Amritsar–Shimla–Spiti Complete Road Trip
Day 1: Arrival in Amritsar
Arrive in Amritsar and check into your hotel. Spend the day visiting the iconic Golden Temple, followed by Jallianwala Bagh and the energetic Wagah Border ceremony in the evening. For local sightseeing, you can easily hire a private taxi, while groups often prefer tempo travellers, which are widely available for city tours.
Day 2: Amritsar to Shimla (Approx. 8–9 hrs drive)
Start your journey towards Shimla, enjoying a scenic drive through the foothills of Himachal Pradesh. Upon arrival, check in and relax. For this intercity transfer, both taxis and tempo travellers can be rented depending on your group size, ensuring a comfortable ride through the winding hill roads.
Day 3: Shimla Sightseeing
Explore the colonial charm of Shimla with visits to Mall Road, The Ridge, Jakhoo Temple, and Kufri. A taxi or tempo traveller can be arranged for a full-day sightseeing tour, making it convenient to cover all attractions without hassle.
Day 4: Shimla to Sangla (Approx. 7–8 hrs drive)
Depart for Sangla Valley via beautiful mountain routes along the Sutlej River. Enjoy breathtaking views en route. For this long mountain drive, hiring an experienced driver with a taxi or tempo traveller is highly recommended for safety and comfort.
Day 5: Sangla to Chitkul and Kalpa
Visit Chitkul, the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibet border, and later drive to Kalpa. Enjoy mesmerizing views of the Kinnaur Kailash range. Local taxis and tempo travellers are commonly used here for flexible travel between remote villages.
Day 6: Kalpa to Tabo (Approx. 6–7 hrs drive)
Drive towards Tabo, entering the rugged terrain of Spiti Valley. Visit the ancient Tabo Monastery, known for its centuries-old murals. For Spiti routes, sturdy vehicles such as SUVs or tempo travellers are preferred and easily available for rent with experienced drivers.
Day 7: Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar
Travel to Kaza via Dhankar, visiting Dhankar Monastery perched dramatically on a cliff. Taxi and tempo traveller services are widely used for this route, offering flexibility to stop for sightseeing and photography.
Day 8: Kaza Local Sightseeing
Explore the highlights of Spiti Valley, including Key Monastery, Kibber, Hikkim (home to one of the highest post offices), and Langza. Local taxis and tempo travellers are easily available for full-day exploration.
Day 9: Kaza to Chandratal (Approx. 4–5 hrs drive)
Head towards the stunning Chandratal Lake, also known as the Moon Lake. The road can be rough, so hiring a reliable taxi (preferably an SUV) or tempo traveller with an experienced driver is essential for a safe journey.
Day 10: Chandratal to Manali (Approx. 6–7 hrs drive)
Drive to Manali via the famous Kunzum Pass and Rohtang Pass (subject to weather conditions). Taxi and tempo traveller rentals are commonly used for this adventurous route.
Day 11: Departure from Manali
After breakfast, you can either explore Manali briefly or proceed with your onward journey. Taxis and tempo travellers are readily available for drop-offs to nearby cities or airports, depending on your travel plans.