Beyond The Himalaya

Itinerary

Day 1 Delhi

Arrive in Delhi at any time, pickup and transfer to your hotel included. There are no planned activities, so check into to the hotel (check-in time is 12.00 midday) and enjoy the city. In the evening you will meet your fellow group members to go over the details of your trip. Check the notice board or ask reception where and what time the group meeting will be held.Dive into the heart of India’s capital to explore Old and New Delhi. Visit Delhi’s famous Jama Masjid (Great Mosque) and climb the minaret for a bird’s eye view of the old city. Walk through Chandni Chowk, one of India’s oldest and busiest markets, and learn the history of the Sikh religion at the important Gurduwara, (Sikh place of worship) Gurdwara SisGanj. Stop for photos at the colourful spice market before finishing at Connaught Place, one of the most prominent architectural remnants of British rule.

Day 2 Mandi

This morning we take an early train to Kalka and from there transfer by bus to Mandi. The train journey is approx. 4.5 hours and the bus journey is approx. 5 hours.The historic town of Mandi (800 m) is built along the banks of the river Beas. It has long been an important commercial centre and the sage Mandva is said to have meditated here. This one time capital of the princely state of Mandi is a fast developing town that still retains much of its original charm and character. Today, it is a district headquarters. Mandi is renowned for its 81 old stone temples and their enormous range of fine carving, it is often called the 'Varanasi of the Hills'. The town has remains of old palaces and notable examples of 'colonial' architecture. The most fascinating attractions of the Pinjore valley are the majestic mughal gardens and today we will have the opportunity to explore these beautiful gardens. Unlike other Mughal gardens, the seven terraces at Pinjore, instead of ascending, descend into the distance and achieve an almost magical effect. In the near distance, the purple-green Himalayas seem to rise up sheer over the battlements of the old garden walls and the white buildings of the little hill station of Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh, The structures date to the 17th century AD and are perhaps the only Mughal garden, where one descends to the last step. The architecture of the gardens was planned by Nawab Fidai Khan, a cousin of Aurangzeb, and an architect Badshahi mosque at Lahore. The Nawab was also Governor of the Province and it was during his tours, that he chanced upon the rare beauty of this valley. The Nawab realised the beauty of the place and set to work. He planned the Garden on the classical charbagh pattern, given the area a central waterway. Both sides of this waterway were covered with the patches of green bordered with flowers and shaded by trees like the traditional palm, the cypress and magnolia. But the Nawab could not stay here for long. Frightened by local goitre stricken women, the courtiers of the Nawab fled. The palace fell in the hands of the Raja of Sirmaur who had planned this move. In 1775 Maharaja Amar Singh of Patiala bought Pinjore and joined it among his lands. He restored the beauty of the Gardens and frequently visited it, till in 1966, the Gardens were handed over to Haryana when it was formed as a new state.

Day 3-4 Manali

Before we depart Mandi we will take a walk around this charming and historic town. In th early afternoon we will travel by private bus to Manali. Where we will spend a couple of days getting used to the higher altitude. Drive from Mandi to Manali is 130 kms and takes approx. 4-5 hours.(Manali, 2050meters)Manali is situated near the end of the valley where the landscape is truly breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas river with its clear water meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions. It has often been called the SWITZERLAND OF INDIA.The town has many interesting sites including;The Temple dedicated to goddess Hadimba, the Bhim of Mahabharat fame. It has four-tiered Pagoda shaped roof and the doorway is carved with legendary figures and symbols. This temple located amidst wooden forest of deodar is about 2.5 kms. from the tourist office. It is a pleasant experience to stroll in the temple complex which was built in 1533 A.D. A large festival is held here in May.MANU TEMPLE: 3 kms. from the main bazar in old Manali lies the temple of MANU RISHI. It is believed that this is the only temple of Manu in India, who was the creator of human race on the earth.CLUB HOUSE: 2 kms. from the town, club house has indoor games facilities which has been located on the left bank of Manalsu Nallah. There are some picnic spots near it.MOUNTAINEERING INSTITUTE: Located 3 kms. on the left bank of river Beas towards Kulu. This Institute organises basic & advance training courses, in trekking, mountaineering, skiing and water sports. Skiing and trekking equipments can be hired from here by booking in advance. VASHIST HOT WATER SPRINGS AND TEMPLE (3 Kms): Vashist, a small village located on the left bank of river Beas towards Rohtang pass is worth a visit. It is renowned for its hot springs and temples. Nearby is the pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashist Muni. There is another Temple of Lord Ram here. Natural hot sulphur springs with two separate bathing tanks for gents and ladies are always full of tourists. Turkish style showers fitted baths have also been built nearby. Hot water from the nearby spring is provided for bathing.

