Spiti Valley itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Spiti Valley

1. 01

   Day 1: Kaza village and Kee Monastery

   If you arrive in Kaza, spend your first day at very low activity to help acclimatisation. Walk gently around Kaza village (the main settlement at 3,660 m) in the late afternoon and evening. Visit the small Kaza Chöskor gompa or take a short jeep drive to Kee Monastery, which perches spectacularly on a hillside 20–30 minutes from Kaza. The monastery is active; request permission before entering and photograph respectfully. Return to Kaza for a simple dinner and early sleep to help with altitude adjustment.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 02

2 days in Spiti Valley

1. 01

   Day 1: Kaza and acclimatisation

   Spend your first day acclimatising in Kaza with short, gentle walks around the village. In the afternoon, drive to Kee Monastery to see the architecture and local monks. Return and rest early. Drink water, avoid alcohol, and move slowly.

2. 02

   Day 2: Lower valley exploration

   On your second day, if you are feeling acclimatised, take a jeep south to Tabo (about 50 km, 2 hours) to visit the famous Tabo Monastery, founded in 996 CE and one of the oldest monasteries in Himalayas. The interior paintings and sculptures are remarkable. Return to Kaza the same day, or overnight in Tabo if you prefer a slower pace. A stop at Dhankar (on the way, high above the Spiti River) offers a historic fort-monastery complex with sweeping views.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 03

3 days in Spiti Valley

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrive and settle at Kaza

   Arrive in Kaza and spend the day acclimatising with very gentle activity. Walk around the village, rest frequently, hydrate well, and visit the small Kaza Chöskor gompa if energy allows. Sleep early.

2. 02

   Day 2: Kee, Tabo and Dhankar

   On day two, after acclimatisation, take a full-day jeep excursion. Drive north to Kee Monastery early and spend time there, then return and drive south through Kibber towards Tabo. Stop at Dhankar on the way to see the old fort-monastery on the cliff above the river junction. Visit Tabo Monastery, one of the valley's finest. The loop covers roughly 50–80 km depending on your exact route. Return to Kaza for the night.

3. 03

   Day 3: Kibber and higher altitude

   If you are well acclimatised, drive north and east to Kibber village (one of India's highest, around 4,200 m) to see traditional stone houses and the Kibber monastery. The road is rough and narrow; a 4WD is safer. Alternatively, take a gentler half-day excursion to Chichim or Langza (with a fossil museum), returning to Kaza. Spend the evening packing and prepare to descend the next day.

Guides for the stops on this route

Pacing

Make the plan work for everyone

• Acclimatise before anything else: Spend your first full day in Kaza (3,650 m) at very low activity before attempting Kibber, Langza, Komic or any other higher village. Altitude sickness is the single biggest risk in Spiti, not the terrain or the roads.
• The valley is only open roughly June to September: Snow closes most of Spiti's roads from around October to May, including the Kunzum Pass route to Chandratal and Manali. Confirm current road status with a Kaza guesthouse or tour operator before travelling in shoulder months.
• Cash and fuel run out beyond Kaza: Kaza has the valley's only ATM and gathers most of its fuel pumps and pharmacies. Withdraw enough cash, fill your tank and buy any medicines here before heading to Tabo, Kibber or the plateau villages.
• Hire a private vehicle and driver for the duration: Public buses run irregularly between villages, and self-driving on Spiti's narrow, unpaved roads is not advisable for most visitors. A private jeep with a local driver, arranged in Kaza, is the standard and safer way to see the valley.
• Dress in layers, even in July and August: Daytime sun can feel strong at this altitude, but temperatures drop quickly once the sun dips, and monastery interiors are cold stone year-round. Bring a windproof and warm layer regardless of the season.
• Mobile signal is unreliable outside Kaza: Coverage is patchy or absent in most villages beyond the main town. Tell your guesthouse owner your rough day plan before setting out, and don't rely on being reachable by phone.