Spiti Circuit Trip
Have heard a lot about the Spiti Circuit Trip and wondering what the Circuit is all about? If you have a few days to spare and are looking for one of the most amazing travel experiences, you ought to look into the famous Spiti Circuit Trip which boasts stunning landscapes, thrilling adventures, intriguing explorations, exciting experiences, and one heck of a vacation that you will be talking about for years to come! Explore CaptureATrip’s amazingly immersive Spiti Valley Circuit trips to explore in deep, the captivating, gratifying, picturesque, and soul-enriching journey that the Spiti Valley Circuit truly is!
Spiti Circuit Map| Spiti Circuit Route
The Spiti Circuit map is a popular travel route in Spiti Valley, located in Himachal Pradesh, India. The Spiti Circuit covers all the beautiful landscapes, high-altitude locations, picturesque villages, ancient monasteries, and the unique local culture and civilization of the Spiti Valley. CaptureATrip recommends starting the Spiti circuit from well-connected Spiti points depending on your travel location. The Spiti Valley Circuit trip can be started from major entry points like Shimla or Manali.
The Spiti Circuit is known for its tough, challenging, high-altitude remote terrains which become more challenging due to its drastic weather and road conditions, making the Spiti Circuit Trip an adventurer’s delight!
The common Spiti Circuit Map route involves traveling from Shimla or Manali to Reckong Peo in the Kinnaur district, adding and removing travel points as per our interests and convenience. Here, you might need to obtain the Inner Line Permit to enter Spiti, unless you are traveling with a trusted travel expert like CaptureATrip, who has already taken care of it for you. From Reckong Peo, you can travel further to Kalpa village to enjoy the stunning sights of the Kinnaur Kailash mountain range. From here, you travel to Tabo via Nako. Tabo is famous for its ancient monasteries, and is also known as the ‘Ajanta of the Himalayas’. From here, we can proceed to Dhankar, which is popular for its beautiful monasteries, and the famous Dhankar lake, a significant sacred spot as per Hindu mythology, that is also unmatched in beauty. From Dhankar, we can travel to Kaza, which is the largest town in Spiti and serves as a cultural hub. From Kaza, we make our way to Kibber, one of the rustic and most iconic villages of Spiti, with an old-world charm. Kibber connects to Chicham via the highest bridge in Asia, the Chicham Bridge, from where we can make our way to Langza and Hikkim, some of the intriguing Spiti villages that make for popular tourist sites. From there, we can make our way to Losar, a small village en route to the famous Kunzum Pass, a high-altitude mountain pass that connects Spiti Valley to the Lahaul Valley. The Shimla Spiti Manali circuit comes full circle as we visit the spell-binding Chandtral lake, and conclude the Spiti circuit map journey back in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
Most Popular Spiti tour Package
Winter spiti Package
Spiti Valley Tour Package
Spiti Valley bike trip
The best time to visit the Spiti circuit
The best time to visit Spiti Circuit is during the early Autumn and Summer months, which span from late May to Early October. The weather conditions and road conditions during this period are favorable for a pleasant, safe, and hassle-free journey, considering the mountainous terrains and rugged nature of the Spiti Valley roads. Winters are prone to extremely low temperatures, heavy snowfall, and many restricted, inaccessible roads and mountain passes which can make the Spiti Circuit trip a challenging journey for inexperienced travelers. The Summer and autumn months can pave the way for clear skies, pleasant weather, and picturesque landscapes, providing an ideal time for outdoor activities like Nature Photography, spotting Flora and Fauna, Trekking, Sightseeing, exploring local villages and culture, etc. Winter trips are specifically suggested for seasoned travelers who are seeking out thrilling winter adventure plans, and unique winter landscapes as part of their Spiti travel experience.
How to reach the Spiti Valley Circuit
To reach Spiti Valley Circuit, we will have to travel to one of the main entry points to Spiti Valley, namely, Shimla and Manali. Post which, you can follow the Spiti Valley journey points to proceed with the rest of your Spiti Circuit trip.
By Air:
Kullu-Manali Airport (KUU): If you plan on starting your Spiti Circuit map journey from Manali, you can take a flight to the Kullu Manali airport from the airport nearest to you, and then proceed to Manali and the Spiti Circuit via road.