Day 5 Jespa (L,D)

This morning we leave for Jespa driving in the greater Himalaya, the scenery is stunning so be sure to carry plenty memory or film for your camera. The drive from Manali to Jespa 131 km and takes approx. 6 hours. (Jespa, 3400 meters)We will travel through the Solang Valley a splendid valley between Solang village and Beas Kund. Solang valley offers the view of glaciers and snow capped mountains and peaks.ROHTANG PASS (3979 m), popularly known as heap of dead bodies. In the former days when people of district Kullu & Lahul were trying to cross the pass during winter many people lost their lives as a result of the ferocious conditions. The pass is open from June to October each year although trekkers can cross it earlier. It is a gateway to Lahaul Spiti, Pangi and Leh valley just as Zojila pass is a gateway to Ladakh. There are a beautiful sight of glaciers, peaks and Chandra river flows down in the Lahaul valley. Slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Geypan. During summer(June to October) regular buses ply between Manali-Keylong/Darcha, Udaipur, Spiti and Leh.Lahaul is a remote Himalayan Valley of H.P. lying on the Indo-Tibet border. Strange, exciting, primitive, the valley is unsurpassed in mountain scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendor of their snow covered peaks.Lahaul is marked by a central mass of uniformly high mountains and massive glaciers. The two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga which rise on either side of the Baralacha La, flow through the narrow Chandra and Bhaga valleys. Lahaul is a land of fascinating Buddhist art and culture. The monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti are rich repositories of ancient murals, thangkas, wood carving and golden images of Padmasambhava. The valley lies at a height of 2745 meters above sea level. Summer in this valley is cool and pleasant with green grass and alpine flowers. In the afternoon we arrive at our destination of Jespa; situated 3400 meters above sea level it boasts a fine Buddhist monastery where biggest festival of Kalachakra was organized by Dalai Lama in July 1994. Tonight we will eat by the camp fire.

Day 6 Sarchu (B,L,D)

Today our travel is slow as we cross the mountains to get to Sarchu. We pass two small but beautiful lakes of Deepak Tal & Suraj Tal on our way. The highest point will be Baralacha La Pass (Alt 4830 m). The word Baralacha means " a pass with cross roads". Here the road from Zanskar, Ladakh, Spiti and Kahaul meet. The drive to Sarchu is 90 kms and takes approx. 4-5 hours. (Sarch, 4250 meters)The views from the pass are rewarding. Road descends from the pass to the plains of Sarchu. Overnight at camp. It is the last border point between Himachal and Ladakh, where there are Camps - tented colony (fixed tents) for the convenience of the tourists during summer season.

Day 7 Whisky Nallah (B,L,D)

Today we start our cycling adventure. The journey over the next 6 days is a truly amazing one as we make our way through the spectacular Himalayas. The scenery is often changing from one minute to the next. Each bend in the road brings something new. Today is a relatively easy start as we cycle to get to Whisky Nallah. (Whisky Nallah, 4300 meters)The story goes that a truck carrying whiskey once upturned here and that’s how this place got such an interesting name. We overnight at our campsite.Cycle distance and time today: 40 kms/5-6 hrs.

Day 8 Pang (B,L,D)

This morning after breakfast we cycle to Pang. (Pang, 4500 meters) Ride over the Namik La (4740 m) and Lachung La (5019 m) passes. Pang is a small but exceptionally beautiful location on the Leh-Manali road. Famous for its tiny migrating markets, this makeshift hamlet was created for travellers by enterprising Nepalis and Tibetan nomads. In Pang you can also see various interesting earth pillars.Cycle distance and time today: 40 kms/6 hrs.

Day 9 Tanglang La (B,L,D)

A day of beautiful scenery awaits you as we ride through the More Plains a high altitude grazing plateau at 4600 m. The is a 100 plus kms stretch of absolutely level grasslands. Here one can often spot a herd of Kyang - the Ladakhi wild ass. Cycle distance and time today: 55 kms/5-6 hrs.

Day 10 Gya (B,L,D)

Today we will cycle to Gya. (Gya, 4000 meters) We will pass over the second highest motorable pass in India, Tanglang La (5328 m) pass. The pass cuts through the Zanskar Range. Icicles hanging from the cliff face in the shade create a mesmerizing sight while crossing the pass.Tonight we camp in Gya, a village overlooking river of same name. The village nestles in the gorge created by the River Gya. A Buddhist Gompa with accompanying chortens or stupas overlooks the village and gorge.Cycle distance and time today: 75 kms/6-7 hrs.

Day 11 Hemis (B,L,D)

Today we descend to Hemis. (Hemis,3500 meters)On arrival we will visit the Hemis Monastery, belonging to "BKA BRGYUDPA "School of Tibetan Buddhism - one of the four major school, Hemis is a religious institute of one of the schools. It is one of the largest and most important monasteries with an excellent library, well preserved wall paintings and Buddha figures.It is also the home o one of the most important annual festivals in the region.The tenth day (Tses-Chu), of the Tibetan lunar month is celebrated as the birthday of the Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The Hemis monastery celebrates this event in the form of a 2-day festival. Its resident Lamas perform the sacred masked dances leading to the destruction of the evil forces, & sacrificial offerings. The masks worn by the lamas represent various guardian divinities of the Dugpa order, of which Hemis is the leading establishment in Ladakh. The Hemis dances are a re-enactment of the magical feats of Padmasambhava, in his services to the cause of Buddhism in his 8 different manifestations. Every 12 years the thanka with a photograph of Padmasambhava is displayed - the largest in the world. The monastery houses silver chortens studded with precious and semi precious stones, an impressive library of Tibetan style books, large number of thankas, various images of Buddha and frescoes including the famous "Wheel of Life".Cycle distance and time today: 40 kms/5 hrs.

