Spiti Valley Itinerary: The Ultimate Road Trip Monika Kesarwani, July 6, 2023November 2, 2023 After creating all the hype about a road trip to Spiti Valley, here is the itinerary for a trip of lifetime. Spiti Valley is a cold arid desert freckled with green patches offering something for every traveller. It houses some of the picturesque villages in its lap. With abundant natural beauty, Spiti takes your breath away. (psst. sometimes literally.) Our schedule/itinerary got messed up with change in stopovers, flash downpours, heavy snow falls etc. but no regrets. I will be mentioning my actual itinerary as a Bonus in a different blog on how it can all go wrong? The Spiti Valley itinerary below is to provide a layout for your road trip to Spiti, you can change it up to your liking. 1 – Chadigarh to Shimla/Sarahan: The road trip generally begins from Chandigarh to Shimla. We started from Kasauli towards Sarahan, a quaint town with Apple orchards, warm people and the famous Bhimakali Temple. The journey to Sarahan is oozing with natural beauty and blinding curves – Keep medication for motion sickness handy. 2 – Shimla to Chitkul/Rakcham: Enjoy a stroll through the village, enjoy juicy apples & visit the Bhimakali Temple. Post breakfast, pack & load to head to Chitkul. Word of advice – use Indian maps. Located on the banks of the Baspa River, Chitkul is the last village in the Baspa Valley bordering Tibet. Sip on a hot cup of ginger lemon honey tea while admiring the abundant nature. If not, chat up the locals and see where it takes you. 3 – Chitkul/Rakcham to Kalpa: Start early and head to Kalpa through Reckong Peo. Keep an eye out for the shenanigans of HRTC drivers. Situated above the river Sutlej and surrounded by the towering Kinnaur Kailash range, Kalpa is lord Shiva’s abode. Kalpa is an idyllic little town with temples and Apple orchards. Enjoy the walk through the village, and visit the monastery. Watch the Sun go down behind the mighty peaks. Wrap up your day after dinner for an early start tomorrow. 4 – Kalpa to Chango: Admire the Sunrise with rounds of garam chai and breakfast. We leave for Chango with a few pitstops. Visit the suicide point in Kalpa and capture insta worthy pictures. Spend the afternoon in Nako, a small village around a Sacred Nako lake that houses an 11th Century Nako monastery. Enjoy the fluttering prayer flags, bluest skies and rocky mountains. You would wish to get lost in this place. Once in Chango, take a walk parallel to the roaring Sutlej. Enjoy local fruits, food & drink. 5 – Chango to Dhankar: After breakfast, we move towards Dhankar. Visit Tabo Monastery & Caves, founded in 996 AD. The path to Mudh gives way to greeneries, expansive Pasture fields & vegetation. Enjoy lunch and dip your feet in the Pin River before moving to Dhankar. Located on the cliff with the Spiti River at its base, Dhankar is a village out of fiction. If you are in Dhankar during the full moon, consider yourself lucky. Have Changs & hot moms before calling it a night. 6 – Dhankar to Langza/Kaza: Let me emphasise – VISIT THE DHANKAR LAKE. A short hike up through the village but oh so worth it! Winding through narrow roads, we arrive at – Komic, which has a beautiful monastery. A cafe outside serves some crispy sandwiches and yummy sea buckthorn tea. The highest post office in the World is in Hikkim. Post a card to your loved ones, though you will arrive home before they do. Langza is known as a fossil village of Spiti Valley and the famous statue of Buddha overlooking the valley. Go on a fossil hunt with locals if halting here. For us, we end our day relaxing in Kaza. 7 – In & Around Kaza: We are at the last leg of our road trip. Kee Gompa is located on the cliff of the hill overseeing the Spiti River below. Chicham Bridge is known as the highest bridge in Asia, sitting atop a 1000 ft gorge. Get trigger-happy here before making your way to Tashigang. It boasts the tag of being the highest polling station for around 20 families. End your day cafe surfing in Kaza. 8 – Kaza to Chandrataal: Pack and head towards Kunzum Pass at 14931 ft stop to offer tribute to Kunzum Devi and click Insta-worthy pictures. Winding through the dirt road, we arrive at Chandrataal. A crescent-shaped high glacial lake that takes your breath away. Enjoy some time around the lake and head to the camping tents for the night. 9 – Chandrataal to Manali: Start your descent towards Batal Valley. Halt at Chacha Chachi dhaba for a delicious meal and a fun conversation. Cross over to Manali via Rohtang Pass and wrap all the memories of this beautiful place in your heart. Check into Zostel Manali for the night and enjoy a walk through mall road, divulging in local street foods. 10 – Manali to Chandigarh: Staying a few days in Manali is optional. There is so much this town & its surroundings can offer to keep you occupied. But, Manali demands a blog of its own. For now, pack your bags with good memories and happy heart, time to say Bye Bye! Congratulations! You have completed your road trip to Spiti Valley. The fluttering flags, glacial rivers, towering mountains, and warm people will forever remain etched in your hearts❣️ Now, I know I don’t need to say this anymore, but, get packing already, will you? Go and feel this amazing place for yourself and let me know your version of Spiti Valley. Travels Spiti valley road trip