Spiti in Winters – Detailed Winter Spiti Itinerary for Visiting White Spiti

Are you in search for a “Itinerary for White Spiti in Winters“, at that time one has lot many questions and apprehensions. Normally, a traveler think some of the points like will the roads be open, how we will get accommodation, what about food options en-route, what would be the temperature in a day time and at night and much more. Certainly such question should come in your mind before planning for such a ride, in order to make this trip successful. Most of the detailed information we have posted in our last article “How to Travel through White Spiti In Winters“, however, the next most important part which was left is Winter Spiti Itinerary. What itinerary one should follow for such a fantastic journey of Spiti in Winters.

Well, we are here discussing the most common and recommended “Winter Spiti itinerary” for Spiti Valley in Winters. To plan a ride for Spiti in winters one has to take care for many parameters. And the most important thing is the itinerary. The Itinerary for Winter Spiti should be flexible. So that you can plan your stay accordingly even in worst case scenarios as well. A proper home work about places also recommended, so one can decide which place is better to stay overnight. By avoiding vulnerabilities such as high altitude to avoid acute mountain sickness, freezing cold weather or if you get stuck in between from both sides of the road block.

As per our experience, at least 8 days required for a complete white Spiti experience. Less than these days means you would be travelling and stretching any of the day. One has to understand Spiti is not all about number of Kilometers, it’s all about the road condition and terrain. Which actually limit your speed to even 20 KMPH.

Winter Spiti Itinerary – 8 Days Itinerary for Winter Spiti

Road from Manali to Kaza via Rohtang and Kunzum remains closed throughout winters. You have no choice but to start your journey from Shimla to Kaza and to come back from same route. As the route from Manali to Kaza remains open in summer time like from June to first half of October. In fact one can plan Spiti valley Trip in 3 days but in summers only. In winters it’s not possible to come from Manali side to Kaza at all. Route from Shimla to Kinnaur to Spiti Valley remains open throughout the year. Before going further into detailed information for white spiti in winter, you should read about the preparation & information required for winter spiti. This article covers most important factors to be consider before planning Spiti trip. Information about stay, how to keep your vehicle alive, food and how to drive.

Your final itinerary totally depends on factors like your mode of travel, your starting point, number of days you have or budget limitation etc. To start the winter spiti itinerary, I assume that you will be coming from Delhi and on your own vehicle. Avoid planning your trip on public transport, as in winter spiti public transport is scarce in Winter Spiti. Either go by your own vehicle or hire a private taxi for this trip. As per the number of days you have in hand, you can modify the itinerary accordingly. Usually, if you are not starting from Delhi, then the very first day and last would change in this itinerary.

Winter Spiti Itinerary – 8 Days Itinerary for Winter Spiti

• 1st Day – Delhi to Theog / Narkanda (371 KM)
• 2nd Day – Theog /Narkanda to Kalpa / Reckong Peo (198 KM)
• 3rd Day – Kalpa / Reckong Peo to Tabo (152 KM)
• 4th Day – Tabo to Kaza (50 KM)
• 5th Day – Kaza
• 6th Day – Kaza to Nako / Pooh (132 KM)
• 7th Day – Nako / Pooh to Rampur Bushahr (186 KM)
• 8th Day – Rampur Bushahr to Delhi (470 KM)

As we discussed above that, you will going and coming back from same route for Spiti valley. We tried keeping the returning places different from going, so one can enjoy different places. Below is the detailed information for each day with explanation of this itinerary.

Day 1 – Delhi to Theog / Narkanda – 371 KM

Start your journey early from Delhi. Up until Pinjore it is long monotonous drive. After crossing Himalayan Expressway, you will start your journey in mountains towards Shimla. In Shimla, you can take a break and spend some time for food as well. From Shimla you can processed either to Theog or Narkanda depending upon day light. From Shimla theog is like 30KM and Narkanda is 63KM. However, your first hurdle to cross Fagu and Kufri, where you might find snow on road. Drive carefully on this road now, as kufri and fagu experience lot of snow.

I personally advise and prefer to stay either in Theog or Narkanda instead of Shimla being crowded. On the other hand Shimla itself becomes too beautiful in winters because of snow all around. Eventually, its all depend on your time taken to reach Shimla, so you can decide to stay at shimla or Theog / Narkanda. Shimla is a famous hill station and there are many things available for a nice stay. Theog or Narkanda, both are small villages, however, the scenic beauty if mesmerizing.

Narkanda is famous for Hatu Peak and for Hatu Mata Mandir. However, please don’t even think to attempt to reach this peak in December or in January. Better to plan to reach Hatu Peak in some other time in summers. This entire area is fully covered with snow and because of steep drive to top with narrow road it becomes quite difficult to reach on top.

Day 2 – Theog / Narkanda to Kalpa / Reckong Peo – 198 KM

From Narkanda, descend back to Jeori and continue towards Rampur and Karcham. If you are on time then from Karcham, take a right turn towards Sangla Village. You can only visit to Sangla, as the roads towards Chitkul is completely covered with snow and closed. Sangla is the place famous for Kamru Fort, Nages God Temple and view of Kinnaur Kailash.

