This Self Driving page is for the people who have passion of driving off roads, undertaking challenges and travelling with a care for everything that counts in the life of locals and their surroundings. This self driving experience offers the finest roads in India Himalayas under the shadows of Great Himalayan, Pir Panjal and Zanskar Ranges. No need to say that this region which is known as Trans Himalaya, is a land of monks, monasteries, mountains and mysteries.
Route detail
We provide you powerful 4X4 SUV cars for this drive which starts from Shimla and takes you to Kinnaur and then into forbidden land of Spiti. Spiti offers few finest clusters of monasteries which date back to above 1000 years. The altitude is rising and the mountains get barren where you feel the direct rays of sun going deep in your skin. Through the highest pass of Spiti, The Kunzam La, we enter into Chandra Valley which closes nearby Keylong in Lahoul. The future days drives go through high mountain passes including Tanglang La of 5360 Meters, the second highest motorable road of the world. The Tsokar and Tsemoriri Lake are the additional adventure in this route and you reach Leh with your cars at the last phase of the expedition.
We strongly suggest you to use our email address info@adventureindiagroup.com for sending your queries directly to us. It is less time consuming than using booking forms. You can give missed call at 919736102222 and our office will call you back if you can't send email.
Day 02: Morning train to Kalka (starting at 0740 and reaching at 1150) from here you will be drive to Shimla for another 3 hours. Lunch on the way. Check into the hotel and later walk on its famous Mall Road to witness the old heritage of Shimla.
Day 03: Morning you are being introduced to your cars and rest of the day free to explore Shimla.
Day 04: Shimla to Sarahan (151 Kms): We start our Trans Himalayan self driving experience this morning by driving to Sarahan through Kufri and Narkanda. Situated at an elevation of 2708 Meters, Narkanda offers wonderful slopes for skiing. It has dense pine forests and famous Hatu peak is only 08 km from here. Once we reach Narkanda after frequent climbing by cars from Kufri of about more than 45 Kms, we get a striking panorama of the plains below and spectacular views of snow ranges all around. After having tea, we drive down to Rampur which is situated at the banks of River Sutlej on the Old Hindustan Tibet Road. It was once the capital of the Princely State of Bushahr. The whole area is a maze of lanes, shops and temples. In the month of November, the Lavi Fair is organized here. From Rampur, it is one hour’s drive to Sarahan- the place of Goddess Bhimakali and our destination of the day.
Day 05: Sarahan to Kalpa- 134 Kms and 6 hours: Morning we visit the Goddess Bhimakali Temple. Sarahan mornings also provide a spectacular view of Shrikhand Mahadev (5227 M). The Bhimakali temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, is the finest example of Indo-Tibetan architecture. As per legend, this is where goddess Shakti destroyed the mythical demon king Bhasmasur. It is a highly revered place of pilgrimage. A Pheasant Breading Centre and stadium are worth visiting. The area is a rich bowl of quality apples and other varieties of delicious fruits. After this memorable morning, we continue our journey to the beautiful valley Kinnaur. The drive moves on the banks of Sutlej and through the power projects on this river. The small villages like Chora and Nigulsari come on the way and surely a deep curve at Tranda fills the maximum excitement on this safari. We reach Karcham and drive further to Kalpa through Rekong Peo. This is a beautiful and main village of Kinnaur. Across the river faces the majestic mountains of the Kinner Kailash range. Kalpa is surrounded by picturesque villages and was once the favorite haunt of Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor General of India. The local inhabitants follow a syncretism of Hinduism and Buddhism, and temples in Kalpa are dedicated to both the faiths. Kalpa is a town of with history of ancient temples.
Day 06: Kalpa to Nako- 106 Kms and 4 hours: The morning at Kalpa is mesmerizing if you open your window and see the facing Kinner Kailash Peak. We visit Kinnaur’s most powerful local deity Chandika Devi Temple at Kothi while coming down to the main road for Nako. The temple popularly called Devi Kothi, has beautiful wood carvings and silver plated doors. The deity is depicted as a rich golden image vanquishing a demon. Through Rekang Peo, Pooh and Khab which is the junction of Spiti River & Sutlej, we drive upwards through an adventurous trail to Nako. The village is situated at the altitude of 3662 Meters and cluster of old houses, a huge lake in between and monastery dedicated to Lord Padamsambhava create a situation like explained in a fairy tale.