Chandigarh Airport (IXC): You can fly to Chandigarh Airport near Spiti, from various major cities in India, and then proceed further to Shimla or Manali by Road.
Shimla Airport(SLV): You can fly directly to the Shimla airport from certain cities in India, and then proceed further on the Spiti Valley circuit via the Shimla route by road.
By Road:
From Shimla:
Travel from major cities like Delhi or Chandigarh to Shimla, and from Shimla, proceed via Road to Reckong Peo which is the entry point of the Spiti Valley.
From Manali:
Reach Manali from major cities like Chandigarh or Delhi, from where you proceed to Kaza, the main town of Spiti Valley.
Things to Do in Spiti Circuit
Experience divine Spirituality, magnificent architecture, picturesque beauty, and ancient Buddhist art forms like the beautiful Thangka paintings, enchanting Stupas, frescoes, and stuccos, mesmerizing wall art, and intriguing scriptures at the famous Buddhist Monasteries spread across the Spiti Valley, as you immerse yourself in the rich cultural Indo-Tibetan heritage of the spectacular valley.
Explore the distinct, diverse Himalayan Flora and Fauna at the unique Bio-reserve of the Pin Valley National Park.
Go trekking and hiking across the famous Baralachha Pass and Kunzum Pass, and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the Spiti Valley from different points across the adventurous journey.
Take the exciting Yak Safari as you hop on the mighty, white-as-snow Yak, the pride of the Spiti Valley, that every family in the valley boasts of owning at least one.
Send the most fascinating Holiday Postcard to your Loved ones from the Highest Post Office in the world, situated in the high-altitude region of Hikkim.
Go Local Shopping in the vibrant streets of Kaza and Keylong markets as you discover traditional jewelry, ceramic art, bamboo and metal works, locally made woolen clothes, local spices and utensils, and a limitless list of souvenirs for back home.
Enjoy a pleasant stroll or a soul-soothing drive across the highest suspension bridge in Asia – the Chicham Bridge, which rests at 4,100 meters above sea level.
Visit the intriguing Mummy village, Gue, which houses the tomb of a 600-year-old mummified monk.
Partake in Natural photography and Scenic drives as you revel in the limitless beauty of the brown dessert mountains adorned with snow or lush greens, vibrant meadows full of colorful wildflowers, gushing waterfalls, color-changing skies, pristine blue sparkling rivers, and more.
Eat the most exciting meal at the highest café in the world located in the highest motorable village in the world, the Komic village.
Enjoy camping and star-gazing by the stunning crescent moon-shaped Chandratal Lake which shadows the broad skies and brown desert mountains of the Spiti Valley.
Collect unique Plant and marine animal fossils at the Fossil village of Langza, and marvel at the Magnanimous statue of Lord Buddha that overlooks the stunning Spiti Valley in its entirety.
Visit the beautiful Trilokinath temple, an ancient, picturesque temple nestled in the lush green patches of Spiti, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and revered by both Buddhists and Hindus as a significant place of worship.
Undertake various Winter Adventure Sports like Skiing, Snowboarding, Ice-climbing, Sledding, Ice-skating, and Snow-trekking, during Winter months.
Go River-Rafting in the thrilling rapids of the Pin and Spiti rivers.
Attend Local Festivals and Events like Losar, Fagli, Phulaich, Ladurcha, Tsheshu, Yartung, or Gutor depending on your time of visit.
Explore delectable local cuisine that includes lip-smacking Hot Momos, Thukpa, Skyu, Tsampa, Chhang tea, Tingmo, and local dried sweet apricots.
FAQS for spiti circuit trip
- How many days do you need for the Spiti circuit?
Depending on your interests, specific locations you wish to visit, and the pace of your travel, the number of days you require to complete the Spiti circuit may vary. To allow yourself to explore the depth of the breathtaking landscapes, cultural experiences, recreational activities, side trips, and adventurous detours of the Spiti Valley, a minimum of 7-10 days is required to make the most of the Spiti circuit map. You must also keep in mind, that the road conditions, weather conditions, and personal preferences can further influence the duration of the Spiti circuit trip.
- What is the Spiti circuit?
