Kinnaur & Spiti Jeep Safari

Dates: 1st to 9th June, 2013
Location: This trip starts in Shimla and ends in Manali.
Costs: INR 18,000 per person on twin sharing, inclusive of transport, accommodation and specific meals.

The Essential Spiti & Kinnaur Safari begins in Shimla and takes you through the stunning and graphic valleys of the Sutlej, Baspa, Spiti and Pin rivers, and up and over the majestic Rohtang and Kunzum passes. During this trip, we will travel into the spectacular valley of the Sutlej River in Kinnaur. The mighty Kinner Kailash will keep us company in Kalpa, and the enchanting Baspa valley is the perfect place to rejuvenate. While in Spiti, we will journey through some of the worlds highest villages, visit ancient monasteries (including an over 1000 year old monastery), experience the Spitian way of life through traditional homestays, and get an insight into Spiti's history, culture & folklore.

This trip packs in as much of Spiti and Kinnaur as is possible without compromising your comfort levels and holiday experience expectations. We will probably travel a shade more than "ideal", a tradeoff that in our opinion is worth making so that you may take with you the essence of the Spiti and Kinnaur experience.

Update: Bookings for this trip are now closed.

Volunteer Travel in Spiti: Greening the Deserts

Dates: 7th to 23rd June, 2013
Location: This trip starts and ends in Delhi.
Costs: INR 29,000 per person on triple sharing, inclusive of transport, accommodation, meals and support staff for the volunteer project.

On this journey, you will be assisting the local community in the construction of a solar bath and setting up a solar water geyser. The volunteers will physically participate in the construction, assisted by a dedicated and qualified team from a local organization. The construction period will be 7–8 days, while the rest of the time will be spent exploring Spiti. You will be visiting some of the highest villages in the world, going on a high-altitude trek, visiting some ancient monasteries dating back to over a 1000 years, and have the options to take a yak safari and go mountain biking. Traditional homestays will further enrich the experience by giving you an authentic understanding of the life and culture in a Spitian home.

The construction of a solar bath is of great significance in this region as great amounts of fuel, coal and wood is burnt for heating water, resulting in CO2 and black carbon emissions. The latter has considerable damaging affects on the melting of glaciers and snow on a local level. Through the set up of a solar bath, which includes both a passive solar structure as well as a solar water heating system, we enable the people to cut down on emissions (especially reducing black carbon) as well as have better hygiene through regular availability of hot water.

Spiti Safari

Dates: 23rd – 28th June, 2013
Location: This trip starts and ends in Manali.
Costs: INR 12,550 per person on twin sharing, including transport, accommodation and specific meals.

The Spiti Safari begins in Manali, and we journey through the magnificent Rohtang and Kunzam passes and through the little known valleys of the Chandra and Spiti rivers. We safari to the highest villages in the world and experience Spitian culture through traditional homestays, along with visits to ancient monasteries that are the cultural and spiritual hubs of the Spitian way of life.

In a span of 6 days, the Spiti Safari provides a great overview of the region, covering all the must sees and dos in the valley.

Spiti Kaleidoscope + Cham Festival

Dates:14th – 21st July, 2013
Location: This trip starts and ends in Manali.
Costs: INR 17,000 per person on twin sharing, including transport, accommodation and specific meals.

The Spiti Kaleidoscope trip has been designed to give you the rare opportunity to witness the Cham Festival in Pin Valley, a unique and elaborate mask dance performance put up by the monks of the region. This journey takes us along the majestic Rohtang and Kunzum passes, and through the graphic valleys of the Chandra, Spiti and Pin rivers. Highlights of the trip include a visit to some of Spiti’s most picturesque villages, mountain biking along rugged backcountry trails, a stop at the world’s highest post office, a yak safari, and a visit to witness the remains of a self-mummified monk.

Khanamo Ascent

Dates:25th September – 1st October, 2013
Location: This trip starts and ends in Manali.

The Khanamo Ascent comes with the adrenalin rush of trekking to a height of 6000m in the mighty Himalayas, surrounded by the vastness and majesty of snow-capped peaks. This trek is also an eye opener for our fast-depleting fresh water storehouse; from its very source, through mountains, valleys and intricate channels, till it reaches our homes, you can trace the journey of nature's most valuable resource on this trek.

The Khanamo peak is a relatively easy peak to scale, and at a height of almost 6000m, it is also one of the most rewarding. This is a completely non-technical peak in terms of scaling, and besides good fitness levels, it requires nothing more than a good pair of hiking shoes, a walking stick, and a heart for adventure.