Spiti Valley: A Winter Expedition in Kinnaur and Kaza

Winters start in the first half of September and Snowfall Mostly Starts in November at Spiti Valley and stays on until the last week of April, Locals Face very cold, harsh, and tough times in the valley. They Experience Minus (-20 to -30) degrees Celsius in Night time and zero degrees during the Sunny day.

Yet it may not be the easiest time to travel through Spiti Valley, still, it is the most rewarding time to visit.
The entire valley is covered by a blanket of snow.

Lahaul & Spiti Valley is closed in winter due to heavy snowfall, but it is not like so, you can visit some places as BRO (Border Roads Organisation) always launches snow clearance Operations from time to time and makes it Moterable, which allows locals and Tourists to connect to Spiti Valley, Kaza, Kibber Key Monastery, Dhankar, and Tabo in winter.

Spiti is accessible from Shimla, as the Shimla Kaza Road is open throughout the year.

There is a maximum opportunity to see the rare wildlife of the high-altitude cold desert of Spiti Valley at this time. You may see Blue Sheep, Red fox, Himalayan Ibex, and if you are lucky, you may spot a Snow Leopard.

The Winter Expedition Tour to Spiti Valley is possible in a comfortable 4*4 SUV Vehicle.

Where is Spiti Valley?

City:     Kaza

District:   Lahaul & Spiti

State:    Himachal Pradesh

Country:   India

Continent:  Asia

Currency:   Rupees

Language:   Hindi, Punjabi, English

Bus Station:   Kaza

Railway Station:   Shimla Station

Airport:   Jubbarhatti Shimla/Bhuntar Kullu

Ambulance:  108

Police:   100

 

How to reach Spiti Valley?

From Delhi/Chandigarh Airport you have to reach Shimla by Volvo Bus or Rental cab/taxi there after Rent a Gypsy or any 4*4 Vehicle.

4*4 Vehicle/Gypsy: 4000/- INR per day

Driver from Shimla to Kalpa(Kinnaur). The Minimum distance is almost 225km.   Overnight stay at Kalpa.

As you start your journey of snowy winter you have to pass through Kufri and Narkanda well-known spots for snow lovers.

Some Famous Scenic places underway are:

• Matiana
• Shilaroo
• Narkanda
• Oddi
• Rampur
• Sarahan
• Tapri
• Tranda Dhank
• Power (Gas Station)
• Reckong Peo

 Petrol Pump:- Reckong Peo and Powari

Kalpa – Nako – Tabo

Distance Covered – 160km via NH 05 and NH 505

Early in the morning, head to the famous Suicide Point Kalpa and then fill up the Gas/Petrol/Diesel because the next Gas/Petrol Station is in Kaza, which is 200km away.

Now leave for Tabo Station for your next stay. The journey of 155km will take about 6-8 hours if the road conditions are perfect. Sometimes you have to face shooting stones and small slides which will be cleared by the BRO, the best in the Himalayas, and it will take 01-02 hrs, so it is better to reach Spillow and enjoy a nice, warm,
early-morning breakfast with a view of the mountains at Spillow.

Now head towards Nako Lake which is one the famous man-made lakes of Kinnaur, Underway you will see the Satluj and Spiti merging point at Khab, where you can also view some China Border peaks, then head towards Nako Village for lunch. thereafter straight to Tabo Monastery for an overnight stay at Tabo.

Tabo –Kaza – Kibber

 Distance Covered – 70km via NH505

Today you can explore the Buddhist culture, The Tabo Monastery, Dankar Monastery, and Key Monastery, and some caves on the mountains used by the monks for silent prayers. The Monastery and culture is about 1000 years old now.

After that, visit Kibber Village-which used to be one of the highest villages in the world once upon a time, and visit.
Asia’s Highest bridge- Chicham Bridge, which connects the two villages to Kibber(Kaza). Overnight stay at Kibber.

Hikkim-Komic-Langza

 

Now you can visit some famous places and go on a snow drive towards Langza,
Hikki and Komic(depending on the roads).

These places are full of surprises. Share your experiences and learn about local life, festivals, and traditions from your host and many other travelers staying in a homestay with your Host family.

As per locals, they mostly spot the shy cat, Snow leopard near Hikim and Comi, and also the best places to see Blue Sheep, Red fox, Himalayan Ibex, and overnight stay at Kaza.

Kaza –Reckong Peo/Kalpa

Distance covered – 210km via NH505 and NH 05

Today fill up Gas/Petrol at the Highest Altitude petrol station Kaza at an altitude of 3400 meters the only Petrol/Diesel Station in Spiti Valley working in Winters and head towards Kalpa. Overnight stay at Kalpa.

Kalpa-Sangla – Chitkul

 Distance Covered – 60km via Sangla Chitkul Road

Today, after breakfast, head towards Chitkul and visit places like Karcham, Sangla, and Rakcham.

After reaching Chitkul, you can explore Chitkul Village and stay overnight there.

Chitkul-Sangla – Shimla

Distance Covered – 240km via NH 05

Leave after breakfast in the morning for Shimla and take back memories of an isolated civilization and trans-Himalayan terrain.

Tour Ends with Lifetime Memories