Spiti valley is located on the Tibetan border enclosed on the South East by Tibet, North West by Ladakh, and West by Lahoul and Kullu. Geologically and archeologically Spiti valley is a living museum. Spiti valley is high altitude cold desert and in its lunar landscapes are still stretches, where every other rock is fossils. Spiti valley is formed by the Spiti River, which rises on the slopes of Kunzom pass (4’551 m) and ends at the river confluence with Pare-Chu near Sumdo. The length of the valley is about 150km. En route, the Spiti River receives the water of many streams: Guindi Nala, Parilungbi Chu, Pin River, and Lingti River. There are two routes to Spiti valley, one over Rohtang-pass (3’978m/13’050ft) and Kunzom pass and the other via Shimla, Rampur, and Kinnaur.
Spiti was once a part of the West-Tibetan Kingdom of Guge in the early 17th century. Guge became fragmented and Spiti, along with Lahoul, came under Ladakhi rule. A vital link of the Great Trans Himalayan trade route from Lhasa to Kashmir and Spiti – Literally “The middle country” – found itself locked between the mountain range and International border, now a part of the Himalayan tribal sub-division of Lahoul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.
Today more and more travelers, tourists, trekkers, geologists, and researchers are discovering this wonderful and last inhabitable world.
TRIP FACTS
Activity - Cultural tour, Region: Spiti, Himachal, Max Altitude - 4551 meters, Max sleeping altitude - 4360 meters, Trip Length - 7 days Delhi to Delhi, 5 days Manali to Manali, Best time - June end to Oct end
SPITI VALLEY TOUR 5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS ITINERARY
Day 1: Manali – Atal Tunnel Rohtang (3100 m) - Kunzum la (4550m) – Losar (4100 m) - Pangmo (3900 m) - Rangrik - Kaza (3600m).
Day 2: Kaza - Lalung (3800m) - Dankhar (3850m) - Tabo (3300m) - Mudh (3820 m) Pin Valley.
Day 3: Mudh (3820 m) - Kungri - Lidang (3650 m) - Demul (4350 m) - Komic (4570 m) - Hikkim - Langza (4360m).
Day 4: Langza - Kee (3920 m) - Tashi Gang (4400 m) - Kibber (4150 m).
Day 5: Kibber - Chichim (4150 m) - Kiato - Kunzum La (4550 m) - Chandra Tal (4270m) - Manali.
What is included in 5 days trip?
ü All ground transportation to & fro as per the itinerary Manali to Manali.
ü 2 nights of hotel accommodation at Kaza, 2 nights homestay on MAP plan. Breakfast and dinner.
ü Support vehicle - Toyota Innova / Crysta, Mahindra SUV, or Scorpio with experienced driver.
ü Tour guide on request.
ü Inner line permit for international tourists.
ü Goods and services tax.
DETAILED TRIP ITINERARY
Day 1: Manali – Atal Tunnel Rohtang (3100 m) - Kunzum la (4550m) – Losar (4100 m) - Pangmo (3900 m) - Rangrik - Kaza (3600m). 183 km
An early departure from Manali, we drive to Solang, Dhundi to Atal Tunnel Rohtang to Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Along the Chandra River to Gramphu. Series of the rugged paths lead towards Chatru, Chota Dara, Batal. We drive along the left banks of Chandra River and about 14km to Chatru then on the right bank of Chandra River to Batal. Now road climbs to Kunzom la pass and enters Spiti valley. We arrive at Losar the most picturesque village in Spiti valley at an altitude of 4100m. After Kiato we take the road along the Spiti River, passing through the beautiful hamlets of Pangmo, Hal to Rangrik. Continue to Kaza for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Kaza - Lalung (3800m) - Dankhar (3850m) - Tabo (3300m) - Mudh (3820 m) Pin Valley.
Today leaving Kaza visit Lalung, Dankhar, and Tabo. En-route visiting Sherkhang monastery at Lalung and continue towards Dankhar monastery (3980m.) located on top of a small hill is 25 km. From Tabo. Dankhar the traditional capital of the Spiti kingdom, however, Dankhar's main attraction is a natural lake situated 2.5 km. above the village. Leaving Dankhar towards Tabo. Arriving Tabo (3050m.), which is the biggest monastic complex in Spiti, has since been declared as a protected monument under the control of the Archeological Survey of India. Built in 996 A.D., by Rinchen Tsangpo, Tabo is known as; Ajanta of The Himalayas. A visit in Tabo gompa & a short hike to Tabo caves and drive to Pin valley. Pin valley is a national park known as the land of Ibex and Snow Leopard. The most interesting to see is Chamurti horses, which are popularly called the camel of a cold desert. The lifeline of this difficult terrain, Spiti and Chamurti are among the six recognized finest breeds of horses in India. Pin valley is a protected area, with Rupi Bhaba wildlife sanctuary to its south and Great Himalayan National Park to its southwest. Overnight stay at Mudh.
Day 3: Mudh (3820 m) - Kungri - Lidang (3650 m) - Demul (4350 m) - Komic (4570 m) - Hikkim - Langza (4360m).
Leaving Mudh, to visit Kungri gompa in Pin valley and drive back to Atargo and from Lidang, we take a link road to Demul one of the highest villages in Spiti valley. After exploring Demul continue the tour to the high village of Komic, Hikkim, Langza, situated at a height between 13500 ft. and 14400 ft. is a favorite place to find fossils. The high plateau where Chau Chau Kang Nilda dominates the area. After visiting Tangyud gompa at Komic continue the drive to Hikkim, Langza. Overnight at Langza.
