It will take about 8 -9 hours to travel from Delhi ISBT to Shimla, there are multiple busses that ply on this route. If you want to spend a day in Shimla, you can check out our Shimla Itinerary.

• A.C Volvo buses are also available upto Shimla.

You will easily get a room for Rs 1000 a night in Shimla from the large number of options available.

• Recommended place for night stay - Backwoods BnB, The kothi. (Cost around Rs 1000).
• Budget stay- Royal Homestay, Vrinda Homestay. (Cost around Rs 600).

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Dinner suggestion in Shimla - Himachali Rasoi, Wake and Bake.

• Cost of Food (Rs 500), stay (Rs 700), Travel (Rs 600).
• Total Cost - Rs 1800

There is no direct bus from Shimla to Chitkul but you can reach Karcham from Shimla, and then from Karcham to Chitkul. 

• There are multiple buses from Shimla to Reckong Peo in the morning , the first bus leaves at 5.15 am. Take a ticket upto Karcham and then take another bus from Karcham to enter into Sangla Valley. Leave early so that you can catch the 2nd bus from Karcham.

About 8 to 9 hours of drive has to offer beautiful views of Kinnaur valley, Karcham Dam.

• Chitkul is also known as India’s Last Inhabited Village at Indo-Tibet Border. This is a very serene place with the side of Baspa river. You will easily get a stay starting from Rs 500 from the multiple options like Zostel, Hotel Batseri and river side camping.
• Only BSNL sim will work in Chitkul that too without internet and no ATM’s.
• Things to do while in Chitkul-
  • Take a walk through the village.
  • Visit village temples.
  • Sit by the Baspa river, can also do camping.
  • Night star gazing.
  • Eat local food at a Last Dhaba of Hindustan.

Distance from karcham to sangla is 18 km , Sangla to Rakchham is 13 km, Rakchham to Chitkul is 9 km. To go to Kalpa/Reckong peo you have to come back to Karcham.

• Recommended place for night stay at Chitkul - Bhandari Homestay, Zostel.
• Cost of Food (Rs 500), stay (Rs 500), travel (Rs 400).
• Total Cost - Rs 1400.
• Cumulative cost of tour till day 2 - Rs 3200.

Explore hotel in Sangla / Chitkul

Sangla valley deserves one full day minimum but since this itinerary is more focussed towards Spiti. So, you can visit the below location and move ahead. For a detailed tour of Sangla valley, you may refer to our specific post.

Visit Kamru Fort at Sangla if travelling by own vehicle.

There are 2 buses from Chitkul to Reckong Peo at 12 pm and 2 pm respectively. After reaching Reckong Peo you can hike or take a bus to Kalpa which is around 7 km. 

• You will get a clear view of Kinner Kailash Mahadev from Kalpa. Reckong Peo is the main headquarters of Kinnaur District.
• If you are travelling by Car staying at Kalpa is recommended and if by bus staying in Reckong Peo because the bus to Kaza leaves early in the morning.

Recommended place for night stay - You will get as low as Rs 100 a bed and a room for Rs 350 just opposite to the bus stand, (Abhishek homestay)

• Dinner suggestion in Reckong Peo - Punjabi Dhaba for North Indian and Muskan food corner is good for Chinese food.
• Cost of Food (Rs 500), stay (Rs 500), travel (Rs 200).
• Total Cost - Rs 1200.
• Cumulative tour cost - Rs 4400.

Bus time is 7.30 am.

• If you are travelling by bus, reach 1 hour early i.e 6.30 am as there is only one bus that goes to Kaza from Reckong Peo which usually gets crowded. The drive is very scenic and you notice how the green mountains full of trees gradually turn barren and brown in color. 
• Take a halt at Khab (Confluence of Spiti and Satluj river) if travelling by personal vehicle - Peo to khab is 80 km.

Things to do in Nako in 2nd half of the day - 

• Lake visit - There is a beautiful lake in Nako, you would love to walk around the lake and do some photography there.
• Guru padmasambhav charan paduka darshan, hardly 100 meters from the lake itself.
• Wishing bell- short 15 min trek for an aerial view of lake and village.
• Stargaze the beautiful stars at night, This is an experience of a lifetime.
• Nako Monastery- It is an 11th-century ancient monastery.  This serene monastery has been constructed on the pattern of the famous Tabo Monastery, in Spiti Valley.

Recommended place for night stay in Nako - Any homestay will do.

• Dinner suggestion in Nako - Mountain view Restaurant, they serve wheat noodles, Thenthuk, Tingmo and Tibetan bread with vegetables and honey.
• Cost of Food (Rs 500), stay (Rs 500), travel (Rs 200).
• Total Cost - Rs 1200.
• Cumulative tour cost till day 4 - Rs 5600.

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For going to Tabo -Catch the same Kaza bus by which you came to Nako the previous day.

