Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Straight to gradual ascents
Duration: 12-13 hours
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 01: Today is a long day on the road and we drive through the famous Grand Trunk Road built by Sher Shah Suri. We drive through Chandigarh the capital of Haryana and Punjab and through the Shivalik ranges gradually getting to the Middle Himalayan ranges to Manali.

Day 2: Manali S/S O/N MANALI

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual to steep ascents and descents
Duration: 1-2 hours
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 02: Relaxed day to walk around the town, its mall and to visit the Hadimba temple. Visit the Tibetan market and take in the sights.

Day 03: Manali to Kaza O/N KAZA

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual to steep Ascent & Descent
Duration: 9-10 Hours
Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse

Day 03 : Today is an early start. we drive over the Rohtang pass (separating Kullu from the Lahaul valley), and descend into the valley of the Chandra river  and continue past Chhattru, Batal and over the Kunzum la (pass/4551mts), which divides Lahaul and Spiti. We spend some time taking in fabulous views of the Chandrabhaga range of mountains, visit the Buddhist shrine and get into our waiting jeeps, to reach Kaza by evening (210 kms; 8-10 hours). Overnight at hotel/guesthouse

Day 04: Kaza -- Day S/S trip to Kye, Kibber and Tashigang O/N KAZA

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual Ascent & Descent
Duration: 3 Hour (travel time)
Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse

Day 04 : Today we travel to the highlands of the left bank plateau for altitude acclimatization and return to Kaza for overnight stay. We visit the Kye village (about a ½ hour drive) and the Kye gompa, the largest monastery in Spiti. We drive upto Kibber village (another ½ hour drive away), which at 14,000 feet above sea level, is the road head for the trade route into Ladakh over the Parang La. We continue to the village of Gette and Tashigang (about 1 hour drive), high up in the mountains If time permits, on our return we could walk down a spectacular steep downhill trail to Kye gompa, where our jeeps pick us up for the drive back to the hotel/guesthouse. The evening can be spent roaming the Kaza market where one may find interesting local handicrafts. Overnight at Hotel/guesthouse.

Day 05: Kaza to Lhalung to Dhankhar O/N DHANKHAR

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual Ascent
Duration: 3 Hours (travel time)
Accommodation: Homestay/ Monastery Guest House

Day 05: Lhalung is the largest village of the Lingti valley and is famous for its 1000 year old temple 'Serkhang' (the golden temple) and possibly one of the oldest trees (dating back to over a 1000 years) in Spiti are found here. Lhalung is also known for its cultural performances. We get to participate and witness a Cultural performance by the local folk and sample the warm hospitality of these mountain people.

An hours drive from Lhalung brings us to one of the most stunning locations in the Spiti valley, Dhankhar, the ancient capital of Spiti, which houses an ancient Monastery perched precariously between unique wind eroded structures. Remnants of the Dhankhar Fort, which housed the royal family of Spiti, still remain.

Day 06: Dhankhar to Giu to Tabo O/N TABO

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual Ascent
Duration: 3-4 Hours (travel time)
Accommodation: Hotel/Guest House

Day 06: Tabo is famous for its 1012 years old Monastery. In 1996, the Tabo monastery celebrated its thousand years with a Kalachakra ceremony, which was presided by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We spend time exploring the Monastery and the numerous temples at the monastery, before heading to Giu (1 hour). Giu is the furthest and most isolated village of Spiti, lying close to the border of Tibet (China). Giu village is also interesting as the body of an old monk ( 675 years old) sitting in meditation still exists intact till date. It is said that the hair and nails of this monk are still growing. After having a look around the village and at this interesting mummy, we head back to Tabo, where we spend the night. Overnight at Hotel/ Guesthouse.

Day 07: Tabo - Langza - Komik O/N KOMIK

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual Ascent
Duration: 5-6 Hours (travel time)
Accommodation: Homestays

Day  07: Today we leave very early in the morning. We drive to Langza village (2.5 hours), located in a large high mountain meadow with a beautiful mountain, Chau Chau Kang Nilda, towering above this village. Here we find evidence of the Tethy's sea before the Indian mainland collided with the Tibetan plateau and formed the Himalayas, which are still rising today. Sea fossils can be found a short trek (1/2-1 hour) away from the village. From here we visit the ruins of an ancient monastery deserted a few decades ago. The monastery has a unique location and the locals have interesting interpretations and legends about its location. Thereafter we continue to one of Asia's highest villages, Komic where we spend the night in a traditional homestay (1/2 hour). Komic is also adorned by a legendary monastery. The day provides a fascinating insight into the Spitian way of life.

Day 08: Komic - Demul - Kaza O/N KAZA

Mode: Yak & Jeep
Gradient: Gradual ascent & descent
Duration: 4 Hours (on Yak) & 2 Hour ( Jeep )
Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse

Day 08 : Today, we start early (preferably 7 am) and adopt the local mode of transport, yaks. We explore the Trans-Himalayan Deserts and travel into the grazing pastures of the local livestock and wild herbivores (such as the Blue Sheep). This is also the hunting ground for the Tibetan Wolf and Snow Leopard. If lucky, spotting of the Wolf can be possible. We travel to a vantage point and finally make our way to the neighboring village of Demul, famous for its local brew (arak). From here we head to Kaza in our jeeps (2 hours), spend the rest of the evening shopping in Kaza.

Day 09: Kaza to Manali O/N MANALI

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual to steep ascents and descents
Duration: 10--12 hrs (travel time)
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 09: After an early (7 am) breakfast we drive back to Manali along the same route that we took to reach Kaza.

Enroute we visit Chandra Tal, the lake of the moon goddess. After crossing Kunzam La (4551 mts) we take a short detour to Chandra Tal (4270 mts), time permitting. Chandra Tal is placed between a low ridge and the main Kunzam range with an outlet into the Chandra river. The visit to Chandra tal is dependent on road conditions and time availability in the event that one has to walk to the lake.

Day 10: Manali to Delhi

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Straight to gradual ascents and descents
Duration: 12-13 hours

Day 10: The last day of the journey and we retrace our steps back to Delhi via the same route as we took to come to Manali. It's a long day on the road and takes about 12 hours all the way up to Delhi.

Trip ends.