TRIBAL CIRCUIT TOUR OF HIMACHAL

Day 01: Arrival at Chandigarh and drive to Shimla . 2,250 metres / 7,382 feet (120 kms /4 hrs)

Day 02: Shimla local sightseeing.

Day 03: Shimla - Sarahan 2,150 metres / 7,055 feet, (170 kms 9-10 hrs)

Day 04: Sarahan - Sangla 2,680 metres / 8,792 feet, (90 kms / 4-5 hrs )

Day 05: Sangla to Chitkul 3,450 metres / 11,318 feet and back to Sangla

Day 06: Sangla to Kalpa 2,758 metres / 9,048 feet (40 kms/ 2-3 hrs)

Day 07: Kalpa to Nako 3,662 metres /12,014 feet (120 Kms / 5-6 hrs)

Day 08: Nako to Tabo 3,894 metres / 12,784 feet, (90 kms / 5- 6 hrs)

Day 09: Tabo to Kaza 32000 metres / 10,500 feet, (50 kms)

Day 10: Sight seeing around Kaza ( 5-6 hrs)

Day 11: Kaza to Keylong 3,080metres/ 10,100 feet (186 kms/ 10 hrs) via Chandratal Lake.

Day 12: Keylong / Day Excursion to Trilokinath and Udaipur temple (110 kms both way)

Day 13: Keylong To Manali 2,050 metres / 6,726 feet (120 kms, 5-6 hrs)

Day 14: Sightseeing around Manali.

Day 15: Manali to Chandigarh (290 kms - 11 hrs)

Day 16: Fly back to your place.

DAY 01: ARRIVAL AT CHANDIGARH AND DRIVE TO SHIMLA.

On your arrival at Chandigarh railway station / airport you will be met by our driver and he will drive you to Shimla (4 hrs) via Barog, Solan. Enroute you will stop for photo breaks. You will reach Shimla in the evening and will transfer to your hotel in Shimla. Overnight stay in Hotel in Shimla.

Evening is free to explore the mall road of Shimla.

After breakfast at your hotel your driver will take you for a full day of sightseeing tour of Shimla town. We will visit the famous Viceregal Lodge, also known as the Indian Institute of Advance studies- where arrangements for the partition of India and Pakistan were worked out the Jakhoo temple (monkey temple) on the top of Jakhoo hills, and we will also take you to visit Kufri or Naldera where one can go for pony rides in the countryside's. Later on after the lunch drive back to Shimla and walk around the Mall road of Shimla to visit the Christ Church, the Gaiety Theatre, Mall Road with its scandal point. Second night in the same hotel in Shimla.

After breakfast at hotel we will set off at around 9:00A.M. Today it is a drive of 9-10 hrs, driving through the beautiful villages of Fagu, Theog, Matiana, Narkanda and Rampur. En route we will have many comfort breaks and will visit the Apple orchards and Hattu peak (3,400 metres/ 11,154 feet) at Narkanda, from where you can have a spectacular view of the mighty Central Himalayas and will also visit the traditional wodden carved temple of Godess Kali on the top. We will also stop by a small lake on the way to Hattu Peak. Later on we continue our drive to Sarahan via Rampur and en-route we will stop for lunch break and various picture breaks and comfort breaks. Sarahan - the tiny village offers the splendid views of Shrikhanda Mahadev Peak (5,155 metres). The major attraction in Sarahan is centuries-old Hindu temple of Godess Bhimakali. Steeped in legend, the temple complex is a resplendent example of hill architecture. Sarahan is also the gateway to Kinnaur valley. Overnight stay in Hotel in Sarahan.

After breakfast at your hotel, we will visit the famous temple of Bhimakali at Sarahan. This is the same temple in which human sacrifices were made about two centuries ago. After visiting the temple we will continue driving to Sangla (4-5 hrs) where you will check in at your hotel or could also choose to stay in fixed luxury tented accommodation. After lunch you will be taken on a walk through Kamru and Sangla villages (1-2 hrs) and we will visit the beautifully carved old temples and Buddhist monasteries. You will have plenty of opportunity to speak to the local people in these valleys. The Sangla valley is also known as the Baspa Sangla valley, after river Baspa which flows through the valley and it is the part of Kinnaur valley. Overnight in luxury tented accommodation / hotel in Kinner in Sangla.

(A day to have short comfortable walks around the area). This morning after breakfast we will be driving you to Chitkul (20 kms, total 1 hrs, each side - 3,450 metres / 11,318 feet.) which is the last village on Indian side on the Indo-Tibetan border. The village of Chitkul is like something from a fairy tale, and you will have a chance to walk slowly around it. The landscapes are stunning, and you will have plenty of time to enjoy them and talk to the local people. We will return to Sangla for lunch in the local restaurants and later the rest of the day is free to relax in the mountain landscape or if you like you can walk to another nearby villages or nature walk. We will have this second night at the same hotel / luxury tented accommodation at Sangla.

