Advice on Kinnaur and Spiti route - Self Drive

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Looking for some valuable advice from seasoned travellers regarding the doability of the route from Saharan ownwards, any red flags:

Vehicle: Safari Dicor 2 wheel drive

26th Sept: Delhi

27th Sept: Chail

28th Sept: Saharan

29 and 30 Sept: Sangla/Chitkul

1 and 2 Oct: Kalpa

3 and 4 Oct: Tabo via Nako and Tabo-Langza-Komik-Tabo

5 Oct: Mudh

6 Oct: Kaza

7 and 8 Oct: Manali/Kullu

9 and 10 Oct: Delhi

11 and 12 Oct: Calcutta

Can Tabo to Komik and back to Tabo be done in a day, or is it enough to go till Langza and then return to Tabo, since will not be staying in Komik

Condition of Tabo to Mudh road, does it get blocked often? How much driving time it will be from Mudh to Kaza.

Will 1 day in Kaza be enough?

Do post comments on any part that looks to be troublesome or otherwise.

Again thanks much in advance

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Did some research myself and found that it is better to go to Langza and Komik from Kaza itself so modifying the tour likewise and thus reducing a day in Tabo.

Any other modifications needed to this plan?

Balvar

Dear,

Dhankar gompa would be worth a visit.Also further half an hour hike to Dhankar Lake.
Tabo - Mudh - kaza can be easily done in a day, Also there is Tantric Sect Gompa on way to Mudh, altought i cant remember its name ?
Road would be better on this circuit, then on Comic - Langza- Kaza Circuit.

__________________
Reagrds,
Balvar

navinjathan

You could visit bcmtouring.com
The guys there do Kinnaur/Spiti regularly.

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Thanks to both for the tip.

Another question:

Which place would be better to halt for a day, Narkanda or Saharan - criteria being scenic mountain views?

Balvar

Narkanda, is a better Option if U plan to go the Hatu Peak & Nag temple & thanedar Vilalge. But in tiself Narkanda doesn't have the same view as Sarahan.

In sarahan there is a Bhimakali temple & the view of the Shirkhand Mahadev is awesome. & Fellow India Miker (AndreasW) & Posted one Pic of view From Sarahan. rest its a personal Opinon & u may feel otherwise. So........

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Thanks Balvar, Saharan it is then.

Would it better to go to Kalpa first from Saharan and then to Chitkul and then to Nako, i.e.

Saharan-Kalpa-Chitkul-Nako

in order to get used to the heights?

Any logistic problem doing this route?

This question since almost all tours packages are first to Sangla/Chitkul and then to Kalpa and from there to Nako/Tabo, most likely due to ease of travel in one direction.


Also in Kalpa, other than the HPTDC Kinner Kailash Cottages, which has the fantastic mountain views, any other hotel in Kalpa which would match the HPTDC hotel for mountain view?

Balvar

Apart from sangla - Chitkul - Kalpa - Nako being in one directions, Its asdvisble to visit Kapla after Chitkul, as the height of Kalpa is more than Chitkul, so its more asdvisbale to stay in Kalpa , after Chitkul,
As per me the best of View of Kinner Range is from Hotel Kinner Villa, Kalpa.

tsk1979

How much is the travel time from
Chandigarh to Kalpa/chitkul. Can it be done in 1 day?
From the map it appears that kalpa and sangla on opposite sides of the NH.
So is it better to stay in Sangla valley/chitkul?
Till what time is the route open.
Is it advisable to go around 10th october?

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Thanks again Balvar, thats a great tip about the hotel, definitely then Hotel Kinner Villa.

But this has me confused, though ultimately I will be following the Saharan-Chitkul-Kalpa-Nako. Chitkul is at 3335 m /10800 feet and Kalpa at 2800 m /9200 feet. So, chitkul is at a higher altitude, but then it would be quite a roundabout journey if I go to Kalpa first and then to Chitkul. Was enquiring about height as my 4 year old child will be there with us.

Anyway, thanks again Balvar - will revert back to you if and any queries come up.

@tsk: This is what I have in my archive from a website, about bus timings

So, on seeing this, you should be able to do that journey in around 10 hrs or so.

For kinnaur and spiti map, the best map is

http://www.masterlyinactivity.com/spiti/map.gif


Kinnaur area should be doable on 10th and almost whole of Bengal this time is headed to Kinnaur this Puja holidays, so early booking has to done. From what I read so far, Chitkul is the more remote area and Sangla is like touristy somewhat, but then the remoteness may not appeal to everyone.

bArFaNi

Bhai Logo ,
I did this route 5 times... my advice as below :

Delhi - Narkanda : easily do able just 444 kms. ( I did on bike )

Narkanda - Sarhan : 115 kms , dont miss it , its a beautiful place.

Sarhan - Sangla - Chitkul :

Chitkul - R peo - Kalpa :


Kalpa - Nako : Stay at Nako lake in case you are having camping gears.


Nako - Tabo : Another option is doing Kaurik Border and then stay at Tabo

Tabo - Dankar - Pin Velly - Kaza

Kaza - Key Monestry - Kibber

Kaza - Manali

manali - Delhi

Few pointers :
-Road after Puh Cantt . is unpredictable. landslide area.
-From Khab ( meeting point of Spiti and Sutlej ) its a steep climb till Ka.
- Pl check at Nako, in case Maling bypass is operational or not. Better to avoid Malling Nalla.
- If time permits, visit Kaurik Boarder, road diverts from Sumdo
- Keep vigil of your blongings at Hoorling
- Dont miss Pin Velly and Dankar Gompa and lake
- Few accomodations available after Rampur. In case u r planning camping, get ur ration from Rampur itself.
- There is only few hotels in Kaza, that too available in season only. So pwd guest house is good option. otherwise visit "Singly" Dhaba in old Kaza and enquire about Shahi, the owner. He will help you out.
- Dont rush after you cross Yangthang. Its a high altitude area . Drink lot of water and Tea. Avoid coffee and smoking.
- AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST--- CLICK MAXIMUM PHOTOGRAPHS

__________________
Vivek - Delhi

Barfani bAbA
My Bread & Butter

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Hey, B-baba that is a bucketful of gyan and information. So much thanks - sure this info will help me quite a lot. Only one doubt, whys this so, what happens to the belongings and who does it?


And BTW, it is nice reading the travelouge, big Royal Enfield fan here too - with a 1968 Royal Enfield and a 2003 Bullet Electra.

bArFaNi

Hey

Dont want to blame on one community.. will PM u and try to meet once u reach delhi.