla to Manali circuit (about 720 km) |
| Difficulty | Moderate to demanding drive on narrow, broken mountain roads and water crossings |
| Nearest airport | Chandigarh (practical); Shimla and Bhuntar (Kullu) have limited flights |
| Nearest rail | Kalka or Chandigarh; Kalka to Shimla toy train |
| Permits | None for Indians (ID check at Jangi and Sumdo); Inner Line Permit for foreigners |
| Typical budget | Rs 20,000 to Rs 45,000 per person for a 7 to 9 day group trip from Chandigarh or Delhi (indicative) |
Where is Spiti Valley?
Spiti is a high-altitude cold desert in Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh, bordering Tibet. Its main town is Kaza, at about 3,600 m. The valley is known for monasteries such as Key, Tabo and Dhankar, high villages such as Langza, Hikkim and Komic, and the Chandratal lake on the Manali side.
Shimla route or Manali route: which is better?
Spiti can be reached from two directions, and most travellers combine them into a circuit.
Shimla and Kinnaur route
This route covers roughly 420 to 430 km from Shimla to Kaza along the Sutlej and Spiti rivers, via Narkanda, Rampur, Reckong Peo or Kalpa, Nako and Tabo. It climbs gradually over two to three days, which makes acclimatisation easier, and has no high pass before Kaza. It stays open for most of the year, though landslides and winter snow can close sections temporarily.
Manali route via Kunzum Pass
This route is about 200 to 210 km from Manali to Kaza, via the 9.02 km Atal Tunnel, Gramphu, Chhatru, Batal and Kunzum Pass at about 4,550 m. It is shorter but rougher, with stretches of unpaved road and stream crossings. It only opens after the Border Roads Organisation clears snow from Kunzum Pass, usually between late May and June, and it can close again with snowfall from October.
Recommended approach
Enter via Shimla and exit via Manali. This lets your body adjust slowly to altitude and keeps the harder Kunzum crossing for the end, when you are already acclimatised. The full circuit is about 720 km.
What is the best time to visit Spiti?
Mid-June to September is the best window for the full circuit because both entry routes are usually open. July and August are peak season. Monsoon rain rarely reaches Spiti itself because it lies in a rain shadow, but the Kinnaur stretch and roads around Manali can see landslides.
October brings clear skies and fewer visitors but colder nights and a higher chance of Kunzum closing. From November to April, Spiti is reachable only via Shimla, temperatures drop well below minus 20 degrees C, and the trip suits experienced winter travellers with local drivers.
Do you need a permit for Spiti Valley?
Indian citizens do not need a permit to visit Spiti, but police checkposts at Jangi in Kinnaur and Sumdo at the entry to Spiti record ID and vehicle details. Carry an original photo ID and vehicle registration papers.
Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the restricted stretch near the international border, roughly between Jangi and Sumdo. It can be obtained from the Deputy Commissioner or SDM offices in Shimla, Reckong Peo and Kaza. Nationals of some countries are not eligible.
If you drive over Rohtang Pass rather than through the Atal Tunnel, a separate Rohtang permit applies on the Manali side.
What is a good Spiti Valley itinerary?
- Day 1: Chandigarh or Delhi to Shimla or Narkanda.
- Day 2: Narkanda to Sangla or Kalpa in Kinnaur.
- Day 3: Kalpa to Nako, via Khab, the confluence of the Spiti and Sutlej.
- Day 4: Nako to Tabo, visiting the Tabo monastery.
- Day 5: Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar.
- Day 6: Kaza local: Key monastery, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim and Komic.
- Day 7: Kaza to Chandratal via Kunzum Pass.
- Day 8: Chandratal to Manali via Batal and the Atal Tunnel.
Is Spiti safe to drive?
Spiti is safe for careful drivers, but it is not a routine road trip. Roads are narrow with sheer drops, the Manali side has rocky stretches and water crossings that are best tackled early in the morning, and fuel and mechanics are scarce. Kaza has a petrol pump; fill up fully in Manali or Reckong Peo before long stretches. An SUV with good ground clearance or a locally hired vehicle with an experienced Himachal driver is recommended.
Practical tips
- Carry cash; ATMs exist in Kaza and Reckong Peo but often run dry or go offline.
- Mobile coverage is patchy; BSNL and Jio work in Kaza and larger villages, but not on most of the Manali to Kaza stretch.
- Spend your first night above 3,000 m resting; avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water.
- Check the Himachal Pradesh PWD or district administration updates on the Kunzum Pass road before starting.
- Keep a spare tyre, puncture kit, tow rope and a basic first-aid kit with altitude medication prescribed by your doctor.
- Respect monastery rules: dress modestly, walk clockwise around stupas and ask before photographing people.
Carabiner Diaries runs Spiti Valley road trips along the Shimla to Manali circuit for small groups, colleges and corporate teams. To plan dates, vehicles and a pace that suits your group, send us an enquiry at carabinerdiaries.com.
Frequently asked questions
Which route is better for Spiti, Shimla or Manali?
The Shimla and Kinnaur route is better for entering Spiti because it gains altitude gradually and is open for most of the year. The Manali route via Kunzum Pass is shorter but rougher and opens only from about June to October. Most travellers go in via Shimla and out via Manali.
Do Indians need a permit for Spiti Valley?
No. Indian citizens do not need an Inner Line Permit for Spiti, but must show ID and vehicle papers at police checkposts such as Jangi and Sumdo. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit.
When does the Manali to Kaza road open?
It opens once Kunzum Pass is cleared of snow, usually between late May and June, and generally stays open until October, depending on snowfall.
How many days are enough for Spiti?
Plan 7 to 10 days for the full circuit from Shimla to Manali. A shorter 5 to 6 day trip is possible from Manali to Kaza and back in summer, but it gives less time to acclimatise.
Can you visit Spiti in winter?
Yes, via the Shimla and Kinnaur route only. Temperatures fall below minus 20 degrees C, many hotels shut and roads can close after snowfall, so winter trips are best done with local drivers and experienced organisers.
What is the altitude of Kunzum Pass?
Kunzum Pass is about 4,550 m, or roughly 15,000 ft, and connects Lahaul with Spiti on the Manali to Kaza road.