Kinnaur-Spiti Tribal Circuit
Learn MoreMajestic mountains, green valleys, meandering rivers, orchards and vineyards define the valley of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. Since it shares its border with Tibet the influence of Tibetan culture is strongly felt here. Kinnaur is also known as the ‘Land of fairytales’ and remains snow-clad for six months, quite like Spiti and Lahaul.
Sangla is a great destination for paragliding, angling and rafting. Kalpa is one of the most beautiful villages in the region and shouldn’t be missed. Most villages of Kinnaur lie at high altitude, some as high as 4,000 m and each village has its own presiding deity.
Spiti valley is also known as the “Middle Land” is a Trans-Himalayan terrain bordering with Tibet at an average altitude of 4000 meters. Spiti valley is home to some of the oldest monasteries in the Himalayan region like Tabo monastery, Dhankar monastery, Sherkhang monastery, and Kye monastery. Stronghold of Buchen Lamas in Pin Valley, famous for Tibetan medicine system and Amchis, fossils of Langza village, highest motorable villages and passes, scenic lakes, 1000 years old culture, tough life, beautiful towns, and people and out of the world landscape.
Highlights of the trip
- Visit Kinnaur and the apple belt of Himachal covering Narkanda, Sangla and Kalpa
- Stay at the last village on the indo-tibetan border – Chitkul
- Visit one of the highest motor-able villages in the world – Komic
- Send post cards from the highest post office in the world – Hikkim
- Visit Asia’s highest bridge above sea level – Chicham bridge
- Hike to Dhankar Lake (optional)
- Hike to the meditation caves in Tabo (optional)
- Visit Pin Valley and Kibber
- Fossil Excursion at Langza
- Visit the 550 yr old mummy in Gue
Itinerary
Day 1 – Chandigarh to Narkanda
Everyone reaches Chandigarh by noon and then we head to Narkanda. We hit the lower Himalayas a few kilometers from Chandigarh and head to Narkanda. We shall escape the traffic of Shimla city and enjoy the scenic drive on your way to Narkanda. If time permits, we shall visit the famous Hatu temple and spend sometime there. Relax in the evening.
Day 2 – Narkanda to Sangla via Chitkul
We shall head out early in the morning after breakfast, visit Hatu temple in Narkanda and hit the road to Chitkul, the famous last village on the Indo Tibetan border. After Rampur, you shall see the huge construction site of Wangtoo Karcham Dam and the ruthless side of Sutlej River. Reach Chitkul and spend some time in the village, have a cup of chai. Reach Sangla and rest. You an go for a stroll in the village and even visit relax by the Baspa river.
Day 3 – Sangla to Tabo via Nako and Khab
Wake up to beautiful views of the Kinnaur Valley. You will leave early today as its a long drive to Tabo. As you exit Sangla, you will see some very beautiful apple and apricot orchards lining the landscape. Soon, you will see the terrain slowly change as you you shall find lesser trees, greenery and increasing rocky, dry kind of mountains- this is when you know that you are entering cold deserts. We shall take a 10 minutes break at Khab- the confluence of Sutlej and Spiti river which is a beautiful scenic spot for photography. From here we head into the high mountains and climb to a beautiful village called Nako. Reach Nako in time for lunch. You will meet your guide today, who will be with you during your Spiti visit. Visit Nako lake before heading for Tabo. Reach Tabo and rest. Its been a long day.
Day 4 – Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar
Wake up early in the morning and enjoy your breakfast. After breakfast visit the “Ajanta of Himalayas”- The Tabo Monastery which is close to a 1000 years old now. The murals, thankas and paintings are believed by the locals to have been made in a single night by the Gods themselves. On your way visit Dhankar Monastery, if the road is open – Dhankar used to be the Seat of the King in ancient times- the most beautiful setting for a monument which hangs on a cliff and overlooks the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. Overnight stay at Kaza.
Day 5 – Kaza to Langza, Hikkim, Komic and back to Kaza
This morning we go on a snow drive towards Langza, Hikkim and Komic. On your way, we will make a couple of designated stops for you to take some pictures. Make the most of your homestay experience by learning about local life, festivals and traditions from your host family. Overnight stay at Kaza.
Day 6 – Kaza to Key, Khibber, Chicham bridge and back to Kaza
Take the morning easy and stroll through Kaza village. You can chat with the locals over a cup of tea. We shall then head to Kye Monastery and Khibber Village. Kye monastery is on top of a mountain overlooking the Spiti valley and the Spiti river. After Key monastery, we will go a bit further and visit Khibber Village-which used to be one of the highest villages in the world once upon a time. Overnight stay at Kaza.
Day 7 – Kaza to Kalpa via Gue
Leave early in the morning for Kalpa. Its a long drive but an easy one as the roads between Kinnaur and Spiti are very good and getting better as the years go by. If time permits you can make a stop at Gue to visit the 550 yr old mummy of a meditating monk. After a quick stop and a cup of tea later we head towards Kalpa. Kalpa, on the Sutlej river is a beautiful hamlet. The main crop cultivated are apples and if travelling during harvest season you can take home a bunch of fresh Kinnauri apples. Reach Kalpa and rest, you can explore the village and the local temple and monastery if you are upto it. Say goodbye to your guide this evening as he heads back to Spiti.
Day 8 – Kalpa to Shimla drop
Leave early in the morning to catch your evening bus from Shimla back to Delhi/ Chandigarh. Take back memories back of a isolated civilisation and trans Himalayan terrain. Trip ends here
Cost Includes:
- All sight seeing & Transport by non ac car
- Stays in Hotel/Camps/home stay in double sharing basis
- All activities mentioned in the plan
- Pick up/drop
- All entry fees to monasteries in Spiti (if any)
Excluded:
- Snacks, beverages and Lunch (on all days)
- Bus/Train/Air fare till Manali and back
- Any kind of insurance
- Service tax exclusive (GST)
- Personal expenses like camera charges, etc.
- Any kind of cost which is not mentioned in the cost includes above
- All expenses incurred due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances like roadblocks, bad weather
Cost of any medical emergency or other emergency