WINGS OF FREEDOM 2017

KALPA KALPA KIBBER CHANDIGARH KANAMO KANAMO

TABO

TABO

WINGS OF FREEDOM KANAMO

KANAMO

KALPA

KALPA

NAGGAR MANALI TABO TABO

Day 1 (16-June): Arrival at Chandigarh Airport at 1030 am, and transfer to Banjar Valley, Himachal Pradesh.

Chandigarh Airport, you will be received at the airport by our representative. Travel from Chandigarh to Banjar Valley, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh by Toyota Innova. Distance of around 260 km. Travel time will be around 7 - 8 hours. Being the first day of the rough road trip, we keep it light and easy. Overnight stay at ‘Latoda Eco Lodge’, Jibhi (near Jalori Pass) in Banjar valley.

Day 2 (17-June): Banjar Valley –Sarahan – Kalpa We will do KriyaYoga session in Latoda Eco Lodge at 6:30 am, followed by breakfast. We leave for our next destination, Kalpa at 8:00 am. Himachal Pradesh has a total of 12 districts, the Kinnaur, Lahul &Spiti Districts fall under the Tribal Belt of the State, and these two districts are very close to the China (Tibet) border and are primarily Buddhism dominated areas. As we travel from Banjar Valley towards Kalpa (Kinnaur), we would observe the same. The road travel from Banjar Valley to Kalpa is a long one, and we cross the famous Sarahan Temple on the way. We would also cross Recong-Peo – the district headquarters of Kinnaur before we arrive at Kalpa by late evening.

Overnight stay at ‘Grand Shambala (overlooking Kinner Kailash mountain range)

Day 3 (18-June): Tsaka day hike to view ‘Kinner Kailash’ Shiva Linga Morning Yoga session at 6:30 am followed by breakfast. We will then depart for a day hike to Tsaka and return back before evening to visit the local monastery for the evening chants. Kalpa is a small Buddhist Hamlet in Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh which lies in the Lap of the Holy Kinner Kailash Range. Kalpa is also very close to the China Border. A day hike of a couple of hours from Kalpa takes us to a point where one gets a panoramic view of the Kinner Kailash Range and Kailash Parbat.

Kinner Kailash is a mythical abode of Lord Shiva, which is a 79 foot vertical rock in the Kinner Kailash mountain range. On a clear day, one can see the Shivlingam which changes color during the course of the day. This Rock face is in between the 20,000 ft KinnerKailash ranges of Mt. Kailash (19,850 ft) & Mt. Jorkanden (21,237 ft). The Kinnaur Kailash (locally known as Kinner Kailash) is at a height of 6050 meters/19,844 feet and is considered as sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. Kinner Kailash is among the Panch Kailash the other four being Shri Khand Kailash, Mani Mahesh Lake, Mt.Kailash and Aadi Kailash.

Overnight stay at ‘Grand Shambala (overlooking Kinner Kailash mountain range)

Day 4 (19-June): Kalpa – Nako Lake – Gue - Tabo Morning Yoga session at 6:30 am followed by breakfast. The journey will start with a drive to Nako. Nako is a small village at the starting of Spiti Valley with a beautiful lake in the heart of the village. After Nako we head towards a very untouched and quaint village in the deeper side of the valley called Gue Village. Gue has very recently gained popularity as a meditating body of a monk had been discovered about 11 years ago by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The monk is now mummified and rests at the Gue Monastery. Post Gue, we visit Tabo, our final destination for the day. Tabo is one of the oldest standing monasteries of the ancient Tibetan Buddhist times. We will have a meditation session at the monastery and at the underground meditation caves.

Overnight stay at ‘Tow Dhey (near Tabo monastery and underground meditation caves)

Day 5 (20-June): Tabo–Dhankar – Komic – Lanzga - Kaza Morning Yoga session at 6:30 am followed by breakfast. Spiti Valley is nothing less than a Mini Tibet. We will go through ancient and rustic high altitude villages which is a home to the oldest monasteries and distinct culture.

We shall pay a visit to these villages beginning with Dhankar monastery, followed by Komic which is currently officially recorded as the highest permanently inhabited village in the world. Langza is the only village in Spiti that holds an outdoor Buddha in the middle of the village. Finally we reach our destination for the day and the Kriya Yoga retreat – Kaza.

