Are you ready to traverse some of the highest drivable roads in the world, stand on the edge of dramatic deep gorges, and gaze up at the Milky Way from a high-altitude Himalayan campsite? 10-night, 11-day road trip into the Trans-Himalayan wonderland of Himachal Pradesh. Crafted by Yathri Holidays, this journey takes you along roaring rivers, ancient cliffside monasteries, and pristine alpine lakes.
From the lush pine forests of Narkanda and the “last village of India” at Chitkul to the dramatic desert terrain of Spiti, pack your bags for the ultimate rugged mountain exploration.
Quick Trip Highlights
- Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
- Key Routes: Chandigarh \rightarrow Narkanda \rightarrow Sangla \rightarrow Chitkul \rightarrow Kalpa \rightarrow Nako \rightarrow Tabo \rightarrow Kaza \rightarrow Chandratal \rightarrow Manali \rightarrow Delhi
- Upcoming Departures: 08 SEP 2026
- Perfect For: Adventure seekers, photographers, road-trip enthusiasts, and mountain lovers.
Day 1: Arrival in Chandigarh
Your Himalayan overland expedition begins as you touch down in the beautifully planned city of Chandigarh.
Welcome & Transfer
Upon arriving in Chandigarh, the tour team will meet you at the airport or railway station for a direct transfer to your hotel. Take the afternoon to rest, unpack, and prepare your gear for the early morning drive into the mountains. Enjoy a group dinner and get a good night’s rest.
Day 2: Chandigarh to Narkanda via Shimla
Leave the plains behind early as your vehicle begins the steep, winding ascent into the rugged Shivalik and lower Himalayan ranges.
Driving via Shimla (05:00 AM – 06:00 AM Start)
Set off early from Chandigarh to make the 110 km drive to Shimla, tracing a scenic mountain route past Solan and Shogi. Upon reaching Shimla, take a brisk stroll down the historic Mall Road and The Ridge to view Christ Church and soak in the old-world British colonial charm. If time permits, take a taxi or trek up to the hilltop Jakhu Temple to see the colossal statue of Lord Hanuman and enjoy panoramic valley views.
Onward to Narkanda
Continue driving another 60 km past Kufri and the beautiful green meadows of the Fagu Valley. Arrive in Narkanda, a quiet town surrounded by dense fir and spruce forests. Check into your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Narkanda to Sangla Valley
Today, the route descends toward the roaring Sutlej River before branching off into one of the most beautiful valleys in Kinnaur.
Tracing the Sutlej River
Drive 160 km (approx. 6–7 hours) from Narkanda toward Sangla, passing through Rampur and Jeori. Watch the landscape change as massive granite cliffs begin to frame the highway. Make a brief photo stop at the impressive Karcham Dam, which sits at the confluence of the Sutlej and Baspa rivers.
Entering Sangla Valley
Turn onto the narrow, dramatic mountain roads leading into the Sangla Valley. Once you check in, enjoy a peaceful afternoon walking along the banks of the Baspa River or visit the intricately carved wooden Bering Nag Temple. Spend the night in Sangla.
Day 4: Sangla to Chitkul & Back
Prepare for a highly anticipated drive to the absolute edge of the Indian international border.
The Last Inhabited Village
Take a short, highly scenic 24 km drive along the Baspa River—framed by sheer snow-capped peaks and pine trees—to Chitkul. Sitting near the Indo-Tibet border, Chitkul is celebrated as the final inhabited village of India on this route.
Exploring Border Heritage
- Mathi Devi Temple: Visit this centuries-old wooden temple complex dedicated to the local guardian deity.
- Baspa Riverfront: Walk down to the freezing, crystal-clear riverfront to take photos and breathe in the crisp mountain air.
- Drive back to Sangla in the late afternoon for dinner and your overnight stay.
Day 5: Sangla to Kalpa
Today’s short drive brings you face-to-face with the spectacular, towering peaks of the Kinnaur Kailash range.
Cliffside Thrills & Kinnauri Heritage
Drive 40 km to Kalpa via Reckong Peo. Stop at the famous Roghi Suicide Point, a thrilling cliffside drop-off offering panoramic mountain views. Walk through Roghi Village to observe traditional wooden Kinnauri houses and local farming life.
Golden Hour at Kinnaur Kailash
Visit the quiet Kalpa Monastery and the nearby Narayan-Nagini Temple. In the evening, gather at the Kalpa Viewpoint to watch the sunset turn the massive granite peaks of the Kinnaur Kailash range brilliant shades of gold and crimson. Overnight stay in Kalpa.
Day 6: Kalpa to Tabo via Nako Lake
Drive deeper into the high-altitude rain shadow zone as the green valleys of Kinnaur give way to the stark, dramatic desert terrain of Spiti.
High-Altitude Marvels
Drive 100 km to Nako via the Khab Sangam, the spectacular desert confluence where the Spiti and Sutlej rivers meet. Wind up the famous Ka Zigs loops for incredible photos before reaching Nako Village. Walk past the peaceful high-altitude Nako Lake and visit the ancient Nako Monastery to view its historic murals.
The 500-Year-Old Mummy & Tabo
Continue driving 60 km into Spiti Valley. If time permits, take a short detour to Gue Monastery to see the naturally preserved, 500-year-old mummy of a Buddhist monk. End your day at Tabo Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 996 AD, making it one of the oldest continuously functional monastic enclaves in India. Overnight stay in Tabo.
