First Draft...
7 to 8 Jeeps/ Cars... On a Once in a Life Time Journey..
The 'Offbeat Mandala' - Great Trans-Himalayan Road Trip
(Open only by invitation).
Mumbai - Ahmedabad - Jaipur - Chandigarh - Narkhanda - Sarahan - Sangla - Chitkul - Tabo - Kaza - Spiti Valley - Ki Monastery - Kalpa - Fagu - Delhi - Udaipur - Ahmadabad - Mumbai..
Crossing Great Desserts - Some of the highest motor-able roads - Spiti - Largest Plains in the world and Remotest Offbeat Places - High altitude deserts - Remote Silk Routes - and experiencing life time adventure..
Driving Conditions on plains - Road conditions on plains are relative good but the weather will be tough.. average driving on plains will be 10 hours daily.
Driving Conditions on Trans-Himalayas - Road conditions on Himalayas are tough and adventurous. Most times the road will not be in good conditions. Weather will be pleasant during day time at lower altitudes and cold to very cold during evenings/nights and during crossing high passes. We will be crossing several passes that are higher than 13,000 feet above sea level to 15,000 feet above sea level. Average driving daily 6 hours to 8 hours not factoring the breaks in between.
Approximate 5000 to 5500 km to be covered during the Road Trip of 16 days..
More research will go into in.. and changes
may happen in next 2 week.. final dates and design will be ready by October
10th, 2016.
Part 1 - Self Drive Road Trip - Mumbai - Spiti - Mumbai
Part 2 (Optional) - Ladakh Road Trip (Leh to Leh). additional 7 days.
Those who do not have vehicles; we can provide you commercial vehicles to join the trip (Chandigarh - Spiti - Chandigarh)
Day 1 - Mumbai to Ahmedabad - May 20, 2017. (Saturday)
Distance - 550 km
Road Conditions - Very Good
Driving time - 8 hours
Weather - Warm to Hot
Altitude: Sea Level
Place of Stay - Super Deluxe AC Rooms
Start early
morning (6 am - reach by 5 pm in the evening including lunch and breakfast
break)..
Day 2 - Ahmedabad to Jaipur - May 21, 2017.
Distance - 670 km
Road Conditions - OK..
Driving time - 11 hours
Weather - Warm to Hot
Altitude - Sea Level
Place of Stay - Super Deluxe AC Rooms
Start early
morning 5:30 am.. 11 hours drive reach by evening 6 pm.
The Place: Jaipur is the capital of India’s Rajasthan state. It evokes
the royal family that once ruled the region and that, in 1727, founded what is
now called the Old City, or “Pink City” for its trademark building color. At
the center of its stately street grid (notable in India) stands the opulent,
colonnaded City Palace complex. With gardens, courtyards and museums, part of
it is still a royal residence.
Day 3 - Jaipur to Chandigarh - May 22, 2017.
Distance - 550 KM
via NH 48 or NH 44
Road Conditions - Good
Driving time - 11 hours
Weather - Warm
Altitude -
Place of Stay - Super Deluxe AC Rooms
The Place: Chandigarh, the capital of the northern Indian states of
Punjab and Haryana, was designed by modernist architect Le Corbusier. His
modernist buildings include the Capitol Complex with its High Court,
Secretariat and Legislative Assembly, plus the giant Open Hand Monument. The
nearby Rock Garden is a park featuring sculptures made of stones, recycled
ceramics and industrial relics.
note: 3.1
In order to visit this picturesque valley of the Trans –
Himalayan region, either one can take a long 3 day journey over Hindustan –
Tibet Highway running through Shimla – Kinnaur Valley
OR
they can tread along
the path of Manali and then take Manali – Rohtang Pass – Kunzum Pass – Kaza
(Spiti Valley) route.
We will be taking th (Shimla - Kinnaur Valley Route..)
note 3.2:
Members of respective cars who do not wish to travel the plains can reach Chandigarh before noon and check into the hotel here.
Day 4 - Chandigarh
to Narkhanda - May 23, 2017.
Distance - 185 KM
via NH 5
Road Conditions – Mountain roads challenging and in bad
conditions.
