Day 1: Reach Manali and rest

Reach Manali in the morning from Delhi/Chandigarh after an overnight journey and check-in to the hotel. You will be free to do whatever you want on this day, but the most important thing is to relax and acclimatise and not over exert.

We will hold a small briefing session along with the guide this evening. This will also be a good time for you to get acquainted with the rest of the group. We suggest you call it an early night as your body needs proper rest for the long journey ahead. We will be leaving very early the next day, proper rest will help you in acclimatising.

Things to do today: Visit Manu, Hidimba and Vashisth temples. Go for a walk in the national park, relax in the cafes around old Manali, catch up on last minute shopping, briefing with the guide in the evening

Day 2: Manali to Kaza via Atal Tunnel and Kunzum Pass

Today we head to Spiti valley which will take around 7-8 hours (approx. 190 kms), if everything goes as planned. We leave in the morning as we have a long way to go and cross the Atal Tunnel. The tunnel is the longest tunnel in the world at 9km above 10000 ft. Spend some time after you cross the tunnel as you head towards Gramphoo. From Gramphoo you will start noticing a change in terrain with less trees, more steep mountains and the start of a barren landscape. From here we head towards Chatru and cross some of the biggest waterfalls. These can be a nightmare for any non-experienced driver, but you’ll will be in very experienced hands. The terrain will change drastically from Chatru and all you will see is rocks all over with huge streams overflowing on the road and converging in the ruthless Chandra river. We shall take regular halts for you to soak in your surroundings, admire the great landscape and breathe the fresh air. We will take a lunch break at Batal at the famous Chandra Dhaba, where you can meet the famous Chacha and Chachi. They have been a saving grace to at least a few hundred who have been stuck in bad weather over the years.

We head to Kunzum Pass and at Kunzum top you we will stop for you to pay our respects to the Kunzum Goddess and as you enter Spiti valley. The jumpy ride on non-existent roads which started from Gramphoo will end in Lohsar. From Lohsar head to Kaza after a small break. It will take another 2 hours of beautiful journey. Reach Kaza, check-in and enjoy a cup of tea. We shall have a small briefing session at the dinner table. This tiring day will end with you looking at the gorgeous Spitian skies with a million stars the very prominent milky way.

Things to do today: Stop for pics after the Atal Tunnel, breakfast at Chatru, lunch at Batal and meet the famous Chacha and Chachi, stop at Kunzum top, stop in Lohsar for chai

Day 3: Kaza to Key, Khibber, Chicham bridge and back

Start the day easy over a nice local breakfast. We shall head to Kye monastery, the centre of learning in Spiti valley. The monastery is set on a small hill from where you get a complete view of the valley. Have a cup of tea at the monastery and spend some time on the roof from where you can click pictures and videos. Next we shall head to Khibber village, which used to be the highest motor-able village in the world before Komic took that place. The mountains around Khibber are home to the rare Snow Leopard and Siberian Ibex. If you are lucky you can get a sighting. A short hike from Khibber village is Chichum Bridge which is the highest bridge above sea level in Asia. If you are upto it you can hike to the bridge, or even go by car. We head back to Kaza from here just in time for a local style lunch organised by our team. The lunch will have some key dishes and staples of the people of Spiti for you to get a small taste of our cuisine. Today you will also get to meet with a local monk for a small introduction on Buddhism.

Things to do today: Visit Key Monastery and spend time with the monks there, hike to the hill behind Key monastery, visit Khibber village, optional hike to Chicham bridge, Local lunch in Kaza and a short introduction to Buddhism

Day 4: Kaza to Langza by car. Trek from Langza to Komic.

Pack your bags, have an early breakfast and head out for the trek this morning. The taxis will drive you to Langza- we shall spend sometime here in Langza before we start the trek for the day. Spend sometime walking around the village and enjoying the scenic view of Buddha statue. This entire terrain of Langza was once under Tethys Sea and is full of fossils. You can hunt for some but avoid taking them back home. Start the trek to Komic and we shall take a small stop at Hikkim where we shall visit the highest post office in the world. Post some postcards to your loved ones from here and chat with the postmaster about his life over a cup of tea. We shall make a final move to our destination today- the Komic village which is also one of the highest village of Asia. Visit the monastery, have your lunch, see the sunset and get to know your host in the homestay. This will be your first night in the homestay and this won’t be easy as some people might face some acclimatisation issue. No need to worry and just keep drinking a lot of water and eat properly. Get to know your host and understand their life at such high altitude. The life in Spiti might be harsh but each and every aspect of it has a cozy side and you will feel that while sharing space with a local family. Take rest for the night after an early dinner.

Things to do today: Go fossil hunting in Langza, Trek from Langza to Komic, send out post cards from the highest post office in the world in Hikkim and meet the postmaster, Visit Komic monastery

Day 5: Komic to Demul Trek

Enjoy the sunrise, have your breakfast and start the trek to Demul this morning. You shall have to ascend in the beginning where we touch the highest point of the trek at 4700 meters and then it will be flat till we reach Demul. The day hike will be long and tiring but will have one of the best views to offer which will take your breath away

Things to do today: Trek from Komic to Demul, spend time with your homestay host over dinner.

