Adventure Tours

Spiti Valley 4×4 Self-Drive Expedition

Drive your own 4×4 from Shimla to Manali in an 11-day guided convoy — Kinnaur, Tabo, Pin Valley, Kaza, Kunzum La and a night camped near Chandratal.

India, Himachal Pradesh: Country, region
Max 30°C, min -2°C: Weather
Jun-Sep: Seasons
Tarmac, gravel: Driving terrain
± 1,100 km: Driving distance
11 days / 10 nights: Duration
Moderate, high altitude throughout: Expedition difficulty
10: Max group size

Highlights

What you will remember

Himalayas in one windscreen — green to desert
World record — A postcard from the world's highest post office
Food — What the mountains actually eat
Culture — Where Hindu Himalaya meets Buddhist Himalaya
Road — The cliffhanger road of Kinnaur
Landscape — A valley made of bare rock
Monasteries — Five monasteries, one thousand years

You take the wheel. We take everything else.

Drive your own 4×4 across the Indian Himalaya on an 11-day guided self-drive expedition from Shimla to Manali. The route climbs gradually through Kinnaur and the Baspa Valley to Chitkul, India's last village, then follows the Sutlej into Spiti — Tabo Monastery, founded 996 CE; a family homestay in the snow-leopard country of the Pin Valley; and the high villages of Langza, Hikkim and Komic, home of the world's highest post office. Cross Kunzum La at 4,551 m and sleep …

Price

$841per person

Expedition price

Rider$841

Rooms

Single room+ $210Your own room throughout

Custom expedition

Prices are set in Indian rupees and converted for display, so the figure you pay depends on the rate on the day. Flights are not included. Offhorizon Adventures may revise these prices without notice.

