About this Winter Spiti Tour 8 Nights / 9 Days Package
Our Winter Spiti Tour 8 Nights / 9 Days takes you into the frozen cold desert of Spiti when the valley is under snow – the season of the snow leopard, frozen rivers and quiet monasteries. As Kunzum La and the Manali road are closed in winter, we go and return through Kinnaur along the Sutlej, in 4x4 vehicles with snow chains and experienced local drivers.
Pickup is at Chandigarh (hotel / station / airport) and the drop at Chandigarh (hotel / station / airport). You stay Narkanda (1 night), Kalpa (1 night), Tabo (1 night), Kaza (3 nights), Kalpa (1 night), Shimla (1 night) in heated rooms and homestays, with a private cab for the whole trip – the price is the same on every date of the season.
Day-wise plan – Day 1: Chandigarh Pickup → Shimla → Kufri → Narkanda; Day 2: Narkanda → Rampur → Karcham → Kalpa; Day 3: Kalpa → Khab → Nako (frozen lake) → Tabo; Day 4: Tabo Monastery → Dhankar → Kaza; Day 5: Key Monastery, Kibber (Asia’s Highest Village) & Chicham Bridge (Asia’s Highest Hanging Bridge) – Snow Leopard Country; Day 6: Langza (Giant Maitreya Buddha Statue), Komic (Highest Village in the World) & Hikkim (Highest Post Office in the World) in Snow; Day 7: Kaza → Tabo → Nako → Kalpa; Day 8: Kalpa → Rampur → Narkanda → Shimla; Day 9: Shimla → Chandigarh Drop.
Travel Himalayas is an HP Govt. approved tour operator in Manali since 2002 and has been running Spiti tours for over 20 years. See also our Leh Ladakh packages, Himachal packages and booking procedure.
🗓️ Last updated: · For adventure lovers, photographers & wildlife enthusiasts
Winter Spiti Tour 8 Nights / 9 Days – Short Itinerary
- DAY 1Chandigarh Pickup → Shimla → Kufri → Narkandaapprox. 185 km7–8 hrs
- DAY 2Narkanda → Rampur → Karcham → Kalpaapprox. 180 km7–8 hrs
- DAY 3Kalpa → Khab → Nako (frozen lake) → Taboapprox. 160 km8–9 hrs
- DAY 4Tabo Monastery → Dhankar → Kazaapprox. 70 km4–5 hrs
- DAY 5Key Monastery, Kibber (Asia’s Highest Village) & Chicham Bridge (Asia’s Highest Hanging Bridge) – Snow Leopard Countryapprox. 50 km5–6 hrs
- DAY 6Langza (Giant Maitreya Buddha Statue), Komic (Highest Village in the World) & Hikkim (Highest Post Office in the World) in Snowapprox. 45 km5–6 hrs
- DAY 7Kaza → Tabo → Nako → Kalpaapprox. 215 km9–10 hrs
- DAY 8Kalpa → Rampur → Narkanda → Shimlaapprox. 225 km8–9 hrs
- DAY 9Shimla → Chandigarh Dropapprox. 115 km3.5–4 hrs
Route Map – Winter Spiti Tour 8 Nights / 9 Days
🖱️ Click on the map, then scroll the mouse wheel to zoom in / out · double-click to zoom on a spot · drag to move · ＋ / － / ⟲ buttons · on mobile pinch with two fingers
🧭 Drawn from real map coordinates (north is up). Every place of the itinerary is marked; places inside one town are listed in its box. 📏 km = approx. road distance from the nearest night-stay town shown in the label. Road map style: yellow dots = places with altitude, red dots = night stay, ⊟ = mountain pass, blue = lake. Lines join the stops of each day – actual roads curve through the mountains. 🏨 = night stay. Tap a day to highlight its route.
Day-wise Detail Itinerary with Distance & Time
DAY 1Chandigarh Pickup → Shimla → Kufri → Narkanda
approx. 185 km7–8 hrs▼
Pickup in Chandigarh and drive up past Shimla and Kufri to the snowy ski town of Narkanda:
- Kufri · 2,720 m · approx. 16 km
Hill station above Shimla with pony rides to the viewpoint, snow in winter and wide views of the Himalayan range. - Fagu · approx. 22 km from Shimla
Quiet ridge-top village beyond Kufri with apple orchards, potato fields and wide views of the snowy peaks. - Matiana · approx. 17 km before Narkanda
Small apple-growing town on the Hindustan – Tibet road, surrounded by orchards and deodar forest. - Narkanda · 2,708 m · approx. 62 km from Shimla
Hill town famous for apple orchards, skiing slopes in winter and a long view of the Great Himalayan range.
