Trans Himalayan Garland, India
Experience Overview
ABOUT THE TOUR
This tour will provide you with ample opportunities to fulfill your dream of traveling into remote Trans Himalayan region and high altitude regions in Himalayas. The scenic views and experiences would keep on changing daily and keep enthralling you and your soul. On this region you start from the colonial Shimla town travelling on Hindustan Tibet Road to Kinnaur valley where you experience high mountains and rich Kinnauri culture. From here we meander our way crossing narrow valley into Spiti which is a high altitude desert and presents stark & colourful exceptional scenic views. At Spiti we visit monasteries which are more than 1000 yrs old, some of Worlds highest villages and meet charming Spitian people. We end our exploration by driving to Manali enroute visiting Chandertal Lake.
PLACES COVERED
Shimla, Sarahan, Bhimakali Temple, Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa, Nako, Tabo, Dhankar, Pin Valley, Mud Village, Kaza, Ki Monastery, Langza, Hikim, Comic Village, Kunzam Pass, Manali, Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Old Manali, Vashisht Temple, Naggar, Naggar Castle, Roerich Art Gallery
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive in Delhi
We welcome you in the capital city of India, for a journey across the fascinating history-markers of medieval north India. Wars were fought and rulers changed in Delhi but ordinary lives were lived in relative continuity. Glimpses of these can be seen even today as the character of the city underwent massive changes in the last decades. In the lands fabled to have seen seven cities, signs of the old are continuously jostling with the new, presenting an ever-fascinating panorama. We welcome you to its chaos and stability, into its steadfastness and its impatience and into a delightful rainbow of amalgamation, producing a world completely its own.
Arrive Delhi airport by flight, meeting and assistance at airport and transfer to hotel for check in.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 2
Delhi
Delhi is often distinguished as the old and new, the old referring to the pre –British habitations and the new is Lutyen’s Delhi, built to suit British sensibilities and the rapidly expanding city of independent India. However as we walk you through this city which has fascinated one and all for centuries, you will see that these demarcations are fluid with an intermixing of the old and new Delhi’s producing a supremely fascinating pulse to its city life.
This morning after breakfast at hotel and later proceed for the visit to Old and New Delhi.
In Old Delhi visit the Raj Ghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi). Drive past Red fort and once an imperial avenue of Mughal Royalty which today is the busiest commercial area of the city. Later visit Jama Masjid, – The largest mosque in India. On our way back contrast the swift architectural changes brought by the colonial rulers mirroring styles from across Europe and adapted to the Indian environment.
In New Delhi visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun – a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture. Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun – a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture.
Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the president’s residence – formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, – an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture.
Visit the 12th century Qutub Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years. Later visit Birla Temple.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 3
Delhi – Chandigarh ( by flight ) – Shimla (120 kms/4 hrs)
Drive to Chandigarh Meet on arrival at Chandigarh airport and transfer by surface to Shimla. On arrival check in at hotel. Later visit The Mall Road, Scandal Point, The Ridge and The Christ Church. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 4
Shimla – Sangla (230 kms/8 hrs)
Travel by surface from Shimla to Sangla traveling on Hindustan Tibet Road enroute crossing Kufri, Narkanda, Rampur and visiting Bhimakali temple at Sarahan. On arrival check in and overnight at hotel/ camp.
DAY 5
In Sangla
After breakfast an excursion visiting the picturesque village of Chitkul & Rakchham. Drive back to Sangla. Rest of day free to relax or make walk to nearby Batseri village. Overnight at hotel/ camp.
DAY 6
Sangla - Kalpa (51 kms/2 hrs)
After breakfast we leave for Recong Peo which is district headquater of Kinnaur district. Walk the market around where you can buy the famous Kinnauri shawls and camps. Further climb up to Kalpa which is a beautiful village set up in backdrop of holy Kinner Kailash mountain range. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon visit Rogi village and the famous suicide point. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 7
Kalpa - Tabo (149 kms/6 hrs)
Morning travel deeper into Himalayan mountains with winding roads to Khab where Satluj river meets Spiti river and then further climbing up the hairpin neds to Nako village, which is among the last villages of Kinnaur region and entrance into Spiti valley and Spiti culture. Walk around Nako village and visit the centuries old monastery. Later continue travel onwards crossing Thango which is famous world over for exceptionally high quality apples. We drive along Spiti river to enter Spiti valley and our sojourn for night at Tabo. On arrival check in and overnight at hotel.
DAY 8
Tabo – Dhankar – Pin Valley - Kaza
Morning visit Tabo monastery founded in 996 AD by the great teacher Richensang-po, Tabo is renowned for its breathtaking murals and stucco images – and is often called “The Ajanta of the Himalayas”. The largest monastic complex in Spiti, the old section has 9 temples, 23 chortens, a monks chamber and a nuns chamber. There are several caves adorned with frescoes and contemporary structures too. In trans Himalayan Buddhism, Tabo’s sanctity is next only to Tibet’s Tholing gompa.
Later we drive to visit Dhankar village and monastery. Dhankar Monastery rests high over the valley and is a stupendous example of local architecture. It is regarded to have once been a fort and was also the residence of the ruler of Spiti – the Nano. Continue our driver further to visit Pin Valley, the land of Ibex and Snow Leopards. We drive to Mud Village which is at edge of Pin Valley and the drive presents beautiful views. Later we drive back to visit Gungri monastery in Pin Valley. Continue travel onwards to Kaza. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 9
In Kaza – exploring villages
Morning visit the Ki monastery, 12 kms from Kaza. This century – old gompa is a labyrinth of rooms and corridors – and at one time also acted as a fort. It houses valuable Thangkas and offers a panoramic view of the area. Later we drive to explore the heights of Spiti valley and visiting some of highest villages in the World. We visit villages of Langza, Hikim and Comic. At Comic we also visit a small monastery Tangyud Gompa. We return back to Kaza town to explore its small lanes buzzing with local activity. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 10
Kaza – Chandertal Lake – Manali (230 kms/10 hrs)
After breakfast travel onwards to Chandartal enroute crossing over Kunzam Pass (4558 m) which provides beautiful views of CB ranges. We move deeper into Chandra Valley to reach the camping grounds where we stay at 4200 m of altitude for the night. Chandertal Lake or the moon lake is about an hours hike from here. We enjoy the pristine beauty of Lake for some time and then hit back the road towards Manali driving through Chandra valley. Batal to to Gramphoo is a drive by fast flowing Chandra river and across boulders providing exceptional fantastic views of glaciers and mountains. We drive to Manali crossing Atal Rohtang Tunnel. On arrival check in and overnight at hotel.
DAY 11
In Manali
Morning half day tour visiting Naggar Castle, Roerich Art Gallery and Tripura Sundari Temple. Afternoon a tour visiting Hadimba Devi Temple, Manu Temple, old Manali village and Vashisht village. Evening free to explore Manali market. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 12
Depart Manali/Chandigarh (320 kms/ 9 hrs)
In time transfer to Chandigarh station/airport to connect your flight back home with Sweet memories of Spiti valley. End of our services.
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Let's Make Memories Together
The voyage does not finish once you have left. We’ll transport you to a world of wonders and create amazing memories that will last long after you’ve returned home.
Away from the regular tourist traps, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind, authentic experience. A sensation created in an energizing setting that will be yours and yours alone. We will make this happen because old travels are great ones. The world’s wonders are within your grasp.