Kinnaur & Spiti Valley

Delhi..Shimla..Kalpa..Chitkul..Nako..Gue..Tabo..Dhankar..PinValleyNationalPark.. Kaza..Komic..Ki..Kibber..Langhza..Hikkim..Chandrataal..Manali
Kinnaur & Spiti Explorer is an introduction into the landscape, cultures and traditions of the Spitian and Kinnauri people. Located in the western part of Himachal Pradesh, Kinnaur and Lahaul - Spiti districts have borders with China. While Kinnaur is lower in elevation and comprised of Hindus and Buddhists, Spiti Valley is predominantly Buddhist and was a part of present day Tibet in earlier times.
On our way from Shimla we pass through the Kinnaur valley and its meadows, farms and pastures and later high altitude dry mountain desert landscape of Spiti Valley. These less explored lands takes you back in time with the simple yet joyful lives of the people living in these harsh terrains and climate. During the tour we visit temples and monasteries, stay at the highest inhabited villages in the world, camp around Chandrataal Lake, drive across and savor the views of the stunning Himalayas, visit high altitude lakes and pass through the high passes of Rohtang

La & Kunzum La. This is an offbeat journey through regions that have less exposed to commercial tourism.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Aug 5th: Saturday: Delhi to Shimla
Delhi to Shimla by overnight Volvo bus.

Day 2: Aug 6th: Sunday: Shimla local sightseeing.
Arrive in Shimla early in the morning and after breakfast leave we will proceed for local sightseeing    Annandale, jakhoo hills, summer hills, institute of advanced studies, the ridge, shimla state museum, kufri.

Day 3: Aug 7th: Monday Shimla to Kalpa (240km) 8 hrs
After breakfast leave we will proceed for Kinnaur, Kalpa-Kinnaur district is a mountainous district, ranging in altitude from 2,320 to 6,816 meters. It is also one of the smallest districts in India by population. By late afternoon / evening we reach Kalpa, The local inhabitants follow a syncretism of Hinduism and Buddhism, and many temples in Kalpa are dedicated to both Hindu and Buddhist gods and goddesses. In the evening we explore Kalpa and see the majestic views of the Kinnaur – Kailash Mountains, visit the temples and monasteries and experience

The life style of the Kinnauries. Overnight at Kalpa

Day 4- Aug 8th: Tuesday: Kalpa – Sangla to Chitkul (61 kms / 2.5 hrs ) After breakfast we leave for Chitkul the last village close to the Tibet border on the Hindustan - Tibet Road. On way we stop at sangla, located near Baspa River. Explore sangla, monastery and Kamru Nag fort. Post lunch we leave for Chitkul Both Chitkul and Sangla is set in a beautiful valley with rolling hills, meadows and farms made more breathtaking with the Baspa River meandering through these pristine settings. Later we drive to Chitkul and reach by late afternoon. Kalpa, Sangla and Chitkul are inhabited by the Kinnauri people and is famous for its apple orchards. Overnight at Chitkul.

Day 4 - Aug 9th: Wednesday: Chitkul - Nako - Gue to Tabo (150 kms / 6 hrs ) After breakfast leave for Tabo.. On the way we stop at Nako and explore Nako village and the beautiful Nako Lake. Nako Lake (12,014 ft above sea level) is a high altitude lake in Kinnaur. It forms part of the boundary of Nako village and seems that the village is half buried in the lake's border. The lake is surrounded by willow and poplar trees. Nearby are Buddhist temples, a foot like impression ascribed to the saint Padmasambhava and several caves where it is believed that Guru Padmasambhava meditated and gave discourse to followers. Leave for Tabo

And explore Tabo in the evening. Visit Gue village and Gue monastery between Nako and Tabo. Overnight at Tabo.

Day 5 - August 10th: Thursday : Tabo to Kaza and Komic ( 75 kms / 3 hrs ) Leave for Kaza early morning and on the way visit Dhankar lake, fort and monastery. The Dhankar monastery is one of the most beautiful monuments of Spiti valley. Dhankar monastery complex comprises a number of multistoried buildings perched together. Perched high on a cliff over the valley, this is a superb example of Spiti’s traditional architectural skills. This was once the castle of the ruler of Spiti, the Nano – and today, dhankar is a repository of Buddhist scriptures in the Bhoti script. The high altitude Dhankar Lake can be reached by a 1 hour walk from the monastery. Explore Kaza and leave for Komic Village, the highest inhabited village in Asia. We stay at a village homestay in Komic and experience the Spitian village life. Overnight at Komic village Homestay.

Day 6: August 11th: Friday: Komic- Ki-Kibber-Langhza-Hikkim- Gulling-Sagnam-Mudh to Pin valley national park
Leave from Komic After breakfast visit Ki Monastery in the morning. Ki Monastery is one oif the most important monasteries in Lahaul - Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. It is the biggest monastery of Spiti Valley and a religious training center for Lamas. In the architectural definitions given to various monasteries, Ki falls in the 'Pasada' style which is characterized by more stories than one and often plays the role of a fort-monastery. Situated on a hilltop it enjoys splendid views with the mountains all around and the Spiti River flowing down in the valley.Visit Kibber village which is highest inhabited village in world and Hikkim which has highest post office, Langhza which is rich in fossils. Explore Mudh village’s sagnam and Gulling village on way to Pin valley national park the entire Pin Valley including Mud village is mostly virgin, serene, barren and beautiful. Pin valley is the base for Pin Valley National Park which is the natural habitat of the Snow Leopard and Himalayan Ibex. Overnight at Kaza

Day 7: August 12th: Saturday: Kaza - Chandratal Lake (125 kms / 5 hours Early morning after breakfast we leave for Chandrataal, After crossing the beautiful and majestic Kunzum Pass at 15060 feet above sea level we reach the beautiful high altitude Chandrataal Lake we reach camp site by afternoon, have lunch and trek for one hour to reach Chandrataal lake, come back to camp site, relax enjoy camp fire Chandrataal Lake. Overnight camp at Chandrataal Lake.

Day 8: August 13th: Sunday: Chandrataal Lake - Manali (140 kms /5h). After breakfast explore Chandrataal Lake and later leave for Manali. Reach by late afternoon. Overnight at Manali.

Day 9: August 14th: Monday: Manali
Explore Manali in the morning and by evening take overnight Volvo to Delhi.

Day 10: August 15th: Tuesday: Delhi
Arrive in Delhi in the morning and end of tour.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

-    1 Nights stay each at Shimla, Chitkul, Kalpa,Kaza Tabo and Manali at Hotel
-    1 Night stay at Village Homestay at Komic
-    1 Night stay in tent at Chandrataal Lake
-    Breakfast on all days
-    Transport
-    Permits, Taxes and Service charges

WHAT'S EXCLUDED?

-    Flights from your city to Delhi and back.
-    Dinner & Lunch
-    Any extra activities during tour
-    Entry tickets and camera charges at sightseeing points (wherever applicable )
-    Other than mentioned