Spiti Valley Road Trip - Things You Need to Know
Spiti Valley, with its diverse offerings, is an ideal destination for a wide range of travelers. Whether you're a culture lover, history enthusiast, adventure seeker, or simply someone captivated by stunning landscapes, Spiti has something to offer you. Exploring this region at your own pace over a week or two allows you to fully immerse yourself in its wonders. Geology enthusiasts will be fascinated to learn that Spiti was once submerged under the Tethys Sea millions of years ago, adding another layer of intrigue to this already mesmerizing place. To make the most of your Spiti adventure, consider checking out Spiti Valley tour packages from Delhi. These packages can help you plan a seamless and enriching experience in this unique and captivating destination. Whether you're tracing the cultural heritage, hiking through dramatic terrain, or simply gazing at the starry skies, Spiti promises an unforgettable journey for every kind of traveler.
The Spiti river gives you company for a major part of the road journey. Spiti is all about abundant clean mountain air, freshly grown food and nature in all its glory. The locals take pride in being self-sufficient. Nobody knows of, or uses, pesticides. ‘Organic’ is the only way food is grown here. Although different seasons mean varied colours of nature, the best time to visit Spiti Valley is believed to be the months of July-August.
Spiti is a part of the Lahaul & Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh is situated in the rain shadow of the Indian Himalaya. Kaza is the district headquarters of Spiti while for Lahaul, it is Keylong. It sees little by way of annual precipitation. The roads in Spiti Valley are closed for 7-8 months in a year, due to snow at the high passes. Hence the window of visit is quite small. Spiti is a cold desert where time seems to have stood still for a thousand years. People living here predominantly preach the Buddhist way of life.
Here are certain things you need to know before planning a road trip to Spiti Valley:
- Total distance on road from Delhi — the distance between Delhi to Spiti Valley is 726.2 Km.
- Time required to complete the journey — approximately 17 hours
- Best time to travel — The best time to travel and visit the Spiti Valley is permissible and possible throughout the year (even during the snow). But we may suggest you to visit when they have a slightly warmer climate – that is, from March to June.
Road conditions and routes from Delhi to Spiti Valley
A road trip from Delhi to Spiti Valley can be possible through two routes.
1. Delhi< Shimla< Spiti Valley
The main advantage of taking this route is that you’ll get a slightly better and maintained road. Though you’ll face some dirty and slushy roads in between, that’s only a part of the roadway that has to be crossed to reach Spiti Valley.
2. Delhi< Manali< Spiti Valley
This road isn’t recommended if you are not too keen on adventure and risks. The road is very patchy and dangerous, which makes it prone to high cases of landslides as well. But some adventurous travellers do prefer this way to get the adrenaline rush during their travel.
Read Blog: How to plan Spiti Valley Trip in winters
9 Best Places to Visit in Delhi to Spiti Valley Journey
There are some famous and outstanding places to visit in Delhi to Spiti Valley road trip, and must do stopovers and night stays. Before you start the journey, jot down a list of things to do in the Spiti Valley road trip. Let’s help you to create a list!
1. Overnight Stay at Sangla:
Start from Delhi towards Shimla through Kufri and Narkanda. You can descend towards Sutlej Valley (which is in itself a wonderful place), and move towards Rampur — which is located on the Indo-Tibet highway. You can also catch the sight of some remarkable and large hydroelectric projects on your way at the district of Kinnaur. An overnight stay at Sangla can be a nice decision to take during this journey.
2. Kalpa:
From Sangla you can head towards Chitkul, the last village before Tibet. You can get once in a lifetime view of some alluring Pine trees near the Baspa River while travelling in this route. You can also visit the famous Mata Mandir when in this area. You can head towards Karcham from here to Kalpa to watch the famous Kinner/ Kinnaur Kailash ranges, which has a rock that is 70 feet high and resembles a Shivlinga.
3. Strolling the markets in Kaza:
You can also stopover at Kaza –the headquarters of Spiti. You should enjoy their local food, traditional market and a wonderful view when you are in this area. The most salient feature of travelling via road is to experience the life and culture of the people of the area – a stopover at Kaza would enrich you that way.
4. Hikkim and Langza:
When you have crossed the highest motorable road towards Hikkim, don’t miss to view the world’s biggest post office here. From here you can move toward Langza, where your eyes shall get rivetted to the magical snow-clad peaks and virgin beauty of nature. Immerse yourself in the serenity of the largest Buddha statue at Langza, and rev up your adventure with our thrilling Spiti Valley bike trip, where every ride unveils breathtaking vistas and cultural wonders for the ultimate exploration.
5. A Tour of The Chandratal lake:
The famous Moon Lake or Chandra Tal would be in your way as you move along the Kibber Chicham bridge, which is again an iconic bridge of around 4300 metres. You can then take a stop near the Chandrabha ranges, from where you can get the ideal view of the spectacular Moon lake.
6. Trekking at Narkanda:
You would have heard a lot about Narkanda. It’s a mesmerising 7 km long trek to reach the Hatu peak, which is said to be the tallest peak in this entire place with a height of 11150 feet. There are lots of temples, lakes and farms to be explored and viewed in this region.
7. Chitkul Farms:
The Chitkul farms or orchards come in your way towards your drive to the Spiti Valley, which is actually very famous. Just don’t miss checking the Tibetan wood carving centre and Bering Nag temple when you are here.
8. Mountain Viewing of Kalpa:
Along your way, you can stopover to view the Kinnaur Kailash peaks and apple orchards at Chakka village when in Kalpa. Also, their local markets and traditional food is something that you should definitely try.
9. Kufri:
Ice skating at Kufri, the most beautiful place and a popular honeymoon destination at Himachal Pradesh, is certainly a must on your list of stopover destinations during your journey. Apart from skiing, you wouldn’t be able to lift your gaze off the snow-clad mountains and enchanting views here.
