Sachin Lama
Founder & Lead Expedition Leader
NIM Advanced Mountaineering (Grade A) · Wilderness First Responder · guiding since 2013
WINTER JOURNEY STANDARD
Winter Spiti 4x4 Expedition Tour
A winter journey through snow-covered Spiti: monasteries, high villages and the quiet cold desert, with a chance to spot Himalayan wildlife.
Published price₹ 45,000 + 5% GSTFinal amount for your dates confirmed in a written quote
Reply within 24 hoursNo payment to enquireWritten quote before you pay
Starts fromShimla
Altitude4,500 m
Duration9 Days / 8 Nights
SeasonDecember – March
GradeModerate
IS THIS TRIP RIGHT FOR YOU?
Who the Winter Spiti 4x4 Expedition Tour suits
Travellers comfortable with sub-zero temperatures and slow winter road travel, who want a guided introduction to the Indian Himalaya in its quietest season.
What you need to join
- Good general fitness and comfort in very cold conditions; no prior climbing experience is needed for the ice-climbing programmes.
- Willingness to follow the leader’s decisions when snow or ice conditions change the plan.
- A signed medical fitness certificate before your booking is confirmed.
- Travel insurance that covers winter activities, high-altitude stays and emergency evacuation.
FIXED DEPARTURES
Upcoming Winter Spiti 4x4 Expedition Tour departures
Dates are confirmed by the team after a readiness conversation. Seats are indicative.
THE ROUTE
Winter Spiti 4x4 Expedition Tour route overview
The Winter Spiti 4x4 Expedition Tour is a 9-day winter Himalayan tour in Himachal Pradesh that reaches 4,500 m. Kailasa grades it Moderate. The best time to go is December – March. The published price with Kailasa Treks is ₹ 45,000 + 5% GST.
Spiti in winter is a very different place from the summer road-trip destination: the valley is white, the villages are quiet and the sky is deep blue. This tour covers the valley by road in a 4x4-ready vehicle, with homestay nights and visits to its monasteries and high villages.
The route runs from Shimla through Kinnaur to Tabo and Kaza, since the Manali road is closed in winter. From Kaza you visit Key Monastery and Kibber, cross Asia’s high-altitude Chicham suspension bridge, and continue to the fossil village of Langza and the cliff-hanging Dhankar Monastery before returning via Kalpa to Shimla.
The tour is not a technical trek, but it is cold and the days include long drives on mountain roads. Plans can change with snowfall, and the team keeps the itinerary flexible.
| Region | Spiti, Himachal Pradesh |
|---|---|
| Starts from | Shimla |
| Highest point | 4,500 m |
| Duration | 9 Days / 8 Nights |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Best season | December – March |
| Price | ₹ 45,000 + 5% GST |
DAY BY DAY
9 Days / 8 Nights Winter Spiti 4x4 Expedition Tour itinerary
Tap a day to see the route, distances and camps. The schedule can change with acclimatisation, weather and team safety.
Assemble in Shimla at 07:30 AM and drive along the scenic Sutlej Valley via Rampur and Reckong Peo. Arrive in Kalpa, with views of the Kinner Kailash range. Overnight stay at a hotel or guest house.
Journey deeper into Spiti Valley via Khab Sangam, the confluence of the Spiti and Sutlej rivers, and Nako village. Arrive at Tabo, home to the 1,000-year-old Tabo Monastery. Overnight stay in a traditional homestay.
Short scenic drive to Kaza, the administrative headquarters of Spiti. Dedicated acclimatisation day to adjust to the cold and altitude while exploring the frozen Kaza market. Overnight stay in a homestay.
Visit the cliffside Key Monastery and interact with resident monks. Continue to the snow-covered high village of Kibber, a known wildlife sanctuary, before returning to Kaza for the night.
Cross the high-altitude Chicham suspension bridge over a deep gorge. Explore Chicham, a habitat for snow leopards and ibex. Overnight stay in a traditional heated village homestay.
Drive to the high-altitude "fossil village" of Langza, with its giant Buddha statue beneath the Chau Chau Kang Nilda peak. Look for prehistoric marine fossils in the snow.
Drive towards Dhankar and hike to the frozen, high-altitude Dhankar Lake (4,140 m). Visit the cliff-hanging Dhankar Monastery overlooking the Spiti-Pin confluence. Overnight stay in a homestay.
Descend through the cold desert landscape towards the Kinnaur valley. Drive back to Kalpa for a comfortable stay and warm dinner. Overnight in a guest house or hotel.
Final drive back along the Sutlej river line to Shimla. Expected drop-off in Shimla between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM for onward travel.
UNDERSTAND THE PRICE
What the ₹ 45,000 price includes
The published price is ₹ 45,000 + 5% GST. Here is what it covers and what it does not, so nothing surprises you later. Your written quote confirms the final amount for your dates and nationality.
