Spiti is a high cold-desert valley in Lahaul & Spiti district, with its valley floor between 2,950 and 4,100 m and its main town, Kaza, at about 3,650 m. From Manali it is 201 km through the Atal Tunnel and over Kunzum La (4,551 m), open roughly June to early November; the 412 km Kinnaur road from Shimla stays open most of the year. Spiti is not one of Leisure Himachal's fixed packages; ask us about a custom trip from Manali.
Getting there
How to reach Spiti Valley
By air
Kullu–Manali Airport at Bhuntar for the Manali route; Shimla or Chandigarh for the Kinnaur route.
By rail
No railway; Chandigarh and Kalka are the nearest broad-gauge stations.
By road
Manali → Atal Tunnel → Gramphu → Batal → Kunzum La → Losar → Kaza, 201 km (summer only). Or Shimla → Kinnaur → Nako → Tabo → Kaza, about 412 km, open year-round except after heavy snow.
Permits. Indian citizens do not need a permit for Spiti. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the stretch near the border on the Kinnaur route. Private vehicles entering Lahaul & Spiti are asked to register free on the e-Aagman portal (eaagman.hp.gov.in).
Sights
What to see in Spiti Valley
01
Key Monastery
The Gelug monastery stacked on a hill at 4,166 m, about 12 km north of Kaza.
02
Kibber, Langza and Hikkim
High villages above Kaza — fossils at Langza and the post office at Hikkim.
03
Chandratal
The crescent lake at about 4,300 m near Batal, a Ramsar wetland since 2005, reached late May to early October.
04
Dhankar
The old fort-monastery on a cliff above the meeting of the Spiti and Pin rivers.
05
Tabo Monastery
Founded in 996 CE, with some of the oldest surviving murals in the Himalaya.
06
Pin Valley National Park
The protected valley south of Dhankar, home to ibex and, rarely seen, snow leopard.
The guide
Spiti Valley travel guide
Why Spiti?
Spiti looks nothing like the rest of Himachal. Past Kunzum La the forests stop: bare brown mountains, a wide braided river, villages of white-washed houses, and monasteries built onto hilltops. The light is hard and the air thin. It is a long way from anywhere, which is most of the appeal.
The two roads in
From Manali (summer only). Through the Atal Tunnel, along the Chandra river past Chhatru and Batal, over Kunzum La at 4,551 m and down to Losar and Kaza — 201 km, a long day on a rough road. Usually open from late May or June to early November, depending on snow — in 2026 Kunzum reopened on 20 May. The pass calendar has the dates on record.
From Shimla via Kinnaur (most of the year). Up the Sutlej through Kinnaur to Nako and Tabo — about 412 km, two days. This road stays open in winter, though snow can close it for days.
The classic circuit goes in one way and out the other, which also helps with altitude: the Kinnaur side climbs more gradually.
When to go
June to September — both roads open, Chandratal reachable, warm days.
October — clear and cold; the Kunzum road closes with the first heavy snow.
November to May — only via Kinnaur; temperatures far below freezing.
Planning with us
Spiti is not one of our fixed packages. As a custom tour — one of the services we list — message us on WhatsApp with your dates and how many of you are travelling. See also camping, and the Spiti circuit guide.
Before you go
Spiti Valley: questions
What is the best time to visit Spiti?
June to September, when both the Manali–Kunzum La road and the Kinnaur road are open, and Chandratal is reachable. The Kinnaur road via Shimla stays open in winter, but it is a hard, cold trip.
How many days do I need for Spiti?
Six to eight nights for a full circuit — in by one road, out by the other — with time to acclimatise in Kaza before going higher.
Do I need a permit for Spiti?
Indian citizens do not. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur–Spiti border stretch. Private vehicles should register on the free e-Aagman portal.
Is altitude sickness a risk in Spiti?
Yes. Kaza is at about 3,650 m and Key and Kibber are higher. Go up gradually, rest the first afternoon, drink water, and come down if a headache or breathlessness gets worse.
Does Leisure Himachal run Spiti tours?
Spiti is not one of our fixed packages. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates for a custom plan from Manali.
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 25 October 2026. Fees, permits, timings and road openings change — check them before you travel.