Day by day

Expedition program

11 days

Day 1CloseArrival in ShimlaMore detailsArrival in ShimlaWhere you stayHotelArrive in Shimla, the old colonial summer capital at 2,206 metres, where our team meets you and helps you check in. This evening is for meeting your fellow drivers and the expedition team, walking the Ridge if you feel like it, and going through tomorrow's route over dinner. Arrive early in the day if you can. The extra hours at altitude are the quiet beginning of your acclimatisation — the whole route is built to climb gradually, and it starts here.
Distance: Arrival day
Highest elevation: 2,206 m / 7,238 ft
Sleeping altitude: Shimla — 2,206 m / 7,238 ft
Included: Hotel, dinner
Day 2CloseShimla to BaghiMore detailsShimla to BaghiWhere you stayHotelEighty kilometres that take five to six hours — and that ratio tells you everything about Himalayan roads before we have even left Shimla district. The road winds out through cedar forest and mountain villages, climbing steadily. On the way we visit Hatu Mata Temple at around 3,400 metres — a carved timber temple on Hatu Peak above Narkanda, ringed by dense deodar forest, with one of the widest Himalayan panoramas in the region. It is also your first taste of proper mountain gradients, taken gently. Baghi by evening: a small village, a quiet hotel, and the plains already a day behind you.
Distance: 80 km · 5–6 hours
Highest elevation: ~3,400 m / 11,155 ft
Sleeping altitude: Baghi — ~2,700 m / 8,858 ft
Included: Hotel · breakfast and dinner
Day 3CloseBaghi to SanglaMore detailsBaghi to SanglaWhere you stayGlamping resortToday the expedition finds the Sutlej and follows it into Kinnaur — 180 kilometres, six to seven hours, on a road that alternates between good tarmac and sections where the mountain is still arguing with the engineers. The day's landmark is Tranda Dhank, one of the most dramatic stretches of road in Himachal Pradesh: a lane carved directly into a vertical cliff face high above the Sutlej. Drive it slowly. Everyone does. By evening we turn up the Baspa Valley to Sangla and check in to a glamping resort under the peaks — canvas, proper beds, and the sound of the river.
Distance: 180 km · 6–7 hours
Highest elevation: ~3,050 m / 10,006 ft
Sleeping altitude: Sangla — ~3,050 m / 10,006 ft
Included: Glamping resort · breakfast and dinner
Day 4CloseSangla to Tabo, via ChitkulMore detailsSangla to Tabo, via ChitkulWhere you stayHotelThe longest day of the expedition, and one of the best. First, a short detour deeper up the Baspa Valley to Chitkul — fifteen kilometres, about an hour — the last inhabited village before the Indo-Tibet border. Wooden houses, prayer flags, and the road's honest end. Then back down and north. The green of Kinnaur thins kilometre by kilometre until, past Nako, it is gone entirely and you are in high desert. At Khab Sangam the Spiti River meets the Sutlej in a bare rock gorge — the gateway moment of the whole trip. From here you are driving into Spiti. Tabo by evening. Two hundred kilometres, seven to eight hours, and a different world from where you woke up.
Distance: 200 km · 7–8 hours
Highest elevation: ~3,670 m / 12,040 ft
Sleeping altitude: Tabo — ~3,280 m / 10,761 ft
Included: Hotel · breakfast and dinner
Day 5CloseTabo to the Pin ValleyMore detailsTabo to the Pin ValleyWhere you stayHomestayOut of Tabo and up the Spiti to Dhankar, where a thousand-year-old monastery and the old fort sit on a rock spur above the meeting of the Spiti and Pin rivers — the most improbable building site in the valley, and the best view of the morning. From there we turn into the Pin Valley, a national park and snow-leopard country, the road narrowing beside a river the colour of milk until it ends at Mud, the last village. Tonight is the homestay: a family kitchen, salt tea, food cooked on a stove that also heats the room, and the night most drivers name as their favourite when the expedition is over.
Distance: ~80 km · 4–5 hours
Highest elevation: Dhankar — ~3,900 m / 12,795 ft
Sleeping altitude: Mud, Pin Valley — ~3,800 m / 12,470 ft
Included: Family homestay · breakfast and dinner
Day 6ClosePin Valley to KazaMore detailsPin Valley to KazaWhere you stayHotelBack down the Pin and up the Spiti to the valley's three most photographed landmarks, all in one unhurried day. Key Monastery first — the largest in Spiti, a thousand years of whitewashed building stacked up a conical hill at 4,166 metres. Then Kibber at around 4,270 metres, one of the highest permanently inhabited villages in the world with a motorable road. And then Chicham Bridge — India's highest road span, hanging 150 metres above the Samba Lamba gorge. You drive across. Then you park, walk back to the middle, and look down. Everyone does it in that order. Kaza by late afternoon — the small, lively capital of Spiti and your base for two nights.
Distance: ~85 km · 4–5 hours
Highest elevation: ~4,144 m / 13,595 ft
Sleeping altitude: Kaza — 3,650 m / 11,975 ft
Included: Hotel · breakfast and dinner
Day 7CloseKaza and the high villagesMore detailsKaza and the high villagesWhere you stayHotelA short local loop with an enormous amount packed into it — and a second night at Kaza's altitude, which is exactly what your body wants before tomorrow's pass. Langza first, at around 4,400 metres: the giant golden Buddha, marine fossils in the ground beneath it — this was the floor of the Tethys Sea — and Chau Chau Kang Nilda filling the horizon. Then Hikkim, home of the world's highest post office; write your postcard before you get there, and post it from 4,440 metres. Then Komic, at 4,587 metres one of the highest motorable villages on earth, for its monastery and its genuinely famous homemade pizza — the most unexpected lunch in the Himalaya. Back in Kaza by late afternoon, with the evening free for the market: handicrafts, seabuckthorn tea, and Spiti's version of town life.
Distance: ~50 km · 3–4 hours
Highest elevation: Komic — 4,587 m / 15,049 ft
Sleeping altitude: Kaza — 3,650 m / 11,975 ft
Included: Hotel · breakfast and dinner
Day 8CloseKaza to Chandratal, over Kunzum LaMore detailsKaza to Chandratal, over Kunzum LaWhere you stayCampThe high point of the expedition — in every sense that matters. Out of Kaza with an early start, tea at Losar, the last village in the Spiti Valley, and then the climb to Kunzum La at 4,551 metres, the pass that separates Spiti from Lahaul. By long tradition every vehicle circles the Kunzum Mata Temple at the top for a safe journey. We keep the tradition. In these mountains you take every blessing offered. From the pass, an off-road trail drops to Chandratal — the Moon Lake, a crescent of impossible blue at 4,337 metres. Camping on the shore is banned to protect the wetland, and rightly so; our Swiss camp sits in the authorised zone nearby at about 4,250 metres, with proper beds and hot food. Walk in to the lake late in the afternoon, when the day-trippers have gone and the wind drops. Tonight is the highest night of the trip. The sky here does something cities have made you forget.
Distance: 97 km · 5–6 hours
Highest elevation: Kunzum La — 4,551 m / 14,931 ft
Sleeping altitude: Chandratal camp — ~4,250 m / 13,944 ft
Included: Swiss camp · breakfast and dinner
Day 9CloseChandratal to JispaMore detailsChandratal to JispaWhere you stayHotelThe wildest driving of the expedition. The stretch from Chandratal down past Batal to the Lahaul highway is a broken, rock-strewn trail with water crossings that change with every day's snowmelt — this is what the lead car is for, and what your 4×4 was built for. Stop at Batal's famous roadside dhaba if it's open; it has been feeding and occasionally rescuing travellers on this road for decades. At Koksar you join tarmac again and the Lahaul Valley opens up — greener, softer, glacier-hung. Through Sissu with its waterfall, past Keylong, the district headquarters, and on to Jispa, a quiet village on the banks of the Bhaga River. A long day. A hot dinner. A river outside your window.
Distance: 190 km · 7–8 hours
Highest elevation: start of day, ~4,250 m
Sleeping altitude: Jispa — 3,200 m / 10,499 ft
Included: Hotel · breakfast and dinner
Day 10CloseJispa to Manali — and the surpriseMore detailsJispa to Manali — and the surpriseWhere you stayHotelThe last driving day, and we have kept something back for it. Somewhere between Jispa and Manali — road, weather and group permitting — the convoy leaves the highway for a surprise off-road route climbing to roughly 5,000 metres. We do not publish where it goes, and we are not going to start now. Every group asks at breakfast. Every group finds out on the road. After the surprise, the long descent into the green: out of the high desert, down into the Kullu Valley's pine forest and warm air, into Manali by evening. The change from moonscape to forest takes a single afternoon, and it never stops being strange.
Distance: 92 km — up to ~160 km with the surprise route · 5–7 hours
Highest elevation: ~5,000 m / ~16,400 ft on the surprise route
Sleeping altitude: Manali — ~2,050 m / 6,725 ft
Included: Hotel · breakfast and dinner
Day 11CloseDeparture from ManaliMore detailsDeparture from ManaliBreakfast, farewells, and the drive home — eleven days, around 1,100 kilometres, five monasteries, one pass, one lake, one homestay, one surprise. Book your onward travel for later in the morning; a relaxed checkout is a better ending than a rushed one.
Included: Breakfast

