In Transit · File:Spiti River and Valley.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) · cropped and resized · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spiti_River_and_Valley.jpg
Spiti Valley
A high-altitude valley in Lahaul and Spiti district with its base at Kaza, reached by two seasonal road routes and shaped by altitude, cold and distance.
A high valley, reached in stages
Spiti is a high-altitude valley in Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh, along the Spiti river. The district was formed in 1960 by joining the separate Lahaul and Spiti areas; Keylong, in the Lahaul valley, is its headquarters, and Kaza is the sub-divisional headquarters and main base in Spiti. The valley is often described as a cold desert, with monasteries, fields in the flat river stretches and long road journeys between them. This page covers how to reach it, when the roads are open, what the permit rules are said to be and how to look after yourself at altitude, so you can plan with the facts that matter most.
Explore Spiti Valley on the map
City locations, drawn from our published destination data. Attractions, hotels and restaurants are not mapped yet.
What the valley holds
Spiti is a place for monasteries, high villages and big landscapes, taken slowly.
🏛️ Monasteries
- Tabo, with its monastery founded in 996 CE according to most accounts
- Key Monastery, a Gelug monastery on a hill about 12 km from Kaza
- Ask about photography and entry rules at each
🏘️ Villages
- Guides describe Kibber, Langza and Hikkim as the usual excursions from Kaza
- Roads to some of these close in winter
- Distances are short but altitude slows everything
🏞️ The valley itself
- The Spiti river runs through a landscape of bare slopes and flat fields
- Long drives are part of the experience, so allow time and carry water
- Respect the fragile environment and take your rubbish with you
How long to give it
By Kinnaur or by Manali
Most journeys take one or two long days on the road. The Kinnaur route climbs in stages and is open through the year; the Manali route opens only in the warmer months.
Two or more nights
Two nights at Kaza give time for Key and a village or two; adding Tabo makes a fuller trip, if the roads and your health allow.
Allow a margin
Keep a spare day when a flight or a connection depends on the road.
Getting there and around
The nearest airport is Bhuntar, in Kullu, and most travellers reach Spiti by road with a driver.
From Shimla (Kinnaur route)
- The road follows the Sutlej into Kinnaur and then up into Spiti
- It stays open through the year, with landslide closures in the monsoon
- Break the journey for altitude
From Manali (Kunzum La route)
- Usually open from around late May or June to around October or November
- In winter the road beyond Kaza to Losar is closed
- Check status each year
Around the valley
- Hire a car with a driver who knows the roads
- Local transport is limited
- Allow extra time for every journey
What to know before you go
Five points shape any trip to Spiti.
The Shimla to Kinnaur road (National Highway 5) stays open through the year, though monsoon landslides can close it. The Manali route over Kunzum La usually opens around late May or June and closes around October or November. Dates change each year, so check road status and local news.
Flash floods blocked National Highway 5 in Kinnaur in July 2026 and a road near Karpat in the Mayar Valley of Lahaul and Spiti in August 2026, according to news reports. Allow margins and keep your plans flexible.
Kaza is about 3,800 m according to most sources and Key Monastery about 4,166 m. After tourist deaths from altitude sickness, Lahaul and Spiti police advised people with breathing problems to avoid high altitude and asked everyone to carry oxygen and first aid. Rest, drink water and descend if symptoms persist.
Travel guides say Indian citizens do not need a permit and should carry a photo ID. Foreign nationals may need a Protected Area Permit under the 1958 order for parts of Kinnaur and Spiti, and sources describe which villages are covered, the issuing offices, any fee and any group rules differently. Check with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the district administration.
Kaza is reported to have the valley's only fuel pump, cash points are few and mobile coverage is patchy outside Kaza. Fill your tank where you can, carry cash and download maps.
Where to base yourself
Kaza is the main base, with Tabo and village homestays as alternatives.
Kaza
- The widest choice of guesthouses and homestays in the valley, and the base for Key Monastery
- Facilities vary, so confirm heating, hot water and meals
- The first night at this height is when many visitors feel the altitude
Tabo
- A village known for its monastery, about 48 km from Kaza, with a small number of stays
- Useful as a rest stop on the way up the valley
- Choice is limited, so book ahead in busy months
Village homestays
- Quieter, simple and often without reliable signal
- Some village roads close in winter
- Check access and facilities with the host
Practical notes
A few details that keep a trip simple.
Before you set out
- Check the road status for your route the day before
- Confirm the permit position for your nationality with the authorities
- Take medical advice if you have heart or lung conditions
On the road
- Fill your tank before entering the valley
- Carry cash, water, a warm layer and a power bank
- Start early and avoid driving after dark
Respecting the place
- Dress modestly at monasteries and ask before photographing people
- Do not leave rubbish, as the environment is fragile
- Support village homestays and local shops
Close by
Places in and around the valley.
Frequently asked
Plan your journey
Our travel designers turn knowledge and inspiration into a journey crafted entirely around you.
Plan My Journey →