Dear Spiti,
It wasn’t long before we arrived within your borders and we began waxing poetic about your mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes. Your beauty will awe anyone visiting you. In winters, the pure white of snow-covered mountains and the deep blue of lakes are like nothing else on this earth. However, we didn’t anticipate that your people would truly overwhelm us with their hospitality. They’re really nice!
With love from InstaHimachal,
It was just a quick letter from us to Spiti! Come let’s start the blog.
The rains are finally over, and winter is right around the corner! Is Himachal on your travel list? If yes, then plan a Spiti Valley tour in winters.
If you’ve never been to Spiti before, you must have decorated many pictures in your head. Have you? There are some who imagine lush green hills, mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, while others envision a barren wasteland, similar to Ladakh. There are thousands of tourists every year who visit this place regardless of what the picture looks like. And the best time to visit Spiti you ask? It’s throughout the year. However, Spiti in winters is sheer magic! It’s a lifetime experience that will remain with you forever.
If the idea of travelling to Spiti Valley in winter comes to mind, it is sure to bring along questions and apprehensions as well. There are a lot of things to think about, such as whether the roads will be open or not, whether accommodation options will be available, how the temperature will be, whether I’ll be able to buy food or water during that time, etc.
You have to be flexible with your itinerary, and therefore, you know where you can stop overnight if your plan changes. Similarly, you should know what places to avoid overnight if you are vulnerable to cold, acute mountain sickness, or being trapped on both sides of a roadblock.
Spiti in winters is harsh. It is not so good to be stuck in such a remote region in the cold months with limited facilities. If you fantasize Spiti about being seated on your sofa with air conditioning, it may seem fun. In reality, things aren’t so rosy. Therefore, it is recommended to plan your Spiti trip wisely.
Itinerary to Spiti
There are two road routes to reach the Spiti valley. One is the Shimla-Kaza route and the other is via Manali. Spiti in winters is not possible via Manali. Now you’ll be like what’s the role of the Atal tunnel then? See, there are two passes that you need to cross to reach Spiti. One is Rohtang Pass and the other is Kunzum Pass. As for blocked Rohtang we’ve got an alternative, the Atal Tunnel, however for Kunzum Pass there’s no such solution yet, not until BRO does some digging under the pass. So, one cannot start the journey from Shimla and complete it in Manali. The road from Manali to Kaza remains closed in winters from November to May. So, the only option to visit Spiti in Winters is from Shimla to Kaza. You can start your journey from Shimla and reach Kaza and return back from the same route.
Without any further ado, let’s dive into the itinerary:
1. Spiti Via Kinnaur
2. How to Reach Spiti Valley?
3. Where to Stay in Spiti?
4. What to Eat in Spiti?
5. Packing List
6. What to do in Spiti Valley?
1. Spiti Via Kinnaur
It is a pretty long journey from Shimla to Kinnaur Valley and Upper Kinnaur and Spiti. Indian Tibet Highway, which leads to Spiti Valley from Kinnaur, is itself a destination. It is one of the world’s most treacherous roads. Today, however, most of the road is in good condition. No need to get worried. You reach Spiti in 3 days if you take this route. Here’s how:
Day 1: Delhi – Narkanda
Day 2: Narkanda – Kinnaur (Mostly Reckong Peo)
Day 3: Peo- Nako- Tabo (Spiti Valley)
Day3: Tabo- Dhankar-Kaza
Day4: Kaza- Kibber- Kaza (if the road is open)
Day5: Kaza- Langza- Komik- Hikkim-Kaza (if road open)
Day6: Kaza- Tabo- Nako- Peo
Day7: Peo- Sarahan- Narkanda
Day 8: Narkanda- Shimla
Day 9: Shimla- Delhi
Please keep in mind that this whole journey can be extremely tiring, so be prepared for the fatigue.
2. How to Reach Spiti Valley?
Photo By – Naveen
Spiti By Road
Remember when you had to board the local buses for a long journey and the music wasn’t so fancy, what were those songs again? Yep, we enjoyed Bollywood or regional songs equally, didn’t we? Travelling to Spiti by bus can be similar. While the wind brushes your face and some romantic song plays in the background, you feel no less than the heroine or hero of your own movie. Cut Cut!
If your budget is limited, and you want to experience Spiti valley in its rawest form, then buses are your most practical option. Since most of the roads in Spiti are closed in winter, travelling in your own four-wheeler is not recommended. The roads are sealed with snow all over, making driving difficult. There will be irregularities in the public transport system too. So be prepared for that too.
Bike Trip to Spiti
Take a moment to visualize yourself riding a bike along a long, rugged highway with the most picturesque view of jagged terrain cut by the pristine and fast-flowing glittering water of the Spiti River. The rhythm of the song “Ghume ghume banjare ghume duniya ye behare ab aage hoga kya” resonates in the background, isn’t it almost like something straight out of a movie? It sure is!
A majority of tourists arrive here by riding heavy motorcycles in winter. Just take care of speed, fuel, brakes, and sharp turning points. In winter roads are snow-filled. So unless you’re sure that you can ride on snow. Don’t take risks just because you wanna do adventure. Also, most of the mechanic shops will be closed.
