Desert in the sky
Itinerary

DAY 1 : Arrival Delhi overnight hotel in Delhi

DAY 02 : We take early 09:00am flight to Bhuntar (Near Kulu) and arrive at 10:55 am continue drive to Manali (40km) via Nagar. At Nagar we stop for drinks and visit the largest and most distinctive of Nagar’s ancient Hindu temples and shrines, the wooden pagoda-style Tripuri sundari. Continue to drive to Manali the Himalachal’s main tourist resort. Overnight hotel in Manali.

DAY3 : Today we gear up to cross two passes, first Rothang Pass (3978m) then the second pass the Kunzum pass (4551m) on the top of the world! Drive further to Loasar (140km from Manali) While crossing Kunzum pass, we can have panoramic view of Bara-shigri Glacier (Second Largest glacier in the world) that is enthralling and inspiring. From the top Kunzum, the view of the Chandra-bhaga ranges. The crest of the pass is marked by a chorten (Stupa full of praying flags). About an dozen peaks over 6000m and the lofty Shigri Glacier is seen in all its grandeur. Finally we arrive our night stop at Losar overnight in Tent.

DAY 4 : Today after breakfasts we drive to Kaza (61km from Losar) the sub-divisional headquarters of Spiti. Arrive in Kaza, free exploring at Kaza market or take rest in the camp. International and domestic telephone calls are available here.

DAY 5 : Full DAY excursion to Kyi and Kibber. Kyi Gompa, set against a backdrop of snow-flecked mountains and ochre and brown cliffs. The largest monastery in the whole spiti valley is founded in 16th Centaury. This monastery is belongs to the Gelugpa sect and has as many as 500 monks. Its main temple the Dhukhang has some of the best well preserved statues. After visiting the monastery drive further to Kibber that is located in a semi bowl shaped valley situated at the height of (4201m) the highest settlement in the world with motor able road and electricity. The population is mainly involved in farming. Overnight tent in Kaza.

DAY 6 : Drive to Tabo via Pin Valley, beautiful and isolated that is 24km to the south east of Kaza and continue to drive to Tabo, which is 46 km from Kaza. A trial heads south along the right bank of the River Pin past a string of traditional settlements and monasteries to Ghurguru. After visiting Pin valley continue to drive to Tabo our final destination to Spiti valley

DAY 7 : Tabo (3050m) is the seat of the 996AD Tabo monastery, built by Rinchen Jangpo, an emissary of king Yeshe OD of Guge, was disseminating Dharma across the northwestern Himalayas. It is the oldest and archaeologically most important monastery of Spiti with the most sacred shrine of Gonkhang inside. The wall-frescos are comparable in their antiquity and quality to those of Ajanta cave. In 1996 his holiness the Dalai Lama conducted a ceremony by the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the founding of this monastery called the Ajanta of the Himalayas. Enclosed within the mud-brick wall, Tabo’s Chogskhar, or “Sacred enclave”, contains eight temples and a scattering of twenty-four chortens (Stupas). Overnight tent Kaza.

DAY 8 : Drive to Jispa (about 142km). We drive whole DAY following the same path as we traveled until Gramphu then we take the road to Ladhak. Arrive Jispa. ToDAY we sleep in the nice hotel at Jispa but food will be served in the hotel, which is prepared by our own staffs.

DAY 9 : Today the 15th of August, we explore through the small picturesque town of Kyalong and visit 15th August colorful Tribal fair. Every year the tribal fair held here and it’s starting to attract lots foreigners. We also visit the Gemur monastery, castle king family then back to hotel overnight.

DAY 10 : After breakfast we drive to Sarchu its about 88km from Jispa. Spectacular view comes across as we pass the mighty canyons. We make our overnight in the tent at Sarchu at (4100m).

DAY 11 : The joy really begins as we began our overland safaris the road climbs all the way up and we cross the Tanglang la Pass, the second highest motor able pass of the world! You are as high as the Everest Base camp (5360m) we continue our memorable journey along the beautiful aquarelle-lakes and unforgettable views to end up in Leh. We arrive Leh late in the afternoon. Overnight hotel in Leh.

DAY 12 : Leh 3505m from the sea level became regional capital in the seventeenth centaury, when Sengge Namgyal shifted his court here from Shey. Leh city and Medieval Buddhist Gompa Shey, followed by a visit to Thiksey Monastery that is built on a high rock and looks like the Potala Palace of Lhasa in Tibet. From here you have a beautiful view over the Indus valley.

DAY 13 : After breakfast we visit Hemis Monastery which lies 45 km to the southeast of Leh. Hemis has unique and mysterious atmosphere where monks mumble their parchment paying rolls surrounded by very old statues of Buddha, scarcely lit by butter lamp. We drive back to Leh for overnight.

DAY 14 : Drive about 7hrs will take you to Nubra valley. ToDAY we will cross the highest motor able pass “ Khardungla pass (5578m)”. Arrive the forbidden Valley, Nubra. We spend our overnight at Diskit. In Diskit we visit the oldest Buddhist Monastery of Nubra of 500 years old, Perched on a high rock overlooking the beautiful valley. Nubra is isolated from the outside world by high mountain passes. In the warm summer months everything seems to come alive in the highest oasis in the world.

DAY 15 : As we have seen the forbidden valley we head back to Leh. As we leave this valley, say good-bye to the people of Nubra who are working on their land or herd their famous Pashmina goats. We can only respect them for their simple way of life, which is so in Harmony with this overwhelming nature. Arrive in Leh for hotel overnight.

DAY 16 & 17 : Early Morning flight to Delhi. Overnight or if there are sudden changes in the flight then we have to spend one more night in Leh. It depends on the flight. Now there is also another private flight so this problem should not be there. Other wise it is very important to have one extra DAY to avoid the risk of excess passenger I mean due high altitude they sometime carry less passenger and upload the passenger.

DAY 18 : International Departures