Day 4: Langza - Kee (3920 m) - Tashi Gang (4400 m) - Kibber (4150 m).
Leaving Langza, drive to Kee. Exploring around, Kee monastery is the next place to be visited. Situated on a steep ridge on the left bank of the Spiti river belongs to the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. 10 km. above driving up to Kibber village (4205 m.) we visit - Tashi Gang village (4400m.) the 2nd the highest village in the world and finally drive back to Kibber for an overnight stay.
Day 5: Kibber - Chichim (4150 m) - Kiato - Kunzum La (4550 m) - Chandra Tal (4270m) - Manali.
Leaving Kibber drive to Chichim, Dumla, Ladarcha, Kiato to Losar the last village in the valley. After Losar road climbs up to Kunzum la pass (4551m), which connects Lahoul with Spiti. The panorama as viewed from the top of the pass is enthralling and inspiring. Continue to Chandratal - The Lake of Moon. Vast meadows around the lake carpeted with alpine flowers. A magnificent view of the Samudra Tapu glacier and Mulkila range is obtainable from here. Finally, drive back along the Chandra River to Chota Dara and Chatru and to Atal Tunnel towards Manali.
An early departure from Manali, we drive to
Solang, Dhundi to Atal Tunnel Rohtang to Lahaul & Spiti district of
Himachal Pradesh. Along the Chandra River to Gramphu. Series of the rugged
paths lead towards Chatru, Chota Dara, Batal. We drive along the left banks of
Chandra River and about 14km to Chatru then on the right bank of Chandra River
to Batal. Now road climbs to Kunzom la pass and enters Spiti valley. We arrive
at Losar the most picturesque village in Spiti valley at an altitude of 4100m.
After Kiato we take the road along the Spiti River, passing through the
beautiful hamlets of Pangmo, Hal to Rangrik. Continue to Kaza for an overnight
stay.
Today leaving Kaza visit Lalung, Dankhar, and
Tabo. En-route visiting Sherkhang monastery at Lalung and continue towards
Dankhar monastery (3980m.) located on top of a small hill is 25 km. From Tabo.
Dankhar the traditional capital of the Spiti kingdom, however, Dankhar's main
attraction is a natural lake situated 2.5 km. above the village. Leaving
Dankhar towards Tabo. Arriving Tabo (3050m.), which is the biggest monastic
complex in Spiti, has since been declared as a protected monument under the
control of the Archeological Survey of India. Built in 996 A.D., by Rinchen
Tsangpo, Tabo is known as; Ajanta of The Himalayas. A visit in Tabo gompa &
a short hike to Tabo caves and drive to Pin valley. Pin valley is a national
park known as the land of Ibex and Snow Leopard. The most interesting to see is
Chamurti horses, which are popularly called the camel of a cold desert. The
lifeline of this difficult terrain, Spiti and Chamurti are among the six
recognized finest breeds of horses in India. Pin valley is a protected area,
with Rupi Bhaba wildlife sanctuary to its south and Great Himalayan National
Park to its southwest. Overnight stay at Mudh.
Leaving Mudh, to visit Kungri gompa in Pin
valley and drive back to Atargo and from Lidang, we take a link road to Demul
one of the highest villages in Spiti valley. After exploring Demul continue the
tour to the high village of Komic, Hikkim, Langza, situated at a height between
13500 ft. and 14400 ft. is a favorite place to find fossils. The high plateau
where Chau Chau Kang Nilda dominates the area. After visiting Tangyud gompa at
Komic continue the drive to Hikkim, Langza. Overnight at Langza.
Leaving Langza, drive to Kee. Exploring around,
Kee monastery is the next place to be visited. Situated on a steep ridge on the
left bank of the Spiti river belongs to the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
10 km. above driving up to Kibber village (4205 m.) we visit - Tashi Gang
village (4400m.) the 2nd the highest village in the world and finally drive
back to Kibber for an overnight stay.
Leaving Kibber drive to Chichim, Dumla, Ladarcha, Kiato to Losar the last village in the valley. After Losar road climbs up to Kunzum la pass (4551m), which connects Lahoul with Spiti. The panorama as viewed from the top of the pass is enthralling and inspiring. Continue to Chandratal - The Lake of Moon. Vast meadows around the lake carpeted with alpine flowers. A magnificent view of the Samudra Tapu glacier and Mulkila range is obtainable from here. Finally, drive back along the Chandra River to Chota Dara and Chatru and to Atal Tunnel towards Manali.
ü All ground transportation to & fro as per the itinerary Manali to Manali.
ü 2 nights of hotel accommodation at Kaza, Mudh, 2 nights home stay, on MAP plan.
ü Support vehicle - Toyota innova / crysta, Mahindra suv, or Scorpio with experienced driver.
ü Tour guide on request.
ü Inner line permit for international tourist.
ü Goods and services tax.
ü First aid medical kit.
× Domestic flight.
× Hotel accommodation in Manali.
× Travel insurance.
× Soft or hard drinks.
× Entrance fee at monasteries
× Personal tipping to staff: Guide, cook, camp crew, horsemen, porters, driver.
× Any unforeseen cost arises by natural hazards rain, snow, road block which cost extra lodging & boarding beyond trip Schedule.
Demul