Morning: Board the express train at Howrah Station, enjoying the early sunrise over the Hooghly River as the train rolls out of Kolkata.
Afternoon: Relax in the comfortable sleeper coach, watching the plains of West Bengal give way to the foothills of the Himalayas.
Evening: Arrive at Ambala Cantonment, check into a hotel and unwind with a light dinner before the next day’s road journey.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Ambala early and drive through the lush valleys of Himachal Pradesh, crossing the historic Chandigarh–Ambala highway.
Afternoon: Reach Narkanda, famous for its apple orchards and the Hatu Peak trek; enjoy a short hike and panoramic views of the Dhauladhar range.
Evening: Settle into a cosy guesthouse in Narkanda, savoring a warm Himachali dinner of dal and roti.
Find HotelsMorning: Leave Narkanda and ascend through the Kinnaur district, passing the stunning Rohini River and pine‑covered ridges.
Afternoon: Arrive at Chitkul, the last inhabited village on the Indo‑Chinese border; stroll along the Chitkul River and explore traditional wooden houses.
Evening: Stay in a homestay, enjoying local Kinnauri cuisine and the crisp mountain air.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Chitkul, crossing the Sutlej River and winding through the dramatic Kinnaur Valley.
Afternoon: Reach Nako, a serene village perched at 3,662 m; visit the turquoise Nako Lake and the ancient Nako Monastery.
Evening: Relax in a boutique lodge, taking in the starlit sky over the lake.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive along the rugged mountain roads toward the Spiti Valley, admiring the stark desert‑like landscape.
Afternoon: Arrive at Tabo, known as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas”; explore the magnificent Tabo Monastery with its 100‑year‑old frescoes.
Evening: Spend the night in a comfortable guesthouse, sipping butter tea while listening to distant chants.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart early for Kaza, the district headquarters, and then head towards the high‑altitude Chandratal Lake (4,300 m).
Afternoon: Hike to the crystal‑clear waters of Chandratal, known as the “Moon Lake,” and capture its mirror‑like reflections of the surrounding peaks.
Evening: Set up camp by the lake, enjoying a campfire dinner under a canopy of stars.
Find HotelsMorning: Begin the descent through the Lahaul valley, crossing the iconic Baralacha Pass (4,890 m) and the Rohtang Pass (3,978 m).
Afternoon: Arrive in Manali, explore the bustling Mall Road and the historic Hadimba Temple.
Evening: Check into a riverside hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening by the Beas River.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the ancient Vashisht Hot Springs and the nearby Vashisht Temple for a rejuvenating soak.
Afternoon: Take a short drive to Solang Valley for adventure sports such as paragliding or a gentle trek with spectacular views.
Evening: Return to Manali for a leisurely dinner at a local restaurant, sampling Himachali specialties like trout and siddu.
Find HotelsMorning: Start the return journey, heading north on the highway toward Ambala Cantonment, with scenic stops at Barog and Kalka.
Afternoon: Pause for lunch in Kalka and stretch your legs before continuing the drive.
Evening: Arrive back in Ambala, check into a hotel and rest after the long drive.
Find HotelsMorning: Board the overnight express train from Ambala Junction, departing with souvenirs and memories of the Himalayas.
Afternoon: Enjoy the comfortable sleeper coach, reflecting on the journey while the train traverses the fertile plains of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Evening: Arrive at Howrah Station, Kolkata, concluding the round‑trip adventure.
Find HotelsIf you wish to extend the adventure, consider adding a full day in Kaza to explore the Key Monastery and the Gonpa, or venture further into the Upper Spiti region to visit Langza and Kibber. To shorten the trip, you can skip the Chandratal Lake camp and fly from Manali (Kullu Airport) back to Delhi, then take a direct train to Kolkata, reducing the itinerary by two days while still experiencing the core highlights of Spiti and Manali.