Mystical Valleys of the North East & North India

Your adventure begins as our representative welcomes you at either Chandigarh/Kullu Airport or Kalka Railway Station. Enjoy a scenic drive through the foothills of the Himalayas as we make our way to Manali or Shimla, depending on your preference and seasonal conditions.

After checking into your comfortable hotel, take some time to acclimatize to the mountain air and relax. In the evening, we'll introduce you to authentic Himachali cuisine with a specially arranged local dinner featuring traditional dishes like Madra, Dham, and Sidu.

Use this time to meet your fellow travelers and get briefed about the exciting journey ahead. Overnight stay at a carefully selected hotel with mountain views and modern amenities.

After an early breakfast, we embark on one of the most scenic drives in the Himalayas. Our journey takes us across the famous Rohtang Pass (13,050 ft) with its breathtaking panoramic views of surrounding peaks. The landscape dramatically changes as we enter the rain-shadow region and cross the challenging Kunzum La Pass (15,060 ft).

Watch in awe as lush green forests gradually transform into rugged barren mountains, revealing the stark beauty of the trans-Himalayan terrain. We'll make multiple photography stops along the way and enjoy a packed lunch at a scenic spot.

By evening, we'll reach Kaza (12,500 ft), the administrative headquarters of Spiti Valley. After checking into our guest house, we'll take a gentle stroll around the small town to help with acclimatization and get our first taste of Spitian culture.

Today we explore the heart and soul of Spiti Valley. After breakfast, we drive to Key Monastery (Kye Gompa), perched dramatically at 13,668 ft. Dating back to the 11th century, this is the largest and oldest monastery in Spiti Valley. We'll spend time exploring its ancient prayer rooms filled with beautiful thangka paintings, rare manuscripts, and unique wind instruments.

Next, we visit Kibber village (14,200 ft), once known as the highest motorable village in the world. Here, you'll get an intimate glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of Spiti's hardy mountain people. We'll have the opportunity to interact with locals and enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a traditional house.

Later, we'll visit the engineering marvel of Chicham Bridge, India's highest bridge connecting Chicham and Kibber villages over a deep gorge. The panoramic views from here are absolutely spectacular and perfect for photography enthusiasts.

Our journey today takes us to some of Spiti's most sacred and geological wonders. We begin with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage nominated Tabo Monastery, established in 996 AD. Often called the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas', its ancient mud walls house priceless paintings and stucco sculptures representing the Indo-Tibetan art form. The serene meditation caves above the monastery offer stunning valley views.

Next, we visit the precariously perched Dhankar Monastery (12,774 ft), built like a fortress on a cliff-edge. The monastery offers unparalleled views of the confluence of Spiti and Pin rivers. For the energetic, there's an optional 45-minute hike to Dhankar Lake, a high-altitude glacial lake with crystal clear waters.

In the afternoon, we venture into the beautiful Pin Valley National Park (if open seasonally), home to the rare snow leopard and Siberian ibex. The unique landscape here transitions between the cold desert of Spiti and the more verdant Pin Valley.

Today marks a transition as we bid farewell to the mountainous landscapes of Spiti and prepare for the second part of our journey to the North East. After an early breakfast, we begin our drive back toward Manali or Shimla, once again traversing through the majestic Himalayan passes.

The return journey offers different perspectives of the terrain we crossed earlier, and we'll make stops at new viewpoints. Depending on the season and road conditions, we might take an alternate route through Kinnaur Valley if the Rohtang Pass is challenging.

Upon reaching Manali/Shimla/Chandigarh (depending on flight schedules), we'll transfer you to the airport to catch your evening flight to Guwahati, the gateway to Northeast India. Upon arrival in Guwahati, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we embark on a scenic road journey to Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. This drive is an experience in itself as we traverse through changing landscapes, from the plains of Assam to the gradually rising hills of Arunachal. The approximately 7-8 hour journey is punctuated with tea plantations, tribal villages, and dense forests.

We'll cross the mighty Brahmaputra River and gradually ascend through verdant hills. Along the way, we'll make stops at local markets and viewpoints. All necessary Inner Line Permits for entering Arunachal Pradesh will be arranged by us in advance.

By evening, we arrive at Ziro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nominee famous for its distinctive paddy cultivation and the unique culture of the Apatani tribe. We'll check into a comfortable homestay or eco-lodge located amidst picturesque rice fields, offering an authentic experience of local living.

Today is dedicated to experiencing the unique cultural heritage of the Apatani tribe, known for their distinctive facial tattoos (among older women) and nose plugs, as well as their sustainable agricultural practices. After breakfast at our homestay, we'll visit the main Apatani villages of Hong, Hari, and Dutta.

Walking through these villages, you'll observe the unique bamboo and wood stilt houses built without using nails. We'll visit traditional community halls called 'Bulas' and learn about the tribe's animist religion 'Donyi-Polo' (sun-moon worship). A local guide from the community will explain the intricate social structure and customs of the tribe.

In the afternoon, we'll participate in a hands-on demonstration of local crafts such as bamboo craft and traditional loom weaving. You'll have the opportunity to try your hand at these ancient crafts and interact with master craftspeople. The evening concludes with a special cultural program featuring folk songs and dances, followed by dinner with local delicacies.

After breakfast, we venture beyond the villages to explore the natural beauty of Ziro Valley. We begin with a moderate 2-hour hike to Ziro Putu viewpoint, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the entire valley with its patchwork of emerald rice fields and surrounding hills. Your guide will point out various landmarks and explain the sustainable agricultural practices that have made this valley so unique.

Next, depending on weather conditions and your interest, we'll visit Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, a biodiversity hotspot with dense subtropical forests hosting rare orchids, rhododendrons, and various wildlife species including the endangered clouded leopard. A forest guide will accompany us on a nature walk through well-marked trails, highlighting the diverse flora and fauna.

In the evening, we return to our homestay for a special experience – a traditional bonfire with local rice wine (Apong) tasting. Local musicians will join us to perform folk songs as we enjoy a dinner of seasonal local cuisine under the stars.

After a leisurely breakfast and bidding farewell to our host family, we begin our journey back to Guwahati. The return drive offers a different perspective of the landscapes we traversed earlier, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. We'll make comfort stops and lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional Assamese cuisine.

Depending on our arrival time in Guwahati and your energy levels, we can visit the local handicraft market where you can pick up souvenirs from Northeast India – textiles with tribal motifs, handwoven bamboo products, and organic tea are popular choices. Another option is a relaxing sunset stroll along the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River at the newly developed riverfront.

For dinner, we'll explore Guwahati's culinary scene at a restaurant known for its authentic North Eastern cuisine, sampling dishes from various tribes and communities of the region. Overnight stay at a comfortable hotel in Guwahati.

Our extraordinary journey across two unique valleys of India comes to an end today. Depending on your departure time, you might have the opportunity for some last-minute exploration or shopping in Guwahati. If time permits, we can arrange a quick visit to the sacred Kamakhya Temple, one of the most important Shakti peethas in India.

You'll be transferred to Guwahati Airport or Railway Station as per your onward journey schedule. Our representative will assist you with check-in formalities and bid you farewell with a small departure gift – a photo book of the landscapes and cultures you experienced during this journey.

As you depart, you'll carry with you not just photographs but memories of two contrasting yet equally mesmerizing valleys of India – the cold desert landscapes of Spiti and the lush cultural haven of Ziro.