The price

What is in it, and what is not

In the price07

Accommodation and meals
Ten nights on double sharing across hotels, a Sangla glamping resort, a Pin Valley family homestay and a Swiss camp near Chandratal, with breakfast and dinner provided throughout. Please check the day-by-day tour program for full meal details.
An expedition guide who knows every kilometre
Road conditions, water-crossing timings, which dhaba is open at Batal, and what to do when the mountain changes the plan.
A walkie-talkie in every vehicle
The whole convoy hears every call: pothole, oncoming truck, photo stop, regroup.
Lead car and backup car, the whole way
An expedition vehicle ahead of you reading the road, and one behind so that no car in the convoy is ever last and alone. This is the difference between a self-drive expedition and a rental with a route map.
Morning route briefings
Each driving day starts with five minutes on the road ahead: where it breaks, where the fuel is, where we meet if the convoy splits.
First aid, oxygen and high-altitude support
The lead car carries a first-aid kit and oxygen, and the route is built to climb gradually so that nobody sleeps high before their body is ready for it. Kaza has a government hospital if it is ever needed.
Permits
Indian nationals need no permit for this route. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur–Spiti border stretch between Reckong Peo and Sumdo, and we arrange it — send us a copy of your passport and visa once you have booked.

Not in the price05

Your vehicle, its fuel and inter-state tolls
You choose what you drive, and a Jimny and a Fortuner drink very differently — averaging fuel across the group would be unfair to half of it. Budget for roughly 1,100 km on the route, plus your drives to Shimla and home from Manali.
Travel and medical insurance
Strongly recommended, and it must cover travel above 3,000 metres. Most standard policies need this added.
Emergency costs
Medical evacuation or rescue, if it ever comes to that. This is what the insurance above is for
Delays beyond anyone's control
Extra nights caused by landslides, weather or road closures. We build slack into the plan, but the Himalaya keeps its own schedule.
Personal spending
Room service, souvenirs, tips, and anything not listed above.

Route map

What to expect

What is under the wheels

Roughly three quarters sealed road and one quarter gravel, rock and broken surface. Kinnaur is tarmac with landslide patches, and the road to Kaza is better than its reputation. The rough truth lives between Kunzum La and Koksar — the Chandratal trail and the Batal stretch are rock, dust and two or three water crossings that rise with the afternoon snowmelt. That is why we cross them in the morning, and why you brought a 4×4.

