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Day
1 Delhi
Flight to Delhi. Arrival in Delhi and transfer
to the hotel. Check in time is 1200 hrs.
Day
2 Delhi
In
Delhi’s 3000 years of existence, seven cities stood where the present
capital of India stands. Here you’ll encounter a fascinating blend of
the ancient and the contemporary - where government buildings, medieval
palaces and bazaars exist besides a modern metropolis.
Delhi is a city waiting to be explored.
After
breakfast sightseeing of Old and
New Delhi.
Visit
the 7th city of Delhi, Shahjahanabad
(Old Delhi) which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1639-48 AD)
after he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi.
Red Fort – the 17th century imposing fortress built
in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge boundary wall 33m high. Inside
are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens. Opposite
the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid
(Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656.
It is India’s largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in
prayer. Visit Raj
Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna, Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial,
where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The
memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple
square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words “Hey Ram”.
An eternal flame burns 24 hours.
Afternoon
visit New Delhi.
Visit
the Humayun’s
Tomb,
built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th. Century. An early example of
Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The Qutub
Minar – the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in
1199 and completed in 1368. The minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the
base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. Proceed to the Rashtrapati
Bhawan once the Viceroy’s residence is now the official residence of
the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and
eastern styles – the dome reflects the Buddhist stupa, the chattris
Hindu and the graceful colonnades very British. It has 340 rooms. The Government Buildings
designed by Baker, are topped by baroque domes and decorated with lotus
motifs and elephants, while the north and south gateways are Mughal in
design. The
northern
building
has an inscription with “Liberty will not descend to a people; a
people must raise themselves to liberty. It is a blessing which must be earned before it can be enjoyed”.
The Parliament House,
designed by Baker is 173m in diameter. Inside is the library and
chambers for the council of state, chamber of princes and legislative
assembly. The India Gate
(42m), commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who
died in the 1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian
soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and
foundations. Under the arch, the Amar Jawan Jyoti commemorating Indian
armed forces’ losses in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.
Overnight
stay at the hotel in Delhi.
Day
3 Delhi/Bhuntar/Manali
Early
morning transfer to airport and flight to Bhuntar, 10 km from Kulu. The
beautiful 80 km long Kulu Valley is famous for its apple, apricot and
peach plantation. It also has angora farms for making shawls.
After
arrival further drive to Manali (42 km) at an altitude of 1.200m. After
arrival check-in in the hotel.
Rest
of the day is free. Manali is today transformed from a sleepy village full
of fruit orchards to a touristy hill resort town . It is well known
starting point for treks, mountaineering expeditions, jeep safaris,
rafting, skiing, paragliding and also becoming popular with a host
of Indians tourists during the summer months getting away from the hot
plains. You can explore
Manali on your own: Tibetan Bazar, 2 Buddhist Monasteries and the Hindu
Hadimba Temple.
(In
case if the flight to Bhuntar is not possible, then drive to Manali by
road. In evening arrival in Manali).
Overnight in hotel.
Day
4 Manali/Setan
This trek logically starts
from Prini, a village 3.5 Kms. from Manali towards Nagar. Jagatsukh is
further 1.5 km from here and the distance is through road only. Prini is a
old village where the evidence of Pandavas can still be realized.
The place of Jamdagni Rishi and Vasu Nag, the god of nags, where
most of village life moves ahead with the directions of these deities.
From the lap of green village the entire Kullu valley is visible offering
about 30-40 Kms of scenic landscape just in front of the eyes. Paddy
fields, mustard fields, apple orchards, variety of un-organised lines of
flowers, colourful birds and men and women working in their fields
untouched with the race of outer world all together is a real motivation
and a joy for ever. Each step taking upwards from this village takes mind
to the 5000 years old exile period of Pandavas and a feeling
of sudden encounter with those heroes remain strongly in the mind.
After spending 03 hrs in this mesmerism, Sethan is there to get one
back to the reality offering its huge green carpeted meadows surrounded by
thin line of forests. The place is a summer shelter for one gypsy tribe "Khampas"
which still keeps on moving down to Mandi during winters with their
families and "horses" A tribe that made trekking comfortable in
this part of Himalayas with their tough built, liking for travelling
to unknown places and off course their strong horses. The real Buddhist
Banjaras and your trekking guide belongs to this community
only. A youth, well educated and trained with AI.
