Spiti Valley Winter trek

Day 1: Arrival in Shimla | Transfer to Chitkul, the Last Inhabited Village on Indo -Tibetan Bborder
Day 2: Chitkul to Nako | Spin the 500 Year Old Prayer Wheel Made of Yak Skin at Nako
Day 3: Nako to Kaza and Local Sightseeing | Walk the Artistically Painted Rooms at Key Monastery
Day 4: Sightseeing Around Kaza | Send out Postcards Stamped at the Top of the World
Day 5: Kaza to Kalpa via Dhankar | Admire the Beautiful Architecture of Dhankar Monastery
Day 6: Kalpa to Shimla and Departure to Delhi | Take Back Memories from the Enchanting Spiti Valley

Experience the beauty of Winter Spiti with us. We are offering you the best and comfortable Spiti Valley Winter Trek services. From the beautiful snow-capped mountain views to centuries-old monastery visits, we plan everything. Our team works to make your trek adventurous yet safe. We will make you experience everything in Spiti. The frozen trails will make your journey more memorable. 

Winter Spiti is not just another destination but a dream. Himalaya Shelter can make your dream come true. We customize everything as per your requirements. You can find dates, itinerary, food, etc, as you need. From transport to sightseeing, we provide tailored service. Experience living in -20℃ in the heart of the Himalayas. We offer well-planned small-group guided tours all Himalayan region. Himalaya Shelter believes in eco-tourism and plans the itinerary with locals. Join the life-changing winter trek and witness the raw magic of Spiti Valley.

The word “Trek” is just a new word to winter Spiti, as it was also a route to these high-altitude areas for centuries. Spiti valley is also known as “Little Tibet” as this part has deep faith in Buddhism and has similarities in the culture. Spiti lies on the ancient route between India and Tibet. Many traders and monks used the mountain passes to travel between India and Tibet even in harsh winters. Today, the word “Trekking” sounds adventurous and thrilling among youth, but walking through Spiti was always a part for locals.  

Spiti gained popularity as a travel destination in recent decades. But this valley has been serving as an education center for Buddhism. You can witness centuries-old monasteries like Tabo Monastery and Key Monastery. Even today, many monks walk between these villages in the harsh winters. The sub-zero temperature is not enough to break the courage of locals and spiritual practitioners. Nowadays, the Spiti Valley Winter Trek has become an offbeat and unique destination for snow lovers and trekkers. This trek offers beautiful landscapes and an opportunity to engage in the high-altitude remote life. For a few days, you will be cut off from the chaotic city life. Spiti is also becoming famous for snow leopard spotting expeditions. In Kibber village, you can spot this wild and beautiful animal in nature. The Spiti Valley Winter Trek is a journey to culture, heritage, peace, and beauty.

• Majestic landscapes

Winter in Spiti is something different. Trekking Spiti in the months of December to March is an unforgettable experience. The whole valley is covered with snow and looks magnificent in winter. The big Himalayan peaks, frozen lakes, and rivers are worth every penny. The ancient monasteries covered with snow fill the heart with peace. 

• Snow Leopard Spotting Expedition

Winter in Spiti means good chances of spotting snow leopards. In this season, these snow leopards descend to lower altitude areas for food. The main villages for snow leopard spotting expeditions are Kibber and Chicham. Many times, the trekkers join leopard tracking expeditions with the locals. You can also witness some other wild animals like the Himalayan fox, ibex, and blue sheep.

• High-Altitude Villages

Spiti Valley is home to some of the high-altitude villages of India. You can see some of the highest inhabited villages in the world and experience the local culture. Komic is the highest motorable village in the world. Whereas, the highest post office in the world is located in Hikkim. You can send postcards with a stamp “World’s Highest Post Office-Hikkim”.

• Ancient Monasteries

Spiti holds a rich Buddhist heritage. When you enter Spiti, you will see prayer flags all around you. Walking to centuries-old monasteries is a one-of-a-kind experience. The Key monastery is always the highlight of Spiti. Meanwhile, the Dhankar Monastery is built on a cliff and gives a majestic view of Spiti and Pin Rivers. 

The Spiti Valley Winter Trek is rated as Moderate in the difficulty level. This trek is suitable for experienced trekkers. Fit beginners can also do this trek only when they have really strong physical and mental strength. The difficulty level of the trek depends on the weather conditions and road conditions.

• High-Altitude Valley

Visiting high-altitude areas is difficult even in the summer, but winters can be extremely challenging. The Spiti Valley has an altitude of 3500 to 4500 m. All the popular villages like Hikkim, Kibber, Komic, Langza, etc lie above 4000 m, where the oxygen level drops about 60 percent of sea level. People often get AMS symptoms like nausea, headache, fatigue, etc. Trekkers should acclimate properly to prevent and health-issues.

