Spiti Valley and Kinnaur 10 days 9 nights

Description

Looking for a Tour package in a hill station? Wait no more, book our tour package from Shimla to Spiti Valley, and experience the adventure in the midst of the mountains and valleys

Spiti Valley, with an average height of 12,500 feet above sea level, is a desert mountain which lies nestled between India and Tibet. With clear blue skies, snow-capped mountains piercing up and turquoise green streams as your companions, this 10 day Spiti Valley and Kinnaur round trip on the Hindustan-Tibet highway and the Manali – Kaza highway is by far the most unforgettable drives you’ll take in your life.

Starting in Delhi and ending in Manali, this 10 day Spiti Valley tour is designed for travellers looking for an authentic and comprehensive Spiti Valley holiday.  Spiti offers much more than monasteries and pristine glaciers. Impressive decorations signal the onset of festivals here in Spiti, offering an easy excuse for much song and revelry throughout the year. If you’re lucky enough to be in Spiti at the end of September, check out the ‘Chakhar Mela’ (held every three years) that ends with the Chham dance (mask) by the Lamas. With pristine lakes and some of the worlds’ highest inhabited villages, Spiti leaves you with picture-postcard memories of barren desert and precariously perched monasteries set against backdrop of clear blue skies

Come travel with us…

Itinerary

DAY 1: Journey to the queen of hills, Shimla

On this day our representative will pick you from Chandigarh ,later in the evening arrival at Shimla check into your pre booked hotel ,Dinner and overnight stay at hotel

Overnight in a hotel in Shimla.

DAY 2:Drive from Shimla – Sangla

After a generous breakfast, check-out of the hotel, you will be travelling to Sangla Valley, in Kinnaur District. You will likewise be visiting the brilliant towns of Sangla and Kamru. The Baspa River flows through the Sangla Valley and the valley is otherwise called Baspa Valley. The Baspa Valley is an attractive one amongst the grandest streams of the Himalayas, which offers stunning views of the Sangla valley, apple orchards, rivers, and the snow-clad mountains. The Sangla town is known for its rich Tibetan culture and its brilliance makes Baspa Valley an exceptionally popular and delightful spot. Visit the Bering Nag Temple, known for its "Phulaich Fair", amid the long stretches of August and September, is devoted to Lord Jagas otherwise called Lord Shiva. After the visits, Check-in to the hotel in Sangla. Have a delicious supper and an overnight stay.

DAY 3: Drive from Sangla – Chitkul – Kalpa

Morning On the third day of this Spiti Valley Tour, we have breakfast, basking in the first rays of the sun, and later head towards Chitkul.

Chitkul can be described as one of the most scenic settlements in the valley and the last inhabited village before the India-China border. This short drive from Sangla to Chitkul will be one of the most scenic drives you’ll take with plenty of opportunities to take stunning photographs. Walk around the Baspa river and pay tribute to the Mathi Goddess at the temple in the village. After spending time in Chitkul, we turn around and head to Kalpa.

Legend has it that Kalpa was the winter home of Lord Shiva. If it’s true, he couldn’t have found a more remarkable abode for himself, with enthrallingly majestic views of the Kinner-Kailash and Jorkandan peaks looming right above the village.

Overnight at a hotel in Kalpa.

DAY 4:Drive from Kalpa – Nako – Tabo

On the fourth day of this Spiti Valley tour, from Kalpa, we continue driving on the famous Hindustan – Tibet Highway or the NH 22 – This stretch is famously known as one of “most treacherous roads of the world” by the lonely planet in a visual spectacle. Don’t let that little piece of information deter you because your local drivers are highly skilled and experienced while driving on these roads. As you begin embracing the jaw-dropping views watch the mountains change their colors from the lush greens of the Kinnaur valley to the many hues of brown.

After a quick refueling stop at Puh enroute visit the Nako Lake, in the Nako Village, the quietest and pleasant town in Kinnaur District. Get ready to see Nako Lake which is an escape lake, which can captivate anyone with its striking superiority, encompassed by willow and poplar trees making it a significantly increasingly marvelous sight. Proceed toward Tabo, on entering the superb Spiti Valley, visit Gue Monastery in the Gue Village. At that point visit the Tabo Monastery, a Gompa otherwise called the Ajanta of the Himalayas. The authentic significance of the sanctuary delineates the transmission of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. Check-in at the hotel and have an amazing dinner. Have an overnight stay in the hotel.

DAY 5:Tour of Dhankar Monastery & Pin Valley

Post breakfast, travel to the most dazzling Dhankar VillageDhankar, the former capital of the Spiti Valley, offers panoramic views of Spiti Valley. Dhankar stands perched above the confluence of the Spiti and Pin river. Perhaps there must have been a fort here once, but today Dhankar is renowned for its 1200-year old monastery balanced precariously on a rocky precipice. If time and energy permit, we do the easy 45-minute trek to the stunning turquoise coloured Dhankar Lake.

