Spiti in summer and Spiti in winter are very different trips. One is a green-and-grey circuit you can take at an easy pace. The other is a snow expedition in 4x4s, where temperatures can drop to -40°C. Both are worth doing; they suit different travellers.
Summer Spiti: the full circuit
Our summer backpacking tour covers Kinnaur, Tabo, Dhankar, Kaza, Komic, Hikkim, Key Monastery and Chandratal, and returns via Manali. You travel in a group Tempo Traveller or SUV with a trip captain, and every night has a bed.
This is the better choice if you want a lower price, more company and a full loop of the valley.
Winter Spiti: snow and silence
The winter expedition runs Delhi to Delhi through Narkanda, Kalpa, Tabo and Kaza in 4x4 SUVs with Himalayan-trained drivers. Roads can be snow-covered, so we carry chains and plan for delays.
Choose winter if you want snowy villages, very few tourists and clear skies. Expect cold nights and some days where Pin Valley is skipped because of road conditions.
Which should you pick?
Pick summer for an easy first trip with a group. Pick winter for a more adventurous trip if you are comfortable with cold and uncertain roads.
- Budget: summer is cheaper.
- Comfort: summer has more open hotels.
- Adventure: winter has snow, 4x4 driving and fewer people.
Questions
Is winter Spiti safe?
It is an adventure trip. We use 4x4 SUVs with experienced drivers, carry snow chains, and move the itinerary around road closures.
Is Chandratal open in summer?
It is usually reachable from June through summer, depending on the season's snow. We confirm the route before each departure.
