village, Sarahan is truly a haven tucked away
in the foothills of the Himalayas. Situated in the Sutlej Valley, on way to district of
Kinnaur, Sarahan was the old capital of Rampur Bushair, one of the biggest princely
states in Shimla hills. The major attraction
in Sarahan is centuries-old Bhimkali
Temple and Raja Bushair Palace. Steeped
in legend, the temple complex is a
resplendent example of hill architecture.
Sarahan is also the gateway to Kinnaur.
Day 04: Sarhan - Sangla (304 kms/ 8
hrs)
Drive along the spectacular Hindustan
Tibet road which s carved in a rock and
goes along the wild Sutlej River. A view of
Kinner - Kailash Peak is splendid from
Sangla. Visit remote villages of Rackcham and Chitkul. On arrival in Sangla check in
and overnight at camp.
Sangla Valley: This valley starts 57 kms. Short of Kalpa which has been named
after a beautiful & populous village Sangla. Sangla is situated on the right bank of
Baspa river 17 kms from Karcham. Journey from Karcham onwards is enjoyable and
adventurous throughout the valley. The natural scenery all around and the eternal
snow view are picturesque and charming. It is also known as Baspa Valley since
Baspa River flows through this area. This
is the most charming valley in the entire
District of Kinnaur. A temple dedicated to
Nages god is worth a visit & other places
are Sapni, Rackchham, Kilba, Kamru Fort
which can also be visited. There are post
offices, banks, rest houses for the
convenience of the visitors.
Day 05: Sangla - Kalpa (53 kms/ 2 hrs)
Morning visit Kamru village and fort. Later
travel by surface from Sangla to Kalpa
located in backdrop of Kinner Kailash
mountain range. Evening free to explore
Kalpa village.
Kalpa (2759 m): Beyond Recong Peo (14 kms. from Powari) on the link road, is the
main village of the District - Kalpa. Across the river, facing Kalpa is the majesty of
the Kinner Kailash range. This is a
spectacular sight early in the morning as
the rising sun touches the snowy peaks
with crimson and gold light.
Day 06: Kalpa - Tabo (176 kms/ 8 hrs)
Travel by surface from Kalpa to Tabo
enroute visiting Nako village beautifully
located on banks of a small lake. On
arrival in Tabo check in and overnight at
guest house.
Tabo Monastery: It is another big gompa
for serving the population of eastern side. It belongs to the tenth century and is
located 50 kms from Kaza. It is a famous gompa next to Tholing Gompa in Tibet. It
has about 60 Lamas and a large collection of Scriptures, wall paintings etc. Murals of
this gompa have a great similarity to that of the Ajanta paintings. |
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Day 07: Tabo – Kaza (50 kms/ 5 hrs)
Morning visit Tabo monastery. Later travel
to Kaza enroute visiting Lalung and
Dhankar Gompa. On arrival in Kaza check
in at guest house.
Dhankar Monastery: It is situated about
25 kms. East of Kaza and serves eastern
part of central Spiti. Dhankar is a big
village and erstwhile capital of Spiti
Kingdom. On top of a hill there is a fort
which uses to be the prison in olden
times. The Monastery has about 100
Lamas and is in position of Budhist
scriptures in Bhoti language. Principal figure is a Statue of “Vairochana" (Dhayan
Budha) consisting of 4 complete figures seated back to back. It has relics in the
shape of paintings and sculptures.
Day 08: Kaza
Morning visit the Ki monastery, 12 kms
from Kaza. This centuries old gompa is a
labyrinth of rooms and corridors – and
at one time also acted as a fort. It
houses valuable Thangkas and offers a
panoramic view of the area. Also visit
the small gompa at Kibber, 9 kms
further ahead. Kibber at 4205 m/13,792
ft has the distinction of being the
highest permanently inhabited village of
the region.
Ki Monastery: It is situated 12 kms north of Kaza and serves the western
population of Spiti. It is the oldest and biggest monastery of the valley and located at
(4116 m) above Ki village. It houses beautiful scriptures and paintings of Budha and
other goddesses. Lamas practice dance, sing and play on pipes and horns. Many
Lamas get religious training here. It has murals and books of high aesthetic value.
Kibber (4205 m): It is locally known as Khyipur, one of the highest villages in the
world at an altitude of 4205 m above
sea level in a narrow valley surrounded
by mountains from all sides. Rest
Houses available for the visitors. Gette
village, at a short distance away from
Kaza, is the highest in the world with a
height of 4270 m.
Day 09: Kaza – Keylong (206 kms /9
hrs)
In the morning drive to Keylong via
Kunzam Pass (4558 m/14,950ft) which
provides beautiful views of CB ranges.
