TripMonks

Shimla to Manali

Road Trip

Duration

6 Nights and 7 Days

Locations Covered

Shimla – Kufri – Chitkul – Kalpa – Nako – Giu – Tabo – Dhankar – Pin Valley – Kaza – Losar – Kunzum Pass – Chandratal – Chhatru – Atal Tunnel – Manali

Highest Altitude

4,600 m

Total Distance Covered

1000+ Km (approx)

Pricing

INR – –

/ per person

Highlights of the Trips

  • Visit age-old temples and monasteries.
  • Explore monasteries literally hanging from cliffs.
  • Experience the Upper Himalayas.
  • Uncover the mystery of a 500-year-old mummy.
  • Sit by crystal blue lakes and relax.
  • Send a postcard from the highest post office in the world.
  • Explore the beautiful rustic lands of Kinnaur.
  • Cross some of the highest passes in the world.
  • Stay under a billion-star sky.

Fixed Departure Dates in 2023

  • 21-27 May
  • 4-10 June
  • 18-24 June
  • 8-14 July
  • 3-9 September
  • 1-7 October
  • 22-28 October

Enjoy your Journey

A road trip that is...

Overview

Day Plan

Customizable

  • DAY 1, SHIMLA- NARKANDA- CHITKUL (250km | 9 hrs)

    This epic Road Trip will start from ISBT Shimla in a comfortable Tempo Traveller/Innova. We rise and shine early in the morning and get a head start on our road trip to cover 250 kilometres toward Chitkul in 9 hours. This small village in the Kinnaur district is the home to some of the finest potatoes in the world. Popularly known as the last inhabited village near the Indo- Tibetan Border, the Indian roads end here at Chitkul. The village is famous for its traditional Pahadi houses with roofs made of either slate or wooden planks. Adorned with high snowclad mountain peaks, Chitkul is also often known as the Swiss Alps of India! After feasting on some lunch and dinner en route, we spend the night tucked in a comfortable hotel, ready for the day ahead. Highest Altitude: Chitkul (11,320 ft)

  • DAY 2, CHITKUL- KALPA (70 km | 3 Hours)

    We start our morning by going around Chitkul and experiencing a blissful morning in the Kinnauri region of Himachal. After exploring Chitkul, we drive towards Kalpa in the Kinnaur District itself. Kalpa is a beautiful village, known best for its apples and chilgoza or the Pinus gerardiana. Located at the base of the Kinnaur Kailash Range, Kalpa is blessed with spectacular views of the higher mountains, especially during sunrise and sunset with the light rays of the sun touching the snow-clad peaks. The Shivling Peak standing 6,000 meters tall also looms over the village of Kalpa! After exploring this naturally beautiful village and the famous suicide point, we retire for the night in our comfortable hotel rooms. Highest Altitude: Kalpa (9,700 ft)

  • DAY 3, KALPA- NAKO- GIU- TABO (190 km | 7 Hours)

    We start our morning by experiencing a blissful morning in front of the Kinner Kailash range. From here, we depart for Tabo while crossing the treacherous Malling stream. En route to Tabo, we will visit Nako, the most picturesque hamlet of Kinnaur, we will visit Nako Lake. After this, we now enter the vast Spiti Valley, while crossing the check post at Sumdo. We drive further to the village Giu, located 17 kilometers from Sumdo. Giu village is known for its 500 years old mysterious mummy which still has its teeth and hair intact. After visiting the temple where this mummy is still preserved we head to Tabo where The Dalai Lama has expressed his wishes to Tabo Monastery since it is considered one of the holiest. After a full day of moving around, we finally call it a night at a hotel in Tabo. Highest Altitude: Nako (12,010 ft)

  • DAY 4, TABO- DHANKAR- PIN VALLEY- KAZA (120 km | 5 Hours)

