Kinnaur & Spiti
Valley Circuit

From Shimla's pines to the high desert of Spiti

This is the full loop through Himachal's far east. It begins gently, with a day in Shimla and a night among the apple orchards of Fagu, then follows the Satluj up into Kinnaur: Sangla and Chitkul, the last village before the old Tibet road, and on past Khab, where the Spiti river meets the Satluj, to the lake at Nako.

From there the land turns to high desert. Tabo and its thousand-year-old monastery, the mummy at Gue, Dhankar on its cliff, and two nights in Kaza for Key Monastery, Chicham Bridge and the highest village and post office in the world. The road home runs back through Kalpa, under the Kinner Kailash range, and Narkanda. You travel in a private 4x4 with your own driver, and every night includes breakfast and dinner.

What you will remember

• Chitkul, the last Indian village on the old Hindustan-Tibet road
• Khab Sangam, where the Spiti and Satluj rivers meet, and Nako Lake
• Tabo Monastery and its caves, and the 500-year-old mummy at Gue
• The Dhankar Lake trek and the Lingti frozen waterfall
• Key Monastery, Chicham Bridge, Komic and Hikkim, with a night of star gazing at Langza
• The Kinner Kailash range from Kalpa and the walk up Hatu Peak at Narkanda

1. Day 1 Shimla, then a night in the orchards Chandigarh Airport to Shimla and Fagu Valley

   We meet you at Chandigarh Airport and drive up to Shimla for the town's sightseeing. Afterwards the road continues a short way to Fagu Valley, a quiet place of apple orchards and long mountain views, where you check in for the night.

   • The Ridge and Christ Church
   • Mall Road and Scandal Point
   • Jakhu Temple
   • Lakkar Bazaar

   • Kathkuni, Fagu Valley
   • Dinner
2. Day 2 Into Kinnaur Fagu to Sangla Valley

   After breakfast the drive follows the Satluj into Kinnaur, with stops along the way, and ends in Sangla, the valley the locals call the Thukpa Valley.

   • Narkanda
   • Tranda Dhank and the Tranda Mata Temple
   • Kinnaur Gate
   • Karcham Dam and Karcham village

   • Sattav Pine Resort, Sangla Valley
   • Breakfast & dinner
3. Day 3 The last village, and the lake at Nako Sangla to Chitkul to Nako

   A long and beautiful day. First up the valley to Chitkul, the last Indian village on the old road to Tibet, with its famous "last dhaba". Then back down and on along the Satluj, past the confluence at Khab, climbing to Nako, a village built around a small lake at the edge of Spiti.

   • Chitkul village and Hindustan Ka Aakhiri Dhaba
   • Ranikanda viewpoint, looking towards the India-Tibet border
   • Shong-Tong village and bridge, and Pooh village
   • Khab Sangam, the meeting of the Spiti and Satluj rivers
   • Nako Monastery and Nako Lake

   • Alpine Homestay, Nako
   • Breakfast & dinner
4. Day 4 Tabo, Gue and the cliff at Dhankar Nako to Tabo to Gue to Dhankar

   The road enters Spiti proper. You stop at Tabo for its ancient monastery and the meditation caves above it, turn off to Gue to see the monastery and its 500-year-old mummy, then continue past the Pin-Spiti confluence to Dhankar, where the monastery sits on a spur above the river. In the afternoon there is a trek up to Dhankar Lake.

   • Malling Nala
   • Tabo Monastery and caves
   • Gue village and monastery
   • Attargo, where the Pin river meets the Spiti
   • Dhankar Monastery and the Dhankar Lake trek

   • Tashi Homestay, Dhankar
   • Breakfast & dinner
5. Day 5 Key Monastery and Chicham Bridge Dhankar to Kaza

   A short drive to Kaza, the main town of Spiti, with a stop at the Lingti frozen waterfall and its ice cafe on the way. In the afternoon you go out to Key Monastery, the largest in the valley, and across Chicham Bridge, one of the highest motorable bridges in the region.

   • Lingti frozen waterfall and ice cafe
   • Key Monastery
   • Chicham Bridge

   • Zambori, Kaza
   • Breakfast & dinner
6. Day 6 The highest villages, and the stars Kaza, Langza, Komic and Hikkim

   A day on the plateau above Kaza. The giant Buddha at Langza, Komic, the highest village in the world, and Hikkim, where you can post a card from the world's highest post office. Back in Kaza there is time for the market, and at night you return to Langza for star gazing under a sky with no light for a hundred kilometres.

   • Langza Buddha statue
   • Komic village
   • Hikkim post office
   • Kaza market, evening at leisure
   • Night star gazing at Langza

   • Zambori, Kaza
   • Breakfast & dinner
7. Day 7 Back to Kinnaur, under Kinner Kailash Kaza to Kalpa

   The long drive back down the Spiti and Satluj to Kalpa, a village of orchards and wooden houses facing the Kinner Kailash range. On the way you stop at Reckong Peo, the district town, and at Roghi village and its cliff-edge viewpoint.

   • Reckong Peo village and market
   • Roghi village and Suicide Point
   • Views of the Kinner Kailash range

   • Kalpa stay, confirmed at booking
   • Breakfast & dinner
8. Day 8 Hatu Peak and the lake in the forest Kalpa to Narkanda

   Down the valley to Narkanda, back among pine and deodar. On arrival you go up Hatu Peak for the view and out to Tani Jubbar Lake, a small lake ringed by forest.

   • Hatu Peak
   • Tani Jubbar Lake

   • Treeline Cottages, Narkanda
   • Breakfast & dinner
9. Day 9 An easy last evening in Shimla Narkanda to Shimla

   A short drive to Shimla and check-in at the hotel. The evening is free, for the Mall or for nothing at all.

   • Woodrina Hotel, Shimla
   • Breakfast & dinner
10. Day 10 Departure Shimla to Chandigarh

    After breakfast, check out and drive down to Chandigarh, where you are dropped at the airport or railway station in time for your onward journey.

    • Breakfast
    • Private drop at Chandigarh Airport or station

What is included

The inclusions for your travel dates and party size are confirmed in writing on your quotation.

The stays

• Fagu ValleyKathkuni1 night
• SanglaSattav Pine Resort1 night
• NakoAlpine Homestay1 night
• DhankarTashi Homestay1 night
• KazaZambori2 nights
• KalpaConfirmed at booking1 night
• NarkandaTreeline Cottages1 night
• ShimlaWoodrina Hotel1 night

In Spiti the stays are family-run homestays and small guesthouses, which is what the valley has; they are warm, simple and the best way to meet the people who live there.

A look at the route

Before you book

• Altitude. Kaza sits at about 3,650 metres and Komic above 4,500. The route climbs gradually, which helps, but take the first days in Spiti slowly, drink plenty of water and tell us about any heart or breathing condition before you book.
• Mountain roads. The Kinnaur and Spiti roads are rough in stretches and can close for landslides or snow. Delays and any extra nights that result are not covered by the package.
• The vehicle. This itinerary was planned for two travellers in a Mahindra Thar, which handles the road well. For a larger party we quote a bigger 4x4.
• Entry fees. Monastery, monument and activity charges are paid directly at each place.
• Phones and cash. Mobile coverage is patchy beyond Reckong Peo and cards are rarely accepted in Spiti; carry cash.