- Home
- Spiti Valley Jeep Safari
- Spiti Valley Safari with Amritsar
Spiti Valley Safari with Amritsar
Destinations: Amritsar - Dharamsala – Manali – Kaza – Tabo – Nako – Kalpa – Sangla – Sarhan – Shimla
Tour Highlights: Golden Temple – Jaliyawala Bagh- Wagha Border – Dharamsala – Manali – Rohtang Pass – Chandra Tal - Kunjum Pass – Lossar Village – Kaza – Ki Kibbar, Langza and Komik villages – Dhankar Monastery – Tabo Monastery – Noko last border village – Kinnar Kailash Peak – Sangla Valley – Beema Kaali Temple – Shimla Queen of Hills.
























Itinerary Program:
-
DAY 01
Arrive Amritsar
Arrive Amritsar and Check in at your hotel. Later drive to Wagha Border to witness the Flag retreat ceremony at the time of sunset. You need to be there before two hours nearly to find a suitable place to wait and sit down. Back to Amritsar approx 35 kms and check in at your hotel.
Later proceed to witness the most interesting place - Golden Temple. It will be more interesting to see in the evening / late evening in summer as day time it will be hot and difficult to walk on hot marvel floor. Beautiful lighting gives a divine impression in the night. Have darshan and back to your hotel for overnight stay
-
DAY 02
Morning drive to Dharamsala – 200 kms
After breakfast drive north to reach at Dharamsala – famous for His Holiness Dalai Lama and nearest Hill Station to this region. Approx 4 hours drive will take you to this place and check in at your hotel. Evening explore the mall Road and Monastery and overnight stay.
-
DAY 03
In Dharamsala
Dharamsala, the principal township of the region is magnificently set amongst pine forests with the backdrop of the Dhauladhar range. Lower Dharamsala, with its bazaars and civic centres is the commercial heart. Some 1,500 feet higher up is Upper Dharamsala, where McLeod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj are located, each with their individual flavour and lifestyle. McLeod Ganj is the settlement of Tibetan Buddhists who sought refuge here in 1960 following their exile from Tibet. The Buddha Temple is situated opposite the residence of the Dalai Lama and around it are located a monastery and a nursery. A few kilometers' walk away is the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts which organizes a ten-day folk opera commencing the second Saturday of April.
Other places of interest include St John's Church, located in a forest grove midway between Forsyth Ganj and McLeod Ganj. Visitors here can see a memorial dedicated to Lord Elgin, one of the Viceroys of India who died in Dharamsala and was buried here in 1863. The church has some exquisite stained glass windows. The War Memorial is a beautifully designed monument, raised in memory of those who laid down their lives for their motherland.
-
DAY 04
Drive to Manali – 6 hours
After breakfast drive to Manali. Approx 6 hours drive will take you to this beautiful hill station. Please be assured that this is peak time for domestic tourist in the region and may take more driving hours and subject to traffic condition. At some places road is under construction – widening the road.
Have your lunch en route and continue to Manali and upon arrival Check in at the hotel and overnight stay .
-
DAY 05
In Manali – explore this beautiful town
Manali is circled by beautiful glades of deodars and flowering horse chestnuts, tiny leveled fields and fruit orchards with the Beas River meandering through the town. It is an ideal place for walks, climbs, treks and picnics.
Visit Dhoongri Temple, also known as the Hadimba Temple, believed to be a thousand years old, It is dedicated to the goddess Hadimba, wife of Bhima, the Pandava of Mahabharata fame. Set in tranquil surroundings, the temple is four-tiered with a pagoda shaped roof and at the entrance are carved figures and symbols. Local folklore has it that Raja Bahadur Singh, who had the temple built, ordered the architect's hand cut off to prevent him from duplicating its design elsewhere.
The Vashisht Springs are located in the small village of Vashisht on the left bank of the Beas. The hot water sulphur springs have been made into Turkish-style baths with shower rooms and temperature controlled water piped in. The nearby temple dedicated to Vashista Muni is well worth a visit. Overnight stay in Manali.
