Himachal Pradesh and Laddakh in 18 Days

Shimla, Kinnaur, Spiti, Keylong, Leh in 18 Days

This adventure travel package will help you explore the beautiful Laddakh, Lahaul, Spiti, Shimla and a lot of places in between. The journey starts from Shimla as you progress towards Spiti and then cross Lahaul to move on to Laddakh.

Day 01: Chandigarh – Shimla (125 kms) (4 hours) (2100 meters) 
A car will pick you up from Chandigarh airport or railway station to take you towards Shimla. Depending upon traffic, you will reach Shimla by afternoon or early evening and check in to hotel for rest and freshening up. Either rest and enjoy exploring the city on your own or take the car to visit Shimla landmarks like Mall Road, Christ Church etc.

Day 02: Shimla – Narkanda – Rampur – Jeori – Sarahan. (175 kms) (7-8 hours)
Start from Shimla early next morning after breakfast to reach Sarhan. On the way you will pass landmarks like Kufri, Matiana, Narkanda, Hattu Peak ( 3135 m) etc. You can climb up the Hattu peak if you feel like before resuming the drive. Driving through Jeori, you will reach Sarhan for night stay.

Day 03: Sarahan – Jeori – Wangtu – Karcham – Sangla. (92 kms) (4-5 hours)
Next day, begin the day by a visit to Sarhan’s bird park and Bhima Kali temple. This temple was the site of human sacrifice till a few centuries past. Next, drive over Wangtu bridge to have lunch and some rest in Karcham. Reach Sangla early evening and checkin the hotel. Enjoy a walk in market place and visit Kamru fort and the village temple.

Day 04: Sangla – Chitkul – Raksham/ Sangla. (52 Km) (3-4 hours) (2000 meters)
After breakfast drive to Chitkul (3460 Meters) last village on India & Chinese border walk for half a day around Chitkul Village, return back to Sangla or an option of sleeping in Camps in Batseri is also available depending on availability or stay overnight in guest house / Hotel.

Day 05: Sangla –Reckong Peo – Kalpa (49 kms) (3- 4 hours) (2950 meters)
Next morning, drive through Powari to visit Reckong Peo monastery to see it’s major attraction, a 60 feet tall Buddha statue. Reach Kalpa for night stay and local sightseeing. Kinner Kailash mountain (6050 meters) is visible at some distance and forms an imposing presence over the area.

Day 06: Kalpa – Nako (110 Km) (5 hours) (3540 meters) 
Next destination for the day will be Nako, the point where the terrain changes to that of a high altitude desert after the greenery you just passed. You will drive through Puh and Powari. Upon reaching Nako, visit the picturesque Nako lake, village monastery and enjoy leisurely strolls through the village streets.

Day 07: Nako – Tabo (60 Km) (4hrs)
After breakfast drive through the desert mountain range with villages & Desert Mountains in the surroundings and reach gue (552 yrs old mummy) then drive towards Tabo (3050) meters a more than 1015 years old monastery visit the Monastery over night in a Hotel in Tabo.

Day 07: Nako – Tabo (60 Km) (3 hours) (3050 meters)
After breakfast, drive towards Tabo and spend some time exploring the village. Visit it’s 1000 years old monastery and hike for a while to reach the ancient caves where Budhhist monks practice deep meditation. Nightstay in a small hotel in Tabo.
Day 08: Tabo – Dhankar (3850 meters) – Kungri – Mudh – Kaza (120 Km) (7 hours) (3350 meters)
Reach Dhankar, the old capital of Spiti and visit the museum. Then walk to Dhankar lake and admire it’s beauty and marine life. Next stop will be Pin valley which is famous for it’s diverse wildlife which includes Himalayan Bear, Ibex and the very elusive Snow Leapard among a few others. Lunch will be served in Mudh village. You will also visit Kungri monastery, home to a very different sect of Buddhism than rest of the region.

Day 09: Kaza – Key Monastery – Lang Za (4280 meters) – Komic (4560 meters) – Kaza (78kms) (3350 meters)
Next morning, you will visit Key monastery and then drive on world’s highest motorable road towards Komic (4560 m). Lunch will be served in a local’s house in Langza. There you can visit the fossil park and see a few fossils millions of years old. Drive back to Kaza for night stay.

Day 10: Kaza — Losar—Kunzum la – Chandratal (4300 meters)
You will leave Kaza early morning and drive towards Chandratal Lake while passing through Kunzum La (4551 m) pass, a scenic spot where most travelers stop to pay respects to the deity and pray for safe journey. You will take a walk around the lake, campsite and enjoy all the views/ Night will be spent in a campsite about 1 km from the lake.Meaning of Chandrataal is Moon Lake and is a major attraction of Spiti.

Day 11: Chandratal — Batal—Chatru— Gramphu –– Keylong (100 kms) (6 hours) 
After breakfast, start driving towards Keylong as you pass through and make rest stops in Batal, Chatru and Gramphu. These rae small settlements along Chandra river and have excellent views of the valley with river and countless mountain streams flowing through. The road is usually rough and drive will be slow.

Day 12: Keylong – Darcha – Baralacha La (4830 meters) – Sarchu (4253 meters) (110 Km) (4hrs)
Start your drive from Keylong to Sarchu via Darcha & Baralacha la as you pass some of the toughest and most rugged mountain passes in the world. Enjoy the stunning views of mountains and valleys. Night stay will be in campsite. india-himalayas-mountains-view

Day 13: Sarchu – Pang (4400 meters ) drive over the Lachung – La ( 4800 meters) Pang – Moore plains – Tang lang – La ( 5400 meters ) (250kms) (9 hours)
Another day of an amazing drive through some rugged and high altitude passes as you travel towards desert plateau of Moore plains. You will cross Tanglang La, which at 5400 meters is among highest motorable passes in the world to reach Upshi for rest. Drive of another 3 hours to Leh for nightstay there.

Day 14 – Exploring Leh
This day will be dedicated to exploring Leh by sightseeing. You will walk through the winding streets, visit famous attractions like Thiksey & Hemis monasteries, Shey palace and Stok Palace among a few other places. Enjoy a cup of famous buttery tea of Laddakh.

Day 15- Leh – Khardung La – Leh (40 km)
Visit Khardung La pass which at 5360 meters is among highest in world and offers mindblowing views of nearby scenery. Spend some time there enjoying the views, exploring the place and then drive back towards Leh. Spend rest of day exploring the local markets and streets.

Day 16 – Leh – Pangong – Leh (170 kms) (4 hours)
Drive towards the extremely beautiful Pangong Lake via Changla. Spend a few hours soaking in water, enjoying the views and meal on lake side. Nightstay in campsite near the lake. You can also drive back to Leh.

Day 17 – Leh – Alchi – Leh (115 kms) (5 hours)
Spend this day visiting Alchi, Basgo Palace and Liker monastery. Spend a few hours exploring rustic Alchi and interacting with friendly locals. Drive to Leh for nightstay.

Day 18 – Leh to Delhi
Airport drop.

Best time for this tour:

1st week of June to 15th of September

TOUR DETAILS:

  • TRANSPORT : In a private car or SUV with driver.
  • ACCOMMODATION: In hotels, guest houses and campsites.
  • ACTIVITIES: Camping, Hiking,  Bird watching,  Cultural activities,
  • PHYSICAL LEVEL: Any one. Almost anyone can do it without any problem
  • DURATION: 18 Days
  • FOOD: Breakfast on all days.
  • TENTATIVE COST: Actual cost may differ depending upon season and availability.
    USD 1500 per person for 2 guests.
    USD 1050 per person for 4 guests
    USD 2700 for a solo guest.