The Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh consists of the two formerly separate districts of Lahaul and Spiti. The present administrative centre is Kyelang in Lahaul. Before the two districts were merged, Kardang was the capital of Lahaul, and Dhankar the capital of Spiti. The district was formed in 1960, and is the fourth least populous district in India (out of 640) It is the least densely populated district of India, according to the Census of India 2011.

Kunzum la or the Kunzum Pass (altitude 4,551 m (14,931 ft)) is the entrance pass to the Spiti Valley from Lahaul. It is 21 km (13 mi) from Chandra Tal.This district is connected to Manali through the Rohtang Pass. To the south, Spiti ends 24 km (15 mi) from Tabo, at the Sumdo where the road enters Kinnaur and joins with National Highway No. 5.

Spiti is barren and difficult to cross, with an average elevation of the valley floor of 4,270 m (14,010 ft). It is enclosed between lofty ranges, with the Spiti river rushing out of a gorge in the southeast to meet the Sutlej River. It is a typical mountain desert area with an average annual rainfall of only 170 mm (6.7 in).^[4] The district has close cultural links with Ngari Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region.

Day 01: Start
Start from your location towards Kalka/Chandigarh.

Day 02: In Train
Full day and night in Train.

Day 03: Arrive Shimla
Arrive Kalka and drive of around 3-4 hours and arrive Shimla, Check Into the hotel. O/N Hotel

Day 04: Shimla
After Breakfast Excursion to Kufri. Kufri is famous for its Himalayan National Park, Poney and Yak Ride and one can see the endless Himalayan Panorama from Kufri, after lunch sightseeing of various places in and around. Shimla mosques built in (1830), Vice regal Lodge built in (1885), Christ Church built in (1844), The Gaiety Theatre- the first beauty contest of world was supposed to start (1887), The Grindlays Bank (1912)- the world wide bank started by Robert Melville Grindlay, The Scandal Point and The famous Shopping Plaza of the North The Mall. O/N Hotel.

Day 05: Shimla to Sarahan
Start a bit early if you stayed at Shimla on Day 1; If at Narkanda, you can start by 9-10 AM easily to reach Sarahan well in time. Take the road towards Rampur and a little after Narkanda, you will get your first view of Sutlej river. You will be traveling right alongside the river for rest of the day. Have your lunch at Rampur and from there, continue towards Jeori. At Jeori, leave the highway and take the 16 kms long bifurcation towards Sarahan. It is quite a steep climb and the bifurcation is right near the bus stand at Jeori. Sarahan is a small but beautiful town famous for Bhimakali temple, dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali. There is also a bird sanctuary at Sarahan that is worth a visit, but remains closed from April until late July due to bird mating season.

Day 06: Sarahan to Sangla
From Sarahan, return back to Jeori and continue on the highway again towards Karchham. At Karchham, leave the highway again and take the diversion towards Sangla. From here, you will enter the beautiful Sangla valley. When reach transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Sangla.

Day 07: Sangla-Chitkul-Sangla

After breakfast start for chitkul (25 KM / 1.5 Hrs), return from chitkul take lunch in the hotel. Evening free for Leisure or individual activities. Overnight stay In Sangla.

 Day 08: Sangla to Kalpa

From Chitkul, return all the way till Karchham and continue towards Powari. From Powari, leave the highway once again and take the diversion towards Reckong Peo and continue towards Kalpa. Foreign nationals visiting Spiti need to obtain a permit here at Reckong Peo. Kalpa is famous for the majestic view of Kinner Kailash. If you are short on time, you can skip this day and continue towards Nako from Chitkul.Total distance covered from Chitkul to Kapla would be about 70 kms and will not take more than 3-4 hours at most. Roads are bad throughout except for a few last kilometers around Reckong Peo and Kalpa. Reckong Peo has a petrol pump that you can tank up at.

Day 09: Kalpa to Nako / Tabo

From Kalpa, return once again to Powari and take the highway towards Pooh. The next petrol pump is not until Kaza so you should definitely tank up your vehicle at Reckong Peo. Register yourself at the check post at Pooh and continue straight towards Nako. I would personally recommend staying at Nako but if you want to, you may continue all the way to Tabo and stay there for the night. There are a couple of hotels at Nako and also a PWD guest house right next to Nako Lake. In case you want to stay at Tabo for the night, there are a few hotels here, of which the Banjara Camps retreat is the most luxurious. There are other hotels and hostels like Tashi Gangsar, Menthok Dumra at Tabo, including the monastery’s own guest houses.

Day 10: Nako / Tabo to Kaza

Destination for today will be Kaza but you will be visiting the village of Dhankar as well on the way. Primary attraction at Dhankar are the two, Old and new, Dhankar monasteries. There is also a lake near Dhankar but to visit there, you will have to do a bit of trekking, a couple of hours.  Kaza is approximately 115 kilometers from Nako and 60 from Tabo. Road is a mix of good and average so you can do this journey at ease, no need to rush. At most a 4-5 hours journey from Nako.