The place itself

See it to believe it

Before you book

Questions before you book

Is the Spiti road safe to self-drive?

With the right preparation, yes. The dangers on the Spiti circuit are specific and manageable: water crossings that swell with afternoon snowmelt, the broken Batal–Gramphu stretch, shooting-stone zones in Kinnaur, and altitude. Our convoy addresses each one directly — a lead car reads the road first, crossings are timed for the morning, every vehicle has a radio, and the route climbs gradually so altitude never ambushes you. Driving Spiti alone with no support is where most of the horror stories come from.

Do I need a 4×4, or will any SUV do?

You need four-wheel drive or an SUV with good ground clearance — the Chandratal trail and the Batal stretch are genuinely rough, with rocks and water crossings. A city hatchback cannot do this route. Tell us what you drive when you enquire and we will give you an honest answer about whether it is suitable.

I've never driven off-road. Can I come?

Yes — this is exactly what the convoy format is for. The lead car picks the lines through every difficult section and talks the group through on the radio. You need solid ordinary driving experience and calm nerves, not off-road skills. By Day 9 you will have both.

Why does the route go from Shimla to Manali and not the other way?

Acclimatisation. Entering from Manali crosses Kunzum La almost immediately — a fast altitude gain that gives many people headaches, nausea and worse. From Shimla, the route climbs gradually for a full week before you sleep above 4,000 metres, so your body adapts as you drive. Same circuit, far better odds of enjoying it.

Where are the fuel stations on the Spiti circuit?

This matters more than almost anything else you will read. The last reliable fuel on the way up is in the Reckong Peo / Powari area of Kinnaur. After that, the only pump in the Spiti Valley is at Kaza. Between Kaza and the Lahaul side there is nothing — you refuel at Kaza whether you need to or not. The convoy briefings cover fuel stops every morning, and the group never passes a pump without topping up.

What about altitude sickness in a car?

Altitude affects drivers just as it affects trekkers — the car climbs faster than your body adapts. Our route is the main defence: gradual gains, two nights at Kaza, and only one night above 4,000 m. Drink water constantly, go easy on alcohol, and tell the guide immediately about any headache that keeps building. The convoy can always lose altitude quickly — that is the cure.

What is the Day 10 surprise?

An off-road route climbing to roughly 5,000 metres, run only when road, weather and the group allow. We keep the destination off the itinerary deliberately — it is the most talked-about day of the expedition precisely because nobody sees it coming. No, we will not tell you at breakfast either.

Is there phone network in Spiti?

Patchy, and plan for none. Kaza has usable coverage (postpaid SIMs work best in Himachal's tribal districts); most of the rest of the valley, the Pin, and Chandratal have little or nothing. The convoy's radios keep the group connected; tell people at home to expect quiet days.

Can camping be done at Chandratal itself?

No — camping on the lakeshore is banned to protect the wetland, and every operator claiming lakeside camping is either breaking the rules or bending the truth. The authorised camps, ours included, sit a short distance from the lake at around 4,250 metres. The lake is an easy walk away, best in the late afternoon.

What accommodation should I expect?

A deliberate mix: hotels in the towns, a glamping resort in Sangla, a Swiss camp near Chandratal — and one night in a family homestay in the Pin Valley, which is basic, warm, and the night most drivers name as their favourite. Everything is double sharing.

When is the best time for a Spiti self-drive?

The circuit runs while Kunzum La is open — roughly June to October. June has snow walls and high water crossings; July–August is warmest, with monsoon risk on the Kinnaur approach; September–October is the sweet spot — stable weather, low water, clear light and fewer vehicles.

What driving licence and documents do I need?

A valid full driving licence, your vehicle's registration and insurance papers, and PUC. Carry originals. Foreign nationals driving in India need their home licence plus an International Driving Permit — talk to us early, because self-drive logistics for foreign visitors need extra planning.

Is a car included in the price?

No. The expedition price is per person and does not include a vehicle — most drivers bring their own 4×4. What it does include is everything around the driving: ten nights of accommodation with breakfast and dinner, the lead car and backup car, the expedition guide, a walkie-talkie in every vehicle, permits, first aid and oxygen. If you need a car, a Jimny or Thar from our fleet can be hired by the day.

What does a passenger or co-driver pay?

The same per-person price. Everyone on the expedition, driver or passenger, has a bed, breakfast and dinner, and the convoy's support, so the price is the same whoever is behind the wheel. Two people sharing one 4×4 pay for two places, and the car is theirs to share.

Do I need a permit for Spiti?

