Spiti Valley Road Trip
A Spiti Valley Road Trip, Know everything about this trip. The Spiti Valley is a high-altitude desert with Cold weather and terrain. It’s recommended to get a taxi if you want to take in the sights. Driving here demands great abilities and entire attention. Furthermore, at an average altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. Before you leave, read.
In recent years, the valley has seen an influx of tourists seeking the serenity it offers as well as the excitement offered by Spiti’s treacherous terrains. We make sure that you get the most out of this Spiti valley road tour by ensuring that you get to see the stunning Spiti Valley in all of its grandeur as well as enjoy the thrill that the impassable roads of Spiti have to offer.
Spiti Valley serves as a link between two divergent cultures, and it is the horizon where people from various cultures come together to lay the foundation for Spiti. The valley is noted for its century-old monasteries and strong Buddhist influences, which can still be found in every community.
Mudh, Komic, and Langza are just a handful of the places where you may enjoy life at a slower pace. You’ll never get the entire flavor of Spiti Valley unless you visit these villages and connect with the inhabitants. Because Buddhism has roots all throughout the valley and impacts the lives of the people who live here, it’s only natural that you’ll get to see some of the country’s top monasteries.
Best time to go on Spiti Valley Road Trip
When is the best time to go for a Spiti valley road trip via the Shimla route?
Summer is the greatest time to explore this remote yet beautiful region of Himachal Pradesh, which runs from May/June to October. It is the only time of year when the roadways are free of ice. Though some tourists love the dead winters and the roads stay open during that time, some routes are closed owing to excessive snow.
The months of December to March are ideal for a Spiti Valley winter road trip because there is snowfall. You can enjoy Winter Spiti Valley tour during this time.
Summer season (May-September): With temperatures ranging from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius, this is the best time to visit Lahaul and Spiti Valley. During this season, the weather remains mild and moderately chilly, allowing for a variety of outdoor and trekking activities. With the snow melting and the skies clearing, it is the ideal time to see the icy deserts of Spiti and the lush greenery of Lahaul.
When is the best time to go for a Spiti valley road trip via Manali?
Because there is no snowfall and the roads are clear, the months of May through October 1st Week are ideal for a Spiti Valley road trip. On the paths, you may enjoy both the rustic beauty and the lovely climate.
In addition, during the winter months of December to March, you can enjoy snowfall in this valley.
Traveling to Spiti from Manali to Kaza is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It can easily become a once-in-a-lifetime journey for many people. From Gramphu to Kunzum Pass, the treacherous river crossings and road conditions make your heart race like nothing else. As a result, it’s critical that you know what to expect on this exciting journey to Spiti.
When traveling from Delhi to Spiti through Manali, it takes at least two days to reach Kaza. On the first day, you can travel to Manali, and the next day, from Manali, you can travel to Kaza. If you go from Delhi to Spiti Valley by the Hindustan Tibet Road, it will take three days to reach Tabo, with overnight stops in Narkanda and Kalpa. As a result, when compared to the Shimla – Kalpa – Kaza route, traveling from Manali to Spiti will take less days.
The majority of first-time visitors to Spiti Valley plan a round-trip excursion. That is, they will enter from one side (usually Kinnaur) and leave from the opposite side (mostly Manali). You can always schedule more journeys to Spiti from either of the routes after your first trip to focus on distant areas in the Spiti Valley.
What automobile is best for a Spiti valley road trip?
Let’s be honest: the route to Spiti is terrible. As a result, you must ensure that your vehicle has adequate ground clearance. The road from Manali to Kaza is quite difficult, and it becomes even more difficult during the monsoons due to numerous river crossings. You, Sir, deserve a medal if you plan to drive a small car or a sedan on the Manali-Kaza road. The drive from Shimla is much more pleasant. Even little automobiles can make it via this path if driven cautiously.
The term “road” is being used generously here because you will be travelling through a real nightmare for the most of the journey. Spiti is known for mud, slush, dirt trails, water crossings, boulders and large stones on the road, shooting stones, and narrow steep hills, and so.
