Kaza Travel Guide: How to Reach, Where to Stay and What to See

Kaza is the main town of Spiti Valley, in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, India, about 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level and not far from the Tibet border. It is the headquarters of the Spiti subdivision and the base for almost every trip in the valley: Key Monastery, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim, Pin Valley and Chicham bridge are all easy day trips from here. Kaza is about 200 km from Manali over Kunzum La, a road open only from around late May or June to October, and about 412 km from Shimla through Kinnaur.

Where Is Kaza?

Kaza sits beside the Spiti River in the heart of Spiti Valley, a high, cold mountain desert on the Tibet side of the Himalaya. When you think of India, you probably imagine crowds and chaos. Spiti is the exception. It is so remote that few people, even in India, know about it, and fewer still make the journey. But once you reach this cold desert along the Manali to Spiti Valley road trip, the landscape rewards you, and you will not want to leave. This is my guide to Kaza, based on my own stay there, with practical details checked for 2026.

How to Reach Kaza

By Air

• The nearest airport is Kullu Manali Airport at Bhuntar (KUU). Flights are limited and often affected by weather, and you still face a long road journey to Kaza.
• Chandigarh (IXC) has many more flights and is a practical alternative.
• Delhi (DEL) has the widest choice of flights, followed by a long drive or an overnight bus to Manali or Shimla.
• Shimla Airport has a few flights, and Kangra (Dharamshala, DHM) is another option.

No flight goes to Kaza itself. A strategic airstrip at Rangrik near Kaza has been discussed, and a feasibility study was reported in 2024, but there is no commercial airport, so plan to arrive by road.

Wherever you land, you will reach Kaza from either Manali or Shimla.

Manali to Kaza by Road

Since the Atal Tunnel opened in 2020, the road from Manali goes through the tunnel instead of over Rohtang Pass, so you no longer need a Rohtang permit. The route runs through Gramphu, Batal, Kunzum La and Losar to Kaza: about 200 km that takes 9 to 12 hours, longer if streams are high or the road is damaged. It took me at least 12 hours. The road is usually open from late May or June until October, depending on snow, so check the latest road status before you go.

It is a good idea to break the journey over two days.

You can spend the first night near Batal or Chandratal, see Chandratal Lake the next morning, and then carry on to Kaza.

By bus

A government HRTC bus runs from Manali to Kaza in the summer season, leaving very early in the morning from the Manali bus stand. When I went, getting there before 5am meant a seat at the front, and the fare was less than US$7. It is still the cheapest way to reach Kaza, at roughly ₹400 to 600 in 2026. Check the timetable and book on the HRTC website before you travel.

By private vehicle

The most comfortable way to reach Kaza is a hired 4×4 with a driver. It costs far more than the bus, but you can stop for photos whenever you like on this spectacular route. Agree the price with the taxi union in Manali before you set off.

Do not take a sedan or a low-powered car. They struggle with the stream crossings on the way.

By shared taxi

Shared taxis from Manali take up to about 10 people. You travel with strangers, but it is much cheaper than hiring a whole vehicle.

By motorbike

If you are brave and an experienced rider, you can rent a motorbike. I passed many bikers on Royal Enfields. It gives you complete freedom, but the road is extremely tough to ride.

Shimla to Kaza by Road

The Shimla route through Kinnaur is longer, about 412 km, so plan at least two days, with a night in Kalpa or Reckong Peo. Unlike the Manali road, it stays open for most of the year, although snow and landslides can still close it. Indian citizens only need to register at checkposts. Foreign nationals need a permit (a Protected Area Permit, often called an Inner Line Permit) for the restricted stretch of Kinnaur near the border, so check the current rules with the district administration before you travel.

Altitude Sickness in Kaza

Old Kaza and New Kaza

Kaza is divided into two parts: Old Kaza and New Kaza.

Old Kaza, on the east side of town, is the lively part, with most of the shops and restaurants. This is where the bus drops you and where you find the bazaar, so you could call it the town centre. The main street runs uphill from the bus stand at the bottom of the bazaar for about 200 metres. It is quite steep, so take it slowly at this altitude.