Day 6: Demul to Lahlung Trek

Since this day trek won’t be very long one so we shall start late after a nice breakfast and hike down to Lahlung through the farmlands of Demul and Rama
village. This day it it will most be downhill except some climbing just before you reach Lahlung. Visit the Sherkhang monastery and listen to the folklore of this monastery through a monk. Meet your host for the day and take rest.

Things to do today: Trek from Demul to Lahlung, visit to Serkhang monastery in Lahlung.

Day 7: Lahlung to Kaza via Dhankar, Tabo and Pin Valley

Early morning your transport shall arrive and we shall head back to Kaza making short visits to Dhankar, Tabo and Pin valley. Both Dhankar and Tabo are famous mainly for monasteries. We shall visit Dhankar monastery first which is a 1000 years old on a cliff overlooking the confluence of Spiti and Pin River. There are only a few other monuments which can match the beauty of Dhankar. Visit the monastery here and enjoy a nice cup of tea looking at the monastery. For those upto it, can hike to the nearby Dhankar Lake. After this we shall head to Tabo monastery which is also known as the Ajantas of the Himalayas with a 1000 year old monastery. The murals, wall paintings and thankas will take you to another age and leave you speechless. The aura of the place is bound to question you where all of this is coming from. You can also visit the ancient caves that monks have been using from ages to meditate. Pin Valley has become famous as a major starting point for many high altitude wilderness treks in Spiti Valley. You will visit Mudh Village, which is the last village in the valley and Khungri monastery before heading to Kaza for the evening.

Things to do today: Visit Dhankar monastery, hike to Dhankar Lake, Visit Tabo monastery and hike to nearby meditation caves, visit Pin Valley (Mudh village and Khungri monastery)

Day 8: Kaza to Chandrataal Lake via Lohsar and Kunzum pass

After breakfast with the local family, we head towards Chandrataal Lake .This is another location where you will find it hard to stop clicking photographs. So if you don’t have a camera, you should buy one NOW! This lake is a landscape photographer’s dream come true, changing its appearance almost with every passing hour, each look as stunning as the other. Tonight we camp in proper adventure style; excellent dome tents set up to protect you from the cold and biting night winds.

Things to do today: Stop at Lohsar for a cup of Chai, do the Parikrama around Chandrataal Lake, Camping experience near Chandrataal Lake

Day 9: Chandrataal to Manali drop via Rohtang Pass

The last day of your trip has an early start to it. We begin our journey to Manali after an early breakfast. We will take a small break at Batal to say goodbye to Chacha and Chachi at Chandra Dhaba. Say goodbye to your guide at Batal as he will take the bus back to Kaza. The aim is to try and cross Rohtang pass by early afternoon so that you reach in time for your evening bus back home.

Things to do today: Stop in Chatru for Lunch, stop at Rohtang Pass for pictures

Inclusions

*All Transport in a Tempo Traveller from Day 2 to Day 9

*Local Spitian guide on all days. He will return back to Kaza from Batal on Day 9.

*Local, highly experienced driver who knows the route and the sightseeing places

*Stay in Manali on Day 1 in a hotel/guesthouse on twin sharing basis

*Camping near Chandrataal Lake for 1 night on Day 8 on twin sharing basis

*Stay in the homestay from Day 2 till Day 7 as per the layout of the home (2-3 people in 1 room)

*2 meals on each day (breakfast and dinner) from Day 2 till Day 8.

*Only breakfast provided on day 9 

*Lunch provided during the trek from Day 4 till Day 6

*All activities mentioned in the plan

*All entry fees to monasteries in Spiti (if any)

Exclusions

*5% GST

*Meals in Manali

*Lunch, Snacks and beverages (except the ones with meals)

*Any kind of insurance/ emergency/ evacuation cost

*Bus ticket cost to and from Manali

*Camera Fees (if any)

Minimum requirement: The trip runs if we have a minimum of 4 confirmed participants. In the event that we don’t get the requisite numbers we can run with less than 4 participants if participants are willing to pay extra. We will revise the costing according to the no. of participants. Alternatively in the event the trip gets cancelled, we will reimburse the amount paid to the participants minus any minimal bank charges that may have been cut.

Room Sharing: All stays in guesthouses will be on a twin sharing basis except for homestays where it will be as per the layout of the homestay i.e 2,3 or 4 people in one room basis the size of the room. Rooms are divided amongst same sex participants which is most comfortable for solo travellers and friends. Only if there is a couple amongst the group will they get to stay together.

Type of participants: Our groups usually have participants between the ages of 20-40 and we have a healthy 50-50 male to female ratio in the group, with friends, couples and solo travellers alike.

Homestays: You shall stay in a homestay for a night where you shall be sharing some space with a local family. It will be a wonderful experience to see the life of people at this altitude and how content they are. Stay and food will be very basic and your host will serve you local cuisine. 

Dry Toilets: Since there is lack of water in cold deserts and carrying water is not easy at such high altitudes. The concept of dry toilets have been prevalent in Spiti since the beginning. In your homestay, you will either get a common bathroom which you will be sharing with your host family or a dry toilet. We can also provide a stool if some people have difficulty squatting but there shall be an extra charge for the same.

Bathing and Hot Water in a Homestay: Since we shall be around 4000 meters, getting hot water for everyone in a homestay will not be possible. Hot water for drinking shall not be an issue but for bathing it will not be possible.