Overnight at a homestay in Phukchum in Pinvalley

DAY 6:Pin Valley - Kaza

Morning after breakfast we drive towards the beautiful Pin Valley.

Imagine a national park with an abundance of animals and birds, with some rare plant varieties, a river that gushes when it isn’t frozen and trekking opportunities for the adventure-seekers. The Pin Valley promises all this and more.

We first visit the Kungri Monastery and then the beautiful hamlet of Mudh – the last motorable village of the Pin Valley. Declared a national park in 1987, Pin Valley has altitudes ranging from 11,000 to 20,000 feet and is home to at least 12 endangered snow leopards. In addition, other animals indigenous to the region and park are the Siberian ibex, bharal, weasel, red fox and marten. Birds such as the pika, griffon, golden eagle, bearded vulture, chukor and raven paint the skies a pretty picture.

By evening, drive to Kaza, the commercial capital of the Spiti valley and spend the night in a hotel.

DAY 7:Drive from Kaza – Langza – Hikkim – Komik – Ki Monastery – Kibber – Gette – Kaza

Today On the seventh day of this Spiti Valley tour, we drive to some of the highest inhabited regions of the world.

The highest village in Asia, Komik, which literally translates to ‘eye of a snow cock’, is situated at a height of 4513 meters. This farming village has a population of 84 people, living in utter isolation, cut-off from the rest of the world for most parts of the year. This little hamlet ensures to bring you thousands of miles away from your familiar settings to a place of soft brown pastures and snow-white mountain peaks. Some of the common animals of the region are the Tibetan wolf, blue sheep, red fox, hare, snow cock, Himalayan griffin, rock pigeon etc.

Later, we drive to Hikkim where we visit the world’s highest post office in the world. If possible, you might even meet the post-master and hear his stories.

After sending out a postcard, we drive to Langza. Langza village is situated at an altitude of 4400 meters and belongs to the Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Langza houses a population of 137 in 33 households. Once you are here, you can walk around the village and visit the ancient Lang (Temple) which is estimated to be around 1000 years old. At Langza, walk back to the prehistoric era when Spiti was submerged by the Tethys Sea, as you explore a land very rich with fossils of Marine animals and plants which were here millions of years ago.

We drive back down to Kaza for lunch. After that, we visit the world famous Ki Monastery. The car will first stop at the base of the monastery hill for the ultimate photo opportunity of this remarkable structure. With over 1000 years’ worth stories to tell, the Ki Monastery situated at a height of 13,668 feet was founded by a disciple of the famous Atisha, in the 11th century CE. Belonging to the Yellow Hat or Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, this monastery is famous as a prominent center of learning as well as a refuge for Tibetans. Being remotely located atop a hill overlooking endless plains, the Ki Monastery is an obvious choice for those seeking peace and calm.

Then we will move farther up the valley to the picturesque village of Kibber. Located at a height of 4205 meters and 18 km from Kaza, this formerly highest permanently inhabited village in this region, is also a popular base camp to embark on adventure and treks to adjoining mountains of high altitude. The expanses of beautiful landscapes and immeasurable beauty of the snow-tipped mountains make the place a haven for nature-lovers and photographers alike. From Kibber you can trek to Chicham Village, located across a sharp and precipitous canyon traversible only by a suspended wire cable basket system known as a Jula. We drive higher up to the secluded village of Gette where we absorb stunning aerial views of Kaza and tie a prayer flag.

DAY 8: Drive from Kaza– Losar – Kunzum La – Chandratal Lake

On the eighth day of this Spiti Valley tour, we drive to one of the most photogenic places in Spiti Valley – the Chandratal Lake. Before that, we pass through the high altitude pass of Kunzum La. Stop by at the stupa and pay tribute to the local goddess, “Kuzum Mata” as she's known. At 15,000 feet above sea-level, the Kuzum Pass connects Kullu and Lahaul to the Spiti Valley.

From there, we head to Chandratal Lake – A visual marvel, this stunning blue-coloured lake is set at an altitude of 4,300 meters above sea level in the heart of high Himalayas and is a must see on a full moon night. It derives its name, “Chandra” (Moon) and “Taal” (Lake) from the crescent shape of the lake. Watch the lake change colours from crystal clear shades of blue to emerald greens by dusk.

Otherwise barren and bereft of any human settlement, the blue lake bordered by carpeted green meadows couple with the pristine white of the Chandra Bhaga mountain range makes this an ideal camping ground.

