Spiti Valley, the dreamy postcard destination, is one of those places that can leave you awestruck in every corner! It is calm, raw, and beautiful in a way that cannot be explained till the time you live it!
But, how to reach Spiti is a big question for many! So, it’s going to be an experience of your lifetime - made of challenges, beauty and surreal views! Also, you can’t just hop on a flight and land in Spiti. Reaching this magical place takes a bit of planning, some patience, and love for the road. Basically, you get two Spiti Valley routes to reach Spiti - Via Manali and Shimla, each offering a different experience depending on the season, road conditions, and your travel style.
But, don’t worry, we are about to map out your adventure to the mountains with the most amazing Spiti Valley tour
How to reach Spiti Valley by road
Here is a guide for how to reach Spiti Valley by road! Embarking on a Spiti bike trip would be something beyond magical as you get to have the best adventures of your life.
Via Manali (June to September)
- Distance: (approx. 200 km from Manali)
- Route: Manali - Rohtang Pass - Gramphu - Kunzum Pass - Kaza
- Best Time: Open only in summer due to snow
- Permit: Requires permits for Rohtang Pass
Via Shimla (All Year Round)
- Distance: Approximately 400 Km
- Route: Shimla - Narkanda - Rampur - Reckong Peo - Nako - Kaza
- Best time: Open most of the year
- Permit: No special permits needed
Also check out: Spiti Valley Bike Circuit Trip
How to Reach Spiti Valley by Train?
How to reach Spiti Valley by train? While there is no direct train to Spiti Valley, you can begin your journey by taking a train to one of the nearest major railway stations. Shimla is the closest option, while Chandigarh offers better connectivity from other parts of India.
From either station, you’ll need to continue your journey by road. You can hire a taxi or take a bus to Spiti Valley, either via Reckong Peo (from Shimla) or via Manali (from Chandigarh). The journey combines rail and road travel, making it both scenic and an exciting adventure.
Nearest railway stations: Shimla and Chandigarh
Distance from Shimla: 411.7 Kilometers (Around 12-13 hours)
Distance from Chandigarh: 441.4 Kilometers (Around 12-13 hours)
How to reach Spiti Valley by air
- The closest airport to Spiti Valley is the Kullu-Manali Airport, located in Bhuntar, about 240 km away. From there, you can hire a taxi or catch a bus to reach Spiti. However, flights to this airport are limited and not always available throughout the year,so it's important to plan Spiti valley route accordingly when considering how to reach Spiti Valley by air.
- A more reliable option is to fly into Chandigarh International Airport or Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. These airports have better flight connectivity, and from there, you can continue your journey to Spiti by road. The distance from Chandigarh to Spiti is around 522 km, while from Delhi, it’s approximately 750 km. Depending on road and weather conditions, the drive can take anywhere from 12 to 14 hours.
In short, while Bhuntar (Kullu) is the nearest airport, reaching Spiti by road from Chandigarh or Delhi is often a more practical and dependable choice.
By Road:
One of the most popular routes is via Manali, especially during the summer months when high mountain passes are open. From Delhi, you can either drive or take a bus to Manali, which takes approximately 12–14 hours by road.
From Manali, your journey to Spiti Valley begins along the scenic Manali-Leh Highway, heading toward the famous Rohtang Pass, the first major gateway into the Himalayas. Once you cross Rohtang, you’ll descend into the beautiful Lahaul Valley and continue on to Gramphu. At Gramphu, take a left toward Kunzum Pass, a dramatic high-altitude pass that connects Lahaul to Spiti Valley.
This route is among the most adventurous and picturesque answers to the question of how to reach Spiti Valley from Delhi by road. After crossing Kunzum Pass, you officially enter Spiti Valley and pass through some of its most charming villages, including Losar, Kaza, and Tabo, each offering breathtaking views and unique cultural experiences.
The Manali to Spiti route is full of adventure, with steep climbs, sharp turns, and bumpy roads. It’s not for the faint-hearted, which is why it’s best to hire an experienced local driver or go with a guided tour. This route usually stays open from June to October, depending on the weather and road conditions.
