Best Road Trips From Manali to Last Indian Villages | Routes & Itinerary

There’s something special about setting out from Manali and driving deeper into the Himalayas- towards high-altitude hamlets where the landscape shifts, the valleys open into raw mountain country, and the idea of the “last village” feels very real. This guide brings together four of the most remarkable routes: Kibber (Spiti), Chitkul (Kinnaur), Turtuk (Ladakh) and Mana (Uttarakhand). Each section explains why each destination is meaningful, how to get there, and offers a practical route plan plus a StayVista base in a major town nearby.

Why Manali as a starting point?

Manali sits at the confluence of several classic Himalayan highways (Leh–Manali, routes into Lahaul & Spiti). For northern road trips it’s a practical launchpad: you can head west and north to Spiti and Ladakh, or loop toward lower Himalayan corridors that connect to Kinnaur and beyond. The Leh–Manali Highway, in particular, is one of the mountain network’s major arteries and makes several of these itineraries feasible from Manali.

1. Manali → Kibber (Spiti)

Why Go

Kibber is one of Spiti’s most iconic high villages—perched on a broad plateau above Kaza. It’s known for its monastery, stone-mud architecture, open skies, and silence that carries across the cold desert. Winter wildlife sightings, particularly snow leopards, bring naturalists from across the world. For road-trippers, the journey itself is the highlight: the shift from Manali’s cedar forests to Lahaul’s rocky corridors and finally Spiti’s stark, lunar landscapes is dramatic. The combination of village life, Tibetan-Buddhist culture, and high-altitude wilderness creates a destination unlike any other.

Route

Manali → Atal Tunnel → Sissu → Keylong → Gramphu → Kunzum Pass → Kaza → Kibber

• Manali → Atal Tunnel (Highway-grade road): Smooth, fast, and scenic. Once you cross to the Lahaul side, landscapes turn noticeably arid.
  
• Sissu → Keylong: Wide riverside highway; good for fuel, food, and last-minute essentials.
  
• Keylong → Gramphu: Road narrows, becomes more rugged, but still manageable.
  
• Gramphu → Kunzum Pass: A shifting gravel-and-rock ascent; open only in summer. The approach gives panoramic views of glaciers and hanging valleys.
  
• Kunzum → Kaza → Kibber: The road improves past Losar. Kibber is a short, steep drive from Kaza with expansive views across the Spiti basin.
  

This is one of Himachal’s greatest drives- challenging but rewarding.

Mini-Itinerary (5 Days)

Day 1: Manali → Keylong (overnight). Acclimatize and check the vehicle.
Day 2: Keylong → Kaza (via Kunzum Pass if open). Arrive late afternoon.
Day 3: Kaza → Kibber (short morning transfer). Explore the monastery, walk local lanes, short wildlife or village walks.
Day 4: Day trip: visit Langza / Hikkim / Komic (fossils, ancient chortens). Sunset at Kibber plateau.
Day 5: Return toward Manali or continue to Shimla/Mandi circuit depending on time.

Road notes & cautions

• The climb to Kunzum is steep and weather-sensitive. Road opening windows vary by season; summer (June–September) is the safest window for road trips.
  
• Altitude: Kibber sits well above 4,000 m — acclimatize and carry basic altitude-sickness medicines. 

2. Manali → Chitkul (Kinnaur)

Why Go

Chitkul is widely described as the last inhabited village of Himachal on the Indo–Tibet border. Unlike Spiti or Ladakh, this side of the Himalayas is greener, layered with forests, apple orchards, and wooden architecture typical of Kinnauri culture. The Baspa River adds beautiful riverside trails, while the surrounding mountains feel close and dramatically carved. The sense of remoteness increases as you move deeper into the Sangla Valley. It’s a road trip for those who prefer pine forests over cold deserts, but still want that “end of the road” feeling.

Route

Manali → Mandi → Tattapani / Naldehra → Shimla → Narkanda → Rampur → Karcham → Sangla → Chitkul

• Manali → Mandi → Shimla Loop: This section transitions from the Beas valley forests into mid-Himalayan pine belts.
  
• Shimla → Narkanda: Smooth, pine-scented drive with long bends and wide viewpoints.
  
• Rampur → Karcham → Sangla: Steep rock-cut roads along the Sutlej; dramatic and narrow sections.
  
• Sangla → Chitkul: Some of the prettiest driving in Himachal, with wooden houses, carved temples, and sweeping views of snow peaks.
  

This route offers variety- cedar forests, orchards, river crossings, and cliff-edge stretches.

Mini-Itinerary (5–6 Days)

Day 1: Manali → Shimla (overnight) — long day, or break the drive in Mandi.
Day 2: Shimla → Narkanda → Rampur (arrive late).
Day 3: Rampur → Sangla → Chitkul (stay in Chitkul hamlet).
Day 4: Walk the Baspa riverside, visit local hamlets and apple orchards.
Day 5: Return to Shimla/Manali or continue east.

