Spiti - ‘a world within a world' as described by Rudyard Kipling is a relatively unknown world, tucked away in the Trans-Himalayan belt of Himachal Pradesh.
This wonderland borders Tibet in the east and Ladakh in the north. Spiti is home to a purely homogenous Buddhist Society of just over 10,000 people who bear stark cultural similarities with their neighbours in Tibet & Ladakh.
In the 9th century AD Padmasambhava introduced Buddhism to the people of Spiti. In 11th century AD, Lotsava Rinchen Zang- po became a pioneer in establishing Buddhist religion in Western Tibet. He is credited with the establishment of various monasteries in Spiti (Tabo, Kee, and Sarkhang). Spiti is now home to a purely homogenous Buddhist society that belongs to the Vajrayana sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Route detail and general observations This trek takes one to the deep roots of mountains, monasteries and myths simply spread all over the valley of Spiti through Manali with a visit to the Lake of Moon- Chander Tal. The journeys end at Shimla with a drive out from Spiti through Kinnaur Valley. Visiting thousands of years old monasteries like Kee, Komic, Lhalung, Tabo, Kungri, Dankhar etc and trekking above the altitude of 4000 meters is simply exciting.
- International airport to hotel in Delhi transfer by small coach/ medium or large cars as per the group size
- Sightseeing/ monument visits as per the itinerary
- Delhi to trek beginning point and back to Delhi transfers
- Transfer to international airport in Delhi after the trip
- Transportation of porters, cook, kitchen staff to trek beginning point and back to their places after the trekking
Accommodation – city hotels with breakfast & remaining on full board
- Hotels as per the program
- Trekking duration camps with all meals
- Gala dinner at Delhi with expedition mementoes/ souvenirs
Staff
- Porters for the trekking part
- Cook and kitchen helper (01)
- Trekking guide (01) from trek beginning point to trek end point
- Local sightseeing/ city/ monument guide
Equipment
- Trekking tents for the members
- Trekking tent for cook+ helper and trekking guide
- Ground mattresses
- Kitchen tent, chairs, tables, stools, utensils, crockery and cutlery
- Toilet tents and toiletries
- Medical kit
- Maps and directions
Administrative assistance to the expedition team
- Cargo Management for big groups
- Insurance of the staff and porters for trekking trips like Kangla Pass
- Inner Line permits/ restricted area permits
The cost doesn’t include
- Air tickets of the expedition members
- Any kind of insurance of the clients
- Personal expenditures of the clients
- Helicopter rescue
- Personal sleeping bags and sacs
- Cargo handling charges
Skiing supplement
- If you want to ski down from some point, you can write separately.
Day 01: Arrive Delhi; on arrival you will meet our office representative who will take you to your hotel for the night stay in Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi- Kullu Valley flight (01 hour) and drive to Manali: Morning take a spectacular flight to Kullu valley which crosses Chandigarh (no stoppage) and enters into the Himalayan section giving most fascinating views of Great Himalayan and Pir Panjal peaks for about 30 minutes. From the airport, you will be driven to Manali for more than one hour. Manali is a famous hill station, a scenic place under the mighty Rohtang Pass and the gateway to Ladakh, Zanskar, Lahoul & Spiti.
Day 03: Sightseeing of Manali & Naggar and evening at Solang Valley: There are so many things to do while in Manali. A morning walk to Old Manali villages and Hadimba Temple will be truly rewarding and a visit to Naggar (the place of heritage importance and work place of Russian painter Nicholas Roerich), makes the day extremely fruitful. Evening we shift you to Solang Valley which is simply half an hour’s drive from Manali, but amazingly beautiful place for paragliding and skiing activities. This small valley is the base for climbing expeditions to Friendship Peak, Hanuman Tibba, Seven Sisters, and Mount Shitidhar etc. The stunning view of snow covered peaks and a small village in front of your hotel room makes an awesome environment. The post card scenery of this valley offers a wonderful energy to the visitors.
Day 04: Drive Manali to Batal and trek to Chander Tal Lake: Although the distance is less than 100 Kms but the drive on high mountains takes time, so it is better to leave early and reach Batal crossing Rohtang Pass. The drive up to the Rohtang la is pleasing and getting on another side gives a different experience where out of a sudden the entire landscape changes, the greenery turns into shining barrenness of mountains and the high peaks and glaciers like CV ranges and Bara Shigri give a feeling that you are in a different world now. Getting down to the level where you see River Chandra flowing close to the road and then entering into Spiti valley by having a sip of tea at first temporary establishment of Chatru is a new experience, more in a way that now there is nature all where with silence, nothing else. Almost 32 Kms more is the place Batal, where we finally stop, take our lunch boxes out and relax for some time. Nest activity is to trek to Chander Tal- the lake of moon. We camp at Chander Tal Lake with luxury.