DAY 06: SANGLA TO KALPA 2,758 METRES / 9,048 FEET (40 KMS/ 2-3 HRS)

After breakfast we will drive you to Nako (5-6 hrs.). Here you will check in to the hotel or in the luxury tented accommodation. Later on after lunch we will take you for a walk in the village with your guide and visit the buddhist monastery related to guru Padmasambhava (a great buddhist scholar, whose teachings spread to Tibet from India), we will also visit Nako Lake, the residence of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Later on next morning you may wish to walk to the nearby peaks with your guide and enjoy a wonderful view of the whole Nako village with the Himalayas as the backdrop of the village.

After breakfast we will drive you to Tabo (4hrs.) and en route visit the Gue village which is also the last Indian village on Indo-Tibetan boarder. Here we will be visiting the naturally preserved mummy of a Buddhist monk which is about 600 years old, which was discovered here while building the road. Later on reach Tabo and check in to your hotel. In the evening visit the Tabo monastery which is the oldest monastery in the Himalayas. Today we will be entering the beautiful Spiti valley which is also known as the cold desert of the Himalayas (this area is cut from rest of the world due to heavy snow in the winters)

Today after breakfast we will drive you to Kaza (3 hrs.) En route we will visit the Dhankar village and Dhankar monastery and fort. Here we will have a cup of tea or lunch with a local family. Later on we continue our drive to Kaza where you will check in at your hotel. The evening is free to explore in the Kaza market.

Today after breakfast we will be driven to the village of Lagnza. Here there is an opportunity to walk around the village with your guide. You may wish to visit the monastery at the top of the village and on the way look out for fossils. Here you can also see the yak working in the fields or yak grazing in the pastures. If weather permits there is an option drive on to Hikkim, and the Comic village, which is now the world's highest village (4,450 metres) joined to a motorable road. Later we will continue our drive to Kee Monastery and the village of Kibber. Once Kibber (at 4,200 metres) was considered the world's highest village. There is also the option to walk to the nearby mountains where there are big herds of Himalayan blue sheep and snow ibex gather in the evening. Lunch will be at Kibber village, in a local restaurant, where you will be offered a choice of delicious Tibetan dishes. In the evening we will return to Kaza for a second night at the hotel.

Today we will make an early start (06;00 A.M) as today it is a drive of 10 hrs. In the morning we will be driving you to Keylong via Kunzum Pass (4558 m/14,950ft) which provides beautiful views of CB ranges and Glaciers. We will visit the temple on the pass where travellers say prayers before heading down the pass. We will visit Chandra Tal Lake if the road is open and see the lake, also known as the lake of the moon. Enroute visit several villages of Spiti and Lahaul valley. Lunch on the way at Batal. We will reach Keylong by evening. Keylong is the district head quarters of Lahaul and Spiti valleys. Overnight stay in hotel at keylong.

Today after Breakfast we will drive you to visit the Famous and ancient temples of Trilokinath and Udaipur. The Trilokinath temple Lahaul valley near Udaipur is built in the classical style introduced in the hills in the 7th and 8th Century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated in Tunde village 6 km south of the left bank of the Chandarbhaga or Chenab River. Later on we will drive you to Udaipur (9 kms) and will visit the Markula Devi Temple Udaipur in Lahaul Valey, which is believed to be built during the 8 century. It is highly remarkable for it's woodcarvings.

Today after breakfast around 08:30 A.M we will drive you to Manali (6 hrs). On the way we will stop for lunch break / tea break at Kokhsar and further continue our drive to Manali over the Rohtang pass (3,980 metres) and enter Kullu valley. You will reach Manali in the late afternoon and check in at the hotel in Manali. Evening is free to explore the local market of Manali.

Today you will make a late start after a leisurely breakfast. We will visit Old Manali village, Hadimba Devi temple and Vashist village (with hot water springs) with your guide. Later on we will take you to visit the nagger village and castle. Naggar was the ancient seat of the ruler of Kullu Valley and now the Naggar Castle is run as a Heritage hotel and Resturant Property by the tourism department of Himachal. In the evening you are free to explore the Manali market and shops and to finish with your final shopping.

Today after breakfast we will drive you to Chandigarh via Kullu, Aut, Hanogi devi temple and Pandoh Dam. If interested we will stop you at the shawl weaving factory at Kullu for 1-2 hrs for the shopping or you can also go for river rafting on Beas river. Later on we will continue our drive to Chandigarh. Enroute we will also visit Hanogi Devi Temple, Pandoh Dam and will stop at Sundernagar for the lunch Break. We will arrive Chandigarh by evening, where you will stay overnight in a hotel.

After breakfast as per your flight schedule / train schedule we will drive and drop you at the Chandigarh airport / railway station to board your flight / train back to your home town. This is where the tour ends. However, if you wish to stay longer in Chandigarh we can make arrangements for you to be transferred to the airport / railway station at a later time.

Note: This is just a suggested itinerary indicative of what could be possible. We tailor holidays for your specific needs. Contact us if you want modifications so that we could tailor a holiday to suit your need for an unforgettable India tour.