Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Straight to gradual ascents and descents
Duration: 12 hours
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 01: Today is a long day on the road and we drive through the famous Grand Trunk Road built by the famous 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 (Naggar & Solang) O/N MANALI

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual to steep ascents and descents
Duration: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 02: Manali is a small little hill station bustling with tourists. We start the day early with a drive on the left bank of the Beas to the village of Naggar, which is famous for the Russian artist Roerich's gallery. Naggar also has a famous castle and the views around the area are spectacular. We come back to Manali and drive to Solang, which is the paragliding and skiing zone of the area.

Day 03: Manali to Kaza O/N KAZA

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual to steep Ascent & Descent
Duration: 8-10 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 gonpa. 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 Langza O/N LANGZA

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual Ascent
Duration: 1 Hour (travel time)
Accommodation: Homestays

Day 05: After breakfast, we drive to Langza village (1-1.5 hours), located in a large high mountain meadow with the spectacular massif of, Chau Chau Khang Nilda, towering in the backdrop. We visit the Lang (temple), before lunch. The Lang is regarded to be the headquarters of all the deities of the valley and houses some old frescos and thangkas (paintings on silken canvas). After savouring a steaming local cuisine Lunch at the homestay we visit the village fossil centre accompanied by a field expert. Dinner will be served in the homestay.

Day 06: Langza to Camp 1 O/N CAMP 1

Mode: Trek/ Yak Safari
Gradient: Relatively Steep
Duration: 5 to 6 Hours
Accommodation: Camping

Day 06: It is advisable to start early as it's the first day of trekking and should be taken slowly. The trail traverses along a natural fossil center with the opportunity to spot some rare relics of Spiti's geological history. For most of the way we follow carefully laid out irrigation channels, getting an insight into the laborious and intricate system of water management. The trail runs parallel to the stunning Pasham Range with the peaks of Chau Chau Khang Nilda and Chau Chau Khang Namo forming a striking backdrop. The trail is rich in flora and spotting Blue Sheep is likely.

Note: For people with average fitness levels a Yak safari is advisable on this day.

Day 07: Camp 1 to Camp 2 O/N CAMP 2

Mode: Trek
Gradient: gradual ascents & descents
Duration: 4 to 5 Hours
Accommodation: Camping

Day 07: The trail slowly winds itself over pasturelands and one get to see the grazing yaks and horses. The night is spent camping at a summer settlement of the villagers. Every year a few of the villagers shift to these settlements along with the village livestock for the purpose of grazing the livestock and the collection of winter fodder and fuel.

Day 08: Camp 2 to Demul O/N DEMUL

Mode: Trek/Yak Safari
Gradient: gradual ascents & descents
Duration: 2 to 3 Hours
Accommodation: Homestays

Day 08: After breakfast we adopt the local mode of transport - we undertake a Yak Safari to a vantage spot from where we will get spectacular views of the valley. We then make our may to Demul village, famous for its local brew (arak). Located in one of the most remote areas of Spiti, this village has a very interesting legend associated with its foundation. After a warm lunch in a homestay, we visit some unique spots close to this village.

Demul to Lhalung to DhankharO/N DHANKHAR

Mode: Trek & Jeep
Gradient: Gradual to Steep Descent
Duration: 4 to 5 Hours
Accommodation: Homestays/ Monastery Guesthouse

Day 09: The route is primarily all downhill and brings us to the valley floor of the Padang River. We follow the Lingti River thereafter which leads us to the village of Lhalung. The oldest Sarkhang temple and possibly one of the oldest trees (dating back to over a 1000 years) in Spiti are found here.

Lhalung is famous for its cultural performances. We have lunch here and get to participate and witness a Cultural performance by the local folk and sample the warm hospitality of these mountain people. Subsequently we head onto Dhankhar by jeep where we spend the night. Dhankhar, the ancient capital of Spiti, is one of the most stunning locations in the Spiti valley. Dhankhar 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.

Dhankhar to Tabo to KazaO/N KAZA

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual descent
Duration: 5 Hours ( travel time )
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel

Day 10: We rise early today and take a short hike (1 Hour) up to the Dhankhar lake to get some stunning views of the Spiti and Pin confluence a 1000 mts below. Set amidst stark bronze folds Dhankhar Lake has its own story to tell.

After breakfast we visit the Monastery and Fort and subsequently get into our jeeps to head onto Tabo, famous for its 1012 year old Monastery. Time can be spent exploring the Monastery, meditation caves and the numerous temples at the monastery.

In the evening we will drive back to Kaza.

Day 11: Kaza to ManaliO/N MANALI

Mode: Jeep
Gradient: Gradual to steep ascent and descent
Duration: 10-11 hrs (travel time)
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 11: After breakfast we drive back to Manali.

Day 12: Manali to Delhi

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

Day 12: 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.