Spiti Valley 6N/7D Couple Winter Snow Edition

Day-by-day Itinerary

Your journey, unfolded.

1. DAY 1

   Day 1: Delhi/Chandigarh → Shimla — Base Night

   Overnight AC train to Kalka, then taxi to Shimla. Check in Shimla hotel. Mall Road evening — Shimla in winter snow is beautiful. Briefing about what to expect in winter Spiti: road conditions, temperature, what to carry.

2. DAY 2

   Day 2: Shimla → Narkanda → Rampur (130km, ~4hrs)

   Drive through Narkanda (apple country under 2ft of snow). Hatu Peak viewpoint if roads clear. Rampur bazaar — stock up on supplies (last proper market before Kaza). Overnight Rampur or Sarahan.

3. DAY 3

   Day 3: Rampur → Sangla Valley (80km, ~3hrs)

   Enter Kinnaur through Karcham. The Baspa River may be partially frozen. Sangla Valley — snow up to the rooftops, smoke from bukhari fires, apple trees heavy with ice. Walk through Sangla village. Overnight cozy homestay with family.

4. DAY 4

   Day 4: Sangla → Chitkul → Kalpa (100km)

   Chitkul in winter: the last village before Tibet is virtually empty (most residents migrate to lower villages). Walk through frozen silence. Return to Kalpa for the most dramatic winter view of Kinner Kailash — the peak turns a deep violet in winter light. Overnight Kalpa.

5. DAY 5

   Day 5: Kalpa → Nako → Tabo (160km, ~6hrs) — Enter Spiti

   Frozen Nako Lake — completely iced over. Drive through the desolate Spiti entry at Sumdo. Arrive Tabo (3,280m). The monastery is open year-round — far fewer visitors in winter. Monks happy to talk and share butter tea. Overnight Tabo (coldest night — temperatures can hit -20°C).

6. DAY 6

   Day 6: Tabo → Kaza — Winter Spiti Capital (70km, ~2hrs)

   Arrive Kaza in winter: half the shops closed, streets empty, the mountains enormous and white. Drive to Key Monastery in the afternoon — snowshoes may be needed. The gompa in snow against a clear blue winter sky is one of India's great photographs. Kibber: look for snow leopard tracks with guide. Bonfire at guesthouse.

7. DAY 7

   Day 7: Kaza → Return to Shimla (all day) — Return Journey

   Early departure. Reverse route back through Kinnaur. The valley looks completely different on the return — different light, different perspective. Arrive Shimla by evening or next morning depending on road conditions. Trip ends.

— End of trip —