Trans Himalayan Jeep Safari
Through The  Forbidden Frontiers Of Indo Tibet

For centuries a mystic aura surrounds the trans - Himalayan tracts of Tibet, Spiti, Lahaul and Ladakh which remained in practical isolation for centuries. The ultimate journey in the Western Himalaya. Here four major Himalayan Rivers, the Satluj, Spiti, Chandra - Bhaga and Indus with great civilization and glorious history, guides one through the breathtakingly beautiful valleys and mountain passes, where tradition, culture and faith, is the very essence of living.

Further the journey moves over the high passes amidst the Great Himalayan Mountain desert resembling the Prairies of North America, into the widely extended Chang Thang with its beautiful brackish Lake of Tsokar, sparsely populated by Changpas - the high altitude nomads with their herds of Pashmina and yaks. The Journey finally ends in Leh.

Shimla (2205 mts) shares its border with the newly formed State of Uttaranchal and the districts of Sirmour, Mandi, and Kullu & Kinnaur. Shimla, the state capital, which had been once summer capital of British rulers, previously known as Mahasu Distt. It offers to the visitors, the mall, Jakhu Hill, with Hanuman Temple, old historical buildings, a golf course at Naldehra, skiing in the winters at Kufri and ice-skating near Rivoli in Shimla town. The Distt is famous for its Lavi fair, which is celebrated in the month of November in Rampur (A town on the way to Sarahan). Apples of Kotgarh, in Shimla Distt are World famous.

All visitors to Shimla inevitably walk down the Mall, the main promenade that runs along the top of the Ridge – a busy shopping area with old colonial buildings, souvenir shops and restaurants. At the top end of the Mall is Scandal point, a large open square with a view of the town- a favorite rendezvous for visitors and the local people. Overlooking it is the Christ Church with its fine stained glass windows.

Housed in the Gothic splendor of the Vice regal Lodge is the Indian Institute of advanced Studies, India’s premier academy for higher research.

Sangla is about 95 km from Sarahan at an altitude of 2680 mts. It takes 4 to 5 hrs.

We reach the beautiful village of Rarang, which houses a Temple and a Monastery. Explore the real Kinnaur in these Villages situated on the high hills, which in the legends and old Hindu and Buddhist literature occupies a special place.

We continue towards Nako and drive all along the River Satluj till Khab, the meeting point of the Spiti and Satluj river. 5 kms from Khab on a village road one can get to Namgia, the last Village on the Indian side, it houses an ancient monastery.  Next part of the trip is through zigzags along Spiti River. Around 7 Kms. of side trip on a metalled link road takes one to Nako (2950Mts.) is situated about 2 km from Hangrang valley road on the Western direction of the huge mountain of Pargil. This is the highest and the largest village in the valley on the Left Bank of river Spiti. It is encircled on every side by high hills, which is a witness to the presence of former lake. The village is under the influence of Buddhism, but there are Hindu local deities too namely Gyalbo, Dabla and Yalso. To the north of the village is the monastic complex of four large temples; belonging to the Dugpa order. The complex is called Locha – Lhakhang i.e. Lhostaba, Lhakhang after the great Rin – Chen Zangpo besides these temples on the South West are almost un distinguishable heaps of ruined monks cells and few chhortens (stupas).

Tabo (3050 Mts) monastery is the seat of Buddhist learning, the Gompa is regarded as next in significance to the Tholing Gompa in Tibet. The Tabo monastery was established about 1000 years ago and was a part of Western Tibet School that originally designed different Mandala’s in the form of the statues hanging on the walls of the monasteries. However 800 years ago with the arrival of Guru Padmasambhava in Tibet and with the instructions of his new sect, old philosophy of Western Tibet School was lost and their unique philosophical practices almost died. Now Tabo is only living monastery outside Tibet, depicting similar Mandalas on the walls of the Dukhang.

This small village in   the beautiful Lingthi Valley consists of a cluster of 50 to 60 houses with a population over 300. The Gompa is situated on the top of the village, is invisible from the road. The main temple is decorated with unique Mandalas and statues with main statue of Bodhisatva in the center. A small but very attractive temple depicts the philosophy which originated in Western Tibet about 800 years ago. The monastery is over shadowed by a huge Fig tree. There is another small temple to the left of the main building, which houses a four headed clay idol of Buddha looking in to four different directions.

