SPITI VALLEY INNOVA JEEP TOUR 2017 / 7 DAYS
HIGHLIGHTS
- - Manali
- - Rohtang Pass
- - Kunzum La – Losar – Kaza
- - Langza
- - Hikkim
- - Komik
- - Ki Monastery
- - Kibber
- - Gette
- - Pin Valley
- - Kungri
- - Mudh
- - abo
- - Dhankar
- - Dhankar Lake Trek
- - Lhalung
- - Chandratal Lake
- -
DETAILS
Company Name: Spiti Holiday Adventure
Price per person: INR 11970
Duration: 6 nights / 7 days hours
Departure Point: Manali
Return Point: Manali
Type of Tour: Multi-Day Tour
DAY ONE: Drive from Manali – Rohtang Pass – Kunzum La – Losar – Kaza. Overnight in a Kaza Hotel. ( 11, 980 feet / 9 – 10 hours )
We begin our Spiti Valley tour by burning the road from Manali. We pass through the popular adventure-haven Rohtang Pass. We begin to drive into the desolate and stunning brown-badland landscape and approach Chattru and Batal. At 14, 931 feet, we catch our first chill at the august Kunzum Pass and then descend into Losar Village, the first in Spiti valley.
Having warmed up with a chai, we continue driving through the stunning landscape and reach Kaza where we spend the night at a comfortable hotel.
DAY TWO: Drive from Kaza – Langza – Hikkim – Komik – Ki Monastery – Kibber – Gette – Kaza. Overnight in a Kaza hotel. ( 14, 806 feet feet / 6 – 7 hours )
Today, on the second day of the 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 metres. 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 can 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 about 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 centre of learning as well as 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 metres and 18 km from Kaza, this formerly highest permanently inhabited village of 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 makes 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 traversable 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.
We drive back to Kaza in the evening and spend the night in a comfortable and warm Kaza hotel.
DAY THREE: Drive from Kaza to Pin Valley – Kungri – Mudh – Kaza. Overnight in a Kaza hotel. ( 12, 450 feet / 4 – 5 hours )
On the third day of our Spiti Valley tour, 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.
We drive back to Kaza in the evening and spend the night in a comfortable and warm Kaza hotel.
DAY FOUR: Drive from Kaza to Tabo – Dhankar – Dhankar Lake Trek – Lhalung. Overnight in a Lhalung Homestay. ( 12, 774 feet / 4 – 5 hours )
After a delicious breakfast, we continue our Spiti Valley tour and drive towards the only other town of Spiti Valley – Tabo. Also known as the ‘Ajanta of the Himalayas’, Tabo houses the 1010 year-old Tabo Monastery – which is a UNESCO world heritage site and is famous for its ancient paintings that depict the life of The Buddha, and intricate portraits of gods and demons along with life-size statues of bodhisattvas, in a fusion of western Tibetan, Indian and Kashmiri styles.
After spending a couple of hours at Tabo, we drive towards Dhankar. Perched high above the confluence of the Spiti and Pin River, in a hidden bowl, is the tiny hamlet of Dhankar. The former capital of the Royals of Spiti Valley, also known as the Nono, who ruled the dust-coloured badlands of Spiti Valley, go back in time as you explore the 1200-year-old Dhankar Gompa which perches precariously between eroded rocky pinnacles on the edge of a cliff. If time permits, do take an hour’s climb above the village to visit the stunning turquoise Dhankar Tso or Dhankar Lake which offers views over the valley and towards the twin peaks of Mane Rang ( 6593 meters ) .
Later, we take a short drive to Lhalung – another beautiful high altitude Spiti valley village.
The word Lhalung means ‘land of god’ and the village of Lhalung is located at the foot of the Tangmar Mountains which supposedly transforms in colour depending on the mood of the deities. Red denotes anger while yellow signifies happiness. Apart from being home to hospitable local families, the village of Lhalung is also home to one of the oldest gompas in Spiti valley. The Lhalung Monastery – also known as Sarkhang and golden Temple – is situated at a height of 3658 metres.
We spend the night at an authentic local homestay with a local family, listening to stories of
life at above 12, 000 feet.
Overnight at a homestay in Lhalung.
DAY FIVE: Drive from Lhalung to Losar – Kunzum La – Chandratal Lake. Overnight in Camps near Chandratal Lake. ( 14, 000 feet / 6 – 7 hours )
Today, we commence our journey back home and trace our steps back on the Kaza – Manali road. However, we take one last stop at another Spitian wonder – Chandratal Lake. The mystical and beautiful Chandratal Lake, which translates to Moon Lake, is located at a height of 14, 100 feet. The Chandra Bhaga mountain range forms a striking backdrop for the lake, which changes appearance according to the pictures painted in the sky.
After capturing the colours of the beautiful Chandratal Lake, we drive to our camping site where a hot supper under the gaze of a million stars and the Milky Way awaits us.
Our camps at Chandratal Lake are equipped with state of the art camping equipment including tents, high altitude sleeping bags and a comfortable mattress.
DAY SIX: Drive from Chandratal Lake to Rohtang Pass – Manali. Overnight in a Manali hotel ( 6, 726 feet / 6 – 7 hours )
With visuals of the stunning Chandratal Lake captured in minds and cameras, we continue tracing our steps back, driving on the Kaza – Manali road and after a few hours of driving and some more stunning landscape, we pass through the famous Rohtang Pass and reach Manali where we bid goodbye to our drivers.
You can choose to explore Manali’s markets in the evening if you are up for it or you can rest in the comforts of your Manali hotel.
DAY SEVEN: Check out from Manali at 12 noon / Take an overnight bus to New Delhi.
We wake up to some hot chai, a sumptuous breakfast and some brilliant views of the Himalayas from your hotel in Manali. You are free to explore Manali on foot today. You can choose to take an overnight bus to New Delhi / we can help you arrange a private taxi from Manali to Chandigarh / New Delhi.
PRICE DETAILS
This shared Spiti Valley tour costs INR 11, 970 per person if booked 90 days before the start of the tour. If this tour is booked between 0 – 89 days, the cost of this tour is INR 12, 970 per person.
ADDITIONAL INFO
The cost includes the following:
> Accommodation on double sharing basis at a comfortable hotel in Kaza and Manali, homestay accommodation on triple / quad sharing in Lhalung village.
> Camping at Chandratal Lake. Camping includes state of the art tents, sleeping bags / blankets and camping mattress.
> Breakfast and Dinner at all places except Manali.
> All transfers by a comfortable non-AC Innova from Day 1 to Day 6.
> Driver charges, fuel, all applicable toll
> Monastery Fees
The cost does not include the following:
> Service Tax of 4.5%
– Lunch / Any meals in Manali.
– Guide and Permits
– Any additional costs incurred in case of a medical emergency / natural disaster / breakdown of vehicle / acts of God.
– Anything not mentioned in the “What’s Included” section.
CONTACT INFO