Daywise Itinerary
Shimla to Narkanda
Set off after an early breakfast for a 2-1/2 hour drive to charming Narkanda, a world away from the maddening crowds of Shimla. Higher reaches, plentiful summer sunshine or vibrant white winters in abundant apple orchards. Stunningly beautiful, Narkanda offers superb angling and winter sports as well. ‘The’ skiing destination of the district, Narkanda attracts a considerable number of tourists in winter as well.
The absence of Shimla’s tourism chaos and unhindered vistas of the Himalayas gives you some much-needed solitude. Un[travel] your way through stunningly beautiful landscapes for scenic views that last a lifetime here in Narkanda.
Head out for a peaceful evening stroll before you spend the night here in this pleasant mountain town.
Narkanda to Sangla (160 kms/7-8 hrs)
Begin the scenic drive to Sangla after breakfast. Stunningly beautiful throughout the year, the road to Sangla is certainly paved with good intentions. Loose rocky terrain makes most of the drive to Sangla seem like an adventure in itself with gorgeous apple orchards and seemingly ‘hanging’ villages on the other side of the gorge. The valley’s largest inhabited settlement, Sangla has interesting Tibetian eateries and an ATM, but a taste of Sangla’s renowned potatoes is a must (the area grows some of the best-quality potatoes in the world).
Spend some time at your hotel after lunch or hike up the fascinating trail to the last village of Chitkul at the Indo-Tibetan border. A short walk away is the fascinating Kamru Fort with the Kamakhya Devi Shrine. The perfect blend of history and tradition, old forts and ancient Tibetan wood carving make for much of the architecture here.
Warm welcomes are a part of the charming culture of these lovely Kinnauri-speaking locals.With tourism being an integral source of income here, feel at home as you walk through the valley before you head back to the hotel for a hot dinner. Spend the night at Sangla.
Sangla to Kalpa via Chitkul (100 kms/4hrs)
Start your day at with a drive to the last Indian village before the Tibet border. Chitkul is famous for its natural beauty and quaint architecture with spectacular views of the Baspa valley and quaint wooden houses. Renowned for its, rather expensive, potatoes, Chitkul is surrounded by lovely golden buckwheat that is covered with snow for a good 6 months (October to February). With a little over 600 inhabitants here, Chitkul has some very friendly locals who are always happy to interact with visitors. Get to know a little more about life in this high-altitude border village - the culture, traditions, hardships and the simple joys that make it all worthwhile. Anauthentic local lunch later, move on to Kalpa.
Kinnaur district’s finest, Kalpa is a stunning little valley town surrounded by snowy peaks of the Kailash range. Watch the sun go down beyond the Himalayas before you hit the sack early enough to catch the next day’s sunrise.
Kalpa to Tabo Via Nako (170 kms/9 hrs)
Wake up for the spectacular sunrise and early breakfast before setting off to Tabo.
Lush greenery fades off into patches of barren desert as you head to Nako.Visit the lake at Nako as it mirrors giant peaks around. After lunch and little walk about, carry on to Tabo.
Gently fluttering prayer flags against a backdrop of green farmland (in summer), surrounded by barren mountains and clear blue skies, mark the entrance to Tabo. Over a1000 years old, Tabo Monastery is now a UNESCO Heritage site and one of the finest marvels of Indo-Tibetian art. Temple complexes of sturdy mud walls mark the uniqueness of Tabo Monastery complete with impressive murals inside. A short hike to Tabo caves is a must for the aura of peace that surrounds these meditation grounds as well.
Spend your evening in peaceful serenity here at Tabo.
Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar
Post breakfast, drive down to the little settlement of Tabo. Visit the 1000 year old Tabo monastery and head back to Dhankar - the old capital of Sikkim. Precariously perched on a rugged cliff, Dhankar seems almost fragile from a distance. Spend some time at the monastery before heading down to Kaza.
