Itinerary -
DAY 01: Shimla – Kalpa (2800m) Drive 244 kms/7-8 hrs
Today we drive to the former capital town of Kinnaur, Kalpa via Narkanda (2690 M). Kalpa is a beautifully located township in the laps of the Kinner Kailash mountain. It has beautiful mix forest all around and has a couple of old wooden temples and a large chorten. Evening you could take a walk around the town. Overnight in a hotel
DAY 02: Kalpa – Nako (3600m) – Tabo (3050m) Drive 170 kms/4-5 hrs
We will start early and drive for about 3 hours to reach Nako. We will spend some time here and visit the Nako lake. From here till Tabo is a 60 kms drive. This small monastery town plays host to one of the holiest monasteries considered to be more than a 1000 year old. Check into a hotel/guesthouse. In the evening visit the ancient monastery which also treasures great samples of Buddhist art. Overnight in a guest house/hotel.
DAY 03: Tabo – Dhankar (3890m) – Dhankar lake (4285m) – Dhankar – Kaza (3800m) – Ki Monastery - Kaza Drive /2-3 hrs and trek/2-3 hrs
After breakfast we will set out on a beautiful drive towards Dhankar Monastery. This spectacular Gompa is built on a 300m high spur and overlooks the confluence of Spiti & Pin river. We visit the gompa and from here hike up to Dhankar lake and spend some time around the lake, thereafter we head back to Dhankar village and drive towards Kaza. Check in and break for Lunch. Evening we take a short walk around the Kaza town. Overnight in a hotel/ guesthouse.
DAY 04: Kaza – Langza (4514m) – Komic (4513m) Drive /30 minutes & Trek /5-6 hrs
Drive to Langza from Kaza involves a journey on one of the world’s highest motorable roads. At the top of Langza Gogma is the Lang (village temple), a 600 year old Buddhist temple. From here we start our trek to Komic. This trek runs through the natural fossil centre and a substantial distance is covered while exploring this ancient heritage. As the fossil centre culminates, the trek continues with a gradual ascent along a ridge for another hour. Thereafter, we descend to Komic village. Overnight in tents/home stays
DAY 05: Komic – Demul (4357m) Trek /6-7 hrs
A slow ascent from Komic village lasting about 1 hour 30 minutes brings one to Chamai Lapchai (4717m), the first pass en-route to Demul. From here one gets a panoramic view of various peaks of the region. From here a gradual walk of about 3 hours brings one to the grazing lands of Demul village. Wildlife such as the Tibetan Wolf, Red Fox and the Snow Cock can also be sighted here. Thereafter we head towards Young Lapchai (4717mts), which is one of the highest trekking passes in Spiti. Like most of the passes this one also has quite a few visual delights to offer. A steep descent takes us to Demul village which is adorned by Mane walls (stones intricately carved with religious prayers). Overnight in tents/home stays
DAY 06: Demul – (3758m) – Kyato (3800m) Trek /4-5 hrs
Its’ a relatively easier walk today. Immediately out of Demul is the Zong phu 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. The steep descent continues till the valley floor of the Padang river. From here we move to the hamlet of Sanglung (3612 mts), our entry to the Lingti valley, an hour long walk will take us to the bed of the Lingti River. Continue from here for about 45 minutes till we cross river Lingti. It’s a last uphill stretch to reach village Lahlung. Visit the monastery here and later we will drive to Kyato. Overnight in tents
DAY 07: Kyato – Kunzum pass (4600 m) – Chandratal (4300m) Drive 2 hrs / Trek 4-5 hrs
From Kyato we drive to Kunzum pass. From here we will trek to Chandratal. This is an easy hike and one moves along the landscape getting a very good feel of this semi-arid terrain. On arrival explore the beautiful lake Chandratal. Camping on the shores of this spectacular lake is absolutely blissful. Overnight in tents
DAY 08: Chandratal – Manali (2000m) Drive 5-6 hrs
On This day of our trip we drive to Manali via the famous Rohtang pass.
Trip Ends With Sweet Memories !!!
Transport Options
(Delhi – Shimla) : For travel from Delhi to Shimla, one can choose between air, rail & road. For air travel, the closest airport is the Chandigarh Airport and is well connected to Delhi and other parts of the country by Air India, Jet Airways & Spice Jet. Train travel is highly recommended with enough options being there. For train details, you could log on to www.indianrail.gov.in and for online railway ticket bookings you could log on to www.irctc.co.in .
There are frequent Public Transport buses including Volvos available from Delhi to Shimla via Chandigarh. That cost about Rs. 400-1100 per person. They take about 8-9 hrs to cover the distance. A private vehicle could also be arranged for if you require the same.
(Manali – Delhi) : There are frequent Public Transport buses including Volvos available from Manali to Delhi that cost about Rs. 1300 per person. They take about 15 hrs to cover the distance. A private vehicle could also be arranged for if you require the same.
Weather Details
Season for this trek is from mid-June to mid-October. In the early days of the season we will catch a lot of snow on the high passes which reduces considerably by August. As the season proceeds we might catch rain towards Kullu-Manali valley but on the other side, Spiti we will have sunny days. Days are generally going to be sunny and warm (12-22 °C) while the night temperature at the highest campsite would be in the range of 2°C to 8 °C. In the latter part of the season (Sep – mid-Oct) there is very little snow on the trail and good weather throughout but with possibility of snowfall. The days are sunny with temperatures hovering around (13-18 °C) and the evenings start getting cold with the onset of October and nights are comparatively colder (- 4 to 4 °C).
