DAY 1: Departure from Europe.

DAY 2: Delhi.

• Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel.
• Late morning start Delhi sightseeing. Lunch at world famous ‘Karim’ restaurant in Old Delhi.
• L Karim is 100 years old restaurant serving famous Mughlai cuisine. Continue city tour and visit main attractions of the old and New Delhi.
• Dinner/Overnight at hotel.

DAY 3: Delhi-Chandigarh (By Train. Kalka Shatabdi / 07h40 – 1105) – Shimla

• Transfer to New Delhi Railway station. Board train ‘Shatabdi Express to Chandigarh. Drive to Shimla [110 kms / 04 hours – Hill drive] with lunch enroute.
• Check in at Hotel. Evening walk through the famous mall of Shimla and visit local bazaars.
• Coffee break at popular ‘Indian Coffee House’ which is a popular meeting place for tourists and law community of Shimla.
• Dinner in local restaurant on Mall / Overnight at hotel.

DAY 4: Shimla – Sarahan (175 km / 6 hrs).

• Dinner in local restaurant on Mall / Overnight at hotel.
• Shimla was discovered by the British in 1819 but it was only in 1822 that the first permanent house was built here by a young officer, Major Kennedy-and it is still there.
• Shimla assumed the title of being the summer capital of the British Raj. It not only became famous for its high-flown social life, but eventually became a center of many important activities which are landmarks in the political history of India.
• Afternoon commence drive to Sarahan, along the ridge up to Narkanda (3690Mts) and then decent into Baspa valley driving along the Sutlej river.
• Drive through Rampur (135km), erstwhile capital of Baspa Kingdom and continue drive to Sarahan, which is a beautiful village surrounded by apple orchards and dominated by Shrikhand Mahadev Peak (5155M) which resembles the “SHIVLING”, is famous for Bhimakali temple where goddess idol is around 200 years old. On arrival check in guest house or hotel. Visit Bhimakali Temple.
• Walk through this lovely small Himalayan village and see local going about their daily chores. Masala Tea break at local tea point.
• There are various Hydel Power projects on the Sutlej river in this area and one can see them on the way.
• Overnight stay in Hotel Shrikhand or in Bhimakali Temple Sarai.
• Note: Vice regal Lodge is closed on every Monday.

DAY 5: Sarahan – Nako (180 Kms).

• Morning visit the Western Tragopan Pheasantry to see the breeding of this endangered bird.
• Later drive along the river till Karcham and then drive to Nako, the legends of Kinnaur are replete with stories of Padmasambhava the great Buddhist teacher, also called the second Buddha.
• According to one legend, Padmasambhava in a demonstration of his Tantric powers is said to have landed on a rock in the village of Nako. Overnight home stay near lake. Your local hosts tonight will offer you complete insight into the lifestyle of people in these remote areas and their unique ways of life. Cook with the host and dine with them.
• Many photo stops enroute to see apple farming and local houses.

DAY 6: Nako

• Nako Lake is a high altitude (3,662 metres or 12,014 ft) lake. It forms part of the boundary of Nako village and seems that the village is half buried in the lake’s border.
• Visit the Monastery today.
• The monastic complex in Nako is situated at the western edge of the town and comprises four temples apart from other buildings. From outside, the monastery exude a very simple appearance, but this is in contrast to what you will see inside.
• Two temples are of utmost importance here, the Main temple and the Upper temple. Both these temples are considered the oldest amongst all the structures and still preserve their original clay sculptures, murals and ceiling panels. The largest temple or the main temple is also called the Translator’s Temple. It also happens to be the oldest monument in the village.
• The third structure in the complex is the Small White temple, which though not in a good state, is worth visiting for its wonderful wooden door-frame with scenes of the Life of the Buddha carved on the lintel.
• The fourth structure is quiet the same size as the Upper Temple and is also situated besides it. The temple is today known as the Temple of Wide Proportions Home Stay at Nako.

DAY 7: Nako-Tabo (4 hours drive).

• After breakfast continue drive to Tabo (3050M), a small village famous for its 10th century old Buddhist unassuming monastery said to have been established as a seat of learning by Padmasambhava, the profounder of Tantric Buddhism. Visit to a local school.
• Buchen Lama Dance show this evening. Overnight stay Dewachen retreat

DAY 8: Tabo-Giu-Dhankar (3h30 drive).

• Visit the monastery at Tabo Kungri, founded in the year 996 and is among the largest in the western border of the Indian Himalayas. Enroute visit Giu to see the disturbing body of a mummified old monk in meditation position, intact since 675 years.
• Lunch at Tabo, then drive to Dhankar.
• Overnight Home stay.

DAY 09: Dhankar-Lhalung-Demula (3 hour drive).

• Dhankar – The ancient capital of Spiti, is famous for its old monastery perched on a rock Hill. Witness the city’s architectural wonders and see tangkas – artistic paintings on cloth.
• Initiatives have been taken by local Organizations for the restoration and preservation of relics and these old paintings.
• In the afternoon, drive towards Lhalung – the largest cultural site of Lingti Valley is famous for its temple built on the principles of Buddhas and other deities.
• Overnight Homestay.

DAY 10: Demula.

• In the morning visit the village of Demula. Meet local people who are friendly, to share their daily lives. During the afternoon, you can attend performances of local folklore. Cooking with the hosts and overnight in Homestay.

DAY 11: Demula-comic (4 to 5 hours drive).

• Yak Safari in the Morning and proceed towards Comic. Explore the desert areas of the Indian Himalayas and its green meadows with grazing herbivores altitude – you may witness argali – A typical blue sheep. Wild animals like Leopard are also found in this area. Continue to the village of Comic, the highest in Asia. Visit the fields and see the cultivation procedure.
• If you wish, work in the fields with villagers. Dinner and overnight at Homestay.

DAY 13: Kaza – Kye – Kibber – Tashigang – Kaza (3 hour drive).

• After breakfast, proceed towards Kye gompa – the largest fortified monastery of Spiti.
• Here you will have a meeting with monks. After short acclimatization proceed towards the village of Kibber which is at 4200 m above sea level.
• On the way we visit the villages and Tashigang. This place was famous for horse trade in exchange for the valuable wool pashmina. Visit to a local school.
• In the evening, visit the city market. Cooking demonstration in the evening and learn to make a local dish. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Kaza-Manali (10 to 11 hours drive).

• Back to Manali by road via Kunzum-La and Rohtang-La.
• Overnight at Hotel.

Day 15: Manali-Chandigarh-Delhi (290 Kms + 03 hrs Train)

• Drive to Chandigarh. Transfer to the Chandigarh railway station. Arrival in the evening, Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16: Delhi.

• Drive to Chandigarh. Transfer to the Chandigarh railway station. Arrival in the evening, Overnight at the hotel.
• Later transfer to International Airport for your return flight.

DAY 17:

• Board your flight and fly back to Paris.