Spiti Valley Homestay Trek (10 days) – Fixed Departure

Spiti valley also known as the “Middle Land” is a Trans-Himalayan terrain bordering with Tibet at an average altitude of 4000 meters. Spiti valley is home to some of the oldest monasteries in the Himalayan region like Tabo monastery, Dhankar monastery, Sherkhang monastery and Kye monastery, strong hold of Buchen Lamas in Pin Valley, famous for Tibetan medicine system and Amchis, fossils of Langza village, highest motorable villages and passes, scenic lakes, 1000 years old culture, tough life, beautiful villages and people and out of the world landscape.

Trekking through the local trails, which Spitians have been using for centuries, is one of most challenging and peaceful experience that you shall come across in life. Come and explore with us your inner self as we go through a civilization frozen in time. Spiti Fixed Departures have been planned in a way that you explore Spiti like a local and at a pace that helps you acclimatize and enjoy at the same time.

Spiti Valley Homestay Trek Package Batches

• 20th - 29th June 2019
• 9th - 18th August 2019

Spiti Homestay Trek Details

• Duration: 9 Nights and 10 days
• Cost: Rs. 23,520/- per person

Highlights of the Spiti Trek

• Stay with the locals in their homes and see how life is at a high altitude
• Trek through the highest motor-able villages and roads in the world
• Walk the age old trails that have been used by the locals for centuries
• Visit the highest post office in the world at Hikkim and send some postcards
• Camping at Chandratal lake

Itinerary for Spiti Valley Homestay Trek Package

Day One - Reach Manali and Relax

Reach Manali in the morning from Delhi after an overnight journey and check-in. This day will be open and you are free to do whatever you want. But most important thing is to relax and acclimatize and not overexert. You can visit Hidimba or Manu temple or Vashisht to have a bath in hot spring, you can also sit next to the river and read book or just explore some good café with continental food in Old Manali. In case you have missed packing something then this is the time when you should go shopping as Spiti valley doesn’t have such luxuries. We shall have a briefing session in the afternoon when everyone has arrived.

Day Two - Manali to Kaza via Rohtang and Kunzum Pass

We leave early in the morning as we have a long way to go and ascend the mighty Rohtang Pass to begin with. We shall spend some time at the pass and then head towards Gramphoo. From Gramphoo you shall start noticing change in terrain where you will see less trees and more of steep mountain peaks and beginning of barren landscape. From here we head towards Chatru and face some of the biggest waterfalls crossing the road which can be a nightmare for any non-experienced driver. We shall have a lunch break at Batal where we meet the owners of Chandra Dhaba who have been a saving grace to a few hundred who have got stuck in bad weather at one of the toughest places in this terrain. From here we head to Kunzum Pass and pay our regards to the Kunzum Goddess and enter Spiti valley. The jumpy ride with non-existent road which started from Gramphoo will end in Lohsar. From Lohsar head to Kaza after a small break. Reach Kaza, check-in and enjoy a cup of tea. We shall have a small briefing session at dinner table

Day Three - Kaza to Key, Kibber and back

Start the day easy over the breakfast. We shall head out to spend our afternoon next to the river where we shall serve you lunch picnic style and you just spend time relaxing and soaking in the sun. After lunch, we shall head to Kye monastery, the center of learning in Spiti valley. The setting of the monastery is on a small hill from where you get a complete view of the valley. We shall have a cup of tea and spend some time at the roof of the monastery from where you can click pictures and videos. From here we shall head to Khibber village, which use to be the highest motorable village in the world before Komic took that place. High mountains around Khibber are also home to the rarest Snow Leopard and Siberian Ibex. We head back to Kaza from here.

Day Four - Kaza to Langza in taxi. Trek from Langza to Komic via Hikkim

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 some time here in Langza before we start the trek for the day. Spend some time walking around the village and enjoying the scenic view of Buddha statue. You can hunt for some fossils 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 acclimatization issue. No need to worry and just keep drinking a lot of water and eat properly. Take rest for the night after an early dinner.