Day 11: Kaza – Kibber – Tashigong – Langza – Koumik – Kaza

You will spend this day in Kaza, travelling the places around. Visit the famous Ki monastery and take a drive to the nearby villages of Kibber, Tashigong, Langza, Kaumik and return to Kaza by evening. This area is famous for some very old fossils that were found here. Tanggyud monastery in Koumik is worth a visit.  Langza offers a great view of Chau Chau Kang Nelda peak. There is also a large Buddha statue here which is quite magnificent. Please do note that if you are short on time, you can skip this day.

Day 12: Kaza to Chandratal

After Kaza, the roads will start to get bad to the point that it will become a nightmare to cross. Chandratal is at about a distance of 60 kms from Kaza. Head towards Losar, then to Kunzum Pass which will be your first high altitude pass in the journey so far. After you cross the Kunzum Pass top, you will notice a signboard and small road going towards Chandratal, a stretch of 14 kms. Turn on this road to reach Chandratal and check in to one of the several camp sites here. All the camps however are at about 3 kilometers distance minimum from Chandratal and to reach the lake, you will have to cover this last bit of distance on foot as vehicles are not allowed after a certain point.

Day 13: Chandratal to Manali:

Manali is only at a distance of 122 kms from Chandratal but make no mistake; this journey will easily take 7-8 hours, even more. You will be driving through the worst patch of road that you have ever encountered in your life. From Chandratal, reach back to Kunzum Pass, and then head towards Batal. At Batal, you will take the road towards Gramphoo and then start on your ascent to second high altitude pass of the journey, Rohtang La. From there, it is a straight run to Manali.

Day 15: Manali Sightseeing

After breakfast Manali local sightseeing. Evening free for any individual activities. Overnight stay in Manali.

Day 16: Manali to Kalka / Chandigarh

After breakfast with packed lunch start for Chandigarh/Kalka for return journey. Reach Chandigarh/Kalka in the evening. Board Kalka Mail Train at 11.55 pm from Kalka and 00.28 at Chandigarh.

Day 17: In Train
Full day and night in Train.

Day 18: Back your Home

Back your location in the morning or afternoon.

Tour Terminate…………….   

COST INCLUDES: 

• Deluxe Accommodation.
• Accommodation on Double / Triple Sharing Basis.
• Meal Plan : API (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
• Vehicle – Exclusive Private vehicle
• All permit fees & hotel taxes (as per itinerary).

COST EXCLUDES:

• Air Fare / Train fare.
• Any other meals not mentioned in the inclusions.
• Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity. Mineral /soft / hard drinks, rafting, joy ride, Pony Ride, Cable Car.
• Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
• Room Heater, Local Cab fare, Guide charges & Entrance Fees.
• River cruise, Traditional Dance & Elephant or Jeep Safari.
• Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances, etc. (to be borne by the client, who is directly payable on the spot).
• Any increase in taxes or fuel price, leading to increase in cost on surface transportation & land arrangements, which may come into effect prior to departure.
• Travel Insurances.
• Anything which is not include in the inclusion.

By Air:

The fastest way to travel to Himachal Pradesh is by air. But it is also the costliest when compared to price per unit of distance covered. However, if you are short on time and wish to splurge, you can take a flight to Shimla or Kullu if you are heading to Manali, and Kangra or Pathankot if you are heading to Dharamsala. The flights are largely limited to Delhi, so you will need to first arrive at Delhi to explore more flight options.

By Train:

You can easily reach Kakla or Pathankot from anywhere in India. A narrow-gauge track connects Pathankot (in Punjab) to Kangra, and Kalka (in Haryana) to Shimla. The train journey will take you through rural Himalayan ranges, giving you a first-hand glimpse into the hilly hinterlands of India. Untouched and pristine, this is a train ride worth taking. This journey will take you about eight hours.

 By Road:

A cheaper and more scenic alternative to taking a flight is to travel by road. Himachal has beautiful roads that are connected to major cities in India. There are 8 national highways and 19 state highways that offer superb connectivity to and within Himachal. When you are traveling by road, you can reach the most remote regions of the state.

In summer (April – June)

The summer months in Himachal Pradesh extend from March to June. These four months let you explore the best of the destination and prove to be the best time for Himachal tour. You can step out whenever you like, only to find the best weather conditions. The sun shines bright and by dawn, the weather becomes slightly cooler. This mix of hot and cool will tempt you into staying out the entire day, eating out and exploring the new and old places of Himachal Pradesh.

In Monsoon (July – October)

The monsoon season in Himachal often makes it a little inconvenient to travel. You should be extra cautious while driving as the roads tend to be more slippery and must always carry an umbrella at all times. But is making this effort worth it? Yes! Monsoons add a heavenly touch to the hills, adding that tinge of excellence to the gorgeous hills of Himachal Pradesh. Planning a visit during this season will definitely paint a memory in your mind that will last a lifetime.

In winter (November-March)

The winter season in Himachal Pradesh is the ideal season for thrill-seekers, all adrenaline junkies must visit Himachal during this time. Skiing and hiking top the list of the best adventure sports in Himachal during the winter season. If you have ever dreamt of experiencing snowfall amidst the gorgeous snow capped mountains, then planning a trip during the winter season in Himachal Pradesh would be the ideal pick.