Booked:
Spiti Group Trip ↗
"The spiti valley road trip with Awara Banjara was very good. It was my first ever solo trip but it did not feel like one as everyone in the group was very welcoming and hospitable..."
Spiti Group Trip
Delhi — Shimla — Sangla — Chitkul — Tabo — Kaza — Langza — Komic — Hikkim — Key — Chicham — Kalpa — Shimla — Delhi
About This Trip
Spiti Group Trip from Delhi: 9 Days in Winter Spiti Valley
Our Spiti group trip is a 9-day, 8-night road journey from Delhi into Spiti Valley by the Shimla–Kinnaur route, the road into Spiti that stays open through winter. You travel with a group of fellow explorers and a dedicated Awara Banjara trip captain: an overnight Volvo from Delhi to Shimla, then a dedicated Tempo Traveller through Sangla, Chitkul, Nako, Tabo, Kaza and Kalpa, and back to Delhi.
Spiti Valley, the "Middle Land" between Tibet and India, turns into a frozen cold desert in winter. Snow-covered mountains, thousand-year-old monasteries, frozen waterfalls and star-filled night skies replace the summer crowds. Winter is when the valley is at its quietest and most dramatic.
Highlights of this Spiti Valley trip
- Chitkul: the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibet border, in Kinnaur's Sangla Valley.
- Nako Lake and the Gue mummy: a 500-year-old naturally preserved monk.
- Tabo Monastery: over a thousand years old, known as the "Ajanta of the Himalayas".
- Dhankar Monastery on its cliff, and the ice cafe on the way to Kaza.
- Hikkim, Komic and Langza: post a card from the world's highest post office, visit one of the highest motorable villages, and see the Buddha statue of the Fossil Village.
- Key Monastery, Chicham Bridge and Kibber: Spiti's most famous monastery and one of Asia's highest suspension bridges.
- Kalpa: sunrise and sunset over the Kinner Kailash range.
Why join a Spiti group trip in winter?
- Travel as a group: ride alongside fellow explorers, creators and nature lovers, led by seasoned Awara Banjara trip captains.
- Everything sorted from Delhi: transport, 6 nights' stay, breakfasts and dinners, permits, an experienced winter mountain driver and backup oxygen are included.
- Culture without the crowds: Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and villages, undisturbed by heavy tourism.
- Photography and stargazing: snow-draped mud houses, frozen rivers and clear Milky Way skies.
Who this trip is for
First-time Spiti travellers in good health, solo travellers who want a group, friends and couples, and photographers. No trekking experience is needed; the key is to follow the winter layering guidelines and acclimatise well.
Pack for the cold
Nights in winter Spiti drop well below -15°C to -20°C. Carry heavy thermal layers, waterproof snow boots, a windproof down jacket, a woollen beanie, gloves, polarized sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen. The full list is under What to Pack below.
Want deeper snow and a 4x4? Our Spiti Winter 4x4 Expedition follows the same Kinnaur route in January.
New to Spiti in winter? Our winter Spiti guide covers the route, the weather month by month and what to pack.
Ready for winter in the Himalayas? Pick a departure date below and reserve your seat on the Awara Banjara Spiti group trip.
Itinerary
- Assemble at the designated pickup point in Delhi by evening and board your vehicle.
- Enjoy a scenic overnight journey through the plains and into the foothills of the Himalayas.
- Witness the transition in landscape as you leave the city lights behind for the mountain air.
- Arrive in Shimla and drive further into the breathtaking Kinnaur Valley alongside the rushing Sutlej River.
- Pass through dramatic cliff-side roads, striking rock tunnels, and cascading waterfalls.
- Reach Sangla or Chitkul—the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibet border—and check into your accommodation for an overnight stay.
- After an early breakfast, drive towards the cold desert expanse of Spiti Valley via Pooh.
- Stop at Nako village to visit the serene Nako Lake and explore its ancient settlement.
- Detour to Gue village to witness the 500-year-old naturally preserved monk mummy before heading to Tabo for your night halt.
- Explore the historic Tabo Monastery, famously known as the "Ajanta of the Himalayas," which dates back over a thousand years.
- Continue the journey towards Kaza, stopping along the way to explore the dramatic cliffside Dhankar Monastery and ice cafe.
- Arrive in Kaza, settle into your hotel or campsite, and spend the evening relaxing in the Spiti headquarters.
- Embark on a high-altitude expedition to some of the highest inhabited settlements in the world.
- Visit Hikkim to mail a postcard from the highest post office in the world.
- Head to Komic, one of the highest motorable villages, and explore Langza (the Fossil Village), known for its massive Buddha statue overlooking the valley. Return to Kaza for the night.
- Spend the morning visiting the iconic Key Monastery, perched dramatically on a hilltop overlooking the Spiti River.
- Drive across the engineering marvel of Chicham Bridge, one of the highest suspension bridges in Asia.
- Explore the high-altitude wildlife territory of Kibber village before heading back to Kaza for the evening.
