TOUR DE SPITI

(Manali – Kullu – Shangarh – Jibhi )

Today we ride from Manali to Jibhi Via Shangarh. After an early breakfast we set off on The National Highway down towards Kullu and take left from the Aut tunnel. Our destination for the day is a quaint little village in the Great Himalayan National Park Zone, called Jibhi. Planned arrival by late afternoon. Evening at leisure to explore the village and the lush forests around it.

( Jibhi – Jalori Paas – Rampur- Sarahan )

The ride from Jibhi to Sarahan would bring us to our first mountain pass of the tour, Jalori Pass. Nestled in the lower ranges of Himalayas, jalori pass (10800ft) is one of the lesser travelled passes but an important connection between the kullu and Sainj valleys. The winding roads of the pass are the first major riding challange as the road is not metalled, but carved out of mountains. Further on from Jalori we cross the town of Rampur and enter the Kinnaur valley, one of the places often counted amongst the most dangerous roads in the world. We halt overnight at Sarahan, which is a small village famous for Bhimakali temple, dedicated to Godess Bhimadevi.

( Sarahan – Tapri – Karchham- Sangla )

After Breakfast at Sarahan we begin the 85 km ride to Sangla in the Baspa valley. This is the last valley in India and shares its border with Tibet. The Baspa River flows in the Sangla Valley which is rich in apple orchards, apricot, Wall-nut, Cedar trees, and glacial streams with trout. The road offers pleasant views with a valley of flowers running parallel to a stream for a good part of the road. The most significant achievement of this region worth being lauded is that this area boasts of growing the world’s best quality potatoes. Though only 85kms, the journey consumes time as the roads near the border aren’t metaled.

( Sangla – Chitkul – Karchham – Reckong Peo – Roghi Village – Kalpa )

Day 5 of our tour has a ride from Chitkul to Kalpa planned. We would be taking the same road that brought us to Chitkul till Karchham from where we take a right on to the NH22 and climb beyond Reckong peo, the district headquarters for Kinnaur. Reckong peo is also the place where we get the inner line permits for the Spiti Valley. Our overnight stay is in Kalpa village which has a history of ancient temples and majestic view of Kinner Kailash Peak.

( Kalpa- Moorang -Puh- Nako )

We begin our travel the next day with a descend from Kalpa village. The road conditions get better as we head to our next stop, which is Nako village. The Village has an 11th century Monastery and a small lake. Nako overlooks the Reo Purgyal which has an elevation of 6,816 metres (22,362 ft) and is the highest mountain in Himachal Pradesh. The village is now near the Nako Lake formed by the slopes of the mountains of Reo Purgyal, compared to the opposite bank across the Nako river where it was located earlier and then shifted because of tectonic upliftment of the site.

( Nako – Tabo – Kaza )

The road from Nako to Kaza is one of the better roads we will come across in Spiti Valley. A journey of 112kms is broken by a halt to visit Tabo Monastry, a monastery claimed to be one of the holiest in the world by HH the dalai Lama. The monastery celebrated its millenium anniversary in 1996 and is a must visit. After spending some time at the monastery we would head to the town of Kaza, which is the headquarter of the Spiti valley.

( Kaza – Key – Kibber – Kaza )

Today we cover a lot of highlights of Tour De Spiti. We have kept this day reserved to enjoy the splendour of Kaza. We would visit the Key Gompa and Kibber gompa along with a visit to the major tourist attractions in and around Kaza, Tangyud Monastery. Kibber village at an elevation of 4205 Mtrs. above sea level, Gette Village at an altitude of 4270 Mtrs. above sea level and Langza village famous for presents of marine fossils are also places that we can explore. Also as Kaza has cyber cafes, its a good place to reconnect with friends and families and share the stories.

( Kaza – Kunzam Pass – Baatal – Chandratal )

Day 9 is an adventurous day that would take us through our second high altitude pass, Kunzum pass situated at an altitude of 15060 ft and On to the Chandratal or the moon lake, situated at a height of 14100 ft, where we would camp near the lake. The ride from Kaza to Chandratal is rough as the road is mostly broken and the terrain tough. The distance of 65 kms would take about 4-5 hrs.

( Chandratal – Batal – Rohtang Pass – Manali )

Starting after breakfast we take the road from Today’s is the last day of our tour and by evening we Reach Manali and have a Farewell dinner and talk about our adventures.