Transport Included
Meals Included
Stay Included
Sightseeing

Spiti Self Drive Expedition | FREE Nako Excursion Highlights

  • Conquer one of the world’s toughest road as you take the wheel across the rugged terrains of Spiti

  • Stand tall before the sacred Kailash Parvat graced by the crimson hues of sunset at Kalpa

  • Immerse yourself to the spiritual ambiance of the oldest Buddhist monastery in India at Tabo

  • Experience a rush of adrenaline as you look down from Asia’s highest suspension bridge of Chicham

  • Indulge in the heartwarming flavors of ‘Hindustan ka Aakhri Dhaba’ at Chitkul, the last village in India

Spiti Self Drive Expedition | FREE Nako Excursion Overview

About the expedition:

Driving through the rugged paths of Spiti is every traveler’s dream and witnessing the glory it holds is an experience one cannot put into words. It is a layered mystery, with every mile, a layer unfolds and offers you an unexpected yet beautiful adventure. Getting to experience some of the highest passes in the world, and driving through some of the most treacherous paths, age-old monasteries, and crystal blue lakes will be an adventure one should not miss. From feeling the chills as you look down upon a tiny truck from Asia’s highest suspended Chicham Bridge to spotting the ever-elusive snow leopards, Spiti makes a perfect powerpack for an adventurous expedition.

Quick Info:

Route: Shimla - Rakcham - Chitkul - Kalpa - Tabo - Kaza - Langza - Hikkim - Ki - Chicham - Dhankar - Gue - Nako - Narkanda

Duration: 8 Days, 7 Nights

Departure Dates: 21 January '23 | 18th February '23

Start point: Shimla/ Kufri

Endpoint: Narkanda

Inclusions:

➔ Accommodation for 7 nights on twin/ triple sharing in the same or similar category

➔ Two major meals - Breakfast & Lunch / Dinner

➔ Homestay / local dine-in experience

➔ Expedition/ Terrain specialists to lead the convoy

➔ Radios in each vehicle for safety communication.

➔ High Altitude first aid equipment for medical emergencies

➔ Convoy Safety Support vehicle

➔ Offroad Skill training

➔ Snow Drive Skill training

➔ Village walk / local explorations

➔ Local guidance wherever required

➔ Necessary documentation and arrangement of Permits

Thrillophilia Recommended:

➔ Relax with a Sip of Sea buckthorn tea at Café Sol, Kaza

➔ Shop unique souvenirs such as Merino Wool and Slipper made of Grass at the Kaza Market

➔ Sip a cup of Herbal Pahadi Chai while watching a beautiful Crimson sunset at Kalpa

➔Taste the local alcohol known as ‘Arag’ interestingly made using snow while having good chit-chats with the locals

➔ Tell Interesting stories about a 500-Year-old Self-Mummified Monks at Gue Monastery

➔ Make a 7 pebble wish by the Baspa River

➔ Record the change of expressions in a slow-motion video of your friend as he walks over a very shaky bridge that hangs over the mighty Spiti River.

How to Reach:

By Air: Fagu lies near Shimla which has its own airport at a place called Jubbarhatti, which is located at a distance of 23 kilometers. Flights from New Delhi, Chandigarh, and Kullu operate on a daily basis. You can also reach Chandigarh airport as it is connected to all the major cities, and further you can take a bus or a taxi to Fagu.

By Rail: The nearest station is at Kalka which connects the city with different parts of the country by rail line. There are quite a good number of trains from the cities like Delhi and Calcutta.

By Road: One of the best options to arrive at Fagu will be by bus (or by own vehicle)as it is well connected with cities like Shimla, Chandigarh, Delhi, Dehradun, and Kalka through roadways. You can hire taxis as well as state buses to reach the hill station from these cities.