Spiti By Flight
It is not possible to fly directly to Spiti Valley. There are two airports in the area: Bhuntar, Kullu, and Jubbarhatti, Shimla. Both airports, however, have limited operations. The nearest international airport is Chandigarh Airport, located 522 km away.
3. Where to Stay in Spiti?
There are plenty of hotels and homestays in Spiti Valley, but it is always good to know which hotels or guesthouses are popular and which should be avoided. It is always a big hassle-saver, especially if you are traveling with family. Since Spiti Valley is a remote area, accommodation options are good in number, but facilities are limited especially homestays.
The first thing to keep in mind is that, no matter what day it is, if you have the chance to access a PWD Rest House in Himachal, do not miss it! We repeat don’t. It is the most economical option to stay in Himachal Pradesh at HPPWD Rest House. Both routes to Spiti are lined with PWD Rest houses. Nonetheless, you can always live at a homestay if you want to. Even though you pay a good amount per night, you cannot expect all the luxury in a place like Spiti. Trust us, buddy, a place to stay in Spiti Valley with an attached toilet is a luxury in itself.
4. What to Eat in Spiti?
Wherever you travel, do you crash on the local cuisine OR are you normal??? Though ingredients are limited, Spiti cuisine is flourishing due to its distinctive culture and lifestyle, which is influenced by Tibetan cultures. This remote region’s traditional foods are mostly made from boiled, steamed, or fermented ingredients, which are easy to prepare. Not to mention but a kitchen in Spiti, regardless of the snow-covered landscape outside, has everything it needs on the inside.
The local cuisine includes thukpa, a soupy dish made from hand-torn noodles, vegetables, and meat; dried meat; Momos, savory butter tea, the local alcoholic drink chhang. Proteins, fibres, carbohydrates, and minerals are all well balanced in the meal.
The majority of what they eat is staple food. Do try their authentic Spiti cuisine that includes daal and rice, along with vegetables. There are many Cafes in Spiti that will serve you the best. Sit in one, have food and overlook the jagged mountains, experience a cool breeze. Bon appetite!
5. What to Pack?
If you plan a Spiti trip in winter, it can be labelled as “crazy”. In winter, Spiti requires a lot of preparation and a lot of things. Keep yourself prepared for worst-case scenarios at all times.
The most pertinent thing to keep in mind when planning your trip to the Spiti Valley is that, at any cost, you must KEEP YOURSELF WARM AND COMFORTABLE. To do this, you must wear appropriate woollen clothing and keep your shoes on at all times with socks. Here’s what you should pack:
1. Warm Sweaters and a Heavy Woolen Jacket (Windproof),
2. Warm Hand Gloves
3. Fleece Jacket, a Must Have
4. Heavy Woolen Clothing, Be Prepared for the Worst
5. Woollen Socks, 2-3 Pairs
6. Inner Thermals, (2-3 Pairs)
7. A Monkey Cap,
8. Warm Insulated Shoes or Hiking Boots,
9. Sunglasses and a Torch
10. Essential Medicines or a First Aid Kit
11. Important Documents like License and Aadhar Card
What to do in Spiti Valley?
Interact with the Locals
Interacting with the locals is a must-do thing everywhere you go. Apart from the beauty of the Spiti valley, you’ll fall in love with the locals here. They’re so genuine and polite. The same is expected from you, talk to them politely and you’ll never, NEVER forget your Spiti trip.
Capturing the Milky May
In the Spiti villages, you can easily spot the milky way because they are above 10,000 feet in altitude. One can capture the milky way at its finest while stargazing here.
Spot a Snow Leopard
If roads are clear visit Kibber village and spot a snow leopard.
Chicham Bridge
Photo By – Alok Kumar
If roads are open do visit the world’s highest suspension bridge. The bridge is at a staggering height of 13596 ft. This bridge connects two Spiti villages Kibber and Chicham. Don’t forget to take pictures!
Village Walks
Hire a local guide and make it to Hikkim, a hamlet at an elevation of 14,567m having the world’s highest post office; Komic Village which is at an elevation of 4,587m and is the highest village of the world accessible by road, and Langza, a small village rich in fossils. Scientists believe that these incredible fossils are much older than the Himalayas.
Photo By – Vivek
A trip to Spiti in winter is never enough, and one can never say that they will not return to this heaven again. In winter, there’s nothing but white as far as the eye can see. Your battery might die but your urge to take pictures or shoot reels won’t. IG is ruling anyways! Isn’t it?
There is no doubt that Spiti is a truly deceptive beauty that would entice you into a visit but then test your patience, grit, and adaptability. If you wanna explore it raw, enjoy a Spiti trip with Insta Himachal this winter! Also if you’ve got some beautiful reels of this valley do share them on our Instagram account Insta Himachal. Don’t forget to follow us there. If you liked the blog, do share it with your friends and family who’re planning a fun trip to Spiti this winter.
Toodles!
