Spiti is a high, cold desert between Kinnaur and Lahaul, and most of its best places sit on one road loop. These are the stops our Spiti trips visit, in the order you meet them coming in from Shimla, with their height, the best time to go and which trips include them.
Spiti places at a glance
Heights are approximate. Snow decides the exact season each year.
| Place | Height | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Kaza | about 3,650 m (11,980 ft) | May – October for the full circuit; winter for snow |
| Tabo and Key Monasteries | 3,280 – 4,166 m (10,760 – 13,670 ft) | Year round (road permitting) |
| Hikkim, Komic and Langza | 4,400 – 4,513 m (14,440 – 14,810 ft) | May – October; winter by 4×4 |
| Chandratal Lake | about 4,300 m (14,110 ft) | June – September |
| Kunzum Pass | 4,551 m (14,931 ft) | June – October, depending on snow |
| Nako | about 3,660 m (12,010 ft) | May – October; winter for the frozen lake |
| Chitkul | about 3,450 m (11,320 ft) | March – November |
| Kinnaur | 2,300 – 3,500 m (7,550 – 11,480 ft) | March – November |
Chitkul
The last village near the Indo-Tibet border, on the Baspa river. Chitkul is in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, at the head of the Baspa (Sangla) Valley, near the border with Tibet, at about 3,450 m (11,320 ft). Best time: March – November.
On our trips: Summer Spiti Backpacking Tour, Spiti Bike Trip: Full Circuit with Shipki La.
- Chitkul village and the Baspa river
- The wooden houses of the village
- Sangla and the Baspa Valley
- Kalpa under the Kinner Kailash range
Kinnaur
Apple orchards, the Baspa valley and the Kinner Kailash range. Kinnaur is a district of Himachal Pradesh, between Shimla and Spiti, along the Sutlej River, at 2,300 – 3,500 m (7,550 – 11,480 ft). Best time: March – November.
On our trips: Summer Spiti Backpacking Tour, Spiti Bike Trip: Full Circuit with Shipki La, Winter Spiti 4WD Expedition.
- Sangla and Baspa valley
- Chitkul village
- Reckong Peo and Kalpa
- Nako lake and monastery
Nako
A high village around a small lake, where the green hills turn to cold desert. Nako is in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, close to where Kinnaur meets Spiti, at about 3,660 m (12,010 ft). Best time: May – October; winter for the frozen lake. From Nako the road climbs past Khab Sangam, where the Spiti and Sutlej rivers meet, and on towards Tabo.
On our trips: Summer Spiti Backpacking Tour, Spiti Bike Trip: Full Circuit with Shipki La, Winter Spiti 4WD Expedition.
- Nako Lake
- Nako monastery
- The Sutlej valley road
- Khab Sangam, where the Spiti and Sutlej rivers meet
Gue and its mummy
A small village between Nako and Tabo, known for a naturally preserved mummy of a monk. Our summer and bike trips stop here on the way to Kaza.
Tabo and Key Monasteries
Spiti's oldest and most photographed monasteries. Tabo and Key Monasteries are in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, in the Spiti Valley: Tabo downstream of Kaza and Key Monastery just above it, at 3,280 – 4,166 m (10,760 – 13,670 ft). Best time: Year round (road permitting).
On our trips: Summer Spiti Backpacking Tour, Spiti Bike Trip: Full Circuit with Shipki La, Winter Spiti 4WD Expedition.
- Tabo Monastery
- Key Monastery
- Gue village
- Dhankar Monastery
Tabo and Key Monasteries: height, best time and how to get there
Dhankar Monastery
A monastery perched on a ridge above the meeting of the Spiti and Pin rivers, between Tabo and Kaza. All three of our Spiti trips stop here.
Pin Valley and Mud village
A side valley south of Dhankar. Our winter expedition visits Pin Valley and Mud village when the road is open, and skips it when snow closes the road.
Kaza
The main town of Spiti, where our groups rest and explore for two days. Kaza is in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh; it is the main town and headquarters of the Spiti subdivision, at about 3,650 m (11,980 ft). Best time: May – October for the full circuit; winter for snow.
On our trips: Summer Spiti Backpacking Tour, Spiti Bike Trip: Full Circuit with Shipki La, Winter Spiti 4WD Expedition.
- Key Monastery
- Kibber village
- Langza and its Buddha statue
- Hikkim post office
Hikkim, Komic and Langza
The highest post office, the highest motorable village, and a fossil village. Hikkim, Komic and Langza are in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, on the plateau above Kaza, at 4,400 – 4,513 m (14,440 – 14,810 ft). Best time: May – October; winter by 4×4.
On our trips: Summer Spiti Backpacking Tour, Spiti Bike Trip: Full Circuit with Shipki La, Winter Spiti 4WD Expedition.
- Hikkim post office
- Komic village and monastery
- Langza Buddha statue
Hikkim, Komic and Langza: height, best time and how to get there
Kibber and Chicham Bridge
Kibber is a high village beyond Key Monastery, and Chicham Bridge, close by, spans a deep gorge between Kibber and Chicham villages. Our trips visit them on the Kaza local day or on the way to Kunzum Pass.
Tashigang
A hamlet near Hikkim and Komic at about 4,650 m (15,256 ft), home of the world's highest polling station. Our Spiti bike trip rides up to Tashigang on the Kaza day.
Kunzum Pass
The high pass between Spiti and Lahaul on the way to Chandratal. Kunzum Pass is in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, on the road between Lahaul and Spiti, at 4,551 m (14,931 ft). Best time: June – October, depending on snow.
On our trips: Summer Spiti Backpacking Tour, Spiti Bike Trip: Full Circuit with Shipki La.
- The pass and its prayer flags
- Views over the Spiti and Lahaul ranges
- Chandratal Lake, a short drive beyond
- Chicham Bridge on the way up
Chandratal Lake
A crescent lake and a camp night under the stars. Chandratal Lake is in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, near Batal on the Lahaul side of Kunzum Pass, at about 4,300 m (14,110 ft). Best time: June – September.
On our trips: Summer Spiti Backpacking Tour, Spiti Bike Trip: Full Circuit with Shipki La.
- Kunzum Pass at 4,551 m
- Sunset at the lake
- Batal and the Atal Tunnel on the way out
How many days do you need for Spiti?
Plan 8 to 10 days from Delhi. That gives time to gain height slowly, two nights in Kaza and the long drive days through Kinnaur. Our summer and winter trips are 8 nights and 9 days, and the Spiti bike trip is 9 nights and 10 days.
Questions
What are the best places to visit in Spiti Valley?
Kaza, Key Monastery, Hikkim, Komic and Langza, Chandratal Lake and Kunzum Pass, plus Chitkul, Kalpa and Nako in Kinnaur on the way in, and Tabo, Dhankar and Gue between Nako and Kaza.
Which places in Spiti can you visit in winter?
Kalpa, Nako, Tabo, Dhankar, Kaza, Key, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim and Komic, weather permitting. Chandratal and Kunzum Pass are closed by snow in winter.
What is the highest village you can visit in Spiti?
Komic is at about 4,513 m, among the highest villages in the region, and Tashigang above Kaza is at about 4,650 m.
How many days are enough for Spiti Valley?
8 to 10 days from Delhi. Our Spiti trips are 9 or 10 days, with two nights in Kaza.
Is Chandratal in Spiti?
Chandratal is in Lahaul and Spiti district, on the Lahaul side of Kunzum Pass. It is usually reachable from June to September.
