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. A strong hold of the Buchen Lamas in Pin Valley, Amchis; famous for Tibetan medicine, the fossils of Langza village, highest motor-able villages of Komic and Khibber, passes like Kunzum and scenic lakes like Chandrataal. A 1000 years old culture, beautiful villages, simple, humble people and an out of the world landscape.

Spiti Fixed Departures have been planned in such a way that you explore Spiti like a local, at a pace that helps you acclimatize and enjoy your trip at the same time. Let us take you through this breathtaking region and help you explore the place the way you would want to.

Itinerary

Day One - 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 acclimatize and not overexert. In the afternoon we will hold a small briefing session along with the guide. We will be leaving very early the next day; proper rest will help you in acclimatizing.

Day Two - Manali to Kaza via Rohtang and Kunzum Pass

Today we head to Spiti valley which will take around 10 hours (220 kms), if everything goes as planned. We leave early in the morning as we have a long way to go and ascend the mighty Rohtang Pass. We shall spend some time at the pass and then 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. 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 will take a lunch break at Batal at the famous Chandra Dhaba, where you can meet the fa-mous 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 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. Reach Kaza, check-in and enjoy a cup of tea. We shall have a small briefing session at the dinner table.

Day Three - Kaza to Key to Kibber and back to Kaza

Start the day easy over a nice breakfast. We will head out to spend our afternoon next to the river where we shall serve you lunch picnic style and you can spend time relaxing and soaking in the Spitian sun. After lunch, 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 want you can hike to the bridge, or even go by car. We head back to Kaza from here.

Day Four - Kaza to Dhankar and Tabo and back to Kaza

After a relaxed breakfast in the morning we will head to Tabo Monastery via a short visit to Dhankar Monastery and Lake. Dhankar village used to be the seat of the Spitian King in ancient times. Dhankar monastery, claimed to be 1000 years old, is on the cliff of a mountain overlooking the confluence of Pin and Spiti rivers. There can be no better setting of a monument than Dhankar Monastery. If you want, you can hike to Dhankar lake (source of water to Dhankar village) which is a steep walk of 45 minutes one way. The climb is optional. You can spend some time at the lake and head back. We will then make a move towards Tabo monastery, also known as the “Ajantas of the Himalayas”, the monastery is more than 1000 years old. We head back to Kaza from here and end the day.

Day Five - Kaza to Langza via Hikkim and Komic

We head out to Langza this morning after breakfast. Langza is the 2nd highest

motor-able village after Komic and is home to many a fossil. If you are lucky then you are sure find some beautiful fossils while you take a stroll across the village. To make it a little more interesting at this altitude, the interested ones can hike from Langza to Komic via a small stop at Hikkim. Not to forget your loved ones, visit the world’s highest post office in Hikkim and post a few post cards them. Trust us you will be amazed at the post office and meeting the post master. Head to our last point for the day, Komic and enjoy the spectacular view of snowcapped peaks around over a cup of tea and chat with the monks. The monastery in Komic is functional in winters when temperatures dip down to -30 degrees and roads get blocked and it will be very interesting to understand life and survival of such happy souls at this altitude.

Head back to Langza for a homestay with a local family. Life in Spiti might be harsh but the other side is that you will never come across such warm and welcoming people. You will understand that while sharing space with a local family.

Day Six - Langza to Chandrataal

After breakfast with your host family, we head towards Chandrataal Lake early in the morning. This is one location where you will find difficult to stop clicking photographs. The lake is a landscape photographer’s dream come true, changing its appearance almost with every passing hour, each shot as stunning as the last one. Tonight we camp in style; excellent dome tents set up to protect you from the cold and biting night winds. If you are lucky and the communal fireplace is burning, you can warm up and meet other travellers over dinner.

Day Seven - Chandrataal to Manali via Rohtang pass

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

Day Eight – Departure from Manali

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

Inclusions

• All Transport in a Tempo Traveller from Day 2 to Day 7
• 3 meals on each day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from Day 2 to Day 7
• Stay in hotels/guesthouses for 6 nights on twin sharing basis and camping near Chandrataal Lake for 1 night on Day 6
• Local Spitian guide on all days
• All activities mentioned in the plan
• All entry fees to monasteries in Spiti (if any)

Exclusions

• 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 medical kit and personal medicines
• Identity proof

Things to note

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 home stays 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.

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