Here
is the Road trip that has it all. It encompasses the best of all the Indian
Himalayas, Garhwal, Kinnaur, Lahul / Spiti and Ladakh. It offers a varied
and enriching experience among the people dwelling in these places. The trip
takes you from Mussoorie to Leh with prominent stops at Mori, Sangla, Kaza.
Spiti is the most isolated sub-district of Himachal, situated between the
Himalayas and the Zanskar range. It is characterized by its barren
landscapes; result of erosion over a million years, extremely cold
temperatures and its extremely hospitable and friendly people. Our first
halt in this valley would be at the ancient village of Tabo. The gompa
(monastery) here has the most exquisite specimens of Buddhist art.The
highlights of Leh include; Shey Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to
be the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is
about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery is considered to be one of the most
beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspa order and Hemis, about 45
kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest monastery in
Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17'th
century.
We finish this exciting voyage with a rafting trip down
the Indus. A view of the valley from the river adds a totally different
perspective to this truly enchanting place. The trip finishes with a flight
- right over the top of the greater Himalayas, offering views only conjured
in dreams.
Detailed ItineraryDay
01 : Delhi - Mussoorie (290 km, 2200 M) Catch the Mussoorie
Express or Drive to Mussoorie. Overnight at Mussoorie in a Hotel.
Day 02 : Mussoorie - Mori (140 km, 1200M) The drive from Mussorie
to Mori moves along the Yamuna Valley and at Mori we enter the Tons Valley.
The Tons is the Largest Tributary of Yamuna. Overnight Camp by the
Riverside.
Day 3: Mori ToDay explore the
surroundings of Mori. One can visit ancient temples to appreciate the local
architecture, or take a dip in one of the pellucid natural pools in the
vicinity of the camping site. Chilling by the riverside is also an option.
Day 4: Mori - Thanedar (1950 M, 96 km) ToDay's drive takes you out
of Garhwal and into the Sangla Valley. Thanedar is a quaint scenic place set
in an another era. Overnight in Camp.
Day 5: Thanedar -
Sangla (150 km, 2680 M) The drive will takes us through apple
orchards and into the heartland of the Sangla Valley. Overnight at Camp in
Sangla.
Day 6: Sangla Explore Sangla toDay with the gushing river Baspa
creating a rhythmic background to Sangla as does the benign gaze of the
Kinnaur Kailash range of the Himalayas. In fact Mount Kailash, said to be
the abode of the Hindu God shiva, is not too far away.
Day 7:
Sangla - Chitkul (21 km, 3480 M) Morning after breakfast set out
for Chitkul Village (3436 M), highest in the Sangla valley. Day to be spent
exploring the village and the breathtaking landscape. Pick a spot and camp
for the night.
Day 8: Chitkul - Nako (120 km, 3662 M)
Visit the breathtaking Nako lake and spend the night at the Village.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9: Nako - Tabo (90 km, 3050 M)
The gompa at Tabo has the most exquisite specimens of Buddhist art. 50 lamas
reside here and the library here has a big collection of ancient scriptures
and thankas (cloth painting). Also unique are the mural paintings on the
walls. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10: Tabo - Kaza (47 km, 3600
M) From Kaza we will drive to the Ki - Monastery (7 kms). Further
drive (11 kms) will get us to Kibber village, the highest permanently
inhabited village in the world. It's a good place to interact with the local
people and to know more about their culture and history. Head back to Kaza.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11: Kaza Visit the famed Kaza
Monastery and explore the village. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 12: Kaza - Jispa
Morning after breakfast set out for Jispa via Batal and Kunzum La. En route
take snaps of the Bara Shigri Glacier and also visit Khardong Monastery at
Keylong (3350 M). We will reach Jispa in the evening and camp beside river
Bhaga. Overnight in tents.
Day 13: Jispa - Leh Drive through the barren and sublime
mountainscape to reach Leh in the evening. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 14 :: Leh Visit Shey, Thksey, Hemis and other local sites.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 15: Leh Raft on the Indus and
visit the Shanti Stupa. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 16: Leh -
Delhi Catch the Morning flight to Delhi