Kinnaur and Spiti Safari

If a landscape had the powers of casting spells, then the Sangla valley would be a magician extraordinaire.

Sangla Valley, also known as the Baspa Valley, is located in the greater Himalayan Range. It extends from Karchham to Chitkul and beyond, with Chitkul being the last village on the Indo-Tibetan border. The Baspa River flows through the valley, with glacial streams rich in trout. Surrounded by lush, forested slopes of cedar and pine, the valley abounds in orchards of apple, apricot and walnut.

The word ‘Sangla’ in Kinnauri language means a ‘Pass of Light’. Sangla travel guides are full of references to the mesmerizing sceneries and picturesque spots.

About Kinner Camps

Kinner Camps, Sangla (2800 m) is a camp nestled in Sangla valley of the Kinnaur Himalayas. Home to one of the oldest tribal societies. Kinnaur, presents an enchanting experience through its uninhibited adherence to traditional lifestyle, custom, and costumes. Sangla Valley is surrounded by lust green slopes & offers stunning view of the high Himalayan snow-capped mountains.

Kinner camps is a 25 Swiss Style Luxury Tented accommodation & the first camp in the valley to be run by local professionals. It sits comfortably amidst apple orchards. Kinner camps is a five minutes’ walk from the stunning Baspa River which flows through Sangla Valley & eventually meets the mighty Satluj at Karcham.

The camp opens for the season from 15th April to 15th November with 25 Swiss luxury tents furnished with attached bath & all amenities, multi cuisine restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and continental food and a multitude of other activities like Rock climbing, rappelling, nature trails, bird watching, river crossing and many more! We also customize tours as per your requirements.

7N/8D Spiti Valley Tour with Kinner Camps Sangla

DAY 1: CHANDIGARH TO MATIANA

Start your journey after arrival at Chandigarh airport. Drive to Matiana, a distance of about 6 to 7 hours. Overnight at homestay.

DAY 2: MATIANA TO SANGLA

After an early breakfast, we leave for Sangla (160 kms; it takes about 5-6 hours). Check-in at Kinner Camps to start your trip in exploring the exquisite Sangla Valley, with Kinner Camps hospitality.

DAY 3: EXCURSION TO CHITKUL, NAGASTI AND KAMROO FORT

Drive to Chitkul, the last Indian village on the Indo-Tibet border. Explore the surroundings of Chitkul and visit the temple of the local goddess Mathi Devi. Walk to Nagasti (2.5kms), which is the last Indian civilian point. Later, drive to the quaint Rakchham village. Return to the campsite for lunch. Post lunch freshen up and leave for Kamroo fort and Kamakhya devi temple, the deity of which was originally brought from Assam. Drive back to camp, relax with snacks, tea/coffee and explore the area around the camp.

DAY 4: SANGLA – NAKO (130kms, 5hrs)

After B/F, Check-out from Kinner Camps & drive to Nako. Nako is slated to be declared a heritage village and is built around a small lake It has an important Buddhist Gompa which is 1,000 yrs old & a small Temple. A footprint like impression on a rock is ascribed to the saint Guru Padmasambhava. Overnight at Kinner Camp Nako.

DAY 5: NAKO- KAZA (110kms, 5hrs)

Welcome to Spiti Valley – with few signs of Vegetation. Yet this land renders visitors speechless with the harsh raw beauty of its landscape. Rudyard Kipling describes Spiti in “Kim” in these words: “At last they entered a world within a world – a valley of leagues where the high hills were fashioned of the mere rubble & refuse from off the knees of the mountains…surely the Gods live here.”

After breakfast start the drive to Kaza. On the way visit the ancient village of Tabo which is situated on the left bank of the river Spiti. It is the seat of one of the most famous Buddhist Monasteries regarded next to the Tholong Gompa in Tibet. It is also known as ‘Ajanta of Himalayas’.

