Short answer: Drive from Shimla through Kinnaur into Spiti, cross Kunzum Pass to Lahaul and Manali, then go west through Mandi to Bir and Dharamshala. The Spiti–Manali link works only while Kunzum Pass is open, usually from about June to October.
The plan at a glance
| Day | Route | Night at |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shimla | Shimla |
| 2 | Shimla – Narkanda – Sangla | Sangla |
| 3 | Chitkul; Sangla – Kalpa | Kalpa |
| 4 | Kalpa – Nako – Tabo | Tabo |
| 5 | Tabo – Dhankar – Kaza | Kaza |
| 6 | Key, Kibber and the high villages | Kaza |
| 7 | Rest or Pin Valley | Kaza |
| 8 | Kaza – Kunzum – Chandratal | Chandratal camps |
| 9 | Chandratal – Sissu | Sissu |
| 10 | Sissu – Manali | Manali |
| 11 | Manali | Manali |
| 12 | Manali – Mandi – Bir | Bir |
| 13 | Paragliding; Bir – Dharamshala | McLeod Ganj |
| 14 | McLeod Ganj; depart | Home |
Who this plan suits
Experienced road travellers with a suitable vehicle, or anyone hiring a driver who knows the route.
Day by day
Day 1: Shimla
- The Ridge and Mall Road.
Day 2: Shimla – Narkanda – Sangla
- Long day into the Baspa valley.
Day 3: Chitkul; Sangla – Kalpa
- Morning at Chitkul; Kinner Kailash at sunset.
Day 4: Kalpa – Nako – Tabo
- Enter Spiti.
Day 5: Tabo – Dhankar – Kaza
- Monasteries on the way.
Day 6: Key, Kibber and the high villages
- Easy pace.
Day 7: Rest or Pin Valley
- Buffer day.
Day 8: Kaza – Kunzum – Chandratal
- Walk to the lake.
Day 9: Chandratal – Sissu
- Rough road to Gramphu; night in Lahaul.
Day 10: Sissu – Manali
- Atal Tunnel; free afternoon.
Day 11: Manali
- Rest, laundry, Old Manali.
Day 12: Manali – Mandi – Bir
- Six to seven hours.
Day 13: Paragliding; Bir – Dharamshala
- Via Palampur.
Day 14: McLeod Ganj; depart
- Temple complex and Bhagsu; evening departure.
Best time for this trip
June to September for the full loop. Late July and August carry landslide risk in Kinnaur and around Manali, so mid-June or September is the safer choice.
Practical notes
- Have the vehicle serviced; carry a spare tyre, basic tools and a tow rope.
- Fuel at Reckong Peo, Kaza, Tandi and Manali.
- Foreign nationals need a permit between Kinnaur and Spiti; check vehicle registration rules for Lahaul and Spiti.
- Never drive after dark in the hills.
- Two buffer days are built in; protect them.
What it costs
We do not publish a fixed price: the cost depends on your dates, group size, vehicle and the standard of stays. Tell us those and we will send a written quote that states exactly what is included.
Read more
- Spiti road trip planning guide
- Kinnaur valley guide
- Lahaul valley guide
- Best scenic drives in Himachal
- Bir Billing guide
Check before you go
- India Meteorological Department — forecasts and warnings.
- Himachal Pradesh Tourism — official destination information.
- HRTC online booking — state bus timetables.
Want this itinerary planned for you?
Funtoor can adapt this plan to your dates, pace and starting city, and arrange transport and stays. Request a custom itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do this in my own car?
Yes with good ground clearance and hill-driving experience; the Kunzum–Gramphu stretch is the hardest.
Which months work?
June to September, ideally mid-June or September.
Can it be done in reverse?
It is better this way round, because the climb through Kinnaur is gradual.
What if Kunzum Pass is closed?
Return from Kaza via Kinnaur and reach Manali through Shimla or Mandi; it adds two days.
Compiled by the Funtoor team from published sources and official pages, last reviewed in October 2026. It is a sample plan, not a first-hand trip report or a fixed package: driving times are approximate, and rules, fees and road status change, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you travel.
Written by
Funtoor Travel Team
Travel planners based in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. We plan and arrange trips — stays, transport and experiences — across the Himalayas.
