| Trekking Tours |
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 Five successive mountain ranges curve across Himachal Pradesh: wrinkles in an ageing land. From South to North, these are the Shivaliks, the Dhauladhar, the Pir Panjal, the Great Himalayan, and the Zansker ranges. Below the Shivaliks stretch the dusty plains of Punjab . At an elevated plane beyond the Zansker mountains lies the plateau of Tibet.
Nestling in the lap of nature, Himachal is endowed with lush green forests, bubling streams, emerald meadows, enchanting lakes and eternal snows. There are numerous snowy peaks from which descend a number of glaciers, in Lahaul and Spirit one come across barren rocks raging torrents and perilous mountain, the Shivaliks provide an ideal habibat for a rich variety of plant and animal life, they are fringed with broad leafed sal and silk cotton, which gives way to sheesham, kail and long leafed chir pine on the slopes of the foothill. Dhauladhar and the Pir Panjal ranges are covered with mossy oak, spruce and silvery bark of the West Himalayan fir. The diverse topography of the state is thus ideal for trekking providing varied experience in different regions.
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| Kullu Valley Day Walk |
From our base in Manali, walking around Kullu our treks follow trails that leads through deodar forests and deciduous woods where one can be rewarded by the breathtaking sight of birds in iridescent colours. Higher up open meadows full of wild flowers and rhododendron thickets abound. Apple orchards and terraced rice fields, wild apricots and walnut surround the scattered villages. Here one can find intricately carved temples – some of them more than 1800 yrs old, they are a testimony to the deep religious feelings of the people.
The paintings of late Nicholas Roerich can be seen at the Roerich Museum of painting in a white washed villa set in a jewel like garden in Naggar.
In and around Manali you come cross local craftsmen making colourful blankets from handspun wool. The villagers turnout in their stunningly colourful woven clothes and elaborate jewellery for the many fairs and festivals when its time for dancing and drinking. |
| Kullu Valley Treks |
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Featuring : Chandrakhani Pass Malana, Manikarin Parvati Valley .
Best time: May, June, September, October
Duration : 6/8 days
Chandrakhani Pass lies in the East of Katrain. After a tough climbing, the whole area looks wonderfully stricking and colourful when the flowers in various brilliant hues are in blossom. Little ahead of the beautiful Chandra Khani Pass lies the tiny village of Malana , which is famous for the temple of Jamlu and its distinct and fully reserved social and cultural set up. At the head of the valley, descending from the circle of snowy cone the Malana Glacier. The village of Malana is especially interesting – the inhabitants speak their own language and has a unique system of administration. Infact it is said to be the oldest republic still existent in India or for that matter anywhere in the world. Little ahead is Manikarin, a famous spot in the Parvati valley known for its hot water springs, trout fishing sites and an ancient temple. The water gushing out with tremendous force is so hot that one can even cook food in it.
The hot water fall in a beautiful natural setting a Khiraganga (10.000') provides an unforgettable experience. Altitude, however, should not be a problem provided you are basically fit. |
| Trans Himalayan Trek |
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The 21 days-trek from Manali to Lamayuru. Season – July to mid Oct.
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It is the most adventurous and the longest trek which takes you from the wild isolated passes to the great Himalayan range. Having journeyed by road from Manali to Darcha the starting pint of trek, we start exploring the Kingdom of Zanskar. After the first three day's trek we won't come across any settlements for the next three days. The Jhulla crossing at Zanskar Sundu and river-crossing on horses is very exciting and thrilling. Once we are at the Shingola top, we have a breathtaking view of various peaks, you descend over the glaciers to Lakong and camp beside a small stream. The villages in Zanskar are a bunch of 10-15 houses surrounded by green barley fields. On the way to Padum (Capital of the region), we take a side trip to Phuktal – a spectacular gompa made of willow twigs and mud set which is stuck to a huge mountain. Horse route to the gompa is tough because of gorges, vertical rock walls and loose rock slopes. The turbulent river winds its way far below the trail. The Phuktal gompa belongs to the tradition of the Gelupas (Yellow Hat Monks). The monastery is like a honey comb, cut into a rock under gigantic grotto, and there are about 70 monks staying here. Padum is the mid point of Manali-Lamayuru trek. The lifestyles and customes of the inhabitants in this region make this trek a truly great experience while the mountains and its colours have to be seen to be believed. The Zanskar river has carved a huge canyon and we follow its course from Padum before heading away and crossing several more passes towards Lamayuru-the trek finish point. From here you have a journey of 135 km. to Leh. All throughout this trip, you are in a very different world in a class of its own.
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| Trek to the lake of the moon - Manali-Chandertal |
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Duration: 13 Days
Season: July to October
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The 13 days trek to Chadertal takes you to an impressive grandeur of immediate surroundings, the nearess of Tokru-Shakru peaks, the eye-catching colour of rocks along the mountains. Over Hamta Pass at a height of 4268 m. in Lahaul valley, distant and massive mountains dominate the landscape and their serrated peaks silhouetted against the deep blue horzon are just spectacular. After a level walk for a couple of days through the rigged vally, we reach Batal situated at the foot of Kunzum pass which provides the main approach to Spiti with marvelous glimpses of the huge Bara Shigri Glacier. The view of the Shigri stream emerging from beneath a huge iridescent archway of solid ice is a never-to-be-forgotten sight. The Glacier is a mountainous mass of solid ice more than a kim. Wide and extending over a distance of ten km. If you are lucky enough you can even get the glimpses of Ibex (the mountain Goat)
The Chandratal lake – an exquisite beauty, is set on a large meadow of edelweiss between a lower ridge and the main Kunzum range with an outlet into the Chandra river. A beautiful view of Samudra Tapoo Glacier and of Mulkila range is obtainable. We then head back to Manali and a bath at the hot water spring at Vashist is a dream come true.
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