Unveiling the Mystique of Spiti Valley Road Excursion

Nestled amidst the towering peaks of the Himalayas, a Spiti Valley road excursion promises an unparalleled Himalayan adventure through pristine landscapes and ancient cultural heritage. Embark on a journey of discovery as you traverse the rugged terrain, immersing yourself in the raw beauty of this remote Himalayan region.

Your adventure begins in the enchanting Sangla Valley, where you’ll witness the majestic beauty of snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear rivers. Explore the picturesque villages of Batseri and Rakcham, each offering a glimpse into the traditional way of life in the Himalayas. As you venture deeper into the valley, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Chitkul, the last village of India, where time seems to stand still amidst the tranquil surroundings.

Continuing your journey, you’ll encounter the ancient treasures of Spiti Valley, including the iconic Dhankar Monastery perched atop a rugged hilltop. Trek through the breathtaking landscapes of Pin Valley, where towering mountains and pristine lakes await your exploration. Along the way, soak in the rich culture of the region as you visit the historic monasteries of Tabo and Kungri, each steeped in centuries of spiritual tradition. Whether you’re marveling at the grandeur of the Himalayan landscapes or delving into the vibrant tapestry of Spiti Valley’s cultural heritage, your road excursion promises an unforgettable journey through one of India’s most captivating destinations.

Highlights of Spiti Valley Road Excursion

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Himalayas with activities like star gazing, short treks, and exploring serene lakes. Experience the rich Buddhist culture and marvel at the ancient architecture of monasteries scattered across the valley.

Suitable For

This trip is ideal for astrophiles, cultural enthusiasts, nature lovers, and groups of friends or families looking to explore the Himalayas together.

Itinerary of Spiti Valley Road Excursion

Day 1 Chandigarh to Narkanda

Today, in our Himalayan adventure – Spiti Valley Road Excursion we will arrive at the Chandigarh Airport/ Railway station. Over there, you will be received by our tour representative. Begin your journey by embarking on a comfortable drive to Pinjore Garden.

Pinjore Garden is also known as Yadavindra Gardens, a historic Mughal garden renowned for its distinctive Mughal architectural elements. Enroute, we will visit Barog, a charming hill station located in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. The Barog Heritage Railway Station is unique for its colonial-era architecture, featuring timber-framed structures, sloping roofs, and intricate detailing reminiscent of the British Raj era. It is also known as a haunted railway station.

We then will head to our destination for the day, a tiny little village which also happens to recite one more chapter of history as it is where Asia’s first apples were planted- Narkanda. History goes back to Samuel Stokes, the first Britisher to bring apples from Europe hencing making it the birthplace of apples in Asia

Night at Narkanda.

Day 2 Narkanda to Sangla

Today in our Spiti Valley Road Excursion,  we will travel from Narkanda to Sangla. Prepare for an exciting day of exploration as you embark on a scenic road trip towards Sangla Valley, located approximately 160 kilometres away. On our way, we will cover Rampur, Chitkul and Rakcham. The Tani Jubbar lake is nestled right in this town of Narkanda. Proceed towards Thanedar, Kothgarh & Rampur.

Have a quick stop to dump your baggage at the accommodation and head to Chitkul- the home to the last village of India. It is one of the most scenic settlements in the valley and the last inhabited village before the India-China border. A short drive to Chitkul is known to be one of the most scenic drives one can ever take with plenty of opportunities to take stunning photographs provided

Overnight stay at Sangla.

Day 3 Sangla to Tabo

We venture deeper into Sangla valley towards Tabo in our Himalayan adventure – Spiti Valley Road Excursion. We leave Kinnaur district and enter Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.

We enter Hangrang valley through Koh loops after witnessing the Setluj-Spiti river confluence at Khab. Khab is the place where international waters of Sutlej enter India from Tibet. Pause at Nako Helipad, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

We will then visit Nako Lake, a tranquil oasis nestled amidst the barren slopes of the Himalayas. Explore the centuries-old Nako Monastery, adorned with intricate murals, Buddhist relics, and sacred scriptures, offering spiritual solace amidst the rugged wilderness. It is the beginning of the cultural spread of Spiti Valley. After crossing Mulling-one of the most dangerous yet breath taking passes of Spiti safari, we descend from Hangrang Valley and head towards Sumdo village- the start of Lahaul-Spiti district.

