KC05: 11D/12N - Extensive Kinnaur-Spiti

This trip can be undertaken only after Kunzum-la and Rohtang Pass re-open (after mid-May/early June)

DAY 1: CHANDIGARH TO NARKANDA

We start our journey to explore the beautiful Sangla Valley with Kinner Camps. After pick-up from Chandigarh, drive to Narkanda. Check-in and overnight at a hotel in Narkanda.

DAY 2: ARRIVE AT KINNER CAMPS

Depart from Narkanda after breakfast. Arrive at Kinner Camps, Sangla. Relax with a welcome drink and lunch. Later, go for a small walk to explore the camp surroundings. Evening campfire, followed by dinner. Overnight at Kinner Camps.

DAY 3: CHITKUL - NAGASTI - RAKCHHAM

Early morning, sip morning tea while enjoying the flora and fauna. After breakfast, drive to Chitkul (23 km), the last Indian village on the Indo-Tibet border. Later, walk/drive to Nagasti, the last civilian point (2.5 km) at the Indo-Tibetan border.

Drive to Rakchham village. Trek and explore the Rakchham valley. Carry a packed lunch and have a picnic by the river. Rest of the evening is free for activities and leisure.

DAY 4: BATSERI VILLAGE - GLACIER WALK - KAMROO

Wake up early morning to witness the gorgeous sunrise. After breakfast, get ready for the glacier walk. Leave camp by 10 a.m. On the way, visit Batseri village and Lord Badrinarayan temple, then experience a walk on the glacier (glacier walk is doable only during summer months, before the ice melts).

Return to camp for lunch. Post lunch, go to Kamroo village, visit the fort, and Kamakhya devi temple, the deity of which was originally brought from Assam. Come back to camp for tea. Rest of the evening is free for leisure.

Day 5: SANGLA TO KALPA

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel & drive to Kalpa, via Reckong Peo, the district headquarters of Kinnaur. Kalpa is one of the oldest villages, approximately 500 years old and there are documents to prove the same. The whole village has a stunning view of the Kinner Kailash and Jorkanden peaks. Kinner Kailash is said to be the winter home of the great Lord Shiva. By its side is a 79-foot single rock resembling the Shivlinga that changes color as the day passes. Kalpa is famous for its apples and chilgoza plantations, and the Narayan Nagini Temple Complex, which has shrines of Hindu and Buddhist deities. Overnight at Kalpa.

Day 6: KALPA TO NAKO

Rise early to witness a stunning sunrise bathing the Kinner Kailash peaks. After breakfast, check-out from your hotel in Kalpa and drive to Nako. En-route, take a brief halt at the Khab sangam which is the confluence of the Spiti and Sutlej rivers.

Nako is slated to be declared a heritage village and is built around a small lake. It has an important Buddhist gompa which is 1000 yrs old, & a small temple. A footprint-like impression on a rock is ascribed to the saint Guru Padmasambhava. Overnight at Kinner Camp, Nako.

DAY 7: NAKO – TABO – DHANKAR GOMPA - KAZA

Welcome to Spiti Valley – with few signs of vegetation. Yet, this land renders visitors speechless with the harsh raw beauty of its landscape. Rudyard Kipling describes Spiti in “Kim” in these words: “At last they entered a world within a world – a valley of leagues where the high hills were fashioned of the mere rubble and refuse from off the knees of the mountains…surely the Gods live here.”

After breakfast, start the drive to Kaza. On the way, visit the ancient village of Tabo, which is situated on the left bank of the river Spiti. It is the seat of one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries, regarded next to the Tholong Gompa in Tibet. It is also known as the ‘Ajanta of Himalayas’. It was constructed in 996 AD – not just in Spiti but in the whole of the Tibetan Buddhist world, it is called Chogs – Khor [‘Doctrinal Circle’ or ‘Doctrinal Enclave’]. It is a complex that holds 9 temples, 23 Chortens, a monk’s chamber & an extension that houses the nun’s chamber. On the sheer cliff-face above the enclave are a series of caves, used as dwellings by the monks, & includes an assembly hall. The monastery contains a large number of scriptures & pieces of art, wall paintings & stucco. There is also a modern gompa & painting school founded by the Dalai Lama. Check-out from Tabo after lunch.

En-route to Kaza, visit Dhankar Gompa, the traditional capital of Spiti, which sits pretty on a hilltop. The hill-top fort that overlooks the Spiti Valley also used to serve as a jail in olden days. Today, more than 160 lamas reside here. A statue of Dhyan Buddha, with four complete figures of Buddha sitting back-to-back, is the main attraction of this older than 7th century monastery. Also (time permitting) visit the Gue monastery to see the self-preserved mummy of a Buddhist monk.

Continue the drive to Kaza – the capital of Spiti Valley. Arrive at Kaza and check-in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Kaza.

DAY 8: EXPLORE KAZA

After an early breakfast, leave for an excursion to the Ki Monastery. Situated at the foot of steep ridges and on the left bank of the river Spiti is the Ki Monastery, the biggest Gelupa sect monastery in Spiti. Its hilltop position points to a post 13th century construction. The three storied structure consists largely of storage rooms at the bottom level, while the middle floor houses the Dukhang (the Assembly Hall), and the uppermost floor has another temple & the head lama’s quarters on one side of an open terrace. The greatest wealth of the Ki Gompa lies in its collection of ‘Thangkas’, and is also famous for its ancient murals & books. Hundreds of lamas receive their religious training at this monastery.

From here, a scenic drive takes you into the pasture country of Kibber. From Kibber, the pastures are spread over hundreds of square kilometers. If time and weather permit, visit Chicham Bridge. Break for lunch at any local place.

Next, proceed to visit Hikkim, Komic & Langza. Komik is highest motorable village in Asia at 15,027 feet. The village is about 500 yrs old. Next, brace yourself to send a postcard to your friends and family from the highest post office in the world - Hikkim at 14,400 feet. Last but not the least, Langza is yet another beautiful village nestled in the picturesque landscape of Spiti. The village is dominated by the majestic Buddha statue right in the lap of the Himalayas.

Post excursion, return for dinner and overnight stay at Kaza.

DAY 9: KAZA TO CHANDRATAAL

After an early breakfast, check-out from Kaza and drive to Chandrataal. Motorable road ends a couple of kms before the lake. A short trek takes you to Chandrataal. Spend some time at Chandrataal. You can have lunch at Chandrataal. Onwards to Losar for overnight stay.

Alternatively, you can stay overnight at a campsite at Chandrataal.

DAY 10: CHANDRATAAL–KUMZUM LA PASS–MANALI (124 kms, 8-9 hrs)

After an early breakfast, embark on the spectacular drive to Manali via the Kunzum-la Pass which, at 4590 mts, is the highest pass on the Spiti Lahaul road. Onwards to Manali via the newly opened Atal Tunnel. For the more adventurous, you can drive via Rohtang Pass (longer route). Reach Manali in the evening. Overnight at Manali.

DAY 11: MANALI TO CHANDIGARH

After an early breakfast, checkout from the hotel and depart for Chandigarh (9-10 hrs). Lunch is en-route. Overnight at Chandigarh.

DAY 12: FLIGHT BACK HOME

Depart back home, carrying unforgettable memories with you.