Spiti Winter Tour 8 Days / 7 Nights from Shimla
Shimla - Kaza - Shimla
Tour Overview
Spiti Valley in winter is a completely different world: white mountains, frozen rivers, quiet villages, and clear blue skies. This 8-day Spiti Winter Tour starts and ends in Shimla and takes you through Rampur, Kalpa, Nako, and Tabo to Kaza, the winter base of Spiti.
From Kaza, you visit Key Monastery and Kibber, one of the best places in Spiti to look for snow leopards in winter. On the way back, you also see Sangla and Sarahan. In winter, the Manali side of Spiti is closed, so this trip follows the Shimla – Kinnaur – Kaza road in both directions.
Winter driving here is demanding. Roads can have snow and black ice, days are long, and weather can change your plan. We keep the schedule flexible and put safety first.
Tour Highlights
- Snow-covered Spiti Valley and Kaza
- Key Monastery and Kibber village
- Chance to spot snow leopards around Kibber
- Tabo Monastery and Dhankar
- Kalpa views of the Kinner Kailash range
- Sangla Valley and Sarahan
- Drive through frozen Kinnaur and Spiti landscapes
- Guided by local people who know winter road conditions
Day-wise Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Shimla
Arrive in Shimla, meet your tour coordinator and check in to the hotel. Trip briefing, packing check and rest. You can also stay at Narkanda to save time on the next day. Overnight in Shimla / Narkanda.
Day 2: Shimla to Kalpa (8-9 hours drive)
Early start towards Kinnaur via Narkanda and Rampur. Lunch halt at Rampur. Continue to Reckong Peo and Kalpa. This is the last place with reliable mobile network, so make your calls here. Overnight in Kalpa / Reckong Peo.
Day 3: Kalpa to Nako to Tabo (8-9 hours drive)
The toughest driving day. The road passes Nako and some frozen sections around Malling Nalla, so we move carefully and stay flexible. We do not stay overnight at Nako because of the cold and altitude. If the weather turns bad, we halt at a safe place on the way. Overnight in Tabo.
Day 4: Tabo to Dhankar to Kaza (2-3 hours drive)
Visit the ancient Tabo Monastery in the morning. Drive on to Kaza with a stop at Dhankar if the road allows. Reach Kaza by afternoon, check in and rest to acclimatize. Overnight in Kaza.
Day 5: Kaza sightseeing – Key, Kibber and nearby villages
Full day around Kaza. Visit Key Monastery and Kibber, and look for snow leopards with the help of local spotters. Gette and Tashigang can also be included. Langza, Hikkim and Komic will be visited only if the road is open. Overnight in Kaza.
Day 6: Kaza to Tabo to Nako to Reckong Peo / Kalpa (9-10 hours drive)
Start early on the return journey by the same road. The drive is long, so we keep a close watch on weather and road status. Overnight in Reckong Peo / Kalpa.
Day 7: Reckong Peo to Sangla to Sarahan
Drive to Sangla Valley and enjoy the views during the day, then continue to Sarahan. Overnight in Sarahan.
Day 8: Sarahan to Narkanda to Shimla – Tour ends
After breakfast, drive back via Narkanda to Shimla. Your tour ends on arrival. We suggest booking your onward travel only for the next day, as snow can delay the return. Tip: Please keep 2-3 spare days in your plan. Snow can close roads for a few days, and we cannot control the weather.
What’s Included
- 7 nights stay in hotels / homestays on twin or triple sharing
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Winter-ready vehicle with an experienced local driver for the full trip
- All fuel, tolls and driver charges
- Tour coordinator support during the trip
- Sightseeing as per itinerary, subject to road and weather conditions
- Room heater / hot water arrangement wherever available
What’s Not Included
- Lunch and any extra meals
- Travel to and from Shimla
- Monastery and other entry fees
- Personal expenses, laundry, tips and shopping
- Extra nights, food and stay caused by snow, landslides or road closures
- Travel insurance and medical expenses
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel to Spiti Valley in winter?
Yes, it is safe if you travel with experienced local drivers and a winter-ready 4x4 vehicle. Roads can have black ice and snow, so we keep the itinerary flexible. It is highly recommended to keep 2-3 buffer days in your plan in case of road closures due to heavy snow.
Does mobile network and internet work in Spiti during winter?
Mobile networks (like Jio and Airtel) mostly stop working after Reckong Peo/Kalpa. You will get the last reliable network at Kalpa. Spiti Valley (Nako, Tabo, Kaza) has very limited to no connectivity during winters.
What are the chances of spotting a snow leopard?
Spiti (especially around Kibber and Tashigang) is one of the best places in the world to spot snow leopards in winter. Our local spotters will help you track them. Since they are wild animals, sightings are never 100% guaranteed, but the chances are quite high.
How cold does it get in Spiti during winter?
Winters in Spiti are extremely cold. Daytime temperatures hover around -5°C to 5°C, while night temperatures can drop to -15°C to -25°C in places like Kaza. You must carry heavy thermals, down jackets, gloves, and snow boots.
Can we travel to or from Manali during the Spiti Winter Tour?
No, the Manali side (Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass) remains completely closed for vehicles from late October/November until May due to heavy snowfall. That is why this tour goes from the Shimla side (via Kinnaur) and returns via the same route.
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