Day Five - 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.

Day Six - 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 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.

Day Seven - Lahlung to Kaza via Dhankar and Tabo

Early morning your transport shall arrive and we shall head back to Kaza making short visits to Dhankar and Tabo both of which are famous mainly for monasteries. We shall directly head to Tabo monastery which is also known as the Ajantas of the Himalayas with a 1000 years old monastery. You can also visit the ancient caves that monks have been using from ages to meditate. We shall visit Dhankar monastery on our way back which is also 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. Someone who still has some energy left can hike to Dhankar lake which is 45 mins from Dhankar. Head back to Kaza and relax.

Day Eight - Kaza to Kunzum Pass in a taxi. Trek from Kunzum Top to Chandrataal

After Breakfast with the local family, we head towards Chandrataal Lake and we shall start the day hike from Kunzum pass. This is another location where you will find it hard to stop clicking photographs. 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.

Day Nine - Chandrataal to Manali via Rohtang Pass

We leave early this morning to Manali after an early breakfast. We shall take a small break at Batal and say goodbye to owners of Chandra Dhaba over a cup of tea. We will try to reach Rohtang pass by early afternoon and spend some time at the pass. Head to Manali and relax. We shall have a small get together in the evening over dinner. Stay in Manali for the night.

Day Ten – Departure from Manali

Trip ends this afternoon as you head back to take your bus back to Delhi or respective places.

Cost Includes

• All Transport in a Tempo Traveller from Day 2 to Day 9
• All meals from Day 2 to Day 9
• Accommodation for 9 nights on twin sharing basis
• Local Guide for the entire trip
• Homestay experience for 6 nights and camping experience for 1 night
• All entry fees to monasteries in Spiti (if any)

Cost Excludes

• Snacks and beverages (except the ones with meals)
• Bus/Train/Air fare
• Any kind of insurance
• Personal expenses like camera charges, etc.
• Any kind of cost which is not mentioned in the cost includes above
• All expenses incurred due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances like roadblocks, bad weather
• Cost of any medical emergency or other emergency if required

Things to Carry

• 2/3-liter water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Goggles
• Hiking/ trekking shoes
• Lip balm
• Some thermals
• Woolen socks
• Woolen cap
• Muffler
• Wind cheater
• Sweat shirt
• Jacket
• Woolen gloves
• Toilet paper
• Moisturizer
• Extra camera batteries
• Personal medicines
• Identity proof

Things to note for the trek

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 homestays 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 you will get to have simple local food.

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. While trekking we shall be covering a terrain where all the homestays have dry toilets. 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: Since we shall be around 4000 meters, getting hot water for everyone will not be possible. Hot water for drinking shall not be an issue but for bathing it will not be possible.

Luggage during the trek: For the trek you shall be carrying only one-day pack which shall have all the important stuff that you shall need for the trek. Rest of the rest shall be left at Kaza in our hotel. You will also be required to carry your own water bottles which can be refilled at various places.

The guide won't carry your luggage: The guide shall be carrying his own stuff so he won't be able to carry your stuff. So be very particular about what you are carrying for the trek as you will have to carry it. In case extreme condition the guide will help but not otherwise. Please keep this in mind.

Cancellation Policy

In case you need to cancel your plans for the trip due to avoidable/unavoidable reasons, please do notify us via email.

The cancellation charges will be as follows:

• 60 to 46 days prior to date of departure: 10% of the tour cost
• 45 to 16 days prior to date of departure: 20% of the tour cost
• 15 to 8 days prior to date of departure: 25% of the tour cost
• 7 to 4 days prior to date of departure: 50% of the tour cost
• Less than 72 hours prior to date of departure: No refund
• No show No Refund
• Event Tickets cannot be transferred to another date against cancellation
• Event Tickets cannot be transferred to another person against cancellation