Transportation by : MUV (Eartiga, Innova Crysta) , SUV (Bolero,Sumo) or Small Car (Alto / Dzire)
Lahaul Explored : Sissu, Baralacha La, Trilokinath & Pattan Valley
Duration : 4 days 3 nights
Sissu Lahaul Valley with Baralacha La
Traversing high mountain pass Baralacha La over 16,000m, barely navigable by vehicles, and visiting ancient monasteries and remote villages, this tour is truly an off-the-beaten-track adventure.
Our tour to this beautiful valley allows a glimpse of some of its most spectacular sights, from the amazing Kardang Monastery in its dramatic cliff face location to the imposing Gondhla, an incredible fortress with a turbulent past. We travel through spectacular Himalayan scenery and have the opportunity to visit traditional Trilokinath Temple sacred to Hindus as Lord Shiva and for Budhists as Avlokiteshwara. As this is a tailor-made tour to Lahaul Valley, we can adjust the exact holiday to your liking.
This trip offers you a marvellous insight into the scenery and way of life of this remote mountain valley.
- Baralacha La- Drive to the top of Baralacha La, one of the world's highest driveable passes.
- Keylong - Explore the monasteries in Lahaul, and admire their stunning locations.
- Pattan Valley - Get a chance to visit Trilokinath Temple and Mrikula Mata Temple with Gondhla Fort
Day 0: New Delhi to Jispa by Volvo
Board your HRTV Himsuta Volvo from ISBT Kashmiri Gate at 3:00PM and overnight journey by bus from New Delhi to Jispa. New Delhi to Jispa by road is 684 Kms and it takes around 16 hours by bus to reach Jispa.
DAY 1 - Manali Arrival Travel through the Atal tunnel to the village of Sissu
On your arrival at Manali by volvo or other mode, our representative will meet and greet you at the desired point. Our route takes us through the “Rohtang Atal Tunnel”. This tunnel is the one of the highest tunnels in the world at a height of 3000mts above sea level. Passing through Solang Valley and from there through the Tunnel’s South Portal at Dhundi to Sissu the North–Portal. You can have a stopover at North Portal. The drive from Manali to Sissu is approximately 1 and a half hour.
On reaching Sissu, freshen up and explore the village and then relax for the rest of the day, allowing your bodies time to adjust to the gain in altitude. Visit Sissu Lake in the afternoon and you can enjoy other adventure activities such as River Crossing, Zip Line and enjoy local cuisines of Lahaul Valley. Night stay at Sissu.
ACCOMMODATION:
Homestay
Meals : Dinner
DAY 2- Visit to Trilokinath Temple, Mrikula Mata Temple
After breakfast proceed towards Udaipur on Tandi-Kishtwar road.On the way visit Raja Ghepan Temple at Shashni, he is the deity of entire Lahaul Valley. Stop and visit the Tandi Sangam where rivers Bhaga and Chandera meet together to form Chenab. The entire journey from Tandi to Trilokinath and Udaipur is through Pattan Valley. Chandra Bhaga river runs for the entire route and proceeds towards Jammu Kashmir and continues to flow to Pakistan. This is one of the very few rivers which run towards West in India. Many small bridges are to be passed and also many waterfalls can be seen. You will pass through many beautiful Lahauli villages such as Jahalma, Phuda, Thirot, Kukumseri.
On reaching Trilokinath seek blessings and experience the marvelous architecture that has stone carvings on doors, pillars and walls. Trilokinath Temple is a popular pilgrimage & revered site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple’s name Trilokinath refers to the ‘Lord of three worlds”. A marble idol of Trilokinath here is sacred to the Hindus as Lord Shiva and for Buddhists as Avalokiteshwara. It is crowned with an image of the Buddha of Boundless light – Amitabha Buddha. Tibetan prayer flags, built in Pagoda style deck the entrance of the temple. The stone carvings on walls, doors and pillars on each side of the door are exemplary and known as Dharma and Paap.
Later proceed for Mrikula Devi temple at Udaipur, the temple is unique and famous for its wooden carving on its roof and ceiling. There is a belief that, on visiting Udaipur Marikula Mata temple, one should not say, LET US GO. In the evening we will drive towards Jispa.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Ibex
Meals : Breakfast + Dinner
DAY 3- Drive to Bara Lacha La and back to Jispa
On the 3rd day of the tour, post breakfast, get ready for a day filled with excitement and breathtaking natural beauty. The day is scheduled for a ride to the higher altitudes on the highway, including road waterfalls, mountain lakes, rugged roads, and unbearable temperatures.
