The Kaza road trip guide is a part of the Spiti valley road trip series. This article deals solely with Kaza. Refer to the Spiti valley series for travelogues of other villages in the valley.

Kaza was the capital and the largest commercial town in Spiti Valley. Kaza, Karze or Karzey, you can call it by any name, is a town at 3,650 m on the banks of the Spiti river. The township has the old town, Kaza Khas and the new town, Kaza Soma. The latest hotels and administrative buildings are in Kaza Soma, and the market is in Kaza Khas.

Kaza serves as the base for villages like Langza, Hikkim etc. Visitors prefer staying in Kaza and travelling to nearby hamlets on a day trip. Surrounded by mountains and flanked by the Spiti river, Kaza is a beautiful town.

In this Kaza road trip guide, I’ve covered the following topics—

• The route
• How to get there?
• Best time to travel
• Sightseeing in Kaza
• Neighbouring villages
• Hotels and Homestays
• Restaurants and cafes
• Shopping
• Itinerary
• Tips and tricks

THE ROUTE TO KAZA

Kaza is reachable via Manali and or Shimla. Both routes are scenic and a must-visit. Chandigarh is a central city whether travelling by train, plane, bus or car. So, I’ve assumed Chandigarh as the starting point.

VIA MANALI

Chandigarh – Manali – Atal Tunnel / Rohtang Pass – Batal – Kunzum La (Pass) – Losar – Kaza.

The road distance between Manali and Kaza is 182.7 km and takes 5-6 hours. This stretch is shorter than via Shimla. But the Manali-Kaza highway gets buried under heavy snowfall for 6-7 months.

*NOTE:- Manali-Kaza highway closes from October to March and reopens in the first week of June.

VIA SHIMLA

Chandigarh – Shimla – Narkanda – Rekong Peo – Nako – Tabo – Kaza.

The distance between Shimla and Kaza is 414.3 km and takes 12-13 hours. The NH 5 and NH 505 are open all year round. The highways get blocked due to sudden landslides and snow sometimes. But it is cleared within a day or two.

*TIP:- Wait until mid-June to travel to Spiti valley. By then, all roads are functioning, and all the villages are accessible.

HOW TO REACH KAZA?

AIR

Chandigarh airport is 124 km from Shimla, and Bhuntar airport is 50 km from Manali. Take a taxi or bus to Kaza. Chandigarh airport is better than Bhuntar because it has better connectivity and cheaper tickets.

TRAIN

Chandigarh and Kalka stations are 108 km and 83 km from Shimla. From Chandigarh station, take a bus or rent a taxi to Kaza. There is a regular toy train to Shimla from Kalka station. From Shimla, take the bus or cab to Kaza. Joginder Nagar station is closest to Manali. There are no direct trains to this station. Travel to Pathankot and then change trains to Joginder Nagar station. Finding a taxi or bus here is not easy.

BUS

There are regular buses to Manali and Shimla from Chandigarh and Delhi. Upon reaching Manali or Shimla, take the bus or rent a taxi to Kaza.

From Shimla, there is one direct bus to Kaza at 6:30 pm. This bus stops at Peo, where you may have to change buses. The bus arrives in Kaza at 5 pm. From Manali, there are two direct daily buses to Kaza. One at 5 am and the other at 5:30 am.

CAR

Several expressways and national highways connect the Indian cities. The route up to Chandigarh varies depending on your starting point. Later the path is the same for all. I’ve posted the map and the road in the previous section. From Shimla, follow NH 5 in Kinnaur valley and then NH 505 in Spiti valley. From Manali, follow NH 3 and then NH 505. You can go from the Atal Tunnel or Rohtang Pass.

THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO KAZA

October to February is the winter months in Kaza. The temperature drops to -40°C. The entire town gets covered in snow. Also, the Manali-Kaza road is closed. Sometimes the roads to nearby villages also close.

October to November is the best time to experience a white Spiti valley. But it is cold and sometimes unbearable. It is low season, and many hotel and homestay owners move away to escape the harsh winters. So few accommodations are available.

March to June are the summer months. The snow is present until April. You can travel to Kaza to witness a white Spiti valley. The temperature is higher than in winters, but it is still in the single digits.

