Perfect! Let’s add a 7-day Spiti Valley itinerary to the article so it feels complete. I’ll keep it simple, realistic, and traveler-friendly—something you could actually follow without feeling rushed.
🗓️ 7-Day Spiti Valley Itinerary
(Starting from Delhi → Shimla route, because it’s safer and open most of the year. If you go via Manali, just reverse it.)
Day 1: Delhi → Shimla / Narkanda
- Distance: ~400 km | Time: 8–9 hours by road
- Stay: Shimla (for city vibes) or Narkanda (quieter, less crowded).
👉 This is your first big drive, so don’t push too hard. Grab hot momos, stretch out, and let the mountain air kick in.
Day 2: Shimla / Narkanda → Kalpa (via Reckong Peo)
- Distance: ~220 km | Time: 8–9 hours
- Stay: Kalpa (famous for views of Kinner Kailash range).
👉 Kalpa is gorgeous—apple orchards, snow peaks, and cozy homestays. Reckong Peo is nearby if you want a local market vibe.
Day 3: Kalpa → Nako → Tabo
- Distance: ~170 km | Time: 7–8 hours
- Stops:
- Nako Lake: Tiny but peaceful, with prayer flags.
- Tabo Monastery: Over 1,000 years old, UNESCO-listed.
- Stay: Tabo village homestay.
👉 This is the day you start feeling like you’re entering Spiti territory. The landscape changes to a desert-like vibe.
Day 4: Tabo → Dhankar → Kaza
- Distance: ~50 km | Time: 3–4 hours (short drive, but stop a lot!)
- Must-dos:
- Dhankar Monastery: Perched dramatically on a cliff.
- Dhankar Lake hike (optional): 1–2 hours, beautiful views.
- Stay: Kaza (the main hub of Spiti).
👉 Take it easy today, because you’re now at 12,500 ft. Acclimatize, sip tea, and enjoy.
Day 5: Explore Around Kaza (Villages + Monasteries)
- Full day local exploration:
- Key Monastery: Biggest and most iconic in Spiti.
- Kibber Village: Once the highest motorable village.
- Langza: Famous for fossils and that giant Buddha statue.
- Hikkim: World’s highest post office—send a postcard!
- Stay: Back in Kaza.
👉 This day feels like a mini road trip inside Spiti. Every turn is a wallpaper moment.
Day 6: Kaza → Chandratal Lake (if via Manali route, only in summer)
- Distance: ~90 km | Time: 6–7 hours (rough roads).
- Stay: Camps near Chandratal (June–September).
👉 Chandratal = “Moon Lake.” It’s insanely beautiful, especially at sunrise or sunset. If roads are closed, you can use this day to explore more villages like Komic (one of the highest villages in the world).
Day 7: Chandratal / Kaza → Manali
- Distance: ~200 km | Time: 8–10 hours
- Route: Cross Kunzum Pass + Rohtang Pass (summer only).
👉 Boom—you’re back to “civilization.” If the Manali route is closed (winter months), just retrace your way back via Shimla.
✦ Quick Notes on the Itinerary
- Best time to follow this plan: June to October (because the Manali route is open).
- If going in winter (Nov–April): Stick to the Shimla route, skip Chandratal, and maybe add extra days in villages like Langza or Kibber.
- Extra days? Add Pin Valley National Park (wild and beautiful) or spend more time in local homestays.
So now, you not only know how to reach Spiti Valley but also how to spend 7 perfect days there. 🚗✨
Alright, let’s talk money matters 🤑—because no Spiti trip planning is complete without knowing how much you’ll roughly spend. Here’s a realistic budget breakdown per person for a 7-day Spiti Valley trip, assuming you’re starting from Delhi. (If you’re from Mumbai, just add flight cost to Delhi/Chandigarh on top.)
💰 Budget Breakdown for Spiti Valley (Per Person, 7 Days)
1. Transport
- Delhi to Shimla/Manali (bus): ₹1,000–1,500 (Volvo overnight bus).
- Local buses/shared cabs in Spiti: ₹3,000–4,000 (total for 7 days).
- Self-drive car rental from Delhi/Chandigarh: ~₹20,000–25,000 for 7 days (split among friends).
- Fuel (if driving): Around ₹8,000–10,000 (Delhi → Spiti → Delhi).
👉 If you’re sharing with 3–4 friends, budget ₹5,000–7,000 per person for transport.
2. Stay
- Budget homestays/guesthouses: ₹600–800 per night (includes basic meals in villages).
