DAY
01. ARRIVE DELHI
Morning
arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Afternoon combined guided tour of Old
and New Delhi includes Jammia Masjid Mosque, Cycle rickshaw ride
through Chandni chowk, Red Fort, drive through India Gate and Parliament
house. And finally explore Qutab Minar and Humayuns Tomb.
DAY
02. DELHI – SHIMLA
Train
Early
morning transfer to railway station in time to catch train for Kalka and
connect to toy train for Shimla. Arrive and transfer to hotel for two
nights.
Shimla
the capital of Himachal Pradesh is situated at a height of 2,100 mts.
(6,900 ft.) spread over 12 Km. along a ridge. In spite of changes and
considerable growth since India became independent, Simla, perhaps more
than any other spot in India, still present substantial evidence of an
attempt by the English to build an English town in India. Relics of
styles of building long forgotten in Britain are still evident here.
DAY
03. IN SHIMLA
Full day at leisure to
explore this hill station of British Raj and stroll through the Mall to
observe the natural beauty.
DAY
04. SHIMLA – SARHAN
Drive 181 Km
Morning
depart and drive through lush green forests and apple orchards to the
ancient town of Rampur. It is one of the biggest commercial towns of
Himachal Pradesh and is famous for three day market fair, Lavi, which is
held in November. Traders from Kinnaur, Spiti and Lahaul participate in
it. If time allows explore the town and Maharajas Palace and a short
drive to small village on
Hindustan - Tibet road "Sarahan" with it historical Bhimkali
temple which is a mixture of Hindu and Buddhist architecture. Arrive and
check in at rest house / camp.
DAY
05. SARHAN - SPEELO
Drive 164 Km
Morning we explore
this town and continue our journey towards Speelo via Recong Peo, the
new district head quarter of Kinnaur. En - route visit Ribba, Kalpa and
other villages. Arrive and camp for two nights.
DAY
06. IN SPEELO
Morning
a short drive to Lobrang village, trek from here for few hours to
explore Kumao village and Monastery. Evening
return to Camp at Speelo.
DAY
07. SPEELO – NAKO
Drive 86 Km
Morning
drive through some spectacular villages including
Phu, Khabo and Kaha.
Arrive and check in at guest house / camp for overnight.Nako is a small
village situated beautifully on a hill, around a small lake, and has an
11th century monastery.
DAY
08. NAKO – SCHILLING
Via TABO
Drive 90 Km
Morning
explore Nako and drive on to Tabo an ancient village with 10th
century Buddhist monasteries which houses around 60 monks. After
exploring Tabo, we continue our journey to Schilling.
Two nights guest house / camp.
DAY
09. IN SCHILLING
Morning carry packed
lunch and drive a short distance and walk up to Dhankar monastery,
located at the top of a hill, built nearly 1000 years ago, Dankar Gompa
has a spectacular rocky setting. Once the site of the capital of Spiti,
and thena ajil, the gompa has over 150 monks, some outstanding thangkas
(usually locked away), sculptures, frescoes and a statue of Dhyan Buddha
(thinking Buddha). Some of the gompa was destroyed during a particularly
harsh winter in 1989.Return
to camp for night stay.
DAY
10. SCHILLING – KAZA
Drive 62
Morning leave after
breakfast and drive on to Pin valley, formed by the Pin river. From Pin
valley we drive to Kaza for three nights stay. Camp / rest house.
Kaza is the
administrative center of Spiti sub district, surrounded by inspiring
scenery. Kaza can be divided into two areas. The 'old town', south of
the current bus stand, is a maze of little shops, hotels and houses. The
'new town', a collection of government buildings, including the district
Magistrate's office is over the creek.
DAY
11 & 12. IN KAZA
Two
full days in Kaza, during these days we take side trips to explore Ki,
which
is the biggest monastery in Spiti and houses ancient brass instruments
such as trumpets, cymbals and drums. The murals also are quite intricate
in detail and Kiber
the highest inhabited villages in the world and Thangyur located in the Kazoo
Nallaha at an altitude of 4205 m. One
of these days we also drive a short distance to explore Lhalung
situated at the height of 3800 Mt. The monastery consist of nine ancient
temples out of which only one remains. Return to Kaza for lunch. Rest of
the day at leisure.
DAY
13. KAZA – LOSAR –
CHATRU
Drive 127 Km
Morning
depart and drive to Chatru, en route we pass through some beautiful
village including Kiato,
Hansa,
Losar over
Kunzum
La
pass
(4551 Mt.) and Batal
(3960 Mt.).
Arrive and check in at guesthouse / camp.
DAY
14. CHATRU – MANALI
Drive 89 Km
Morning departure puts
us on the road for finally day of this memorable trip. First we descend
further to Gramphoo (3200 M), here we connect with Leh - Manali highway.
Now we climb a short distance to Rothang pass (3980 Mt.) and descend
down to Manali in lush green Kulu valley. Arrive and check in at hotel
for two nights.
DAY
15. IN MANALI
Full
day to explore Manali leisurely and relax. Manali is situated at the
banks of river Beas, surrounded by pine forests and snow capped peaks. 450-year-old
Dhoongri temple dedicated to the goddess Hadimba. It is believed that
here Bhima, the great Pandava of the Mahabharata, slew the demon Hadimb
and married his sister Hadimba who was elevated to the status of a
goddess. Manali also has a Tibetan monastery where there are several
images of the Buddha, thanka paintings and a handicrafts center.
Vaishist 3.2km. away perched on a steep hill side across the Beas. Below
its temple are hot sulphur springs, the water of which has been piped to
bath rooms maintained by tourism department. Jagatsukh, 6km. South of
Manali is the ancient capital of Kulu and known also for its temples.
DAY
16. MANALI – NALAGARH
Drive 250 Km
Morning
depart and drive to Nalagarh Fort, (converted into hotel) built in 1421,
by Chandela Rajput monarch, Raja Bikram Chand. The Chandela built this
imposing structure at the foothills of the Himalayas, surrounded by
acres of greenery. Arrive and check in at Fort Nalagarh for overnight.
DAY
17. NALAGARH – DELHI
Drive 300 Km
Morning
depart and drive to Delhi, arrive and check in at hotel for overnight.
DAY
18. DEPARTURE
Morning
transfer to Airport for onward journey