Day 7: Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar
Travel along the spine of the Spiti River toward the sub-divisional capital of the valley.
Clifftop Citadels
Drive 50 km to Kaza, stopping first at the spectacular Dhankar Monastery. Perched precariously on a jagged mud-spire cliff high above the valley floor, Dhankar offers unparalleled views of the river confluence below.
Arrival in Kaza
Upon reaching Kaza, visit the modern Sakya Tangyud Monastery. Spend your afternoon exploring the local Kaza Market to shop for Spitian woolens, prayer flags, and regional souvenirs. Catch the sunset from a local viewpoint before heading to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 8: Kaza to Key Monastery & Chandratal Lake
Today features iconic monastic architecture, high-altitude mountain passes, and a memorable wilderness camping experience.
[Kunzum Pass] -> Visit Kunzum Mata Temple
(4,551m)
|
[Kaza] -> [Key Monastery] | -> [Chandratal Base] -> Trek 2km -> [Chandratal Lake]
Key Monastery & Kunzum Pass
In the morning, drive 14 km from Kaza to visit Key Monastery, the largest, most iconic fortress-style monastery in Spiti Valley. Explore its historic rooms and talk with the resident monks. Next, drive past Losar Village and climb up to the breathtaking Kunzum Pass (4,551 meters) to view the massive surrounding glaciers. Pay respects at the Kunzum Mata Temple before descending down rough dirt tracks to the Chandratal base parking area.
Camping by the Moon Lake
Check into your mountain campsite. From the base, embark on a scenic 2 km (30-minute) trek to Chandratal Lake (The Moon Lake). Walk along the shore and watch the water shift from deep turquoise to emerald green as the sun sets. Return to camp for dinner under a clear sky, offering incredible views of the Milky Way.
Traveler’s Note: The Chandratal campsite uses multiple-sharing configurations due to its remote, high-altitude wilderness location. Make sure to keep your thermal layers easily accessible, as temperatures drop rapidly after dusk.
Day 9: Chandratal Lake to Manali
Leave the high desert behind as you cross rugged terrain and pass through a major modern engineering marvel.
Through the Atal Tunnel
Depart early from Chandratal via the rugged outposts of Batal and Chaatru. Your mountain drive transitions onto smooth pavement as you pass through the Atal Tunnel. Spanning 9 km, it stands as the longest highway tunnel in India, bypassing months of winter snow blockade to connect Lahaul and Spiti with the Kullu Valley. Arrive in Manali for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Manali Sightseeing & Overnight Volvo to Delhi
Enjoy a relaxing day exploring the culture of this popular hill station before your journey back to the plains.
Local Sightseeing
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and visit the ancient wooden Hadimba Temple, which sits nestled inside a dense cedar forest. Next, stop by the Vashisht Temple, famous for its natural therapeutic hot sulphur springs.
Shopping & Overnight Bus
Spend your afternoon walking along Manali’s bustling Mall Road to purchase souvenirs like Himachali shawls, wooden handicrafts, and Tibetan artifacts. In the evening, board a comfortable, overnight A/c Volvo coach for your return journey to Delhi.
Day 11: Arrival in Delhi & Farewell
Your memorable overland road trip through the Himalayas comes to a close today.
Homeward Bound
Arrive in Delhi around 6:00 AM and transfer to a pre-booked hotel to freshen up and unpack. In the afternoon, catch your scheduled transfer to the Delhi Airport or railway station for your onward flight or train journey home, bringing your Spiti Valley adventure to a close.
Travel Cost & Package Details
Planning your mountain holiday budget is simple with this clear per-person land rate:
- Tour Cost Per Person: INR 43,000/- + Airfares or Rail Charges
Traveler’s Note: The base package pricing is calculated around a minimum group size of 30 adults traveling collectively, utilizing double-sharing deluxe rooms in hotels and multiple-sharing tents at Chandratal.
Package Inclusions & Exclusions
What Is Included
- Ground Fleet: Transportation across the entire mountain circuit in a rugged, group-friendly Tempo Traveller.
- Lodging: Deluxe double-room hotel stays along the route, with a wilderness camp stay at Chandratal.
- Meals: Daily breakfasts, lunches, and dinners as specified in the day-by-day itinerary.
- Entry Fees: Standard admission tickets for all sightseeing monuments listed in the itinerary.
- Tour Management: Services of an experienced Malayalee Tour Manager tracking with the group from start to finish.
- Taxes: Includes the mandatory 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST).
What Is Excluded
- Transit Tickets: Flight or train tickets from your hometown to Chandigarh/Delhi.
- Restricted Access Shuttles: Local auto-rickshaws or shared small-cabs in narrow mountain towns where large passenger vans face driving bans.
- Personal Expenditures: Room heaters, laundry, telephone calls, porterage, extra snacks, or hotel room service orders.
Ready to Explore the Himalayas?
From the winding loops of Nako to the starlit waters of Chandratal Lake, we handle all the mountain logistics, transport, and stays so you can focus entirely on the view.
Reserve Your Himalayan Road Trip Today:
- 📞 Call / WhatsApp Us: +91 98471 88880, +91 97442 10057
- 🌐 Visit Our Website: Yathri Holidays
- 📧 Email Our Team: info@yathriholidays.com