• If travelling by private vehicle you should not skip visiting - The village called Gue which lies on the route from Nako to Tabo. It is famous for its 500 year old mummy which was found a few years back while digging for a border post along China.
• After crossing Sumdo (Entry point of Spiti Valley) village, on the right hand side a road goes towards the Gue village, 13 kms off the main road.

If travelling by bus you will reach Tabo and you can spend the 2nd half of the day doing below activities..

• Things to do in Tabo
  • Explore the oldest Buddhist monastery in Tabo town. A night stay at Tabo monastery guest house is a good option for everyone travelling to Spiti to get an experience of a lifetime.
  • Visit the new monastery too, located next to the old monastery. You may also visit the monastery museum.
  • As old as 500 years,  there are the Tabo caves which are visible on the hillside from the whole Tabo town. Caves are at a 15 minute low difficulty  hike from the town.
  • Tabo is one of the major towns of Spiti valley but it is still reasonably small. So you can walk around in the town, observe and talk to the locals.
  • Night sky gazing - As there is no light at caves and helipad in Tabo, you will get to see the clear view of the night sky full of stars from here.

Recommended place for night stay in Tabo - Monastery guest house, Maitreya regency, Piggy hostel.

• Dinner suggestion in Tabo - Hotel Tiger Den, Cafe Kunzum Top (Thali).
• Cost of Food (Rs 500), stay (Rs 500), travel (Rs 200).
• Total Cost - Rs 1200.
• Cumulative tour cost till day 5 - Rs 6800.

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Dhankar village is 31 kms from Tabo including an 8 kms diversion road from Shichilling. Bus will not be suitable because there is no morning bus from Tabo. Now you are left on your own for hitchhikes or shared local jeeps to these villages. They will not cost you more than Rs 100 for Schichiling/Dhankar.

Dhankar monastery is getting ruined by the age of the cliff on which it lies. The cliff does not have much of a remaining lifespan. It is located at a 1000 feet hilltop much like a fort overlooking the confluence of Spiti and Pin rivers in Spiti Valley.

• If time allows you must visit  Dhankar lake which is about 1.5 hrs medium difficulty trek from the Dhankar monastery is a spot which offers extreme feeling of solitude. 
• Leave early from Tabo, so that you can visit Dhankar and reach Kaza in daylight.
• Things to do in Dhankar - 
  • Visit the Dhankar monasteries both old and new. Light a chunmai (butter lamp) in the old monastery.
  • Towers of erosion - You will find tower-like structures formed due to soil erosion over the past years. Found only in this valley of the country, click a picture with these sculptures.
  • Hike to Dhankar Lake-  To and fro will take about 3 hours time.
  • Try the nutella pancake at the Dhankar monastery.
  • Walk around the village and talk to locals.

Recommended place for night stay in Kaza - Solo yolo homestay, Moustache Kaza Spiti.

• Dinner suggestion in Kaza - The Himalayan Cafe, Cafe Zomsa.
• Cost of Food (Rs 500), stay (Rs 700), travel (Rs 200).
• Total Cost - Rs 1400.
• Cumulative tour cost till day 6 - Rs 8200.

Explore hotels in Kaza

Minimum of 2 days are required to visit kaza and adjoining sightseeing locations, start your Day 7 by visiting Key monastery (12 km from Kaza) for which you have to either get a private taxi (Rs 1500) or rely on hitchhikes or shared cabs to these places. 

• You can also rent a bike from Kaza and explore on your own terms. Renting a bike will roughly cost you around Rs 1000, depending on the bike you rent.

Key monastery - 

• The biggest centre of Buddhist learning in Spiti Valley, It is the oldest training centre for Lamas. The Key Monastery is over 1000-year-old.
• Do not miss the herbal tea which is served inside the temple by monks.
• After spending 2 hours at key monastery,  you can proceed towards Kibber, which is at 8 km away from Key Monastery.

About Kibber - 

• Kibber is a picturesque little village in the higher regions of Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh with a population of just 370. 
• Serves at the base for ancient Parang La trek.  It is a long and difficult trek, which offers splendid views of Tso Moriri lake. 
• During winters you can explore Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. It was established in 1992, Kibber is India’s only wildlife sanctuary in cold desert and is popular for spotting Snow Leopards.

Night sky gazing-

• The experience is out of the world and leaves you speechless. The crystal clear sky has made it a favorite destination for night-photographers and sky gazers.

Recommended place for night stay in Kibber - Norling homestay, Deshek homestay. 

• Dinner suggestion in Kibber - Tashi Zom guest house, located at the entrance of the village.
• Cost of Food (Rs 500), stay (Rs 500), travel (Rs 200).
• Total Cost - Rs 1200.
• Cumulative tour cost - Rs 9400.

Today visit the road less traveled or offbeat places near Kaza. A private taxi for a trip to Langza – Hikkim – Komic will cost you about Rs 1500 in Kaza. Again hitchhikes and shared jeeps, you will be able to cover these places within Rs 200-300.