Driving time - 6 hours
Weather - Warm during day time to pleasant as we cross Kufri and Night
Altitude - Narkhanda (8884 ft); Hatu Peak (11,152 ft)
Place of Stay - Deluxe Rooms at Narkhanda
The Place: This tiny hamlet, has splendid towering
trees and is famous for ski slopes, apple orchards and the Hatu Peak.
Day 5 - Narkhanda – Sarahan - May 24, 2017.
Distance - 100 KM via NH 5
Road Conditions - Mountain roads challenging and in bad
conditions.
Driving time – 3 to 4 hours
Weather - Pleasant during day to cold at nights
Place of Stay - Deluxe Rooms at Sarahan
Altitude – Sarahan (2708 Mtrs); Hatu Peak (11,152 ft)
A steep 8km drive through thick pine forests will takes us to
Hatu peak, from where we can get a clear view of the Himalayas. There is
a lovely wooden temple also. After that we are on our way to Sarahan, a pretty
hamlet in Kinnaur Valley. . Though it’s beautiful, this place can easily be
avoided and one can head straight to Sangla. The only thing that stands out
here is the famous Bhimakali Temple, made of stone and wood. It’s built with
layers of stone and timber to protect it from earthquakes. You may try sipping
local wine.
Sarahan is small picturesque village in Himachal Pradesh of
India. It is the site of famous Bhimakali Temple, originally known as Bhimadevi
Temple, dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali, presiding deity of the
rulers of the former Bushahr.
Day 6 – Sarahan to
Sangla - May 25, 2017.
Distance - 100 KM via NH 5
Road Conditions - Mountain roads challenging and in bad
conditions.
Driving time - 4 hours
Weather - Pleasant during day to cold at nights
Altitude: Sangla - 2,960 Mtrs (9,710 ft) ; Chitkul - 3,450 m (11,320 ft).
Place of Stay - Deluxe Rooms at Sangla
The Place: Sangla is a city in the Baspa Valley, also referred to as
the Sangla valley, in the Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh, India, close to
the Tibetan border. Sangla is a picturesque place, surrounded by snow-capped
peaks. Sangla is the major town in the valley with a petrol pump, Bank ATMs, Post Office, Restaurants, Bar, mid range hotels and shops. The valley is surrounded by forested slopes and offers views of the high mountains. We may make a quick stop for lunch and then head to Chitkul village,
28km ahead. The drive through the narrow road is spectacular, crosses over
streams and there are endless pastures and meadows below the lofty peaks and
greenery all around. This charming village, the last one close to the
Indo-Tibet border, has traditional Kinnauri-style wooden houses with slate
roofs and small tea shops. Get back to Sangla before it is dark so you may need
to rush and barely get half an hour here. Hit the sack early as the next day is
going be long.
Day 7 – Sarahan to Sangla - May 26, 2017.
Exploring Sangla Valley..
Place of stay - Sangla
Day 8 – Sangla to
Tabo May 27, 2017.
Distance - 190 KM via NH 5
Road Conditions - Mountain roads challenging and in bad
conditions.
Driving time - 9 hours
Weather - Pleasant during day to cold at nights
Place of Stay - Deluxe Rooms at Tabo
Altitude: 3,280 m (10,760 ft)
The Place: This is a really long tough part of journey, mentally geare
up for a challenging road ahead. Tough rugged roads, mountains change from
green to craggy brown. You come face-to-face with these rugged, dramatic
mountains, it leaves one speechless. At first they are rocky, but then later
they became gentler. You may stop at Nako village for lunch. This sleepy place
has a charming lake and a monastery as well. What strikes you about this town
is how stark it is – surrounded by rugged pinnacles.
Tabo is famous for its monastery, which is more than 1000
years old. It’s unlike any other monastery I’ve ever seen – made of mud walls –
and has a beautiful temple inside. This World Heritage Site is regarded as one
of the holiest by Dalai Lama. Next in line is the 1200-year-old Dhankar
monastery, on the way to Kaza. The monastery sits between many jagged peaks and
has an amazing view of the Spiti River. But it is listed as one of the world’s
100 most endangered monuments. From its roof we get a bird’s-eye-view of the
Dhankar village and the Pin and Spiti rivers. On our way to Kaza, the capital
of Spiti, we will pass many tiny villages, rocky-mountains, vertical rocks and
cliffs. This is the biggest town in the region with an old market, and new
hotels.