| Route | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh → Pinjore → Solan → Shimla | approx. 115 km | 3.5–4 hrs |
| Shimla → Kufri → Fagu → Theog | approx. 35 km | 1.5 hrs |
| Theog → Matiana → Narkanda | approx. 37 km | 1.5 hrs |
🌙 Overnight stay at hotel in Narkanda
DAY 2Narkanda → Rampur → Karcham → Kalpa
approx. 180 km7–8 hrs▼
Drive down to the Sutlej at Rampur and along the river into Kinnaur. Climb to Kalpa for the view of the snow-covered Kinner Kailash range:
- Rampur Bushahr · On the Sutlej · approx. 65 km
Old capital of the Bushahr kings on the banks of the Sutlej, with the Padam Palace and busy bazaars. - Karcham Dam · Karcham · on the way
Karcham Wangtoo dam at the meeting point of the Baspa and Sutlej rivers – the gateway to the Sangla valley. - Reckong Peo · District headquarters
Main town of Kinnaur, below Kalpa – the last place for ATMs, fuel and shopping before Spiti. - Kalpa · 2,960 m · facing Kinner Kailash
Village of apple orchards and old temples facing the Kinner Kailash range, famous for sunrise over the sacred peak.
| Route | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Narkanda → Rampur Bushahr | approx. 65 km | 2–2.5 hrs |
| Rampur → Jeori → Wangtu → Karcham | approx. 85 km | 3 hrs |
| Karcham → Reckong Peo → Kalpa | approx. 29 km | 1 hr |
🌙 Overnight stay at hotel in Kalpa
DAY 3Kalpa → Khab → Nako (frozen lake) → Tabo
approx. 160 km8–9 hrs▼
Along the Sutlej gorge to Khab and up the Ka loops to Nako, where the lake is frozen in winter. Enter Spiti at Sumdo and reach Tabo by evening:
- Khab Sangam · Spiti meets Sutlej
Confluence of the Spiti and Sutlej rivers at Khab, where the landscape changes from green Kinnaur to the cold desert. - Nako Lake · 3,660 m · Nako village
Small sacred lake in Nako village with willow trees, old monasteries and mud houses, close to the Tibet border. - Sumdo · Kinnaur – Spiti border
Border village and check post where you enter Spiti. Indian travellers need only an ID card. - Tabo Monastery · 3,280 m · founded 996 AD
More than 1,000 years old, the Ajanta of the Himalayas, with mud temples full of ancient murals and statues.
| Route | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kalpa → Powari → Spillow → Khab | approx. 75 km | 3–3.5 hrs |
| Khab → Ka loops → Nako | approx. 20 km | 1 hr |
| Nako → Chango → Sumdo → Tabo | approx. 66 km | 2.5–3 hrs |
🌙 Overnight stay at hotel in Tabo
DAY 4Tabo Monastery → Dhankar → Kaza
approx. 70 km4–5 hrs▼
Morning prayers at the 1,000-year-old Tabo Monastery. Drive to the cliff-top Dhankar Monastery (snow permitting) and on to Kaza:
- Tabo Monastery · 3,280 m · founded 996 AD
More than 1,000 years old, the Ajanta of the Himalayas, with mud temples full of ancient murals and statues. - Dhankar Monastery · 3,894 m · on a cliff
Old monastery and fort built on a crumbling cliff above the meeting point of the Spiti and Pin rivers.
| Route | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tabo → Schilling → Dhankar | approx. 32 km | 1.5–2 hrs |
| Dhankar → Kaza | approx. 38 km | 1.5 hrs |
🌙 Overnight stay at hotel in Kaza
DAY 5Key Monastery, Kibber (Asia’s Highest Village) & Chicham Bridge (Asia’s Highest Hanging Bridge) – Snow Leopard Country
approx. 50 km5–6 hrs▼
Key Monastery in snow, then Kibber village – the base for snow leopard spotting. With luck, local spotters find the snow leopard, ibex or blue sheep on the slopes around Kibber and Chicham:
- Key Monastery · 4,166 m · approx. 12 km
The biggest monastery of Spiti, built like a fort on a conical hill, with monks, prayer halls and old murals. - Kibber · Asia’s Highest Village · 4,270 m
High village of white houses on a rocky ledge, base for snow leopard spotting in winter. - Chicham Bridge · Asia’s Highest Hanging Bridge
One of the highest bridges in Asia, hanging over a deep gorge between Kibber and Chicham.
