In December, Spiti is a different place. The rivers freeze, the villages go quiet, the monasteries sit under snow, and the sky at night is clear enough to count stars. There is no party, no DJ, no queue for a table. You spend Christmas or New Year around a bonfire with a small group, in one of the coldest and most silent places you can reach by road in India.
This is a Delhi to Delhi group trip with 8 to 15 travellers. You travel by Volvo to Shimla, then by tempo traveller with a local snow driver, and your Trip Captain stays with you the whole way. Stay, meals, permits and oxygen backup are all covered.
Delhi to Delhi
Winter Spiti
8 Nights / 9 Days
Tempo Traveller
8–15 Travellers
Most winter trips are about snow you can walk into and photograph in ten minutes. Winter Spiti is slower and harder than that. You wake up to a cold that finds its way through two layers. You drink tea with both hands around the cup. You wait for the sun to reach the valley before you go out.
But that is also why people come back from it talking about nothing else. Roads are empty. Villages that are full of tourists in summer have only a few locals walking around. Key Monastery sits white on its hill, and Chicham Bridge hangs over a gorge with almost no one on it.
The trip follows the Shimla-Kinnaur route, the only road that stays open in winter. You go up slowly: Shimla, Sarahan, Sangla or Chitkul, Tabo, and then Kaza. Because you gain height over three days, your body gets time to adjust before you reach the higher villages.
On the sightseeing day, you go to Key Monastery, Kibber, Chicham Bridge, Hikkim (where you can post a card from the highest post office), Komic and Langza. The return route goes through Kalpa, where you see the Kinner Kailash range in the evening light.
You celebrate Christmas or New Year with your group in Kaza, in a warm homestay, with a bonfire if the weather allows. Not a loud party, but a night you will remember better than most.
Winter Spiti is not an easy holiday. It is cold, the washrooms are basic and some places may be closed by snow. If you are fine with that, it is one of the best trips you can take.
This trip is for people who want to spend New Year somewhere quiet and cold, and do not mind a basic setup in return. It suits you if you are:
It is not the right trip if you cannot handle extreme cold, long drives, or shared washrooms. It is also not suitable for small children or people with serious heart, lung or altitude problems.
Fewer people means a calmer trip, easier stops for photos and a group that actually gets to know each other.
This is the road that stays open in winter. The slow climb also helps your body adjust to altitude.
Himachali drivers who drive these roads every winter, with mechanical backup on the trip.
Oxygen cylinder, first-aid kit and pulse oximeter travel with the group.
Your captain handles the plan, checks on everyone and decides what is safe each day.
Many women join our Winter Spiti trips alone, with verified stays and a respectful group.
| Destination | Key Experience | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi (Start) | Overnight Volvo | Meet your Trip Captain and group, and attend a short briefing. |
| Shimla & Sarahan | Gentle First Climb | Apple orchards, Sutlej Valley and Bhimakali Temple. |
| Sangla / Chitkul | Baspa Valley | Last village near the Indo-Tibet border, wooden houses and snow. |
| Tabo | Entry into Spiti | Khab Sangam and Tabo Monastery. |
| Dhankar & Kaza | Cold Desert Town | Dhankar Monastery and Kaza market and cafés. |
| High Villages | Full-Day Sightseeing | Key, Kibber, Chicham Bridge, Hikkim, Komic and Langza. |
| Kalpa | Kinnaur Evening | Kinner Kailash range views. |
Travel: Overnight Volvo, approx. 350 km, 8–10 hours
Reporting Time: 45 minutes before departure
Departure: Around 10:00 PM–11:00 PM from RK Ashram, Kashmere Gate or Majnu Ka Tila
You meet your Trip Captain and the rest of the group at the boarding point. Before the bus leaves, the captain gives a short briefing on the route, the cold and what to expect. Then you settle into your seat and sleep as much as you can. The next few days will be long.
Important: Keep a small bag with medicines, charger, power bank, warm jacket, fresh clothes and toiletries. Your main luggage stays packed during the night.
Travel: Tempo Traveller, approx. 165 km, 6–7 hours
Stay: Hotel in Sarahan
Meals: Dinner
You reach Shimla early in the morning and switch to the tempo traveller. The road follows the Sutlej Valley through pine forests and apple orchards. You reach Sarahan in the evening, home to the Bhimakali Temple. If the weather allows, you sit around a bonfire and start getting to know the group.
Important: Breakfast is not included today. The group stops at a clean highway restaurant on the way. Keep your jacket, gloves and cap within reach, as it gets cold fast after sunset.
Travel: Tempo Traveller, approx. 105 km, 5–6 hours
Stay: Sangla or Chitkul
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Today you drive along the Baspa River through wooden villages and apple orchards. If the road is open, you reach Chitkul, the last village before the Indo-Tibet border. You walk around, talk to locals and take photos. The night halt is at Sangla or Chitkul, depending on the weather and road.
Important: In case of heavy snow or road closure, the stay may shift to Kalpa. Wear warm layers all day, as the temperature changes quickly.
Travel: Tempo Traveller, approx. 200 km, 8–9 hours
Stay: Tabo
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
You drive through Kinnaur and cross Khab Sangam, where the Spiti River meets the Sutlej. After this, the land changes. The trees disappear, and you see bare mountains, deep gorges and frozen streams. In the evening you reach Tabo and visit the Tabo Monastery, one of the oldest in the Himalayas.
