✦ himalayan · 7 Nights / 8 Days
Lahaul Spiti Adventure Circuit
The other Tibet — inside India.
Lahaul and Spiti — Himachal’s high-altitude cold-desert valleys — open in summer (June-October) and feel more like Tibet than India. Buddhist monasteries (Key, Tabo), high-altitude lakes (Chandratal), and the world’s highest post office at Hikkim are the headlines.
Since the Atal Tunnel opened in 2020, the circuit can be completed in 8 days starting from Manali — previously it required 10+ days via Kinnaur. Our route goes Manali → Lahaul → Spiti → Kinnaur → Shimla, an unforgettable Himalayan loop.
This is a high-altitude adventure tour: acclimatisation matters, mobile coverage is patchy, and weather closures are common. We pair it with our Shimla–Manali package for travellers who want the contrast of comfortable hill stations before the rough roads of Spiti.
Route
The journey
- 01 Manali
- 02 Sissu (Lahaul)
- 03 Chandratal
- 04 Kaza
- 05 Key Monastery
- 06 Kibber
- 07 Tabo
- 08 Kalpa
- 09 Shimla
Day-by-Day
Itinerary
- Day 1
Manali → Sissu (Lahaul)
- Drive via Atal Tunnel (9 km tunnel, opened 2020).
- Sissu waterfall, river walk.
- Overnight in Sissu.
- Day 2
Sissu → Chandratal Lake
- Drive via Batal, Kunzum Pass (4,551 m).
- Crescent-shaped Chandratal Lake.
- Camp overnight (or stay at Batal homestay).
- Day 3
Chandratal → Kaza
- Drive to Kaza (4 hrs · 100 km).
- Kaza market, acclimatisation.
- Overnight in Kaza.
- Day 4
Kaza local: Key, Kibber, Hikkim
- Key Monastery (1,000-year-old Gelug monastery).
- Kibber Village (14,200 ft).
- Hikkim (world's highest post office).
- Overnight in Kaza.
- Day 5
Kaza → Tabo
- Drive to Tabo (1.5 hrs).
- Tabo Monastery (1,000+ years old, UNESCO consideration).
- Caves and ancient murals.
- Day 6
Tabo → Kalpa (Kinnaur)
- Drive via Nako, Khab confluence.
- Kalpa apple orchards, Kinnaur Kailash view.
- Overnight in Kalpa.
- Day 7
Kalpa → Shimla
- Long scenic drive (250 km · 9 hrs).
- Sarahan visit (Bhimakali Temple).
- Overnight in Shimla.
- Day 8
Departure
- Drive to Chandigarh airport.
Included
What's in the package
- Accommodation in hotels / homestays / camps
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- All transfers by SUV (Mahindra Scorpio / Innova)
- Inner Line Permits for restricted areas
- Driver allowance, fuel, toll, parking
- Vacanza Go local representative
Not Included
Bring your own
- Entry fees to monasteries (₹50–100 each)
- Camera fees at Tabo, Key
- Personal expenses, oxygen kit if individually used
- Force majeure costs (landslides common in this circuit)
Read Before You Travel
Important notes
- Circuit closed in winter (Nov–May) due to snow
- Kunzum Pass is highly weather-dependent
- Photo ID + Inner Line Permit required (we handle)
- Acclimatisation required — Day 3 in Kaza is rest day
- Limited mobile coverage — Jio works best
Where We'll Go
Destinations covered
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How does Spiti compare to Ladakh?
Smaller, more accessible, and visually similar (cold high desert with Buddhist monasteries). Spiti is reachable by road from Manali in 1-2 days. Ladakh requires either flights or 2+ days of driving. Spiti is also significantly cheaper.
Is the road safe?
Lahaul Spiti has the most challenging mountain roads in Himachal — narrow, often unpaved sections (Kunzum Pass especially). We use experienced drivers who've done this route 10+ times. Weather closures are common; we build buffer days for longer groups.
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