Manali & Spiti Valley Trip Itinerary (Aug 24 - Aug 30, 2025)

Day 1: Night Departure (Aug 24)

Morning: Office hours as usual. Prepare luggage and essentials for the trip.

Afternoon: Wrap up work, have an early dinner and rest if possible.

Evening: Leave office at night by car or bike and start your journey towards Manali. Overnight travel.

Day 2: Arrival in Manali & Sightseeing (Aug 25)

Morning: Arrive at Manali, check-in at hotel. Freshen up and have breakfast.

Afternoon: Visit Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, and Vashisht Baths renowned for hot springs.

Evening: Stroll along the Old Manali Market and enjoy local cafes and shopping.

Day 3: Manali Local & Rohtang Pass Day Trip (Aug 26)

Morning: Early start to visit Rohtang Pass (check permit and weather), enjoy snow activities and panoramic mountain views.

Afternoon: Enroute back, visit Solang Valley for paragliding or ropeway rides.

Evening: Relax at the hotel or explore Manali Mall Road for dinner and souvenir shopping.

Day 4: Manali to Kaza (Spiti Valley) via Keylong (Aug 27)

Morning: Depart early from Manali heading towards Spiti Valley via Keylong. Enjoy the scenic views on the Atal Tunnel.

Afternoon: Lunch at Keylong, brief visit to Jardhargaon Monastery, then continue drive to Kaza.

Evening: Check-in at Kaza guesthouse/hotel, rest and dinner. Prepare for next day's exploration in Spiti.

Day 5: Exploring Kaza & Surroundings (Aug 28)

Morning: Visit Ki Monastery and Dhankar Monastery, impressive ancient Buddhist sites overlooking valleys.

Afternoon: Head to Langza Village famous for fossils and local culture. Stop by Hikkim to see the world’s highest post office.

Evening: Return to Kaza, unwind and enjoy local Himachali cuisine with colleagues.

Day 6: Chandratal Lake Excursion (Aug 29)

Morning: Depart very early for Chandratal Lake. It's a long journey (~4-5 hours) on rough roads, so start by 6 AM.

Afternoon: Spend time at Chandratal Lake — enjoy stunning turquoise waters, picnic, photography, and nature walks.

Evening: Drive back to Manali (leave by 3 PM to reach by night) or stay overnight near Lake area if needed, then return next day very early.

Day 7: Return Journey & Arrival Home (Aug 30)

Morning: Arrive back home by morning hours to relax and recover before the workweek starts on Monday.

Afternoon: Rest at home and share memories/photos from your first memorable trip with colleagues.

Evening: Light activity or dinner with family/friends as per preference.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Vashisht Baths: 4 hours, Entry free, hot springs ~₹100 per person
• Old Manali Market: 2 hours, Free entry, shopping variable
• Rohtang Pass & Solang Valley: Full day, Permit ₹600 per vehicle, activities ₹500 per person
• Atal Tunnel & Keylong stops: Transit only, Toll ₹300 per vehicle
• Ki Monastery & Dhankar Monastery: 3 hours, No entry fee, donations optional
• Langza and Hikkim Villages: Half day tour, Transport included
• Chandratal Lake: Full day excursion, Road permits ₹400, fuel and food ₹1500 approx.
• Accommodation (6 nights in Manali & Kaza guesthouses): ₹1500-2000 per night per room approx.
• Meals: Approx ₹300-500 per meal per person

Total estimated cost approx ₹18,000 - ₹22,000 per person (excluding vehicle rental/fuel)

Tips

• If you want to extend the trip, consider spending an extra day in Spiti Valley to visit Tabo Monastery and Kibber Village for deeper cultural experiences.
• To reduce the trip duration, skip Chandratal Lake as it demands a long drive and can be tiring; instead explore more local attractions in Kaza and Manali.
• Carry layered clothing as both Manali and Spiti have varying temperatures, especially nights can be cold.
• Pre-book permits for Rohtang Pass and Atal Tunnel for smoother travel.
• Helmets and safety gear if using bikes, and plan regular breaks during long drives.