Live your dream of camping comfortably in the Himalayas as you spend your evening gazing at the Milky Way and the millions of stars on a clear night. Our camps at Chandratal Lake are equipped with camping equipment including tents, high altitude sleeping bags / blankets and a comfortable mattress.

Overnight at a camp 2 km away from Chandratal Lake.

DAY 9:Drive from Chandratal Lake – Chattru – Rohtang Pass – Manali

On the ninth day of this Spiti Valley tour, drive from Chandratal Lake towards Manali. We take a quick stop at Batal for a cup of tea at a small tea shop run by a beautiful old couple. From there, we continue driving on the Kaza – Manali highway and stop at Chatru for lunch. Drive through the famous Rohtang Pass and return to Manali to end your breath-taking Spiti Valley sojourn.

Here, we bid goodbye to your driver who’d have been your friend and guide for the last nine days.

Since there is no sightseeing included in your schedule in Manali, you are free to explore Manali on your own.

Overnight at a hotel in Manali.

DAY 10:Manali Half Day local – Departure (Overnight Journey from Volvo)

On the final day of our Spiti Valley Tour, we wake up to some hot chai, a sumptuous breakfast and some brilliant views of the Himalayas from your hotel in Manali. Cab will take you for the local sightseeing in Manali today.

Just as your body needed time to acclimatize to the mountains in Shimla, this drive is perfect for your mind to acclimatize back into modern-day existence. Bid adieu to the picturesque valleys, blue skies, and winding rivers as you begin descending from the mountains into the plains.

Board your pre booked Volvo and overnight journey Delhi

 

Inclusions

  • Meal plan – (Morning Tea, Breakfast, Dinner)
  • Accommodation for 8 nights.
  • Inclusive of taxes (Parking, Toll Tax, Luxury tax, Green Tax, Fuel Expense, Driver Expense’s GST)
  •  

TRANSPORTATION:-

  • All tours & transfers on private basis
  • Transfers: Destination – Hotel – Destination

Exclusions

  • Air fares exclude/ Railway tickets.
  • Portage charges.
  • Heater charges per night as per hotel term & conditions
  • Camera fees, Laundry, wines and alcoholic beverages, mineral water unless specified, Telephone Chargers, Shopping All items of personal nature and also food and drinks not forming the part of the group menus.
  • All personal expenses, optional tour and extra meals.
  • Any adventure activities Paragliding River rafting , Skiing etc. .
  • Guide and Entrance Fees During Sightseeing.
  • Vehicle service on leisure days for sightseeing not included in the itinerary.
  • High season/festival season/supplements applied by hotels from time to time.
  • Any items or services not specified in the cost inclusions
  • Any additional expenses incurred due to any technical faults
  • Charges for early check-in & late check-out of rooms
  • Any Travel Insurance Premium

FAQs

You could choose to pack the following items for your Spiti Valley holiday:

  • A backpack of min. 40-50ltr. of storage (Please avoid carrying luggage bags)
  • Windproof Jackets (heavy / feather if you are coming before June and after October)
  • Pullovers / Sweatshirts
  • Warmers / Thermals
  • Woolen caps, mufflers, gloves and socks
  • Light Cotton Trek Pants / Comfortable Jeans (Avoid torn jeans)
  • Raincoat (not necessary – but good to have one)
  • Waterproof / snow-proof hiking shoes*
  • An extra pair of shoes (if you are trekking)
  • Sleeping bag (if you are trekking on your own)
  • Sunscreen (SPF40 and above)
  • Personal Medicines (As prescribed by your doctor)
  • Water bottle 
  • A flashlight
  • Solar chargers / Power banks
  • Lip guard
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Face Mask
  • Inhalers (if you suffer from asthma)
  • BSNL Prepaid / Postpaid SIM Card
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Toilet Paper

 

*If you are buying new shoes for your Spiti Valley holiday, please remember to use them for at least a month before you commence your holiday.

Request you to carry only one backpack per person.

Some Important Points:

  • The tour starts in Shimla and ends in Manali.
  • Vegetarian food will be easily available. If you need Jain food or have any dietary restrictions, please let us know and we will make the required arrangements.
  • We recommend a start time of 7 AM from Shimla on Day 2. So that you reach Kalpa / Sangla in the twighlight hours and can enjoy your cup of tea watching the sunset or take a stroll around.
  • On each day of the tour, we recommend to begin the journey latest by 7AM so that you can utilise the day light at its fullest and avoid traveling in low light.

 

Regarding any safety concerns:

If you are concerned about your safety, please note that we have been arranging tours and treks in Spiti Valley for the last many years and there has never been an untoward incident. Spiti Valley and generally the whole of Himachal Pradesh is very safe. The guides and the drivers we work with have been with us for several years.

 Please do not worry about your safety - for us, in our our culture - you are like our family members and you will be treated like the same - with lots of respect