Day 9 - Tabo-Kaza via Dhankar Monastery - May 28, 2017.
Distance - 40 KM
Road Conditions - Mountain roads challenging and in bad
conditions.
Driving time - 3 hours
Weather - Pleasant during day to cold at nights
Altitude - Kaza - 3800 Mtrs; Spiti (4270 Mtrs / 14,009 ft);
Kye-Monastery (4166 Mtrs / 13,668 ft)
Place of Stay - Deluxe Rooms at Kaza
Around Kaza to Ki Monastery, Kibber, Langcha
and Komic villages
(40 KM) same day. (add 3 to 4 hours )
The Place (en-route Tabo-Kaza): Ki Monastery, about 14km away, this 13th century
marvel is largest one in Himachal, looks like a cluster of many white homes
sitting atop a conical hill. Kibber,
Langcha and Komic villages, seem like a sprinkling of whitewashed houses on a
green and brown landscape – the meadows encircled by snow-capped peaks. All
these villages have very small population. Langcha is one of highest villages
in Asia, located at the height of 13,943 feet and it has a huge Buddha statue
and a temple. Komic village is 14,800 feet high and has just 114 people.
Interestingly the population of Spiti is just 13,000 and that’s because the
second son of every family has to become a monk, but this is not necessary when
it’s a girl.
(note 8.1: The road from Spiti / Kaza to Keylong has to cross Kumzum pass. this road does not open till end of June). Baralachla (Pass) between Keylong between Ladakh does not open till 4th or 5th of June.
Day 10 - Kaza - Spiti Exploring places around.. - May 29, 2017.
Distance - (exploring) around 80 to 100 KM
Road Conditions - may be hire a local vehicle or a combination of our vehicles and local vehicles.. an attempt to Chandratal if possible.
Driving time - exploring..
Weather - Cold
Place of Stay - Deluxe Rooms at Kaza / Spiti valley
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Day 11 - Kaza - Kalpa.. - May 30, 2017.
Distance - 200 KM
Road Conditions - Mountain roads, challenging.
Driving time - 6 hours +
Weather - Cold
Altitude - Kalpa (average elevation of 2,960 metres (9,711 feet)
Place of Stay - Deluxe Rooms at Kalpa
Kalpa is a small town in the Sutlej river valley, above
Recong Peo in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, Northern India, in the
Indian Himalaya. Inhabited by Kinnauri people and famous for its apple
orchards. Apples are a major cash-crop for the region. The local inhabitants
follow a syncretism of Hinduism and Buddhism, and many temples in Kalpa are
dedicated to both Hindu and Buddhist gods and goddesses.
Kalpa is a town with a history of ancient temples. The
Sutlej River below hurtles through deep gorges, the winding mountain road is
bordered by chilgoza forests. The serenity of this sleepy hamlet was not often
visited by foreigners until recently, but there are still relatively few
visitors. There are now over 5 places to stay in Kalpa and more, below, in
Reckong Peo where travelers must stop to get their inner line permits to
continue upwards to the Spiti Valley, which is a small ancient part of what
used to be Tibet. The view from Kalpa is beautiful with an observer getting the
feeling that he is sitting in the lap of the mountains with the entire range of
peaks being visible. Also visible from this place is the sacred Shivling rock
on the Kailash mountain that changes its color at different points in the day.
more insertions on the way.. here..
Day 12 - Kalpa - Fagu.. - May 31, 2017.
Distance - 220 KM
Road Conditions - Mountain roads, challenging.
Driving time - 9 hours
Weather - Pleasant to cold during evenings / night.
Altitude - 8000 ft
Place of Stay - Deluxe Rooms at Fagu
Fagu
Fagu is 22 kms from Shimla and renowned for snow experience in Winter. Being highest point around Shimla therefore enjoys the very cool weather even in peak summer. Fagu is home to a few getaway resorts and is excellent for walking, trekking and relaxed getaways. Kufri
otherwise is a popular getaway and visited for good views, touristy activities
and salubrious climate.
Day 13 - Fagu to Delhi - June 1, 2017
Distance - 362 KM
Road Conditions - Mountain roads, Initially, later road are good at plains.
Driving time - 9 hours
Weather - Pleasant to warm on plains.