Enroute visit several villages of Spiti and Lahaul valley. On arrival check in at hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Keylong (3340 m): Keylong is the district Headquarters of Lahaul Spiti on the main
road to Leh over Rohtang. It is an oasis of green fields and willow trees, water
streams surrounded with brown hills and snow capped peaks. |
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Day 10: Keylong – Sarchu (248
kms/8 hrs)
Today we will drive from Keylong to
Sarchu over Baralachala Pass (4800
m). On arrival check in at camp at
Sarchu. Evening free to walk around in
Sarchu. Dinner and overnight in
camp.
Sarchu: It is the last border point
between Himachal and Ladakh, where
HPTDC put up a tented colony for the
convenience of the tourists during
summer season. It is situated at a distance of 116 kms. From Keylong.
Day 11: Sarchu - Leh (248 kms/ 8 hrs)
Early morning drive to Leh gives you a feeling of being in the high Tibetan Plateau.
One climbs a series of Galta loops consisting of 32 hairpin bends on the way up from
Sarchu and come out in Pang valley. It is here that one can divert to the right and
visit the huge high altitude lakes of
Tsokar and Tsemoriri. This region also
has rare wild life like the Tibetan wild
Ass, wolf, and the elusive Snow
Leopard, the black-necked Crane and
Tibetan Snow Cock. Cross to the other
side of the Pang, Tzanspo River to
continue drive up to yet another
plateau for a long traverse on the
legendary Moore plains. The highest of
the Tibetan Plateau at 4200 Mts.
Continue driving Tangling La (5280
Mts.) the second highest motorable
pass in the world that commands
breath taking views of the Zanskar range. A pleasant drive about 20 Kms brings you
to the Ladakhi hamlet, Gya, heralded by prayer flags. After crossing few more
villages one reaches the great Indus River. Further drive to Leh town, overnight at
hotel.
Leh: Leh is the fascinating capital of the
Autonomous Hill Council of Ladakh, also
known as Little Tibet. The important
monasteries to visit in and around Leh
are Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Spituk,
Samkhar as well as the Shanti Stupa,
Stok Palace and main Bazaar. The Leh
palace dominating the town was the
former home of the Namgyal Dynasty.
The monastic festivals are very popular
and Hemis, Phyang and Lamayuru
festivals in summer are visited by lot of
tourists who throng to see the Cham
Dances.
Day 13: Leh
After breakfast full day sight seeing. Evening back to hotel for dinner and overnight
stay.
Shey Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh.
It used to be the summer palace of the
kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas
and Gompas built around the palace. Shey
palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the
beginning of 17’Th century AD. Main
attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni
Buddha statue inside the Dresthang
Gompa.
Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is about
17 kms from Leh. The monastery is
considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspa
order.
Hemis, about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest
monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early
17’Th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley,
surrounded by streams and fronted by long Mani walls.
Day 14: Leh
(Leh local sight seeing)
In the morning we will visit some other
places. Evening back to hotel for dinner and
overnight stay.
Leh Palace: The palace is a distinguished
monument and a historical building. The
nine- storied palace was built by the 17th
century illustrious ruler of Ladakh Sengge
Namgyal.
Jama Masjid: The historical mosque is
situated in the heart of Leh town. It was built in 1666-67 A.D.consequent to an
agreement between the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and then ruler of Ladakh,
Deldan Namgyal.
Spituk: The gompa stands prominently on
the top of a hillock, 8 Kms.from Leh, and
commands a panoramic view of the Indus
Valley for miles. Many icons of Buddha and
five thankas are found in 15th century
monastery. There is also a collection of
ancient masks, antique arms and an awe
inspiring image of Mahakal.
Phyang: The monastery is situated 17
Kms. from Leh on the Leh - Kargil road. It
was built by Tashi Namgyal in the later half
of the 16th century A.D. and looks like a
place from a distance. The gompa belongs
to the Red Cap sect of the Buddhists. Hundreds of icons of Buddha are kept on
wooden shelves
.
Day 15: Leh – Khardung La – Leh (40
kms/2 hrs)
In the morning drive for the Khardung - La
Pass. This is the ultimate challenge of the
trip. It is the highest motorable road in the
world taking you to a dizzy 5,600m! The
view from the top is spectacular, stretching
from the Indus valley in the South over the
endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar
range to the giants of the Sesser Massif in
the North. You can feel proud of a true
achievement as you finish the trip with your
final satisfying descent. Evening back to Leh
for dinner and overnight stay. |
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Day 16: Leh – Delhi
In the morning take a flight for Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi drive for local sight
seeing. Evening transfer to international airport.
Trip and services ends.
