Visiting Spiti Valley in Winter: What to Know

Spiti Valley, one of the most beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh, offers stark, desert‑like winter landscapes reminiscent of Ladakh. Being close to Tibet and Kullu, it showcases striking contrasts in terrain. Though winter travel is more challenging, it’s still doable—read ahead to discover everything you need to know about visiting Spiti Valley in winter.

What to Expect in Spiti Valley in Winter

Winters in higher‑elevation Himachal are very cold, with heavy snowfall in areas like Kaza. Temperatures can drop well below 0 °C, especially at night. Daytime highs in lower elevations may hover around 5–10 °C, but expect sub-zero warmth at night.

•  Layer up: at least 2–3 layers, including thermal wear and a padded jacket.
• Transportation is limited: public buses run infrequently and may be suspended. Hiring a taxi or self-driving is strongly advised.
• Short daylight hours mean less time for exploration-plan your day accordingly.

Winter Temperature Range

• Lowest winter temperature in the region can reach -15 °C
• Daytime highs in the low winter months can reach 5–10 °C.
• February highs around 15–16 °C-warmest before spring.

Pack accordingly:
Thermal base layers, fleece, windproof outerwear
Trekking gear if you’re planning winter treks

How to Reach Spiti Valley in Winter

By Road

Self‑drive or taxi (recommended)—the Shimla–Kaza route is the only all‑season road, passing via Rohtang Pass and Narkanda. To travel on the route, you must go from the following checkpoints-

Delhi – Chandigarh – Kalka – Shimla – Rohtang Pass – Narkanda – Kaza – Spiti valley.

Be cautious: roads may be icy or blocked; check live road updates.
Hire experienced drivers accustomed to mountain roads.

By Train

You cannot complete the journey by train as the nearest train station is either Kullu or Shimla. However, the roads in the Kullu Manali area may not be the best choice- so you can reach Shimla by train. But you would have to continue the rest of the journey through the road.

By Air

Similar to trains, the Kullu and Shimla areas have airports. While the Kullu airport is closer, the route by road may be blocked. So your safest bet is to reach the Shimla Airport and then continue by road to the destination.

Public Transport

Avoid relying on buses—service is extremely limited in winter; taxis are the more dependable mode.

What to Keep in Mind Before Travelling to Spiti Valley?

• Pack more than enough clothing if you're going by car or public transportation. 
• Do not expect a mobile network or data connection in the valley. Even in Summer, the valley has connectivity issues with many networks. But during winters the network coverage is next to none. Your best bet is a BSNL sim, but even with that, you won't be able to get internet. Similarly, Wi-Fi connections are unavailable as maintenance during winter is pretty much impossible.
• Pack instant food and search for local spots to stay nourished. Finding a restaurant may be difficult if you're on the outskirts of the valley. 
• Keep medical supplies like paracetamol tablets, bandages, ointments, and more with you. The roads and pathways may get blocked anytime, so you cannot avail of medical care immediately. 
• Some areas may get blocked in winter due to landslides or other issues. So make sure to study it thoroughly before you leave.
• Electricity and hot water are luxuries you must give up in the Spiti Valley in winter. The cables may face damage, but repair work is impossible due to heavy snow and extreme weather conditions. 

Where to Stay in Spiti Valley in Winters?

If you look online, you would notice that the number of stays in the valley would be considerably lesser in winter. And even though some hotels and lodges may provide accommodation, they might not be the best idea.

The ideal choice would be to find and stay in a homestay instead. In a homestay, you would be living with native people who know their way around the area. Moreover, they are well-versed in methods and techniques to make living comfortably even in the cold. 

Since food is hard to find anyway, being in a homestay can provide you with hot meals to keep you full. You can search for popular stays and if they accept bookings in the winter. While it might be a first-time experience, we can ensure you it would be enjoyable.

Winter Activities in Spiti

Activities like rafting in the Spiti Valley area become tough during the winters as the cold and water don't mix well. However, some activities in the valley are still enjoyable in the winter. These do not have much to do with the temperature, so you can do them whenever you prefer:

Trekking

You can explore the Spiti Valley trail or many neighboring trails regardless of the weather. Some trails might get cordoned off due to issues, but many remain open for visitors. The Chicham caves treks and other organized trails are still doable. But it is advised to book a trekking expedition with an agency. Since you will be in a group- cared for by professionals, you can enjoy trekking even in the harsh climate.

Going to The Kibber Village

The Kibber village and wildlife sanctuary is another hotspot. In the winter, it may get much colder. But then you would also have a higher probability of seeing one of the snow leopards that reside there.

Visiting The Key Monastery

The Key Monastery, established in the 11th century, is a holy spot for Buddhists. And even if you are not religious, the architecture and aura of the location are commendable. It is only a short distance away and offers some of the most stunning views of and from it.

Exploring The Chandratal Lake

The Chandratal lake is accessible by car or bike and is a scenic lake nestled in hills. It is the scenery you would upload to your social media pages to boast about your trip. The route might be closed due to heavy snowfall, but if you're lucky, you can access it. The frozen lake in winter is a unique spectacle to witness.

Discovering The Chicham Bridge 

The Chicham Bridge is the highest currently in Asia. It is between the Chicham and Kibber areas of the district. Its height is nearly 4145 feet from the sea level. The bridge is placed over the Spiti river, which provides some of the most stunning views.

Winter in Spiti isn’t typical for relaxation—but for adventurers who plan well, it offers a magical, snow‑covered desert landscape, fewer tourists, and unique wildlife experiences. With layers, local knowledge, and preparation, winter is absolutely doable and memorable in this Himalayan paradise.