Altitude - Sea Level
==========================
OPTIONAL
Park vehicles at Delhi...
Note: 13.1 - Those interested in Ladadak Road trip.. (not self drive)
Day 1 - Flights from Delhi - Leh Rest.. O/N Leh.
Day 2 - Culture tour O/N Leh
Day 3 - Nubra Valley Overnight Hunder... O/H Hunder
Day 4- Nubra Valley to Leh O/N Leh
Day 5 - Leh to Pangong - O/N Camping at Pangong
Day 6 - Pangong to Leh O/N Leh
Day 7 - Fly back Leh to Delhi O/N Delhi
detailed plan to be shared soon).
=========================
Day 14 -
Delhi - to Udapipur 10 to 12 hours (670 KM) - June 2, 2017.
Distance - 670 KM
Road Conditions - Road conditions relatively good.
Driving time – 10 to 12 hours.
Weather - Hot to warm.
Place of Stay - Deluxe AC Rooms at Udaipur.
Altitude – sea level
About the place:
Udaipur, formerly the capital of the Mewar Kingdom, is a
city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh
II in 1559, it’s set around a series of artificial lakes and is known for its
lavish royal residences. City Palace, overlooking Lake Pichola, is a monumental
complex of 11 palaces, courtyards and gardens, famed for its intricate peacock
mosaics.
Day 15 -Udaipur to
Ahmedabad - June 3, 2017.
Distance - 260 KM via NH48
Road Conditions - Road conditions good.
Driving time – 5 to 6 hours.
Weather - Hot to warm.
Place of Stay - Deluxe AC Rooms at Ahmedabad.
Altitude – sea level
Day 16 - Ahmedabad to Mumbai - June 4, 2017. (Sunday).
Distance - 550 KM via NH48
Road Conditions - Road conditions very good.
Driving time – 8 to 10 hours.
Weather - Hot to warm.
Place of Stay - Back Home..
Altitude – sea level
PREPARATION FOR ROAD TRIPS:
1) WE WILL HAVE SMALL TRAIL RUNS FOR ROAD TRIPS.. (DIWALI VACATION 2 NIGHTS AND 3 DAYS; CHRISTMAS VACATION - 2 NIGHTS AND 3 DAYS; MARCH 2 DAYS AND 1 NIGHT).
2) INTRODUCTION WORKSHOP ON 1ST AID
3) BASIC MAINTENANCE OF YOUR CAR HEALTH
4) 4 WALKING TREKS TO CHECK YOUR BASIC FITNESS
5) BASIC RUN THROUGH OF THE PROGRAM.
(1ST LEVEL) - OCTOBER 24TH..
(2ND LEVEL) - DECEMBER (DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED).
(3RD AND FINAL LEVEL) - MARCH (DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED).
6) DETAILED CHECK LIST OF THINGS TO BE CARRIED - SHARED KIT.
7) INDIVIDUALS CHECK LIST.
8) CHECK LIST FOR EACH VEHICLE.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Petrol Pumps.. in
Remote Himalyas
You will be able to find fuel pumps only at: Shimla, Theog, Narkanda, Rampur,
Jeori, Tapri, Reckong Peo, Kaza It is very important not to
miss to refuel at Kaza as well as may be Reckong Peo if you are staying at
Kalpa or Peo, Also petrol pump will be just before Keylong.
ATMs in Remote
Himalayas and Trans-Himalaya
Shimla, Rampur, Reckong Peo, Possibly Keylong, Leh (for
sure) (No ATM in Spiti, so carry cash)
Telecom:
Most of the connections work throughout the route but once
you cross Powari, the other connections starts dying and eventually from Ribba
– Akpa belt only BSNL works and that too in between only.
Of course BSNL has more coverage and better connectivity
within this range than any other operator. Other operators like Airtel,
Vodafone, Aircel etc. works in up to Powari – Ribba – Akpa but with poor
connectivity.
Even BSNL looses connectivity too in between, at places from
Akpa – Jangi – Nako – Tabo – Kaza route.
SMS does work fine
for both BSNL.
Fixed Phone Lines:
Almost all the towns/villages en-route Spiti Valley have
fixed landline telephone connectivity, apart from very tiny hamlets.
