For
centuries a mystic aura surrounding the
trans – Himalayan tracts of Tibet,
Spiti, Lahaul and Ladakh. In practical
isolation for centuries, In Spiti, where
faith is as deep as the rivers swift has
an introversive culture of life focused
around its several monasteries - Dhankar,
Kye, Tabo,Mud, kungri, Lidang, Hikim,
Sagnam, Mane Gongma and Giu to name a
few. Spiti has a haunting and unforgettable
beauty.
Here
nature in company with the infinite blue
of the sky and the unbroken silence has
brought an unearthly panorama of eerie
beauty, incredible and indescribable land
of Gods; for no human being can live here……
probably Rudyard Kipling came most close
in grasping the Spirit of the land.
The
Spiti Valley may be one of such rare pockets
where one can trace a continuous course
of the development of Lamaism from its
very primitive form of the days of the
Padmasambhava, when it had more of the
Bon – Pa (Shamanistic) overtone,
to its latest version, the Ge-lug-pa (Philosophical).
Abundance
of fossils, comprising of Shells, mollusk,
ammonite and its extraordinary geography
with deep gorges and table lands, 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.
This area is a heaven for the geologists.
We
start towards Kaza from Manali in a jeep
Over Rohthang Pass, the topographical
barrier between the two absolutely different
lands. Most of the drive is on a non-metalled
surface in the Chandra Valley, along the
Chandra River. This whole region is a
typical Himalayan Alpine world, as high
summits and cliffs looms over the valley
and along the track lies massive moraines
and huge glaciers. Crossing over the Kunzum
La (4551Mts.), one enters into the another
World of barren reddish mountains with
hardly any sign of vegetation. Driving
through the lunar landscape we pass many
villages such as Losar, Kyoto, Hansa and
Rangrik to get to Kaza. We spend one more
day for acclimatization and visit to the
Kye Monastery and a beautiful side Valley
of Pin . After the jeep trip four days
of trek into the Lingthi Valley through
the isolated villages of Langza, Komik,
Damul and Lalung in Himalayan Geological
region gives a wonderful introduction
of the centuries old culture, lifestyle
and we visit many ancient Monasteries.
Trek gives an insight into the rare Himalayan
lifestyle of this forbidden Valley, their
homes, cuisine, agriculture and irrigation
practices, livestock grazing mechanisms)
with the opportunity to explore the habitats
of some of the worlds most rare species
of wildlife such as the Snow Leopard,
Tibetan Wolf, Blue Sheep etc. After finishing
the trek we also visit ancient monastery
of Tabo, rich in image and murals. The
journey back to Manali involves a beautiful
trek, Starting from Kunzum Pass to the
famous Chandertal Lake. Drive back to
Manali.
Option II From Tabo :
Is to drive through Kinnaur and visit
some of the famous places there, such
as Nako monastery, Kanum Monastery, Morang
Village, Kalpa, Sangla Valley. Further
driving through the Satluj Valley we visit
the towns of Sarahan (Famous for Bhima
Kali Temple) and Rampur. The trip eventually
ends in Shimla. (2 days extra).