• No buses are available for reaching these villages.

About Hikkim -

• Located at an altitude of 14400 ft , famous for its world's highest post office.
• Distance from Kaza to Hikkim is 15 km and takes about 45 minutes.
• Post mail from the world's highest post office at Hikkim . In the internet era, the satisfaction feeling you get after posting to your loved ones cannot be described in words. You can have tea and snacks from a cafe near the post office only.

About Komic -

• Located at an altitude of 15027 ft, is the highest motorable village.
• Distance from Hikkim to Komic is just 3 km. 
• The Tang Gyud monastery at Komic is one of the most important and the highest monastery in the Spiti Valley.  There is a small cafe near monastery, where you can have some snacks and take some cool pictures.

About Langza -

• Located at an altitude of 14143 ft, is also known as the fossil village of India.
• Distance from Komic to Lanza is 10 km.
• Langza offers a great view of Chau Chau Kang Nelda peak . Visit the statue of Lord Buddha near Langza looking down the valley. 
• Finding a marine fossil in the Himalayas is one of the most unexpected and exciting things to do at Langza, that is why it is also called the fossil village.
• Distance from Langza to Kaza is 16 km.
• If you get a bike or have your own vehicle, staying at one of these villages is recommended.
• All of the above places have homestays which provide you the raw experience and opportunity to know the local culture better.

Recommended place for night stay in Hikkim/ komik / Langza - Any homestay will do.

• Dinner suggestion in - Eat local food at your homestays.
• Cost of Food (Rs 500), stay (Rs 500), travel (Rs 1000).
• Total Cost - Rs 2000.
• Cumulative tour cost - Rs 11400.

Explore hotels in Hikkim/ komik / Langza

The route has so much to offer, perfectly laid tar roads upto Losar, crossing the highest pass of Himachal Pradesh i.e Kunzum Pass is itself an achievement and off-roading from Losar to Chandra Taal with water crossings  has full on adventure to offer.

• How to travel via Bus -
  • A daily bus runs from Kaza to Manali at 7 AM and charges about Rs 250.
  • You can buy two tickets for this bus one up to Batal or Chandra Taal diversion point and another for the next day up to Manali from Batal. Before getting down at Battal, make sure that you tie-up with the Conductor of the bus to pick you up the next morning from the same place or Batal. Maybe pay a little tip for the same. 
  • Seating, in this case, could be an issue for sure. 
  • You will either have to trek or hitchhike up to Chandra Taal lake, if travelling by bus. In tourist season, hitchhike should not be an issue.

About Chandra Taal -

• Located at an altitude of 13940 ft.
• Chandra Taal is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It is also known as “The Moon Lake”. 
• It offers the best night sky of this whole trip as there is zero light pollution near the lake, the magical views of the milky way will make a mark in your mind for a lifetime.

Recommended place for night stay at Chandra Taal -

• Camps at Chandra Taal might cost you about Rs 1500 for one person.
• If you are on a tight budget you will have to come back to Batal and stay at PWD guest house or at Chandra dhaba. It will cost you about Rs 150-200 per person only.
• You will get dinner at your stay only.
• Cost of Food (Rs 500), stay (Rs 1000), travel (Rs 200).
• Total Cost - Rs 1700.
• Cumulative tour cost - Rs 13100.

Drive through Battal – Chattru – Gramphu towards Atal Tunnel is out of the world and super adventurous.

• Just in case if you miss the other bus then ,there is a bus from Manali to Chandra Taal and it returns the same day from Chandra Taal to Manali. You will reach late in the night at Manali via this bus.
• This is your last day in Lahaul and Spiti district so enjoy the views like no other and take back the memories of a lifetime with you. 
• This road is not good, so it will take 8 to 10 hours to cover this 140 kms distance.

Stay in Old Manali if you want less crowd and choose from the vast number of options available. 

• Recommended place for night stay at Old Manali - Backpackers Headquarters, The culture nation hostel, Madpackers hostel are some happening and pocket friendly stays .
  • Dinner suggestion in Old Manali -  Cafe 1947, Cafe Meraki, Drifter’s cafe.
  • You may also check out our Manali itinerary if you want to explore more in Manali.
  • Cost of Food (Rs 500), stay (Rs 400), travel (Rs 300).
  • Total Cost - Rs 1200.
  • Cumulative tour cost - Rs 14400.

Explore hotels in Old Manali

There are plenty of HRTC buses as ordinary, deluxe, Volvo buses available between Delhi – Manali which you can take as per comfort, convenience, and budget.

• There are many overnight Volvo busses that run  between Manali and Delhi that cost Rs 1300 per person, you may also explore that option.
• Cost of Food (Rs 500), travel (Rs 1000).
• Total Cost - Rs 1500.
• Cumulative tour cost till day 6 - Rs 15900. 
• Total 11 day trip Of Spiti valley cost - Around Rs 16000.