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 7^th 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 17^th 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 1^st 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 bird¹s 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. Today¹s 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 day¹s 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
Today¹s 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 16^th century castle is a fine example of timber bonded building. It was used as the Royal residence till the 17^th 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 16^th 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.