From May to June, the snow melts away. The weather is warm and has a slight chill. By mid-June, all roads are cleared of snow and are functioning. It is peak season, and last-minute rooms are not available.

June onwards, all the roads are open. If you want to complete the Spiti circuit, June is the best time to travel to Spiti.

July to August is the monsoon season, so there are sudden landslides and dangerous water crossings. Big and small vehicles get stuck while driving across water crossings. It is the lowest season.

September is the onset of winter. Autumn has arrived in Spiti valley, and the leaves adorn shades of brown, yellow and orange. The weather is pleasant and has a chill in the air. It is the best time to travel to Kaza.

SIGHTSEEING IN KAZA

Kaza’s natural beauty is its best feature. Kaza is considered a pit stop or a layover when travelling to Hikkim, Komic and other nearby villages. The neighbouring hamlets are beautiful, and so is Kaza.

In this section of the Kaza road trip guide, I’ve listed the places to visit in Kaza.

• Sakya Tenggyud Monastery
• Kaza Petrol pump
• The Spiti River

SAKYA TENGGYUD MONASTERY

Often Sakya Tenggyud gompa is confused with the Sakya Tangyud Monastery in Komic. The names sound similar and hence the confusion.

The red and golden Kaza monastery against the brown mountains creates a beautiful picture. The old gompa, Tenggud Lhundrup Choekhor Long, built by Lochen Rinchen Sangpo, was replaced by the present one.

The new gompa, Sakya Kaza gompa, was inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2009.

The Kaza monastery is between the old and new Kaza town. The gompa sits a few metres from the petrol pump, opposite the “I ❤️ Spiti” sign.

The best time to visit the Kaza monastery is early morning. You can hear the monks performing the morning prayers and chanting mantras.

KAZA PETROL PUMP

Kaza is the only town in Spiti valley that has a petrol pump. So a visit to the petrol pump is unmissable. But that’s not why I added it to my to-do list.

Upon fuelling, they give you a receipt that reads, ” World’s highest petrol pump, Kaza”. It is proof of your visit to Spiti valley.

It is the sole petrol pump in Kaza and is busy. You might have to wait a while. Diesel and petrol are available here.

*TIP:- Refuel after 10 am. By then, all the tourist vehicles have left.

THE SPITI RIVER

Kaza is on the banks of the Spiti river. But there are few chances to walk down to the river. A visit to Spiti valley is incomplete without dipping your toes in the icy water of the Spiti river.

I was returning from Chicham and Kibber when I came across a secluded spot. It is a few km from Kaza. Here the river is calm and you can enjoy a small picnic by the riverside. That’s what I did.

MUST-VISIT VILLAGES NEAR KAZA

Kaza serves as a base for nearby villages. Visitors prefer staying in Kaza and travel to Hikkim, Komic, Langza, Chicham, Kibber and Key on a day trip.

Many people visit Chicham, Kibber and Key one day and Langza, Hikkim and Komic the next day. If you have little time, you can tour all the villages in one day. But it is a bit hectic and rushed.

*TIP:- Keep aside 2-3 days in Kaza to explore the nearby villages leisurely.

Aside from these villages, there are other lesser-known places such as Tashigang and Gette. If time permits, you can tour these places as well.

KEY

Ki, Key or Kee is the closest to Kaza at 14 km. Spiti valley became known after the iconic photo of the Key Gompa.

The village lies a few km below the monastery. Few people go to the hamlet because Key Gompa is the main attraction.

It is the largest monastery in Spiti valley and is a training centre for monks. This Tibetan gompa belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism. Dromtön founded it in the 11th century.

Over the centuries, the structure was attacked, destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. Therefore the present structure resembles a fort.

The monastery is Pasada style and has three floors— the basement, ground floor and first floor.

The basement or underground serves as a storage room. The ground floor has the assembly hall, Du-Khang. Here you can find 14th-century paintings and murals of Buddha.

Also, in 2000, His Holiness the Dalai Lama performed the Kalachakra ceremony at the temple.

The scenic views of this ancient monastery attract tourists. A Spiti trip is incomplete without visiting the Key monastery.

*NOTE:- The Key monastery is open from 7 am to 7 pm, and lunchtime is from 12 pm to 12:40 pm.

