# Spiti Valley travel guide: Kaza, routes and where to stay

Spiti Valley is a high-altitude cold desert in Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh. Its main town, Kaza, sits at about 3,650 m, and Key Monastery, the valley’s largest, is 12 km north at 4,166 m. Kaza is reachable all year from Shimla through Kinnaur, and from Manali over Kunzum Pass only from about June to mid-October.

## Quick facts

- **Kaza altitude:** About 3,650 m (11,980 ft)
- **Key Monastery:** 4,166 m, about 12 km north of Kaza
- **Kibber:** About 4,270 m, 19 km from Kaza
- **From Manali:** About 200 km over Kunzum Pass (about 4,550 m); open roughly June to mid-October
- **From Shimla:** About 420 km through Kinnaur (NH 505); open all year, barring landslides or heavy snow
- **Temperatures:** July averages about 15 °C; January can fall to −30 °C

## How to reach

### From Shimla via Kinnaur

The Shimla–Kinnaur–Tabo–Kaza road (NH 505), about 420 km, is the year-round route, closed only briefly by landslides or heavy snow. It climbs gradually, which helps acclimatisation.

### From Manali via Kunzum Pass

About 200 km over Kunzum Pass (about 4,550 m). Usually open from June to mid-October, once snow is cleared; closed in winter.

### Permits

Indian citizens need no permit for Spiti. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur stretch near the border, checked at Sumdo; confirm current rules with the district offices before travelling.

### Altitude

Kaza is at about 3,650 m and many sights are above 4,000 m. Take a rest day on arrival, drink water and climb gradually; the Kinnaur route acclimatises better than Manali.

## Best time to visit

### June to September

The main season: both routes open, Chandra Taal reachable (late May to early October), and the Ladarcha fair in mid-August. July is the warmest month, averaging about 15 °C, and nights can still freeze.

### October

Clear, cold and quiet. The Manali road over Kunzum Pass usually closes by mid-October.

### November to May

Deep winter: reachable only through Kinnaur, with January lows down to about −30 °C. For experienced, well-prepared travellers.

## Where to stay

- [Hotel Spiti Villa Himalayan Brothers](https://www.hotelhimalayanbrothers.com/spiti-villa): Hotel Spiti Villa Himalayan Brothers is a cottage hotel on Kibber Village Road near Key Monastery, near Kaza in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh. Key Monastery stands about 12 km north of Kaza town at 4,166 m. The hotel opened in 2024 and has 32 mountain-view rooms and a restaurant serving Spitian food. Book online or call +91 75600 39999.

## Frequently asked questions

**What is the altitude of Kaza in Spiti Valley?**

Kaza is at about 3,650 m (11,980 ft). Key Monastery, 12 km north, is at 4,166 m and Kibber village at about 4,270 m.

**What is the best time to visit Spiti Valley?**

June to September, when both the Manali and Shimla roads are open and days are mild. October is clear but cold, and the Manali route usually closes by mid-October. In winter Spiti is reachable only via Kinnaur.

**Is Spiti Valley open in winter?**

Yes, through Shimla and Kinnaur on NH 505, which stays open most of the year. The Manali route over Kunzum Pass is closed in winter, and temperatures can fall to −30 °C in January.

**How far is Key Monastery from Kaza?**

About 12 km north of Kaza. The monastery is the largest in Spiti and belongs to the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism.

**Do I need a permit for Spiti Valley?**

Indian citizens do not. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for the Kinnaur border stretch, checked at Sumdo. Rules change, so confirm with the district administration before you travel.

**Where can I stay near Key Monastery?**

Hotel Spiti Villa Himalayan Brothers is on Kibber Village Road near Key Monastery, in the Kaza area, with mountain-view cottages and a restaurant serving Spitian food. It is open through the season and closed in winter.

## Sources

- [Kaza, Himachal Pradesh, Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaza,_Himachal_Pradesh)
- [Key Monastery, Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_Monastery)
- [Kibber, Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kibber)
- [Chandra Taal, Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandra_Taal)
- [Tabo Monastery, Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabo_Monastery)
- [Spiti via Shimla–Kinnaur route guide (Discover with Dheeraj, 2026)](https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/5-reasons-travel-spiti-valley-from-shimla-kinnaur-route/)

---
Canonical page: https://www.hotelhimalayanbrothers.com/spiti-valley
Source: Himalayan Brothers Hotels (https://www.hotelhimalayanbrothers.com/). Summary for LLMs: https://www.hotelhimalayanbrothers.com/llms.txt