Bangalore to Spiti Valley

Hello everyone! I know I’m super late in posting this, but better late than never, right? Now that I am halfway through the Spiti Valley vlogs on my YouTube channel, I am excited to finally share our quick Bangalore to Spiti Valley road trip itinerary with you all.

We had actually planned this Spiti trip twice! If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you probably already know the story. But for those who don’t, let me fill you in!

The first time, we only made it to day 2, reaching as far as Sangla Valley, near Chhitkul. Unfortunately, I started experiencing severe gallbladder pain, and we had no choice but to turn back. We were disappointed but had to put our plans on hold and return to my mom’s place in Delhi.

After recovering from gallbladder surgery and taking a month’s rest, we decided to restart our journey. However, this time, my husband could only get a week off from work compared to the two weeks we had originally planned. So, we kept things simple and planned a shorter, more focused route, making the most of our limited time in Spiti.

This was an incredible journey, especially as we traveled with our 8-year-old son, Nemit, and my 68-year-old mother. If you’ve been planning a road trip to Spiti but are unsure about the route or logistics, I hope this itinerary will help you plan an unforgettable adventure of your own.

Bangalore to Spiti Valley Itinerary

You must be wondering why we never visited these places in North India when we were living in Delhi. Well, the reason is simple. We travel with a kid! We did a few road trips with our son Nemit when he was younger. But then, we had to book a cab with driver because he needed our undivided attention throughout the travel. We only started going on self-driven road trips a few years ago. Spiti Valley was our second long road trip after Rajasthan, which was also a 9-day long road trip. So, you see, we were just waiting for Nemit to grow a little older so that long drives would be more manageable for all of us. But, as always, distances have never stopped us from exploring new places!

We did this Bangalore to Spiti Valley road trip in our Tata Punch car. Here’s a quick 15-day itinerary of Spiti Valley road trip.

Days 1-3: Bangalore to Delhi

We’ve already done Bangalore to Delhi by road twice in the last year. Both times, we took the similar route through 7 states – Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. However, we stayed at different locations on each trip.

I have already shared a post about our first trip from Bangalore to Delhi by road. In this post, I will be sharing the itinerary for our second trip.

Day 1: Bangalore to Nagpur

• Distance: ~1098 km | Time: 20 hours
• We kicked off our journey from Bangalore quite early in the morning. It was a smooth but extremely tiring drive on NH44.
• Hotel: Treebo Tryst Median Inn, Nagpur (Not recommended).

My advice: I wouldn’t recommend driving such long distances with family. It’s tiring, uncomfortable and risky. 

Day 2: Nagpur to Jhansi

• Distance: ~607 km | Time: 13-14 hours
• Another long day on the road, and it wasn’t as smooth as we hoped. The roads in MP were full of rough patches, and we had to be extra cautious with cattle roaming freely on the highways. Despite the challenges, our excitement kept us going. We reached Jhansi around 9 pm for an overnight halt, tired but relieved to rest before the next leg of our journey.
• Hotel: Regenta Place, Jhansi (Highly recommended).

Day 3: Jhansi to Delhi

• Distance: ~475 km | Time: 10-11 hours
• We set out after a hearty breakfast at Regenta Place and made our way to Delhi. The drive was smoother, but the traffic as we neared the city slowed us down. By evening, we finally reached my mom’s place, tired but relieved to be home. It felt great to end the long journey with a warm welcome and a chance to rest.

You may also watch our Bangalore to Delhi Road Trip Videos from our first trip.

• Bangalore to Hyderabad
• Hyderabad to Narsinghpur
• Narsinghpur to Delhi

After reaching Delhi, we took a week-long break to relax and recharge before continuing our journey to Spiti Valley. To keep the itinerary in order, I’ll start from Day 4, which marks the first day of our Spiti trip from Delhi.

Day 4: Delhi to Narkanda/Rampur Bushahr

As I mentioned earlier, we only had two days to travel during our first attempt before we had to turn back. In those two days, we drove from Delhi to Narkanda on Day 1, and from Narkanda to Sangla on Day 2. However, after a month’s break following my gallbladder surgery, we resumed our trip. And that time, we skipped Narkanda, heading straight to Rampur Bushahr. While Narkanda is a beautiful spot, you can skip it on the way to Spiti and instead stay there on your return journey. The choice is yours!

• • Option 1: Narkanda (10 hours from Delhi) If you want to enjoy beautiful views and cooler weather, stop at Narkanda. It’s a charming hill station, perfect for relaxing after the long drive. Or, you can skip it and drive directly to Rampur Bushahr.
  • Hotel: 13 Forest B&B, Kotgarh

You may also check this YouTube video: Narkanda to Chhitkul Road Trip!

