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Places
Covered : Delhi - Manali - Rohtang Pass -
Batal - Kunzum Pass - Chander Tal - Kunzum
Pass - Manali - Delhi
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Lahaul
Travelling northward from Manali, past the sulphur
springs, of Vashishta and the Brighu Lake is the
breathtaking region of Lahaul across the Rohtang Pass
at a height of 4,111 metres (13,400 ft.) reached by
the worlds highest jeepable road right up to and even
beyond, Keylong. It is 117 kms from Manali the
capital, to Lahaul. The threshold of the Lahaul
plateau is nourished by the Chandra and Bhaga rivers.
Dry and very cold, it is surrounded by high mountains
on all sides, the Great Himalayas to the north, the
Pir Panjal to the South and the Spiti-Chandra
watershed to the east. Higher and colder than Pangi
valley there are many glaciers and high peaks in
Lahaul. The biggest glacier is Bara Shigri. The road,
that passes through Lahaul, starts from Rahalla falls,
enters Lahaul by the Rohtang Pass, goes through Lahaul
through Khoksar and Keylong and crosses out by the
Baralacha-La. From Lahaul the Himalayas can be seen in
all their mighty splendour. The barren landscape and
sparse vegetation lends a magnificent charm to this
otherwise bleak country. With their slant Mongol eyes,
prominent cheek bones and cheerful smiles, the people
give visitors an enthusiastic welcome.
ITINERARY
Day 1 : Delhi - Manali
Transfer to Palam Domestic airport for flight IC-475
to Kullu at 0900 hrs to arrive Kullu (Bhuntar airport)
at 1030 hrs. Transfer from Bhuntar airport to Manali
and check into Hotel . After
lunch, we drive down to Manali town for self
exploration of town. Overnight at hotel.
Day
2 : Manali - Rohtang Pass - Manali
After early breakfast, we drive to Rohtang Pass for
sight seeing. This day is must for acclimatization.
Return back by lunch time and day free at leisure.
Overnight in hotel.
Manali:
Manali, according to legend, was born when the waters
of The Great Deluge receded and the seventh Manu’s
ark came to rest on a hillside in this valley. As the
earth dried up there came up a place of breathtaking
beauty which was named after the great sage. Over the
last decade Manali has grown from a back of the beyond
Himachali town to a busy tourist destination bustling
with as many as 400 hotels. It is the centre of a
flourishing orchard industry, a popular honeymoon
destination and trailhead for numerous treks.
Day 3 : Manali - Rohtang Pass -
Batal
After early breakfast, drive over Rohtang Pass for
Batal. Reach Batal by lunch time. Evening free at
leisure & overnight in tents.
Rohtang Pass
Situated about 51 km from Manali town at an altitude
of 4,111 meters (13,400 ft.) on the highway to Keylong,
is Rohtang Pass. Here one sees the majesty of the
mountains at its height and splendour. At the top of
the Pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as
you look down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul
Valley. There is a beautiful Doshohar Lake left to the
pass, where pilgrims go every year on the auspicious
day of 20th Bhadon. This is the only access to Lahaul
valley. The pass is open from June to September each
year although trekkers can across the pass a little
earlier. Rohtang pass is the gateway to Lahaul valley
just as Zojila pass in between Kashmir valley and
Ladakh.
Batal
Batal is situated at the foot of Kunzum pass, which
provides the main approach to Spiti from Lahaul. The
panorama as viewed from the top of the pass is
enthralling and inspiring. On the way is Bara Shigri
glaciers. Bara meaning big and Shigri meaning glacier
in Lahauli dialect. The view of the Shigri Stream
emerging from beneath a huge iridescent archway of
solid ice is a never-to be forgotten sight. Behind the
archway lies the Shigri glacier climbing up to dizzy
height. The glacier is mountainous mass of solid ice,
more than a kilometer wide and extending over a
distance of ten kilometers.
Day 4 : Batal - Kunzum Pass -
Chander Tal
After breakfast, we drive 10 kms to Kunzum Pass and
start trekking 12 kms to Chander tal. A pleasant 4 hrs
walk and the Chandra tal appears. Overnight in tents.
Kunzum Pass (4551 m)
110 from Manali,Kunzum provides chief access to Lahaul
valley by the great Kunzum range. The lofty Shigri
Glacier is seen in front in all its grandeur. The
crest of the pass has been marked by a chorten of
stones erected ages ago. The Panorama as viewed from
the top of the Pass is enthralling and inspiring.
There is a temple dedicated to Kali, known as Kunzum
Devi. Rahul was the son of Buddha and the name Lahaul
is drived from Rahul.
Chander Tal
Chandertal means the Lake of Moon. This lake of
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
the Samudra Tapoo glacier and of Mulkila range is
obtainable. A majestic serene lake surrounded by
mighty Himalayan peaks. A vast meadow, is the camping
site on the banks of this enchanting lake. During
spring time, it is carpeted with hundreds of kinds of
wild alpine flowers.
Day 5 : Rest Day
Day 6 : Rest Day
Day 7 : Chander Tal - Kunzum
Pass - Manali
After early breakfast, trek back to Kunzum Pass and
drive back to Manali to arrive late in the evening.
Check into Hotel . Overnight.
Day 8 : Manali - Delhi
Transfer to Bhuntar airport for flight to Delhi
1110 hrs to arrive Delhi at 1240 hrs. Transfer to hotel