How to reach Spiti Valley
Traveling to Spiti Valley
The Rohtang and Kunzum passes, which separate Lahaul and Spiti from Kullu, are located on the Manali-Leh route. Summertime Reaching Spiti Valley can be made by this path, but most of the year it is impassable due to severe snowfall. However, the Spiti Valley is reachable all year round from Shimla via Kinnaur (apart from sporadic disruptions caused by landslides or high snowfall).
Route 1: Via Kinnaur through Hindustan – Tibet Highway
Take an overnight bus from Delhi or Chandigarh to Shimla. From 5 AM to 8 PM, a large number of public and private buses go between Shimla and Kinnaur. There are 1-2 midnight buses that go to Reckong Peo (the administrative center for the Kinnaur district) after the time limit has passed. The final bus departing from Shimla leaves at 6.30 PM and arrives about 4.30 AM. Both the New Bus Stand and the Old Bus Stand in Shimla have access to these buses. From Reckong Peo to Kaza, passengers must board another bus.
You can also book a shared cab or even a private one (Xylo or Scorpio) in addition to this. Depending on the time of year and your ability to haggle, the prices from Shimla range from INR 2500 to 3500 per day.
Some people also enjoy taking their own vehicle down. Due to significant landslides and difficult terrain, an SUV drive is sufficient for safety, but sedans and hatchbacks are not recommended.
A trip in a state/private bus takes less time even if self-driving is more fun and allows you the convenience of stopping and admiring the scenery at your leisure.
Route 2-Via Manali
The alternative is to go from Manali to Kaza in a private or public bus, passing across the Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass. Around five in the morning, buses depart from Manali for Kaza.
Both shared and private taxis (Xylo and Scorpio) are available for hiring. Depending on the time of year and your ability to haggle, the prices from Manali range from INR 2800 to 3500 per day.
When it comes to the Hindustan-Tibet highway, you are also able to take a private vehicle and make the individual trip down.
How to reach Spiti Valley by air
You cannot reach Spiti valley by direct airplane. The closest airport is 245 kilometers away in Bhuntar, which is close to Kullu. The Bhuntar airport, however, is a small one with little services. The closest airport is Chandigarh Airport, which is 522 kilometers away.
How to reach Spiti Valley by road
There are frequent bus services that run to and from Spiti Valley. They run on a daily basis from locations like New Delhi, Pathankot, Shimla, etc., day or night. For the same journey, you can also use shared taxis or cabs.
How to reach Spiti Valley by train
Chandigarh has the closest broad gauge station that is easily accessible from Spiti. The closest railway station to Spiti is in Jogindernagar, although it has terrible connectivity.
How to reach Spiti Valley by bus
In the summer, the Himachal state transport system operates buses along both routes, however only one bus travels the Shimla-Kinnaur-Kaza route. From Chandigarh, Shimla, Kullu, Manali, and some other locations in North India, direct buses are accessible.
Local transport in Spiti
Since the Spiti Valley separates India and Tibet, the name Spiti means “The Middle Land”. Spiti, which is sparsely populated yet offers a variety of trekking paths, is a haven for adventure seekers. All of these treks begin in Kaza, the capital of Spiti, where you establish your base camp, and lead to numerous peaks with sweeping vistas of the Himalayan ranges.
From Dhankar Monastery to Dhankar Lake, a short 1.5-kilometer walk along the Spiti River offers stunning views of the towns below. You can unwind at the Dhankar Lake itself while breathing in the crisp alpine air.
Another highly-liked tourist destination is the mountain ropeway, which runs from Kibber to Chichum and provides breathtaking views of the gorge below as well as an aerial perspective of the surrounding hills.