Sachin Lama
Founder & Lead Expedition Leader
NIM Advanced Mountaineering (Grade A) · Wilderness First Responder · guiding since 2013
WINTER JOURNEY STANDARD
Winter Spiti Expedition
A winter journey through snow-covered Spiti: monasteries, high villages and the quiet cold desert, with a chance to spot Himalayan wildlife.
Reply within 24 hoursNo payment to enquireWritten quote before you pay
Starts fromShimla
Altitude4,500 m
Duration8 Days
SeasonDecember – March
GradeEasy to Moderate
IS THIS TRIP RIGHT FOR YOU?
Who the Winter Spiti Expedition suits
Travellers comfortable with sub-zero temperatures and slow winter road travel, who want a guided introduction to the Indian Himalaya in its quietest season.
What you need to join
- Good general fitness and comfort in very cold conditions; no prior climbing experience is needed for the ice-climbing programmes.
- Willingness to follow the leader’s decisions when snow or ice conditions change the plan.
- A signed medical fitness certificate before your booking is confirmed.
- Travel insurance that covers winter activities, high-altitude stays and emergency evacuation.
THE ROUTE
Winter Spiti Expedition route overview
The Winter Spiti Expedition is a 8-day winter Himalayan tour in Himachal Pradesh that reaches 4,500 m. Kailasa grades it Easy to Moderate. The best time to go is December – March.
Spiti in winter is a very different place from the summer road-trip destination: the valley is white, the villages are quiet and the sky is deep blue. This tour covers the valley by road, with short walks and visits to its monasteries and high villages.
The route runs from Shimla through Kinnaur to Kaza, since the Manali road is closed in winter. From Kaza you visit Key Monastery, Langza, Hikkim and Komic, among the highest villages in the region, and Kibber, where winter wildlife sightings are possible.
The tour is not a technical trek, but it is cold and the days include long drives on mountain roads. Plans can change with snowfall, and the team keeps the itinerary flexible.
| Region | Spiti, Himachal Pradesh |
|---|---|
| Starts from | Shimla |
| Highest point | 4,500 m |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Best season | December – March |
DAY BY DAY
8 Days Winter Spiti Expedition itinerary
Tap a day to see the route, distances and camps. The schedule can change with acclimatisation, weather and team safety.
Details for this day are confirmed in your trip plan.
Details for this day are confirmed in your trip plan.
Details for this day are confirmed in your trip plan.
Details for this day are confirmed in your trip plan.
Details for this day are confirmed in your trip plan.
Details for this day are confirmed in your trip plan.
Details for this day are confirmed in your trip plan.
Details for this day are confirmed in your trip plan.
UNDERSTAND THE PRICE
What the price includes
Here is what the price covers and what it does not. Your written quote confirms the final amount for your dates and nationality.
Included
- Accommodation in hotels and guesthouses on twin or multiple sharing basis
- Meals as per the itinerary (breakfast and dinner at stays, packed lunch on activity days)
- All ground transport as per the itinerary in a heated vehicle where available
- Qualified and experienced trek or climbing leader and support staff
- Inner line and other applicable permits
- First aid medical kit and oxygen cylinder
Not included
- Meals during road journeys
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusions
- Any extra flight booking amount should be paid on actuals by the participant
- Mandatory travel and rescue insurance covering the route’s maximum altitude
GETTING THERE
How do you reach the start of the Winter Spiti Expedition?
The expedition starts in Shimla. Day 1 of the itinerary: Day 01 – Arrive in Shimla (2,200 m).
- Winter trips to Spiti begin in Shimla. Take an overnight bus from Delhi or Chandigarh, or fly to Shimla and arrive the evening before Day 1.
- The Manali road to Spiti is closed in winter, so the team drives you through Kinnaur. Snow can slow this road, which is why the itinerary keeps a reserve day.
Your exact meeting point and time are confirmed in your trip briefing.