Most evenings, traders set up temporary stalls selling shirts, trousers, shoes and warm clothes, and villagers come into Kaza to shop. If you underestimate the cold before you arrive, you will end up buying warm clothes here too.

New Kaza is mostly government offices and housing for officials. It is planned, quiet and uncrowded, with wide, tree-lined roads, and as soon as you arrive, it feels like a different place. If you want a quieter stay, look for a hotel here; if you want shops and restaurants on your doorstep, stay in Old Kaza.

From the bazaar in Old Kaza, this bridge takes you to New Kaza, past the post office. The houses look alike, with flat roofs edged in maroon, and none is more than three storeys high. I also met many Israeli travellers in Spiti, some of whom had stayed for months.

How to Get Around Kaza

Transport options are limited. When I visited, local buses to the villages were rare and unreliable, and they still run only on a few routes and not every day, so do not plan around them.

To reach Key Monastery or high villages such as Kibber, Langza, Komic and Mud, you will need to hire a 4×4. I suggest skipping tour packages and negotiating directly with a driver. Other travellers will want to share, and the taxi union near the bus stand is the best place to find them. I met many foreigners there to share a vehicle with, and some had been in Spiti for a while and had good tips.

Kaza town itself is small. You can walk around it in an hour.

Things to See in Kaza

Kaza has no big sights of its own apart from the mountains, but a stroll through the streets is peaceful. Cross the bridge from Old Kaza towards New Kaza and you reach the Sakya monastery, a modern Buddhist monastery that makes a good short visit. The bazaar is fun in the evening too.

Mainly, Kaza is the base for some magnificent day trips.

Day Trips from Kaza

The day trips from Kaza are the highlight of any stay. I have written separate guides to most of these places:

1. Key Monastery
2. Kibber village
3. Langza, Komic and Hikkim villages
4. Mud village in Pin Valley (allow a full day)
5. Dhankar
6. Chicham Bridge

Chandratal Lake is not a day trip from Kaza. See it on the way between Manali and Kaza, ideally with a night nearby.

Stargazing

With almost no pollution, the daytime sky is deep blue with patches of white cloud, and on clear nights, you can see the stars and the Milky Way.

Trekking in Spiti Valley

If you love adventure, Spiti is heaven, with many hiking routes to choose from.

Pin Parvati trek

The most famous trek in the area is difficult and takes more than six days. It links the Parvati Valley with Mud village in Pin Valley, about 32 km from Kaza.

Spiti village trek

You can walk about 55 km over six days and cover most of the villages around Kaza, for example Kaza, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim, Komic, Demul, Lhalung, Dhankar, Tabo and back to Kaza.

Where to Stay in Kaza

Hotel Zangchuk & Restaurant

I stayed at Hotel Zangchuk for several nights. It is a budget option; the staff were not very friendly, and some rooms had a smell. But my room had hot water in the attached bathroom and its own veranda with an incredible view of the valley every day. I paid ₹900 a night when I visited, and you cannot expect more for that. Prices will be higher now.

Hotel Deyzor

This lovely hotel fills up quickly with foreign travellers, so book ahead. It has a lively atmosphere, and you can easily spend hours in the restaurant reading or chatting. The ADC office, where foreigners can apply for permits, is about 200 metres away. The downside is that rooms cost more than most in Kaza.

Hotel Le Karze

This hotel was new when I visited, a short walk from the bus stand in Old Kaza. The rooms were clean and spacious, but expensive by Kaza standards.

Osel Rooms

If you spend a few days in Kaza, you will probably eat at the Taste of Spiti restaurant at least once. Osel Rooms is upstairs: large rooms, good beds and colourful curtains.

The Travellers Shed

This hostel is popular with backpackers, and if you arrive on a motorbike, there is plenty of space to park.

Where to Eat in Kaza

Walking through the old streets of Kaza, you will find street food such as jalebi (a sweet) and samosas.

