Are you bored of the regular, two-night getaways, which come to an end before the actual fun just starts? Are you looking for a soul-drenching, forever memorable, 10 days extensive vacation, introducing you to one of the most visited circular circuits in the most sought-after hilly region of North India? Yes? This blog welcomes you.
Himachal, since centuries, has been an attractive focal point for luxury and budgeted tourists alike. Whether you're a family having senior citizens, or you're a hippie-solo traveler, the Himachali state never disappoints.
In pursuit of providing authentic, trending, and exciting travel updates, in this blog, we shall be embarking on a virtual tour of the infamous travel circuit - The Kinnour~Spiti Circuit.
Aerial View
Talking of the Shimla-Spiti-Manali circuit, this egg-shaped circular road patch looks something like this:
The transition from emerald-green hills to snow-white, mirage-forming landscapes stands as the most iconic sceneries that do not leave your mind and soul for months and years altogether.
Quick Itinerary
While the circuit typically takes 8-10 days, the circuit unfolds itself in the streets of Shimla and winds up in the Manali Mall Road. Read on to know the detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Chandigarh - Narkanda (180 km) (5 hours)
Start off with your ‘ex-spiti-tion’ from Chandigarh. With the first day have a carefree, light trip from Chandigarh and enter Himachal Pradesh, reach Narkanda, and explore around.
Day 2 : Narkanda - Sangla (160 km) (5 hours)
Have a hearty breakfast and leave for Sangla village - A beautiful, small hamlet located in the Kalpa region. Experience the change in weather during the journey and the aromatic winds.
Reach Sangla in the evening, explore around, and rest. Overnight stay.
Day 3 : Sangla - Chitkul (25 km) (1 hour)
The magic begins here. Wake up leisurely, soak in the morning Sangla breeze, have breakfast, and leave for India's Last Village- Chitkul. Have a light lunch at the ‘Last Restaurant of Hindustan’ and proceed further towards the village.
The village streets, the people there, and the climate is surely going to leave you spellbound, as nature exceeds the imagination of the possible extent of beauty there.
Day 4 : Chitkul - Nako (300 km) (8 hours)
Stay till after breakfast and leave for the long drive towards the gem of the whole vacation - Spiti Valley. The distance is 300ish kms which can typically take as much as 10 hours, including stoppage and traffic jams.
Reach Nako and stay overnight.
Day 5 : Nako - Tabo (70 km) (2 hours)
Wake up as per convenience and leisure around. After having a hearty breakfast, go for a walk to the Nako Lake, a few temples in the town and absorb the presence of a rustic environment and people alike. Visit famous attractions like the Helipad, the Tabo Monastery, Tabo Heritage Trail among others.
Have an overnight stay in Tabo, while stargazing and listening to the vegetative sound around.
Day 6: Tabo - Kaza (50 km) (1.5 hours)
Start the day by waking up as per convenience since the upcoming days are going to be a little easy and full of breathtaking encounters. Check-out from your stay after having breakfast and leave for Kaza - the most beloved small little town of the whole Spiti Valley.
Explore around, have a good night’s dinner, and doze off to sleep, dreaming of the next day’s encounters and the mesmerizing nature...
Day 7: Kaza - Chandartaal
Experience the peak of your Spiti journey on this seventh day, starting your day with a light breakfast and checking out from your stay at Kaza. As you move towards Chandartal, which roughly measures up to 100 km, you're going to witness Spitian beauty in its purest form.
Reach by evening and check in to a nice camp at Chandartaal. Have a brief stargazing session, and spend overnight at the tent.
Day 8: Chandartaal - Manali
Start your day early and have a fulfilling breakfast and get started with the short trek to the serene Chandartaal Lake. Being one of the most beautiful moments of the entire trip, spend the day till whenever suits you, for there's now going to be a long travel day ahead.
By the end of the evening, you will be reaching Manali. Spend some of the last moments of your Spiti Valley Trip, reminiscing about the previous days, and taking a stroll in the Mall Road of Manali. Have a hearty dinner and spend overnight in one of our hotels in Manali.
Day 9: Manali - Chandigarh
After having a delightful breakfast, pack your bags, bid adieu to the hills, and start your journey by afternoon in order to reach Chandigarh in time. Your Spiti Valley circuit comes to an end here.
Attractions You Should NOT Miss
Having a number of jaw-dropping attractions and tourist spots, your ‘Ex-Spiti-tion’ are going to be full of unique and never-seen-before attractions, natural and man-made alike-
1. Chandartal Lake
Calmly and peacefully nestled amidst a vast land, Chandartaal Lake eludes natural beauty and promises a great time to its visitors. With a clear sky, extremely cold weather, especially during winter, and a thrilling panoramic view, this lake is a must-visit for everyone visiting Spiti Valley this year.
2. Stargazing @ Chitkul
In the breathtaking district of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh, Chitkul offers an unmatched stargazing experience altogether. Being the last inhabited village on the Tibetan border, doesn’t matter – whether you’re an avid astronomer or simply an avid traveler – stargazing in Chitkul is always an unforgettable experience.
3. Tabo Monasteries
Surrounded by rugged mountains, Tabo Monasteries serve as a serene spiritual retreat, attracting pilgrims, scholars, and travelers. The monastery complex includes temples, meditation caves, and stupas, offering a glimpse into the region's rich Buddhist heritage and the timeless tranquillity of the high Himalayas.
4. Manali Mall Market
Worldwide known for its scrumptious street food, especially the delicacy of Golgappa and the Meetha Pan, a casual stroll at the Mall Market Road of Manali turns out to be a memorable and enjoyable experience altogether.
5. Souvenir Shopping in Kaza Local Market
Experience the raw and rustic charm of the Spiti Valley while exploring the small and cute market of the town. Souvenirs like stickers, fridge magnets, sweaters, and more are available in variety for tourists at nominal prices, to be kept as the sweet memory of your trip to Spiti Valley.
6. Local Spitian Cousine
The authentic Spitian and Himachali cuisine in general, is super-delectable with lip-smacking flavours and spices in almost every last dist of theirs. If you call yourself a foodie, you should already have tried at least some of the most popular Himachali dishes.
PS- Some of the must-try Himachali dishes are Mokthuk, Momos, Thupka, and Tingmo (a kind of traditional bread).
7. World’s Highest Post Office @Hikkim
Situated at 4,400m above sea level, this particular spot near Kaza is a must-visit for every visitor. During your trip to Spiti Valley, don't forget to make a halt at the Hikkim Post Office and send yourself a cute nostalgic post to receive it later, and experience reminiscence.
Best Time for Shimla - Spiti - Manali Circuit
If you’re travelling by an SUV, or even a normal hatchback, the driveway on the local Spitian roads can be a little tricky and a little risky, especially for amateur drivers. Except for Spiti, the roads are decent, enjoyable, and well-managed to an impressive extent.
That being said, extreme weather in winters, and the monsoon season should largely be avoided during your Spiti Road Trip. The period of March to mid-July is considered the best time to visit Spiti Valley, and this is the period which sees the largest volume of tourists as well.
First of the Many
Undoubtedly, there are much more thrilling and enjoyable travel circuits in our country, which surpass the Spiti Circuit in many ways.
Nonetheless, this particular travel route has its own qualities which suit the average Indian traveller and a vagabond, alike. From its climatic conditions, its bearable distance, and the quality of roads to the variety of food and some of the most traditional villages experience, the Chandigarh>Shimla>Spiti Valley>Manali> Chandigarh Circuit has always been seeing its place in every travel connoisseur’s bucket list.
