Jeep safari and yogatrekking
to Spiti via Manali - 7 days
Photos Gallery of Eric Lon: www.flickr.com
Explore Himachal Pradesh from Manali, the Valley of Hindu gods, to Spiti, the hidden Tibetan valley protected by hundred snow capped peaks around 6000 meters.
Experience an unforgettable jeep drive through rough river valleys, crossing two high passes and reaching small villages where the Tibetan culture is untouched.
Enjoy camping at two pristine lakes, 4350 meters of height; take a holy dip under guidance of Eric Lon, certified swimming teacher. You may also ride a kayak at the lakes.
Visit many Tibetan Buddhist monasteries belonging to the four major Tibetan sects, each of them being different of the others. HH the Dalai Lama is used to give teachings in Spiti.
Enjoy Himalayan yoga daily, before breakfast, to get more energy and a better acclimatizing to the Himalayas. Stretch by evening with hatha yoga exercises under guidance of a French physiotherapist who has taught hatha yoga to the young monks at Kaza, in 2006. Learn foot massage. Individual treatment, massage or lessons are possible at extra cost.
Eric Lon has also the expertise of rock skiing and trekking from Spiti to Ladakh.
Trek daily few hours amongst gorgeous landscapes and take plenty of unforgettable pics.
Trip facts
Duration: 7 days via Delhi to Spiti via Manali and back to Delhi or 5 days from Manali to Spiti and back to Manali.Transport: local taxi expert in the roads of Spiti.
Grade: easy treks but long drives daily.
Himalayan yoga lesson are available for the beginners of any age.
Date: under request of a group of four people it can be organized from mid June 2009 to the beginning of September because there is less rain in Spiti than in the Himalayas.
Price: coming soon
Detailed itinerary: 7 days.
Day 1: drive 580 km from Delhi to Manali or flew Delhi to Kullu and drive 40 km.
Day 2: drive 110 km from Manali through Rothang pass, 3900 meters to Chandar Tal, 4350 meters. Enjoy camping and yogatrekking at the lake. Look at the photo. May be kayaking.
Day 3: yogatrekking around the lake before breakfast and then drive 15 km to Kunzum pass, 4551 meters. It is the administrative border between the district of Lahaul and Spiti and a holly Buddhist place. Look at the photo.
Drive 50 km to visit the first Tibetan monastery in Spiti and then drive 60 km down to Kaza, 3800 m. the headquarters of Spiti.
During summer 2009 HH the Dalai Lama will perform at Kaza the "Kalachakra", an important Buddhist teaching which attracts thousands of Buddhist devotees. The monastery which has been renovated will be inaugurated by HH the Dalai Lama.
Day 4: Himalayan morning yoga and short drive to Kee monastery, and then short drive to Kibber village, 4200 meters, and monastery: short trek in the National Park. Drive 50 km to Langza village and monastery to look at the largest Buddha statue of the Spiti and then drive to Komik, 4500 meters, the highest monastery. Visit the ruins of the ancient monastery and trek or drive down to Kaza.
Day 5: Himalayan yoga before breakfast and drive 30 km to Dangkar ancient fort and monastery, 4000 meters high. The recent movie "Milarepa" has been shot there. Trek to Dangkar Lake, 4350 meters. Drive 30 km to Lalung monastery with ancient clay statues similar to Tabo monastery. Night at Kaza.
Day 6: Drive back to Manali via Kunzum pass and Rothang pass.
Day 7: drive back to Delhi or flight Kullu Manali.
Contact: ericlon@hotmail.com
and Vivek Chander: hocm71@yahoo.com