• Snow-Covered Terrain

The whole Spiti valley is covered with snow in winter. Due to heavy snowfall, walking or driving becomes very difficult. The roads and trails become unstable and slippery. Walking on frozen rivers requires expertise and good navigation. Trekking in waist-deep snow can be very exhausting.

• Extremely Cold Weather

The winter in Spiti is really harsh. In the daytime, the temperature will be around -5℃ to -10℃. Meanwhile, the temperature can drop to -15℃ to -30℃ at night. The biting cold winds can make the trek more challenging. For beginners, walking or even eating can be challenging. Taking a simple bath feels impossible during the Spiti Valley Winter Trek.

The winter in Spiti starts from November. After autumn, the temperature starts decreasing rapidly. You can witness snow in Spiti from November to March. However, the experience of trekking in winter is different every month. Avoid planning the trek from November to early January if you want to see a good amount of snowfall. From mid-March to April, the snow will start melting, and you might not get the charisma of winter Spiti. 

• Spiti Valley Winter Trek in Mid to End January

January is the best time to experience a winter trek in Spiti Valley. You can see fresh snow covering the valley. The weather will be cold with a silent atmosphere. You can also do snow leopard spotting expeditions. Some of the roads may close temporarily due to heavy snow.

• Spiti Valley Winter Trek in February

In February, all villages will be deeply covered with snow. The snow leopards will be more active, and you will have more chances to witness one. This can be a good time to trek Spiti Valley for experienced trekkers and wildlife photographers.

• Spiti Valley Winter Trek in Early to Mid-March

The weather conditions in March will be a bit better. The daytime will be longer with a manageable temperature. The road conditions also become better. You will still see lots of snow in the valley. Trekking in Spiti Valley in March becomes slightly comfortable in March.

The comfortable route to Spiti is the Manali-Rohtang Pass. But reaching Spiti Valley in winter is a challenge. Due to heavy snowfall, Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass are shut down. You can only reach Spiti Valley in winter via Shimla. This is a major, well-connected city near the Spiti valley.

• Spiti via Road

To reach Spiti, you need to reach Shimla. This hill station has good road connectivity from many cities. You can easily get direct government and private buses from Delhi, Chandigarh, and some other cities. Take an overnight bus to Shimla and then take a bus to Reckong Peo. The next day, look for a shared taxi to Kaza.

• Spiti via Train

The nearest major railway station to Shimla is the Kalka Railway Station. You can find direct trains to Kalka from many major cities. After reaching Kalka, you can take a toy train to Shimla. This is a UNESCO heritage route, and the trains have a very slow pace, but the views are majestic. From Shimla, continue your journey via road.

• Spiti via Air

The nearest airport to Spiti is Shimla, but the flights are very limited. If you can’t find a direct flight to Shimla, then check for Chandigarh airport. This city has direct flights from all major cities. After reaching Chandigarh, you can take a bus to Shimla. From Shimla, look for government buses to Rekong Peo. The buses to Rekong Peo are limited.

Clothing and Backpack

Get a good backpack (50 L) with a rain cover. Look for a bag that can provide you good back support. Pack 4 quick-dry t-shirts and 2 trekking pants. Get a pair of thermals (upper and lower) for night. Pack a fleece jacket or woolen sweater as a mid-layer. Get a waterproof wind breaker for sudden rain and chilly winds. For winter trekking, get a good down jacket. Now pack a woolen beanie and a balaclava. Get two pairs of gloves (woolen and waterproof). You should also pack a suncap for the daytime.

Footwear

You should look for good quality trekking shoes. Your shoes must be waterproof and provide good ankle support. Do not wear a new pair of shoes on the trek. Your feet must be familiar with the shoes. Now pack 4 pairs of trekking socks and 2 pairs of woolen socks. Pack a pair of comfortable slippers or sandals for the campsite.

Personal Care

For personal care items, start packing with your toiletries. Get a small zipper pouch and pack all the toiletries. Now look for a quick-dry towel and a toilet roll. You should also pack hand sanitizer and moisturizer. Pack a sunscreen that can protect your face from sunburn. You can also pack some snacks for the trek.

Physical Fitness Preparation for Trek:

To overcome the difficulty level of  trekking, it requires strong cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and overall physical fitness. Incorporate these exercises into your routine to increase strength, stability, and stamina, which will help you tackle difficult terrain sections of the trail at high altitudes.

1. Transport support from and to Shimla: starting from pickup on day 1 to drop on day 6.
2. Guide and cook fees.
3. Rent for camping equipment.
4. Forest entry charges.
5. Porter and mule support to carry camping equipment. Please note that personal luggage can be carried by mules and/or porters on chargeable basis.
6. All veg meals starting from day 1 dinner to day 6 breakfast.
7. Possible guest house/homestay accommodation from Day 1 to Day 5.