The Spiti circuit in eight days — up through Kinnaur, out over Kunzum to Manali

Leave Shimla early for the long road up the Sutlej through Narkanda and Rampur. Sarahan sits above the river on a side road, and its temple is the reason to stop here rather than drive on.

1. 16:00

   Bhimakali Temple, Sarahan

   temple · about 1 h 30 min there

   The towered timber-and-stone temple of the old Bushahr rulers. Ask in the town first about which parts are open while the conservation work continues.

Back down to the highway and up the side valley to Sangla, where Kinnaur's orchards and wooden villages begin. An easy afternoon after yesterday's drive.

1. 15:00

   Kamru Fort

   fort · about 2 h there

   The tower fort above Sangla, a short drive and a walk up through the old village. We have no measured time for that walk; allow an hour.

Up the valley to its last village in the morning, then back down and across to Kalpa for the night, facing the Kinnaur Kailash range.

1. 09:30

   Chitkul

   town · about 1 h 30 min there

   The last village of the Baspa valley, with the river beside it and wooden houses up the slope.
2. ↓ 15 min by road · 9 km
   12:30

   Rakchham

   town · about 1 h 30 min there

   The village on the valley floor on the way back down, for lunch beside the river. Its lanes are not measured on our map.

The day the green ends. The road climbs out of Kinnaur's gorges past Pooh to Nako, then drops to the Spiti river at Tabo. Carry water and snacks; the stops are few.

1. 12:30

   Nako Lake

   lake · 2 h 44 min from Kaza · about 1 h there

   The small lake in the village of Nako, with its old monastery beside it. Lunch, and a slow walk to get used to the height.
2. ↓ 1 h 38 min by road · 63 km
   17:30

   Tabo Monastery, Himachal Pradesh

   temple · 1 h 6 min from Kaza · 4 min walk from the road · about 1 h 30 min there

   The monastery founded in 996, with its mud-walled halls and painted interiors. Evening is quiet; the main visit can wait for the morning.

Up the Spiti river to Dhankar on its spur, a turn into the Pin valley, and Kaza by the evening. Tabo to Kaza alone is about 47 km and 67 min; the detours make the day.

1. 10:00

   Dhankar

   town · 46 min from Kaza · about 1 h 30 min there

   The old fort monastery on its cliff above the meeting of the Spiti and Pin rivers.
2. ↓ 52 min by road · 30 km
   14:00

   Kungri Monastery

   temple · 51 min from Kaza · about 45 min there

   The Pin valley's monastery, built around 1330, in a side valley of its own.

The classic Kaza day: the monastery on its hill, the high village beyond it, and the bridge over the gorge. Go slowly; Kibber is well above Kaza.

1. 09:30

   Ki Gompa

   temple · 31 min from Kaza · about 45 min there

   Key Monastery, Spiti's largest, stacked on its hilltop above the river.
2. ↓ 15 min by road · 7 km
   12:00

   Kibber

   town · 41 min from Kaza · about 1 h 30 min there

   The village on the high shelf at 4,270 m, at the edge of the wildlife sanctuary.
3. ↓ 17 min by road · 3 km
   14:30

   Chicham Bridge

   monument · 50 min from Kaza · about 1 h there

   The bridge across the gorge between Kibber and Chicham, at 4,145 m.

A rest day for the body before the high road out. The morning at the monastery above Komic, the afternoon in Kaza's market and monastery.

1. 10:00

   Tangyud Monastery

   temple · 31 min from Kaza · about 45 min there

   The monastery at Komic, one of the high villages above Kaza. We route this road by public OSRM, not our own router; ask in Kaza how the track is before going.

The long day out. From Kaza the road climbs over Kunzum Pass, about 15,000 ft, and down to the Chandra valley and Manali. Kaza to Manali is about 479 km on our measured routing via the roads open in summer. Leave at first light and confirm the pass is open the evening before.

1. 19:30

   Old Manali

   area · about 30 min there

   The lanes of cafés and guesthouses under the deodars, and a bed after a week at height.