Lahaul Spiti Trek

Sandwiched between Kullu in the south, Ladakh and Zanskar to the north, lies the predominately Buddhist country of Lahaul and Spiti. Cut by the deep defile of the Satluj river, it breaks the region into many ranges and high valleys. In the triangle formed between the two streams of the Candra and Bhaga, lies the town of Keylong with its monasteries and an outcrop of fifty snow peaks. The Chandrabhaga as one, gushes through wild scenery for about two hundred and fifty kilometers, emerges in Kishtwar as the mighty Chenab river. This region was opened to foreigners only recently and to visit this area is a rare opportunity.



Duration :79 Days Delhi to Delhi
Average Trek : 8 to 9 kms per day
Maximum height :13000 ft
Grade : Moderate difficult
Best time : June to September

Lahaul Zanskar Splendour Trek

Day 1 . MANALI I DARCHA ( Lahaul Valley)
We drive to Darcha which is exceedingly scenic. We first ascend from Manali to Rohtang Pass. This famous Pass at 13600 ft separates 2 different worlds - the agriculturally rich "Valley of Gods " Kullu & Manali and the arid and rugged moonscape of Lahaul. Once beyond the pass, the road descends into the valley of river Chandra and leads us to its confluence with river Bhaga.The remaining drive is along the river Bhaga, passing enroute interesting Lahauli villages and dramatic waterfalls swandiving over the high cliffs leaving a fine spray of mist in its wake. All along the way, we are dwarfed by high peaks and glaciers right up to our campsite at Darcha.

Day 2. DARCHAI PALAMO
The trek starts along the Darcha - Leh highway and then follows a dirt road passing two rustic Lahauli villages. Beyond these villages, the trail narrows down to a stone bridge over the river Jhankar Sumdo. Our campsite at Palamo is in a beautiful green meadow.

Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Moderate ascent

Day 3. PALAMO / RAMJAK
This day's trekking is comparatively more difficult as it involves a river crossing and a fairly steep climb from the valley of Jhankar Sumdo to the higher bank of the Shingo stream. which is our next campsite.

Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Moderate ascent

Day 4. RAMJAK / CHIMIK NAKPO
We continue along the Shingo stream today, enjoying the beauty of the alpine flowers that grow here in careless abandon. Camp-site at Chimik Nakpo.

Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Gradual ascent but long

Day 5. CHIMIK NAKPO / LAKONG
Our second Pass crossing is accomplished today. The Shingo Pass at 16000 ft, is the highest point of our trek. It is an adventurous walk, partly on snow and partly on moraines lying on glaciers. The views from the pass is superb as we are now in the heart of the Great Himalayas, amid hanging glaciers and unclimbed 20000 ft peaks. The descent from the pass to Lakong is steep but well marked. The Lakong campsite is commonly used by yak herders and we may encounter grazing yaks from now on.

Trekking time : 6 hrs
Grade : Steep

Day 6. LAKONG / GOMPA RINCHEN
Beyond Lakong, the valley widens considerably with the river Kargiakh Chu meandering through it. It is a pleasant level walk till the base of the Gompa Rinchen peak, our next campsite .Regarded as sacred in Zanskar, this peak is undoubtedly a most impressive rock massif. The camp-site is lush green with lovely freshwater springs, set against the backdrop of the Gompa Rinchen peak.

Thekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Easy


Day 7. GOMPA / RINCHEN / KARGIAKH VILLAGE
The flat open valley leading to Kargiakh is a paradise grazing ground for yaks. It is thus not uncommon to encounter groups of Zanskari girls collecting yak dung for their home fuel. Long before one reaches Kargiakh, it is already visible across the wide plain -signs of emerald vegetation laboriously cultivated by the Kargiakh villagers and rows of white chortens mark the way. Kargiakh is the first village of Zanskar on this route. It is interesting to note the cultural change of this high mountain kingdom. The camp-site is outside the village, on a grassy~ patch close to the river.

Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Easy

Day 8. KARGIAKH / TETHA
On the way to Tetha, we now begin to appreciate the harshness of the barren mountains against the lush greenery surrounding all the small Zanskari villages and hamlets. The entire route is well marked by chortens, signifying the strong Buddhist influence in this region. Short of Teth we cross the river Kargiakh Chu. The village of Tetha is extremely picturesque and also fairly' prosperous. Some of the houses have their private temples with rare Buddhist artifacts and scriptures. It is regarded as an honor to be invited to view these private collections. The campsite, a little below the village, boas of willow trees a rare sight indeed

Trekking Time : 5 hours
Grade : Fairly easy

Optional

Tetha / Purni / Phuctal Gompa / Phibula / Muni Gompa / Padum / Karcha Gompa / Ringdom Gompa / Kargil

ChandrataI CIassique Trek

Day 1 . MANALI / BATAL
A full day's drive from Manali across Rohtan Pass to the valley of river Chandra. It is a scenic route which ends at Bata Batal is situated at the foot of the Kunzum Pass which is the main approach fc Spiti. Enroute one gets a stupendous' view of the Bara Shigri glacier.

