How to Travel to Spiti Valley in the Winters?
The only way to reach Spiti in the winter is by road from Shimla via the NH-22 highway through Kinnaur. Rohtang Pass and Kunzum La are both closed in the winters, making travel from Manali an unviable option. Here are some tips on how to travel to Spiti Valley during the winters. It was a great idea to acclimatise to the cold and altitude of Peo before reaching the unbearable cold of Kaza at 3700m. The best way to visit the beautiful Spiti valley is by bus.
You will get to experience the scenic green valleys, teahouses, snowcapped mountains and the friendly locals.
The bus will also be your connection with the rest of India. Book your ticket online and enjoy a comfortable journey. Discover the beauty and wonder of Spiti valley during the winters. Trains, jeeps and buses are the most preferred way of reaching this beautiful destination. You can also take a shared taxi from Rampur to Kaza (12 hours) for 1000- per seat, or make the return journey from Kaza to Rampur via this mode.
Weather Conditions and Important Precautions
As the air in Spiti is very cold and there is only little at high altitudes. It is great to rest a while there before proceeding further. As winter is approaching and temperatures drop, it’s important to take action. The Ladakh group tour winters are harsh, long and cold. By planning ahead, you can decrease the chances of suffering from altitude sickness and also reduce your risk of getting black-outs (prolonged lack of oxygen).
The most important way to prevent the development of altitude sickness is by wearing a face mask, mask and gloves to protect you from inhaling cold air. Traveling in the winter months can be drastically changing depending on where you are traveling from and to.
In order to keep the body warm, it is advised to take short walks and eat meals frequently. My guiding principle for drinking more water was to regularly consume water and butter tea. Additionally, I enjoy nuts and dark chocolate, and I always use them in the winter. Toilets have no water supply because all of the pipes are completely frozen.
In the majority of locations throughout the winter in Spiti tour package, traditional dry compost toilets are the sole option. I was careful to avoid using the restroom in the middle of the night when the cold air could cause problems by going only once before bed after dinner.
Ways to Travel Within Spiti
In Spiti, there are essentially no buses that run throughout the winter. The only option for transportation is to ride in shared taxis (campers or sumo) with locals; the frequency of these rides depends on the quantity of snowfall and the number of passengers. My favourite mode of transportation was a shared taxi, and the natives made sure I felt secure in their presence. Even if the cost of taxis in spiti valley packages during the winter is relatively high, it is also feasible to rent SUVs (Innova or xylo) for travel.
When you travel with locals, you can always enjoy the warmth of a homestay even in the iciest weather. By pure luck, I managed to locate a shared cab departing from Kaza bus station towards Losar. I had orally reserved a seat in advance for the same, as indicated by locals. Near the bus stop, there were also shared taxis that went to Pin Valley and other tiny settlements in Spiti. It is best to get advice and recommendations from locals.
Worthwhile sights and villages to visit in Winter in Spiti
By pure luck, I managed to locate a shared cab departing from Kaza bus station towards Losar. I had orally reserved a seat in advance for the same, as indicated by locals. Near the bus stop, there were also shared taxis that went to Pin Valley and other tiny settlements in Spiti.
It is best to get advice and recommendations from locals. Remember to always check with locals in Kaza and nearby villages about the prevailing weather and road conditions for the places you are heading to.
Accommodation in Spiti in the Winters
In Spiti, the majority of guesthouses, homestays, and hotels are closed throughout the winter. There are only a few establishments operating, so it is better to consult the locals about your best lodging options. For winter lodging in Spiti group tour, prices per person, including food, will vary from 500 to 1500 Rupees.
In Kaza : Sakya Abode – owned by Tsering. Enquire at homestays near the bus stand in Kaza, a few of them are open in the winters too.
Langza, Hikkim, Dhankar, Demul, Komic, Lhalung, Tashigang : Tanzi Homestay in Langza is open. Anmo homestay in Lhalung. Komic Gompa in Komic. Most families in these villages live year round and thereby the possibility of homestays to stay.
Kibber : Norling Homestay is open in the winters. Kibber is a big village and families live there throughout the year, that means other homestays are open too. It may also be possible to persuade the monks to let you stay at Ki Monastery, even in the winter cold!
Shoes & Socks : Needless to say, this is one of the most important things to keep in mind for travel to Spiti in the winters. Shoes should be ice and snow proof and should have good traction for walking on slippery frozen surfaces.