Day 07: Nako to Tabo- 63 Kms and 2 hours: We visit the monastery in the morning and leave for Tabo through Maling Nalla and Sumdo down at the beds of Spiti River. Some miles away from Nako is a village called TASHIGANG around which are several caves where it is believe that Guru Padmasambhava meditated and gave discourse to followers. A waterfall nearby has snow water falling like a river of milk close to Tashigang. Legend says that it is a heavenly realm of fairies .In one of the cave you can still able to see the live footprints of these fairies or other demigods. Himalaya is the bundle of mysteries. (Tashigang is not in our itinerary). We get down to Sumdo where your inner line permits will be checked again. This is another place from where the Chinese border is just few kilometers. Through the silent roads, we reach Tabo in the afternoon, check into the hotel and evening move out to explore the more than 1000 years old group of monasteries, known as Ajanta of Himalayas. Tabo Monastery was founded in 996AD. With its original decoration and art images intact, it is considered to be the oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monastery in India and the Himalayas. The unique beauty of its art and its pivotal historical role in the transmission of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and culture in the 10th and 11th century makes Tabo Monastery an historically significant site. Within the ancient monastery's compound are nine temples built between the late 10th and the 17th century and numerous stupas.
Day 08: Tabo to Kaza (45 Kms) with Pin Valley, Dankhar Monastery & Lhalung Monastery excursions: After breakfast leave for Pin Valley. On the way we see Dankhar Monastery. Dankhar was the traditional capital of the Spiti Valley Kingdom during the 17th century and has some features dating back to the 12th century. It was the seat of the early rulers of Spiti, the Nonos, who had the right to cultivate the government lands nearby and were required to keep the fort in repair. After spending time at Dankhar Monastery, we get down to the main road and drive to another monastery, Kungri at Pin Valley. Pin is the greenest valley in Spiti on the banks of Pin River. Kungri is Spiti's second oldest monastery, built around 1330 and belongs to Niyangma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Gompa consists of three detached rectangular blocks facing east. It is noted for its sword dance by the Buzhens of Mud village and we sometimes organize special Buzhens for our visitors.
Later we drive back and climb up to Lhalung Monastery from the Kaza highway. It is known as Golden Temple too was one of the earliest monasteries founded in Spiti by the great Tibetan Buddhist lotswa (translator), Rinchen Zangpo, the king of western Himalayan Kingdom of Guge during the late 10th century CE. This beautiful village is 14 km from the main road and is the largest in the Lingti valley.
We take the drive to main road and lead towards Kaza for our overnight stay.
Day 09: Excursion of Kee, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim & Komic and back Kaza- 48 Kms : Spiti has come to be known as the “Fossil Park of The World” The three villages Kibber, Kaza & Kee fall on the route faovourite among those looking for fossils. Morning we drive to Kee Gompa, then to Kibber Village & Gompa and from there take right to Hikkim, Langza and Komic Monasteries and villages. The Kee (4166 M) is the biggest monastery of Spiti Valley and a religious training centre for Lamas. It reportedly had 100 monks in 1855 and presently there are 80 monks in this monastery. This is the center of all ritual decisions in the valley. Kibber is the village situated at 4200 meters and the gateway to Changthang Valley. Hikkim and Komic are the highest villages of the world connected with road and the monastery of Mahakala at Komic is fascinating. The Komic Lundup Tsemo Gompa is one of the world’s highest at 4587 m. Komic Gompa was earlier located near Hikkim and had to be shifted to its present location after it was destroyed in an earthquake. The drive moves through the fertile top land of the valley facing several mountain peaks and ranges, almost snow covered. After spending a day with the ancient monasteries of Spiti valley, we get back to Kaza hotel.
