Himachal - Buddhist Circuit
 
Himachal the Name of Adventure Seeker, the “home of snow” several valleys and numerous roaring rivers, we provide you the several valley in the program as Spiti, Baspa, Lahaul, Kullu and Kangra Valleys, Spiti is a cold desert where the monsoon rain never comes, it is charaterised by a stark almost relentless beauty, narrow valley and high mountains, a century ago Rudyard Kipling Kim called Spiti “ a world with a world” another valley Kangra famous for its tea plantation and rich culture, the both culture Hindu & Buddhist are growing together. Through the program you will be explore. This route is known as Buddhist Circuit of Himachal Pradesh round about 10 small and ancient monasteries come enroute. Some of them are between 500 years to 1000 years old.

Duration : 18 Nights/19 Days
Best Season : Mid May-Mid October
Highlight : Delhi - Shimla - Sarahan - Sangla - Chuitkul - Nako - Tabo - Pin - Kaza - Batal - Keylong - Manali Delhi.

Day 01: Delhi- Chandigarh- Shimla (2215m) :
Early in the morning after breakfast start drive to reach simla via Chandigarh arrival at simla in afternoon transfer to hotel, after lunch visit local sightseeing of simla, enjoy evening at mall road, night stay at hotel.

Day 02: Simla- Sarahan- (178 km (5-6: hrs):
After breakfast start drive to Sarahan, En route lunch at Rampur(135km), and drive to Sarahan, which is a beautiful village surrounded by apple orchards and dominated by Shirkhand Mahadev Peak (5155M) which resembles the "SHIVLING", is famous forBimikali temple where goddess idol is around 200 years old. On arrival check in guest house or hotel late visit Bhimakali Templ. night stay at Hotel.

Day 03: Sarahan-Sangla (2685m) Drive 98km (4-5 hrs):
Early in the morning after breakfast again visit Bhimakali temple on sun rise, and then drive to sangla with river satluj, reach sangla and visit Kamakshi Temple night stay in tents or guest house,
Imp place to visit : Kinner Kailash peak (6050M)

Day 04:
Sangla-Nako (2950m) Dirve 125 km (5-6 hrs):
After breakfast start drive to Nako, the legends of Kinnaur are replete with stories of Padmasambhava the great Buddhist teacher, also called the second Buddha. According to one legend, Padmasambhava in a demonstration of his Tantrik powers is said to have landed on a rock in the village of Nako. Visit Buddhist Monastery established by Rinponche Amitaya Overnight in camp.

Day 05: Nako-Tabo - Drive 87 km (3-4 hrs):
After breakfast continue start drive to Tabo (3050M), a beautiful village famous for its10th century old Buddhist unassuming monastery said to have been established as a seat of learning by Padmasambhava, the profounder of Tantric Buddhism. Over night stay in tents at Tabo.

Day 06: Tabo- Kaza - Drive 103 km (4-5 hrs):
After early breakfast drive to Pin Valley in the South West of Spiti. The Pin Valley has a pass connecting it with Kinaur and from there by lower valleys with Kulu. En route visit the Dankar Gompa. Overnight in camp.

Day 07: Kaza:
After early breakfast full visit Key, Kibber and Kaza Monasteries. Kibber (4165m) is the highest altitude inhabited. Overnight at tent or guest house.

Day 08:
Kaza-Batal- Keylong- Drive 184 kms (7-8 hrs):
After breakfast start drive to reach keylong via Batal along Spiti river which is at the base of Kunzum Pass (4551M). En route lofty Shigri Glacier is seen in all its grandeur, keylong is the capital of Lahaul, at the bank Bhaga river. Surrounded by snow peaks, Keylong is so situated that it gets maximum sunshine during winters and summers. Overnight in hotel at Keylong

Day 09: Keylong-Manali - Drive 115km (5-6 hrs) :
After early breakfast drive to Manali- 1920m through Rohtang Pass(3990 M). Manali is a picturesque little town, and is the most popular place in Himachal Pradesh. It is typical small town bustling with activity during the summer season. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10:
Keylong-Trilokinath via udaipuri - Drive 110km (5-6 hrs):
After breakfast visit trilokinath which is 110km from keylong , visit triloknath temple-famous for hindu and Buddhist.

Day 11: Keylong (Day Visit - Monasteries):
After breakfast visit local monarteries around keylong -- Lahaul is well known for its monasteries, locally called Gompas, which are great repositories of Buddhist faith and art treasures. These are Kardang - 5 km, Shasur - 3 km, Guru Ghantal - 8 km, Tayul - 6 km, Gemur - 18 km

Day 12:
Keylong - Manali - Drive 110km (7-8 hrs):
After early breakfast drive to Manali- 1920m through Rohtang Pass(3990 M). Manali is a picturesque little town, and is the most popular place in Himachal Pradesh. It is typical small town bustling with activity during the summer season. Overnight at hote

Day 13: Manali (City Tour):
Full day local visit as Naggar- 27kms from Manali. Naggar was the capital of Kullu Rajas till A.D. 1660. The ancient castle, now converted into Tourist Bungalow, Nicholas Roerich, the famous Russian painter and philosopher lived here and his quaint little house has been converted into a small museum. There are two old temples near castle. Jagatsukh temple, drive back to Manali city, after lunch visit Hadimba temple and local market and visit . Himalayan Nyinmapa Buddhist Temple

Day 14: Manali - New Delhi - Drive 580km - Overnight Journey:
After half day city tour start drive to reach new delhi.

Day 15: Manali- mandi- rewalsar (110kms):
After breakfast start drive to reach mandi and after lunch at mandi drive to rewalsar (which is 20 kms from mandi) and visit rewalsar Buddhist monastery. Back to mandi night stay at hotel.

