• Elevation: 600 m to 2,200 m

  Highlights:

  • Scenic Himalayan foothills drive

  • Colonial architecture and ridge walk in Shimla

  • Optional: Visit Indian Institute of Advanced Studies or Jakhu Temple

  Stay: Hotel in Shimla
  Meals: Dinner

  Travel Tip: Take the Kalka–Shimla Toy Train (UNESCO Heritage) for an old-world Himalayan rail experience if arriving early.

Elevation: 2,200 m to 2,700 m

Highlights:

• Cross beautiful pine forests and apple orchards

• Quick stop at Sarahan Bhimakali Temple

• Enter Baspa Valley, one of the most scenic valleys of Kinnaur

• Arrival in Sangla, surrounded by towering peaks and rivers

Stay: Guesthouse/Homestay in Sangla
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Travel Tip: Start early to reach Sangla by dusk and explore the local market.

Elevation: 2,700 m – 3,130 m – 2,960 m

Highlights:

• Morning drive to Chitkul, the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibetan border

• Walk along the Baspa River, surrounded by majestic mountains

• Return and drive to Kalpa, famous for views of Kinner Kailash range

Stay: Hotel in Kalpa (with Himalayan views)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Add-on: Evening walk through Roghi village and cliff-edge walk (suicide point)

Elevation: Up to 3,800 m

Highlights:

• Drive along the thrilling Hindustan-Tibet Highway

• Visit Nako Lake and village

• Stop at Gue Village to see the 500-year-old naturally preserved mummy of a monk

• Arrive at Tabo, home to the 1,000-year-old Tabo Monastery

Stay: Homestay or guesthouse in Tabo
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Travel Tip: Carry light snacks, as food options get sparse beyond Nako.

Elevation: Up to 3,900 m

Highlights:

• Visit Dhankar Monastery, perched on a high cliff

• Optional detour into Pin Valley National Park (Sagnam or Mud village)

• Scenic drive to Kaza, administrative capital of Spiti

Stay: Hotel / Homestay in Kaza
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Add-on: Try local Spitian thukpa and barley bread at dinner.

Elevation: 4,500 m+

Highlights:

• Visit Hikkim (world’s highest post office) – send yourself a postcard!

• Explore Komic, one of the world’s highest villages with a monastery

• See the giant Buddha statue and fossils in Langza

Stay: Same stay in Kaza
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Travel Tip: Carry warm clothes—winds here can be strong even in summer.

Elevation: 4,270 m

Highlights:

• Visit the iconic Key Monastery, a center of Buddhist learning

• Explore Kibber, a high-altitude village once known for snow leopards

• Cross the dramatic Chicham Bridge, Asia’s highest suspension bridge

Stay: Optional homestay in Kibber or return to Kaza
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Add-on: Night sky photography – the stars here are dazzling.

Elevation: 4,550 m (Kunzum), 4,300 m (Chandratal)

Highlights:

• Cross Kunzum La, a high mountain pass with prayer flags and snow peaks

• Trek (1.5 km) or drive to Chandratal Lake, the moon lake of Spiti

• Spend the night in a campsite under the stars

Stay: Luxury or alpine tents at Chandratal (shared toilets)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Travel Tip: Carry thermals; nights at Chandratal can drop below 0°C.

Elevation: 2,050 m

Highlights:

• Early departure via Batal and Chhatru

• Drive through the dramatic Spiti–Lahaul landscape

• Cross the Atal Tunnel into lush green Manali Valley

Stay: Hotel in Manali
Meals: Breakfast

Add-on: Hot shower and a café meal after days in the cold desert!

Options:

• Chill day in Old Manali: cafés, shopping, riverside strolls

• Visit Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, or Vashisht hot springs

• Drive back to Chandigarh if ending the circuit

Meals: Breakfast only
Departure: Drop at Manali Bus Stand / Chandigarh (if booked)