It was constructed in 996 AD; – not just in Spiti but in the whole of the Tibetan Buddhist world is called Chogs – Khor [‘Doctrinal Circle’ or ‘Doctrinal Enclave’]. It is a complex that holds 9 Temples, 23 Chortens, a Monk’s Chamber & an extension that houses the Nun’s Chamber. On the sheer cliff-face above the enclave are a series of Caves, used as dwellings by the Monks & includes an Assembly Hall. The monastery contains large number of Scriptures & Pieces of Art, Wall Painting & Stucco. There is also a modern Gompa & Painting School founded by the Dalai Lama. Check-out from Tabo after Lunch.

After Tabo stop at Dhankar Gompa, the traditional Capital of Spiti, which sits pretty on a hilltop. The hill-top Fort that overlooks the Spiti Valley also used to serve as a jail in old days. Today, more than 160 Lamas reside here. A Statue of Dhyan Buddha where four complete figures of Buddha sit back to back is the main attraction of this more than 7TH Century old Monastery.Continue drive to Kaza – the Capital of Spiti Valley. Arrive at Kaza & check-in to your Hotel. Dinner & O/N stay.

DAY 6:    KAZA 

After early B/F by 07 AM; excursion to Ki Monastery. Situated at the foot of steep ridges & on the left bank of river Spiti is the Ki Monastery which is the Biggest Gelupa Sect Monastery in Spiti. It’s hilltop position points to a post 13TH Century construction. The three storied structure consists largely of storage rooms at the bottom level while the middle floor houses the Dukhang – the Assembly Hall & the uppermost floor has another Temple & Head Lama’s Quarters on the one side of an Open Terrace. The greatest wealth of Ki Gompa lies in its collection of ‘Thangkas’ salvaged with difficulty from the devastating raids of the Dogars & the Sikhs in the 19TH Century. Hundreds of Lamas receive their Religious Training in this Monastery & is famous for its ancient Murals & Books. From here a scenic drive takes you into the Pasture Country of Kibber. From Kibber, the Pastures are spread over hundreds of square kilometres. Return back to Kaza for Dinner & O/N stay.

DAY 6:    KAZA TO POOH (145 kms, 4 hours)

Check out from Kaza, and drive to the lesser explored corners of Spiti. Pooh is 58 km from Powari village along National Highway 22. It is known for its natural environment, green fields, apricot orchards, vineyards and almond trees. Inscriptions suggest that Poo was an important trading centre in the early 11th century. Dinner and overnight at the Homestay in Pooh.

DAY 7:    POOH TO SHIMLA (278 kms, 9 hours)

Wake up early and have breakfast. Post breakfast, check out and leave for Shimla. Check in and relax. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 8:    SHIMLA TO CHANDIGARH (117 kms, 4 hours)

Depart for home, with treasured memories of the ‘Desert Mountain Valley’.

Option 1:

For Price Contact Us

Cost Includes:

–  Accommodation on double/twin sharing basis at all resorts & camps

– All meals included at Kinner Camps.

– Meal Plan on MAPAI basis (Breakfast & Dinner) except Sangla

– Surface transfers as per itinerary by 1 Innova

– taxes, parking & toll

Cost Excludes:

– Inner Line Permits for individuals/vehicles, Entry Fees

– Rail or Air Fare

– Adventure sports at the campsite, local guide fees

– Any other services or meals which are not mentioned in the above “Includes” section

– Expense of personal nature such as mineral water, tips, laundry, telephones, beverages etc.

– Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary / stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, and roadblocks and / or any factors beyond control

– Any services not availed of are non-refundable

Option 2:

For Price Contact Us

Cost Includes:

–  Accommodation on double/twin sharing basis at all resorts & camps

– All meals included at Kinner Camps.

– Meal Plan on MAPAI basis (Breakfast & Dinner) except Sangla

– Surface transfers as per itinerary by 1 Tempo Traveller

– taxes, parking & toll

Cost Excludes:

– Inner Line Permits for individuals/vehicles, Entry Fees

– Rail or Air Fare

– Adventure sports at the campsite, local guide fees

– Any other services or meals which are not mentioned in the above “Includes” section

– Expense of personal nature such as mineral water, tips, laundry, telephones, beverages etc.

– Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary / stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, and roadblocks and / or any factors beyond control

– Any services not availed of are non-refundable