- Bid farewell to the stark landscapes of Spiti Valley and retrace your route down towards Kinnaur.
- Arrive in Kalpa, a picturesque village nestled amidst apple orchards and towering pine forests.
- Enjoy magnificent, unobstructed sunset and sunrise views of the majestic Kinner Kailash mountain range.
- After breakfast, check out from Kalpa and drive back down towards Shimla.
- Take in the final sweeping views of the mountain valleys along the way.
- Arrive in Shimla by evening and board your overnight bus or transfer vehicle back to Delhi.
- Arrive in Delhi in the early morning hours.
- Conclude your memorable Himalayan winter expedition with wonderful memories and stories to share.
Inclusions
✔ Overnight Volvo / AC semi-sleeper transit from Delhi to Shimla & Shimla to Delhi
✔ Dedicated Tempo Traveller for 7 days covering all sightseeing from Shimla back to Shimla as per itinerary
✔ 6 nights cozy accommodation (1N Sangla/Chitkul, 1N Tabo, 3N Kaza, 1N Kalpa) on sharing basis
✔ Total 12 wholesome meals: 6 delicious breakfasts and 6 warm dinners
✔ Expert mountain driver experienced in winter Himalayan routes (including fuel, toll taxes, state permits & parking)
✔ Dedicated Awara Banjara trip captain / expedition leader throughout the journey
✔ Inner Line Permits and environmental fees for Kinnaur and Spiti Valley
✔ Emergency medical first-aid kit and high-altitude backup oxygen cylinder
✔ Driver allowances, night charges, and all local toll/tax charges included
Exclusions
✘ 5% GST applicable on the total package cost
✘ Any flights, train tickets, or transit expenses to and from Delhi
✘ Lunches, midday snacks, and bottled drinking water
✘ Room heater charges at homestays/hotels (subject to electricity availability and charged directly by property)
✘ Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, tips, and extra beverages
✘ Any monument, monastery, museum, or wildlife sanctuary entry fees
✘ Personal winter gear, thermal wear, boots, or trekking equipment rentals
✘ Expenses incurred due to roadblocks, snowstorms, landslides, avalanches, or any force majeure circumstances
✘ Emergency evacuation, medical hospitalization, oxygen refills, or search & rescue costs
✘ Comprehensive travel, health, and baggage insurance
✘ Anything not explicitly mentioned in the "Inclusions" section
Package Options
Bike Sub Package Options
What to Pack
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All packed. The mountains are waiting!
FAQs
We run this trip from November through winter on the Shimla–Kinnaur route. November brings clear skies and the first snow, and from mid-December to mid-March the valley is fully snow-covered with frozen waterfalls.
It starts and ends in Delhi. You board an overnight Volvo / AC semi-sleeper from Delhi to Shimla on the evening of Day 1 and arrive back in Delhi early on the morning of Day 9.
₹17,499 per person on quad sharing and ₹18,499 on triple sharing, plus 5% GST. This covers Delhi–Shimla–Delhi transit, a dedicated Tempo Traveller, 6 nights' stay, 12 meals, permits and a trip captain.
Yes. The Shimla–Kinnaur route that this trip follows stays open through winter. The Manali side over Kunzum Pass closes for the season, which is why winter Spiti trips go via Kinnaur.
Yes, solo travellers are welcome. Rooms are on a sharing basis with fellow travellers from the group.
Daytime temperatures range between -5°C and 5°C, while nighttime temperatures drop significantly between -15°C and -25°C.
Yes, beginners in good health can join, provided they strictly follow winter layering guidelines and allow time for proper altitude acclimatization.
Stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol or smoking, ascend gradually, and keep our expedition leader informed immediately if you feel dizzy or nauseous. Backup oxygen cylinders and basic medical kits are carried with the group.
Due to sub-zero temperatures, pipelines freeze throughout Spiti. Traditional dry toilets (compost pits) and warm water in buckets are provided at homestays, and power cuts can occur during heavy snowfall.
Pack 3-4 warm thermal base layers, fleece jackets, a windproof and waterproof down feather jacket (-20°C rated), waterproof snow shoes with good grip, woolen socks, gloves, a balaclava, UV-protection sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.
Room heaters are not included in the standard package due to remote power constraints; where available, properties may charge an additional fee directly based on electricity or generator use.
Postpaid Jio and BSNL networks offer the most consistent connectivity in Sangla, Kalpa, and Kaza. Airtel works intermittently, and most prepaid connections from outside Himachal lose signal beyond Reckong Peo.
Winter Himalayan routes can face delays from snowstorms or roadblocks. The itinerary includes buffer planning, and our experienced captains and mountain drivers coordinate safe route adjustments or alternate halts as required.
Yes, wholesome, freshly cooked vegetarian meals are served across all designated stays, and basic Jain food preferences can be accommodated if informed prior to departure.
Reviews
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Booked:
Spiti Group Trip ↗
"Bir was peaceful and the homestay felt like home-cooked comfort food after long days of paragliding and valley walks. Fantastic trip leads!"