Travel: Tempo Traveller, approx. 70 km, 3–4 hours
Stay: Kaza
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
After breakfast, you visit Dhankar Monastery, which sits on a cliff above the Spiti and Pin rivers. Then you drive on to Kaza, the main town of Spiti. You check in, then walk slowly around the market and cafés. Kaza is at about 12,500 ft, so go easy and drink water.
Travel: Tempo Traveller, approx. 90 km, full-day sightseeing
Stay: Kaza
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
This is the main day of the trip. You visit Key Monastery, then Kibber, one of the highest villages in the world connected by road. You cross Chicham Bridge, post a card from the Hikkim post office, and stop at Komic and Langza, where the big Buddha statue stands over the snow.
In the evening, you come back to Kaza for your Christmas or New Year night with the group.
Important: The order of sightseeing can change depending on snow and road conditions. Wear warm clothes, sunglasses and sunscreen, because the snow glare is strong.
Travel: Tempo Traveller, approx. 210 km, 8–9 hours
Stay: Kalpa
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
You say goodbye to Spiti and drive back through Tabo, Nako and Khab Sangam. The land slowly turns green again as you enter Kinnaur. You reach Kalpa by evening, where the Kinner Kailash range is in front of you.
Travel: Tempo Traveller, approx. 220 km, 8–9 hours
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, you drive through Kinnaur to Shimla. Freshen up, say goodbye to the drivers, and board the overnight Volvo to Delhi.
Important: Keep your valuables and essentials in your day bag.
You reach Delhi early in the morning. The trip ends here. Book your onward ticket with enough buffer, because arrival time depends on traffic.
Timings can change because of snow, weather and road conditions.
Perfect for friends and small groups
Best for couples or 2 travelers
50–60L backpack or duffel with a rain/snow cover, and a 15–20L day bag for daily essentials.
Heavy down jacket, waterproof/windproof jacket, 2–3 sets of thermal innerwear, fleece or woollen sweater, waterproof gloves, extra woollen gloves, woollen cap, neck warmer, scarf, and warm nightwear for sub-zero nights.
Waterproof trekking shoes with good grip and 4–5 pairs of thick woollen socks.
Sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, moisturiser, quick-dry towel, wet wipes, hand sanitiser, and toilet paper.
Personal medicines and basic first-aid kit (headache, fever, cold, motion sickness, stomach upset, ORS, bandages, antiseptic cream). Diamox only if prescribed by your doctor.
Power bank (20,000 mAh), charger, extra camera batteries, torch or headlamp, reusable water bottle/flask, hand/toe warmers (optional), and zip-lock or waterproof bags for electronics and documents.
Original government photo ID and a digital copy, cash for personal expenses, and high-energy snacks like dry fruits, chocolates, biscuits, and energy bars.
Please read our cancellation terms carefully before confirming your booking.
90% refund will be provided for cancellations made at least 15 days before the trip departure date.
50% cancellation charges will be applicable for cancellations made between 7 to 14 days before departure.
No refund will be provided for cancellations made within 7 days of departure.
No refund will be provided for no-shows, incomplete trips, or any unused services during the journey.
In case of weather issues, roadblocks, landslides, snowfall, or natural calamities, the trip may be rescheduled depending on operational feasibility and safety conditions.
GST, processing fees, and transaction charges are non-refundable under all circumstances.
Quick answers to common questions before booking your Winter Spiti Trip for Christmas & New Year.
Yes, if you go with the right plan. This trip uses the Shimla-Kinnaur route, which stays open in winter, with local snow drivers, a Trip Captain, an oxygen cylinder and a first-aid kit. The itinerary can still change if snow blocks the road.
Days are usually around -5°C to -10°C, and nights can fall below -20°C. Dress in layers and keep your heavy jacket, gloves and cap ready.
Spiti usually has snow in December, but fresh snowfall cannot be promised. Even without new snow, most of sapient valley stays white.
We use hotels and traditional homestays that are suitable for winter, with thick quilts and warm blankets. Hot water is limited, and many places give bucket hot water. Washrooms may be shared.
Yes. Many people join alone, and the group is small, so everyone gets to know each other quickly. Many women also join our Winter Spiti trips as solo travellers.
Yes. You do not need trekking experience. You should be fine with long road journeys, cold weather and basic stays.
The route climbs slowly via Shimla, Sarahan, Sangla and Tabo, so your body can adjust to altitude before you reach Kaza. It is safer and more comfortable than rushing.
This trip uses a tempo traveller on the Shimla-Kinnaur route. If you want a stronger vehicle for snowy roads, check our Winter Spiti 4x4 Expedition.
It is limited. BSNL generally works in more places, and Jio works in a few places like Kaza. Expect no network in many remote areas.
Your Trip Captain and drivers decide the safest option. The plan may change, and extra costs for roadblocks are not covered in the package.
20 to 45 years for group departures. For other age groups, we can plan a customized trip.
Memories from travelers who explored incredible destinations with Trip Guru Go.
Everything was well planned from start to finish. Special thanks to the Trip Captain.
It was my second trip with Trip Guru Go and I joined as a solo traveler in a weekend group trip, it was a great experience
My trekking experience was amazing under the guidance of Trip Captain Suraj. It was an adventurous
We planned a private trip with Trip Guru Go and everything was arranged perfectly and the captain was awesome
