Journal · 9 min read
Altitude, connectivity, and packing — the practical details that make the difference between a smooth trip and a difficult one.
Altitude sickness is the single biggest risk factor in Spiti, not the road itself. Build in acclimatisation days, drink more water than usual, avoid alcohol on your first night, and know the early symptoms — headache, nausea, breathlessness at rest — so you can descend if needed.
Layering matters more than any single 'warm' item: mornings and evenings are cold even in July, while midday sun at altitude can be surprisingly strong. Pack a good windproof layer, sun protection, and something warm for after dark.
Connectivity is limited to BSNL across most of the valley and unreliable even in Kaza — let people at home know to expect radio silence, and carry printed or downloaded copies of anything important.
Quick Reference
Spend your first 24–48 hours at a lower point in the valley (like Ochre, at 3,650m) before going higher.
Thermal base layer, fleece or down mid-layer, windproof outer shell, sun hat and sunglasses.
ATMs are limited to Kaza and not always reliable; carry enough cash for your whole trip.
Distances look short on a map but mountain roads take far longer than the kilometres suggest.
Ochre is the base to turn any of this into a real itinerary.