Spiti Self Drive Expedition | FREE Nako Excursion Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Shimla/ Kufri | A Beautiful Town Encapsulated by Misty Hills
Shimla

After reaching Shimla/Kufri in the afternoon, complete the check-in formalities at your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the surroundings at your leisure. In the evening, there will be an ice-breaking session for a walkthrough of your Winter Drive and a detailed safety briefing. Spend the night at the hotel in Shimla/Kufri.

Day 2
Shimla to Rakcham | Enter the Magical Kinnaur Valley

Start your day with a delicious breakfast and get ready to explore the beautiful Kinnaur Valley. Follow the old Indo-Tibetan Highway to Karcham, then take a right turn towards Rakcham. Here, you'll be greeted by landscapes filled with apple orchards, thick pine and apricot trees, lush green meadows, and occasional pink stretches of local millet. Spend the night at a campsite in Rakcham and enjoy the beauty of the valley.

Activity: Shimla to Rakcham
  • Upon reaching Rakchham, check into your campsite situated along the Baspa River.
  • Relax by the warmth of a bonfire at your campsite and call it a day.
Day 3
Rakcham to Kalpa | Visit the last inhabited village on the Indo-China border.

Start your day with a healthy breakfast and get ready to go off-roading to the last village on the border. Move from Rackcham towards Chitkul, which is home to the last Dhaba on the Indo-Tibetan border. After that, trace your route back to Rackcham and then proceed towards Kalpa. Spend the night at a hotel in Kalpa.

Activity: Rakcham to Kalpa
  • Have an outdoor picnic lunch with a self-cooking barbecue session at Chitkul.
  • En route to Kalpa, you will be taking the Indo-Tibet Highway and passing through the Khab bridge that marks the confluence of Spiti and the Satluj River.
  • Upon reaching Kalpa, visit the suicide point which is a viewpoint right on the edge of a cliff.
Day 4
Kalpa to Kaza | Explore the “Ajanta of the Himalayas”

Wake up early in the morning and begin your day with a nutritious breakfast. Then, hit the road and cross Sumdo to enter the breathtaking Spiti Valley. As you continue your journey towards Kaza, brace yourself for an exciting ride through the snow-covered roads, with plenty of opportunities to stop and capture memories through photographs. After a day filled with adventure and fun, arrive at Kaza by evening and settle down for the night at a comfortable homestay.

Activity: Kalpa to Kaza
  • Visit the Tabo Monastery, which is the oldest continuously operating Buddhist enclave in both India and the Himalayas. It is also known as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas'.
Day 5
Kaza to Chicham | Walk Artistically Painted Rooms at Key Monastery

Wake up early in the morning and have a hearty breakfast before embarking on a drive to some of the highest inhabited regions in the world. During the journey, you can make stopovers at iconic places such as the village of Langza, Hikkim to visit the world's highest post office and Ki Monastery. Finally, reach Chicham for an overnight stay at a hotel or homestay.

Activity: Kaza to Chicham
  • Visit the iconic village of Langza, which is home to the 1000-year-old Lang Temple, and later go fossil hunting in the village. Take back souvenirs in the form of million-year-old marine fossils.
  • Proceed to Hikkim to visit the world’s highest post office and later drive to the highest village in the world connected by a motorable road—Komic, which literally translates to ‘eye of a snowcock."
  • Visit the world-famous Ki Monastery, which is nestled between the mountains in the bowl-shaped valley of Langza, a small village in Spiti Valley.
Day 6
Chicham to Nako | Marvel at the 500 year old self mummified monk

After enjoying your early morning meal, you will begin your journey towards Nako, which is the last village of the Kinnaur Valley and is located via the stunning Spiti Valley. On your way back, you can take a small detour towards the left to visit the small villages of Dhankar, Khab Bridge, Gue Village, and Nako Monastery. Spend some leisure time by the Nako Lake, which is located near the monastery, while you witness the beautiful sunset. Overnight stay in Nako.