| Route | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kaza → Key Monastery | approx. 12 km | 30 min |
| Key → Kibber | approx. 8 km | 20 min |
| Kibber → Chicham Bridge | approx. 4 km | 15 min |
| Chicham → Kibber → Kaza | approx. 26 km | 1 hr |
🌙 Overnight stay at hotel in Kaza
DAY 6Langza (Giant Maitreya Buddha Statue), Komic (Highest Village in the World) & Hikkim (Highest Post Office in the World) in Snow
approx. 45 km5–6 hrs▼
A day in the snow-covered highest villages of the world – the Buddha of Langza, Komic monastery and the post office of Hikkim (as far as the 4x4 can go):
- Langza · Giant Maitreya Buddha Statue · 4,400 m
High village with a giant golden Buddha statue looking over the valley, known for marine fossils found in its fields. - Komic · Highest Village in the World · 4,587 m
One of the highest motorable villages in the world, with the old Tangyud monastery. - Hikkim Post Office · Highest Post Office in the World · 4,400 m
One of the highest post offices in the world – send a postcard home from here. - Kaza Market · Kaza
Small market with cafés, woollens, Tibetan handicrafts and the Sakya Tangyud monastery nearby.
| Route | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kaza → Langza (Buddha statue, fossils) | approx. 16 km | 45 min |
| Langza → Komic | approx. 9 km | 30 min |
| Komic → Hikkim (post office) | approx. 5 km | 20 min |
| Hikkim → Kaza | approx. 15 km | 45 min |
🌙 Overnight stay at hotel in Kaza
DAY 7Kaza → Tabo → Nako → Kalpa
approx. 215 km9–10 hrs▼
An early start for the long drive back down the Spiti valley, past Tabo and Nako, through the Sutlej gorge to Kalpa:
- Tabo Monastery · 3,280 m · founded 996 AD
More than 1,000 years old, the Ajanta of the Himalayas, with mud temples full of ancient murals and statues. - Nako Lake · 3,660 m · Nako village
Small sacred lake in Nako village with willow trees, old monasteries and mud houses, close to the Tibet border. - Khab Sangam · Spiti meets Sutlej
Confluence of the Spiti and Sutlej rivers at Khab, where the landscape changes from green Kinnaur to the cold desert. - Kalpa · 2,960 m · facing Kinner Kailash
Village of apple orchards and old temples facing the Kinner Kailash range, famous for sunrise over the sacred peak.
| Route | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kaza → Tabo | approx. 47 km | 2 hrs |
| Tabo → Sumdo → Nako | approx. 66 km | 2.5–3 hrs |
| Nako → Khab → Reckong Peo → Kalpa | approx. 102 km | 4 hrs |
🌙 Overnight stay at hotel in Kalpa
DAY 8Kalpa → Rampur → Narkanda → Shimla
approx. 225 km8–9 hrs▼
Drive down the Sutlej to Rampur and up to Narkanda, then on to Shimla for an evening walk on the Mall Road:
- Rampur Bushahr · On the Sutlej · approx. 65 km
Old capital of the Bushahr kings on the banks of the Sutlej, with the Padam Palace and busy bazaars. - Narkanda · 2,708 m · approx. 62 km from Shimla
Hill town famous for apple orchards, skiing slopes in winter and a long view of the Great Himalayan range. - Kufri · 2,720 m · approx. 16 km
Hill station above Shimla with pony rides to the viewpoint, snow in winter and wide views of the Himalayan range. - Mall Road Shimla · Shimla
Colonial-era shopping street for an evening walk, cafés and local handicrafts.
| Route | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kalpa → Karcham → Rampur | approx. 115 km | 4 hrs |
| Rampur → Narkanda | approx. 65 km | 2–2.5 hrs |
| Narkanda → Fagu → Kufri → Shimla | approx. 62 km | 2.5 hrs |
🌙 Overnight stay at hotel in Shimla
DAY 9Shimla → Chandigarh Drop
approx. 115 km3.5–4 hrs▼
After breakfast, check out and drive down to Chandigarh for your onward journey:
- Solan · approx. 70 km
Hill town known as the mushroom city of India, on the highway to Shimla. - Pinjore Garden · On the way · approx. 20 km
Mughal-style terraced garden with fountains near Chandigarh, a short stop on the drive to Shimla. - Chandigarh · Drop point
Drop at your hotel, railway station, bus stand or airport in Chandigarh.
| Route | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shimla → Solan → Pinjore → Chandigarh | approx. 115 km | 3.5–4 hrs |
Tour ends with happy memories.
