Short answer: Enter through Shimla and Kinnaur so that you gain height slowly, reach Kaza on day four, spend a full day in the high villages, and leave over Kunzum Pass to Manali. The circuit depends on Kunzum Pass being open, usually from about June to October.
The plan at a glance
| Day | Route | Night at |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shimla – Narkanda – Rampur or Sarahan | Rampur or Sarahan |
| 2 | To Kalpa | Kalpa |
| 3 | Kalpa – Nako – Tabo | Tabo |
| 4 | Tabo – Dhankar – Kaza | Kaza |
| 5 | Key, Kibber and the high villages | Kaza |
| 6 | Kaza – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal | Chandratal camps or Batal |
| 7 | To Manali through the Atal Tunnel | Manali |
Who this plan suits
Fit travellers comfortable with long mountain drives. Seven days is tight; if you have ten, use the longer plan.
Day by day
Day 1: Shimla – Narkanda – Rampur or Sarahan
- Leave Shimla early.
- Apple country around Narkanda.
- Bhimakali temple if you stay at Sarahan.
Day 2: To Kalpa
- Follow the Sutlej gorge into Kinnaur.
- Reach Kalpa, above Reckong Peo, for the Kinner Kailash view at sunset.
Day 3: Kalpa – Nako – Tabo
- Long day; start at dawn.
- Nako village and lake.
- Enter Spiti; Tabo monastery in the evening or next morning.
Day 4: Tabo – Dhankar – Kaza
- Dhankar monastery above the Spiti–Pin confluence.
- Reach Kaza by afternoon and rest.
Day 5: Key, Kibber and the high villages
- Key monastery and Kibber.
- Langza, Hikkim and Komic if you feel well.
- Keep the pace slow; you are sleeping at about 3,700 m.
Day 6: Kaza – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal
- Cross Kunzum Pass.
- Short walk to Chandratal when its road is open.
- Cold night in camps; in poor weather continue lower.
Day 7: To Manali through the Atal Tunnel
- Rough road to Gramphu; start early before meltwater rises.
- Tunnel and Manali by evening.
Best time for this trip
June to early October, when Kunzum Pass is open. Monsoon landslides affect the Kinnaur and Manali approaches in July and August.
Practical notes
- Indian citizens need only a photo ID; foreign nationals need a permit for the Kinnaur–Spiti stretch.
- Fuel is scarce: fill at Reckong Peo and Kaza.
- Carry cash; networks are patchy.
- Drink water, avoid alcohol for the first nights, and descend if altitude symptoms worsen.
- Keep one spare day in hand for a blocked road or bad weather.
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We do not publish a fixed price: the cost depends on your dates, group size, vehicle and the standard of stays.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
- Spiti Valley 10-day itinerary
- Spiti Valley trip cost
- Best time to visit Spiti
- Kinnaur valley travel 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
Is seven days enough for Spiti?
It is the minimum for the full circuit. Any road block leaves no slack, so add a day if you can.
Why start from Shimla and not Manali?
The climb is gradual, which helps acclimatisation.
Can I do this circuit in May?
Usually only as a return trip via Shimla; Kunzum Pass typically opens later.
Is Chandratal always accessible?
No. Its road and the camps operate only in the warm months.
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.
