Spiti Winter safari*
Spiti: Harsh, Stark, Hypnotic
Intermediate-Advanced
Welcome to one of India’s most otherworldly winter adventures. Spiti – the "Middle Land" between India and Tibet – unveils an untouched, snow-laden drama of towering peaks, fossil-strewn valleys, ancient monasteries, and wildlife found nowhere else. This is not a regular holiday – this is you answering the wild’s call. You’ll cross icy bridges, see stars as bright as forgotten gods, and maybe, just maybe, catch a glimpse of the elusive snow leopard.
One road. Many moments. Here’s how.
Day 1 – Arrive at Thanedar (via Chandigarh)
Start your ascent into Himachal’s orchard country. Reach Banjara Orchard Retreat by late afternoon. Sip on apple juice. Soak in the silence. Stargaze by the bonfire.
Day 2 – Sangla via Sutlej Valley
Descend into the Sutlej Gorge, then rise into fairy-tale Kinnaur. Reach Sangla, nestled by the Baspa River. Settle into Banjara Camp for your first real Himalayan chill.
Day 3 – Sangla to Chitkul Excursion
Drive to Chitkul – the last inhabited village before Tibet. Visit the border outpost at Nagasthi. Wander through Rakcham hamlet. Return for tea, sunset, and soup.
Day 4 – Sangla to Giu (Tabo)
Drive through a changing world – forests thin out into stark moonscapes. Stop at Nako Lake. Visit the 600-year-old mummy of a meditating monk in Giu. Reach Tabo and rest at Phuntsok Homestay.
Day 5 – Tabo to Kaza (via Dhankar)
Visit the 1000-year-old Tabo Monastery. Then drive to Dhankar Gompa, dramatically perched on a cliff. Reach Kaza – the capital of Spiti – and settle into Sakya Homestay.
Day 6 – Kaza to Chicham (via Key Monastery)
Head to the ancient monastic town
Begin the day at Tangyud Monastery. Then visit Key Monastery – a massive fortress-like gompa. Cross India’s highest bridge into Chicham. Evening is for stargazing and slow tea.
Day 7 – Wildlife Tracking & Langza
Accompanied by local scouts, set out to track ibex, blue sheep, and the rare snow leopard. Later visit Langza – the fossil village with its towering Buddha. Return to Tethys Himalayan Den.
Day 8 – Chicham to Kalpa
Begin the descent. Drive along the frozen Spiti River. Reach Kalpa in Kinnaur, home to stunning views of the Kinner Kailash massif. Overnight at Grand Shamba-La.
Day 9 – Kalpa to Chail
A long but scenic drive to Chail, passing apple orchards, pine forests and sleepy hamlets. Overnight at Banjara Mountain Retreat – warm, woody and peaceful.
Day 10 – Chail to Chandigarh Airport
Final leg. Drive to Chandigarh. Farewell hugs. Board your flight with stories of monks, stars and snow leopards tucked into your soul.
Gallery
Monasteries, glaciers, snow leopards, starlit skies, suspension bridges, frozen rivers.
Breaking Down Each Location
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Extreme Road conditions?
10,000 km of experience tells me what absolute essentials you should carry to this trip.
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