SPITI VALLEY TREK
OVERVIEW
Spiti is an untouched region of Himalayas tucked away in the remote corner of Himachal Pradesh. It offers some of the most challenging and rewarding treks as the landscape here has remained unchanged for centuries. At an average altitude of 4000 meters the Spiti valley, which means `The Middle Land’, is a Trans-Himalayan landscape that shares its border with that of Tibet. The monasteries of Tabo, Kye, Dhankar and Serkhang are some of the oldest in te Himalayas. The trek goes through some of the most fascinating and unusual places that are unique to this high-altitude region like Langza, which is known as the fossil capital of the world, Hikkim, that has the highest post office in the world, Komic, that has the highest motorable settlement in the world etc. With more than 1000-year-old culture that hasn’t changed over the years, this is a trek where you can experience civilization that has been frozen in time.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Experiencing Atal Tunnel - the highest highway single-tube tunnel above 3,048 m in the world
Golden Buddha at Langza, and fossil hunting.
Send postcards from the highest post office in the world at Hikkim
Komic village trek to one of the highest motorable villages in the world
Picturesque Demul village and Serkhang monastery at Lahlung
Tabo, Key, and Dhankar monasteries
COST AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
DEPARTURE FOR KAZA
Early morning we drive down to Kaza via Atal tunnel, the highest highway single-tube tunnel above 3,048 m in the world which is approx. 9 km long. As we move further from Gramphu you notice a shift in terrain with fewer trees, steeper mountains, and a desolate environment. We cross some spectacular waterfalls as we reach Chatru. At Batal we will stop for lunch at the legendary Chandra Dhaba, where you get to meet Chacha & Chachi, who have saved the lives of numerous travellers who were stranded in the harsh weather there.
Crossing Kunzum pass and Losar we reach Kaza by evening. On arrival, we check in, relax and later have a briefing session for the next day.
DRIVE FROM KAZA TO LANGZA
After breakfast, we drive down to Key Monastery which is the learning center of Spiti Valley. It is situated on top of a hill with a panoramic view of the valley. We will have a cup of local Suja tea, at the monastery and spend some time on the roof which gives an excellent view of the entire valley. We then drive to Langza from where we will start our trek. As Langza was once under Thethys Sea, this area is rich in fossils of marine animals. We spend some time exploring the Buddha statue and hunting for fossils to admire them. Unfortunately, you cannot get them back with you as it’s part of the Himalayan heritage. We spend the night in a local homestay.
TREK FROM LANGZA TO KOMIC
Today we trek to Komic village which is connected by the highest motorable road in the world. On the way, we stop at the village of Hikkim which has the highest post office in the world, and get a chance to post picture cards and letters to our loved ones. At Komic we visit the Tangyud monastery and later settle down to watch the beautiful sunset while having tea. This is one place where one can spot herds of Blue Sheep locally known as Bharal. We spend the night in a homestay.
TREK FROM KOMIK TO DEMUL
Today’s trek will start with an ascent to 4700 meters which will be the highest point of our trek. Thereafter the terrain will be flat till we reach Demul. The trek will be tough and exhausting but it rewards you with some of the most breathtaking vistas available. We can have a session of stargazing and later spend the night at a homestay.
TREK FROM DEMUL TO LAHLUNG
After a wonderful breakfast, we trek down to Lahlung village through the farmlands of Demul. Most of the trek is going to be downhill. The name Lahlung literally means ‘land of the gods’ and it is said that the Lahlung Devta is the head of all the Devtas of the valley and emerges from the Tangmar mountain beyond the village. This mountain is said to change colour depending on the moods of the deities; red shows anger, yellow shows happiness, etc. We visit Sherkhang monastery and explore the surroundings and spend the night at a homestay.
TREK FROM LAHLUNG TO DHANKAR AND DRIVE TO KAZA
Today we trek down to Dhankar which is situated at an elevation of 3,894 meters. Dhankar was the traditional capital of the Spiti Valley Kingdom during the 17th century and has some features dating back to the 12th century. It was the seat of the early rulers of Spiti, the Nonos. The monastery is built on a 300-meter-high spur overlooking the confluence of Spiti and Pin Rivers – one of the world’s most spectacular settings for a monastery. Dhankar, like Key and Tangyud monasteries in Spiti was built as a fort monastery on the Central Tibetan pattern. We explore the monastery and then drive down to Kaza and spend the night at a homestay or hotel.
