10 Days Spiti Valley and Chandratal Lake Road Trip from Delhi

Your 10-day Spiti Valley and Chandratal Lake road trip begins with pickup from Delhi Airport, railway station, hotel or another preferred location. Travel by road towards Shimla, one of Himachal Pradesh’s best-known hill stations and the gateway to the Western Himalayas.

The Delhi to Shimla drive generally takes around 8 to 9 hours, depending on traffic, weather and meal breaks. The route passes through Haryana and Punjab before entering the lower Himalayan roads around Parwanoo and Solan.

On arrival in Shimla, check in at the hotel and relax after the road journey. In the evening, guests may visit Mall Road, The Ridge, Christ Church or the nearby local market. This relaxed first night helps you prepare for the higher-altitude road journey ahead.

Overnight stay in Shimla.

After breakfast, leave Shimla and begin the scenic drive towards Sangla Valley. The journey passes through Narkanda, known for its apple orchards and mountain views, before descending towards Rampur and the Sutlej River valley.

As the route enters Kinnaur, the landscapes become more dramatic. You will see deep river gorges, steep mountains, terraced slopes, roadside villages and changing Himalayan scenery. This is one of the most scenic sections of the Delhi to Spiti Valley route.

Continue through the Sutlej Valley before turning towards Sangla, located beside the Baspa River. On arrival, check in at the hotel, homestay or riverside camp. Spend the evening enjoying the peaceful valley atmosphere and views of the surrounding mountains.

Overnight stay in Sangla.

After breakfast, proceed for an excursion to Chitkul, one of the most scenic villages in Kinnaur and among the last inhabited villages near the Indo-Tibet border. The drive follows the Baspa River through mountain slopes, wooden homes, fields and snow-clad peaks during the season.

Spend time walking through Chitkul village, visiting the local temple area and enjoying views across the Baspa Valley. The village is especially popular for photography, mountain walks and its traditional Kinnauri atmosphere.

Later, continue towards Kalpa via the Kinnaur region. Kalpa is a peaceful mountain village near Reckong Peo and is famous for panoramic views of the Kinner Kailash range. On arrival, check in at the hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight stay in Kalpa.

After breakfast, check out from Kalpa and continue deeper into the Trans-Himalayan region. The road leaves the greener Kinnaur valleys behind and gradually enters the dry, rugged and high-altitude landscapes that define Spiti Valley.

En route, stop at Nako Village and Nako Lake. Located close to the Indo-Tibet border region, Nako is a quiet Himalayan settlement surrounded by brown mountains, open sky and traditional mud-brick houses.

Continue towards Tabo and visit the ancient Tabo Monastery, one of the most important Buddhist centres in the Himalayas. Established more than a thousand years ago, the monastery is known for its old murals, prayer halls and historic significance in Tibetan Buddhist culture.

Later, drive to Kaza, the administrative and tourism centre of Spiti Valley. On arrival, check in at the hotel and relax after the long but highly scenic journey. Overnight stay in Kaza.

After breakfast, begin the classic Kaza sightseeing tour with a visit to Key Monastery. Perched on a hill above the Spiti River, Key Monastery is the largest and one of the most recognisable monasteries in Spiti Valley.

Explore the monastery complex, prayer halls and surrounding viewpoints. The location offers excellent views of the valley and is one of the best places for travellers interested in Spiti’s Buddhist heritage and photography.

Later, continue to Kibber Village, a traditional high-altitude settlement known for its mountain setting, stone homes and views across the valley. Proceed to Chicham Bridge, a dramatic suspension bridge built above a deep gorge between Chicham and Kibber.

Return to Kaza by evening. Overnight stay in Kaza.

After breakfast, set out to explore some of the most famous high-altitude villages in Spiti Valley. Start with Langza, a beautiful village known for its giant Buddha statue, wide mountain views and fossil-rich terrain.

Langza is one of the best places in Spiti for photography, especially for views of the high mountains and open cold desert landscape. In some areas around the village, travellers may see marine fossils that reflect the geological history of this Himalayan region.

Continue to Hikkim, known for its high-altitude post office. Visitors often send postcards from here as a special travel memory. Later, visit Komic, one of the highest villages in the world connected by a motorable road.

Spend time enjoying the quiet village setting and views before returning to Kaza by evening. Overnight stay in Kaza.

After breakfast, drive towards Pin Valley National Park, a quieter side of Spiti known for its rugged terrain, cold-desert ecology, traditional villages and views of snow-covered peaks. The valley is also associated with rare Himalayan wildlife, though sightings depend on season and luck.

Continue towards Mudh Village, one of the most scenic settlements in Pin Valley. The village is surrounded by dramatic mountains and offers a slower, more remote experience compared to Kaza.

Spend time walking around Mudh Village, taking photographs and enjoying the traditional Spitian landscape. The route is especially attractive for travellers who want to see a less commercial side of Spiti Valley.

Later, return to Kaza by evening. Overnight stay in Kaza.

After breakfast, leave Kaza and drive towards Chandratal Lake. The route passes through Losar, one of the last major villages before Kunzum Pass. The landscape becomes increasingly open, rugged and dramatic as you move towards the high mountain pass.

Cross Kunzum Pass, a major gateway between Spiti Valley and Lahaul Valley. The pass offers striking views of snow peaks, glaciers and surrounding Himalayan ranges. Subject to road and weather conditions, stop for photographs and a short visit to the Kunzum Devi Temple.

Continue towards the Chandratal camping area. From the parking point, take the permitted walk or local transfer towards Chandratal Lake. The crescent-shaped lake is known for its clear water, mountain reflections and high-altitude setting.

Enjoy sunset views near Chandratal and return to the camp area for dinner. Overnight stay in Chandratal camp.

Wake up early to enjoy the peaceful morning views around Chandratal Lake. After breakfast, begin the drive towards Manali through Batal, Chhatru and the spectacular Lahaul Valley route.

This section of the road trip is full of changing landscapes. The cold desert surroundings of Spiti slowly give way to greener mountain valleys, waterfalls, streams and dramatic roadside views as you travel towards Gramphu and the Atal Tunnel.

Drive through Atal Tunnel, one of the key engineering landmarks of Himachal Pradesh, before reaching Manali. On arrival, check in at the hotel and relax after the adventurous mountain drive.

The evening is free to explore Mall Road, Old Manali cafés or local markets, depending on your energy and arrival time. Overnight stay in Manali.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and begin the return drive from Manali to Delhi. The journey passes through Kullu Valley, Mandi, Bilaspur, Chandigarh and onward to Delhi.

Enjoy final views of the Beas River, mountain valleys and Himachal’s changing landscape. Short stops can be made for meals, tea and refreshments according to the travel schedule.

On arrival in Delhi, you will be dropped at the airport, railway station, hotel or another preferred location. Your 10-day Spiti Valley and Chandratal Lake road trip from Delhi ends with unforgettable memories of Kinnaur, high-altitude villages, monasteries, mountain passes, Chandratal Lake and the remote beauty of Spiti.

Travellers who wish to extend their holiday can add one or two nights in Manali for Solang Valley, Old Manali, Naggar Castle, Vashisht Temple or local sightseeing.