Dazzling Spiti

Upon arrival at Delhi airport you will met by our Driver and drive to Shimla, A hill station that was once the summer capital of the British Raj and it retains some imposing buildings from that era. Upon arrival check in at our pre-arranged hotel. After lunch A walk down the Mall provides an interesting glimpse of the colonial structures and some magnificent views of the Himalayas. Overnight at Hotel.

We first drive to Narkanda this morning for some incredibly spectacular views of the Himalayas rising in snowy ranks, and continue through fragrant forests of deodar and pine towards the turquoise Sutlej River at Rampur. The journey is breathtakingly beautiful as is the ascent to the picturesque town of Sarahan. Upon arrival we check in Tourist Bungalow or similar. Sarahan is famous for its exotic ancient temple of Bhima Kali built in an interesting blend of Hindu and Buddhist styles and dedicated to the fearsome Goddess Kali. With its two multi-tiered towers and golden spires rising majestically against the backdrop of the imposing and dramatic Shrikhand peak, the temple was once associated with human sacrifice. This practice long since dis-continued, has been replaced by an animal sacrifice ceremony performed once a year. Overnight at Hotel.

A very pleasant 4 hour drive takes you to the picturesque village of Sangla in the Baspa valley in Kinnaur. Overlooking the beautiful crystal-clear blue-green Baspa River from the lower slopes of the Kinner-Kailash and surrounded by forests, this charming village is astoundingly and hauntingly beautiful. The quaint houses rising one on top of the other on the slopes, the Temple and the Buddhist Monastery give a Shangri-la-like feel to the place. This is also an excellent area for trout fishing. Upon arrival in Sangla we check in at our pre-arranged Camp for 02 Nights.

Explore the vicinity around including an ancient Kamru fort & temple dedicated to Nages God. Visit to Chitkul, a last village on old indo – Tibetan trade route. Walk through green orchards and brilliant stream. O/N Sangla.

We start our 2 hour drive through the Chirkoot Pass and at the summit pause for a birds-eye view of the bewitching Baspa Valley before commencing the descent to Kalpa. The town sits on a rocky bluff high above the banks of the Sutlej River and opposite, the magnificent Kinner-Kailash rises majestically 4500m above the valley floor. The mountain is said to be an abode of Lord Shiva and resembles a shiv-ling that amazingly changes colour several times a day. The region is also famous as an apple-growing area and there are many scenic walks with splendid views of the mountains. We spend the night at the Tourist Bungalow or in Tented Camps.

In the morning, we continue our journey first along the Sutlej River and then the Spiti River to Tabo (3050m) via Yangthang and Samdho along an ancient Tibetan trade route close to the Tibetan border. Samdho, at the confluence of two rivers, is the last town it is permissible to enter on the Tibetan-Hindustan Road and is the gateway to Spiti. The scenery along the entire route is breathtaking as forested areas gradually give way to a moonscape of stark mountains in tones of brown, orange and yellow with sparse clusters of vegetation. Spiti is a veritable museum from a geological standpoint. Its rugged and craggy mountain slopes that have been laid bare by thousands of years of wind, snow and soil erosion, stand tall against glaciers and sweep down to the river- beds in changing hues, giving the valley an unforgettable air of haunting beauty. We stay overnight in Tabo in Tented Camps or Tourist rest House.

This morning we drive first to Dhankar, the traditional capital of Spiti, to visit an old monastery that houses a Vairochamma (Dhayan Buddha) statue with 4 figures seated back to back. A short, lovely walk up the mountainside leads to beautiful crystal-clear Mountain Lake. We continue the 5 hour journey to Kaza via Lalung where there is a unique monastery with intricately carved woodwork. The journey takes you through the world-famous side-valley of Lingti, whose geological history dates to 250 million years and the Pin valley, famous for the snow-leopard and Ibex. In Kaza, we check you into a hotel for two nights.

We drive to Kibber Village the highest motor-able village in the world at 4205m.This quaint town with its “spitian “houses afford some spectacular views of rugged mountains. Post a letter to your loved ones from here, the highest post office in the world. You will visit here surrounding Buddhist monasteries and drive to visit Key monastery. Return to Hotel for overnight stay.

This morning we commence the exhilarating drive to Manali via through some incredibly beautiful and rugged country ever imaginable. There is something enchanting to see at every step; the changing foliage, the incredible rocks, the mountainside, the gushing river, the total and utter experience of being in the wilderness even as you pass the small charming villages and occasional yaks en-route. As you approach Kunzum La (4590 m), the mountain pass that connects Spiti to Lahaul, the beauty of snow-capped peaks is almost over-whelming and at its crest the panoramic view is absolutely fantastic. And further drive you towards Lahaul valley through the untamed rugged mountain terrain amid its snowfields and glaciers that utterly takes your breath away. As you approach the magnificent Rohtang Pass (3915m) the stark mountains with hanging glaciers in the backdrop start to become dotted with vegetation and once you enter the Kullu Valley, the contrast is stunning. Far from being near- barren, the mountains are covered in pine and deodar forests and the entire surroundings are lush and green. On arrival in Manali, a charming hill station, check in to your hotel. Set at the foot of the Rohtang Pass by the swirling waters of the River Beas, Manali is a quaint apple-growing town with panoramic views of majestic Himalayan peaks. It traces it origins to the ancient texts, the Vedas, and there are many beautiful and ancient temples within its vicinity that are worth visiting. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast drive from Manali to Chandigarh for your onward Destination.