7-Day Manali to Spiti Valley Road Trip: Route, Permits & Packing Checklist

Conquer the Middle Land

Spiti Valley, known as the "Middle Land" between India and Tibet, is a high-altitude cold desert offering moonscapes, thousand-year-old monasteries, and clear starlit skies. Driving from Manali through Atal Tunnel and across the mighty Kunzum Pass is one of India's most thrilling road adventures.

Day-by-Day Highlights

1. Day 1: Arrive in Manali, acclimatize, and explore Old Manali cafés.
2. Day 2: Drive through Atal Tunnel to Kaza via Losar and Kunzum La (14,931 ft).
3. Day 3: Visit Key Monastery and the picturesque village of Kibber.
4. Day 4: Send a postcard from Hikkim (the world’s highest post office) and see the marine fossils at Langza.
5. Day 5: Drive to the sacred crescent lake, Chandratal (Moon Lake).
6. Day 6: Camp by Chandratal and watch the Milky Way rise over the peaks.
7. Day 7: Return drive to Manali with memories for a lifetime.

Essential Packing Checklist

• High UV protection sunglasses & SPF 50+ sunscreen.
• Thermal base layers and windproof jackets.
• Diamox or altitude sickness medication (consult your doctor).
• BSNL/Jio postpaid SIM cards (most prepaid networks do not work in Spiti).
• Cash reserves, as ATMs in Kaza are frequently offline.