Overview

A pure bliss as such is this little valley that forms to be the heart of Himachal Pradesh with life and culture still pure and undivided. The high altitude of Spiti Valley, with many areas situated above 10,000 feet above the sea level places it closer to the heavens, offering clearer views of celestial bodies. Its high altitude, minimal light pollution, and clear skies create optimal conditions for stargazing and astronomical observations.

Covered in snow, this hill state is populated with some of the most humble people that you will ever have a chance to meet and the beauty of this state is defined by the many UNESCO world heritage sites that it houses. Away from urban centres and with sparse human habitation, the night skies in Spiti Valley remain remarkably dark, allowing astronomers to observe fainter objects and phenomena that might be obscured elsewhere. The region experiences minimal rainfall and cloud cover, ensuring more nights with clear, unobstructed views of the stars, planets, and galaxies.

For astronomers, Spiti Valley offers an unparalleled opportunity to study the cosmos free from the distractions and limitations often encountered in more populated and urbanised areas. Whether it’s amateur stargazers or professional researchers, the breathtaking beauty and pristine skies of Spiti Valley make it an irresistible destination for anyone seeking to explore the wonders of the universe. So, pack your bags because this astronomer’s paradise is calling!

Highlights

Mountains, extreme snow, Star Gazing, Astronomer’s Paradise, Short Trek, lake, Buddhist Culture, Architecture and more

Suitable For

Astrophiles, cultural enthusiasts, Architecture, Nature lovers, group of Friends, Family, Students

Itinerary

Day 1 Chandigarh to Narkanda

Today, we report at at the Chandigarh Railway station parking at 9.00am. Over there, you will be received by our trip captain – Tosh sir. Little bit of meeting & greeting, loading luggage on the vehicle and 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, 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. 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, 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, 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 Spiti safari. 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 ChandraTal, 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 catch volvo in evening for Delhi

Our Last phase of the safari 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 recognized Bouldering site. Many legends and champions have dreamt of practicing 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.. We catch volvo for evening towards Delhi. Bid Adios to the group with fantastic memories for life.

Day 9 Delhi Arrival

With overnight bus journey, we reach Delhi ISBT bus depot.

EXTENDED

Day 9 Manali Left Bank Tour

Today, we will tour around the left bank of Manali. On this enroute, we will visit places that hold historical importance but we will also take a short trek to a mysterious village. After spending some time over there, we will head towards Naggar castle and the other places. After visiting and spending time in and around all these places, we will come back to our hotel and call it a day.

• Naggar Castle– Now converted to a hotel, this castle was built in 1460 A.D. This wood mansion overlooks the Kullu valley and houses several paintings made by the Russian artist Nicholas Roerich.
• Roerich art gallery– This was first where the Russian artist used to live. Later on, it was converted to an art gallery. It houses some of the beautiful landscape paintings made by the Russian artist.
• Nicholas Roerich Museum– One of the most important museums in Manali, this museum houses some of the best works of the painter. All these paintings depict the beauty of the Himalayan valleys, each of them painted very uniquely.
• Gayatri temple, Jagatsukh– This temple is dedicated to Goddess Gayatri. It was built in 1962 and has wooden carvings of the Goddess. It is said that the Pandavas built this temple in just 1 night during their Agyat vanvas.

Day 10 Manali to Mandi enroute Parashar Lake

Today we will head towards Mandi from Manali and on our way, we will visit the Prashar lake. It’s one of the most beautiful lakes of Himachal in the Mandi district provided the roads are open and if time permits. Today, if time permits, you may also indulge in some rafting or Paragliding in Kullu before we proceed with our journey.

The lake is situated on the top of a mountain and is known to be a popular trek amongst various adventure enthusiasts. The breathtaking views from the top of the mountain, being above the clouds, layers of Dhauladhar mountain range one after another, the wind, mysterious tiny moving islands in the lake are a few things you can’t get enough of.

After spending some relaxing time near the lake, we will head towards Mandi and stay the night over there upon reaching and checking- in.

Overnight stay at Mandi.

Day 11 Mandi to Chandigarh drop

After this amazing tour, we are all set to head home today with some amazing memories of this beautiful region in white!

Accommodations

Accommodations have been carefully selected to ensure decent & hygienic lodging & give you an experience of a combination of stays such as Hotels, Guesthouses, BnBs, homestays, camps, experiential stays with base category rooms unless mentioned otherwise specifically.

Cost

 

*Early bird discount is valid until 31st March 2024.

Above cost is per person (age 12 years and above)

Child cost (5 years to 11 years) : 60% of the package cost.

We don’t recommend High altitude trips for the children of age 4 Years and below
Age of child to be considered as per birth certificate/passport during travel dates.

Inclusion

• 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

• 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