Day 05: Full day at Chander Tal Lake: surroundings have different stories, different trails leading one to Baralacha and then to Zanskar, stunning mountain peaks, stories of successful and unsuccessful climbing expeditions….. There is lot to do at Chander Tal even by doing nothing. You will have a great day with just one minimum reason that it’s Lake of Moon, so it is beautiful.
Day 06: Chander Tal to Kunzam Pass trek and drive to Kiato: Two hours trek takes one to Kunzam Pass from Chander Tal Lake from where you board your cars and reach Kiato in next 3 hours. Kiato is on the way to Kaza which we chose as a place to spend one night in tents. The place has shining mountains across the river on left side which keeps changing colors because of its different kinds of flowers and direction of sun, no wonders if you see herds of Ibex on the right side of mountains jumping amazingly in solid rocks.
Day 07: Kiato to Kibber (walk and trekking): From Kiato, we start trekking to Kibber- the highest village of the world connected by road (Hikkim is also got connected now) through CHICHIM village, which is the entry point for trekking towards base of Parang La and then further to Changthang Valley of Ladakh. The trek duration will be between 5-6 hours and half of the section is almost flat in the beginning. We walk on road for some times, but almost no vehicular traffic is visible. Kibber is a small high altitude village which has an age old monastery and few houses.
Day 08: Kibber to Hikkim/ Langza trek for 3-4 hours: Morning we walk for 2 Kms on flat section and reach at the base of Hikkim. Then we start trekking up towards Hikkim Village. The time taken is 3-4 hours and we reach at a nice village of Spiti, called Hikkim. The landscape is dry and barren but the village has green fields and vegetation. Langza is situated at 4400 meters height and offers a pleasant view of facing mountains. This is a perfect site for camping and relaxing in solitude.
Day 09: Langza, Komic and Tangyud Shakyapa: 6 hours trek: We start the day with a walk to Langza’s Fossil Centre; the Spiti Valley was formed as a result of the collision of the Indian and the Eurasian plate millions of years ago which led to the disappearance of the ancient Tethys Sea leaving behind fossilized clues of the sea life of that era. The route to the natural fossil centre starts from the Lang (temple) at Langza, from where it is about a half hour walk to its base. The fossil centre ranges from an average altitude of 4400 mts to 4600 mts along a narrow stream and is best explored here. It might seem extremely tempting to pick up a few of these geological relics, however, kindly refrain from depriving Spiti of its natural heritage.
Further we visit the Komic Lundup Tsemo Gompa (Monastery)at Komic, which is one of the world’s highest monasteries at 4587mts. Komic Gompa was earlier located near Hikkim and had to be shifted to its present location after an earthquake destroyed the earlier Gompa. The Gompa is well maintained and the local lamas (monks) will respectfully explain you the monastery.
Our next visit this day is to Tangyud Shakyapa monastery, a visit to the ruins of the old Shakyapa Monastery is about a 3 hour walk from Komic. The legend goes that it was foretold in Tibet that there would be 3 streams meeting at a point above which there would be a mountain in the shape of a heart, where the current monastery should be placed. The paradox of this monastery is that even though there were 3 streams flowing in the vicinity, yet the Monastery was abandoned due to water scarcity after an earthquake. As per local folklore it is said that the presiding deity “Maha Kala” of the Monastery had blessed 6 Bharals (blue sheep) which live in the vicinity of the Monastery till date. The fortunate may well be blessed with the sightings of these creatures. The visit inside the monastery of Maha Kala is full of spiritual energy. We camp at a nice place at Komic for the night.
Day 10: Komic to Demul: The place Demul is situated at 4357 Meters height which is our destination for this day. It will take about 7 hours to reach Demul, so we start early. The route stretches eastwards over the grazing lands of the Spitian highlands along the Pasham Range. Adequate snowfall in the winters transforms this frost bitten cold desert landscape into a lush green carpet of diverse flora. A slow ascent from Komic village lasting about one and half hour brings one to Chamai Lapchai (4717 Meters), the first pass en-route to Demul.
From here one gets a panoramic view of various peaks such as Cho-Cho Khang Namo, Cho-Cho Khang Nilda, Pin peak, Pasham range, Cho-Kula, Hull peak, etc. Here one also encounters herds of livestock brought up from the villages for grazing on these rich and nutritious pasturelands. The snow cock, although an elusive bird can be sighted in this area. From the Chamai Lapchai a gradual walk of about 3 hours, with an abundance of medicinal plants and other flora of the Spitian Highlands, brings one to the grazing lands of Demul village. En-route a place called Faisa Dunggo (4674mts) is an ideal location to get a look at various medicinal plants such as Chey (Somlata), Bursay, Patish, Thama, etc. Wildlife such as the Tibetan Wolf, Red Fox and the Snow Cock can also be sighted here. On the way a place called Chomali Tanka, which is an ideal location for camping with a vast open area, also used at times for horse riding. Thereafter an ascent of about 1 hour brings one to the Young Lapchai (4717mts), which is one of the highest passes while trekking within Spiti. A steep descent of about 30 minutes brings one to the entrance of Demul village which is adorned by Mane walls. As per local custom one should always circumvent them clockwise. From here another descent of about 30 minutes through the fields of barley and peas brings you to our campsite at Demul.
