Unlike the other low altitude attractions of Himachal Pradesh, the high altitudes regions of Himachal Pradesh have distinctive vegetation, topography, people and their culture, festivals etc. The people of Lahaul and Spiti have their own survival techniques. The Lahaul and Spiti is a bouquet of scenic mountain landscape, fascinating village and people who mostly are Buddhist. The land of high passes, mighty glaciers, rives, streams. Lahaul literally meaning ‘country in the south’. Most of the valleys and sandy terrain due to tree line which is covered in snow for almost 5-6 months, the remote miniature village is located on the hill side of the mountains some of them hang along side of the Rocky Mountains hillsides. Lahaul is greener than Spiti and served by two major rivers of Chandra and Bhaga and their tributaries which remain frozen during peak winter days. The Keylong is the headquarter of Lahaul and is a great Buddhist center and the home of rich Buddhist Culture and home of several monasteries some of the key monasteries are Kee Monastery -Kee or Simply Ki monastery is one of the oldest and largest monasteries of Spiti perched atop a beautiful hillock located 12 kms from Kaza. There is mora than 300 lamas who learn the Buddhism philosophy and teaching of Lord Buddha. Komic and Tangyud Monastery 31 kms from Kaza is located about 15000 ft is one of the highest villages in Spiti. Tabo Monastery is located at an altitude of 3050 m above sea level is one of the most revered Buddhist institutions in Indian Himalayas. The Tabo Monastery is a monastic complex having 9 temples, 23 chortens, a monk chamber and a nun’s chamber. The Monastery is located 50 kms away from Kaza and 500 kms from Himachal Pradesh State Capital Shimla. Dhankar monastery this is located at the side of Hanging cliff that overlooks the Spiti plains and valleys. The Dhankar Monastery is located at a distance of 30 kms from Kabo. Pin Valley Monastery scattered in the Pin Valley which is carved by Pin River originated from Kungri Glacier and is a tributary of Spiti River. Kungri Monastery Guru Padmasambhava has laid the foundation of this monastery is the second oldest monastery built around 1330 AD located at 10 kms from Attargo on Kabo-Kaza Road and 3 kms from Gulling village of Pin Valley. Nako monastery was founded by Lochen Rinchen Zangpo in 1025 AD and is located at a height of 3660 m in a beautiful Nako village constructed on the pattern of Tabo Monastery and is divided into four halls. The walls are decorated with beautiful murals and paintings. Sangla Buddhist monastery is also known as Brelengi Gompa or monastery is a new monastery built on the occasion of Kalchakra Festival in 1992. It has wooden wall and has 10-meter Buddhist Edifice.
What to Expect
The Lahaul and Spiti is a bouquet of scenic mountain landscape, fascinating village and people who mostly are Buddhist. The land of high passes, mighty glaciers, rives, streams. Lahaul literally meaning ‘country in the south’. Most of the valleys and sandy terrain due to tree line which is covered in snow for almost 5-6 months, the remote miniature village is located on the hill side of the mountains some of them hang along side of the Rocky Mountains hillsides.
