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Winter Spiti Snow Chain Drive

Trip Rating

Review

Days/ Duration

6 nights 7 days

Tour Style

Jeep Tours

Group Size

10 to 16 Pax people

Season

Dec to March

Location

Spiti

Meeting Point

Chandigarh

Skill Level

Advanced

Accommodation

Hotels / Homestays / Guesthouse

Weather

weather

Starting From Heart

$0

Overview

Hidden in the Trans Himalayan range between Tibet and Ladakh, Spiti valley in Himachal Pradesh, attracts the peace-loving and the adventurous from around the globe.

In early November, when the temperature dips down to -10˚C, the hotels are closed for the tourists and the first spell of snowfall stops the government bus service from Kinnaur, leaving the people of Spiti to face the harsh winters head.

After few more spells of snowfall and another drop of 10˚C in temperature, the road becomes extremely slippery and the only vehicles visible on these roads are private cars of Spiti people, local taxis, government jeeps, fuel trucks and ambulances. It is at this time that some adventurous people head out to explore the raw beauty of Spiti in winters and see places covered in Snow with drastically transformed landscapes in white.

This is what you should expect when you driving to Spiti in winters.

Highlight Location and place we cover


Our itinerary for the tour will flow to Spiti Valley via kinnaur side and same end up traversing the same route since Kaza-Kunzum pass- manali remains closed in winters.

Route from Manali to Kaza, Spiti Valley only remains open in the summer months from mid June to mid October.Beyond this time period, it is usually closed or it is not suggested to travel on this route because of the reason of getting stuck in the middle of no mans for about six months.

The route from Shimla – Kinnaur Valley to Spiti Valley remains open almost all throughout the year including winters barring few days of heavy snowfall that closes NH-22 or road between Kaza – Tabo or Tabo – Puh at times.

Itinerary


Day 1 | Chandigarh –Narkanda (173 km)

  • Narkanda is about 60 KMs from Shimla takes about 2 Hrs
  • Overnight at Narkanda, which ever suits your timings
  • There may be snow on the road and you can expect closure due to heavy snowfall between Shimla – Narkanda

Day 2 | Narkanda – Kalpa / Reckong Peo (162 km)

  • Leave early, if from Shimla and enjoy the vistas en route
  • You can plan for lunch at Rampur
  • About 8 – 9 Hrs of beautiful drive through Kinnaur Valley
  • Overnight at Kalpa / Reckong Peo
  • Road to Kalpa might be closed due to snow but road to Reckong Peo remains open
  • This will be your last place where network will be coming, so call up your near & dear one. We will check the weather updates here before venturing.

Day 3 | Kalpa / Reckong Peo – Nako –Pin valley- Nako Lake – Tabo-Kaza (196 km)

  • Start your day early and watch the vistas en route over Hindustan Tibet Highway
  • Check Out Khab,Confluence of Spiti and Satluj Rivers
  • See the Leo Purygal Peak from Khab Bridge
  • Have your lunch at Nako, the Nako Lake will be frozen
  • Meet the dreaded Malling Nalla ahead of Nako which will have lot of ice and completely frozen. The road will be very slippery around this section of the road
  • After Chango – Sumdo you will enter Spiti Valley. In case you see weather being not welcoming, try to stop over at Chango. Avoid sleeping at Nako where it will be too freezing and AMS prone
  • After Sumdo police registration, the detour towards Geyu Village to visit the 500 Year old Mummy will be closed. So, keep moving towards Tabo.
  • About 6 – 7 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
  • Visit Dhangkar Monastery in case the road is open else continue to Kaza
  • The route to Pin Valley (optional ) will be open
  • Overnight at Kaza

Day 4, | Kaza and around (apx 50km)

  • Head for Kaza, headquarters of Spiti Valley and spend couple of days in Kaza
  • Have lunch at Kaza and check in to Hotel
  • In these two days, explore the road to Ki – Kibber which remains mostly open and for more details you can read: Key – Kibber – Gette – hikkim-dumley valley – Local Sightseeing in Kaza
  • Ki is a famous monastery and others are places to explore as a lovely drive
  • About 2 – 3 Hrs of drive in the day
  • Overnight at Kaza

Day 5 | Kaza – Tabo – Nako – Puh – Reckong Peo (196 km)

  • Start your day early and watch the vistas en route over Hindustan Tibet Highway
  • After Chango – Sumdo you will exit Spiti Valley
  • Have your lunch at Nako or at Puh
  • Nako has an IPH Rest House and Puh has a PWD Rest house where you can stay if required due to road closure. Chango also have a PWD rest house. You may be OK to stay at Nako while coming back but still better opt for Chango or Puh
  • You can make quick progress on this day with less stops, as you have already covered to places of interest while reaching Tabo from Kalpa
  • About 9 – 10 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
  • Overnight at Reckong Peo

Day 6 | Reckong peo – Narkanda – Shimla

  • Leave early and enjoy the vistas en route
  • You can plan for lunch at Narkanda, Negi Dhabha. Check review in DoW Community
  • About 6 – 14 Hrs of beautiful drive through Shimla – Kinnaur Valley depending upon where are you planning to halt the day
  • Overnight at Shimla

Day 7 | Shimla – Chandigarh

  • In case, you have this extra day past the whole week, well, you can relax in shimla
  • Roam around in shimla and leave for chandigarh by afternoon
  • About 5 Hrs drive to chandigarh
  • Overnight at chandigarh / sweet home

Thing to do extra


-Star Gazing
– Meditation and yoga
– Visit Buddhist Monetary
– Photography
– Go for Snow leopard spotting
-Off-roading
-Winter survival training

 

 

Food and Meal


During this tour, you will be served daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner at either the hotel or while on the road. Every day you get the best food with local Indian taste and flavor for all hotels and resorts and camps Buffy best healthy breakfast with Indian and western touch.