DEPARTURE FROM KAZA TO MANALI
After an early breakfast, we drive back to Manali via Lohsar, Kunzum, and Rohtang for our journey back home with wonderful memories made with Adventureism.
DAY 01: DEPARTURE FOR KAZA
Early morning we drive down to Kaza via Atal tunnel, the highest highway single-tube tunnel above 3,048 m in the world which is approx. 9 km long. As we move further from Gramphu you notice a shift in terrain with fewer trees, steeper mountains, and a desolate environment. We cross some spectacular waterfalls as we reach Chatru. At Batal we will stop for lunch at the legendary Chandra Dhaba, where you get to meet Chacha & Chachi, who have saved the lives of numerous travellers who were stranded in the harsh weather there.
Crossing Kunzum pass and Losar we reach Kaza by evening. On arrival, we check in, relax and later have a briefing session for the next day.
DAY 02: DRIVE FROM KAZA TO LANGZA
After breakfast, we drive down to Key Monastery which is the learning center of Spiti Valley. It is situated on top of a hill with a panoramic view of the valley. We will have a cup of local Suja tea, at the monastery and spend some time on the roof which gives an excellent view of the entire valley. We then drive to Langza from where we will start our trek. As Langza was once under Thethys Sea, this area is rich in fossils of marine animals. We spend some time exploring the Buddha statue and hunting for fossils to admire them. Unfortunately, you cannot get them back with you as it’s part of the Himalayan heritage. We spend the night in a local homestay.
DAY 03: TREK FROM LANGZA TO KOMIC
Today we trek to Komic village which is connected by the highest motorable road in the world. On the way, we stop at the village of Hikkim which has the highest post office in the world, and get a chance to post picture cards and letters to our loved ones. At Komic we visit the Tangyud monastery and later settle down to watch the beautiful sunset while having tea. This is one place where one can spot herds of Blue Sheep locally known as Bharal. We spend the night in a homestay.
DAY 04: TREK FROM KOMIK TO DEMUL
Today’s trek will start with an ascent to 4700 meters which will be the highest point of our trek. Thereafter the terrain will be flat till we reach Demul. The trek will be tough and exhausting but it rewards you with some of the most breathtaking vistas available. We can have a session of stargazing and later spend the night at a homestay.
DAY 05: TREK FROM DEMUL TO LAHLUNG
After a wonderful breakfast, we trek down to Lahlung village through the farmlands of Demul. Most of the trek is going to be downhill. The name Lahlung literally means ‘land of the gods’ and it is said that the Lahlung Devta is the head of all the Devtas of the valley and emerges from the Tangmar mountain beyond the village. This mountain is said to change colour depending on the moods of the deities; red shows anger, yellow shows happiness, etc. We visit Sherkhang monastery and explore the surroundings and spend the night at a homestay.
DAY 06: TREK FROM LAHLUNG TO DHANKAR AND DRIVE TO KAZA
Today we trek down to Dhankar which is situated at an elevation of 3,894 meters. Dhankar was the traditional capital of the Spiti Valley Kingdom during the 17th century and has some features dating back to the 12th century. It was the seat of the early rulers of Spiti, the Nonos. The monastery is built on a 300-meter-high spur overlooking the confluence of Spiti and Pin Rivers – one of the world’s most spectacular settings for a monastery. Dhankar, like Key and Tangyud monasteries in Spiti was built as a fort monastery on the Central Tibetan pattern. We explore the monastery and then drive down to Kaza and spend the night at a homestay or hotel.
DAY 07: DEPARTURE FROM KAZA TO MANALI
After an early breakfast, we drive back to Manali via Lohsar, Kunzum, and Rohtang for our journey back home with wonderful memories made with Adventureism.
INCLUSIONS
- Accommodation in a tent, homestay, or camp on a sharing basis.
- All meals are as per the itinerary.
- Qualified instructors and facilitators during the programme.
- Wilderness First Responder trained and certified guides from NOLS-USA to handle any medical emergencies.
- Transfers to and from Manali.
EXCLUSIONS
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Unforeseen expenses that demand a change in itinerary like natural forces, changes in weather, road blockages, and flight/train cancellations.
- Medical, Travel, or Evacuation expenses.
- Any expense of personal nature like tips, laundry, phone calls, beverages, etc.
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