8 Day Road Trip
Available from
MARCH 2025
Road Trip Highlights
Cost per person
Kinnaur Holi is one of the most unique celebrations in India, and something everyone should witness at least once in their lifetime to be able to understand the true diversity of India.
Winter, which embraces Kinnaur and Spiti Valley in the first week of November, and stays on until the fourth week of March, is a cold, harsh and tough time in the region. While it may not be the easiest time to travel through the Valley, it certainly is the most rewarding time to come visit.
Everything – every house, hamlet, road and village – dons a cloak of white. The cottony snow is constant - stretching on for as far as the eye can see. The horizon is a myth, for you can never tell where land ends and the skies begin. With temperatures going below -20 degrees centigrade, the Spiti river has more or less frozen up. A few defiant streams tirelessly cut through the ice, giving a surreal glazed feel to the basin.
This curated eight-day Sangla Holi and Spiti Valley Winter Expedition is designed for travellers for an authentic and local experience through the winter months. Shared by a small group of travellers, this tour includes travelling in a comfortable and safe Force Traveler to some of the most popular villages of Spiti Valley including Asia’s highest villages – Komik and Kibber. Marvel at the wondrous structures of the Ki Monastery and Tabo Monastery shrouded in snow.
From Spiti, we arrive in Kinnaur in time for the Sangla Holi celebrations - here Holi is more of a carnival, being celebrated over a course of 3-4 days, with each day offering a multitude of colorful visuals in a land that otherwise stays deserted during the long winters.
So come with us, and explore what’s been unseen, and be a part of the journey that’ll open up a new world for you.
View Full ItineraryWe begin this Spiti Valley Winter Expedition by hitting the road from Shimla. We pass through popular town of Rampur-Bushahr before entering the spectacular Kinnaur Valley. If the day is clear, we might catch a glimpse the famous Kinner Kailash Peak – said to be the summer adobe of Lord Shiva.
At Kalpa, you will warm up with a piping cup of tea before checking into your warm hotel room.
In the peak of winters, often the road to Kalpa becomes inaccessible and unsafe. In such a case, we shall stay in Rampur.
Overnight at a hotel in Rampur / Kalpa.
After a comfortable night’s rest at Rampur / Kalpa, we set off on the famous Hindustan-Tibet Highway. Famed for its spectacular views and proximity to Tibet, this road snakes north into Nako, the last hamlet of Kinnaur district.
We have a steaming hot lunch at Nako, before entering the magical Spiti Valley. Here, we spend the night at a comfortable and authentic homestay in Tabo.
Overnight at a homestay in Tabo.
We start the day with a visit to the over 1000 – year old Tabo Monastery, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk around this sacred site and gain a deeper understanding of Buddhism. Unlike other monasteries in Spiti Valley, the Tabo monastery is located at the bottom of the valley.
From Tabo, we drive to the spectacular Pin Valley. Imagine a national park with an abundance of animals and birds, with some rare plant varieties and a river that is frozen. Pin Valley promises all this. We first visit the Kungri Monastery and then the beautiful hamlet of Mudh – the last motorable village of the Pin Valley.
Declared a national park in 1987, Pin Valley has altitudes ranging from 11,000 to 20,000 feet and is home to at least 12 endangered snow leopards. In addition, other animals indigenous to the region and park are the Siberian ibex, bharal, weasel, red fox and marten. Birds such as the pika, griffon, golden eagle, bearded vulture, chukor and raven paint the skies a pretty picture.
Overnight at a homestay in Kaza.
On the fourth day of this Spiti Valley Winter Expedition, we drive to some of the highest inhabited regions of the world.
The highest village in Asia, Komik, which literally translates to ‘eye of a snow cock’, is situated at a height of 4513 meters. This farming village has a population of 84 people, living in utter isolation, mostly cut-off from the rest of the world during this part of the year. If accessible during this tour, we will make the drive to Komik.
Later, we drive to Hikkim where we visit the world’s highest post office in the world. If possible, you might even meet the post-master and hear his stories.
After sending out a postcard, we drive to Langza. At Langza, walk back to the prehistoric era when Spiti was submerged by the Tethys Sea, as you explore a land very rich with fossils of Marine animals and plants which were here millions of years ago. We visit the Buddha statue here.