• Option 2: Rampur Bushahr (11 hours from Delhi) For a quicker night halt, Rampur is your option. It’s a little further, but a great place to rest before continuing to Spiti.
• Hotel: C Square Homestay

Day 5: Rampur Bushahr to Nako

• • Distance: ~202 km | Time: 6-7 hours
  • After breakfast at Hotel Mahesh in Jhakri, we headed to Nako. The scenic drive with river views was stunning, and we took several short breaks for fuel and snacks. Nako village, known for its picturesque lake, was a peaceful stop.
  • Hotel: Rikpa Homestay, family room with a single and double bed.

Day 6: Nako to Kaza

• • Distance: ~110 km | Time: 6-7 hours
  • On the way, we visited Gue Mummy Stupa, which was fascinating and surreal. The drive was thrilling, and we reached Kaza by evening. We stayed at a riverside homestay with stunning views.
  • Hotel: Spiti River View Homestay

Day 7: Kaza

This day was all about exploring the iconic spots around Kaza. We visited:

• • Chicham Bridge (the highest bridge in Asia),
  • Key Monastery (a 1,000-year-old Tibetan monastery),
  • The scenic villages of Kibber, Langza, Hikkim (home to the world’s highest post office), and Komic (one of the highest villages in the world).
  • Hotel: Spiti River View Homestay

Day 8: Kaza to Kalpa

• Distance: ~215 km | Time: 8-9 hours
• After breakfast, we left for Kalpa. This long drive took us through winding roads and breathtaking landscapes. When we reached Kalpa, it started raining so we couldn’t explore anything that day. The next day, we left for Chhitkul. But, luck took us back to Kalpa and then we visited Kalpa Monastery and Kinner Kailash view point.
• Hotel suggestion: The White Castle, Kalpa

Day 9: Kalpa to Chhitkul to Rakchham

• Distance: ~100 km | Time: 5-6 hours
• From Kalpa, we set off for Chitkul, the last village on the India-Tibet border. The road to Chitkul is known for being extremely dangerous, so it’s important to drive with extra caution. After reaching Chitkul, we had lunch at the famous “Hindustan ka Aakhiri Dhaba”. The quaint, peaceful vibe of Chitkul was the perfect way to unwind. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a good place to stay, as all the best options were already booked. So, we began our return journey and found ourselves in another gem of Kinnaur, Rakchham village. After days of driving and exploring, we instantly fell in love with Rakchham’s charm and peaceful beauty as soon as we arrived. So, we decided to take it easy and stay an extra day here.
• Hotel: Rupin Riverview, Rakchham

Day 10: Rakchham

• Rakchham is a beautiful valley, and we spent the day relaxing & unwinding, soaking in the beauty around us. This quiet, less-traveled valley gave us a chance to connect deeply with nature and experience a slower pace. We spent the day exploring scenic trails along the Baspa River, taking in views of snow-capped peaks, and chatting with friendly locals. Rakchham turned out to be a highlight of our trip, a hidden paradise we were so grateful to have discovered.
• Hotel: Osiya Rangnoo Rakchham Retreat

Day 11: Rakchham to Rampur Bushahr

• Distance: ~200 km | Time: 8-9 hours
• Hotel: Hotel Mahesh

Day 12: Rampur Bushahr to Delhi

• Distance: ~478 km | Time: 12-13 hours
• After a relaxing stay in Rampur, we began our final leg of the journey back to Delhi. This marked the end of our Spiti adventure, but we left with countless memories!

Days 13-15: Delhi to Bangalore

If you’re planning a trip from Bangalore to Spiti Valley like we did, you’ll need to add a few extra days for a stop in Delhi. Since our parents live there, we were able to take a longer break before resuming our journey. You could either stay a night in Delhi before heading back or drive straight through, aiming to reach Bangalore by Day 15.

This Bangalore to Spiti Valley trip was a dream come true, even more so because we did it in our Tata Punch! While the roads and terrain can be challenging, it’s definitely doable with careful planning. If you’re traveling with kids or senior citizens, remember to take it slow, stay flexible, and enjoy the journey!

If you have a few extra days or are starting this trip from Delhi, I recommend adding an extra day in Kaza, another day in Tabo, and one more day in Nako. This way, you’ll have more time to truly experience each place.

You may also check the other trip itineraries below.

• • 6 Days Kashmir Trip Itinerary
  • 6 Days Krabi Trip Itinerary
  • 7 Days South Goa Itinerary
  • 8 Days Meghalaya Trip Itinerary
  • 10 Days Andaman Trip Itinerary

Now, tell me, have you been to Spiti Valley? If yes, what was the highlight of your trip? Was it a road trip? Share your experience in the comments below. If not, then would you plan a trip to Spiti by road?

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.