DAY 09 PIN VALLEY – SHEGO (3600 Mts.) (CAMP)  AND SIDE TRIP TO THE VILLAGES OF LANGJA, HIKKIM – KOMIK AND KYE MONASTERY

These Villages are all situated over the height of 4000 Mts. With striking locations and house some of the most interesting monasteries in the Spiti Valley.The ancient Monastery of Hikkim also known as the tangyug Gompa is of unique importance as this is one of the two Sakya Pa Monasteries in Spiti Valley second being situated at Kaza. This Monastery was responsible for the revision or propagation of Tantra teachings during the 14th Century. Abundance of fossils, comprising of Shells etc. takes one 50 millions years back when Indian subcontinent drifting northwards across the Ocean of Tethys on its tectonic plate slammed into the stationary mass of Asia and gave birth to the mighty Himalayas.

8 Km from Kaza is situated Ki Monastery at an elevation of (3969 Mts.). The Monastery consists of large irregular heap of low ceilinged rooms and narrow corridors, interconnected by dark passages and tortuous staircases, built on what must have been a crater of an extinct volcano. This is one of the biggest and the oldest monasteries belonging to the Ge- Lug – Pa sect in Spiti. It dates back to around 14th Century and is famous for its murals, valuable books and fabulous collection of Thankas. The instrument here deserves mention. There are two trumpets, two or three small brass instruments, a pair of large cyabals, a big deep voiced drum, and a pair of smaller ones. The trumpet, which is about three meters in length, rests on a triangular block of wood, placed on the ground, and rises in a long sweeping curve to the mouth of the player, who remains standing and blows into it with all his might. The sound produced by this magnificent instrument is surprisingly feeble.

We drive back to Kunzum pass then take another narrow track to Chandratal Chandra tal - The first sight of this wondrous lake takes ones breaths away, with its shores ringed with meadows carpeted with hundreds of varieties of alpine flowers. An excellent campsite surrounded by the massive mountain tops and the glaciers. Camp at Chandrataal.

DAY 11 CHANDRATAAL – KEYLONG (3350 Mts.)  ON THE WAY SIDE TRIP TO KARDANG AND TUPCHILING MONASTERIES (150 Kms.)

Driving all along the Chandra River, we first join the Leh Manali Highway at Gramphu. From here; we drive along the Chandra River viewing fields of potato and peas, dotted by Lahauli Villages and we encounter the local inhabitants working in the fields. After crossing a bridge at Tandi, the meeting point of Chandra and Bhaga Rivers, which later becomes Chenab, These Rivers originate from Baralacha La, and flows all the way into the plains of Punjab. From Tandi we take a detour  to the Famous Monastery of Kardang –Kardang Monastery was founded 900 years ago but it laid in ruins for a long time but now has been renovated and some of the old paintings restored.

DAY 12 KEYLONG – UDAYPUR (S/S–Udaypur, Trilokinath – and camp at Tindi (70 Kms. Altogether).

First we drive all the way back to Keylong to join the Leh Highway, further the journey takes you to Darcha, the commencing point for trekking in Zanskar, the road now climbs up to Patseo, leaving behind the greenery. The landscape now turns more alpine with snowcapped mountains all around up to Baralacha-la (4800 mts),  a high pass that stands as a barrier between the great Himalayas and the middle Himalayas. From here we enter into a totally different landscape that is almost barren. Chocolate colored mountains surround you through the way. This is one of the most amazing journeys in the world as we traverse through the high mountain desert of western Himalaya. We pass through many unique rock formations, which are  a result of centuries of erosion. Different shades of brown mixed with  infinite blue of the sky are visible all the way.

Tsokar is about 130 Kms.from Sarchu. This journey will be through the high Passes such as Namki La, Lachlang La.

From Tsokar we further Drive through the open valleys of Rupshu to Karzok. The whole region  which is known as Chang-Thang, (which literally means Northern plains.) is an extension of  the Northern plateau land Chang –Thang of Tibet. Changpas, the up country pastoral community, sparsely inhabits the vast grassland of Chang Thang. The Changpas have retained their nomadic glory, in spite of the continuing hardships and harsh weather. They live at the higher regions of Changthang at heights above 4,500 mts. Their means of livelihood are their herds of Yak, Sheep, Goats and horse with which they migrate from one pastoral land to another. The only permanent settlement is Karzok Village, by the shores of Tsomoriri Lake. The settlements in  Changthang they can be spotted from a distance, by their Ribose (black Yak hair tents). The wild life around this region comprises of Kiangs (wild ass), rabbits, marmot, Bharal (blue sheep), and the rarely seen snow leopard.