Day 01 SHIMLA – SARAHAN
» Start for Sarahan (2165 mts) 175 km (7-8 hrs) from Shimla, another charming place.
» We drive via many small towns such as Nirth, Rampur through Satluj Valley. At Nirth, there is an old temple, dedicated to Sun God which is said to be build by Parshuram (sage). And Dutt Nagar is known for its archaeological importance. Sarahan is a small but beautiful village in which is situated the historical Bhima Kali Temple, known for its wooden architecture. This temple is believed to be 1500 years old. One can enjoy the view of Shrikhand range of mountains in the background of the town.
» Overnight in hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 02 SARAHAN – SANGLA (2680 MTS )
» Sangla is about 95 km from Sarahan at an altitude of 2680 mts. It takes 4 to 5 hrs on a well metalled road.
» Overnight in Deluxe Camps
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03 IN SANGLA (5-6 HRS)
» Here we visit the beautiful village of Baspa Valley such as Chitkul (3450 mts)– the route in this stretch is very narrow & steep till Chitkul, the last and highest village in Baspa Valley. It is situated on the Right Bank of Baspa Valley; there is a temple dedicated to local Goddess, Mathi, which is said to have been constructed some 500 years ago. The location of Rackcham–another village in Baspa Valley is striking as rocky cliffs of granite rocks & forests surround it. One can visit Kamru Temple and fort in Kamru Village, situated on a top of Sangla Village. The whole day is spent visiting all these beautiful villages & meeting their beautiful inhabitants.
» Overnight in Deluxe Camps.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04 SANGLA – RARANG VIA KANAM (105 KM) 4-5 HRS
» Journey moves on the banks of river Satluj till we reach Jangi.
» We also make an excursion to Ribba Village, one of the biggest villages in Kinnaur, famous for Angoori, local alcohol brewed out of the grapes, one of the specialties of Kinnaur. We also visit the beautiful village of Rarang.
» After putting the camp and afternoon tea and snacks at Jangi, the group do a side trip to Kanam: Among the several monastic centers founded Rin-chen-Zangpo (Ratnabhadra, 958-1055 A.D.), quite a good number were Chos-khors i.e., the doctorial enclaves where facilities for diverse studies were available. The Kangyur temple at Kanum is living testimony to his academic accomplishment, Kanum itself. Means, “A place of the sacred books”. Explore the real Kinnaur in these villages situated on the high hills, which in the legends and old Hindu and Buddhist literature occupies a special place.
» Overnight in Homestay.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 05 RARANG – TABO VIA NAKO (3050 MTS) 6-7 HRS
» Driving along the Spiti River we pass through various villages to get to Tabo and Kanum:
» Among the several monastic centers founded Rin-chen-Zangpo (Ratnabhadra, 958-1055 A.D.), quite a good number were Chos-hkors i.e., the doctorial enclaves where facilities for diverse studies were available. The Kangyur temple at Kanum is living testimony to his academic accomplishment, Kanum itself. Means, “A place of the sacred books”. The famous Swedish scholar Alexander coma the course spent time in the library to study the ancient Buddhists texts of Kangyur. Further we drive all along the River Satluj till Khab - the meeting point to Spiti and Satluj Rivers after that all the way up through zigzags along Spiti River. Around 7 Km of link road on a metalled surface, takes one to Nako (2950Mts.) is situated about 2 km from Hangrang valley road on the Western direction of the huge mountain of Pargil.
» This is the highest and the largest village in the valley on the Left Bank of river Spiti. It is encircled on every side by high hills, which is a witness to the presence of former lake. The village is under the influence of Buddhism, but there are Hindu local deities too namely Gyalbo, Dabla and Yalso. To the north of the village is the monastic complex of four large temples; belonging to the Dugpa order. The complex is called Locha – Lhakhang i.e. Lhostaba, Lhakhang after the great Rin – Chen Zangpo besides these temples on the South West are almost un distinguishable heaps of ruined monks cells and few chortens (stupas).
» Overnight in Homestay.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 06 TABO –KAZA VIA DANKAR & PIN VALLEY (3520 mts), 6-7 HRS
» Driving along the Spiti Valley,we pass through many Villages & Monasteries of the Spiti.