CHICHAM

Chicham is a tiny village 22 km from Kaza, known for the Chicham Bridge.

The Chicham Bridge is a suspension bridge and the sole reason for flocking tourists.

A feel gorge separates Kibber and Chicham. There was no way to reach the neighbouring settlements. People had to travel to Kaza and then climb up to Kibber. Or travel to Kiato to reach Chicham. But the construction of the Chicham Bridge reduced the distance between the two villages considerably.

It is a structural marvel at 4037 m above sea level.

You can drive across the bridge to Chicham village and enjoy its natural beauty.

KIBBER

Kibber is another village in Spiti valley, 19 km from Kaza and 5.7 km from Chicham. It is a tiny hamlet at 4,270 m above sea level, known for the Kibber wildlife sanctuary.

The sanctuary is around 2,200 square kms and is home to numerous endangered flora and fauna. Here you can find the red fox, ibex, Tibetan wolf and more. Wildlife photographers join expeditions to spot the rare snow leopard.

The other points of interest are the Kibber Monastery and marine fossils.

The Kibber Gompa sits on the village’s highest point. It is a small monastery having expansive views of the village and the valley.

Kibber has marine fossils, and you can go fossil hunting around the village. Spiti valley was once submerged. Due to the shifting of the tectonic plates, the mountains emerged, and Spiti valley became a cold desert. Hence you can find marine fossils at such high altitudes.

A few villagers sell fossils to visitors for a price. Whether they are authentic is not guaranteed.

Kibber’s raw beauty is its attractive feature.

LANGZA

Langza is a village 16 km from Kaza. It is a secluded village known for the 1000-year-old Buddha statue.

The statue sits in the highest place in the hamlet overlooking the valley. The red and gold statue against the brown mountains paints a pretty picture.

The other attraction is the 500-year-old Langza monastery. Also, the highest peak in Spiti valley, Chau Chau Kang Nilda peak, is visible from Langza.

You can also go fossil hunting around the village.

HIKKIM

Hikkim is 15 km from Kaza and 8.1 km from Langza. It is a tiny village of fewer than 30 houses and is home to the “World’s highest post office”.

The old post office is in the village. Last month a new post office opened in Hikkim. It is a bit further away from the settlement. Visitors can post letters and postcards to friends and family from here.

You can walk around the village and experience the simple life of the locals. Or you can enjoy a picnic in the nearby fields.

KOMIC

Komic is 19 km from Kaza and 3.3 km from Hikkim. The road from Hikkim to Komic is scenic and adventurous. You can follow the main road or follow the shortcuts for a thrilling drive.

Komic claims to be the world’s highest village connected by a motorable road. Also, it is home to the Sakya Tangyud Monastery, which is often confused with the Sakya Kaza Gompa. It is a high-altitude gompa.

The red monastery is on the cliff’s edge and resembles a fortified palace.

The other attraction is the restaurant next to the monastery, named the “World’s last restaurant”. Komic is the last stop for visitors before returning to Kaza. So, this restaurant is always busy, and the wait is long.

There is not much to do in Komic. But that’s the point, to do nothing. Sit back and watch mother nature’s beauty.

HOTELS AND HOMESTAYS IN KAZA

HOTEL DEYZOR

Hotel Deyzor is the most sort after hotel in Kaza. It is located in Kaza Soma, away from the market. If you are looking for a modern place and positive reviews, Deyzor is the one.

It is a chic hotel with well-furnished rooms and ensuites. The rooms are moderate-sized and clean. Also, their restaurant comes highly recommended.

They have parking and WiFi facilities. The only downside is that the hotel remains booked for weeks on end. So, finding a room here during peak season is next to impossible.

ZOSTEL

The Zostel in Kaza is on the outskirts of Kaza Khas (old town) and is 2 minutes to the market. They have rooms, dorms and tents. Also, they have an in-house restaurant.

The private rooms occupy two people, and the dorms have six bunk beds. The rooms are clean and spacious. Every room has an ensuite, but the tents have a shared bathroom.

Parking facilities are available here.

BLUE MOUNTAIN HOTEL AND CAFE

It is another popular choice of accommodation in Kaza and is a little more expensive than most hotels in Kaza.

