Spiti, Sangla & Zanskar for 3 months (!) from May 1st, 2012

Hey guys!

First post here on this forum! Love this fine group of people who write so passionately about travels in India!! Awesome network guys!

So, I wanted to escape the mad heat that is this summer in South India - I decided to go to Manali when I got a cheap on a one-way flight ticket to Chandigarh from that airlines company that also makes bad beer.

My overall plan sketch -

I will be getting in to Manali by May 02, 2012 and I plan to stick around till the end of August & slowly explore the areas around by trekking and/or riding shared transport. I would like to spend the bulk of my time in Spiti valley & Sangla valley with some lay-over time in Manali and Shimla. I would finally like to trek out from Spiti to Zanskar and then onward to Srinagar from there by late August.

This is my first time to all these places, but I have been to McLeodganj (thought it was a tad too touristy) & Srinagar (wow!) and then on to Leh from there. I've also treked over the passes from Leh to Tso Moriri & it was a great trek. This was all in June of 2009.


In this trip, I would like to homestay where possible, use local guides/porters where available and try not to "do" the region in a been-there-done-that fashion but take it slow, connect with the villages and explore the key cultural aspects of the region/s.

If there are pointers on how I can structure my trip (weather over high passes, important festivals during etc) and what are the do-not-miss highlights of the vast region that I'm hoping to explore, I'd be ever so grateful!

If you are in the area and would like to explore some bits with me, please drop a note & I;d be happy to connect!

Thank you in advance for your suggestions & messages!

Regards,
PM

Hope staying is possible in Spiti. Some monasteries also offer shelter. But entering Spiti in May from the Manali side could be difficult as the passes might not be open?

Thank you Mridula! I read your blog (http://www.gonomad.com/destinations/...dia-spiti.html) and found it very inspiring and informative.

Just one clarification on your post: Did you mean *home staying* is possible?

Yes, I too believe that May might be too early to attempt a crossing from Manali. I will be planning on entering from Shimla->Kinnaur and depending on how long I (can)stay in Spiti, either exit over Kunzum la to Manali (if open) or backtrack back to Shimla.

I've also noted from here (Kunzum La opening in mid june 2011??) that Kunzum-la was opened last year on June 18th.

Still working on an itinerary & guess a lot of it will come together when I touch-down in Manali, but have begun reading up etc.

Thank you for your suggestion and will keep in touch via this thread.

Regards,
PM

Thanks Mridula!

I followed your blog & found your trip report very informative and inspiring. I agree that Kunzum la might not be open till very late June & hence am planning to enter the Spiti valley from Kinnaur.

I found this blog (http://meczko.blog.onet.pl/1,CT101399,index.html) very useful in terms of planning, time-frame and itinerary (homestays, a combo of trek + public transport, extended time-frame for the whole arc from Shimla to Manali via Kinnaur/Spiti/Chandratal/High passes etc)

Also of interest is the itinerary suggested by Andreas here:

"Yes, Kinnaur - Spiti - Lahaul - Kullu is a great circuit! - I recommend additional visits in the Taiti- and Ropa Valley, Nako, the mummy in Gye, Pin Valley, Dhankar, Lhalung, Komic, Kibber, Gette, Tashigang.... Walk from Kunzum La to Chandratal.... It's enough for one month..." (What do you suggest: Manali-Kaza-Shimla or Manali-Leh-Manali??)

Itinerary slowly taking shape! Guess most of it will happen once I get on ground in Manali & Shimla.

Thanks again for the treasure-trove of info on IM guys! Will keep my plans posted here for future ref.

Regs,
PM

PM many thanks for your kind words hope you will have a great time at Spiti. I should go back to Spiti sometime! And really sorry about that typo yes I meant home staying is possible.

I have a local reliable contact in Kaza and he just informed me that Gref/pwd has cleared the road till Kunjum pass from Kaza side.I can PM you his contact no,if you wish.
However Manali-Kunjum section get delayed due to difficult terrain.Expect it to be open around Late may-10 June time frame..

Narender9,

Thank you for your reply & update. I heard the same when I was in Manali/Kullu Valley a week back. So, I headed towards Rampur (currently there) and onto Kinnaur. Will try to enter Spiti from Kinnaur in about a week's time & check out the situation when I get there.

Thanks again!

Hi there , i will be hitting himachal on the 22nd or the 23rd and hoping to enter the spiti arc either through shimla or manali. I dont know if the manali route is open currently . i wish to join u for a bit

Moderator Note:

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Manali-Granpho-Kunjum pass-Losar-Kaza route is currently closed.
Expect it to be open within 15 days.

Thank you for the information . i guess i should take the shimla - kinnaur route then.

Thank you Narendra9!

Glad to be of any help.

Hi Narender,

can you please share the contact number of your contact at Kaza, very eager to know when will the Kunzum la open, as I am currently heading towards Rohru. Depening on the pass opening, I will plan my date to reach Kaza.

Many thanks in advance.

Cheers!

'trek from spiti to Zanskar'
very tough from the Spiti side if you are going over the parang la. check previous posts on it here but............

Let me find the number.
Here it is--09418200183