Spiti circuit — six days, small group

Day by day

1. Day 1

   Shimla → Narkanda

   Easy road day. Deliberate first stop: sleeping altitude stays at 2,700 m so the gain from the plains is under 1,000 m.

   Sleeping altitude 2,700 m

2. Day 2

   Narkanda → Kalpa

   Through the Sutlej gorge and apple country to Kalpa, with the first clear view of Kinner Kailash at dusk.

   Sleeping altitude 2,960 m

3. Day 3

   Kalpa → Nako → Tabo

   Crossing into the cold desert. Afternoon at Tabo monastery, founded 996 CE, whose murals are the reason for the stop.

   Sleeping altitude 3,280 m

4. Day 4

   Tabo → Dhankar → Kaza

   Acclimatisation walk up to Dhankar lake at 4,140 m, then down to sleep at Kaza. Rest afternoon — this is the day that makes the rest of the trip safe.

   Sleeping altitude 3,800 m

5. Day 5

   Kaza → Ki → Kibber → Langza

   Ki Gompa, then up to Langza at 4,400 m for marine fossils from the Tethys sea. Night in a village homestay.

   Sleeping altitude 4,400 m

6. Day 6

   Kaza → Manali via Kunzum La

   Long descent over the 4,590 m pass. Weather-dependent; a contingency day is held in reserve if Kunzum is closed.

   Sleeping altitude 2,050 m