PACKING LIST
What should you pack for the Winter Spiti Expedition?
Technical gear for ice climbing is provided by Kailasa; bring your own warm clothing and boots. Winter nights are well below freezing.
Clothing
- Base layers (synthetic or merino), top and bottom
- Fleece or light insulated mid-layer
- Waterproof, breathable shell jacket and trousers
- Insulated gloves plus thin liner gloves
- Warm hat, buff or neck gaiter, sun cap
- Trekking socks and warm wool socks (3–4 pairs)
Footwear
- Insulated, waterproof winter boots
- Gaiters for snow
- Warm camp shoes
Warmth & carry
- Down jacket rated for −15 °C or colder
- Sleeping bag liner or sleeping bag for cold guesthouses
- 40–50 litre backpack with rain cover
- Trekking poles
Personal
- Sunglasses (UV400, category 3–4) and SPF 50 sunscreen
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Two 1-litre water bottles or a hydration bladder
- Personal medicines and a small first-aid kit
- Quick-dry towel, toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Original photo ID and copies of permits and insurance
WHO CLIMBS WITH YOU
Led by people who live in these mountains
Every Winter Spiti Expedition team is led by certified Kailasa guides. You meet your assigned expedition leader at the technical briefing three weeks before departure.
Pasang Sherpa
Sherpa & fixed-rope team leader
22+ years on Himalayan expeditions · 16 Everest summits · Lhotse, Makalu, Dhaulagiri
CANCELLATION
What happens if you need to cancel?
What you get back depends on how long before the start date you cancel. You can take a refund or a credit for a future Kailasa trip, valid for one year.
| Before start | Refund | Future credit (same participant) | Future credit (another participant) |
|---|---|---|---|
| More than 60 days | 85% | 100% | Not stated |
| 60 to 30 days | 70% | 85% | 75% |
| 30 to 10 days | 40% | 70% | 65% |
| Less than 10 days | No refund | 50% | 40% |
BEFORE YOU ENQUIRE
Winter Spiti Expedition questions
Is the Spiti winter tour suitable for first-time visitors?
Yes. It is a road-based tour with short walks and no technical sections. You should be comfortable with cold weather, long drives and altitude above 3,500 m.
Is the road to Spiti open in winter?
The route from Shimla through Kinnaur is usually open, but heavy snow can delay or close it for a day or more. The itinerary includes a reserve day, and the team confirms road conditions before departure.
Can I see a snow leopard?
Spiti is home to snow leopards, and winter is the best time to look for them, but sightings are never guaranteed. Wildlife viewing is on a best-effort basis.
How cold does it get?
Nights in Kaza in December to February can fall to −20 °C or lower. Guesthouses have basic heating, so warm layers and a good sleeping bag liner are important.
YOUR EXPEDITION STARTS HERE
Speak to the team before you decide.
Share your preferred dates, nationality and climbing history. Kailasa can assess route fit, then confirm the current itinerary, field support, permits, equipment and final amount in writing.
- STEP 1Share your plansSend your preferred dates and climbing history on WhatsApp or email.
- STEP 2Readiness call & quoteThe team checks route fit and sends the final amount in writing.
- STEP 3Confirm your seatBook once you have read the quote and the booking terms.
Reply within 24 hours · No payment to enquire · Written quote before you pay. Review the cancellation, privacy and booking terms before paying.
KEEP EXPLORING
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THE KAILASA STANDARD
A serious mountain deserves
a serious plan.
No blind checkout. No one-size-fits-all promise. Your enquiry begins with the route, your experience and the questions that matter before you commit.
Start a private planning conversationFit before booking
Your climbing history and readiness are discussed before the team recommends a route.
Safety before summit
Acclimatisation, conditions and field decisions take priority over a fixed summit promise.
Clarity before payment
Ask for the current itinerary, inclusions, equipment plan and written final quote.
Team around the objective
Confirm your expedition leader, support team and departure-specific safety arrangements.