A major part of tourism in Spiti valley is in summers but many tourists can be seen in Spiti Valley in the cold and chilly winters as well. There is no such belief as the best time to visit Spiti Valley, as the roads remain accessible throughout the season and it depends solely on tourist’s interest as to when they wish to explore this beautiful and magnanimous place on Earth. Apart from tourist’s will, there are several other factors that come into play when deciding what is the most suitable time for you to travel to Spiti Valley like your budget, what will be your mode of transport, how and from what side you plan to enter Spiti Valley, etc. So, let us go through a month-wise breakdown of visiting Spiti Valley and what you can expect from the place during those months.
There are two ways to enter Spiti Valley:
From Shimla: Shimla – Narkanda – Rampur – Jeori – Reckong Peo – Nako – Tabo – Dhankar – Kaza
From Manali: Manali – Rohtang Pass – Gramphoo – Batal – Losar – Kaza
Spiti valley is accessible from the Shimla side throughout the year however if you intend to travel from the Manali side, please note it is open only for 5 months i.e from June till September. So, if you wish to travel to Spiti in the months from June to September, then you can certainly complete the circuit by exiting from Manali Side. In case you happen to travel from late October until May then you can drive up to Kaza from Shimla and will have to return the same way. When you travel from the Manali side you will come across two high altitude passes i.e Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass and both these passes remain closed from any time in October to May. So, plan your circuit or Spiti Valley Itinerary accordingly before traveling.
Best Time for Spiti Valley Trip
The best time to visit Spiti Valley depends solely on your priorities. If you are only after the snow and are challenging at heart then you can visit Spiti in the winter months. The best time in this case to visit Spiti would be February and March months. With roads covered with a thick sheet of snow all around, the journey by road will not only be difficult but challenging too. Apart from this July to September is the best time to explore Lahaul and Spiti Valley.
Spiti valley is accessible from the Shimla side throughout the year however if you intend to travel from the Manali side, please note it is open only for 5 months i.e from June till September. So, if you wish to travel to Spiti in the months from June to September, then you can certainly complete the circuit by exiting from Manali Side. In case you happen to travel from late October until May then you can drive up to Kaza from Shimla and will have to return the same way. When you travel from the Manali side you will come across two high altitude passes i.e Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass and both these passes remain closed from any time in October to May. So, plan your circuit or Spiti Valley Itinerary accordingly before traveling.
The best time to visit Spiti Valley depends solely on your priorities. If you are only after the snow and are challenging at heart then you can visit Spiti in the winter months. The best time in this case to visit Spiti would be February and March months. With roads covered with a thick sheet of snow all around, the journey by road will not only be difficult but challenging too. Apart from this July to September is the best time to explore Lahaul and Spiti Valley.
Spiti Valley in January
It is certainly not a good time for a Spiti Valley Tour as winter is in its full swing. Heavy snow is present all around right from Shimla until Kaza. Besides snowfall, you might also get stranded on the roads because of the roadblocks caused due to heavy rainfall during this time of the year. You might also have a hard time finding accommodation options.
Spiti Valley in February & March
If you really have a thing for snow, then mid-Feb to March is the best time for you to visit Spiti Valley. Just make sure you get a place for shelter as it is not a tourist season and most of the hotels happen to be closed. You might find snow near Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri, Sarahan, Nako, and Kaza at this time.
Spiti Valley in April & May
During this time the snow starts to melt, and also the roads are not in good condition to travel. If you are in search of solitude and do not wish to see tourists flocking around you then this is the right time for you to visit Spiti Valley. Hotels also open by this time but still you might find it a bit difficult in finding the right accommodation option for yourself. During the months of April to May, you might also not be able to complete the whole circuit. So, plan your Spiti Valley Itinerary accordingly, taking into account all your priorities and likings.
Spiti Valley in June till September
This is the best time to visit Spiti Valley i.e June till September. The complete circuit remains open at this time. You can start your expedition from Shimla and end at Manali or vice-versa. For the record, Spiti does not experience much rainfall, or even no rainfall to say, but then too there are roadblocks in this area owing to landslides during monsoon time. So, you might have to wait for a few hours for the roads to reopen and traffic to move. Chandratal, an awe-inspiring place is also open during this time, so you can add this place also while planning your Spiti Valley Itinerary. Also, if you happen to plan your trip in late July i.e at the time of monsoon then make sure you keep a couple of days in buffer owing to roadblocks caused due to landslides.
Spiti Valley in October till December
During this time of the year, the trip to Spiti Valley gets one-sided owing to the closure of Kunzum Pass till June. The only possible route during this time is to start from Shimla, travel until Kaza, and then return back on the same route. Choosing a good accommodation option might give you a hard time, as with the arrival of winters, the hotels and guest houses begin to close, because the weather is very cold in Spiti during this time and it is not the time when there are a lot of tourists in the place.
If you intend to visit Spiti Valley by road then, June till September is the best time to visit. During this time you will be able to complete the entire circuit and also will be able to access the areas like Kunzum Pass and Chandratal as they are open only during these months. So, now if you wish for a safe yet unforgettable experience in Spiti Valley, then summertime is the most ideal time to visit Spiti Valley. If you are in search of an intense adrenaline rush and are seeking thrill and adventure then wintertime i.e February to March is the best time for you to go to Spiti Valley. Ascertain that you plan your Spiti Valley tour accordingly by taking into account your priorities and then choosing what is the best time for you to visit Spiti Valley.