Tabo- Tabo houses an ancient monastery which is known to be one of the holiest. It is known to be a thousand years old and it is also where monks meditate & study about Buddhism. The aura of this place is so positive that one can feel relaxed the moment one has stepped in the village.

After some amazing sightseeing, we will indulge in a star gazing session at Tabo as Tabo has been a zone for clear night skies & clearer visibility for stars, constellations, planets, and even occasional meteor showers.

Day 4 Tabo to Dhankar monastery & lake trek, Pin valley

Today in our Himalayan adventure -the Spiti Valley Road Excursion, we will travel from Tabo to Pin valley. Pack your shoes for the day because we might also take an optional lake trek. Beauty of this route and the adventure cannot be expressed in words. On our way to Pin valley we will head towards the Dhankar monastery and lake where we can take our optional trek plan into action. Upon reaching Pin valley, we will check- in our home stay and spend the rest of the evening mesmerised by the serenity that we experienced throughout the day.

Upon check in, get ready to set up your equipment to witness the vast seamless sky. The valley experiences minimal light pollution, allowing for clearer and more vivid views of celestial objects. With fewer artificial lights to obscure the night sky, stars, planets, and other astronomical phenomena appear brighter and more prominent.

Overnight stay in Pin valley.

Day 5 Pin valley to Rangrik

Today in our Himalayan adventure – the Spiti Valley Road Excursion, we will head to Rangrik- a little village in Spiti Valley located closer to Kaza, where we can relish some of the best cafes of this route. Explore the local markets of Kaza and indulge in some amazing cafe culture on the way.

As we arrive in Rangrik, we will attempt to explore the skies today. At higher altitudes, the air is thinner and contains fewer pollutants, resulting in clearer and more transparent skies. a remote village with minimal urban development and artificial lighting. As a result, it experiences significantly less light pollution compared to densely populated areas. The absence of bright city lights allows the stars, planets, and other celestial bodies to shine more brightly against the dark night sky, enhancing the overall stargazing experience.

Overnight stay at Rangrik

Day 6 Iconic sights of Spiti today

It’s an important day of Himalayan adventure – the Spiti valley road excursion. You’ll be visiting most of the iconic places of Spiti valley today itself .

We will begin by visiting this picturesque village- Langza, blessed with ancient monasteries and buildings of the prehistoric era. It is surrounded by green pastures, snow-clad mountains and barren landscapes that awe-struck every person who visits this stunning location, which is certainly one of the best places in the whole Spiti Valley. After Langza, we will head towards Hikkim. Hikkim is one of the highest year-round inhabited locations in India hosting the HIGHEST POST OFFICE in the WORLD.

After Hikkim, we will move towards Komik. The picturesque Lahaul and Spiti Valley embraces several treasures in its vicinity and Komik is one such place, which is set beautifully amid the stunning mountains in the state of Himachal Pradesh in North India. Komik Village is the highest village in Asia. After Komik, we will head towards Ki & heading towards the snow leopard village – Kibber via Chicham pass which is the world’s highest bridge at 4037m (13,244ft) from sea level and then take a return journey to Rangrik.

Also known as Kye Gompa or Key Monastery, this monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery and is located atop a hill at an altitude of 4166 metres. The views of and from the monastery are breathtaking and one can never have enough of the sight. The monastery has been featured in Bollywood movies like Highway and the aura that it spreads are peaceful and positive. The monastery is home to 250 Lamas and is the training ground for the respective. The splendid architecture of the monastery will make you spell- bound and the vibes spread by the prayer wheels are so soothing that you won’t feel like leaving.

We will then spend the rest of the evening exploring some of the best cafes in this valley rejuvenating our taste buds with some tingling cuisine to get going for the rest of the valley.

