I received a few emails from people asking about Banking facilities and ATM in Spiti valley and wondering if they should carry enough cash to last the entire trip. Unlike Ladakh, Spiti happens to be a well populated and connected area. You will not have much trouble finding a hotel, gas station, mechanic or an ATM here. However it is still considered as a remote region and in terms of ATM s, the big question is availability of cash in the machines. Last time I was in Sangla, there was no money in the ATM for 2 days. So a wise move would be to withdraw enough cash at Shimla and then start your journey or at Manali if you are entering the valley from that direction.
Towns where you can find an ATM are Shimla, Rampur, Sarahan, Sangla, Reckong Peo, Kaza and Manali. However as I mentioned above, the only guaranteed availability of cash in any of these ATM s is only in Shimla and Manali.
Apart from Banks and ATM s, Internet connectivity in Spiti is limited to only Kaza. You can only hope to find an internet cafe at Shimla, Kaza and then Manali.
Medical facilities are just basic. There is a well equipped hospital in Kaza but it is not really capable of handling something big. Medical stores and small clinics are present in every part of the valley.