» We Camp in Shego.
» Overnight in Himalayan Lodge
DHANKAR (3890 MTS)
About 30 km from Tabo through steep hillside along a dusty road slowly winds its way up to the village Dhankar, located at a height of 3890 mts. There situated in the middle of Ridge in a striking location, a 6th Century Gompa, though not well preserved still has some magnificent original Thankas tucked away in dark. There are some beautiful murals. Unfortunately a part of monastery was destroyed during severe winter of 1989.
PIN VALLEY:
- Cross the Spiti River by a solid concrete bridge and following the Pin River, one of the major tributaries of Spiti River. The Valley is famous for wild life – Ibex, Snow Leopard. There is also a Monastery called Kungri Monastery is believed to be founded by Guru Padmasambhava. The Monastery must have remained an ancient monastic site of the Padmasambhava days. Generally the Tibetan monasteries are built in a compact layout with all temples and apartments put together. But the Kungri Monastery is formed of three detached rectangular blocks facing due east. The Lhakhang being on the higher terrace on the North followed by Sampup – Chos – Ling in the middle and compact structure Tangyur and Gokhang. This belongs to the Nigma Pa sect. Buddhist Tantra called Bhusang.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 07 KAZA (3600 MTS)
» Drive to the villages of langja (4400 mts), hikkim – komic (4500 mts), kibber (4,205 mts) and ki monastery (5-6 hrs). Abundance of fossils, comprising of Shells etc. takes one 50 millions years back when Indian subcontinent drifting northwards across the Ocean of Tethys on its tectonic plate slammed into the stationary mass of Asia and gave birth to the mighty Himalayas. Demul provides a bird eye view of the Lingti Valley. These Villages are all situated over the height of 4000 Mts. With striking locations and house some of the most interesting monasteries in the Spiti Valley. The ancient Monastery of Hikkim also known as the tangyug Gompa is of unique importance as this is one of the two Sakya Pa Monasteries in Spiti Valley second being situated at Kaza. This Monastery was responsible for the revision or propagation of Tantra teachings during the 14th Century.
2. Overnight in Himalayan Lodge
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
KI MONASTERY - 13 Km from Kaza is situated Kye Monastery at an elevation of (3969 Mts). The Monastery consists of large irregular heap of low ceiling rooms and narrow corridors, interconnected by dark passages and tortuous staircases, built on what must have been a crater of an extinct volcano. This is one of the biggest and the oldest monasteries belonging to the Ge-Lug–Pa sect in Spiti. It dates back to around 14th Century and is famous for its murals, valuable books & fabulous collection of Thankas. The instrument here deserves mention. There are two trumpets, two or three small brass instruments, a pair of large cabals, a big deep voiced drum, and a pair of smaller ones. Overnight in Himalayan Lodge.
Day 08 KAZA – MANALI OVER KUNZAM PASS (4,551 MTS) – 140 KM (7-8 HRS)
» We drive over Kunzam pass then take another narrow track to Chandratal (4,270 mts) - The first sight of this wondrous lake takes ones breaths away, with its shores ringed with meadows carpeted with hundreds of varieties of alpine flowers. An excellent campsite surrounded by the massive mountain tops (C.B. Ranges) and the glaciers at Chandratal.
» Further we drive all along the Chandra River till Gramphu the other side of valley.
» From Gramphu we continue the journey over Rohtang Pass till Manali.
» Overnight in Himalayan Lodge
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 09 MANALI
» Visit to Hadimba temple, old Manali, Buddhist monasteries, explore Manali town.
» Overnight in Himalayan Lodge
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10 MANALI – SHOJA DRIVE (112 KM)
» We drive on NH 21 till Aut about 70km from Manali then will take left turn to the beautiful Banjar valley. After 2 hrs drive we finally reach at Shoja.
» Overnight in Himalayan Lodge
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 SHOJA – NARKANDA DRIVE (85 km)
» Overnight in Himalayan Lodge.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12 NARKANDA – SHIMLA DRIVE (64 km)
» Overnight in Hotel.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 13 SHIMLA
»Airport drop/ connect evening train to Delhi from Chandigarh .
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
All schedules and other information are subject to change without notice and to Government approval.