Lunch serves on the way at running local food joint. Dinner will be at hotel and resort or camp where you stay. On some places, we can plan to visit the best city restaurant

Type of stay


Hotels / Homestays / Guesthouse

  • Theog – Hotel
  • Kalpa – Hotel
  • Kaza – Homestay
  • Sangla – Cottages
  • Rampur – Hotel

Hotels / Homestays

Getting there


STARTS AND END POINT OF TOUR
Decathlon Chandigarh is starting point of the tour, the team will meat you at the predefined time at the chosen venue.
For those coming from far away cities, we can make additional arrangements for accommodation / flight for you. ( charges applicable )

Advanced
-can ride for five to six hours
-extensive riding experience
-assistance on demand (if required)
-experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
-comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions

Including the package cost


1. 06 Nights accommodation on Twin / Double sharing basis at Good ROOMS & tents.
2. All meals Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner for duration of trip .
3. Guidance to best places for Meals at Pay N Eat ( if any).
4. Backup vehicle with mechanical Support throughout the trip . ( Lead vehicle for group above 10 cars ).
5. Accompanying Professional & Experienced Guide throughout the tour.
6. Border entry fee with all Inner line permits to restricted/protected areas.
7. Walkie-Talkie sets for communication between cars
8. Mid way Tea / Snacks during the tour.
9. First Air with Medical backup with oxygen (O2) & AMS pack.
10. Things to carry for 4×4 Snow drive( For Vehicle )
11. Carry Emergency Survivor kit.
12. All trip photos.
13. P.W.R goody Bag & car stickers
14. Things to carry list with Map.
15. Vehicle assistance / towing where ever required

Not including the cost


1. Stay for extra days if any ( we can make bookings for you )
2. Flights to the destination.
3. Extra food Like Starters /Lunch /Dinner all over Pay & Eat ( if Any outside the venue) .
4. Bike /Jeep/Cab rent ( if any )
5. Fuel of Bike/Jeep.
6. Any damage/fine/ cost.
7. Any kind of personal expenses or optional tours, extra meals, starters (Alcoholic, Mineral, Soft Drinks, Aerated) etc.
8. Extra guide fee, Camera & Video fee ,Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone
9. Any activity apart from mentioned ones.
10. Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances like damage accruing from land blocks, bad weather etc.
11. Any medical expenses incurred during the trip or travel insurance
12. Anything not mentioned in inclusions
13. GST ON BILLING

PAX COST
With own SUV Contact for details
Single room supplement Contact for details
Seat in SUV basis Contact for details
SUV on Hire basis Contact for details

GST extra on billing 

Checklist

Use this checklist to help you pack for your 4×4 Winter Snow drive Expedition!  ( Click to Download )

Backpacking / Clothing (Must)

  1.  1 / 2 Jeans / 
  2.  1 / 2 Wind/Nylon Pants / Warm
  3.  2 / 4 Full sleeve shirt/ T-shirts
  4.  1 / 2 full slives T- Shirts
  5.  1 / 2 warm Sweatshirts / Sweater
  6.  1 Warm Jacket / Fleece Jacket (water proof) ( good for -10*c)
  7.  Slippers / Sandals/ Boots
  8.  Warm Night suit (If u use)
  9.   Raincoat / Poncho / Umbrella
  10.  warm Cap / Hat / Warm Cap
  11.  Warm Gloves (2 pare)
  12.  Warm Muffler / Buff
  13.  2 / 3 Cotton Socks and Warm woolen Socks
  14.  Towel (lightweight)
  15.  Snow Boots or Good Hiking Water Proof Boots/Gaiters
  16. Warm Inner Liner 2 set ( Must )

Other items (Must)

  1. Sunscreen Lotion
  2. Lip Guard / Care
  3. Body Lotion
  4. Paper Soap
  5. Face Wash / Soap / Shampoo / Oil / Deo / Comb etc.
  6. Toilet Paper (Must)
  7. Sunglasses (good one for Snow in Sun)
  8. Toothpaste / Toothbrush
  9. Hot water Rubber bottle or Warm Bed or Electronic blanket.( Optional)

 

For Your 4X4 / SUV / MUV (Must)

 Before Drive check your 4X4/suv/muv            

(Very Important)
(Engine oil, all cables, all nut and bolts, tire-tube, Coolant, Brake, Belts, Headlights, complete services if you need etc.)

