Explore Winter Spiti – Land of the Grey Ghost

• It’s mandatory that all the participants carry a valid photo id., (Driving License, Voter Id., Passport or Adhar Card) for issuance of permits and 02 passport size photographs.
• For accompanying children above 12 yrs. (who do not have a Passport or Adhar Card), it’s mandatory to carry the School Id. Card/College Id. Card along with 02 passport size photographs.

• Day temperatures average between Minus 15 – 20ºC and night temperatures can average between 10ºC – 15ºC
• However, the temperatures would vary a lot depending on the season and altitude.

This tour is a high-altitude tour and the maximum height gain will be approx. 4551m. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) can be caused due to high altitudes. The AMS may be avoided by taking precautions given in the document attached on high altitudes, please read the document carefully. The high altitude can cause Acute Mountain Sickness and may lead to serious critical medical conditions such as cerebral or pulmonary edema.

The weather can change dramatically causing rain, thunder storm, flash floods, cloud burst, snow fall and severe drop in temperatures, causing severe physical hardships.

• In certain restricted areas Foreign Nationals may not be allowed (e.g. Giu Monastery) or Special Permits may be needed.
• Kunzum Pass may be closed due to bad road/weather conditions. In such case delays are expected. So it is advised that, you should book your return international flight 2-3 days after your expected date of arrival in Chandigarh.
• Clients are expected to dress modestly and respectfully while visiting monasteries and other religious institutions and while attending festivals (you cannot wear Shorts, Short Skirts, Sleeveless tops, Hats / Caps / any Headgear).
• It gets very cold in winter i.e. December through February with temperatures hitting – 30C. You will need to be mentally and physically fit and must have done some high altitude travel in order to be able to handle travelling through this terrain.
• All hotels and guest houses will be shut at the time and you will only get homestays which have dry eco friendly squatting toilets. You will need to be okay with this as wet toilets are not available due to water lines freezing.
• Because of the water lines freezing, the locals need to carry the water from a nearby lake and hence having a bath while you are in Spiti will not be possible.
• In peak winter i.e. January and early February all the places might not be open due to adverse weather conditions. We will keep you updated of the same in case any last minute changes need to be made to your plan.
• Winter time is off season in Spiti, and you will not have many options in terms of activities, and because of the cold, you won’t be able to move around as much and will end up spending time in the homestay. We recommend travellers to make the most of the situation, and utilize their time at the homestay by getting to know more about life in Spiti, its food and culture.
• Because of winter, there will not be many options in terms of food and in a homestay you will need to be understanding and eat the hearty but basic food that your hosts provide.
• We can make last minute plan changes due to bad weather for your safety and well being.
• Expected Snow 1 – 2 feet or more in the month of Feb., this will be around Kaza.
• Expected to walk around 1 – 2 km per day; but will depend more on road/snow conditions.