Mostly the camp is set for you by the supporting team before your arrival
to the campsite. A warm cup of mountain / Tibetan tea, bucket of hot
water in your shower tent, a very natural evening, hot water bowls for
massaging of your legs and a warm comfortable tent for a great sleep
in the land of Gods, where every one is safe, graced and sheltered. Where
guest is still treated as gift of almighty.
Day
5 Setan/Chikka
Morning
offers a nice and changed surroundings all together, walks around the
campsite. Positively the tea can be served at one of Khampa house in
between of interesting and informative untold realities about this tribe.
Then the real trek starts to Chikka. The place has been used for the
plantation of kut and other herbs (roots) useful for medicines were also
collected by local people.
The day is full of beautiful walks and the main attractions are wild
flowers, caves and good rocks for climbing. Lot of time can be spent to
climb upwards from the camp area to see Indrasan mountains, Deo Tibba(6100
M) ranges and Inder Kila (the mystic mountain).
Day 6 Chhika/Sera
Garu
The
days walk is a gradual movement on hills which keeps on offering a birdıs
eye view of the complete Kullu valley. The trek moves with the Deodar
forests adding green meadows and terraced fields from the height. Lunch is
offered close to a clean stream. The more clear encounter with the Deo
Tibba peaks, Inder Kila and Indrasan ranges while moving on the another
side of Hamta Pass ( 4268 M)
Day
7 Sera
Garu/Chhatru
The day offers a noticeable difference in the
vegetation and terrain of both sides of the Hamta pass. Entering from the
green lands of Kullu valley to the deserts of Spiti valley thrills with
moving from one word to the another. This valley is drained by the fast
flowing stream fed with glacial melt for the glaciers such as Chota Shigri.
The road running along is also motorable and is used during the summer
months to cross over the Kunzum la pass to Spiti.
Chatru, the first settlement on the way to Spiti from Lahoul/Manali areas.
During summers temporary restaurants (Dhabas) do provide food and
emergency shelter to the travellers, especially the expedition teams on
Bra Shigri glaciers and CB ranges climbers.
Day
8 Chhatru/Chotadara
Along with the trek you come on the main road
of Manali to Spiti. Todayıs camp is not very far off. You pass through
the barren landscapes but your camp is set in a small glade with tiny
mountain flowers and drained by small streams.
Dinner and overnight in tents at Chhotadara.
The river Chandra remains all times on the right side of the walk and
front is overlooked by Bara Shigri glaciers. The silent muddy road, bright
barren mountains, extremely high sharp peaks (sometimes snow-capped),
certain meeting with 2-3 Spiti local people on this route all together is
a different life, different time.
Day
9 Chotadara/Batal
No hurry, we can afford a little late
departure this day. The walk is again along with the Chandra river, it is
quite easy on flat path. More we walk further more we are close to
wilderness of Spiti, Chandra valley , majestic and holy Kunzam La and Lake
of moon. Batal has a small shepherds hut and a small roadside tea shop
during the summer months. Some good views of the Shigri peak and glacier
is also visible from here. Shigri stream emerges from iridescent ark way
of solid ice; a never to forgotten sight.
Day
10 Batal/Chandra
Lake
After Batal bridge on few minutes walk the road
moves up to Kunzam La and further to Spiti villages and inhabited world. The
left of this bridge is the Chandra valley where our dayıs beautiful
destination is. Chandra valley during winters sleeps in unknown but the
Spiti can be approached from Kinnaur for more months. People who want to see
Ladakh more easily, will have no regrets after spending few days in Spiti.
After Batal move to Chandratal.
Day
11 Chandra
Lake
Full day at Chander Tal
Day
12 Chandra
Lake/Tokpo Yongma
As the days progress on this trek one sees the
green valleys giving way to more barren and deserted landscapes. You cross
the Chandra Lake in the north direction to Tokpo Yongma. We again have CB
ranges in front of our morning. We prefer a early start following river
Chandra upstream to Topko Yogma. This day a large stream is to be crossed.
Dinner and overnight in tents at Tokpo Yongma.
Day
13 Tokpo
Yongma/Tokpo Gogma
The stretch goes further to the river source of
Chandra. The trek is on a gradual climb where the route offers some superb
view of Mulkila and hanging glaciers.
