Shimla, Spiti Valley, Chandratal and Manali

Your driver meets you in Chandigarh to begin the scenic 120-kilometre uphill journey across the Shivalik hills to Shimla. On arrival, check into your hotel, unpack, and take time to freshen up with tea or coffee. In the afternoon, head out for a walk along Shimla's bustling Mall Road. Explore the local craft shops, cafes, and mountain viewpoints before returning to your hotel in central Shimla for the night.

Depart Shimla and drive uphill through the apple orchards of Narkanda. Continue towards Rampur, stopping at a local roadside restaurant to try authentic Kinnauri mountain dishes for lunch. Descend into Kinnaur Valley following the roaring Baspa River, passing the Karcham-Wangtoo Hydroelectric Project. Pass Sangla village to arrive at Chitkul, situated at 3,450 metres. Settle into your accommodation, then spend a peaceful evening strolling through the village and along the banks of the Baspa River before dinner.

Start your morning with a visit to the Indo-Tibet border point near Chitkul to observe the remote frontier geography. Afterwards, begin the 70-kilometre drive out of Baspa Valley towards the Sutlej River and up to Kalpa. Check in to your hotel and unwind. In the afternoon, head out to explore the dramatic sheer cliffs at Suicide Point and visit the ancient Kalpa Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar Monastery. Take in expansive sunset views of the sacred Kinnaur Kailash peaks before enjoying dinner.

Depart Kalpa as the green valleys give way to the cold desert terrain of Spiti Valley. Stop at Nako village to walk along tranquil Nako Lake and visit the 11th-century Nako Monastery with its historic murals. Continue along the mountain roads, taking a diversion to the isolated village of Gue. Visit the local monastery to view the 500-year-old naturally mummified monk, Sangha Tenzin. Drive onward to Tabo and check into Echor Premium Mud Huts for dinner and your overnight stay.

Begin the day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tabo Monastery, founded in 996 AD, admiring its ancient murals, stucco artwork, and nearby cliff meditation caves. Drive along the Spiti River towards Dhankar Village, perched dramatically on a ridge. Visit the cliffside Dhankar Monastery overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers, and climb to the castle ruins. If time and energy allow, take the steep optional hike up to Dhankar Lake. Drive the remaining distance to Kaza, check in, and enjoy dinner.

Head out for a day exploring Spiti's highest settlements. Stop at Hikkim, home to the world's highest post office, where you can send postcards. Ascend to Komic at 4,587 metres, Asia's highest motorable village, and visit Tangyud Monastery. Continue to Langza village, known for its marine fossils and large Buddha statue facing the peaks. Later, visit Key Monastery, Spiti's largest monastic complex, to see ancient prayer halls and thangkas. Return to Kaza to explore the market and relax for the night.

Check out from your Kaza hotel after breakfast and set off on an adventurous drive across the stark, eroded terrain often called Moonland. Arrive at the designated camping ground near Chandratal Lake and complete check-in. From camp, take a short drive and a walk to reach the crescent-shaped Moon Lake at 4,300 metres. Walk along its shores and observe the changing blue water against the Chandra Bhaga mountain range. Head back to camp for a warm dinner and night-time stargazing under dark mountain skies.

Wake up to morning views of the peaks, eat breakfast, and check out from camp. Drive along the rough mountain track towards Batal and stop at the famous Chacha-Chachi Dhaba, known for aiding stranded travellers for decades. Continue through the upper reaches of Lahaul Valley and cross through the 9.02-kilometre Atal Tunnel under the Rohtang Pass. Emerge on the greener Manali side in the Beas Valley. Check into your hotel in Manali and spend a restful evening strolling the neighbourhood or Mall Road.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Manali before checking out. Board your vehicle for the long drive back down through the Kullu Valley, travelling along the Beas River before descending into the plains. Arrive in Chandigarh, where your road journey concludes.