How to reach Spiti Valley?

The nearest domestic airport to Spiti valley is Bhuntar. Chandigarh is the closest international airport to Spiti. Bhuntar is about 250 km away from Kaza, and Chandigarh is located at a distance of 500 km.

If you fly to Chandigarh or Bhuntar, you will have to come to Manali or Shimla to take a taxi to Kaza. You might not find any private taxi in Chandigarh and Bhuntar that drives you until Kaza (for the expert drivers who drive on the road to Spiti are from Spiti itself and they start their trips from Manali or Shimla).

To see how to reach Spiti from Manali and Shimla, see the upcoming sections.

How to go to Spiti Valley by land?

You have two options to arrive in Spiti — You drive from Shimla or Manali up to Kaza, the capital of Spiti.

The route from Shimla to Spiti valley is open all the year and is said to be better. But I did meet someone who drove from Shimla side and was stuck on the road for more than a day because the road got washed away.

People choose the road from Manali to Spiti as this is a shorter way. But this route is only open for a few months of July and August and then it shuts down due to snowfall. As I said earlier, this is a nasty road.

How to reach Spiti Valley from Manali?

You can

• either take a bus

• or buy a seat in a shared jeep or a tempo traveler

• or hire your private car and drive

• or hire a bike and drive from Manali to Spiti.

If you take the HRTC government bus — make sure the bus is functional when you plan to go. Also, the big bus has the highest chances of not making it to the Spiti valley and returning halfway. For the roads are such that sometimes the bus can’t go but the smaller vehicles can.

If you take the shared tempo traveler — Walk around new and old Manali. Ask for prices and availability. Seat number 9 is the best. Book a day ahead for the seats get full. The drivers stop for lunch and breakfast. Carry water but drink less for the driver doesn’t stop for a bathroom break. Roads are bad but do not worry as mostly expert drivers drive on these roads. Price for one seat should be between Rs 1000 to 1400.

If you take the shared jeep — I guess the same instructions as above. Prices might vary.

If you take a private taxi — Make sure you book from a known travel agent. Ask him about the driver and his expertise in driving these roads. Make sure the car is good. Bargain for prices. Carry enough water. Leave early for the journey from Manali to Spiti takes at least 12-13 hours on a good day. Even though the distance is only 200 km the trip is long for the roads are no roads. The travel agent would arrange for the permit so you don’t have to worry about the permit.

If you drive your car — Make sure you have a strong car. An Alto might not work but a Swift would. Also depends on your confidence. Many people who were driving by themselves asked our driver if they would arrive in Spiti with the car they had brought. He said that it depends on the driver for the roads are always bad but people make it. Carry extra fuel and water. You will have to take a permit about which I have written separately.

If you drive your bike — You can rent a bike in Manali. Test it well. Carry extra fuel. Be confident about driving on those roads. You will have to take a permit about which I have written separately. A bike trip to Spiti valley is the most fun way to experience the valley but also require extreme caution.