Essential Checklist
Before Starting a Self-Drive Road Trip to Spiti Valley
Summary
Thinking of escaping the routine life of going to the office and coming back? Well, a road trip to the mountains can help you with the same. The best is to take a road trip to the Spiti Valley from Chandigarh. I can see the excitement in your eyes. But before you start your car engine and hit the road, there are some things that you need to plan for a perfect trip. From preparing your car to packing essentials and learning driving tips to choosing between a self-drive car and a taxi, the list is long. In this blog, we are going to tell you everything you need to prepare before taking a memorable road trip to Spiti Valley. Let's get started.
Essential Checklist for Spiti Valley Road Trip
To take on one of the best road trips in India, you must have everything in place. Here is the essential checklist for the Spiti Valley trip by car:
Choose The Right Vehicle:
The terrain of Spiti Valley is not plain, but rough and you might face landslides, water crossings, and long roads without a petrol pump in between. So, you need to choose a car that can easily take you through the rough streets of Spiti Valley.
The following are the things that your car must have for the Spiti Valley road trip:
- High Ground Clearance – A minimum of 180 mm, while ideal is 200 mm
- Reliable Brakes and Suspension – For steep slopes and descents
- Good Mileage – After Kaza, petrol/diesel pumps are rare
- Low-end Torque – To avoid stalling on steep roads
Here are some of the best self-driving cars for the Spiti Valley road trip:
Car Name | Ground Clearance | Mileage |
180 mm | 21 kmpl (petrol) | |
165 mm | 21-22 kmpl | |
198 mm | 20 kmpl (petrol), 25+ with CNG | |
190 mm | 22 kmpl | |
226 mm | 15 kmpl | |
200 mm | 17 kmpl |
Preparing Your Car for the Journey:
Your work doesn’t end once you have chosen the right car; you should also know how to prepare the car for Spiti Valley road trip.
Here are things to consider before going on a car trip to Spiti Valley:
- Get your car fully serviced, including engine oil, battery health, clutch condition, air filter, suspension, belts, and coolants.
- Check tyres for air pressure, tread depth, and any cuts.
- Inspect the indicator, headlights, windshield wipers, and brake lights.
- Get the fuel tank full and carry an extra can of 20 L.
- Lastly, carry some equipment such as a screwdriver, duct tape, jump cables, brake fluid, fan belt, and fuses.
Must Have Items for Spiti Valley Road Trip:
The following are the most important things to carry for Spiti Valley trip:
- Essential documents and permit, including an Aadhar card, 2 passport-size photos, an inner line permit for Reckong Peo and Kaza, Rohtang Pass Permit if going via Rohtang Pass (Manali route).
- Season-wise clothes. For summer, a windproof jacket, trekking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, full sleeve t-shirt. For winters, woolen gloves, muffler, heavy woolen clothes, and lip balm.
- Electronics like a mobile charger, a fully charged power bank, a tripod for photos, headphones or earpods, and a good DSLR camera for the best photos.
- Medicines just in case you need: Paracetamol, Painkillers, Pain relief spray, and Betadine.
- For eatables, you should carry a 2-litre water bottle, and chocolates, nuts, and energy bars for an instant energy boost.
Driving Tips for Spiti Valley Roads:
The following are the driving tips so you can drive safely on the Spiti Valley road trip:
- Drive slowly as the roads are very narrow and unpredictable.
- Keep a close eye on the road to avoid landslides.
- It’s best to leave by morning, since by afternoon snow starts melting.
- You might feel a bit sick at high altitudes, so stay hydrated at all times.
- The last reliable petrol pump on the Spiti Valley car trip is at Kaza. Get your fuel tank refilled there fully and also carry extra petrol/diesel.
Self Drive vs Taxi: Which is Better?
Before ending the Spiti Valley road trip checklist, there is one more thing you need to decide which is choosing between a self-driving vs a taxi for the Spiti Valley.
Self drive car for Spiti Valley
- If you love adventure and flexibility.
- If you have experience driving cars in the mountains.
- You get complete freedom to stop anywhere for photos, nature calls, or sightseeing.
Taxi with a local driver
- No stress, as local drivers are aware of the Spiti Valley road conditions and safety tips.
- Enjoy the journey without worrying about car breakdown, damage, or fatigue.
Bottom Line
A road trip to the Spiti Valley from Chandigarh is a dream of many. But you can enjoy it fully only after you have prepared everything beforehand. With the Spiti Valley road trip checklist, your ride with family/friends becomes safe, comfortable, and memorable. After checking all the boxes on the list, you are completely ready to enjoy the road trip to Spiti.
An important thing to consider for the Spiti Valley road trip is the car. For the best self-drive car to Spiti, you can choose the car rent company, as it’s one of the renowned car rental providers in Chandigarh. We offer a wide range of cars to suit your purpose, budget, and duration of trip. Visit the website now and book a self-drive car for a road trip to Spiti Valley and make your journey truly unforgettable.
Got questions? We have the perfect answers for you!
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1. What precautions should be taken in Spiti Valley?
The Spiti Valley is known for its rough roads and unpredictable weather, for which you must carry essential items such as warm clothes, medicines, food, and a water bottle.
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2. How many days are required for a Spiti Valley trip?
The ideal duration for a Spiti Valley trip is 7-9 days, during which you can explore many tourist spots, enjoy adventure sports, and experience local culture.
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3. What shoes to wear in Spiti Valley?
The best shoes while travelling to Spiti Valley are waterproof trekking shoes.
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4. How much budget for a Spiti Valley trip?
A typical trip of 6-8 days can cost Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 28,000 per person, including accommodation, transportation, food, and other activities.
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5. Which month is best for Spiti?
The best time to visit Spiti Valley is from June to September.
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