Later, we drive to the renowned Ki Monastery. The car will first stop at the base of the monastery hill for the ultimate photo opportunity of this remarkable structure amid white snow. With over 1000 years’ worth stories to tell, the Ki Monastery situated at a height of 13,668 feet was founded by a disciple of the famous Atisha, in the 11th century CE. Belonging to the Yellow Hat or Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, this monastery is famous as a prominent center of learning as well as a refuge for Tibetans.
Then we will move farther up the valley to the picturesque village of Kibber. Located at a height of 4205 meters and 18 km from Kaza, this formerly highest permanently inhabited village in this region, is also a popular base camp to embark on adventure and treks to adjoining mountains of high altitude. From Kibber we will head to the famous Chicham bridge - Asia's highest bridge. We drive back to Kaza for the night.
Overnight at a homestay in Kaza.
On the fifth day, depending on the road condition, we can head to Dhankar and explore the ancient monastery and village here, before heading to Sangla.
We make our way south towards Kinnaur Valley. Along this journey, you can get to capture some scenic views that you might have missed out earlier. After a scenic and memorable drive on the Hindustan-Tibet highway, we will enter Sangla valley by evening.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Sangla.
Today is the big day - we move to the Sangla temple to play holi. Almost the entire town will be slowly becoming part of the procession, which will then move through the rest of the town until dusk. In the evening, there’ll be holika dahan at the temple grounds.
Overnight stay in Sangla
Today is the day of Faguli - the festival marks the beginning of Spring. We will be joined by the idols of local Gods, who will be dancing along with the folks of Sangla town throughout the evening. It is a sight that one must witness, to see the way faith still binds the lives of people living in these parts of Himalayas.
Subject to weather and road conditions, we can head to Chitkul, the last inhabited village of India towards Tibet border, on this side of the Himalayas.
Chitkul can be described as one of the most scenic settlements in the valley and the last inhabited village before the India-China border. This short drive from Rakchham to Chitkul will be one of the most scenic drives you’ll take with plenty of opportunities to take stunning photographs. Walk around the Baspa river and pay tribute to the Mathi Goddess at the temple in the village. After spending time in Chitkul, we turn around and head back to Sangla.
One can choose to visit the famous Mela of Sangla as part of the continued Holi celebrations or simply stay back and soak in the natural beauty of Sangla on our last night here.
Overnight at a hotel in Sangla.
On the final day of this tour, we head back to our homes with a heavy heart but plenty of memories, new friends and such unique experiences that will stay with us for years to come.
We shall be back in Shimla after a 7 hour drive by 5-6 PM.
You can choose to take an overnight Volvo bus to Delhi, anytime after 8 PM.
Experiece the best of McLedoganj with this short weekend trek. Trek & camp overnight at Triund. With Pink House\'s state of the art camping gear, trek to 9500 feet to reach Triund and camp overnight with millions of Himalayanstars. Be it Paragliding, or touring around McLeodganj, or climbing mountains, amazing packages. Trek & camp overnight at Triund. With Pink House\'s state of the art camping gear, trek to 9500 feet to reach Triund and camp overnight.
Experiece the best of McLedoganj with this short weekend trek. Trek & camp overnight at Triund. With Pink House\'s state of the art camping gear, trek to 9500 feet to reach Triund and camp overnight with millions of Himalayanstars. Be it Paragliding, or touring around McLeodganj, or climbing mountains, amazing packages. Trek & camp overnight at Triund. With Pink House\'s state of the art camping gear, trek to 9500 feet to reach Triund and camp overnight.
Experiece the best of McLedoganj with this short weekend trek. Trek & camp overnight at Triund. With Pink House\'s state of the art camping gear, trek to 9500 feet to reach Triund and camp overnight with millions of Himalayanstars. Be it Paragliding, or touring around McLeodganj, or climbing mountains, amazing packages. Trek & camp overnight at Triund. With Pink House\'s state of the art camping gear, trek to 9500 feet to reach Triund and camp overnight.
36 years of experience in organising tours within the Himalayas
The only local Spiti travel company to be Recommended by Lonely Planet
The best local prices minus any middle man or commissions.
Drive from Shimla to Rampur / Kalpa
Drive from Rampur / Kalpa - Nako - Tabo
Drive from Tabo - Pin Valley - Mudh - Kaza
Drive to Langza - Hikkim - Komic - Ki - Kibber - Chicham - Kaza
Drive from Kaza - Dhankar - Sangla
Holi Celeberations in Sangla with evening Puja
Holi Celeberations in Sangla / Drive to Chitkul (as per weather)
Drive from Sangla - Shimla
You might want to keep a copy of the itinerary with you!
Download the PDFShare this trip