Day 12 Shey (B,D)

After breakfast we travel on to Shey where we will have an orientation walk to Shey Palace ruins & Gompa. (Shey, 3500 meters) The old summer palace of the kings of Ladakh, was built more than 555 years ago by Lhachen Palgyigon, the king of Ladakh. The palace, a smaller and more dilapidated version of the one in Leh , sits astride the ridge below an ancient fort. Crowned by a golden Chorten spire, its pride and joy is the colossal metal Shakyamuni Buddha housed in its ruined split-level temple. Installed in 1633 at the behest of Sengge Namgyal's son Deldan, the twelve-metre icon allegedly contains a hoard of precious stones, 'Manadalas' and powerful charms.Entering from a painted antechamber lined with shelves of ancient manuscripts, and exquisite murals, which are undergoing extensive restoration, one passes through heavy wooden doors to come face to face with the Buddha's huge feet, soles pointing upwards. The customary circumambulation leads around the base of the statue through a haze of incense smoke to total darkness behind.Upstairs, from a balcony surrounding the statue's torso, one can see the massive Buddha, painted gold with tightly curled blue hair, in better light, and inspect the magnificent paintings of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Mahasiddhas and fierce protector deities coating the temple walls. Preserved for centuries by thick soot from votary butter lamps, these are among the finest in the valley, painted in stunning detail and tinted with gold applied with smooth hair fine brush strokes. In the harvest season the palace looks out over a barren lunar landscape of rock, broken by a patchwork oasis of green and yellow fields, dotted with the stooped figures of purple robed Monks as they gather the crops.A short distance from the palace in the centre of a Chorten strewn plain, stands a temple, enshrining another massive Shakyamuni statue. This monument can be viewed from the mezzanine veranda on the first floor, it is slightly older than its cousin up the hill. The descendants of the Nepali metalworkers who made it, brought here by Sengge Namgyal, still live and work in the isolated village of chilling famous for its traditional silver ware. Downstairs, the Gompa's Du-khang contains dusty old Thangkas and manuscripts. The Druk White Lotus School, whose patrons include the 14th Dalai Lama and Richard Gere, is also located in Shey.Cycle distance and time today: 30 kms/3-4 hrs.

Day 13 - 14 Leh (2B,1L)

Today we have a short cycle to Leh, the scenic and atmospheric capital of Ladakh. (Leh, 3500 meters) It is a fitting final destination in this great adventure in the Himalayas.After settling into our hotel and eating lunch, we will take a tour of the town our guide pointing out the sites and the markets. Attractions in and around the town itself include the former Palace and Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, perched amid strings of prayer flags above the narrow dusty streets of the Old Quarter. With a population of 10,000 people, mainly Buddhist, some Argoos (Muslim descendants of Yarkandi traders) and a small Christian community, Leh bears the distinct stamp of its history as the administrative, commercial and cultural capital of Ladakh.Leh only became regional capital in the 17th century, when Sengge Namgyal shifted his court here from Shey, 15-km southeast, to be closer to the head of the Khardung La-Karakoram corridor into China. The move paid off: with in a generation, the town had blossomed into one of the busiest markets on the Silk Road. During the 1920s and 1930s, the broad bazaar that broad bazaar that still forms its heart received more than a dozen pony- and camel-trains each day.Leh's prosperity, managed mainly by the Sunni Muslim merchants whose descendants live in its labyrinthine old quarter, came to an abrupt end with the closure of the Chinese border in the 1950's. One after the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, when India rediscovered the hitherto forgotten capital's strategic value, did its fortunes begin to look up. Today, Khaki-clad Jawans (soldiers) and their families from the nearby military and air force bases are the mainstay of the local economy in winter, when foreign visitors are few and far between. On day 14 we will travel a short distance out of town to do river rafting. The Indus River, locally known as the Singhe Khababs (out of Lion’s mouth), flows across the north west to the south east, passing through Ladakh and flows into Pakistan where it joined Shayok and Suru to become major historical Indus River. The Indus, originates near the Kailash Mountain and the Mansarovar Lake in Western Tibet. Water levels remain high during the month June to late August, which is the best season for rafting expeditions. The rafting on Indus provides spectacular view of the landscapes Ladakh and Zanskar ranges which housed Buddhist monasteries on high cliff. The white water Indus has rapids generally of I and II grades and at some places, has grade III to even V rapids.(Day 13) Cycle distance and time today: 15 kms/2 hrs.

Day 15 Leh (B)

You are free to depart at any time today.