Kinnaur and Spiti lie in the rain shadow of the outer Himalayan ranges. The climate in Spiti is much drier than in Kulu valley and is similar to that of Ladakh. The temperatures are more extreme both in summer and winter and most of the landscape is barren and bleak. The wind can be bitingly cold even when the sun is hot. The annual rainfall is very low so cultivation is restricted to the ribbons of land that fringe rivers with irrigation potential.

Sutlej River, which is one of the main Himalayan River flows through here, beginning from Mt Kailash area of Tibet.

The crops are chosen for their hardiness and include potatoes, wheat, barley and millet. The local inhabitants farm suitable land, raise goats and traditionally have combined this with some Tibetan trading. The people are of Mongol origin and almost everyone follows a Tibetan form of Buddhism.

Some of the most important monasteries of Buddhism are based in Spiti like the Tabo monastery which is over 1000 years old. The Kye monastery was the place for a recent Kala Chakra ceremony by HH Dalai Lama.

Day 1 : Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla (375 km) (2000 m)
Morning drive for 6-7 hours for Shimla on the new national highway. The road starts climbing after passing through the town of Kalka. PM: Walk around the mall. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 : Shimla - Sarahan (180 km) (1850 m)
Early morning drive towards the Sutlej valley through thick forest on the Indo-Tibet border road. Our journey will pass through such famous towns as Kufri -Fagu-Naldera-Narkanda & Rampur Very soon we will be driving past the Sutlej River. Leave the main road at Jeori and turn right and start climbing to Sarahan. Sarahan was the old capital of the local Rampur Bushahr rulers and has a palace complex containing the strikingly carved wood-bonded Bhimakali Temple. Sarahan is surrounded by high snow covered peaks like Shrikhand Mahadev (5227 m).

Day 3 : Sarahan - Sangla (2680 m) (70 km)
Morning drive to Sangla. From Karchham, the road turns right and the next 18 km is a hair-raising excursion by a precipitous winding rough road. We climb over 800 meters Through a gorge cut by the Baspa river. Immediately above is the flat valley floor formed on an ancient lake.

Visit the Killa fort near the village of Sangla. Baspa valley is one of the prettiest places in whole of the Himalayas. The architecture of the houses is very unique with a mix of wood and slate roofs.

Overnight in the camp.

Day 4 : Sangla -Chitkul (18 km) (3450 m) - Sangla
Day's excursion to Chitkul to visit the Buddhist temples of Kagyupa sect. It is possible to hike back towards Sangla through a side trail.

Day 5 : Sangla - Kalpa-Recongpeo-Pangi-Morang (70 km) (2300 m)
Morning drive back to the main road. Take a left turn to pass through the town of Recongpeo. A further narrow road takes you through the scenic route via Rogi to Pangi. There is almost a 1500-meter drop from the road, the view of which is really not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo. Pangi is surrounded by apple orchards. There is a very colorful Sheshri Nag temple as well as two Buddhist temples. A further drive over bare and rugged mountains bring us to Morang which has impressive monasteries with wood carvings and sculptures. Overnight at camp.

Day 6 : Morang - Jangi - Puh - Sumdo-Tabo (3050m) (140 km)
The road continues to Jangi and to Puh. Khabo(2831 m) is at the confluence of Sutlej and Spiti rivers. The road follows the Spiti River while Sutlej River disappears to the east towards Tibet border. Sumdo is the last village of Kinnaur at the divide between the Hamrang and the Spiti valleys. Continue on to Tabo. Overnight at the camp.

Day 7 : Tabo - Dhankar-Kungri-Lalung - Kaza (70 km) (3600 m)
Morning sightseeing of Tabo monastery. Drive to Kaza enroute visiting the monasteries of Dhankar, Lalung and Kungri. Arrive at Kaza and camp across the river.

Day 8 : Kye - Kibber - Kaza
Fullday excursion to visit Kye monastery and Kibber village. If time permits also visit Thangsing village.

Day 9 : Kaza - Losar - Kunzum Pass (4550m) - Batal - Chota Dhara ( 120 km) (3200 m)
A spectacular drive over the Kunzum pass is the highlight of this day. Fantastic views of CB range of mountains notably CB14, 16 & 17. Descend on 18 hairpin bends to Batal and then onwards to Chota Dhara.

Day 10 : Chota Dhara - Kokshar - Khardung Gompa - Keylong - Ghamur - Jispa (120 km) (3050 m)
Another day of spectacular drive through the Lahoul valley. Leave the main road to climb to Khardung gompa. Continue on to Keylong, past the Ghamur gompa to Jispa. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 : Jispa -Rohtang Pass(3985m) - Manali (145km) (2000 m)
Morning drive to Manali via Rohtang pass. As we enter the Kulu valley, the rugged mountains of Lahoul give way to the lush green Kulu valley. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 : Manali
Fullday sightseeing of Manali including Naggar castle, Doongri temple & Vashisht temple.

Day 13 : Manali - Manikaran. (85 km) - Kulu.
Morning drive to Manikaran. This is a beautiful road through the parvati valley. Visit the hot water baths as well as the Sikh and Hindu temples. Return to Kulu. If time permits drive to Bijli Mahadev temple which require about two km of walking one way. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 : Kulu - Mandi - Rewalsar lake. (85 km)
Morning drive to Rewalsar lake. The small dark lake with its floating reed islands, is a popular pilgrimage center. The colorful Tibetan Buddhist monastery with prayer-flags and prayerwheels was founded in the 14th century. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 15 : Rewalsar Lake - Palampur
Morning drive to Palampur enroute visiting the Baidya Nath temple. Overnight at the charming Taragarh palace hotel.

Day 16 : Palampur
Fullday at leisure to enjoy this beautiful palace of the former maharaja of Kashmir.

Day 17 : Palampur - Chandigarh - Delhi
Morning drive for 7 hours to Chandigarh to connect with train to Delhi. Overnight at the hotel.

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