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Spiti Trek with Home-stays
offered by supplier M18129 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 12
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 12
people
Destination(s):
India
Specialty Categories:
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
Season: July - August
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 300 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1500 US Dollar (USD)
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A blend of Spiti's rich cultural heritage and natural splendors, this trail provides a unique insight into the Spitian way of life (their irrigation practices, livestock grazing mechanisms, homes, cuisine and sleeping arrangements) balanced with the opportunity to explore the habitats of some of the worlds rarest species of wildlife including Blue Sheep, Tibetan Wolf and Snow Leopard.
This land duplicates and in many ways exceeds the beauty and mystery of the Leh and Zanskar valleys of Ladakh due to its remoteness and less explored terrain. This region is inaccessible for most of the year due to snowed out mountain passes and extreme cold temperatures. The landscape is characterized by glaciers, 6000 m peaks, broad valleys and pastures with a minimum elevation exceeding 3000 m.
This is a high altitude trip (max, height 4740 m). Please contact us to discuss the implications of this and your own personal fitness. On arrival to India you will be met at the airport. Depending on your personal itinerary you will be transferred to the train station, or hotel.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Delhi to Manali (2050 m): 12 hrs
Our journey begins on the train leaving Delhi at 7.40 am arriving at Chandigarh at 11.00 am. We then drive further north into the mountains to Manali. Manali, a former British hill station is located in the Alpine lower reaches of the Himalaya. It is now a vibrant market town with a great atmosphere. Explore the town before an overnight in the hotel.
Day 2: Rest day Manali
Have a relaxing day after yesterdays long day of travel. Visit Manali market, Roerich Art Gallery, Hadimba Temple, and walk around town. Overnight hotel.
Day 3: Drive Manali to Kaza (3686 m): 8/9 hrs
We start early and drive further north into the Mountains gaining more height today. Over these two days of driving the landscape changes from flat agricultural land, to alpine meadows, sharp peaks and evergreen forests, and the barren mountain deserts of Spiti: a slow but interesting journey. Overnight hotel in Kaza.
Day 4: Kaza to Langza (4400 m): 1 hr
A relatively easy day in order to acclimatize to the increase in altitude. No need to wake up early this day. One can start after a leisurely breakfast and reach Langza by noon in order to pay a visit to the Lang (temple). The Lang is regarded to be the headquarters of all the deities of the valley and houses some beautiful old frescoes and thankas (paintings on silken canvas). Dinner and overnight in a home-stay.
Day 5: Langza to Jureley (4740 m): 5/6 hrs
We start early as it is the first long day of trekking and should be taken slowly, as exercising at altitude can be very draining. The trail traverses along a natural fossil center with the opportunity to spot some rare relics of Spiti's geological history. Most of the route takes us past impressively constructed irrigation channels, getting an insight into the laborious and intricate system of water management. The route runs along side the amazing Pasham Range who’s main peaks Chau Chau Khang Nilda (6380 m) and Chau Khang Namo (5964 m) form a beautiful backdrop. If you're lucky, you may spot Blue Sheep along this route, as well as a host of native flora.
Day 6: Jureley to Mulchay (4560 m): 4/5 hrs
The trail slowly winds itself over pasture lands and the day is spent marveling at the grazing yaks and wild horse. 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 animals and collecting winter fodder and fuel.
Day 7: Mulchay to Demul (4357 m): 2/3 hrs
As one leaves Mulchay, there is a sense of anticipation that builds before approaching Demul. Located in one of the most remote areas of Spiti, this village has a very interesting legend associated with its foundation, which you will learn on arrival. After a warm lunch in a home-stay, we take a look around the village and meet the local people. The local villagers are a good source of information, not only for the sights but also for the unique history surrounding the village.
Day 8: Demul to Lhalung (3758 m): 4/5 hrs
The route is primarily all downhill today. Lunch is at a village called Saglung, housing all of two houses. This village, apart from having such a small population, is amazingly picturesque and the people are very friendly. Lhalung, which is not too far, also has plenty to offer. The oldest temple and possibly one of the oldest trees (dating back over a millennium) in Spiti are found here.
Day 9: Lhalung to Dhankhar (3890 m): 4/5 hrs
This route winds itself along the road for a while before a gradual ascent up the mountain side brings us to one of most picturesque spots in Spiti. The waters in Dhankhar lake are crystal clear and they often reflect a perfect image of the surrounding landscape. After lunch we descend down a steep trail to the ancient capital of Spiti. Dhankhar village is hard to describe as it balances precariously across the geological relics of mud stone pillars and high cliffs, it's hard to describe Dhankhar as words are inadequate for this village, balanced precariously amidst geological relics.
Day 10: Dhankhar to Kaza (3686 m): 1.5 hrs
One can spend the morning visiting the old and new monasteries, the remains of the Dhankhar Fort and the museum of cultural artifacts. We have lunch in the home-stay and then drive to Kaza in the afternoon.
Day 11: Kaza to Manali (2050 m): 8/9 hrs
We drive to Manali, enjoying the landscape as it transforms back to the lush alpine lush alpine terrain of the Kullu valley. Overnight hotel in Manali.
Day 12: Manali to Delhi: 12 hrs
Drive back to Chandigah and board the train to Delhi arriving in the evening. Trip ends.
Note: Please contact us for sightseeing in Delhi, or a trip to the Taj Mahal at the start or end of this trip. We can also tailor this trip with a rafting expedition or wildlife safari.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Notes: All itineraries exclude international flight days. The duration of this trip is calculated from Delhi back to Delhi again.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
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