Day 2 BATAL / CHANDRATAL LAKE
Our first day's trek' is long, starting wit an initial climb and gradually leveling off at the Chandratal lake. The lake famous for its high altitude beauty. Calm and serene, it covers a large basin an is one of the highest lakes in the world which is inhabited by fish,

Trekking time : 6 hrs

Grade : Moderate

Day 3. CHANDRATAL
Day at leisure in Chandratal to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the lake and explore the surrounding areas as we acclimatize.

Day 4 CHANDRATAL / TOPKO YONG MA
Fairly easy trek following the river Chandra upstream to Topko Yongma. There is a stream crossing enroute.

Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Easy

Day 5. TOPKO YONGMA I TOPKO GONGMA Another day following the river Chandra with a gradual climb. The route offers some superb views of ft Mulkila mountain range. Awesome hanging glaciers are visible on all sides.

Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Moderate

Day 6. TOPKO GONGMA / BASE OF BARALACHA PASS
Fairly easy trek with breathtaking views of the KR range's peaks which are all above 20,000 I The valley leading to the Baralacha Pass is very wide. Windy camp.

Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Moderate

Day 7. BASE OF BARALACHA / BARALACHA PASS ISURAJIAL LAKE
After a short gradual climb we reach the Baralacha Pass at 1'6000 ft, the highest point of our trek. The entire topography of this pass is very arctic like, with wide glaciated spaces. It is a pass with cross roads at the top whereby one can get to either Ladakh, Zanskar, Lahaul or Spiti. The Manali - Leh highway cuts through this pass. We camp at Surajtal lake which is a short descent from the pass.

Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Moderate steep

Day 8. SURAJTAL LAKE MANALI
Return to Manali by road via Lahaul valley, along the river Bhaga. We re-cross the Rohtang pass on the way.

Trekking time : 6 hrs
Best Time : July to October

SARAHAN-SANGLA-CHITKUL-KAZA

This special itinerary leads you through a remote area of outstanding beauty. This are has been recently opened by the Indian Government for foreigners. The road from Shimla loops along the river Sutlej through Kinnaur and on to Lahaul and Spiti. It is fascinating and scenically beautiful route.

Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Met at the airport and transfer to hotel. Half day sightseeing of Delhi to include the magnificent Red Fort, the Jama Masjid - India's largest mosque, Rajghat - memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Overnight Delhi.

Day 02 Delhi / Shimla (7 hrs.)
After breakfast drive to Shimla. Arrive by noon. Check into hotel Combermere. Evening at leisure to explore the infamous Mall with its church and mock Elizabethan architecture Overnight Shimla.

Day 03 Shimla / Sarahan (6 hrs.)
Road from Shimla goes East towards the Tibetan border along the Sutlej to Rampur. Visit Buddhist monastery and the Palace and temple. Arrive at Sarahan and check into Srikhand tourist bungalow. Evening visit the 2000 year old Bhimakali temple. Overnight Sarahan.

Day 04 Sarahan / Sangla (3 hrs.)
Drive up the Sutlej valley into Baspa valley to Sangla. Check into Wanderlust Deluxe Swiss camp. Evening relax around bonfire. Overnight Wanderlust Swiss camp.

Day 05 Sangla / Thangi / Lambar
Morning drive to Thangi 2966 mtrs. (80 kms. 3 hrs.). From Thangi we start the trek to Lambar (12 kms.). Overnight camp at Lambar.

Day 06 Lambar / Charang (3506 mtrs)
Today we do a 12 kms trek from Lambar to Charang, which has beautiful landscape and high altitude flowers. Overnight camp at Charang.

Day 07 Charang / Chitkul (3450 mtrs)
Relatively easy trek of 8 kms brings us highest and last motorable Charang pass and arrive at Chitkul. Chitkul is the last Indian village before Tibet with its small houses, monastery, temple, and saffron farms. Enjoy short walks around and feel the exhilaration of being surrounded with snow capped peaks at near distances. Overnight camp at Chitkul.

Day 08 Chitkul / Puh
Morning enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding. After lunch drive to Puh (3200 mtrs). Close to Tibetan border. Puh lies in the rain shadow region situated on the confluence of Spiti and Sutlej. It is famous for grapes, wood carvings, and deodar trees. Overnight Rest house.

Day 09 Puh / Kaza
Morning after breakfast drive along the scenic road to reach Kaza (3450 mtrs.). Enroute visit Tabo Monastery (3200 mtrs.). Apparently it is an ordinary mud structure but inside it has beautiful frescoes which earned Tabo the epithet of "Ajanta of Himalayas". Reach Kaza in the evening. Overnight Kaza.

Day 10 Kaza / Manali
After breakfast drive to Manali via Kunzum Pass (4551 mtrs.) and Rohtang Pass (4500 mtrs.). Arrive Manali by evening. Check into the luxurious riverside Manali Resort. Overnight Manali.

Day 11 Manali
Morning proceed for sightseeing of Roerich Art Gallery and Naggar Castle. Evening free to explore the Mall. Overnight Manali.

Day 12 Manali / Nalagarh
Drive to Nalagarh. Check into the hill top Nalagarh Palace Resort managed by the extremely hospitable royal family. Overnight Nalagarh Palace.

Day 13 Nalagarh / Delhi (6 hrs)
After leisurely breakfast drive to Delhi in time to board International flight back.