How to Reach Spiti Valley: A Guide for Adventure Seekers
Spiti Valley is a remote, high-altitude region located in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Known for its starkly beautiful landscape, Spiti Valley is a popular destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Visitors can explore the region’s ancient Buddhist monasteries, trek through its rugged terrain, and experience its unique culture and traditions.
The region’s traditional homes, known as “gompas,” are built into the sides of cliffs, adding to the area’s otherworldly beauty. Spiti Valley Tour Packages are convenient all year round. How to Reach Spiti Valley? Despite its remoteness, Spiti Valley is becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure in India.
Spiti Valley is a remote destination in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, and reaching it can be an adventure in itself. The valley can be accessed by road through two different routes – one via Manali and the other via Shimla. Things To Pack For Your Spiti Valley for a safe and memorable travel experience.
How to Reach Spiti Valley
If you are coming from Delhi, you can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Manali, which is about 550 km away. From Manali, you can take a shared or private taxi to Kaza, the main town of Spiti Valley. The Manali to Kaza route remains open from June to October, so this is how you can see how to reach Lahaul Spiti.
Alternatively, you can take a bus or train from Delhi to Shimla and then hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Reckong Peo, from where you can take a shared or private taxi to Kaza.
It’s important to note that the roads to Spiti Valley are steep, narrow, and dangerous, especially during monsoon and winter. Hiring a local driver or joining a tour group is advisable to navigate the terrain safely.
How to reach Spiti Valley by air
The nearest airport to Spiti Valley is Kullu-Manali Airport, which is located in Bhuntar, about 240 km away. From there, travelers can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Spiti Valley. However, flights to this airport are limited and may not be available year-round.
How to Reach Spiti Valley, Another option is to fly to Chandigarh International Airport or Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, which has better flight connectivity, and then take a taxi or bus to reach Spiti Valley. The distance from Chandigarh to Spiti Valley is around 522 km, while the distance from Delhi to Spiti Valley is around 750 km. The journey can take around 12-14 hours by road, depending on weather and road conditions.
Also, the airport near Spiti Valley is the Bhutar airport in Kullu where you can reach your destination by road.
How to reach Spiti Valley by road
Reaching Spiti Valley by road is popular for those who enjoy scenic drives and adventures. The valley is well-connected to major cities in North India through a network of roads. The most common route is via Shimla, which is around 420 km away from Spiti Valley. From Shimla, How to Reach Spiti Valley?
You can take a bus or hire a private taxi to reach Spiti Valley. Another popular route is via Manali, which is around 200 km away from Spiti. The Manali-Leh Highway offers stunning views of the Himalayas and is open from June to September. However, road conditions can be challenging, so it is recommended to travel with an experienced driver or a tour operator. Spiti Valley Trek is a beautiful life experience – How to reach Lahaul Spiti.
How to reach Spiti Valley from Manali
By Road:
You will travel from Manali on the Manali-Leh Highway towards Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Spiti Valley. After crossing Rohtang Pass, you will descend into the Lahaul Valley and continue towards Gramphu. From Gramphu, you will turn left towards Kunzum Pass, which connects Lahaul Valley to Spiti Valley. After crossing Kunzum Pass, you will enter Spiti Valley and pass through picturesque villages like Losar, Kaza, and Tabo.
The road from Manali to Spiti Valley is adventurous and challenging, with steep ascents, sharp bends, and rough terrains. Hiring a local driver or joining a guided tour is advisable for a safe and enjoyable journey. The route is usually open from June to October, depending on weather conditions and road conditions.
De route from Shimla and visit Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley from Shimla, you can take the following route:
By Road:
- Shimla to Narkanda: Start your journey from Shimla and drive towards Narkanda, a scenic town located about 60 kilometres away. The road offers beautiful views of forests and valleys.
- Narkanda to Rampur: From Narkanda, continue driving to Rampur, approximately 80 kilometres away. The route takes you through picturesque landscapes and small villages.
- Rampur to Jeori: From Rampur, drive towards Jeori, which is around 40 kilometres away. This stretch of the journey takes you through lush green mountains and winding roads.
- Jeori to Karcham: Continue your drive from Jeori to Karcham, which is approximately 30 kilometres away. You will pass through stunning valleys and river views.
- Karcham to Reckong Peo: From Karcham, drive to Reckong Peo, which is the district headquarters of Kinnaur. It is about 50 kilometres away and offers mesmerising views of the Kinnaur Kailash range.
- Reckong Peo to Nako: From Reckong Peo, head towards Nako, which is around 90 kilometres away. Nako is a beautiful village with a serene lake and ancient monasteries.
- Nako to Tabo: Continue your journey from Nako to Tabo, which is approximately 60 kilometres away. Tabo is famous for its ancient Tabo Monastery, which is over a thousand years old.
- Tabo to Kaza: From Tabo, drive to Kaza, the main town of Spiti Valley, which is around 50 kilometres away. Kaza offers various amenities, including accommodation options and facilities.
The journey from Shimla to Spiti Valley via this route is approximately 400 kilometres and takes around 10-12 hours, depending on the road conditions and stops along the way. It is advisable to check the weather and road conditions before embarking on the journey and consider hiring a local driver or joining a guided tour for a safe and comfortable trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nearest airport to Spiti Valley?
The nearest airport to Spiti Valley is the Kullu Manali Airport in Bhuntar, Himachal Pradesh. One can hire a taxi or take a bus from the airport to Spiti Valley. However, it’s important to note that the airport is not operational throughout the year and is subject to weather conditions. Another option is the Chandigarh International Airport, which is about 522 km from Spiti Valley but offers better connectivity and is operational throughout the year. From Chandigarh, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Spiti Valley.
How do you fly to Spiti Valley?
Unfortunately, there is no airport in Spiti Valley, so you cannot fly directly to the region. The nearest airport to Spiti Valley is Kullu Manali Airport in Bhuntar, which is around 240 km away.
From Bhuntar, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Spiti Valley. Another option is to fly to Chandigarh or Delhi airports with better connectivity and then take a taxi or bus to reach Spiti Valley. However, the journey from these airports is quite long and can take up to 12-14 hours by road.
Keep in mind that the roads to Spiti Valley are narrow and winding, so it’s important to hire an experienced driver if you plan to take a taxi. So, if you are a flight person, get to the airport near Spiti valley and reach the destination easily.
How far is Manali from Spiti?
Manali is approximately 200 kilometers away from Spiti Valley. However, the actual travel time can vary depending on the route taken, weather conditions, and the mode of transportation used. The most commonly used route from Manali to Spiti Valley is via the Rohtang Pass, which remains open from May to November, depending on the weather conditions. The travel time can range from 8-10 hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions. How to Reach Spiti Valley During the winter months, this route is closed due to heavy snowfall, and the only way to reach Spiti Valley is via the longer route through Kinnaur.
