Pickup Chandigarh Narkanda Via Shimla - Chitkul - Kalpa - Tabo - Kaza - Local - Chandar Tal - Sissu - Manali - Flyback frm Chandigarh

Embark on a captivating journey from the city of Chandigarh to the serene hills of Narkanda, with a charming stopover in the queen of hills, Shimla. This road trip covers approximately 175 km and typically takes around 5-6 hours of driving time, not including stops.

 

Begin your day by departing from Chandigarh towards Shimla. The drive from Chandigarh to Shimla spans roughly 110 km and takes about 3 to 4 hours, navigating through scenic mountain roads and small towns.

 

En route to Shimla, consider visiting the following attractions:

• Pinjore Gardens: Just outside Chandigarh, these 17th-century Mughal gardens offer a refreshing stop.
• Timber Trail, Parwanoo: Experience a thrilling ropeway ride offering panoramic views of the Shivalik range (optional, time permitting).
• Kalka-Shimla Railway viewpoints: Catch glimpses of the UNESCO World Heritage toy train track.

 

Upon reaching Shimla, take a brief break to stretch your legs and perhaps enjoy lunch amidst the bustling Mall Road or Ridge. After a refreshing stop, continue your onward journey towards Narkanda. The distance from Shimla to Narkanda is approximately 65 km, and this leg of the journey will take around 2 hours.

 

As you drive from Shimla to Narkanda, you'll encounter these picturesque spots:

• Kufri: Known for its scenic beauty, zoological park, and adventure activities like horse riding and yak rides.
• Fagu: A small village offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas and apple orchards.

Arrive in Narkanda, a tranquil hill station nestled amidst dense forests and apple orchards. Check into your hotel and settle in. The rest of your day can be dedicated to exploring the serene surroundings of Narkanda.

After having breakfast, proceed for Kinnaur Sangla Early as today journet tie is almost 9 hrs so around 8 am, via Sarahan, popularly known as the gateway to Kinnaur Valley . You will then visit the Hattu Peak which provides a serene view of the Himalayas. Following this, you proceed onto visiting the famous attractions of the area including a traditional wooden carved temple of Goddess Kali, the oldest Mahal of King of Himachal, Hawa Mahal. You will then move onto Sangla Valley and have an overnight stay in the Chitkul hotel.

The next day, you leave for a sightseeing trip to Chitkul Sangla Valley. Kamru Valley is the first stop followed by visiting the Kamru Fort and the famous temple of Goddess Kamaksha Devi. You then move onto the village Sangla where you can spend time exploring the architecture and beauty of the area, along with spending time with the local people who are known for their hospitality and simple living. explore the local attractions along the way such as visiting Recongpeo, having a delectable lunch at a local restaurant, and enjoying the mesmerizing view of nature. At the Kalpa and Roghi village, you will get a mesmerizing view of the lofty Mt. Kinner Kailash Mountain. Here, you can also get a taste of some delicious apples and apricots that are grown locally and are a specialty in the area. Check into the hotel at Kalpa Valley for an overnight stay.

Today we drive towards Tabo. The landscape changes from green-mountains to desert-mountains. We continue our journey through Kinnaur and enter the Hindustan-Tibet Highway - often called the world’s most adventurous road. We drive via Puh, which is the last fuel station on this road before Kaza. After a fuel refill, we drive towards Nako, a village situated at 3600 m, passing by the Khab Sangam (confluence of Spiti and Sutlej rivers), and visit the Nako lake. We can have lunch at Nako and later visit the Gue village and see the 500 year old Mummy at the Monastery there. Finally we head to Tabo for the night.

Our first destination on day will be the Dhankar (sometimes spelled as Dankhar or Dhangkar) monastery. It is a 900-year-old monastery built on a valley spur. The word literally translates to Fort (Kar) built on a mountain (Dhang). A 23km long drive on NH505 will take us to a point from where we take a right turn and continue the drive on a serpentine road connecting road (Sichling-Dhankhar Gompa). The Dhankar monastery offers vantage views of the valley and the confluence of the Pin and Spiti Rivers. After spending some time at the monastery, we descend down to reach NH505, take a left turn, and continue driving on the highway. At Attargo, we drive over the Attargo bridge and start our road journey into the Pin valley. Instagrammable places in Pin valley Kungri monastery Sagnam village Mud village (the last village of the Pin valley). Pin river terraces. By the evening, we head back to Attargo and reach Kaza — the administrative center of Spiti valley. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Kaza.

Wake up in the magnificent Pin valley and after breakfast head towards Kaza and then further to explore the nearby villages of Langza (The fossil village), Komic, Hikkim & Key monastery. Each of these villages are famous for special reasons. Hikkim claim to have the worlds highest post office. Komic is the worlds highest village to be connected with a motorable road. While Langza is known as the Fossil village of India due to the abundance of marine fossils found here. After sightseeing, head towards Kaza, will cover key monastery and chicham bridge. for the evening stay.

Today after breakfast head towards the famous Chandratal Lake and visit the Chicham Bridge on the way just 5 kms from Kibber. The Chicham Bridge is one of the highest (Altitude) bridges in Asia and is situated 5 kms ahead of Kibber village. Chandra Tal lake is situated at a distance of 85-90 km from Kaza and is said to be the source of the Chandra river. On the way, you’ll cross the famous Kunzum Pass. Spend some time near the Kunzum Mata Temple situated on the top of the pass and head towards Chandratal Lake. Enjoy some quality time near the lake. Camping is not allowed near the lake so the overnight stay would be 2 kms below the lake at our Campsite.

Post breakfast at Chandratal lake camp we will then drive back to Manali. The journey covers the crossing through Kunzum pass (4,558 meters/ 14,950ft.) , Via Sissu , later drive to keylong , Tandi . (if time permits can visit Sissu waterfall by next morning ) . Check in The hotel, dinner & overnight stay at hotel .

Post breakfast , check out from sissu hotel , drive back to manali - spend some time at solang valley , dinner & overnight stay hotel manali .

In early morning after the breakfast at the hotel and check out from the hotel and proceed to chandigarh/kalka (it may takes 08 hour) for your onward journey .