Blue Mountain is a trendy hotel in Kaza Soma (new town), a few metres from the Kaza petrol pump. It is a family-friendly hotel with ample amenities and facilities.

The rooms are modern and clean and have an ensuite. Each room has an attached kitchen. Also, their in-house cafe has a broad menu of veg and non-veg food items.

Blue Mountain is a trendy hotel in Kaza Soma (new town), a few metres from the Kaza petrol pump.

The hotel is on the main road, so the parking area is limited.

RESTAURANTS AND CAFE IN KAZA

In this segment of the Kaza road trip guide, I’ve listed restaurants and cafes in Kaza.

There are many good restaurants and cafes in Kaza. Kaza market has several restaurants and cafes serving veg and non-veg Indian, Chinese, Italian, Tibetan and local cuisines.

HIMALYAN CAFE

The Himalayan Cafe has become a tourist hot spot after its mention in several blogs and vlogs.

It is a trendy cafe in the heart of the Kaza market. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, Himalayan Cafe has it. They have a broad menu of Italian, Indian, Chinese, and local cuisines.

The food quality and quantity are good. My favourite was the seabuckthorn juice and veg cheese sandwich.

*NOTE:- It is a popular eatery and is always busy. So, the queues are long.

LARJE’S KITCHEN

Larje’s Kitchen was near my hotel in Kaza. I came across it on my last day in town.

It is a small restaurant in the Kaza market and a few metres from Himalayan Cafe. Larje’s Kitchen opened last month.

They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Local, Indian, Chinese and Tandoori cuisines are available here. Larje’s Kitchen is a good place for non-vegetarian food. My favourite was the tandoori chicken.

Soon, its popularity will surpass Himalayan Cafe.

SHOPPING

The Kaza market is widespread. There are stalls and shops selling souvenirs and woollen clothes.

Here you can find a variety of souvenirs, for example, cups, keychains, prayer flags, prayer wheels, fridge magnets, mugs and bowls.

ITINERARIES FOR KAZA

I’ve compiled two itineraries, one via Shimla and the other via Manali, assuming Chandigarh as the starting point.

ITINERARY EX-MANALI

• Upon arriving in Chandigarh, head to Manali. Spend the first day driving 307 km to Manali, which takes 8-9 hours.
• On the second day, head to Kaza. You can travel via the Atal Tunnel or Rohtang Pass. It takes 5-6 hours. Spend time exploring the town of Kaza.
• Travel to Key monastery, Chicham bridge and Kibber village on the third day.
• Visit Langza, Hikkim and Komic villages on the fourth day.
• Drive back to Manali on the fifth day.
• On the sixth day, head back to Chandigarh.

ITINERARY EX-SHIMLA

• Upon arriving in Chandigarh, head to Shimla. It takes 4-5 hours to reach.
• On the second day, head to Rekong Peo. It is 218 km and takes 7-8 hours.
• Kaza is 210 km from Peo and takes 6-7 hours. On the third day, spend time exploring Kaza.
• Travel to Key monastery, Chicham bridge and Kibber on the fourth day.
• Visit Hikkim, Langza and Komic villages on the fifth day.
• On the sixth day, return to Rekong Peo.
• On the seventh day, head back to Chandigarh.

HELPFUL TIPS

• ATMs are available in Kaza, but they have limited cash. Some hotels and restaurants accept online and card payments.
• There is a petrol pump in Kaza. The next petrol pump is in Manali and Rekong Peo. So, fuel up before travelling to other villages.
• BSNL and Jio have a little network in Kaza. But Airtel and Idea have no network in Spiti valley.
• Download offline maps because there is no network outside Kaza. And there are no proper boards in nearby villages. Or carry a map book.
• Pre-book hotels and homestays. Finding a hotel in peak season is difficult. And in winter, many accommodations close. So, ensure they are open.
• Carry your regular medication. There is a pharmacy in Kaza, but they have limited supplies.
• Wear warm clothes when travelling to Spiti valley. Sometimes it’s warm, and suddenly it turns chilly.

CONCLUSION

It concludes the Kaza road trip guide. I’ve tried to cover all the essential topics. If you think I’ve missed something, please let me know in the comments. Also, I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

The impulse to travel is one of the hopeful symptoms of life.

agnes Repplier