Delhi - Manali - Rohtang Pass - Gramphu - Kunzum Pass - Kaza/Tabo
Required Number of Days for Spiti Valley Route from Manali
The Spiti Valley route from Manali will take a minimum of two days to reach. Start your trip from Delhi on day one and make a stop at Solang Valley. Head towards Rohtang Pass via Kunzum Pass on the second day of your Spiti Valley tour. From here, you will further proceed with your trip until you have reached Tabo or Kaza, where you can take your overnight stay.
Best time to Visit
The best time to visit Spiti from Manali is from June to October (summer). So, it is mainly advisable to go through this route when there is no snowfall in the valley. It can be a chance for you to explore the place to its fullest extent. If you think of coming for a Spiti Valley tour in winters, you cannot use this route because of the frequent snowfall and chilly weather conditions all over the place.
Road Conditions
- Manali - Lahaul road: Smooth
- Rohtang Pass road status: Average
- Chandratal Road Status: Cracked roads
- Manali - Kaza road (extremely bad conditions)
Manali route by bus:
Many people have this question that are there public buses to Spiti Valley? So, yes there are two HPTDC or HTC buses that run from Manali to Kaza. These buses can be seen as soon as the road from Manali opens between June to October.
These buses are operational on the route from Kullu to Kaza through Manali, and reach Manali around 4:45 AM and leave for Kaza at 5:00 AM. It is also a very affordable option for travelers coming here, as it will cost you around INR 250 per person.
Permits
Travelling from Manali to Spiti Valley? You need to have these permits for a smooth journey throughout the mountains. Rohtang Pass permit for the domestic vehicles and also a valid ID proof will be required.
Also, Foreign Nationals need to get an additional permit, also known as the Inner Line Permit from the DM office in Shimla, Reckong Peo or Keylong.
Shimla to Spiti Valley Route Map:
Delhi - Narkanda - Reckong Peo or Kalpa or Sangla - Nako - Tabo - Kaza
Required number of days
You will require a minimum of three days to reach Spiti Valley from Shimla. Starting with the long-day trip over NH05, starting with Shimla - Kinnaur Valley. It is a route that is seen better from the Manali route due to fewer closures and AMS.
It is advisable for the travelers to come through the Hindustan-Tibet Highway as it is one of the most beautiful views that you would spot in the Spiti Valley. If you also have a though of how can I reach Spiti Valley from Shimla? Then, don’t you worry because this is the easiest route you can opt for!
Best Time to Visit
Summer in Spiti starts from April and continues till mid-July. But, this route is accessible throughout the year. And, the best time to visit Spiti Valley from Shimla is during the mid May to mid July as the road links get opened, and you can have a really smooth journey throughout your adventure.
Road Conditions
- Shimla to Narkanda: Smooth
- Narkanda to Jeori - Good but has some patches
- Jeori to Sarahan - Very Bad
- Jeori to Karcham - Average
- Karcham to Chitkul - Karcham to Sangla is good, but Sangla to Chitkul is extremely bad.
- Karcham to Kalpa - Good
- Kalpa to Nako - few good and bad roads
- Nako to Dhankar - Average
- Dhankar to Pin Valley - Tough
- Dhankar to Kaza - Average
- Kaza to Losar - Terribly bad
- Losar to Kunzum Pass - Difficult
- Chandratal lake - Very badly broken
- Batal to Gramphoo - Difficult
- Gramphoo to Manali - Smooth but with traffic
Shimla to Spiti Valley Via Bus:
Taking a bus from Chandigarh to Shimla or further to Reckong Peo and Kaza is an affordable and convenient option. Daily buses run from Shimla to Reckong Peo, with one departing at 5 AM and another in the evening. From Reckong Peo, a morning bus leaves at 7 AM and reaches Kaza around 4 PM. The entire journey from Shimla to Kaza takes roughly 24 hours and costs around ₹400.
Permits
There is no requirement for any kind of permit during your Shimla to Spiti Valley trip if you are an Indian resident. But, the foreigners, however, will require a pass named Inner Line Permit to travel beyond Reckong Peo.
Suggested read: Best time for Spiti Bike trip