Please keep in mind that the above information is not exact and does not account for sudden changes. Whatever the temperatures and conditions rest assured we will be prepared to handle it with ease as we use equipment of very high specifications
List of Essentials
Mountain/adventure travel requires one to be adequately equipped with the right kind of personal gear. Since one is travelling in the wilderness there will be hardly any opportunity to buy anything once you hit the trail so we urge you to carefully pack everything into your bags. Also please keep in mind you can rent out or purchase equipment from our Gear Store, if required.
Shirts / T-shirts – 2/3
Jeans / Trekking Pants - 2
Windproof jacket of decent quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) preferably with a hood
Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
Woollen cap
Woollen gloves
Woollen socks & regular socks (3-4 pairs)
Scarf/muffler (optional)
Comfortable Trekking/Hiking shoes (shoes with a thick sole are recommended)
Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers
Raincoat / Poncho
Small light weight towel
Water bottle (sturdy ones, no empty Bisleri bottles!!)
Cap / Hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
Sun glasses
Walking stick / Trekking pole
Sunscreen Lotion
Lip Balm
Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
Personal toiletries
Books, if you like reading
Day pack/small bag which you will carry on your back every day and keep your essentials in it
Carry rain cover for your bags
Keep a few poly bags or waterproof bags in your bag in which if required you can put your belongings in case of heavy rain
Camera if you like (with fully charged batteries)
…LOADS OF ENTHUSIASM!! AND A PLEDGE TO LEAVE NO TRACE
Carry your stuff in a duffel bag, soft shoulder bag or a rucksack. Avoid suitcases, trolleys or any other hard luggage. As you will be walking long distances carrying a rucksack, avoid bringing unnecessary items on the trek. Please avoid carrying expensive watches, jewellery and electronic items on the trek.
Disclaimer
Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. takes utmost care to ensure safety of its clients. However in the case of any unforeseen mishaps, Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. will not be liable for any injuries caused or for loss of life. All disputes rising due to the above are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi/Delhi only. All participants are required to sign an Indemnity Form before the start of the program, without which they would not be allowed to take part in the trip/program/activities.
Duration: 8 Days
Season: Jun-Oct
Grade: Moderate
Region: Himachal Pradesh, Spiti
Sketch Itinerary
DAY 01: SHIMLA KALPA (2800M) DRIVE 244 KMS/7-8 HRS
DAY 02: KALPA NAKO (3600M) TABO (3050M) DRIVE 170 KMS/4-5 HRS
DAY 03: TABO DHANKAR (3890M) DHANKAR LAKE (4285M) DHANKAR KAZA (3800M) KI MONASTERY - KAZA DRIVE /2-3 HRS AND TREK/2-3 HRS
DAY 04: KAZA LANGZA (4514M) KOMIC (4513M) DRIVE /30 MINUTES & TREK /5-6 HRS
DAY 05: KOMIC DEMUL (4357M) TREK /6-7 HRS
DAY 06: DEMUL (3758M) KYATO (3800M) TREK /4-5 HRS
DAY 07: KYATO KUNZUM PASS (4600 M) CHANDRATAL (4300M) DRIVE 2 HRS / TREK 4-5 HRS
DAY 08: CHANDRATAL MANALI (2000M) DRIVE 5-6 HRS
Description
This trip is a great way for an outdoor enthusiast to explore the wonders of Spiti. You will trek in some of the remotest regions of the country. Spiti valley is in every sense as beautiful, if not more, than its famous neighbour, Ladakh. Only, it is still untouched by the impact of tourism and not too many people are aware of its surreal existence. The landscape of this valley is stark and spectacular and challenges ones idea of beauty at all stages. This valley is open only for a few months every year as the high passes leading to it get blocked by snowfall. Along the trip, as you drive and hike through the wonderful vistas of this valley you come across small settlements with ancient monasteries, chortens, mane walls, fluttering flags, prayer wheels & Buddhist monks, leaving an image which is sure to last a lifetime
Spiti is surrounded by ranges of the Greater Himalaya in a semi circular arc, separating it from Lahaul on the west, Kullu to the south and Kinnaur to the southwest. These ranges prevent the moisture laden monsoons from reaching the region, thus creating in Spiti, a bleak and arid landscape in common with Ladakh and Tibet. Lacking vegetative growth, the exposed terrain is a geologists paradise. It records every geological age from the Pre-Cambrian to the recent, in pristine formations
In the initial stage you drive through Kinnaur on the Indo Tibetan highway to reach the Spiti Valley. This is an experience in itself as you get to see beautiful sights all along. Also the contrasting landscapes of Kinnaur and Spiti provide a memorable experience. On the Spiti left bank trek you hike through remote villages, ancient monasteries and landscapes which are absolutely pure and un touched by the impact of tourism. This trek is good for beginners as well as experienced hikers. Last but not the least you will drive to Kunzum pass and from there hike to Chandratal (moonlake). Chandratal is a spectacular high altitude lake with turquoise green water and snow capped mountains all around. Camping on the shores of this jewel in the mountains is pure bliss!! You will camp here for a night before moving to Manali
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP
Spectacular landscapes of Spiti
Tabo & Dhankar monasteries
Camping at Chandar Tal (moon lake), surely one of the most beautiful lakes in the Himalayas
Hiking along the left bank of Spiti river
Getting an up, close and personal experience of the Buddhist culture
Road trip to Chandartal & Manali