Tabo
Post breakfast, begin your journey to the little town of Tabo. Gently fluttering prayer flags against a backdrop of green farmland (in summer), surrounded by barren mountains and clear blue skies, mark the entrance to Tabo. Over a 1000 years old, Tabo Monastery is now a UNESCO Heritage site and one of the finest marvels of Indo-Tibetian art. Temple complexes of sturdy mud walls mark the uniqueness of Tabo Monastery complete with impressive murals inside. Take a short hike to Tabo caves to feel the general aura of peace that surrounds these meditation grounds as well.
Dhankar Monastery
Precariously perched on a rugged cliff, Dhankar seems almost fragile from a distance. Getting closer, however, gives you a fair idea of why so much effort must have been spent building this over a thousand years ago. Spectacular views of the Spiti-Pin river confluence and the valley below offer meditation spots like none other here in this mud-walled monastery. Take a quick look at the little museum in the Gompa here before you spend some time in conversation with the lamas for more history and lore of the Dhankar Monastery. Most of these monasteries prohibit photography inside, so you might want to capture some of those fascinating scenes before you get in.Drive back to Kaza after a hot lunch.
Spend the night in Kaza.
Kaza to Kye and Khibber & Back
Kye MonasteryEn route to Kibber village from Kaza after breakfast, fascinatingly perched on a rugged ridge overlooking the Spiti river, Kye monastery is Spiti V
alley’s biggest monastery. Easily the most photographed, it is home to over 300 lamas. Dating back to nearly 1000 AD (second only to Tabo Monastery in age), butter lamps lit every evening add to the aura of peace and tranquillity as you walk past ancient murals and paintings. You could get a glimpse of the bed the Dalai Lama used to use on his visits here (he now stays in the new prayer hall in the monastery). Photography is allowed only on the roof of the monastery, so get a couple of good pictures before you step in.
Kibber
Move on until quaint white houses with bright red rooftops start appearing in the horizon, marking your welcome to Kibber village. At over 4200 metres above msl, Kibber is one of Spiti’s highest inhabited villages with inhabitants all the year around. Expect a fair share of homestays in Kibber where tourism does help the local community along with agriculture in some of Spiti’s most fertile lands. Delve deeper into the rich culture and history of people in this charming village as you sit down for some hot lunch with them.
Take a walk about in lush green environs a world away from everyday life before you head back to Kaza.
Spend the night in Kaza.
Kaza to Pin Valley via Langza, Hikkim and Komic
Langza and Hikkim
Renowned for its unbeatable location, Langza offers some of Spiti’s finest views with unclaimed fossils lying around its outskirts. Stop for a moment in Hikkim for a cuppa with the postmaster of the highest post office in the world. Appearing, seemingly out of nowhere, Komic is the Himalaya’s highest inhabited village. Sitting pretty at 4587 metres above mean sea level, Komic offers stunning vistas from its ancient monastery as well. Treat your taste buds to some authentic hot lunch here before you drive back to Pin Valley.
Pin Valley
Explore Spiti’s largest green area, the Pin Valley, surrounded by barren landscape and towering unexplored mountains. Tall trees, waterfalls and quaint little villages dot the scenery here with the meandering Pin River providing still-life scenes for postcards. With fascinating Tibetan culture visible throughout the valley, this area is renowned as home to the last surviving Buchen Lamas from Buddhism’s oldest Nyingmapa Sect. Spend the night at the last village at the end of the valley, Mudh, where green fields, glaciers and waterfalls dominate the landscape.
Pin Valley to Nako
Watch the sunrise over the beautiful valley of Pin. The green fields sparkle as the sun makes its way over the mountains. Have a lovely warm breakfast while enjoying the beauty around you. Pack your bags and make your journey towards Nako where you’ll spend the night.
Nako to Narkanda
Wake up early and walk towards the Nako Lake. The still waters in the morning offer spectacular views of the mountain around it. It is the best time to pay the lake a visit and you can get some stunning pictures of it. Post breakfast, leave for Narkanda for an overnight stay.
Narkanda to Chandigarh
Leave for Chandigarh after breakfast.
Head back home with heavier luggage perhaps, but memories for a lifetime.