This travel itinerary of Lahaul Spiti is best for couples or small group of friends who want to enjoy their time away from all the noise of modern life. If you want to enjoy some time vacationing in mountains with awesome views, relaxed traveling, adventurous drives and just enjoy the trip without any distraction, it’s a perfect choice for you. It’s also a good choice for a romantic yet adventurous honeymoon trip.
BEST FOR: Couples and small groups on a leisurely holiday.
Trip Summary:
- Day 1: Shimla – Sarahan
- Day 2: Sarahan – Reckong Peo – Kalpa
- Day 3: Kalpa – Puh – Nako – Sumdo – Tabo
- Day 4: Tabo
- Day 5: Tabo – Dhankar – Lalung
- Day 6: Lalung – Kaza – Langcha
- Day 7: Langcha – Kaza – Ki Monastry – Kibber
- Day 8: Kibber – Losar – Kunzum La – Chandrataal Lake
- Day 9: Chandrataal – Chatru – Rohtang Pass – Manali
DURATION: 9 days, 8 nights
BEST SEASON: June to October. Possible rest of year on request.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Low
MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 4884 m.
WEATHER: Afternoons can be a bit warm during summer. Cold otherwise with strong winds.
EQUIPMENT: None necessary.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Shimla – Sarahan
We will start the drive from Shimla early morning and reach Sarhan by early evening. After check in to the hotel, the guests can feel free to rest or explore the Sarhan town on their own. There is one old Bhima Kali temple wich is an important place of worship in the region. Hotel room in Shimla or pickup from Channdigarh or Delhi can be provided if needed.
Day 2: Sarahan – Reckong Peo – Kalpa
First stop for this day will be at Reckong Peo, a small town for some refreshments and local sightseeing. Night stay will be in Kalpa, a small village famous for it’s fruit orchards and scenic beauty.
Day 3: Kalpa – Puh – Nako – Sumdo – Tabo
From this point onward, as we gain altitude, the terrain will start turning from lush green to that of high altitude desert. The drive will take you through Puh, Nako and Sumdo villages (depending upon route taken) till Tabo where you will stay for the night. The contrast in terrain, vegetation and related features from day 2 to day 3 will be quite stark and remarkable. Tibet border is just one mountain away from this region.
Day 4: Tabo
Tabo village is famous for it’s 1000 years old monastery which is home to extremely precious Thanka paintings and an interesting PIllar of Thousand Budddhas. It’s listed as a world heritage sight by UNESCO. The day will include a visit to the monastery and nearby caves which are used by the local monks to meditate in peace. Rest of the day will be spent esting, relaxing or walking around in the village taking in the sights.
Day 5: Tabo – Dhankar – Lalung
Dhankar is the seat of ancient local Kings and was capital of the region in era gone by. Dhankar castle and monastery are perched precariously on ragged peaks overlooking a steep valley. Due to erosion, it’s quite likely that these will tumble down in near future. A new monastery has been constructed, but the old one has it’s own irreplaceable charm. After the visit, visitors can also hike to Dhankar lake atop a mountain nearby. Night stay will be in Lalung, largest and a very sceninc village in Lingti valley. The village monastery is associated with numerous folk tales and legends. The most interesting features are the Three Cornered Buddha and an ancient gnarled willow tree planted by Rinchen Znagpo, founder of many monasteries in Spiti.
Day 6: Lalung – Kaza – Langcha
We will pass through Kaza , the regions adminsitrative capital to reach Langcha (4250 m). The roads on this route are among the highest in the world. The journey is particularly rewarding for it’s view of Spiti river valley. Shilla valley is on the way which is one of few good grazing grounds for domesticated and wild animals of the region.
Day 7: Langcha – Kaza – Ki Monastry – Kibber
This day will take you to the world’s highest Buddhist monastery at Komik as well the world’s highest post office at Hikkim ( 4440 m). You can send a postcard from here to whoever you like although delivery is not alaways gauranteed. These are very small villages with population less than 100 each and are completely cut off from rest of world during winters. Nightstay will be in Kibber, one of the larger towns in area with somewhat modern style accommodations. The region is famous for it’s wildlife including ibex, blue deer and snow leopard in addition to a number of birds. The guests will reach Gette to see the world famous Ki monastery from hundreds of meters above with river flowing on nearby. Makes for an amazing sight.
Day 8: Kibber – Losar – Kunzum La – Chandrataal Lake
From Kibber, we will drive on to our campsite at Chandrataal lake. Losar is comparitively big village will be stop for some tea and snacks. Kunzum La is named after Goddess Kunzum and is an important site for locals for religious as well as logisitical reasons. From there, we will drive to Chandrataal Lake, a must visit attraction of the region. Nightstay will be in a campsite under the stars.
Day 9: Chandrataal – Chatru – Rohtang Pass – Manali
This will be last day of the trip as the car will take you back to Manali via Chatru and Rohtang pass. The climb up will start from Chatru and the terrain will change back to lush green type as you reach near Rohtang pass. Drop at Manali early evening to end the tour.
Accommodation in Manali and drop at Delhi or Chandigarh can be provided on request.
PACKING LIST
- Small backpack to hold the day walk necessities.
- Luggage in rucksack/soft bags suitable to be carried by self or porters.
- Warm clothes, wind-cheater, scarf, hat, sun-glasses, sunscreen.
- Comfortable hiking shoes with thick socks.
- Personal medical kit, water bottle, snacks, water filer or tablets. Tablets for altitude sickness.
- Toilet paper, wet wipes.
- A bag to collect own trash.
GENERAL NOTIFICATIONS:
- Travel programs in the Himalayas not necessarily would always run exactly as scheduled. Allow for unplanned long days or early camps due to weather disruptions or similar causes.
- There are places with limited communication possibility and/or medical facilities nearby on this route.
- Participants should be prepared for cold conditions with strong winds and high wind chill factor.
- Any additional expenses which might occur due to delays, weather disruptions, medical evacuation etc. would need to be borne by the participants. All overstay due to weather disruption, road blocks and similar which are not under our control would be charged as per tour cost for planned days.
- All participants are recommended to have a travel insurance that covers trekking and wilderness travel.
INCLUSIONS
- Pickup from Shimla and drop at Manali in a private or shared taxi.
- Accommodation guesthouse, campsite, hotel and homestay according to availability and preferences.
- Meals on all days unless mentioned otherwise.
- Tents, sleeping bag, ground mats while camping.
