Spiti for ₹9,000 in ten days, on HRTC buses

Shimla to Reckong Peo, Peo to Kaza, and then the local bus that goes up to Langza, Hikkim and Komic once a day if the driver feels like it.

Homestays in Spiti are ₹600–900 with dinner and breakfast. The food is thukpa, rice, dal and whatever the family is eating, which is the point. I spent more on biscuits than on buses.

Carry cash — the ATM in Kaza works when it wants to. Carry Diamox if you're coming up fast. And post the letter from Hikkim; it actually arrives.