- Mid-range guesthouses: ₹1,500–2,500 per night.
- Boutique stays/camps: ₹3,500–5,000 per night.
👉 Budget travelers: ₹4,000–5,000 for 7 nights.
👉 Mid-range: ₹10,000–12,000.
3. Food
- Homestay meals: Usually included in price.
- Local dhabas/tea stalls: ₹100–200 per meal.
- Cafes in Kaza (pizza, thukpa, coffee): ₹300–500 per meal.
👉 Average spend: ₹2,500–4,000 for the whole week.
4. Permits & Miscellaneous
- Inner line permits (if needed near Tibet border): ₹200–400.
- Entry to monasteries/donations: ₹200–500.
- Emergency buffer (snacks, medicines, extra tea stops): ₹1,000.
📊 Approximate Total (Per Person for 7 Days)
| Category | Budget Traveler | Mid-Range Traveler |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | ₹5,000–7,000 | ₹8,000–10,000 |
| Stay | ₹4,000–5,000 | ₹10,000–12,000 |
| Food | ₹2,500–4,000 | ₹5,000–6,000 |
| Misc. | ₹1,000–1,500 | ₹2,000–3,000 |
| Total | ₹12,500–17,000 | ₹25,000–30,000 |
👉 So if you’re traveling on a budget with buses + homestays, you can pull off a 7-day Spiti trip in ~₹15k per person.
👉 If you want more comfort (private taxi, mid-range stays, cafe hopping), aim for ₹25k–30k per person.
💡 Money-Saving Tips for Spiti Valley
Traveling to Spiti doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. With a little planning, you can enjoy the same views and experiences while spending way less. Here’s how:
1. Travel in Groups
Hiring a private taxi solo is brutal on the budget (₹3,000–4,000 per day). But if you split it between 3–4 people, the cost per head drops a lot. Same goes for fuel if you’re doing a self-drive.
2. Use HRTC Buses and Shared Cabs
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) runs regular buses to places like Kaza, Reckong Peo, and Manali. They’re cheap (₹300–800 for long stretches) and safe. Shared cabs also run between villages, and while they’re not “luxury,” they’re affordable and authentic.
3. Stay in Homestays Instead of Hotels
Homestays in Spiti are cozy, include meals, and cost just ₹600–800 a night. Plus, you get to chat with locals, eat home-cooked food, and experience real Spitian life. Win-win.
4. Eat Local
Skip fancy cafes for every meal. Sure, try a pizza in Kaza once, but stick to dhabas and homestay meals most of the time. Dal-chawal, momos, thukpa—it’s tasty and easy on the wallet.
5. Carry Snacks & Refill Water
Chips and chocolates cost almost double in remote villages. Carry some dry fruits or energy bars from home. Also, refill your water bottle at homestays instead of buying packaged water everywhere.
6. Travel in the Shoulder Season
Peak season (July–August) means higher hotel prices. If you can, plan for June or September—roads are open, weather is nice, and stays are slightly cheaper.
7. Limit Souvenir Shopping
Honestly, Spiti’s charm is in the landscapes and people, not overpriced souvenirs. If you want something, go for local handicrafts or handmade jewelry (small and meaningful).
👉 Bottom line: If you combine buses, homestays, and simple food, you can easily do Spiti on ₹15k or less for a week. Save the extra cash for emergencies—or for your next trip. 😉
🌄 Final Thoughts: Should You Do That Spiti Trip?
If you’ve made it this far, you already know the basics—where Spiti Valley is, how to reach it from Delhi, Mumbai, or Manali, the best routes, costs, and even a 7-day itinerary. At this point, it really comes down to one question: are you ready for the adventure?
Here’s the thing about Spiti: it’s not your typical “check-in, click selfies, check-out” kind of trip. It demands patience—long drives, bumpy roads, and unpredictable weather. But in return, it gives you something rare: silence, raw beauty, and a chance to feel tiny in front of massive mountains.
Whether you’re sipping butter tea in a local homestay, watching the stars explode over Chandratal, or mailing a postcard from the world’s highest post office at Hikkim, Spiti has this magic of slowing you down and making you feel alive.
And no, you don’t need to be a hardcore adventurer or a millionaire to make it happen. With a little planning (and maybe a few money-saving hacks), this dream trip is totally doable.
So if Spiti has been sitting on your bucket list—consider this your sign. Pack your bag, grab a couple of friends, and just go. The mountains are waiting. 🌌
✦ Written with love by Question Miles, your friendly travel buddy who’s always down for road trips and long chai breaks.