With all of this in mind, which car would be ideal for transporting it to Spiti? If you try to look at it from the standpoint of a brand, it becomes quite difficult. It’s more important to consider what an automobile has to offer from the standpoint of what I just described. Any SUV will most likely be the ideal vehicle for driving in Spiti Valley. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 2WD or 4WD vehicle; a vehicle with high ground clearance will come in handy while navigating through Spiti. It may be taken to almost any location and will be able to manage the terrain nicely.
For a spiti valley road trip, which route should you take?
Spiti may be reached by car from either Manali or Shimla. It takes about eight hours to go to Kaza from Manali, and two days to get there from Shimla. It’s preferable to do the entire circuit from Shimla to Manali, passing through Tabo, Kaza, and ultimately Manali. Allow at least 8 to 10 days to appreciate the journey and all of the stunning detours along the way.
On both routes, here’s what to expect:
Route 1: Shimla – Spiti Valley
Delhi → Shimla → Narkanda → Chitkul → Kalpa → Tabo → Dhankar Village – Kaza – Kibber – Hikkim – Komic – Langza – Losar Village – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal Lake – Batal – Atal Tunnel – Manali
Route 2: Manali – Spiti Valley
Delhi → Manali → Atal Tunnel → Grampu → Kunzum Pass → Kaza – Pin Valley – Tabo – Dhankar – Hikkim – Komic – Langza – Losar Village – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal Lake – Batal – Atal Tunnel – Manali
Regulations for the Spiti valley road trip
For your vehicle, you must have a ‘Beyond Rohtang’ authorization. To visit locations near the Sumdo, foreign citizens traveling on this route will need an Inner Line Permit, which can be obtained easily from the Special District Magistrate’s office in Kaza.
Where should you dine while driving through the Spiti Valley?
Your alternatives are severely limited as you pass via Marhi (35 kilometers from Manali). We recommend that you stop at every food booth you come across. The only choices are Chhatru, Batal, and Losar. Chacha – Chachi dhaba is well-known in Batal. You can have a cup of tea or eat your lunch there.
There are several dining options along the Shimla route –
- Narkanda: The Himalayan Dhaba/Negi Dhaba is a nice alternative for regular Indian meals.
- Lovon Guesthouse and Dhaba is a good place for Tibetan food, according to Nako. Tabo: Tabo offers a variety of delicious dining options. But it’s mostly Tibetan.
- There are numerous food stalls along this road, allowing you to readily obtain meals.
Where should you stay during your Spiti tour?
There are hotel, homestay, and camping options in the Spiti Valley. Make sure you’ve scheduled your stay ahead of time. Because so many sites have few lodging options, tourists have trouble finding places to stay during peak season.
Where are the petrol pumps?
In the Spiti Valley, there are only a few petrol stations. So, if you’re planning a road trip through the Spiti Valley, you may fill up your tank at the following locations:
– Narkanda
– Reckong Peo
– Kaza
– Manali
ATMs Facility in Spiti Valley:
In the Spiti Valley, ATMs are available. We recommend that you bring enough cash on your road journey to Spiti. The ATM may not work owing to a power outage or a lack of cash in the machine. You can find ATMs below these locations –
– Shimla
– Rampur
– Reckong Peo (126 kilometers from Shimla) (41 kilometers from Sangla)
– Kaza
– Tabo (200 kilometers from Reckong Peo)
– Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Mobile Connectivity in Spiti Valley
Mobile coverage in the Spiti Valley is now good. In Kaza, however, the Reliance Jio and BSNL networks are available. (Some Places Like Chitkul, Chandratral Lake in Spiti Valley, you can fece Network issue during your Spiti Tour)
Although internet connectivity is difficult to predict, BSNL may be able to provide service in the Spiti valley.
What to Bring on Your Spiti Valley Road Trip –
For Summer (1st week: May to October)
Summers in Spiti valley are not particularly cold, therefore you won’t need to bring a suitcase full of woolens.
The essentials are:
– A warm wool coat
– A hat or a cap
– Light warm clothing
– Hiking shoes
– Sunglasses
– Gumboots if riding
– Woolen Socks
Winters in the Spiti Valley may be brutal, so bring plenty of woolens. The following are some of the must-haves:
– Warm thermals
– Windcheater
– Trek gumboots
– Gloves and stockings made of wool
– Sunglasses
– Heavy woolen jacket
– Thermoflask Bottle