Day 7 Rangrik to Chandratal

After an early morning breakfast, we will start the day by crossing the infamous Kunzum pass as we take an off road to Chandratal along the river Chenab. We will pass through Hansa, Losar – charming villages situated at the bank of the Peeno rivers.

As we arrive at Chandra Tal, it is one of the most beautiful lakes of Himachal. Spending evening at the bank of lake or offering respects by taking a walk through the periphery of the lake (Pradakshina) not only gives the Spiritual feels but also gives the serenity of different areas around the lake – from mountain slopes to marshes to streams bringing glacial melted water into the lake. Herds of sheep, goats and yak grazing around, hunter birds like Himalayan Griffon, Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, and many more signs of wildlife are present in the protected region of Chandra tal.

The vast expanse of the Himalayan landscape surrounding Chandra Tal provides stargazers with an unobstructed horizon, allowing for panoramic views of the night sky in all directions. This particular location in the Himalayas offers a unique vantage point for observing celestial events such as meteor showers, lunar eclipses, and even occasional displays of the Milky way. These rare and captivating phenomena add an extra layer of excitement and wonder to the stargazing experience at Chandratal, making it an astronomer’s dream destination.Overnight stay at Chandratal in a campsite a few kms away from the lake.

Day 8 Chandratal to Manali

Our Last phase of the Himalayan adventure – Spiti Valley Road Excursion begins today. We will head towards Manali via the Rohtang pass (If open) while we cherish the beautiful landscapes on our way. We will also visit Batal, Chhatru and Gramphu. Upon reaching Manali, we will check- in our stay and spend the rest of the evening in leisure.

• Batal – Surrounded by mountains, Chenab flows right through the middle of this little settlement located in the Pir Panjal valley.
• Chhatru – Chhatru is the place where you can stop and take a lunch halt with a spectacular view or rather, spectacular views all around you. It is also an internationally recognised Bouldering site. Many legends and champions have dreamt of practising Bouldering here.

If we get lucky enough to find enough time, we will take to ourselves some breathing room as we will get the chance to explore the lush greenery of Manali. We can roam around on the mall road for some shopping and palette pampering if time permits

Day 9 Manali to Chandigarh drop

After this amazing tour, we are all set for the last 10+ hours long journey to head home with some amazing memories of this beautiful region in white!

 

Accommodations in our Spiti Valley Road Excursion

Carefully selected accommodations ensure a comfortable stay, ranging from hotels and guesthouses to homestays and campsites. Enjoy decent and hygienic lodging throughout your journey.

 

Inclusion in our Spiti Valley Road Excursion

• Accommodation at standard Hotels/camps/ BnBs with double bed & attached washrooms except in BnBs/Homestays.
• Meals – Breakfast & Dinner at all accommodations except BnBs/ Homestays (simple, veg, locally available and freshly cooked).
• Non AC Tourist vehicle depending on your group size (vehicle tempo traveller) on non-disposal basis.
• Reliable experienced local resident driver cum guide with intense knowledge of area, terrain, people and culture.
• Driver charges, Driver accommodation, fuel, inter-state toll, Parking charges during the journey.
• Transfers as specified in itinerary, Inner line permits.
• Toll and Parking inclusive.
• Green fee, Environmental fee, Wildlife fee.
• Taxes

Exclusion in our Spiti Valley Road Excursion

• Travel ticket charges from home to Reporting point AND End point to home i.e., Flight, train, bus etc.
• Meals other than specified (first day breakfast and last day dinner not covered. Dinner on day 6 is also not covered because we would like to explore local market of Kaza and hop vibrant cafes to try different delicacies from local to continental).
• Camera fees, Monument entry charges, Rafting or other activities charges, Expense of transport, services, sightseeing on buffer day
• All personal expenses, Optional Tours, extra meals, vehicle usage beyond mentioned itinerary
• Room Service Fees, porterage charges, tips, phone calls, laundry, shopping or other personal costs
• Medicines, Travel insurance
• Cost arise due to any emergency, weather instability or political unrest or such unpredictable and uncontrollable situations
• Additional usage of vehicles to the sights not mentioned in the itinerary, market visits etc
• Any charges that are not mentioned in inclusions