At this time, you can even plan your stay in Sangla as well or drive to reach Kalpa – Reckong Peo. The only drawback staying at Sangla is that if it snows in night, then for sure you will be stuck here for a day or two. If you are fine to take a risk, then you can stay at Sangla as well. Otherwise, either skip Sangla or continue your drive to Kalpa from Sangla.

The next important call is, if the roads are open towards Kalpa from Reckong Peo then try to reach Kalpa for today’s accommodation. Else, stay at Reckong Peo only. This is the last place where the fuel is available. The next petrol pump is in Kaza. From this point onwards your Phone network will also not available. So make a call to know your family and friends about your trip.

Total drive would be around 8-9 hours If you started from Narkanda to Sangla and to Kalpa.

Day 3 – Kalpa / Reckong Peo to Tabo – 152 KM

Depending upon your night stay, start your journey back to main Highway towards Tabo. The road condition is really in bad shape. As soon as you reach pooh, there you have to do entry at check post, from this place onwards the roads condition gets better.

Check weather forecast when you start your journey today. As after crossing Kalpa there is no looking back and chances of being stuck due to snowfall in between Pooh – Nako – Tabo is much higher. Hence, check before you start your journey.

You can see the confluence of Sutlej river and Spiti river at Khab. Beautiful view of Leo Purygal from the bridge of Khab. For lunch break you can stop at Nako village. There is a small lake in Nako and a Helipad on top of Mountain where travelers click photographs with their own vehicle. Nako is famous for Nako Lake which gets completely frozen in winters. Time to start your journey towards Tabo.

Starting from Nako, very first huddle is the Malling Nala, which for sure will be frozen. from Nako around after 38 KM, you will see a cemented entry gate to Gue Village. From this intersection about 8 KM there is a Gue Monastery. This site is famous because of a 500 years old Mummy. The Monastery is on the top of the hill from Gue Village. However, the chances are most probably this road would be closed as well during winters. Come back to the main road and drive towards further for Tabo.

Total drive would be around 8-9 hours.

Day 4 – Tabo to Kaza – 50 KM

Before Starting from Tabo, you can visit Tabo Monastery. As on your last day you must have reached Tabo late in evening. After having breakfast and visiting Tabo Monastery, you can start your journey further. Today you are going to enjoy your journey a lot. Roads would be full of snow with snow-clad mountains nearby. Make sure today nature is going to test your all skills. Take better care of black ice on the road.

From Tabo you can go to Dhankar Monastery and Dhankar Lake. However, chances are high that the road to Dhankar Lake will be closed as well. There are two Monasteries in Dhankar that is Old and New. Furthermore, after driving towards Kaza, you will see a bridge on your left side which goes to pin valley. Again, most probably the road leads to Pin Valley will be closed as well.

Total drive will be like 4-5 hrs, even you drive super slow today.

Day 5 – Kaza and around

You require at least a Day to go to the places nearby to Kaza, to enjoy the real natural beauty. If you can spend more than a day in Kaza,than this is the place where you have lot many places to visit. Visit Key Monastery & Kibber Village, which most probably open throughout the year. And just in case if its closed, one can visit Key Monastery by trek. You should ask some local or take along a local guide if you are walking towards Key Monastery. It’s better not to walk alone to such places in winters. Again if you are trekking to Key Monastery, its better to arrange your stay over there only. As coming back to Kaza same day is not possible.

Around 2-3 Hours of drive today, If road is open.

Day 6 – Kaza to Nako / Pooh – 132 KM

Kaza is the place in Spiti in winters where you can go at the most. You will be starting your drive back to Pooh. Accommodation can be arranged in PWD Rest house in Chango, & Pooh. You can decide your stay any of the place depending on weather condition and the time you took to reach.

About 7 – 8 Hrs drive, depending upon the number of breaks you take en-route.

Day 7 – Nako / Pooh to Rampur Bushahr – 186 KM

I am sure you must have visit most of the sightseeing while on your way to Kaza. You can visit Sangle, If you missed while going to to Kaza. However, strongly recommended to skip Sangla else the drive will be come hectic to reach Rampur Bushahr. Its better to avoid frequent breaks, so you can reach on time to Rampur Bushahr. Start your journey early if you are staring from Nako. Today the road condition is not good and due to narrow roads, better to start early.

About 8 – 10 Hrs drive.

Day 8 – Rampur Bushahr to Delhi – 470 KM

Well, as per the plan this is the Last day and have to cover like 470KM in total. Out of 470KM around 200 KM is Hill drive rest is plain Highway. On the other hand you can even plan your stay either at Shimla or Chail if you want to spend one more extra day. Else drive directly to Delhi from Rampur Bushahr.

Now the most Important part of this Itinerary is that, like you are attempting white spiti in winters. Means, this winter spiti itinerary might have lot many If’s and buts as well. This itinerary and number of days totally depends on the weather. How clear the weather remain in your entire trip. My recommendation is to plan your trip to Spiti Valley with atleast 4-5 extra days in hand. Chances are roads get blocked overnight due to snowfall and in the morning you come to know you stay got extended for some more days. Number of days depends directly on weather, road condition and your driving skills.

I hope, the details and information provided above for a winter spiti itinerary & trip to Spiti in Winters will be helpful for your planning. if you have questions or require some other information, you can post your queries in comment section for winter spiti itinerary.

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