HIMACHAL OFF BEAT LAHAUL – SPITI
Places covered: Chandigarh - Rampur - Sangla – Kalpa – Nako Lake – Tabo- Kaza – Losar – Kunzum Pass – Chandra Taal – Rohtang Pass – Manali – Chandigarh
Duration: 08 nights and 09 days
Highlights: It is a journey that will live with you forever. Starting with the apple country in Narkanda, you will cross the lush Sangla Valley before hitting the cold deserts of Lahaul and Spiti. Landscapes will change from green to barren, the skies will come in many hues, and snow-capped peaks will dare you to conquer them. You will cross traditional villages meeting people living in a world of their own, tending to their fields and livestock, and always welcoming of even strangers. You will be touched by the spirituality of the region, even as you have a great adventure all along''.
Day 1: CHANDIGARH - RAMPUR
On Arrival Chandigah airport in the morning and stat your drive towards Rampur the small Town nestled on the bank of River Satluj. Stay amidst city Hotel in Rampur. Enjoy stories and history of the place over a buffet dinner. We leave Chandigarh at dawn so we arrive in time to watch the sun set in Rampur. Enjoy a dinner and stay overnight.
Day 2: RAMPUR – SARAHAN – SANGLA
Early morning walk, followed by breakfast. We leave for Sangla in Kinnaur district, and on the way visit Sarahan Bheema kali Mata Temple and enjoy the Front View of Shri Khand Mahadev (on clear days) and later continue drive to Sangla and reach in time for evening tea to enjoy the crisp twilight zone. Have dinner & stay overnight.
Day 3: SANGLA – CHITKUL - SANGLA
After leisurely breakfast, drive to Chitkul - a pretty village on the ancient silk route. There is also an option to try your hand at rock climbing, rappelling and river crossing (on extra charge).
Sangla is known for its day hikes. Those looking for soft adventure can join the Raksham walk that takes you along rivers, through meadows and forests and over glaciers. Those who wish to go on harder trek, there is the challenging meadows walk. Also, visit the pretty villages around and enjoy sitting along the Baspa River. Have dinner & stay overnight.
Day 4: SANGLA – KALPA – NAKO
After early breakfast, drive to Kalpa, the only place in India where pine nuts (chilkozas) grow. This is the place to enjoy the awesome views on Kinner Kailash peak. Visit picturesque Nako. Have dinner & stay overnight.
Day 5: NAKO – TABO– KAZA
Day is to drive with fun. After early breakfast, proceed to Tabo, with its awesome mud monastery dating back to 996 A.D. one of the oldest in the country. Look up to the mountain faces, and you will find caves where people still live in. We continue on to Kaza at an altitude of 12000 feet, reaching in the evening for a much deserved rest. Have dinner & stay overnight.
Day 6: EXPORE KAZA
After leisurely breakfast, visit Pin Valley National Park - High altitude villages of Langza, Hikkim and Komic. The villages around Kaza are believed to be one of the highest in the world, mostly caught in their own time warp. The drives to these villages are stunning to say the least. We also drop in at the Key Monastery, perched on a cliff looking down at the spectacular valleys below. Have dinner & stay overnight.
Day 7: KAZA – CHANDRA TAL – KAZA
This will be the most memorable day of the whole drive. After early breakfast, head to the majestic Kunzum La (pass) where strong winds blow all year, and snow flake fall even in summers. We drive on a 12 kms dirt track followed by a 2 kms hike to get to the spectacular Chandra Taal (lake) where we picnic before heading back. Have dinner & stay overnight.
Day 8: KAZA – MANALI
After early breakfast, leave for Manali for yet another day of memorable driving via Rohtang Pass. We will drive along and over rivers, cross glaciers, and bump along undulating tracks. It may be dusk when we reach Manali – where we celebrate the journey over Enjoy a dinner and evening at leisure.
Day 9: MANALI – CHANDIGARH
Visit the Leh Palace - the battle scarred and deserted 16th century ruins of the royal residence built by Singge Namgyal, Shankar Gompa & Leh Mosque. Overnight at hotel.