-
DAY 06
Drive to Rohtang Chandra Tal
Today you have an another interesting day or you can consider your high altitude jeep safari from this day onwards to Trans Himalayan ranges. Drive upwards to reach at Rohtang Pass which differ the Keylong / Spiti valley and Manali valley – the highest point. It will be full of tourist as people get attracted to pay with the snow at the top.
Therefore this is suggested to leave very early from Manali to avoid the traffic
Drive along the Beas River upstream along the true left bank through the villages of Bhang and Palchan, the last inhabited village in the Kulu Valley beyond Manali. Start the climb from Palchan village to Rohtang Jot via Gulaba and Marhi, the winter ski slopes which are used by local shepherds as summer pastures.
The River Beas, one of the major rivers draining the fertile land of Punjab, originates from a spring just below the Rohtang Jot. In summer, one can see masses of Indian tourists and honeymooners visiting Marhi and Rohtang Jot to enjoy the snow, which stays usually up to July. There are a profusion of chai shops and makeshift restaurants. The road beyond Marhi is broken and rough since it is used by heavy military and civilian convoys, carrying supplies to Lahoul, Spiti and Ladakh. Stop for a while on top of the pass at a chai shop to have hot cup of tea. After forty minutes, a downhill drive will bring you to the small hutment of Gramphu (11,000 ft/3,333 m.). Here the road bifurcates, one branch leading right to Spiti Valley and left one to Lahoul and Ladakh. The entire Chandra valley opens up in front of you with the Chandra Bhaga peaks dominating.
From Gramphu turn right towards the east and drive upstream along the true left bank of the Chandra river for another 16 kms to the hutment of Chattru. Cross the river and continue driving for another 30 to 40 minutes to the small village of Batal, located at a crossroads, from where you can drive / trek up to Chandra Tal - the legendary moon lake situated at an altitude of 16,000 ft and can continue up to Baralacha la - the source of Chandra and Bhaga rivers.
Reach at Chandra Tal and check in at your Camp. Camp are set little before the Lake due to Govt policies not to disturb the wildlife / birdlife near the lake. Witness the lake and have your nice time at this beautiful location. Dinner and Overnight stay at Your Camp in Chandra Tal.
-
DAY 07
Drive to Kaza
After breakfast drive to Kaza. Right across the Chandra river towards the south there is an excellent view of upper Bara- Shigri glacier peaks, mainly Papsura, Dharamsura (White Sail), Pinnacle, Tiger Tooth and Snow Dome, all 6,000 meter-plus peaks.
rom Batal a steep drive of 11 kms will bring you to the top of the Kunzum la ( 14,800 ft/4,500 m). From here you get the first glimpse of Spiti valley running 200 kms across from north-west to south-east with the Spiti river drained from the glaciers to the left of Kunzum la. To the north-west you can have good views of the CB 13, 14 and 16 peaks of the Chandra-Bhaga group. After Batal you have interesting places and drive till you reach at Kaza which is the district head quarter to this region. Ki monastery can be visible in left of your drive across the river. Check in at your hotel and overnight stay.
-
DAY 08
Explore the highest villages Langza and Komik
Have a leisurely day in Kaza, the primary "city" in Spiti and you can take your time to visit the amazing surrounding monasteries - all beautifully preserved because of the dry air and altitude. The lack of too many tourists helps as well. Some of the more famous Gompa (monastery) here are:
Ki Monastery (3930m) 13.5 km from Kaza:
It is the biggest monastery of Spiti Valley and a religious training Centre for Lamas. With its collection of ancient murals and books, including Buddha images, this Gompa is a must-visit. The walls of the monastery are covered with paintings and murals, an example of the 14th century monastic architecture, which developed as a result of Chinese influence.
Kibber Valley:
Kibber is a scenic village that forms an important trekking route to Tso Moriri, Ladakh. Come election time, Kibber gets national prominence - the locals claim it is the highest polling station in the world!
Comic Monastery
At an altitude of 4,500 meters you travel along high mountains roads through the village of Langza at 4200m
Spend overnight at a Kaza hotel.
-
DAY 09
Drive to Tabo ( 50 Kms)
Have another interesting day to reach Tabo and explore beautiful places / monasteries en route.
