Chandra Taal- the lake of the moon

Arrival at Delhi airport, on-site assistance and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

(SHATABADI EXPRESS ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE 07: 40 am - ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL 11:05 am) / MANALI (ALTITUDE 1985M - DISTANCE 31 KM - 8/9 HOURS DRIVING)
After breakfast, transfer to the New Delhi railway station early in time for the train to Chandigarh. Assistance provided on arrival at Chandigarh station and continuation by car to Manali. On the way, visit the temple of the goddess Parvati Hanogi Mata. Once arrived in Manali, hotel accommodation and overnight stay.

After breakfast, day dedicated to the visit of the city of Manali, the "Queen of the Mountains", located at an altitude of 1685 meters on the western bank of the river, which passes by before continuing on its journey towards the pass of Rothang, and the barren mountain panoramas beyond Lahaul and Ladakh. This booming small town is a point of reference for both Westerners and Indians themselves. It is surrounded by lush orchards and dark forests, typical of the fertile Kullu Valley, and delights the view to the north towards the snow-capped mountains.
Excursion to Naggar, 26km from Manali. Naggar was the ancient capital of the kingdom of Kullu. Nestled on the mountainside, the ancient castle, built over 400 years ago in wood and stone, is nowadays a hotel. It houses several stone temples dedicated to Shiva and Nandi.
Then visit the Rhoerich Art Gallery which is located above the village, to see the beautiful paintings preserved inside.
On the way back to Manali, visit the village of Jagatsukh.
Once in Manali, visit the Temple of Hadimba or Dhungiri, one of the most important in the region.
Built in wood and four stories high, the temple is located in the middle of a forest called Dhungiri Van Vihar.
Evening dedicated to visiting the market and overnight stay at the hotel.

(DISTANCE: 4KM- DRIVING TIME: 20 MIN- TREKKING DURATION: 5/6 HOURS- ALTITUDE 3100M)

After breakfast, you start along the left bank of the Beas river to the village of Prini, the starting point of the trekking route. You will pass the village of Prini and the temples located on top of the village. You will gradually climb for about 3 hours until you reach the villages of Hamta and Sethan, which is a small settlement of Tibetan horse breeders, known as Khampas, who nowadays are mainly dedicated to trekking with mules. From here you will begin a 45-minute of walking through the alpine forest of Panduropa. Panduropa is famous for its rice fields where the Pandavas of Mahabharata, during their exile, devoted themselves to cultivation and harvesting. Follow a 1 hour journey through a thick forest with plenty of flowers to reach Chikka. Here, upon arrival you will pitch the tents.
Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

(3300M) / BALU KA GERA (TREKKING DURATION: 5/6 HOURS - ALTITUDE: 3700M)

After breakfast, you will leave Chikka towards the Hamta Pass, from which it enjoys a wonderful panorama of the rocky mountains. The next adventure will take us to cross a stream, not far from Jwara, with the help of a guide and with the help of ropes. Our path now gently climbs towards the camp of Balu ka Gera, from which you can have a first look at what our path will be the next day through the Hamta pass. Balu ka Gera is a beautiful camp near crystal clear waters, known for its wildflowers, rocks and caves. Beware of bears early in the season and late in the season. Rest of the evening dedicated to exploring the surroundings.
Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

(TREKKING DURATION: 6/7 HOURS - ALTITUDE: 4000M)

It is very important to start the trek early. Keep on your left the valley along which you will have to walk all day. Depending on the time of the trek, you may see some bridges made of snow behind you. Continuing on the left, you will reach Passo di Hampta, a perfect location for taking great photos. The climb is very steep and can be a little tiring for your legs, but a long descent will follow. Always following the same direction, at some point you should see a stream (try to always keep the left) .
By continuing to walk on the plain you will approach your destination; Siagoru, the best place to pitch tents at the end of this busy day, which led you to cross 14 km.
Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

(TREKKING DURATION: 3-4HOURS- ALTITUDE: 3353M)

From Siagoru you will begin by gently descending a hill. You will continue to move along the river that flows between the mountains. After about an hour you can already see the road that will take you to Chhatru. The surrounding mountains are barren, as typical of Spiti. The descent to the road can be a little difficult. You may have to walk on the edge of the rocks and sometimes it may be easier to go down to the river or glacier bed to avoid the rocks and then go back up. There are also a couple of areas where the terrain is particularly slippery. You will need to be agile to jump off the rocks to avoid slipping. This part will take you about 2.30 hours, until you leave the mountains. You will still be at a certain altitude but you will have the road just opposite, on the other side of the Chandra River. You will still have to cross 2 or 3 glaciers before reaching the camp where you will find the water. Chhatru is a nice campsite from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.
Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

(TREKKING DURATION: 4/5 HOURS - ALTITUDE: 3800M)

After breakfast, departure from Chhatru to Chota Dara. You will walk along the right bank of the Chandra river. Along the way you can observe high granite walls, famous among climbing enthusiasts. The color of the rocks is different from the others. In the distance, the Chhota Shigri glacier and other beautiful peaks offer breathtaking views. Some small tea shops welcome you to Chota Darra.
Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

Today you will continue along the right bank of the Chandra River leaving Chota Darra behind us. A beautiful view of the Bara Shigri glacier will accompany you on the left. High on the glacier, which with its 12km is the longest in Himachal, the peaks of the White Sail, Shigri Parbat and Kullu Makalu where you can see fearless climbers as they try to touch the sky.
Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

(TREKKING DURATION: 4/5 HOURS - ALTITUDE 4270M)

Crossing the bridge, immediately after Batal, you will begin our walk towards Chandra Taal (the lake of the moon).
Chandra Taal is located at an altitude of 4300m and about 8km from the Kunzum Pass. Lake Chandra Taal has a circumference of 2.5 km and was in the past a point of passage for traders who from Tibet and Ladakh traveled to Spiti and the Kullu valley.Today it attracts a huge number of photographers and adventure lovers. This crystalline blue lake lying on a wide grassy plain is the ideal place to camp. This lake in the past was occupied by a glacier. Vast pastures on the shores of the lake act as a campsite. During spring these pastures fill up with hundreds of types of wildflowers. The lake is the second highest swamp in India which has been designated as the Ramsar site.
Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

(DURATION: 7/8 HOURS)
After breakfast you will leave Chandra Taal early to reach Kunzum La for about 8 km with a beautiful view of the peaks of Chandra Bhaga all around. Once you reach Kunzum La, you will take possession of your vehicle and continue driving towards Manali through the Rohtang Pass. The Rohtang pass is the highest mountain pass in the eastern part of the Pir Panjal of the Himalayas, about 51 km from Manali. It connects the Kullu valley with the Spiti valley in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Spend some time in Rohtang to observe the beautiful panorama of the Manali valley. Keep driving to Manali. The landscape around you is truly rewarding.
Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Chandigarh to take the train to Delhi. Arriving at Delhi station you will have a transfer to the hotel where you will spend the night.
(TRAIN: SHATABADI EXPRESS- ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE: 06:15 PM- ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL: 09:55 PM / DISTANCE 255KM / GUIDE: 6/7 HOURS)

In the morning transfer to the airport for the return flight.