Shimla, Kinnaur, Spiti, Manali, Dharamshala, Amritsar. 16 days itinerary
This roller coaster of a travel package will take you from plains of Chandigarh and Amritsar to majestic Dhauladhar mountain range in Mcleodganj to sky high mountains of Himalayas in Spiti. This tour package will cover north Indian plains, green forested mountains and high altitude desert in fun-filled 16 days.
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 – Sangla. (46 kms) (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) (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)
After an early morning wakeup, you will reach Chandrataal Lake while passing through Kunzum La (4551 m). where most travelers stop to pay respects to the deity and pray for safe journey. 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: Kaza —Losar—Kunzum la—Rohtang La—Manali (200 kms) (10hours) (1980 meters)
After breakfast, you will leave for Manali while driving through Batal, Chota Darra, Gramphu and Rohtang pass (3970 m). The route is highly picturesque and once you cross Rohtang, the terrain gets much greener as it receives heavy rainfall. Nightstay in a Manali hotel.
Day 12: Manali Local Sightseeing
This day will be dedicated to local sightseeing in Manali. You will visit Hidimba Temple, Vashishth Kund (for it’s hot water springs), Manu temple and take a walk in this charming town.
Day 13: Manali – Mandi – Palampur – Dharamshala – Mcleodganj (250 kms) (8 hours) (1350 meters)
You will Manali early morning and start driving towards Mcleodganj. On way, you will stop at Mandi and Palampur, famous due to it’s tea gardens, adventure sports and Baijnath temple, which is beleived to be thousands of years old. Night stay will be in Mcleodganj or nearby Naddi.
Day 14: Macleodganj – Dalai Lama temple – Norbulinka – Bhagsu nag (20 kms) (3 hours) (1750 meters)
This will the day for local sightseeing in Mcleodganj. You will visit Mcleodganj attractions like Bhagsu Nag waterfall, Dalai Lama’s residence and temple, Nobulinka an important center for Tibetan studies and culture. Walk through the winding lanes of town and enjoy views of Dhualadhar mountain ranges as well as the welcoming Tibetan ambiance. Night in Mcleodganj.
Day 15: Dharamshala – Hoshiarpur – Jalandhar – Amritsar (200 kms) (5-6 hours)
After breakfast get in to the car and start driving towards Amritsar, the capital of Punjab. As you leave the mountains, the terrain will change to wide open spaces with lush green fields and farms on either side of highway. Reach Amritsar by evening and visit Wagah border to witness the famous border ceremony.
Day 16: Amritsar
Early morning, drive towards Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh temple and spend a few minutes there. Later on, visit Jalian Wala Bagh, a historical monument. Take the train or flight to your destination.
Best time for this tour: 1st week of June to 30th of September
TOUR DETAILS:
- TRANSPORT : In a private car or SUV with driver.
- ACCOMMODATION: In hotels, guest houses and campsites.
- ACTIVITIES: Camping, Trekking, Bird watching, Cultural activities,
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Any one. Almost anyone can do it without any problem
- DURATION: 16 Days
- FOOD: Breakfast on all days.
- TENTATIVE COST: Actual cost may differ depending upon season and availability.
USD 1300 per person for 2 guests.
USD 950 per person for 4 guests
USD 2500 for a solo guest.