NGTV NEWS | TRAVEL SPECIAL
Spiti Valley in 7 Days: A Budget Road Trip for Four
By NGTV News Travel Desk
A seven-day Spiti Valley trip is possible, but it has to be fast-paced and carefully planned. For four travellers, sharing a private vehicle and choosing homestays instead of hotels keeps the journey affordable. The itinerary below follows the Manali–Spiti–Manali route, which is shorter than the full Shimla–Kinnaur–Spiti circuit.
👥 Travellers: 4 people
🗓️ Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
💰 Estimated total: ₹65,000–₹85,000 for four
Per person: Approximately ₹16,250–₹21,250
Excludes travel to Manali and onward travel after the trip.
DAY 1 — Manali → Kaza
Distance: Approximately 200 km
Travel time: 10–12+ hours, depending heavily on road conditions
Start very early from Manali. Travel through Atal Tunnel, Gramphoo, Batal, Kunzum Pass and Losar before reaching Kaza.
This is the longest and most demanding day, so the focus should be on reaching Kaza safely rather than extensive sightseeing.
Stay: Budget homestay/guesthouse
Room for four: ₹2,500–₹3,500
Food: ₹1,400–₹1,600
Vehicle: ₹6,000–₹7,000
Estimated Day 1: ₹9,900–₹12,100
DAY 2 — Kaza Local Sightseeing
After breakfast, explore some of Spiti’s best-known attractions:
Key Monastery
Kibber
Chicham Bridge
Hikkim
Komic
Langza
Return to Kaza in the evening.
Stay: ₹2,500–₹3,500
Food: ₹1,400–₹1,600
Local vehicle: ₹4,500–₹5,500
Estimated Day 2: ₹8,400–₹10,600
DAY 3 — Kaza → Pin Valley → Mud → Kaza
Head towards Pin Valley after breakfast.
Spend the day exploring Mud village and the surrounding Himalayan landscape before returning to Kaza.
Stay: ₹2,500–₹3,500
Food: ₹1,400–₹1,600
Vehicle: ₹4,500–₹5,500
Estimated Day 3: ₹8,400–₹10,600
DAY 4 — Kaza → Dhankar → Tabo
Leave Kaza after breakfast and travel towards Dhankar.
Visit Dhankar Monastery and continue to Tabo, known for its historic monastery and distinctive mud-brick architecture.
Stay: ₹2,200–₹3,000
Food: ₹1,300–₹1,500
Vehicle: ₹4,000–₹5,000
Estimated Day 4: ₹7,500–₹9,500
DAY 5 — Tabo → Nako → Kaza
Return towards Kaza, stopping at Nako on the way.
The day is deliberately kept lighter so the group can enjoy the scenery rather than spending the entire day rushing between locations.
Stay: ₹2,500–₹3,500
Food: ₹1,400–₹1,600
Vehicle: ₹4,000–₹5,000
Estimated Day 5: ₹7,900–₹10,100
DAY 6 — Kaza → Chandratal
Begin the return journey towards Chandratal Lake, travelling through Losar and Kunzum Pass.
Stay at an authorised seasonal campsite or designated accommodation near Chandratal, depending on the prevailing arrangements.
Camping: ₹4,000–₹5,500 for four
Food: ₹1,400–₹1,600
Vehicle: ₹5,000–₹6,000
Estimated Day 6: ₹10,400–₹13,100
DAY 7 — Chandratal → Manali
After an early breakfast, begin the final leg towards Manali.
Expect a long driving day because Himalayan road conditions can significantly affect journey times.
Food: ₹1,400–₹1,600
Vehicle: ₹5,000–₹6,000
Estimated Day 7: ₹6,400–₹7,600
💰 FINAL BUDGET FOR FOUR
Expense
Estimated Cost
Private vehicle
₹33,000–₹40,000
Accommodation
₹14,700–₹20,000
Food
₹9,700–₹11,100
Chandratal camping
Included above
Miscellaneous/emergency
₹4,000–₹5,000
TOTAL
₹61,400–₹76,100
Per person
₹15,350–₹19,025
A safer planning budget: ₹70,000–₹85,000 for four
This gives the group some room for fuel-price changes, road delays, additional meals and unexpected transport costs.
⚠️ NGTV News Travel Advisory
The seven-day version is considerably more hectic than a 9–10-day Spiti journey. Do not treat the driving times as guaranteed schedules. Weather, landslides, snowfall and road conditions can cause substantial delays. The Kunzum and Manali–Kaza route is also seasonal, so travellers must verify its status before departure.
For a budget-conscious group of four, however, ₹70,000–₹85,000 is a realistic target, provided everyone is comfortable with long driving days, basic homestays and simple local food.