Activity: Chicham to Nako
  • On your way back, take a small detour to the left to visit the tiny hamlet of Dhankar and stop by the majestic fort monastery at Dhankar which is situated amongst the rocky spurs and is said to be 1000 years old.
  • En route, take the Indo-Tibet Highway, and pass through the Khab Bridge, which marks the confluence of the Spiti and Satluj River.
  • Just 3 km after Sumdo, take a detour on the right through the gate to visit the 500-year-old mummy in the Gue Village.
  • Visit the high-altitude Nako Monastery and get a chance to spin the 500-year-old prayer wheel made of yak skin at the monastery.
Day 7
Nako to Narkanda | Take back memories from the mountains
Narkanda

Wake up early in the morning and have a delicious breakfast. After that, get ready to leave the Kinnaur Valley and start your journey towards Narkanda. Enjoy the drive along the ferocious Satluj River, dense pine forests, and high mountain passes that offer stunning vistas of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. If time permits, you can also drive through the freshly scented apple orchards of Narkanda. Reach Narkanda by evening and end your tour with wonderful memories.

Select Package Options

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Price Includes
  • Stay

    Stay on a double and triple sharing basis in hygienic and sanitized hotels/ homestays/ camps.

    Evening Bonfire (Wherever possible)

  • Meals

    Breakfast from Day 2 to Day 8

    Dinner from Day 1 to Day 7

  • Transfers

    Transfers according to the itinerary in your own Vehicle

  • Guide

    Expedition Leader vehicle for the convoy with Terrain Specialist with the supporting team

  • Activities

    Spitian Homestay and village Experience

  • Sightseeing

    Sightseeing at all places according to the itinerary.

  • Permits

    Necessary documentation and arrangement of permits wherever necessary

    Include Inner Line Permit / Manali Green Tribunal Permit

  • Maruti Vitara Brezza MT (Occupancy 4 pax | Per Person Cost - 5940/-)
  • Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT XV Premium (Occupancy 4 pax | Per Person Cost - 7700/-)
  • Kia Seltos HTK AT (Occupancy 4 pax | Per Person Cost - 9900/-)
  • Toyota Innova Crysta MT (Occupancy 6 pax | Per Person Cost - 5870/-)
  • Toyota Innova Crysta AT (Occupancy 6 pax | Per Person Cost - 6600/-)
  • Mahindra Thar 4WD MT Convertible Top Diesel (Occupancy 4 pax | Per Person Cost - 13200/-)
  • Mahindra Thar 4WD AT Convertible Top Diesel (Occupancy 4 pax | Per Person Cost - 14300/-)
  • Mahindra Thar 4WD AT Hard Top Diesel (Occupancy 4 pax | Per Person Cost - 14300/-)
  • Mahindra Thar 4WD AT Convertible Top Petrol (Occupancy 4 pax | Per Person Cost - 14300/-)
  • Isuzu Dmax Vcross 4*4 MT (Occupancy 4 pax | Per Person Cost - 14300/-)
  • Toyota Fortuner 4*2 AT (Occupancy 6 pax | Per Person Cost - 13200/-)
  • Toyota Fortuner 4*4 AT (Occupancy 6 pax | Per Person Cost - 13940/-)
  • Ford Endeavour 3.2L 4*4 AT (Occupancy 6 pax | Per Person Cost - 14670/-)
Price Includes
  • Stay

    Stay on a double and triple sharing basis in hygienic and sanitized hotels/ homestays/ camps.

    Evening Bonfire (Wherever possible)

  • Meals

    Breakfast from Day 2 to Day 8

    Dinner from Day 1 to Day 7

  • Transfers

    Transfers according to the itinerary in a sanitized vehicle provided


  • Guide

    Expedition Leader vehicle for the convoy with Terrain Specialist with the supporting team

  • Activities

    Spitian Homestay and village Experience

  • Sightseeing

    Sightseeing at all places according to the itinerary.

