Road trips · 8D/7N
Winter Spiti Expedition
8 days in the snow of Spiti Valley by road from Delhi: up through Kinnaur on the only road open in winter, to Kaza and the high villages around it, and back, in a small group with a trip leader.
Trip facts
- Minimum age
- 16 years
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Vehicle
- SUV's 4x4
No trekking is required. The challenge is the cold and long days on mountain roads at altitude.
Highlights
- Snow-covered villages around Kaza: Key, Kibber, Langza and Hikkim
- The Kinnaur road along the Sutlej and Spiti rivers, the only way in during winter
- Tabo and Dhankar, two of Spiti’s old monasteries
- Small group with one trip leader and buffer time for snow days
Dates and prices
Dates for Winter Spiti Expedition are being finalised. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you the next departure.
No dates are open right now. Ask us on WhatsApp for the next departure.
Itinerary
Day 1
Delhi to Shimla
- Stay
- Shimla
Day 2
Shimla to Kalpa, Kinnaur
- Stay
- Kalpa
Day 3
Kalpa to Nako
- Stay
- Nako
Day 4
Nako to Tabo
- Stay
- Tabo
Day 5
Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar
- Stay
- Kaza
Day 6
Kaza villages: Key, Kibber, Langza and Hikkim
- Stay
- Kaza
Day 7
Kaza to Rampur
- Stay
- Rampur
Day 8
Rampur to Delhi
Can we go to Spiti in winter?
Yes. In winter Spiti is reached from the Shimla side, through Kinnaur by Reckong Peo, Nako and Tabo, because the Manali road over Kunzum Pass is closed by snow. Heavy snow can still shut the Kinnaur road for a day or more, so the itinerary keeps buffer time.
Vehicle and safety
Is Spiti Valley risky?
In winter the risks are cold, altitude and roads closed by snow, and each is managed: warm stays and a strict packing list, a gradual climb with daily AMS checks, and buffer time instead of driving in bad weather. Our protocols are on the Safety page.
Which is better, winter Spiti or summer Spiti?
Choose winter if snow is the point: frozen streams, white villages and empty roads, with colder nights and one road in and out. Summer opens both routes and the high passes, with easier nights and more flexibility.
Is Spiti Valley better than Manali?
They are different trips. Manali is a busy hill town that is easy to reach; Spiti is higher, remote and quiet, and in winter it takes several days on the road to get there. Come to Spiti for the landscape and the solitude.
Not included
- Travel to Delhi before the trip and from Delhi after it
- Meals not listed in the itinerary, snacks and drinks
- Extra nights or transport if snow closes the road beyond the buffer time
What to carry
Clothing
- Thermal base layers (two sets)
- Fleece mid layer
- Down jacket
- Waterproof and windproof shell
- Woollen cap, neck warmer and gloves
- Woollen socks
Footwear
- Insulated waterproof boots with grip
- Warm slippers for stays
Personal
- Sunglasses for snow glare
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Personal medicines and a copy of prescriptions
- Power bank (batteries drain fast in the cold)
- Photo ID
Permits
Foreign nationals need a protected-area permit for the border stretch of Kinnaur and Spiti, which includes Nako: the Kinnaur district administration (hpkinnaur.nic.in) says no foreigner may enter or stay there without one, and allows recognised-agency groups of two or more for up to 30 days. Indian citizens are not covered by that rule; travel guides report a police registration at the Jangi and Sumdo check posts instead.
Safety
Kaza and the villages around it are high, and this trip stays at altitude for several nights. The itinerary climbs gradually, and the trip leader checks every traveller for signs of acute mountain sickness (AMS) each day.
Cancellation and refunds
Read the full cancellation & refund policyYour trip leaders
Leaders to be confirmed.
Questions travellers ask
Where is winter Spiti located?
Spiti Valley is in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, along the Spiti river near the border with Tibet; Kaza is its main town. "Winter Spiti" means visiting it in the snow season, roughly December to March, when it is reached only from the Shimla side.
Is Spiti Valley closed in winter?
No. Kaza and the villages around it are lived in all winter and stay reachable from the Shimla side through Kinnaur. What closes is the Manali side, over Kunzum Pass.
How much does a winter Spiti tour cost?
It depends on the departure. Each date’s price per person, and whether GST is included, is in the Dates and prices table at the top of this page, which is updated from our live departures.
Is 3 days enough for Spiti Valley?
Not in winter from Delhi: the drive in and out through Kinnaur takes several days each way, so this trip is 8 days with time in and around Kaza.
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