Winter Spiti Tour 8N/9D Package Price 2026 – Complete Package Cost
| 🏨 8 nights hotels (breakfast & dinner, heated rooms) | |
| 🚗 Cab with snow chains & driver for the whole tour (9 days) |
💡 The amount is the complete package cost for your whole group (not per person), and it is the same on every date. Hotels: ₹2,200 per person per night with breakfast & dinner. Rooms as per group (max 3 adults per room, or 2 adults + 2 children below 12). Single person in a room: 80% of the double-room rate (e.g. ₹2,400 instead of ₹3,000 at ₹1,500 per person). Children below 5 years are complimentary (no hotel cost; they still count for vehicle seats). Cab per day: Mahindra Scorpio N 4x4 ₹6,500 · Toyota Innova Crysta ₹6,500 – 9 days, the same vehicle for the whole tour (tours shorter than 6 days: +₹500 per day, Tempo Traveller +₹1,000 per day). This tour runs from 15 December – 15 March. 🔒 Fixed rates – no bargaining please 😊. 20% advance confirms booking, balance on arrival.
Hotels & Homestays – Narkanda, Kalpa, Tabo, Kaza, Shimla
| Category | Narkanda (1N) | Kalpa (2N) | Tabo (1N) | Kaza (3N) | Shimla (1N) | Meal Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | MAP |
| Deluxe (3★) | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | MAP |
| Super Deluxe | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | MAP |
| Premium (4★) | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | Hotel name | MAP |
MAP = Breakfast + Dinner. Hotels shown are "or similar". Winter stays are heated rooms (bukhari / electric heater) in hotels and homestays; hot water by bucket where pipes freeze. Check-in 12 noon, check-out 10 AM. Early check-in subject to availability. Hotel photos and options shared on WhatsApp.
Inclusions – What the Package Includes
- Pickup from Chandigarh (hotel / station / airport) on Day 1 and drop at Chandigarh (hotel / station / airport) on Day 9
- 8 nights stay on twin / triple sharing – Narkanda 1 night, Kalpa 1 night, Tabo 1 night, Kaza 3 nights, Kalpa 1 night, Shimla 1 night
- Daily breakfast & dinner (MAP plan) – heated rooms
- Mahindra Scorpio N 4x4 or Innova Crysta with snow chains and an experienced local driver for the whole tour
- Fuel, toll tax, parking, state tax, green tax & driver allowance (driver food & accommodation)
Exclusions – Not Included
- Monument & Museum Entrance Fees for the sights mentioned in the Itinerary.
- Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered.
- Cost of Oxygen Cylinder, Diamox Tablets for high altitude sickness.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices included”.
- Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls.
- Train / flight / bus tickets to the pickup point and from the drop point.
- Inner line permit for foreign nationals (Sumdo – Kaza – Kinnaur border area) – arranged on request.
- Snow leopard spotting with local spotters & telescope (optional, at extra cost).
- The Services of Vehicle is not included on leisure days & after finishing the sightseeing tour as per the Itinerary.
- Any Kind of Drinks (Alcoholic, Mineral, Aerated).
- Guide fee, camera fee, Soft or Hard drinks, Starters.
- Medical & Travel insurance.
- Additional costs due to landslides, road blocks, snowfall, bad weather etc.
- Any changes you may choose to make during your tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the pickup and drop?
Pickup is at Chandigarh (hotel / station / airport) on Day 1 and the drop at Chandigarh (hotel / station / airport) on Day 9.
When does the Winter Spiti Tour run?
From mid-December to mid-March, when Spiti is under snow. Kunzum La and the Manali – Kaza road are closed, so we go and return through Kinnaur (Shimla – Rampur – Kalpa – Nako – Tabo – Kaza).
How cold is Spiti in winter?
Day temperatures stay around −5 to 5 °C and nights go down to −20 °C or lower. Bring thermal inner wear, a down jacket, woollen cap, gloves and snow boots. Rooms are heated with a bukhari or electric heater.
Will we see a snow leopard?
Kibber and Chicham are among the best places in India to see the snow leopard in winter. Local spotters with a telescope can be arranged at extra cost, but a sighting can never be guaranteed.
Which vehicle is used?
A Mahindra Scorpio N 4x4 or a Toyota Innova Crysta with snow chains and an experienced local driver, for up to 6 persons per vehicle. Want to drive yourself? See our Winter Spiti 4x4 Self-Drive Expedition.
Is the price the same on all dates?
Yes. The cab has one per-day rate for the whole year and hotels and camps have one fixed rate, so the calculator shows the same complete amount on every date. Tours shorter than 6 days have ₹500 per day extra on the cab (₹1,000 per day on a Tempo Traveller).
Do children pay for the hotel?
Children below 5 years stay free in the hotel. Children from 5 years are charged per person, and a room takes up to 3 adults or 2 adults with 2 children below 12.
How much advance is needed to book?
20% advance confirms the booking and the balance is paid on arrival. 5% GST is added only if you need a GST bill.