The Spiti Circuit is a popular route in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh that covers the scenic landscapes, famous ancient monasteries, fascinating tourist places, high altitude remote areas, and local cultural immersions as part of an enthralling journey through the rustic mountainous terrains of the gorgeous Spiti Valley. It covers some amazing places in the Spiti Valley like the Pin Valley, Hikkim, Langza, Kibber, Tabo, Kaza, Chicham, Komic, Chandratal Lake, and more.
- Can Spiti be covered in 5 days?
While Spiti can be covered in 5 days, it will be a hasty, challenging trip that will be rushed, and it can prove to be uncertain due to the varying weather, high-altitude regions, long distances, and tough mountainous terrains. To make the most of the fascinating visual, cultural, spiritual, and adventurous treat that a Spiti Valley Circuit is, it is recommended to take a 6-12 days trip at your convenience to make the most of this amazing destination.
- How far is the Spiti circuit from Delhi?
The Spiti Circuit's distance from Delhi is pretty significant due to the involvement of long road trips, high-altitude terrains, remote areas, and mountain passes. The most common starting points for a Spiti Circuit trip are Shimla and Manali. The distance from Delhi to Shimla is around 350 to 370 km. This journey can take about 8-10 hours approximately, by road. The distance from Delhi to Manali is about 500 km and can take about 12-14 hours to reach by road travel. Further, you would need to travel from either of these towns to Reckong Peo, which is the gateway to Spiti Valley. The distance from Manali to Reckong Peo is about 220 km, whereas the distance from Shimla to Reckong Peo is about 230 km. You would then journey from Reckong Peo to Kaza, the main town of Spiti Valley, and the distance for this journey is approximately 200 km by road. One needs to keep in mind that the weather conditions, road conditions, hilly terrains, and tourist traffic in Spiti can influence your travel time.
- Can we go to Spiti by normal car?
Yes, it is possible to travel to Spiti by normal car, however, you have to keep in mind certain considerations like the Road conditions, weather conditions, high altitude regions, challenging mountainous terrains, availability of Fuel stations, well-planned itineraries, the suitability of your vehicle for the Spiti Circuit, etc.
The Cost of traveling to Spiti varies widely depending on your personal preferences, and interests in terms of your duration of visit, the season of visit, Food and accommodation, mode of transport, activities and inclusions, not to forget the permit costs, and miscellaneous expenses. A Spiti tour can be a low-budget, mid-range budget, or a luxurious trip depending on the kind of experience you are seeking in Spiti and can range from 15,000 INR to 50,000 INR and upwards for a 6 to 12-day trip per person.
- What is the best time for the Spiti Valley Circuit Tour?
The best time for a Spiti Valley Circuit tour is during the Summer and Early Autumn months which span from Late May to Early October when the weather and road conditions are favorable, skies are clear, landscapes are pleasant, opportunities for outdoor activities are abundant, paving way for a pleasant, hassle-free, and a safe Spiti Valley Circuit Tour.
- When does the Spiti Valley Circuit route open?
The Spiti Valley Circuit route is largely dependent on the weather conditions, and the accessibility of the roads and mountain passes. The Spiti Circuit route is typically open for safe travel from Late May to Early October during the Summer and early Autumn months.
- How to prepare for the Spiti Valley Circuit Trip?
Plan well in terms of the season you plan to visit, the duration of your trip, your ideal budget, food and accommodation, suitable vehicle, the things you plan to visit, travel insurance, miscellaneous expenses, clothing, medical kit, road maintenance kit, etc. Research well about the Spiti Valley, its weather and road conditions, the permit requirements, adaptability to the high-altitude climate, etc. It is recommended to travel with trusted travel experts like CaptureATrip to enjoy a safe, reliable, hassle-free, and enjoyable journey to make the most of your Spiti Valley Circuit trip.
- Why should I start the Spiti Valley Circuit from Shimla?
Starting the Spiti Valley Circuit trip from Shimla has many advantages like a lower altitude compared to that of Manali, a scenic drive through mesmerizing landscapes, a less crowded peaceful journey during peak season, better chances of obtaining Inner line permit conveniently, mid stops at cultural and tourist attractions in Shimla, etc.
