Shimla to Manali via Spiti & Chandratal Lake

Day 1: Board Train from Howrah

• Assemble at Howrah Railway Station (HWH) by 08:45 PM.

• Board the 12311 Netaji Express departing at 09:55 PM.

• Overnight journey onboard the train.

Day 2: Train Journey Across Northern Plains

• Full-day onboard train journey passing across West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.

• Group briefing on high-altitude acclimatization, hydration, and packing tips.

• Overnight onboard the train.

Day 3: Arrival Kalka / Chandigarh & Drive to Shimla (Night Stay: Shimla)

• Arrive at Chandigarh (01:35 AM) / Kalka (03:00 AM).

• Meet your tour representative, board your dedicated Tempo Traveller, and drive uphill to Shimla (approx. 110 km / 4 hours).

• Check in to your hotel, freshen up, and take time to rest.

• Afternoon/evening walk along Mall Road, The Ridge, and Christ Church.

• Dinner and overnight stay in Shimla.

Day 4: Shimla to Sarahan via Narkanda (Night Stay: Sarahan)

• Early breakfast, check out, and drive towards Sarahan (approx. 165 km / 6–7 hours).

• En-route stops at Kufri, Narkanda (views of apple orchards), and Rampur Bushahr along the Sutlej River.

• Arrive in Sarahan, the gateway to Kinnaur.

• Visit the iconic 800-year-old Bhimakali Temple, showcasing wooden Indo-Tibetan architecture.

• Dinner and overnight stay in Sarahan.

Day 5: Sarahan to Sangla Valley & Kamru Fort (Night Stay: Sangla)

• Post breakfast, check out and drive into the lush Baspa Valley / Sangla (approx. 90 km / 4 hours).

• Drive past the dramatic cliffs of Taranda Dhank.

• Arrive in Sangla and check in to your hotel or deluxe riverside camp.

• Visit the ancient wood-and-stone Kamru Fort and stroll through the quaint Kinnauri village and apple orchards.

• Dinner and overnight stay in Sangla.

Day 6: Sangla to Kalpa via Chitkul Excursion (Night Stay: Kalpa)

• Breakfast at the hotel; check out and take a scenic excursion to Chitkul (approx. 22 km / 1 hour), the last inhabited village on the Indo-Tibetan border.

• Walk along the pebble shores of the Baspa River and visit the Mathi Devi Temple.

• Afternoon drive to Kalpa (approx. 70 km / 3 hours) via Reckong Peo.

• Check in to your hotel facing the sacred Kinner Kailash peak (6,050 m).

• Visit Suicide Point and the heritage Roghi Village.

• Dinner and overnight stay in Kalpa.

Day 7: Kalpa to Tabo via Nako & Gue Mummy (Night Stay: Tabo)

• Early morning breakfast and check out; officially enter the trans-Himalayan realm of Spiti Valley.

• En-route stops:

  • Khab Confluence (meeting point of Sutlej and Spiti rivers)

  • Nako Lake & Village

  • Detour to Gue Village to witness the 500-year-old naturally preserved mummy of monk Sangha Tenzin

• Arrive in Tabo by late afternoon and check in to your hotel/homestay.

• Visit the UNESCO-recognized Tabo Monastery (founded in 996 AD, known as the "Ajanta of the Himalayas").

• Dinner and overnight stay in Tabo.

Day 8: Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar Monastery (Night Stay: Kaza)

• Breakfast at Tabo; check out and drive towards Kaza (approx. 65 km / 3 hours).

• En-route visit the cliff-hanging Dhankar Monastery and view the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers.

• Continue drive to Kaza, the sub-divisional capital and heartbeat of Spiti Valley.

• Check in to your hotel, relax, and explore the colorful Kaza Market.

• Dinner and overnight stay in Kaza.

Day 9: High-Altitude Spiti Circuit — Key, Kibber, Hikkim, Komic & Langza (Night Stay: Kaza)

• Breakfast at the hotel.

• Full-day exploration of Spiti's highest villages:

  • Key Monastery (magnificent fortress monastery perched on a conical hill)

  • Kibber Village & the soaring Chicham Bridge (Asia's highest suspension bridge)

  • Hikkim (home to the world's highest functioning post office; send a postcard home)

  • Komic (one of the world's highest motorable villages with a monastery)

  • Langza (the fossil village dominated by the giant golden Buddha statue facing Chau Chau Kang Nilda peak)

• Return to Kaza by evening.

• Dinner and overnight stay in Kaza.

Day 10: Kaza to Chandratal Lake via Kunzum Pass (Night Stay: Chandratal Lake Camp)

• Early breakfast, check out from Kaza, and drive towards the high-altitude pass (approx. 95 km / 5–6 hours).

• Conquer Kunzum Pass (14,931 ft), offering views of the Chandra-Bhaga range and the Kunzum Mata Temple.

• Descend towards the celestial Chandratal Lake (Moon Lake - 14,100 ft).

• Park at the designated point and take the scenic 1 km walk to the edge of the crystal-clear turquoise crescent lake.

• Check in to your deluxe Swiss tents at the camping site (approx. 2.5–3 km from the lake).

• Experience clear night skies with unmatched stargazing and the Milky Way arc.

• Dinner and overnight stay at Chandratal campsite.

Day 11: Chandratal Lake to Manali via Batal, Chhatru & Atal Tunnel (Night Stay: Manali)

• Wake up to crisp mountain air; enjoy breakfast and check out by 07:30 AM.

• Drive along the rugged boulder-strewn bed of the Chandra River past Batal (Chacha-Chachi Dhaba) and Chhatru (approx. 115 km / 6–7 hours).

• Reach Gramphu and enter the 9.02 km long Atal Tunnel, re-entering the lush green Kullu Valley.

• Arrive in Manali by late afternoon; check in to your resort and unwind.

• Evening walk on Manali Mall Road or Old Manali cafes.

• Dinner and overnight stay in Manali.

Day 12: Manali to Chandigarh / Kalka & Return Train Departure

• Breakfast at the hotel; visit Hadimba Devi Temple and pick up local souvenirs.

• Check out by 10:30 AM and drive down towards Chandigarh / Kalka Railway Station (approx. 290 km / 8 hours).

• Reach the station by 07:30 PM.

• Board the return train 12312 Netaji Express back toward Howrah.

• Overnight journey onboard the train.

Day 13: Train Journey Across the Plains

• Full-day onboard train journey across Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.

• Share photographs, videos, and memories of the Spiti & Chandratal expedition.

• Overnight onboard the train.

Day 14: Arrival at Howrah

• Arrive at Howrah Railway Station (HWH) in the morning/early afternoon.

• Tour concludes with alpine memories of Kinnaur, Spiti, and the turquoise waters of Chandratal Lake.