Road notes & cautions

Roads to Chitkul can be narrow and cliffside; driving in daylight is strongly recommended. Chitkul’s accessibility is seasonal – check local weather and road status before planning road trips.

3. Manali → Turtuk (Nubra, Ladakh)

Why Go

Turtuk is one of the northernmost inhabited villages of India, and culturally unique due to its Balti heritage. Apricot orchards line narrow village paths, wooden bridges cross glacier-fed streams, and the mountains feel sharper, more vertical than elsewhere in Ladakh. Turtuk remained inaccessible to visitors until recently, which means it has retained its distinct identity. Driving here from Manali means experiencing the full spectrum of Himalayan terrain—lush valleys, wide plateaus, high passes like Tanglang La, and finally the soft green pocket of Nubra. It is easily one of India’s most ambitious road trips.

Route

Manali → Sissu → Keylong → Jispa → Darcha → Sarchu → Pang → Upshi → Leh → Khardung La → Diskit → Hunder → Turtuk

• Manali → Sissu → Keylong: Smooth and scenic through Lahaul.
  
• Keylong → Jispa → Darcha: High-mountain villages and excellent acclimatization points.
  
• Darcha → Sarchu: The landscape opens dramatically. High-altitude plains and switchbacks begin.
  
• Sarchu → Leh: Includes Nakee La, Lachung La, and the famed More Plains—vast, flat stretches at 4,500+ m.
  
• Leh → Khardung La: Iconic high pass; road varies depending on maintenance.
  
• Diskit → Turtuk: A spectacular stretch along the Shyok river with cliff-side sections, apricot groves, and narrow village roads.
  

This is one of the most varied high-altitude drives in the world.

Mini-Itinerary (10–12 Days)

Day 1–2: Manali → Jispa / Keylong — rest and acclimatize.
Day 3: Jispa/Darcha → Sarchu (overnight).
Day 4: Sarchu → Leh (slow day, acclimatize in Leh).
Day 5–6: Leh → Nubra Valley (Diskit / Hunder). Stay, visit sand dunes and monasteries.
Day 7: Nubra → Turtuk (arrive afternoon). Explore Balti homes, orchards.
Day 8: Turtuk walk, meet locals, sample apricot preserves. Return toward Leh on Day 9–10.

Road notes & cautions

• High-altitude hazards are real: spend nights in Keylong/Jispa and again in Leh for acclimatization. Manali-Leh highway opens seasonally and can close suddenly.
  
• Turtuk is a remote border village — check permit requirements and local advisories.

4. Manali → Mana (Uttarakhand)

Why Go

Mana is popularly known as the last Indian village near the Indo–Tibetan border in Chamoli district. It has deep mythological ties—Vyas Gufa, Bheem Pul, Saraswati River—and serves as the final civilian settlement before the mountain route toward Mana Pass. Though most travellers access it from Uttarakhand, starting from Manali makes this a grand multi-state Himalayan traverse. Culturally, Mana is rich with traditional village life, old stone houses, and religious heritage. The Badrinath valley, especially in winter or early spring, is dramatic and visually powerful.

Route

Most travellers do not drive directly from Manali to Mana due to the long distance and multiple state transitions. Still, for those who want a continuous Himalayan expedition, the extended route is:

Manali → Mandi → Shimla → Dehradun → Rishikesh → Srinagar (Garhwal) → Rudraprayag → Joshimath → Badrinath → Mana

• Manali → Shimla: Gentle, scenic drive across Himachal’s mid-hills.
  
• Shimla → Dehradun: Forested roads transitioning into the Doon valley.
  
• Rishikesh → Srinagar (Garhwal): Entry to Uttarakhand’s mountain highway system.
  
• Rudraprayag → Joshimath: A dramatic section along the Alaknanda River with deep valleys.
  
• Joshimath → Badrinath → Mana: Final ascent; narrow but well-maintained in season.
  

If not doing the epic overland version, the standard way is to reach Rishikesh/Dehradun first, then drive up to Mana.

Mini-Itinerary

Option A (fastest/logical): Fly or drive to Rishikesh/Dehradun → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Joshimath → Badrinath → Mana (2–3 days once in Uttarakhand).
Option B (epic overland from Manali): Manali → Mandi → Shimla → Dehradun → Rishikesh → Joshimath → Mana — this is a cross-Himalayan slog and best only for travellers with plenty of time and no altitude constraints en route.

Road notes & cautions

Mana’s region is pilgrimage-heavy in season; mountain weather and winter closures can affect access. The short road from Badrinath to Mana is the usual final leg.

Planning Checklist

Vehicle & fuel: Fill at major towns — fuel gaps on high routes can be long. Carry spare fuel if your vehicle’s range is limited.

Acclimatization: Never rush into >3,000–4,000 m without rest days. A single night at Keylong or Leh is recommended on longer circuits.

Permits & local rules: Certain border areas require permits; for Ladakh/Nubra/Turtuk check Inner Line Permits where relevant.

Emergency kit: Warm clothing, basic medicines (including for AMS), water purifier, power bank, vehicle repair kit. Roads can be remote and services scarce.

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