We 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 as we drive to Sangla.

With the Baspa river magically weaving itself through the forested slopes, this exquisite 95-kilometer stretch of the Sangla Valley is a sight to behold. Known predominantly for its agriculture, almost every house in Sangla will have cultivations of apples, pears, walnuts, apricots or potatoes in the summers.

Arriving in Sangla in winter, you’re met with a peaceful, snow-covered valley. The trees are bare, the air is crisp, and a thick blanket of white lies quietly over everything - it’s winter in its purest form. Here, we camp overnight at a luxury campsite

On the second day of this Spiti Valley Tour, we have breakfast, basking in the first rays of the sun, and later head towards Chitkul.

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 Sangla to Chitkul will be one of the most scenic drives you’ll take with plenty of opportunities to take stunning photographs.

In winters, however, access to Chitkul is subject to road closures due to snow. If the road is open & weather is permissible, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views, walks along the frozen Baspa River, and a visit to the Mathi Goddess temple. After spending time in Chitkul, we continue to Kalpa - also subject to weather and road conditions.

Legend has it that Kalpa was the winter home of Lord Shiva. If it’s true, he couldn’t have found a more remarkable abode for himself, with enthrallingly majestic views of the Kinner-Kailash and Jorkandan peaks looming right above the village.

Overnight at a hotel in Kalpa.

On the third day of this Spiti Valley tour, from Kalpa - weather and road conditions permitting - we continue driving on the famous Hindustan – Tibet Highway or the NH 505 – This stretch is famously known as one of “most treacherous roads of the world” by the lonely planet in a visual spectacle. Don’t let that little piece of information deter you because your local drivers are highly skilled and experienced while driving on these roads. Watch the landscape shift from the snowy slopes of Kinnaur to the stark, rugged beauty of the high Himalayas.

After a quick refuelling stop at Puh, we proceed to Nako – the last hamlet of Kinnaur, before we enter the gates of Spiti Valley. After lunch in Nako, we drive through Sumdo, the first village of Spiti Valley on this road, to Tabo, where the most ancient monastery is. In winters, this stretch, especially the climb to Gue and Nako, may be affected by snow and is subject to road accessibility.

Overnight at a hotel in Tabo.

On the fourth day of this Spiti Valley tour, we drive towards the beautiful Pin Valley. Blanketed in snow in winter, Pin Valley transforms into a magical winter wonderland. Imagine a national park with an abundance of animals and birds, with some rare plant varieties. The frozen Pin River adds to the valley’s surreal charm. Pin Valley promises all this and more.

We first visit the Kungri Monastery and then the beautiful hamlet of Mudh – the last motorable village of the Pin Valley. Please note that access to Mudh may be restricted due to heavy snowfall.

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.

By evening, drive to Kaza, the commercial capital of the Spiti valley and spend the night in a hotel in either Kaza or the nearby village of Rangrik.

Overnight at a hotel in Kaza.

On the fifth day of your Spiti Valley winter tour, we set out to explore Ki Monastery, Kibber and Chicham - now blanketed in deep snow and wrapped in winter’s solace. We venture deep into the high-altitude wilderness in search of one of the Himalayas’ most elusive and majestic creatures - the snow leopard.

We visit the iconic Ki Monastery. 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. Being remotely located atop a hill overlooking endless plains, the Ki Monastery is an obvious choice for those seeking peace and calm.

From there, we drive up to Kibber, once the highest motorable village in the region. In winter, its snow-clad stone houses and sweeping landscapes offer breathtaking views. If conditions permit, we’ll continue to Chicham and cross the famous suspension bridge - the highest in Asia - stretching across a deep gorge carved by ice and time.

Surrounded by vast snow-covered slopes, deep gorges, and dramatic cliffs, this area is part of the snow leopard’s natural habitat. In recent years, Chicham and its surrounding terrain have become a key spot for responsible and ethical snow leopard tracking, guided by local experts who have spent years understanding these secretive animals.

We spend the day scanning the white expanse for signs of this rare predator. Along the way, you may also catch glimpses of other high-altitude wildlife such as blue sheep (bharal), red foxes, Himalayan ibex, and golden eagles - all thriving in this stark but stunning winter ecosystem.

Return to Kaza or Rangrik for a warm, cozy overnight stay.

On the sixth day of this Spiti Valley Winter Expedition, we drive to some of the highest inhabited regions of the world.

Our journey begins with Langza, set at 4,400 meters. Langza is often prone to road closures due to heavy snowfall. If road conditions permit, we make our way to the village, crowned by a giant Buddha statue overlooking the valley, feels timeless in winter. You can visit the ancient Lang Temple and, if the snow allows, explore fossil-rich grounds that whisper stories of the Tethys Sea that once covered this region.

Next, we head to Hikkim, home to the world’s highest post office. If conditions allow, you can meet the postmaster and send out a postcard from this unique corner of the world - an experience like no other amid the snow.

We then continue to Komik, Asia’s highest village at 4,513 meters. In winter, this remote hamlet of just 84 residents feels like a world away - its snow-covered homes and frozen fields surrounded by towering white peaks. Wildlife such as the Tibetan wolf, blue sheep, and red fox quietly roam these parts, adapted to the harsh but stunning environment.

The seventh day marks the beginning of the end of this expedition.

On the seventh day of your Spiti Valley winter tour, we drive to the remote and historic village of Dhankar - conditions permitting. Perched high above the frozen confluence of the Spiti and Pin Rivers, Dhankar once served as the capital of the Spiti kingdom and the seat of the Nono, who ruled the dust-coloured badlands of Spiti Valley is a historic delight.

In winter, Dhankar is a breathtaking sight - its ancient homes and monasteries blanketed in snow, set against the dramatic backdrop of eroded cliffs and icy valleys. The highlight of the visit is the 1,200-year-old Dhankar Monastery, which clings to the edge of a cliff and offers panoramic views of the surrounding frozen landscape. The monastery, one of the oldest in Spiti, holds centuries of spiritual and cultural heritage within its snow-dusted walls.

After soaking in the stillness and beauty of Dhankar, we return to Rampur for the night, where a warm room and hot meal await after a day spent exploring the Himalayan winter.

On the final day of this Spiti Valley tour, from Rampur, we head back to Shimla. Shimla is an attractive blend of a hill town and holiday resort. With its distinctive retro style, hand-painted signs in bazaars and cars banned in the main town.

We are expected to reach Shimla by 3:00 PM, and all participants will be dropped off near the Tourism Lift Parking area. To ensure a smooth and stress-free conclusion to your trip, we recommend planning your onward travel from Shimla anytime after 7:00 PM on the same day, or even better, the following day. This gives you ample time to relax and reflect on the journey. For those heading toward Chandigarh, you also have the option of hiring a private cab from Shimla. It’s a convenient and flexible way to continue your travels, especially if you’re catching a flight or train from there.

Tour ends.