Indian nationals need no permit on this route. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur–Spiti border stretch between Reckong Peo and Sumdo, and we arrange it — send us a copy of your passport and Indian visa once you have booked, and carry the originals on the expedition.

Ride this one with us

Ask about a date on the list, or tell us when you can travel and we will see what fits.

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Hear it from our riders

The clearest account of what we do is not written by us

Riders share their journeys on Google and Tripadvisor. Read what they say about the routes, the landscapes and the crew who kept them moving.

Google · Tripadvisor · Trustindex5.0(53 Reviews)

Google
Had a fantastic 15-day Ladakh tour which was extended down to Dharmashala, the extra days were a great addition. Going into this with no prior experience of Off Horizon or my fellow adventurers I can only say that it exceeded all my expectations. Bikes were great, lodging and food was as good as could be expected in the locations we visited, and the team was tirelessly friendly and helpful, with a genuine passion for sharing their country and culture.
Hugh KennedyOctober 2026
Google
I have just completed the 11 day Ladakh tour with Offhorizon Adventures. Right from the initial contact the team there were extremely helpful and nothing was to much trouble for them to help with, from flight advise from Ireland, transportation, extra accommodation and even possible medical issues like altitude sickness that might arise. If I thought they were good at this stage ? I was blown away by their level of professionalism and hospitality during my trip. Everyone on the Off Horizon Team made this a trip of a lifetime for me. The bikes were well maintained and in excellent condition, any little tweaks, personal preferences or changes to their set were undertaken to suit all riders. Once on the road and starting our adventure, you always felt safe, their advise and attention to detail made the trip truly unforgettable. My exsperience of off road was “0” but with their help, I got through it and enjoyed every minute. We travelled through some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable with every day bringing something new. The accomadation throughout was just perfect with a mix of first class hotels to small family units in the more isolated locations- considering the Irish pallet and diet the food was great and again the team explained every offering. I’m not going to single out any particular Off Horizon team member because each one of them gave 100% of their professionalism, time, hospitality and kindness to every one on this trip- they limit their numbers, which is great because you get that extra attention and help- I could write pages on what I saw and did during the trip but this is something you are going to have to exsperience yourself. Huge thank you to all the other guys on the trip too and a pleasure to meet you all- I would have no hesitation in recommending Off Horizon if you are planning this trip- thank you so much for a truly fantastic adventure 🇮🇪🇮🇳
Austin O CallaghanSeptember 2026
Google
Very well organised tour with expert riders, support and backup vehicle. The Offhorizon team new all the routes. Very committed team who took very good care of all of us riding team members, with personal attention. The team left no stone unturned to ensure our entire ride across 2150 kms was exciting, very safe without a single incident. Well paced rides with key halts, refueling stops, zero breakdowns and planned to perfection. I wish this team great succes in the future.
Ranjit KoppikarSeptember 2026
Google
Don't watch or think just pick the phone and book your tour this will be the best place you can have. .. Best Guides, Best Service, Best Bikes.
Ujjwal SinghSeptember 2026
Google
Great experience! Caring and skilled team, quality bikes, engaging itinerary, good selection of accommodations, endless supply of food and drinks, cultural experiences and a dedicated video/photographer to capture all that. Highly recommended. PS: Surya created an extended 15 day Ladakh and Himachal tour (the original was 11 days) in response to our request. It turned out be much more enjoyable.
Chetan ShahSeptember 2026
Google
Huge thanks to the entire Offhorizon Adventures team for the amazing organization of our tour! We rode an incredible route from Manali through the Zanskar Valley and Kargil all the way to Leh—it was the adventure of a lifetime. I’d like to specifically highlight the team's professional approach: * Bikes and support: The motorcycles were in excellent mechanical condition, fully prepped for high-altitude riding and off-road terrain. You feel safe throughout the entire journey. * Route and logistics: Everything was well-planned, from the initial briefing to stops, accommodation, and meals. The guides know the area perfectly, maintain a comfortable riding pace, and allow time to soak in the fantastic Himalayan views. * Atmosphere: The team is incredibly warm, responsive, and open. They are ready to help, offer advice, and handle any logistical issue at a moment's notice. If you are planning a high-altitude motorcycle tour in Ladakh or Zanskar, I definitely recommend Offhorizon Adventures.
Игорь ШвецовSeptember 2026

To everyone who has ridden with us: thank you. Your stories are the reason we keep planning the next one.

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$841

per rider

Spiti Valley 4×4 Self-Drive Expedition

What you will remember