Included
- Accommodation: 2 nights in a hotel or guest house in Kalpa, plus 6 nights in warm traditional winter Spiti homestays
- Meals: nutritious vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 9 breakfast
- Transport: Shimla to Shimla in a non-AC Tempo Traveller or 4x4 snow-ready vehicle
- Safety support: medical kit, oxygen cylinder and pulse oximeter on board
- Guide: experienced Kailasa Treks trip leader and local drivers
Not included
- 5% GST on the package price
- Mandatory travel and trekking insurance
- Meals in transit (Day 1 breakfast/lunch and Day 9 lunch/dinner)
- Personal winter gear, thermal wear, down jackets and equipment
- Monastery entry fees or personal photography charges
- Unforeseen expenses due to severe weather, roadblocks or snow
GETTING THERE
How do you reach the start of the Winter Spiti 4x4 Expedition Tour?
The expedition starts in Shimla. Day 1 of the itinerary: Day 01 – Shimla (2,276 m) to Kalpa (2,960 m), 225 km | 9–10 hrs.
- Winter trips to Spiti begin in Shimla. Take an overnight bus from Delhi or Chandigarh, or fly to Shimla and arrive the evening before Day 1.
- The Manali road to Spiti is closed in winter, so the team drives you through Kinnaur. Snow can slow this road, which is why the itinerary keeps a reserve day.
Your exact meeting point and time are confirmed in your trip briefing.
PACKING LIST
What should you pack for the Winter Spiti 4x4 Expedition Tour?
Technical gear for ice climbing is provided by Kailasa; bring your own warm clothing and boots. Winter nights are well below freezing.
Clothing
- Base layers (synthetic or merino), top and bottom
- Fleece or light insulated mid-layer
- Waterproof, breathable shell jacket and trousers
- Insulated gloves plus thin liner gloves
- Warm hat, buff or neck gaiter, sun cap
- Trekking socks and warm wool socks (3–4 pairs)
Footwear
- Insulated, waterproof winter boots
- Gaiters for snow
- Warm camp shoes
Warmth & carry
- Down jacket rated for −15 °C or colder
- Sleeping bag liner or sleeping bag for cold guesthouses
- 40–50 litre backpack with rain cover
- Trekking poles
Personal
- Sunglasses (UV400, category 3–4) and SPF 50 sunscreen
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Two 1-litre water bottles or a hydration bladder
- Personal medicines and a small first-aid kit
- Quick-dry towel, toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Original photo ID and copies of permits and insurance
WHO CLIMBS WITH YOU
Led by people who live in these mountains
Every Winter Spiti 4x4 Expedition Tour team is led by certified Kailasa guides. You meet your assigned expedition leader at the technical briefing three weeks before departure.
Pasang Sherpa
Sherpa & fixed-rope team leader
22+ years on Himalayan expeditions · 16 Everest summits · Lhotse, Makalu, Dhaulagiri
CANCELLATION
What happens if you need to cancel?
What you get back depends on how long before the start date you cancel. You can take a refund or a credit for a future Kailasa trip, valid for one year.
| Before start | Refund | Future credit (same participant) | Future credit (another participant) |
|---|---|---|---|
| More than 60 days | 85% | 100% | Not stated |
| 60 to 30 days | 70% | 85% | 75% |
| 30 to 10 days | 40% | 70% | 65% |
| Less than 10 days | No refund | 50% | 40% |
BEFORE YOU ENQUIRE
Winter Spiti 4x4 Expedition Tour questions
Is the Spiti winter tour suitable for first-time visitors?
Yes. It is a road-based tour with short walks and no technical sections. You should be comfortable with cold weather, long drives and altitude above 3,500 m.
Is the road to Spiti open in winter?
The route from Shimla through Kinnaur is usually open, but heavy snow can delay or close it for a day or more. The itinerary includes a reserve day, and the team confirms road conditions before departure.
Can I see a snow leopard?
Spiti is home to snow leopards, and winter is the best time to look for them, but sightings are never guaranteed. Wildlife viewing is on a best-effort basis.
How cold does it get?
Nights in Kaza in December to February can fall to −20 °C or lower. Guesthouses have basic heating, so warm layers and a good sleeping bag liner are important.
YOUR EXPEDITION STARTS HERE
Speak to the team before you decide.
Share your preferred dates, nationality and climbing history. Kailasa can assess route fit, then confirm the current itinerary, field support, permits, equipment and final amount in writing.
Published base price₹ 45,000 + 5% GSTIt is not a final quotation.
- STEP 1Share your plansSend your preferred dates and climbing history on WhatsApp or email.
- STEP 2Readiness call & quoteThe team checks route fit and sends the final amount in writing.
- STEP 3Confirm your seatBook once you have read the quote and the booking terms.
Reply within 24 hours · No payment to enquire · Written quote before you pay. Review the cancellation, privacy and booking terms before paying.
KEEP EXPLORING
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THE KAILASA STANDARD
A serious mountain deserves
a serious plan.
No blind checkout. No one-size-fits-all promise. Your enquiry begins with the route, your experience and the questions that matter before you commit.
Start a private planning conversationFit before booking
Your climbing history and readiness are discussed before the team recommends a route.
Safety before summit
Acclimatisation, conditions and field decisions take priority over a fixed summit promise.
Clarity before payment
Ask for the current itinerary, inclusions, equipment plan and written final quote.
Team around the objective
Confirm your expedition leader, support team and departure-specific safety arrangements.