Duration: 11 Days
Destinations Covered : Thanedar – Sangla – Chitkul – Tabo – Kaza – Manali – Sojha
Day 01: Chandigarh – Thanedar – 195 kms/6 hrs
Fly into Chandigarh from Delhi or reach Chandigarh by Kalka Shatabdi express train around 1200 hrs. Met by our representative and drive to Thanedar. Check into Banjara Orchard Retreat.
Day 02: Thanedar – Sangla – 158 kms/06
Visit Bhimakali Temple in Sarahan en route. For six months every year, the Himalayan valleys of Kinnaur and Spiti emerge from a thick cloak of snow to reveal a different, secret world to man. Your discovery of the lesser-known Himalayas can begin at the Banjara Camp in the Sangla Valley. At a height of 2,700 Mts the Banjara Camp is surrounded by towering mountains on all sides and is set on the banks of the Baspa River that surges through the valley. Long walks to discover the amazing fauna and flora of the valley, treks to view snow covered Himalayan peaks, angling for trout, experiencing some of the local culture and traditions, rock climbing, rappelling are only some of the delights that are on offer.
Day 03: Sangla – Chitkul- Sangla – 50 kms/3 hrs
Visit Chitkul and hike up to Nagasthi, the last village on the old Indo-Tibetan trade route.
Day 04: Sangla – Rakcham – 6 kms/3 hrs
Hike to Rakcham village. This is the signature walk of the valley. Drive back from Rakcham.
Day 05: Sangla – Tabo – 220 kms/8 hrs
The Tabo terrain will leave you breathless and speechless. Rock-hard Desert Mountains, torrential rivers and icy cold winds account for the sparsely populated villages. At a height of 10,500 ft this high altitude desert is home to the second most important Buddhist monastery in the entire Himalayan region – the Tabo Gompa. It is now 1006 years old and is rumored to be the place the Dalai Lama will finally settle in.
Day 06: Tabo – Dhankar – Tabo
Visit the Tabo monastery in the morning and participate in the morning prayers. After breakfast, visit Dhankar monastery. Dhankar, the traditional capital of Spiti, sits pretty on a hilltop. About an hour’s walk (about 3 kms) from here on a slightly uphill track is a small lake that sits languidly is a bowl. The size of the lake in the summer varies every year depending on how much snow the catchment area had in the previous winter. Your lunch hamper beckons on reaching the lake. We sit for an al fresco lunch and then take a 30 minutes walk to the car. We get back at the retreat by early evening to take a much-needed shower and a hot cup of tea.
Day 07: Tabo – Kaza – 47 kms/2 hrs
Drive to Kaza. Check in to Banjara Retreat. In the afternoon visit the Ki monastery and Kibber village
Day 08: Kaza – Manali – 201 kms/8 hrs
Drive over Kunzum La (4553m) to reach Manali. Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in India. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 09: Manali – Sojha – 117 kms/4 hrs
Drive to Sojha visiting Naggar castle and Roerich art gallery en route. Check into Banjara retreat on arrival. Evening at leisure around bon fire.
Day 10: Sojha
Day at leisure/ Hike to Raghupur Fort or Serolser lake. Overnight stay at Banjara Retreat.
Day 11: Sojha – Bhuntar / Chandigarh – 2/8 hrs
Drive from Manali to Bhuntar airport (2 hrs) and fly back to Delhi else drive to Chandigarh to board evening Shatabdi express train departing at 1800 hrs to Delhi.