I expected Tibetan food like momos and thukpa, but many restaurants in Kaza cater to Western tastes, along with Indian staples like dal, rice and curries. Apart from the small street stalls, these were my favourites for food and atmosphere.

Sol Cafe

A short walk from the bus stop in Old Kaza, this small, colourful cafe run by Ecosphere volunteers is a pleasant place to eat. I went several times, and I am sure you will too. When I visited, they showed films at night, the nearest thing to a cinema in town. Watching Seven Years in Tibet so close to the Tibet border was quite something. Check that it is open when you go.

Hotel Deyzor Restaurant

I have already recommended Deyzor as a hotel, and its restaurant is lovely for the atmosphere too. The only snag is that it is a bit far if you stay in Old Kaza.

How Much Time Do You Need for Spiti Valley?

Allow at least a week, including the journey from Delhi. You can do it in six days, but it will be exhausting, and it leaves no time to acclimatise or wait out a road closure. My 7-day Spiti Valley itinerary shows how I fitted it into a week from Delhi.

Internet Connectivity in Kaza

Do not expect good internet in Kaza. When I visited, hotel and cafe WiFi hardly worked; it is better now, but it runs on the same patchy mobile towers, so it slows down in the busy season.

Mobile Network in Kaza

When I visited, only BSNL, the state-owned operator, worked in Kaza, and even then, a two-minute call without dropping out felt lucky. Today, both BSNL and Jio 4G work in Kaza, while Airtel and Vi have little or no reliable coverage in Spiti. Outside Kaza, the signal disappears quickly, so download offline maps and save your hotel’s number before you leave.

Can You Buy a SIM in Kaza?

Yes. Shops in Kaza sell BSNL and Jio SIMs. Foreigners need a copy of their passport and Indian visa, plus a photo; it is easier to buy a Jio or BSNL SIM in Manali or Shimla before you come.

Supermarkets in Kaza

Do not expect a supermarket in a place this remote, but there are several grocery stores where you can buy snacks and supplies.

Cash, ATMs and Fuel in Kaza

Change foreign currency in Delhi, Manali or Shimla. I could not find anywhere to change money in Kaza.

There is a State Bank of India ATM in the main market. It saved me when I went over budget, and my international Visa card worked, though at the time it would not give more than ₹10,000 per withdrawal. The ATM can run out of cash or go offline, so bring enough rupees from Manali or Shimla.

Fuel: Kaza has a petrol pump, one of very few in Spiti. If you are driving or riding, fill up here before heading to remote villages, and do not count on fuel being available elsewhere.

Hospital in Kaza

Kaza has a community health centre, one of very few medical facilities in Spiti. When I arrived, my back was so painful that at one point I could not get out of bed, and I worried something serious had happened. As soon as I could move, I went to the health centre. The doctor listened, prescribed some medicine and gave me an injection for quick relief. He told me the bumpy road to Kaza brings him many patients with muscle spasms like mine. I felt better after the treatment and carried on with my trip.

Permits for Foreigners in Kaza

Indian citizens do not need a permit for Kaza and the main Spiti circuit. If you are a foreign national and want to continue from Kaza through Kinnaur towards Shimla, you need a permit for the restricted border stretch. Read my guide to getting an Inner Line Permit in Kaza, and confirm the current rules with the district administration, as they change.

Weather and Best Time to Visit Kaza

Kaza and Spiti are very dry, and it hardly ever rains in town. Whatever the season, nights are cold at this altitude. The best time to visit is from June to September, when both roads are usually open and the days are mild.

Winter is bitter: temperatures fall far below freezing, sometimes below -20°C, and the valley turns white. The Manali road closes, and only the Shimla road, weather permitting, links Kaza with the rest of India. This is what to expect through the year:

Kaza FAQs

Map of Important Places in Kaza

Liked My Kaza Travel Guide? Pin It!

Did you like this guide to Kaza? Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments and I will get back to you.