Day 11: Demul to Lalung: This days trekking will take 4-5 hours and we reach Lalung which is situated at 3758 Meters. From Demul to Lalung is a relatively easier trek with a steep initial descent through a narrow gorge lasting about 2 hours to the valley floor. Immediately out of Demul is the Zong Phu (Phu or Phug means cave) which is about a 20 minute walk from the village. This cave was used by the inhabitants of Demul as their post and also a safe hideout during attacks from outside, primarily from Lalung. The steep descent continues till the valley floor of the Padang River. From here on another 30 minute walk brings you to the quaint little hamlet of Sanglung (3612 mts). This village is ideal to take a quick lunch break amidst the green fields of barley and peas. From Sanglung you enter the Lingti valley and a gradual walk lasting about 1 hour will bring you to the bed of the Lingti River. The Samba (bridge), at an altitude of 3576 mts connecting Lalung village to Sanglung has a local deity (by the name of Yulsa) resides here. It is a local custom to pay your regards by offering some food or drinks to the deity. Thereafter a steep ascent of about 1 hour will get you to the village of Lalung. This entire stretch is full of diverse flora such as the wild rose, Sea buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamonides), Umboo (Myricaria Squamosa), juniperus macropoda, Ephedra Gerardiana, Arnebia Benthami, etc. The entry to the village is adorned by a line of Sea buckthorn trees on the edges of the fields. Lalung Monastery is as old as Tabo monastery is and the wall paintings of both monasteries match extremely with each other. We camp close to the monastery.
Day 11: Lalung to Dankhar- Dankhar Lake: A trek of 4 hours will take one to famous Dankhar Lake situated at 3890 meters. The trek from Lalung to Dankhar is another relatively easy trek. The trek runs along the road and then gradually climbs up the hillside towards the direction of Dankhar. After crossing over the ridge, the rock and mud pillars of Dankhar come into view. A gradual decent brings one to the remains of the Dankhar fort. Dankhar originally called Dankhar (Dhak- Cliff, Khar- Palace), literally means ‘Palace on a cliff’. Dankhar was the earlier capital of Spiti and was adorned by a stunningly unique and precariously balanced fort. The Dankhar Lake is situated up to the Gompa and offers a quite campsite. Dankhar Lake (4517 mts) is a 1 hour 30 minutes steep climb from the village has a spectacular setting with its turquoise blue waters in the backdrop of the Spitian mountains. The lake is also frequented by the local fauna and if fortunate one can easily sights various birds and mammals of this region.
Day 12: Dankhar Lake to Dankhar Gompa and drive to Kaza: Now is the time to give up trekking and explore few areas of Spiti by cars. From Dankhar Monastery, you will be taken to Kaza with a visit to Pin Valley and its popular monastery of Kungri which is the place of Buchen oracles in Spiti. One can further continue trekking from Pin Valley to Kullu Valley over Pin Parvati Pass or to Kinnaur Valley over Bhaba Pass. Night at comfortable hotel in Kaza- the headquarter of Spiti region.
Day 13: Drive to Nako through Tabo monastery: About 110 Kms nice drive takes one to Nako, the ancient village at the gate of Kinnaur valley. You do visit Tabo Monastery- the Ajanta of Himalayas and one of the most important group of monasteries in Buddhist world and Trans Himalayas. Nako is a small village situated at the corner of a huge mountain lake, a monastery of Lord Padamsambhava stands high in the village. We spend the night in a nice hotel.
Day 14: Drive to Kalpa and overnight at Sangla: Morning drive to Kalpa for about 2 hours and after visiting this old settlement, sometimes used to be very popular in British era and a place from where panoramic view of Kinner Kailash peaks is visible. The sunrise at Kalpa is extremely beautiful and we leave Kalpa after lunch and reach to the most beautiful valley of Kinnaur, called Sangla. Evening is free to explore the village and fort and the scenic beauty of the place. We stay in a comfortable hotel at Sangla.
Day 15: Sangla to Shimla: We drive to Shimla this day; it is about 8-9 hours drive on Old Hindustan Tibet road. Rampur is the place where we stop for our lunch and from here, Shimla is another 4 hours drive. We reach Shimla late in the evening and relax for the night at good hotel.
Day 16: Easy day in Shimla with visits to British heritage sites: There are more than 100 buildings in Shimla which are associated with the British raj. Indian Institute of Advance Studies which was the Vice Regal lodge that time, Gaiety Theater from where the culture of beauty pageant was started, the famous mall road and the scandal point can be explored easily.
Day 17: Free day till afternoon and later drive to Kalka to get the train for Delhi, which takes 3 hours drive to Kalka and 4 hours train journey to Delhi.
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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