Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
Spiti Valley: A Journey to India’s Cold Desert
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High, dry and startlingly beautiful, Spiti is a Buddhist cold desert of whitewashed monasteries, moon-like ridges and villages that sit among the highest inhabited places on earth.
The route
From the apple valley of Kalpa to Kaza, the thousand-year-old Key Monastery, the impossibly high hamlets of Langza and Komic, and the glassy Chandratal lake.
Prepare well
This is remote, high-altitude travel — June to September only, when the passes open. Acclimatise slowly, carry cash and warm layers, and let the roads set the pace.
Day-by-day itinerary
Kalpa
Sun, 6 SeptDelhi → Shimla
Delhi (DEL) → Shimla (SLV)
6 Sept, 5:00 am
Kalpa
locality
Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh, India
Kalpa View Point
tourist attraction
G7QG+356, Kalpa, Reckong Peo, Himachal Pradesh 172107, India
Roghi
locality
Roghi, Himachal Pradesh 172108, India
Kaza
Mon, 7 SeptValley Homestay, Kaza
Kaza
7 Sept, 8:30 am
Key Gompa (Key Monastery)
buddhist temple
72X6+4QM, Key, Pinjoor, Himachal Pradesh 172114, India
Kibber
locality
Kibber, Himachal Pradesh 172114, India
Chicham Bridge
bridge
8XVW+3WJ, Chicham Khas, Himachal Pradesh 172114, India
Kaza
Tue, 8 SeptValley Homestay, Kaza
Kaza
7 Sept, 8:30 am
Langza
locality
Langza, Himachal Pradesh 172114, India
Hikkim Post Office [The World's Highest Post Office]
post office
Spiti taluk of, Kaza, Dhar Lung Wooh, Himachal Pradesh 172114, India
Komic
locality
Komic, Himachal Pradesh 172114, India
Chandratal
Wed, 9 SeptChandra Taal
lake
Chandra Taal, Himachal Pradesh 175140
Kunzum Pass
natural feature
Kunzum Pass, Dhar Thachakarpo, Himachal Pradesh 172114
Cold-desert kit
- Down jacket & thermals
- Diamox (ask your doctor)
- Heavy sunscreen & sunglasses
- Cash — no ATMs beyond Kaza
- Power bank & offline maps
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