Day 16: Mandi–Mc-Leodgunj/Dharamshala (1675m) - Drive 130 kms (4-5 hrs):
After early breakfast drive to Dharamsala (Mc-Leodgunj), through the Kangar valley, en rote visit Baijinath temple and jogindra nagar ( A majority ofTibetan Buddhists and monks live in the settlements near village Chauntra) reach dharamshala in evening check in at hotel night stay.

Day 17: Mc-Leodgunj (Dharamshala):
After breakfast full day visit, Mc-Leodgunj a charming Tibetan settlement with bustling bazaars, and Norbulinga Institude, that sell Tibetan handicrafts and delicious Tibetan food. The major center for the studies of Tibetan culture. It is the resident of Dalai Lama and is also famous for its arts and handicrafts. After noon visit Norbuliga the Tibetan Institute and visit namgyal monastery mc-leodganj and dalai lama residence.

Day 18: Mc-Leodgunj / Dharamshala - Palampur - Bir - 50km:
After breakfast visit palampur (beautiful tourist place) and Bir monastery and Tibetan colony , Bir is also famous for adventure activities like paragliding. Back to Dharamshala – night stay-

Day 19: Dharamshala - New Delhi:
After early breakfast start drive to reach Delhi – reach Delhi at late evening and proceed to your Destination.




Places of intrest: Around Tabo & Kaza


TABO:
(3050 m) 163 km from Kalpa is the ancient village of Tabo, situated on the left bank of river Spiti. Flanked on either sides by hills, its has one of the most important Buddhist monasteries regarded by many as only next to the Tholing Gompa in Tibet. It is also known as the Ajanta of the Himalayas. Tabo is the largest monastic complex of Spiti which has since been declared a protected monument under the aegis of Archaeological Survey of India.

KAZA: (3600m) 210 Km from Kalpa, 47 km from Tabo. The headquarters of Spiti sub-district, Kaza lies on the bank of river Spiti. In earlier times, it was the capital of Nono, the Chief of Spiti. It has a Buddhist Monastery and Hindu Temple.

KEY GOMPA: (4116m) 7 km from Kaza. The largest monastery in Spiti Valley. Established in the 11th century has ancient Buddhist scrolls and paintings. It also houses large number of Buddhist monks and nuns.

KIBBER: (4205m) 18 km from Kaza. The highest village in the world which is connected by motorable road and is the highest habitated village in the world which has its own polling station during elections.

DHANKAR: (3890m) 24 km from Tabo, this place is famous for a Buddhist monastery.

PIN VALLEY:
The Pin valley lies below the Kungri Glacier and has several beautiful and important monasteries. iT is called the land of Ibex and snow leopards

KUNZAM PASS: (4551m) 76 km. One of the highest motorable pass. Goddess Kunjum keeps guard over this pass and wards off evil.

CHANDER TAL LAKE: (4270m) 7 km from Kunzam Pass, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire Himalayan region. Surrounded by snow, this deep blue water lake has a circumferences of 2.5 km. River Chandra flows very close to the lake.


Places of intrest: Around Keylong

TANDI (2573m): 8 km, short of Keylong, on the Manali - Leh Raod, situated on the confluence of Chandra & Bhaga rivers. Last point to tank up if traveling north of Keylong as it has the last fuel station on this stretch..

SISSU (3100m): On the bank of Chandra, 15 km from Koksar, every spring and autumn wild geese and ducks halt here on their way to and from Siberia.

GONDLA (3110m): 18 km from Keylong on the right bank of river Chandra. Famous for ancient Fort.

UDAIPUR (2523m): 53 km from Keylong, home of the Mrikula Devi Temple, which is famous for wood carvings.

TRILOKNATH (2660m): 4 km from Udaipur famous for Triloknath temple. Sacred both for HIndu and Buddhist.

MONASTERY'S: Lahaul is well known for its monasteries, locally called Gompas, which are great repositories of Buddhist faith and art treasures. These are Kardang - 5 km, Shasur - 3 km, Guru Ghantal - 8 km, Tayul - 6 km, Gemur - 18 km


Places of interest around manali & dharamshala:

Himalayan Nyinmapa Buddhist Temple Manali:
The large number of Buddhists in the valley has resulted in two monasteries in the valley, one in Manali and the other in Pangran.The monastery in Manali is newly built one. Lamas are trained as preachers and performers of religious rites in the monastery. The monastery also runs a Thanka school of arts and a carpet-weaving centre.

Mc -Leodganj: Namgyal Monastery : Namgyal is any Tibetan Buddhist institute that is associated with the Dalai Lama and his activities.

Mandi - Rewalsar Monastery: Rewalsar is home to quiet a few monasteries that belong to Nyingmpa sect. Of special mention are Drikung Kagyud Gompa, Tso-Pema Ogyen Heru-kai Nyingmapa Gompa and the Zigar Gompa. The gompas, in red, yellow and white, have gold fringed pagodas. Other highlights of the monasteries include murals depicting a wonderful amalgamation of the Indo Chinese style and a huge stucco image of Guru Padmasambhava. The Tso-Pema Ogyen Heru-kai Nyingmapa Gompa has a museum with colourful murals.


Package Includes:
Transport mode: Train / Car / Bus
Accommodation: On twin / Triple sharing Basis
Hotel Option: Deluxe / Super Deluxe hotel
Meal Plan: All Meals
All Taxes


Package does not include:
Any entry fee
Any Guide Fee
Mineral water/ Soft drink / Hard Drink
Or anything which is not mentioned above
Other places to Visit: Lake Mist, bhatta falls, Jharipani falls,cloud end