  1. Extra Engine Oil ( 2 Liter )
  2. Extra Tire’s Tube
  3. Extra Bulb
  4. Fuel Jerry Cans Iron 20/40 ltr (with Fuel) optional as per itinerary or your tank range
  5. Complete Tool Kit ( Given with Vehicle)
  6. Feviquick / M-Seal (optional)
  7. Air Pump
  8. Jack 
  9. Tow Strap / Tow Rope with shakal      
  10. Fuel Siphon / Pipe (optional)
  11. Battery Jumper Cables ( optional)
  12. Tire Patch Kit /Tube less Puncher kit
  13. Duct tape (optional)
  14. Trapal/ Body cover ( Needed to  Protect your  Vehicle from snow or cold wind ) (Must )
  15. Snow Chain (Must)
  16. Vehicle Papers (Registration / Insurance / Pollution)
  17. Anti Frozen Diesel additive (Must)
  18. LPG gas Green Pipe (Use For Steam Gas on Engine and Diesel Supply with Cooker) (Must)
  19. Extra Diesel Filer Change and care Spare (Must)
  20. D-Ring shackles
  21. Zip Ties
  22. Bungie Cords for snow chain
  23. Workshop working gloves for chain installation or tyre change or any mechanical work.   

Emergency
Camping Gear ( If we Camp in emergency)

  • Tent 2 Man Ultra light  
  • Sleeping Bag Ultra light / temp limit – 5 ° C, 0 ° C (Must)
  • Sleeping mat / Carry Mat (Must)
  • Pillow if required
  •  Torch / Headlamp with extra Battery (Must)
  •  Knife / Camp Axe / Saw   (Wood Cutting) (Must)
  •  Small Shovel this will be great for helping to manage your campfire/Snow remove (Must)
  • Camp Chairs & Folding Table
  • Water Bottle Aluminum/Iron (Which we can use As Hot bed Bottle) (Must)

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Please note: This list does not include everything, and you should check your own needs to make sure you pack everything for your personal health and well being while Expedition.

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How to Prepare


We have tried to answer a few of your queries based on your experience of travelling in the winters to Spiti & Ladakh, please read our blog as per below link. Hope this helps a little.

Do’s and don’ts for planning the perfect winter getaway

Durations

06 Nights / 07 Days

Month

December
February
January
March

Tour's Location

Spiti

FAQs

Living in Sub Zero Temperature
Life in winters in Spiti and Kinnaur is tuff, outside temperature are freezing and night time may go down freezing extremes at times. The rooms are kept warm with Bukharis ( wood fired fireplace ) and water is frozen. You will have keep yourself covered in good quality and layers of woolens to keep your body warm. And when we go outdoors don't forget to wear that extra jacket, cap, good gloves and muffler on.

The minimum temperature in Kaza goes down to -20˚C and will further drop as the winter progresses. Higher villages are more colder. So you have to prepare for it. It is colder than your freezer at home. There are only few places in India that gets colder than Spiti, so you won’t find many good brands in India to keep you self warm.
Also, when your skin is wet, it will stick to the metal. NEVER pull it with force. It will tear out the skin with it. Always pour hot water on the area and then gently pull it.
How to prepare for winters in Spiti
Wear layers of clothes to keep yourself warm in the winters, minimize your expectations as this is not going to be a luxury trip but a Spartan Expedition. Always wear a layer of thermal with a layer of fleece and a layer of a down feather jacket with a layer of windproof jacket is more than enough for the winters.
A warm cap is a must. Add a pair of gloves and double layer of warm socks with breathable shoes and you will be super comfortable even in this temperature.
Also, keep the heater on a low setting while driving. It will make you drowsy and that’s not good when there is snow on the road.
Tip : If your feet gets cold and there is no way you can remove your shoes to warm them, try jumping on the same spot for sometime or even running.
Can you book a hotel for me?
Yes, sure we can book hotel stay for you for your pre and post tour days.
What is your cancellation policy?
In case of cancellation of tour/travel services due to any avoidable/ unavoidable reasons we must be informed in written. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive mail in written and cancellation charges would be as follows:
• Once the booking is confirmed – 25% of the tour/service cost.
• 15 days prior to arrival – 50% of the tour/service cost.
• 07 days prior to arrival – 75% of the tour/service cost.
• Less than 72 hours or no show – NO REFUNDS
Can you send us the final itinerary before we book the tour?
Yes we always send the tour program before you book.
Note - as we travel in the Himalayas at time if necessary we have to make changes in the itinerary due to snow fall / road closure or any other natural calamity that is beyond our control.
Dry Toilets and how to prepare for it
In winters, when the sewage systems freeze, you have to go eco-friendly (unless you don’t excrete in the open and freeze in a squatting position). You will have to use the Dry-Toilets. Its where you poop in a hole on the first floor into a room full of compost. When your waste gets mixed with the compost it will later be converted into organic fertilizer for the fields and then sold to you as overprized organic vegetable in the cities.

Dry toilets do not smell. Also, make sure you flush with a shovel full of compost after you are done. Also, make sure you don’t drop any thing in that hole. No one would want to help you get any thing back from there ( especially you phone )

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