Day 10: Kaza to Keylong- 185 Kms and 8 hours: Morning we leave Kaza and drive towards Keylong. On the way, we cross through small villages like Hansa and Lhosar and there are plentiful of chances to see the herds of Ibex jumping in the rough mountains across the river. The place Takche offers a panoramic view of the mountains and the different small wild flowers and later we slowly start climbing up to the mighty Kunzam Pass (4590 M). The view of distinct mountain ranges from Kunzam Pass is awe inspiring and then we gradually start descending to Batal, a place on the riverbed of Chandra. From Batal, although the road moves along with the river till Chatru for more than 36 Kms but the route is rough and so takes time. From Chatru, we again climb to Gramphug and then join the Manali- Leh highway to Keylong. We stop at Koksar for the tea and registration of passports and later reach Keylong through the various village of Lahoul Valley and the meeting point of Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi from where these two rivers become Chinab and flow deep in Pakistan. Reach Keylong and check into the hotel.
Day 11: Keylong to Sarchu, 106 Kms and 5 hours: Morning we climb to visit Kardang Monastery close to Keylong, which was once the capital of Lahoul and a monastery of Drukpa Lineage. The monastery is believed to have been built in the 12th century and houses a large library of Buddhist literature. The monastery was in ruins until it was renovated in 1912 CE by Lama Norbu Rimpoche (died 1952), who, with Lama Kunga, turned it into "a proper educational and training establishment." We leave Keylong later and drive towards Sarchu through small villages on the way including Jispa and Darcha, two prominent bases for trekking to Zanskar from ancient times. The trail’s second pass, Baralacha La (4830m) lies some 73 Kms beyond Keylong. Another 33 Kms of relatively rougher road bring you to the busy little hamlet of Sarchu which marks the border between the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Overnight at fixed camps.
Day 12: Sarchu to Tsokar, 135 Kms and 7 hours: From Sarchu, the road flattens into a good straight stretch of 25km known as the Lingti Plains and then climbs through a 10 km stretch of amazingly circuitous hairpin bends known as the Gatta Loops which number all of 21. The road eventually reached the Nakee-La Pass (4800 m) with a fantastic view. Just downhill from this pass is the Whiskey Nallah, beyond which the road begins to climb to the Lachalung la Pass, 54 km from Sarchu, with a panoramic view of snow-clad peaks. Crossing the vast expanse of flat area called the Moray Plains which are a part of the Tibetan Plateau and stretch for almost 40 km, you take the diversion to the salt water lake of Tsokar, which lies 22 km away. Overnight at fixed camps.
Day 13: Tsokar to Tsemoriri (4485 M) – 70 Kms and 2 hours: The Tsemoriri Lake in the Changthang area of Ladakh was declared as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2003. The lake now has the distinction of being the highest Ramsar site in the world surpassing Salar de Tara in Chile. The lake is approximately 19 Kms long and 7 Kms wide and is located at an altitude of 4595 meters above sea level. Wake up in the morning to the spectacular landscape around Tsokar or ‘White Lake’, so called because of the deposits of salt which encrust its shores. The area is known for its herds of Tibetan Wild Asses or Kiangs. Laze for a while before starting the ride to Tsomoriri. The lake is pretty and the entire setting of mountains and shimmering waters amidst them is worth at several photographs and write ups. The area around Tsomoriri is the best place in the entire region to see Ladakh’s wildlife which includes kiangs, Tibetan blue sheep, marmots, red foxes and a variety of birds. Overnight at fixed camp.
Day 14: Tsemoriri to Leh- 280 Kms and 7 hours: After breakfast drive towards Leh via Sumdo, this is 48 Kms from Tsemoriri. The highlights along the way are the spectacular mountain pass of Namshang La (4800 m) and the village of Puga. Beyond Sumdo, you cross from the southern bank of the Indus to the northern bank, across the Mahe Bridge. You drive another 22 km to the village of Chumathang, famed for its hot sulphur springs. Ride 90 km along the River Indus from Chumathang to Upshi, a checkpoint for tolls and permit checks. The road from Chumathang to Upshi curves its way between the towering mountains and gorges of the Ladakh and Zanskar Ranges. From Upshi, you ride a distance of 51 km north along the River Indus to reach Leh
Day 15: Full day in Leh to visit monasteries: This will be the full day visit to the Indus Valley monasteries to get a flavor of the history and culture of Ladakh India. With a visit to Thiksey, Shey and Hemis you cover the best known monuments around Leh.
