| Day 01 |
Leave Manali early
and driving over the 13,050 ft high Rohtang Pass
enter the Lahaul Spiti valley. After descending
the winding road we turn right for our journey to
Spiti. The road goes along the Chandra River with
towering mountains all around till we reach the
small two-shop hamlet of Batal. From here a track
goes to the beautiful lake of Chandratal 14 Kms
away. However we take the climb up to the Kunzum
Pass the gateway to Spiti. After stopping awhile
on top of the pass where a small temple stands,
we continue into the Spiti valley. The scenery is
now one of barren mountains and large plains. Reaching
Kaza the capital of Spiti by evening we check into
our hotel. |
| Day 02 |
We visit the ancient
Ki Monastery perched upon a craggy outcrop overlooking
the wide Spiti River basin. We drive about half
an hour further from here to the neatly laid out
village of Kibber also known as the highest inhabited
village in the world at 14,500 feet. After lunch
we return to Kaza where we go on to explore the
old bazaar with its narrow streets and mud walled
shops. Return to our hotel for the night. |
| Day 03 |
We now leave Kaza
and head east to our next destination - Tabo Monastery.
We stop over at the formidable Dhankar Monastery
sitting high on a rock face overlooking the confluence
of the Pin and Spiti Rivers. This was once a fort
and palace of the Spiti lords. It's almost like
stepping way back into time. We reach Tabo by late
afternoon. Over a 1000 years old (built in 996 AD)
and situated at a height of 3500 metres this beautiful
monastery has some of the most exquisite works of
art in the West Himalayas. Comprising of temple
complex of Tabo Chokhor Its structure blends well
into the surrounding village of brown and white
mud- and stone buildings. This is one of the oldest
religious sites resting in the barren landscape
of Spiti between the Great Himalayan and Zanskar
mountain ranges. The intriguing Indo Tibetan art
form found here in the temples is one of the finest
ever created and even today the brilliant colours
stand out. Beautiful murals and stucco images stare
at you telling you the story of an ancient religion
still flourishing in this part of the world. Check
into our Guest house for the night. |
| Day 04 |
From Tabo the road
goes south east and becomes more rugged as we approach
the boundaries of Kinnaur. The road now winds upwards
and we leave the main Hindustan Tibet Road as the
highway was once known to climb towards the hidden
lake of Nako. The village of Nako still surprises
with its ancient mud and rock walled houses but
the views from here are spectacular. Check into
the Leo Pargyal Hotel for the night. |
| Day 05 |
Leaving the picturesque
Nako village with its emerald green lake we head
south and enter Kinnaur where the landscape now
attains a greener hue as forests of Pine and Fir
begin appearing along the road. By afternoon we
reach Karchham a small hamlet on the highway from
where we turn left into the Sangla Valley. The road
winds upward high above the Baspa River and we continue
on this beautiful drive to arrive at the small village
of Sangla. Check into a comfortable Guest House
for the night. |
| Day 06 |
We drive up to the
last point of Chitkul in the valley through verdant
forests of Pine, Fir and Deodar by passing lovely
meadows and streams. We return to Sangla and continue
onwards to join the highway again to continue south
towards the magical hamlet of Sarahan high up on
a hill. The Hotel here has an amazing views of the
entire Kinnaur landscape and also some excellent
views of the mountains all round. Walk around the
Bazaar and visit the small nature sanctuary here.
Return to our hotel for the night. |
| Day 07 |
Today we drive further
south to the final destination of Shimla. The highway
goes through some sub-alpine landscape as we descend
to the valley floor and then climb up again to enter
the Shimla hills with their lush cover of Oak, Pine
and Fir forests. Stop over at the quaint town of
Narkanda for lunch at the Tourism Hotel which offers
some of the most spectacular views of the Himalayan
ranges stretching across the horizon to the north.
Reaching Shimla by evening we check into our hotel.
|
| Day 08 |
Today we explore
the small hamlets of Mashobra and Naldera two places
that give you an insight into the culture of the
Shimla hills. A relaxed day as we drive through
enchanting scenery and get to see the heavily forested
hills.
Evening return to our hotel and later explore the
legendary Mall road made famous by Anglo Indian
writers during the halcyon days of the British Raj. |
