Excursion to Lahul Spiti with Chandratal via Chandigarh

Arrive at designated place, report to vehicle and  proceed to Shimla. Check in Hotel, Evening visit Mall road and local walking sightseeing.

Start our epic Himalayan road trip today and start driving to Sangla. With the Bapsa river magically weaving itself through the forested slopes, this exquisite 95 kilometre stretch of the Sangla Valley is a sight to behold. Known predominately for its agriculture, every house in Sangla will have cultivations of apples, pears, walnuts, apricots or potatoes. Overnight at Sangla enjoy tent Stay.

After breakfast, we head towards Chitkul, Chitkul can be described as one of the most scenic settlements in the valley and the last inhabited village before the India-China border. This short drive from Sangla to Chitkul will be one of the most scenic drives you’ll take with plenty of opportunities to take stunning photographs. Walk around the Bapsa river and pay tributes to the Mathi Goddess at the temple in the village. After spending time in Chitkul, we turn around and head to Kalpa. En route visit Roghi Cliff Point. Later arrive at Kalpa in the evening.

Today we proceed to Tabo via Nako – the last hamlet of Kinnaur, before we enter the gates of Spiti Valley. En-route visit Gue Monastrery - famous for 500 year old mummy of Sangha Tenzin, a Buddhist monk. Arrive at Tabo in the evening.

After breakfast we drive towards the beautiful Pin Valley. Imagine a national park with an abundance of animals and birds, with some rare plant varieties, a river that gushes when it isn’t frozen and trekking opportunities for the adventure-seekers. The Pin Valley promises all this and more. En-route visit a 1200 year old Dhankar Monastery balanced precariously on a rocky precipice. If time and energy permit. Then we proceed to visit the Kungri Monastery and then the beautiful hamlet of Mudh – the last motorable village of the Pin Valley. Declared a national park in 1987, Pin Valley has altitudes ranging from 11,000 to 20,000 feet and is home to at least 12 endangered snow leopards. Evening drive back to Kaza.

We drive to some of the highest inhabited regions of the world. The highest village in Asia, Komik, which literally translates to ‘Eye of a snow cock’, is situated at a height of 4513 metres. This farming village has a population of 84 people, living in utter isolation, cut-off from the rest of the world for most parts of the year. This little hamlet ensures to bring you thousands of miles away from your familiar settings to a place of soft brown pastures and snow-white mountain peaks. Some of the common animals of the region are the Tibetan wolf, Blue sheep, Red fox, Hare, Snow cock, Himalayan griffin, Rock pigeon etc. Then we proceed to visit langza fossil village - Langza village is famous for huge quantities of fossils found here. Later drive to Hikkim, where we visit the world’s highest post office in the world. If possible, you can even meet the post-master and hear his stories. In the evening drive back to Kaza.

Today we visit the world famous Ki Monastery. Our first stop will be at the base of the monastery hill for the ultimate photo opportunity of this remarkable structure. With over 1000 years’ worth stories to tell, the Ki Monastery situated at a height of 13,668 feet was founded by a disciple of the famous Atisha, this monastery is famous as a prominent centre of learning as well as refuge for Tibetans. Later we will move farther up the valley to the picturesque village of Kibber. Located at a height of 4205 metres and 18 km from Kaza, this formerly highest permanently inhabited village of this region, is also a popular base camp to embark on adventure and treks to adjoining mountains of high altitude. Later we proceed to see the the highest bridge in Asia - Chicham Bridge. It is around 4500 meters above sea level in the Himalayan mountain. Later we drive higher up to the secluded village of Gette where we absorb stunning aerial views of Kaza and tie a prayer flag. Stay at Kaza

We drive to one of the most photogenic places of the Spiti Valley – the Chandratal Lake. On the way we pass through the high altitude pass of Kunzum La. Stop by at the stupa and pay tribute to the local goddess, “Kuzum Mata” as she is called. At 15,000 feet above sea-level the Kuzum Pass connects Kullu and Lahaul to the Spiti Valley. Chandratal Lake – A visual marvel, this stunning blue coloured Lake is set at an altitude of 4300 meters above sea level in the heart of high Himalayas and is a must see on a full moon night. It derives its name, “Chandra” (Moon) and “Taal” (Lake) from the crescent shape of the lake. Watch the lake change colours from crystal clear shades of blur to emerald greens by dusk. Live your dream of camping comfortably in state of the art tents in the Himalayas as you spend your evening gazing at the Milky Way and the millions of stars on a clear night.

After breakfast we drive from Chandratal Lake towards Manali. We take a quick stop at Batal for a cup of tea. From there, we continue driving on the Kaza – Manali highway and stop at Chatru for lunch. Drive through the famous Rohtang Pass and return to Manali to end your breath-taking Spiti Valley sojourn.

After breakfast proceed to explore the ancient temples like Vashisht Kund, Hidimba Mandir and Cultural Museum. Enjoy water rafting in Beas river (Operational). Free day for shopping or leisure activities. Enjoy get together with your travel companions in the evening.

Proceed to Chandigarh, Arrive late in the evening in Chandigarh.