Himalayan Winter Expedition: Shimla, Kinnaur & Spiti Valley – 7 Days / 6 Nights

After breakfast, drive deeper into Kinnaur along the dramatic carved-cliff highway following the Sutlej canyon. Ascend through fragrant pine and deodar forests toward Kalpa at 2,960 metres. Check into your hotel and witness breathtaking golden sunset panoramas over the sacred snow-clad Kinnaur Kailash peak (6,050m) and the iconic Shivaling rock pinnacle across the valley.

Drive through the dramatic Khab confluence where the Spiti and Sutlej rivers merge against colossal bare cliffs. Ascend hairpin loops to Nako village (3,660m) to walk across the frozen Nako Lake surrounded by willow groves. Continue through the Spiti gateway to Tabo, home to the UNESCO-tentative 1,000-year-old Tabo Monastery, revered as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas' for its preserved ancient frescoes and mud sculptures.

Visit the ancient meditation caves overlooking Tabo before driving alongside the frozen, braided Spiti River bed toward Kaza (3,650m), the sub-divisional capital and winter base camp of Spiti Valley. On the way, visit Dhankar Monastery perched precariously on a razor-sharp cliff ridge. Arrive in Kaza by afternoon, check into your heated winter homestay, and explore the snow-draped local market.

Set out in 4x4 vehicles on the spectacular winter snow circuit. Visit the legendary Key Monastery (11th century), perched like a fairytale fortress over the snowbound valley. Drive onward to Kibber (4,270m), one of the world's highest inhabited villages and a prime snow leopard tracking habitat. Cross the jaw-dropping Chicham Bridge suspended 150 metres over a sheer canyon gorge, before returning to Kaza for hot Spitian butter tea and dinner.

Begin the return leg of your expedition in rugged 4x4 vehicles, bidding farewell to the snow-covered valleys of Spiti. Retrace the scenic highway through the high passes and dramatic gorges of the Spiti-Kinnaur border. Descend toward the lower elevations of Kalpa or the Baspa Valley (Sangla). Check into your cozy mountain lodge and relax after the high-altitude traverse.

Enjoy a leisurely mountain breakfast with your final vistas of the Himalayan snow peaks. Drive down through the Sutlej Valley, passing Jeori, Rampur, and Narkanda. Arrive in Shimla by late afternoon or evening where your unforgettable Himalayan Winter Expedition concludes.