    From Tabo, we then move on to explore Dhankar Monastery. Dhankar used to be the administrative capital of Spiti before Kaza. We explore the village and visit the Dhankar Gompa situated asymmetrically atop a steep cliff. This hilltop fort that overlooks the Spiti Valley also once used to serve as a jail in the olden days. After spending some amazing moments in this peaceful monastery, we head towards Mudh which is a high-altitude village located in Pin Valley of Spiti District. Pin Valley is known for its Pin Valley National Park, home to the snow leopard and Siberian ibex. With such high reaches and glaciers where humankind seldom goes, Pin Valley might as well be the highlight of your trip! Mudh is the last motorable village in India on this side and is also the base camp for a number of long treks including the famous Pin Bhaba Pass Trek. Known for its sprouting pink blossoms known as Sia Mentok, Mudh is an enchanting land that is sure to leave you awestruck! From Mudh, we finally head to our final destination of the day, Kaza, the administrative capital and largest town of Spiti, and hit our comfortable beds after these meanderings. Highest Altitude: Dhankar (12,774 ft)

  • DAY 5, KAZA- HIKKIM- KOMIC- LANGZA- KEY- KAZA (70 km)

    Today, we explore some of the highest inhabited regions of the world. Our first stop will be at Komic, which literally translates to ‘eye of a snow cock’. Komic is the highest motorable village in the world at a height of 4,587 meters! After spending some time taking in the beauty of this enchanting village, we head to Hikkim, home of the highest post office in the world. Next, we visit Langza, situated at an altitude of 4,400 meters. Once at Langza we can stroll around and visit the ancient Lang which is a 1000 years old temple and spot the marine fossils found here in the sedimentary rocks. After lunch we will visit Key, known for its magnificent Key Monastery situated at the foot of steep ridges, it is also the Biggest Gelugpa Sect Monastery in Spiti. This monastery is also known to have a training center for the Lamas. Overlooking the Spiti River, looking down at the valley from any spot of this upland country is a great sight. Spending some time in the peace and quiet of this monastery can really be a soulful experience, something to remember for a lifetime. We return back to Kaza and you are free to explore the market at Kaza and buy souvenirs for your family and friends. We return back to our homestay/hotel for dinner and a night's stay. Highest Altitude: Komic village (15,049 ft)

  • DAY 6, KAZA- CHICHAM- LOSAR- KUNZUM PASS- CHANDRATAL (100 km | 5-6 Hours)

    From Kaza, we drive to Kibber. Kibber is also home to the majestic snow leopard and gives a breathtaking view of Kanamo Peak at 19,600 feet. From Kibber, we visit the famous Chicham Bridge, the highest bridge in Asia, and hear stories about the ancient method of using pulley trolleys. We now drive through the least populated village of Spiti- Losar, to reach India’s highest motorable mountain pass which connects Kullu and Lahaul to Spiti Valley- Kunzum La at 15,000 feet. From Kunzum La, we head towards one of the most photogenic places in Spiti Valley- the breathtaking Chandratal Lake, also known as the lake of the moon. This magnificent lake has surprisingly no visible source of water, concluding that the water for this lake comes from underground. We spend the night in camps and spend our evenings gazing at millions of stars on a clear night. Highest Altitude: Kunzum Pass (15,000 ft)

  • DAY 7, CHANDRATAL- ATAL TUNNEL- MANALI (135 km | 6 Hours)

    To celebrate our last day in Spiti Valley, we depart from Chandratal Lake and make our way to Batal, home to the famous Chachi Chachi ka Chandra Dhaba. From there we continue our journey on Kaza – Manali Highway while taking a lunch halt at Chhatru. Driving beside the Chandra River we pass Gramphoo village and enter Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel) to reach Manali, thus entering the Kullu District. The tunnel is intended to create an all-weather route to Leh and Lahaul and Spiti valleys in Himachal Pradesh. The 9.02 km-long tunnel passes under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range on the Leh-Manali highway. We reach Manali, only to head back home with a heart full of happy memories. Highest Altitude: Chandratal (14,000 ft)

  • Buffer Day

    Buffer Day– It is important to have an extra day as any bad weather conditions or landslides may delay your journey. In case another day is utilized, you need to pay extra for buffer day expenses.

Activities and Adventures

During the journey..

Package Inclusions

  • Accommodation in Hotel/Homestay/Resort/Camps (6 nights)
  • Transportation from Shimla to Manali in Innova or Tempo Traveller
  • MAP meal plan (6 Breakfast and 6 Dinners)
  • Experienced and Local Driver cum Guide
  • First-Aid Kit

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