  • Permits

    Necessary documentation and arrangement of permits wherever necessary

    Include Inner Line Permit / Manali Green Tribunal Permit

More Details about Spiti Self Drive Expedition | FREE Nako Excursion

Know Before You Go for Spiti Self Drive Expedition | FREE Nako Excursion

  • Climatic conditions in the high altitudes vary from the plains; it is advisable that you take adequate time to get acclimatized to high altitudes.
  • Consult a physician before undertaking the tour. Carry basic medications and a first-aid kit during the tour.
  • Thrillophilia reserves the right to rearrange the itinerary due to any kind of disturbance that occurred (i.e weather condition, political condition or any others) without changing the total number of days and without compromising any service.
  • Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control like a change in flight and train schedule, cancellation of flights/trains, political disturbances, natural phenomenon, roadblocks, etc. will not be accommodated in the package cost. No bill will be reimbursed for any missed service/facility.
  • Pay heed to the tour guides and instructors in order to enjoy a safe and sound tour.
  • All entry tickets for stupas, monasteries, sightseeing, state and entry fees, monument entrances, camera charges, permits, etc. are not a part of the package.
  • GST is applicable to the package cost.
  • Any personal expenses or items of personal nature will not be included in the package. Any meals or transfers not mentioned in the itinerary are to be considered an exclusion in the deal. Any kind of drink (alcoholic, aerated, or mineral water) is not included in the package cost.
  • Carry enough cash as the number of ATMs in high-altitude regions are comparatively less and there are long queues at times.
  • All the travellers are requested to carry a copy of their medical certificate (if any) with them.
  • Transportation during the trip would be in Non AC & Non-Heater vehicles. Please wear clothes according to the weather while travelling.
  • If in case any traveller wants to or decides to leave the trip in the middle, all the expenses from that point onwards will be borne by the traveller. Neither the operator nor Thrillophilia will be held responsible for such decisions or for any refund.
  • Guidelines issued by the State-Government is to be followed. Social distancing to be maintained. Frequent hand sanitization and use of mask recommended.
  • ID proof is mandatory for each individual guest at the time of booking, and also upon arrival. PAN card will not be considered as a valid address proof.
  • It is recommended to carry enough warm clothes and the right kind of shoes for the tour. The advisable baggage weight is 60 litres as you might have to carry the luggage to the backup vehicle, the accommodation, etc.
  • Rates may fluctuate with any change in services/hotels. The difference in the cost shall be borne by the client in case of any amendment in the package due to an increase in the number of guests, hotel change, etc., before the beginning of the trip.
  • The hotels are subject to their availability. In case they are not available, the travellers will be accommodated in a property of similar standard.
  • Avoid using plastic bags and maintain the ecological balance of the destinations. Travellers littering may be fined.
  • Any breakage or damage of any items in the resort will be charged at actuals.
  • Rescheduling Policy for Private (Standard & Deluxe Package) & Group Bookings: 1) If rescheduling is made 7 days after the Booking Date till 15 days prior to the Date of Travel then 30.0% of the total tour cost will be charged as rescheduling fees. | 2) If rescheduling is made 0 days to 15 days before the Date of Travel then 100.0% of the total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees. | 3) If bookings are made 15 days before the Date of Travel no rescheduling & modifications will be made.
  • Rescheduling Policy for Private (Super Deluxe) & Hotel Specific Bookings: No modification or Rescheduling will be catered. A standard cancellation policy will be applicable for such cases.
  • Force Majeure: In cases of force majeure events (e.g., natural disasters, political unrest, or other unforeseeable circumstances), [Thrillophilia] reserves the right to reschedule Tours & treks or offer alternative itineraries to ensure the safety and well-being of clients and staff.
  • Cancellation After Rescheduling: Clients who reschedule their tours or treks but later decide to cancel will be subject to our standard cancellation policy. Any rescheduling fees paid will be non-refundable.
  • Because of any reason natural or personal, if the tour or a particular activity is not completed, no refund will be processed.

Things To Carry for Spiti Self Drive Expedition | FREE Nako Excursion

  • Warm clothes
  • Mosquito & insect repellent
  • Walking shoes
  • Water bottle
  • Toilet paper & wipes
  • Day pack (20-30l)