Day
14 Tokpo
Yongma/Barlachala
Long
back this was the route used by Spiti Kings and their families to reach
Zanskar and Ladakh and the same with the Ladakhis too where the general
occasion or motive was marriages among two areas and later the walks
of monks are well known history to spread Tibetan Buddhism in Spiti. We
start early along with the KR ranges, which are all 20000 feet high, the
valley leading to Baralacha is a very wide holiday camp. The pass gives rise
to 03 rivers:
1.
Chandra
2. Yunam
3.
Bhaga
Todayıs trek goes upwards to Baralacha-La. This pass is the
highest point of your trekking tour and is situated at an altitude of
4.892m. The scenery is breathtaking. On the way you can see herd of goats
and yak. From the pass peak goes the old caravan route to Leh. Baralacha is
the place of Maharaja, the most precious butterfly of the world. On the
other end of Baralacha La, we have a comfortable high altitude tented resort
of our associates can supply you any kind of help in these routes.
Day
15 Barlachala/Zinzingbar
A great morning is guaranteed. The days walk is
quite easy descending town to Zingzingbar.
The name has no resemblance with any bar, supposed to popularised by army
troops. On the way short stop at Suraj Tal (the origin of Bhaga river) can
be made.
Day
16 Zingzingbar/Patseo
A
comfortable descent from Zingzingbar to Patseo village. Here you will be
greeted by the local people, who are mainly road labourers. Last evening of
your trekking tour in camp near Patseo.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Note: Patseo is an army camp today. The
place is spread over in a large flat ground where in old time the biggest
trade fair of Lahoul and Tibet used to be celebrated on a barter system of
ghee, sheep, wool, salt and sometimes horses of great quality. The trade was
used to take place even during 60s where an government official used to sit
to calculate all transactions.
Day
17 Patseo/Darcha
The
last stretch of the trek to Darcha. Evening you reach at Darcha. The first
village of Lahoul, the place from where trek route starts to Lamayaro and
Zanskar over Shingo La. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day
18 Darcha/Manali
Drive
to Manali. After arrival rooms distribution in hotel.
Overnight in hotel.
Day
19 Manali
Morning
visit the Hadimba Devi Temple (1553), in the middle of Pine forest a 27 m high
pagoda temple, has 3-tier roof and fine naturalistic wood carvings of
animals and plants, specially around the doorway. Also see the Buddhist
monastery and Tibetan bazaar.
Afternoon excursion to Naggar,
which was once the capital of Kullu valley. The 16th century
castle is a fine example of timber bonded building. It was used as the
Royal residence till the 17th century. It is built round a
courtyard with verandahs having enchanting views over the valley. In the
courtyard are several sati stones with primitive carvings. Around the
palace there are more temples to see. On the foot of a small bazaar there
is Gauri Shankar Temple (11/12 century) built of sandstone is dedicated
to God Shiva.
Chatar Bhuj Temple,
which is dedicated to God Vishnu. Tripura
Sundri Devi Temple in wood has a multi-level pagoda roof in the
Himachal style is also nearby. Roerich
Art Gallery -
the home of Prof Nichola Roerich,
in a peaceful garden with excellent views, has a collection of
his paintings and of his son. Return to Manali.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day
20 Manali/Delhi
Early
morning transfer to Bhuntar airport and flight to Delhi. After arrival
transfer to hotel. Rest of the day is free.
Overnight
in hotel.
Day
21 Delhi/Agra/Delhi
After
early breakfast drive to Agra
Agra
stands on the right bank of the river Yamuna, was once the seat
of the Mughal rulers, the zenith of art and an enshrined romance. A town
famous for its beautiful medieval monuments. The passion of the Mughals
for building endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the
world.
On
arrival in Agra visit the world famous monument of India, the Taj
Mahal (1631-1653), a poem in white marble, built by Shah Jahan in
memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal, who died giving birth to their
14th child. It employed 20,000
workers from the Central Asia and Europe for 22 years to construct this
extravagant monument of love, inlaying the white marble edifice with
precious and semi precious stones. After Taj Mahal visit Agra Fort (Fort and Palace) situated on the west bank of the river
Jamuna, made by the Mughal King Akbar in the 16th century and
completed by his grandson Shah Jahan, who was imprisoned by his son
Aurangzeb for 8 years in this fort, before his death. The fort is crescent
- shaped and the perimeter is 2.4 km long. After
sightseeing drive back to Delhi. Check at the hotel.
Day
22 Delhi/Home
Early in the
morning transfer to the airport to connect flight back home. |
