1 night · Easy · Himachal's hill capital, known for colonial buildings, the Ridge and a heritage mountain railway.
Day 1: Shimla
- Arrive and check in near Mall Road.
- Walk the Ridge and Mall Road.
- Visit Christ Church on the Ridge.
- Go up to Jakhoo Temple on foot or by ropeway in the late afternoon.
Getting here from Shimla: Road, about 9 to 10 hours. About 240 km by road.
2 nights · Moderate · The last village on the road up the Baspa valley in Kinnaur, at about 3,450 m.
Day 2: Arrival day
- Travel from Shimla to Chitkul (about 9 to 10 hours).
- Walk through the village to the Mathi Temple.
- Eat at Hindustan ka Aakhri Dhaba.
- Walk down to the Baspa riverside before sunset.
Day 3: Chitkul
- Start early for the Rani Kanda meadows hike if you feel fit, and take water and food.
- Otherwise take the flat walk towards the ITBP checkpost (Nagasti) and back.
- Spend the late afternoon by the Baspa riverside.
- Have an early dinner at your homestay; nights are very cold.
Getting here from Chitkul: Road, about 2 hours. About 70 km by road.
1 night · Easy · A heritage village on the old Hindustan-Tibet Road, facing the Kinner Kailash peaks.
Day 4: Kalpa
- Arrive from Reckong Peo, stopping at Kothi village and the Chandika Devi Temple on the way up.
- Visit the Narayan Nagini Temple in the village centre.
- Walk on to the Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar Gompa nearby.
- Take the old Kalpa village walk through the lanes and orchards before dusk.
Getting here from Kalpa: Road, about 6 hours. About 170 km by road.
Days 5 to 6: Tabo
2 nights · Moderate · A small Spiti River village built around a Buddhist monastery founded in 996 CE.
Day 5: Arrival day
- Travel from Kalpa to Tabo (about 6 hours).
- Evening: walk up to the Tabo Caves before sunset.
Day 6: Tabo
- Rest after arrival and get used to the altitude.
- Visit Tabo Monastery and its temples.
- Look in at the Tabo Monastery Library.
- Watch the night sky from the village.
Getting here from Tabo: Road, about 1.5 to 2 hours. About 50 km by road.
2 nights · Challenging · High cold-desert valley of old Buddhist monasteries and tiny villages, with Kaza as its main town.
Day 7: Kaza and Spiti Valley
- Arrive in Kaza and rest; do nothing strenuous.
- Take a short walk to Sakya Tangyud Gompa, Kaza.
- Withdraw cash and fill fuel if needed.
- Early dinner and plenty of fluids.
Day 8: Kaza and Spiti Valley
- Drive to Key Monastery in the morning.
- Continue to Kibber village and Chicham Bridge.
- Lunch at a village homestay or cafe.
- Return to Kaza by late afternoon.
Getting here from Kaza and Spiti Valley: Road over Kunzum Pass, about 8 to 10 hours; the pass is usually open only from about June to October. About 180 km by road.
Days 9 to 10: Manali
1 night · Easy · Hill town in the Beas valley of Kullu, known for snow, old wooden temples and adventure sports.
Day 9: Arrival day
- Travel from Kaza and Spiti Valley to Manali (about 8 to 10 hours; the pass is usually open only from about June to October).
- Walk to Hidimba Devi Temple.
- Cross the bridge to Old Manali and visit the Manu Temple.
- Evening on Mall Road.
Day 10: Manali
- Go to Vashisht Temple and the hot springs.
- Walk the trail from Vashisht to Jogini Waterfall.
- Return to town and rest for the next day's early start.
Afterwards: Manali has buses and taxis to Chandigarh and Delhi.
Travel times between stops are rough estimates for planning; check current timetables and road conditions before you go. Each day links to the full guide for that place.