A high mountain pass in Zanskar region, Baralacha La means the pass where many roads meet. The pass connects Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh, The Baralacha La is better described as a plateau where three mountain ranges meet (Pir Panjal, Zanskar and the Himalayas). The Baralacha La towers over three valleys that meet at a height of over 16,000 ft. The Baralacha Pass forms a natural divide between the Bhaga and Yunam River. The Bhaga River is a tributary of Chenab River which is also known as the Chandrabhaga River. The tributary originates from the Suraj Tal, a few kilometers from Baralacha Pass.
As you reach the Baralacha La, you come across the cool blue waters of the Suraj Tal that is usually marked by an outline of snow at its banks. There is a sharp contrast to the surrounding gray and off white coloured rocks that are scattered around the road and the lake. As you cross the Suraj Tal, the snowcapped summit comes into view and you reach the summit after you make your way up the last 250 ft up the mountain to reach the Baralacha La. The majestic waters of Deepak Taal (taal, in English translates to lake) pass by on the right before reaching the beautiful triangle pass of Baralacha La. In the afternoon drive back to Jispa for night stay.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Ibex
Meals : Breakfast + Dinner
DAY 4- Visit to Gemur Monastery, Gondhla Fort and back to Manali
On the 4th day of the tour, post breakfast, get ready for a day filled with excitement and breathtaking natural beauty. The day is scheduled for a visit to Gemur Monaster famous locally for the masked dances that are held every July. The Gemur Monastery is said to be established in the 13th or 14th century and is one of the richest monasteries in Lahaul. It is scenically perched and commands beautiful views of the Lahaul Valley. The brightly-coloured red and black windows on its white walls is a pleasing sight for the eyes. There is a statue of the goddess Vajravarahi in Gemur Gompa, which supposedly dates back to the 11th century. Inside the courtyard are lots of ancient-looking stone carvings and one among them is specially interesting and exquisite. You can also explore Kardang & Ghurughantaal Monastery too.
Kardang Monastery is a 900-year-old monastery located near Keylong. With the backdrop of the Rangcha Peak, Kardang is blessed with natural bounties. The architectural style of Kardang Monastery is typical witha large golden Buddha statue, library, and ancient wall frescoes.
Guru Ghantal Monastery is located at the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga's rivers, Guru Ghantal Monastery lies atop a hill above the Tupchiling village. The 'gompa' stands at an altitude of about 3,020 meters. Guru Ghantal Monastery was constructed in 1200 AD by Padmasambhava - the great Indian teacher and Tantric` who was instrumental in spreading Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet.
Later on your way back towards Manali visit Gondhla Fort- House of the Thakur of Gondhla. The castle is about 20 generations old and is an example of
the indigenous timber bonded stone-style of the western Himalayas, consisting
of alternate courses of stone and wooden beams cemented together with wet clay.
This seven-storey high edifice is topped by a wooden verandah which runs round
the upper storey. It looks like a Swiss Chalet. Its fifth storey, meant
exclusively for the Thakur, consisted of personal prayer chamber and a verandah
from where he used to listen to the public and later pronounce his judgements.
Ganesha is the main deity carved on the facade of the prayer chamber. In one of
the prayer chambers the window connecting the outer room is an exquisite work
of wood carving. Several weapons including bows, arrows, quivers, catapults,
guns and canons besides other articles of antique value can be seen resting in
the apartments. On reaching Manali we will drop you at the Volvo Busstand for your retutn journey.
Meals : Breakfast
Note : Drop at Manali, Chandigarh, New Delhi or other desired place can also be arranged.
Important Information
Meals :Breakfast and dinner will be complimentary, lunch can be ordered according to requirement.
While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, Lahual Valley Trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
One Night in Homestay and Two nights in hotel. The accommodations used are mixture of standard and comfortable Deluxe rooms. All rooms have basic facilities. Service and amenities are generally adequate. Hotels in Himachal usually do not have heating systems. You can, however, request room heaters. Charges may apply.
Clothing
Because of the high altitude, temperatures in Lahual can drop dramatically at night, please make allowance for warmer clothing accordingly. It is essential to bring waterproofs, sweater, long trousers (if walking in shorts), warm hat, gloves and sun hat.
We strongly recommend walking in good boots. Although all the walks are day walks and optional it is worth noting that trainers and tennis shoes simply do not give the ankle support afforded by a decent pair of boots. Please bring comfortable shoes for relaxing in/evenings.