Kaza

Kaza splits into an old village of mud-brick houses around its monastery and a newer administrative and market town on the far bank. It has the only fuel pump in Spiti, the valley's main shops, a hospital and mobile coverage, so almost every Spiti trip stages through it. From Kaza a day's driving reaches Key, Kibber, Langza, Komic (among the highest villages with a road) and Hikkim's high-altitude post office. It connects to Shimla via Kinnaur year-round on NH-505, and to Manali over Kunzum Pass only in summer.

1. From Shimla: drive via Narkanda, Rampur, Reckong Peo and Nako — long but open through the year.
2. From Manali: via Gramphu, Batal and Kunzum Pass in summer only.
3. HRTC buses run Shimla–Kaza and (seasonally) Manali–Kaza; otherwise hire a vehicle.

Mid-June to September for both approach roads and the side villages. Winter (the 'Spiti freeze') is for hardy travellers only — the Manali road shuts and temperatures fall well below −20°C.

• Come up slowly and take a rest day in Kaza — acute mountain sickness is common if you rush from Manali.
• Carry cash; ATMs exist but are unreliable, and fuel up whenever you can.
• Respect monastery etiquette in the villages: walk clockwise, ask before photographing people.

Individual pages for these are added as they are reviewed.