You also pass Sindhu Ghat by the Indus River. In the late afternoon you visit Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Namgyal Shemo Gompa and then stroll through Leh Bazaar.
Day 16: Fly to Delhi (01 hour) and later board your flight back home.
You can turn to Manali on Day 14 and after spending one day there, can reach Delhi on Day 16. If you want to do this, kindly mail us.
Getting there: Your nearest international airport is Delhi where you will meet with our expedition manager. After essential visits to IMF and cargo (if required), you will be escotrted towards the initial point of your adventure as per the program details.
After the expedition/ adventure journey, you arrive back to Delhi. After de briefing (in case of expedition) and farewell ceremony, you will be driven to international airport to board flight back to your home.
Airtickets: We have our partners in almost every foreign countries, so if you need any assistance in your air tickets bookings, you are always welcome to speak to us to know about our partner close to you.
Cargo Management: We have strong tieups with the cargo management companies to get your consignments clear timely in Delhi. In maximum cases, you will only need to spend just 2 hours for getting your consignmwent delivery. Once you send the documents and the boxes details, we start locating them in India.
Insurance : It is a condition of joining our trips that you must be adequately insured. All persons are expected to arrange their own insurance. Polices should cover any potential risks involved in such adventure.
Our hotels and camps: We offer you best economy hotels in cities and towns and till base camp we provide you very comfirtable tents with maximim possible faciltiies in the mountains. For the trekking, Jeep Safaris, MTB and other adventure journeys, we provide the most luxurious camps fitted with dining areas and modren toilet facilities.
Adventure India briefing: We have excelent maps, images and movies of majoriety of our adventure expeditions/ joiurneys and sports. A short briefing in our offices is highly recommended so the team understands logistics, forecarst problems and know where the solutions would be. We stress on planning, planning and planning in any adventure expediton and till now we have remained successful in all of our expeditions just because of our planning. So we need you to be an active part of it.
Rescue and helicopter evacuation: if the expeditons are well planned, rescue operations can be avoided. In the history of 14 years, we didn’t encounter any seviour requireemtn of rescue but still we can tie up with the agencies to provide helicopter evacuation on your request and willingness to pay the charges.
Peak booking formalities: already mentioned in detail in our mountaineering formalities in India link. For necessary applications either you can check the website of IMF or speak to us.
Ground transportation: We provide the ground transportation compriseing of best available cars/ copaches in fine roads and rough trucks in remote areas of the Indian mountains.
Porters and ponies: We provide ponies till base camp and HAP/ LAPs as per the requirement of the expedition.
Fuel and gases: Fuel (aftwer BC) is not a part of cost included section, but we will manage Butane / Butane propane gases for you on your timely request.
Trek & BC food : We offer a mixture of Vegetarian and Non vegetarian food till BC including the several herbs we have individually discovered with the medicinal values and capacity to keep the body warm. We have cooks who make Korean, Japnese and Continental food along with Indian food.
Our guides & instructors: Our guides are basically trained till BC trekking and support to establish BC. But our instructors do have good experience of mountaineering who can join the expeditions to higher levels too.
Ground Support system: We have fantastic ground support system developed in collaboration with the local people of nearest villages, army camps, porters and local guides. We have re discovered the use of traditional communication system also along with the setellite phones to stay in touch with the groups after BC. Our BC staff is trained to keep information of the groups at ABC and between and act as per the situation.
Cost Includes & not: The cost includes all hotels, guest houses, camps till BC, food till BC, ponies, porters, LAP/ HAP, food & tents for the porters, cooks and staff at BC, insurance of our permanenet staff, food for LO, cargo management, all transportation, all sightseeing, liasioning and coordination, trekking guides and BC management. The cost doent include IMF fees and environment levies, State Government fees and environment levies, porters insurance, clients air fares, helicopter evacuation, extra porters requirement from the BC, extra days at or above BC and any expenditure on personal level including clients insurance/ visa etc.
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