Pickup from Chandigarh Railway Station / Bus Stand by exclusive vehicle. Drive to Shimla. Check in to the hotel. Dinner overnight stay in hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Shimla Regency/Similar
After early breakfast drive to Sangla through the thick woods of Narkanda and alongside the river Sutlej. If your arrival at Tapri is during lunch time then don’t forget to have food at Kangri dhaba. On the way you can enjoy beautiful lake hydro project at Karcham dam. In the evening reach and check in the hotel. Enjoy the evening in beautiful surroundings in the river valley of Baspa at a height of 9000 ft. This is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Himalayas and is often compared to the famous valley of Kashmir. Known for its rich Kinnauri culture and apple orchards, this valley was opened for tourists only in 1993 for its close proximity to the Tibetan border. Overnight stay at hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Rupin River View/Similar
After breakfast, explore the vicinity around including an ancient Kamru Fort & Temple dedicated to the Goddess Kamakhya Devi which was brought from Assam & Nages God. Post Lunch, excursion to Chitkul – a last Village on Old Indo – Tibetan Trade Route. Walk through green orchards & brilliant stream. Return back to Sangla for Dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Rupin River View/Similar
After breakfast check-out from the Hotel & drive to Kalpa – District Headquarter of Kinnar & once a favorite haunt of Lord Dalhousie. Arrive Kalpa & Check-in to your Hotel. Kalpa was known as Chini back in the days when it was the Regional Capital. Kalpa has changed little in the last 500 years. It is said that as & when Lord Dalhousie wanted to take a break from his hectic schedule in Shimla, he would come here on his Horseback. Each & every corner of Kalpa facing Jorkanden and the Kinner Kailash Peaks, considered as one of the mythical homes of Lord Shiva and by its side is a 79-foot rock formation that resembles a Shivlinga that changes the colour as the day passes & is visible to the naked eye on a clear day. Post Lunch rest in hotel and in evening visit to Buddhist Gompa – Hu Bu Lan Kar and Roghi Village (beautiful village in Kalpa). Dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Rolling Rang/Similar
After breakfast check-out from Kalpa Hotel & drive to Tabo. En-route visit Nako Lake – Kinnaur’s most picturesque hamlets. Nako is slated to be declared a heritage village built around a small lake & has an important Buddhist Gompa & a small Temple. A footprint like impression on a rock is ascribed to the saint Guru Padmasambhava. Welcome to Spiti Valley – with few signs of Vegetations. Yet this land renders visitors speechless with its harsh raw beauty of the landscape. Rudyard Kipling describes Spiti in “Kim” in these words: “At last they entered a world within a world – a valley of leagues where the high hills were fashioned of the mere rubble & refuse from off the knees of the mountains…surely the Gods live here. Arrive Tabo & Check-in to your Hotel. The ancient village Tabo situated on the left bank of river Spiti. It is the seat one of the most famous Buddhist Monasteries regarded next to the Tholong Gompa in Tibet. It is also known at ‘Ajanta of Himalayas’. Dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Siddharth/Similar
After breakfast check out from hotel and journey starts to witness the Ajanta of Himalayas the Tabo monastery. Tabo Monastery constructed in 996 AD; – not just in Spiti but in the whole of the Tibetan Buddhist world is called Chogs – Khor [‘Doctrinal Circle’ or ‘Doctrinal Enclave’]. It is a complex that holds 9 Temples, 23 Chortens, a Monk’s Chamber & an extension that houses the Nun’s Chamber. On the sheer cliff-face above the enclave are a series of Caves, used as dwellings by the Monks & includes an Assembly Hall.Tabo hasthe oldest cave on barren mountains and Thanka paintings, one of the most precious paintings of Buddhism. The day has a surprise where a visit to the village of 5oo year’s old mummy makes your journey and exciting. Check in hotel in Kaza. Overnight stay at Hotel at Kaza.
Accommodation: Hotel Delek House/Similar
After breakfast excursion to Kee monastery and after that drive to the highest motorable roar Langza and enroute visiting the Comik and Hikim village. Overnight stay at Hotel at Kaza.
Accommodation: Hotel Delek House/Similar
Morning after breakfast we shall leave for Chandratal lake by crossing Kunzam pass (15,100ft) reach Baltal, change a vehicle to sumo to proceed to Chandratal lake. on a way have a magnificent view of Chandrabhaga range speaks. This deep blue water has a circumference of 2.5 kms. This is the source of the river Chandra according to some believers; this is the spot from where the god Indra`s Chariot took the eldest Pandava brother Yudhistra to swarga or heaven in his mortal form. Full day at leisure to enjoy the beauty of beautiful lake and natural surrounded Snow peaks. Overnight Camping at Chandratal Lake.
Accommodation: CAMPING MOON LAKE CAMP
Manali is only at a distance of 122 kms from Chandratal but make no mistake; this journey will easily take 7-8 hours, even more. You will be driving through the worst patch of road that you have ever encountered in your life. From Chandratal, reach back to Kunzum Pass, and then head towards Batal. At Batal, you will take the road towards Gramphoo and then start on your ascent to second high altitude passes of the journey, Rohtang La. From there, it is a straight run to Manali. Check in hotel at Manali and Overnight at Manali hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Mountain Trails/Similar
After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Chandigarh and Drop at Chandigarh railway station/ airport with sweets memories of Himachal Pradesh.
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