We shall head to Tabo monastery which is also known as the Ajantas of the Himalayas with a 1000 year old monastery. The murals, wall paintings and thankas will take you to another age and leave you speechless. The aura of the place is bound to question you where all of this is coming from. You can also visit the ancient caves that monks have been using from ages to meditate. We shall visit Dhankar monastery en route 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.
-
DAY 10
Drive east to reach at Nako ( 65 kms approx )
After leisurely breakfast drive to Nako.
Nako is situated at an altitude of 12014 ft above sea level with the back drop of Reo Purgyal, the highest mountain in Himachal Pradesh. Nako is famous for its lake, Guru Padmasambhava has his footprints on a rock nearby and is revered by Buddhists all around the world. Explore the village and dinner and overnight stay in Nako.
-
DAY 11
Drive to Kalpa ( 100 Kms)
After breakfast drive to kalpa. Check in at the hotel and later explore the best of it. Kalpa (2,670 m), is the principal town and headquarters of the Kinnaur district. Situated in the shadow of the Kinnaur Kailash massif (19,965 ft/6,050 m) one of the finest views of the massif can be had from the Chini Forest Rest House situated about 2 kms above Kalpa. Visit Kothi village, Batseri village and Sapni Fort. Dinner and overnight stay in kalpa.
-
DAY 12
Drive to Sangla ( 40 Kms drive )
After breakfast drive for nearly an hour to reach at Sangla. Most beautiful valley in this region. Heaven for outdoor lovers / trekkers and natural beauty. Visit Kamru Fort – Bering Nag Temple – Tibatian Wood Carving Centre and Chitkul. Dinner and overnight stay in Sangla valley.
-
DAY 13
In Sangla – explore Chitkul
Chitkul is a small hamlet in this region of Himachal Pradesh. The interesting fact about this village is that it is the last inhabited village near Indo-Tibetan border. The beauty and charm of this village are no less than a fairyland. It is located 20 km from Sangla. There is even a temple of a local goddess, Chitkul Maathi, which holds huge importance for people from Kinnaur district. This village experiences heavy snowfall in winters. Dinner and overnight stay in Sangla.
-
DAY 14
Drive to Sarhan ( 85 Kms )
After breakfast drive to Sarhan. Approx 3 hours drive will take you to this place. Sarahan is a small village in Himachal Pradesh of India. It is the site of the Bhimakali Temple, originally known as Bhimadevi Temple, dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali, presiding deity of the rulers of the former Bushahr State. This is one of 51 Shakti Peethas. Sarahan Bushahr has been the summer capital of Bushahr kingdom, with Rampur Bushahr considered the winter capital. Dinner and overnight stay in Sarhan
-
DAY 15
Drive to Shimla ( 165 kms )
After breakfast drive to Shimla. Approx 5 hours drive will take you to the Queen of the hills. Check in at your hotel and evening explore The Mall and wnjoy.
-
DAY 16
In Shimla
Spread across 12 km along a ridge that overlooks terraced hillsides and cultivation, Simla is magnificently robed in dense forests of oak, pine, fir and rhododendron. In the summer the private gardens abound in flowers in full bloom. Originally a small village with a temple to Shamla Devi as its main attraction, the British developed the settlement for its bracing climate and scenic location to make it the summer capital of India for many years. Places of interest include The Mall, Simla's principal promenade which terminates at Scandal Point, from where the views of the Himalayas are unmatched; the Viceregal Lodge, the erstwhile viceroy's residence is today the Institute of Advanced Studies. The Simla State Museum houses numerous art objects from around India including a priceless collection of paintings. The hills surrounding the town offer superb views - a brisk walk up Jakhoo Hill leads to a temple dedicated to Hanuman. Glen Forest, by a stream's edge, is a delightful picnic spot in a dense forest clearing. Summer Hill has several forest trails for easy walking. Overnight stay in Shimla
-
DAY 17
Drive to Kalka and train to Delhi
After leisurely breakfast will get dropped at the Shimla railway station to board in Toy Train departs at 10.30 AM and arrive Kalka at 16.10 hours. You will get Transferred to the Chandigarh airport / railways station for your onward journey