Hidden Himachal Pradesh: 12 Days Through Chail, Sangla, Tabo and Kaza
A road trip beyond the usual hill stations, with Buddhist monasteries, one of the world's highest motorable villages and nights in tented Banjara Camps.
This is an 11-night, 12-day road trip from Delhi through Chail, Sangla, Tabo, Kaza and Manali, returning by way of Chandigarh. It includes the 1006-year-old Tabo Monastery, paragliding and angling at Sangla Top, an excursion to Gete village, one of the world's highest motorable villages, a guided tour of Manali, and overnight stays in tented Banjara Camps. Several days are long drives, with Kaza to Manali at about 10 hours, and Tabo and Kaza sit above 3,000 m. Raahi Cabz can plan it as a private-cab trip, and the route can be adjusted. See the full day-by-day itinerary below.
If you want snow-capped peaks and open valleys rather than a week in one hill station, this itinerary keeps moving. It runs from Delhi through Chail, Sangla, Tabo and Kaza to Manali, then returns by way of Chandigarh, passing through tiny hamlets and Buddhist monasteries along the way.
It's not a relaxing trip in the way a hill station holiday usually is. The listed drives run from 7 to 10 hours on several days, so it's a road trip first and a sightseeing trip second. The reward is a stretch of Himachal that most itineraries don't reach.
We can plan this as a private cab journey, which suits a route with this many long days: you can stop when you need to instead of keeping to a group's timetable.
The Route, Stage by Stage
Chail
The first mountain stop, reached after the long drive from Delhi, and a gentler start before the higher stretches.
Sangla
The valley base for Days 4 and 5, with paragliding and angling at Sangla Top for anyone who wants the days outdoors.
Tabo
Home to the 1006-year-old Tabo Monastery. The package also includes sightseeing across tiny hamlets and Buddhist monasteries.
Kaza
The base for the excursion to Gete village, one of the world's highest motorable villages.
Manali
The last hill stop, with a guided tour of Manu Temple, Hidimba Temple, Tibetan monasteries and Nehru Kund.
Day by Day
Arrive in Delhi
Arrival day. The driving starts tomorrow.
Delhi to Chail
A long first driving day as the plains give way to the hills.
Chail to Sangla
Another long day, moving into the Sangla valley.
Sangla
A day in the valley, with paragliding and angling at Sangla Top as part of the package.
Sangla, second day
A second day in Sangla, a pause before the next long drive.
Sangla to Tabo
The route moves into the high, dry landscape of Spiti.
Tabo
The 1006-year-old Tabo Monastery is the main stop, with time in the village and the tiny hamlets around it.
Tabo to Kaza
A short transfer after several long days, with the excursion to Gete village, one of the world's highest motorable villages.
Kaza to Manali
The longest drive on the itinerary, back to Manali.
Manali
A guided tour of Manali: Manu Temple, Hidimba Temple, Tibetan monasteries and Nehru Kund.
Manali to Chandigarh
The mountains give way to the plains as you head to Chandigarh.
Chandigarh to Delhi
The drive back to Delhi, and the end of the trip.
A Quick Word on Altitude
This route climbs in stages. Tabo and Kaza sit above 3,000 m, and Gete village is higher still. Altitude sickness can affect anyone, whatever their fitness. Take it easy when you arrive at each new height, drink more water than feels necessary, avoid alcohol early on, and pay attention to headaches, nausea or breathlessness instead of pushing through them. If symptoms don't ease, get to a lower altitude and see a doctor. Anyone with a heart or lung condition should talk to a doctor before booking.
When to Go
June to October
The high passes on the road between Kaza and Manali are usually open, and the valleys are at their most accessible. Nights are still cold at altitude, so pack warm layers.
November to May
Heavy snow can close the high passes, including the Kaza to Manali road, and Spiti turns very cold. If this is your only window, ask what's possible on your dates.
Who This Trip Suits
It suits travellers who want to go beyond the usual hill stations, don't mind long days in a car in exchange for the landscape, and are drawn to monasteries and remote mountain villages. It's a poorer fit if long mountain drives wear you out or if you have a heart or lung condition. The Kaza to Manali day alone is about 10 hours.
The Package, in Short
| Duration | 11 nights and 12 days |
|---|---|
| Route | Delhi to Chail to Sangla to Tabo to Kaza to Manali to Chandigarh to Delhi |
| Highlights | Tabo Monastery, paragliding and angling at Sangla Top, Gete village, guided tour of Manali |
| Stay | Includes overnight accommodation in tented Banjara Camps |
| Good For | Travellers who want to go beyond the usual hill stations |
| Watch For | Long driving days, including Kaza to Manali at about 10 hours, and high altitude |
| Flexibility | Customisable at no extra cost |
Can This Be Changed?
Yes. This is a suggested itinerary, and it can be tailored to your requirements at no extra cost. Add rest days where the driving feels heavy, give Sangla or Kaza more time, or drop a stop that's more than you want. Tell Raahi Cabz how you like to travel and the plan gets adjusted.
Questions People Usually Ask
How many days is the Hidden Himachal Pradesh tour?
It runs 11 nights and 12 days.
Which places does it cover?
Delhi, Chail, Sangla, Tabo, Kaza, Manali and Chandigarh, before returning to Delhi.
Is Tabo Monastery included?
Yes. The 1006-year-old Tabo Monastery is one of the main highlights.
What can you do in Sangla?
The package includes paragliding and angling at Sangla Top, and Days 4 and 5 are both spent in Sangla.
Does the trip include Kaza and Gete village?
Yes. The route goes from Tabo to Kaza, with an excursion to Gete village, one of the world's highest motorable villages.
What is covered in Manali?
A guided tour of Manu Temple, Hidimba Temple, Tibetan monasteries and Nehru Kund.
How long are the drives?
Delhi to Chail is 355 km (9 hours), Chail to Sangla 219 km (8 hours), Sangla to Tabo 182 km (7 hours), Tabo to Kaza 47 km (2 hours), Kaza to Manali 201 km (10 hours), and Manali to Chandigarh 285 km (7 hours).
Where do you stay?
The package includes overnight accommodation in tented Banjara Camps. Ask Raahi Cabz which nights are in camps.
Should I worry about altitude?
Tabo and Kaza are above 3,000 m and Gete village is higher still. Take it easy on arrival, drink plenty of water, and talk to a doctor beforehand if you have any heart or lung condition.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. It can be tailored to your requirements at no extra cost.
Tell Us About Your Trip
Tell us your dates, your group size, and the pace you're comfortable with, and we'll build the itinerary around that.
Your Journey. Your Route. Your Raahi.
Twelve days, five mountain stops, and a route that goes well beyond the usual Himachal hill stations. It isn't an easy trip, since some of the drives are long, but it covers ground that most travellers never reach. Tell us your dates and what you'd like changed, and we'll build the itinerary around that.
Start Your EnquiryCall Raahi Cabz: +91 88946 52805 | Email: raahicabz26@gmail.com