Overnight stay at ‘Sakya Abode’ (in Kaza)

Day 6 & 7 (21-22 June): Advance Kriya Yoga Retreat at Kaza Kaza is our home for the next two days as we immerse in the Advance Kriya Yoga retreat to prepare you for high altitude trekking journey.

During the retreat, we will also visit the famous Kye & Kibber Monasteries, Chichum village and Tashigang village above Kibber village which has a population of only 15 people.

Trek to Kha-Nimo Peak At about 5964 meters/19,561 ft above sea level, Kha-Nimo is one of the highest mountain in the Spiti Valley. The trek begins from Kibber that is located at an altitude of approximately 14,200 feet, Kibber is one of the highest permanently inhabited human settlements on earth. We stay in tents and will be guided by 3 sherpas and supported by cooks and porters. We carry essentials in day pack and trekking rucksack will be carried by the porters who accompany us. We can drop our remaining baggage at the Sakya Abode in Kaza village. We pick this baggage on our return to the hotel.

Overnight stay at ‘Sakya Abode’ (in Kaza)

Day 8 (23-June): Kaza-Kibber to Kha-Nimo Base Camp: After having acclimatized completely to the rarified mountain, temperature and altitude, we set off on the KhaNimo Peak trek. This day’s hike will entail ascending to the base camp soon above Kibber Village. and consists of a steep as well as a gradual climb. On the way, you will be crossing a tiny lake that is the source of water to Kaza town.

Upon reaching the base camp, settle down for the night in tents and get prepared for the next day’s Kha-Nimo Peak summit.

Overnight stay at ‘Campsite’ (in Kha-Nimo Base camp

Day 9 (24-June): Kha-Nimo Base Camp – Kha-Nimo Peak Summit (5964m/19,561ft) – Kha-Nimo Base Camp: The day starts off with breakfast after which you can start your climb to the peak crossing 2 shoulders in the mountain. This is followed by an ascending trek to the ridge that will take you to the top. Based on the season, you might encounter little snow at the top which will require you to be extra careful. When at the summit, delight in the great sights that include Parang La Pass that leads to Ladakh, Pin Parvati Pass that leads to Kullu Valley, Kinnaur ranges, Lahaul and Spiti and the stunning valleys. As per the weather, you can enjoy some moments taking in the beauty of its sights and environs after which you can descend cautiously. When at the camp, celebrate your climb and settle down at your camps for the night.

Overnight stay at ‘Campsite’ (in KhaNimo Base camp

Day 10 (25-June): Trek from KhaNimo Base Camp – Kibber (4 Hours) - Kaza Awaken to splendid views from the summit and after an appetizing breakfast, make your way back towards Kibber and Kaza. Freshen up and the remaining part of the day can be spent in unraveling the place.

Delight in the turbulent rapids as well as appreciate the gorgeous landscapes. Wrap up your day with a celebratory dinner at the hotel and retire for the night in Kaza.

Day 11, 12 (26-27 June): Kibber to Kunzum Pass & Kriya Yoga by the Lake After breakfast, we drive towards Chandratal crossing Kunzumla which is the highest Pass in the region.

There is a lesser known trek from Kunzumla to Chandratal for the more adventurous with Spectacular views. It’s an option if all join in. We camp at Chandratal for the night at a campsite overlooking the chandrabagha peak and a mind blowing night sky. We wake to the sunrise next day at camps at Chandratal and spend the day doing Yoga by the magical high altitude alpine lake. We are almost at the end of our experience.

Overnight stay at ‘Parasol Swiss Camp site’ (around chandratal lake)

Day 13 (28-June): Chandratal- Manali The last leg of the journey. Depart Chandratal after breakfast and arrive at Manali post a drive of 6 to 8 hours crossing Batal, Chhatru and Rohtang Pass. Lunch enroute. On our way back, we will visit Rishi Vashisht temple and hot water springs in Vashisht village. We arrive Manali by late afternoon. In the evening, you are free for shopping. Dinner will be at the hotel Overnight stay at Hotel ‘Himalayan Paradise’ (around Manali Bazaar)

Day 14 (29-June): Manali Early morning Kriya Yoga in the surrounding forest of Hadimba temple, followed by a visit to Rishi Manu temple. After breakfast, we visit Naggar village, Roerich art gallery and Jagat Sukh village. Afternoon free for shopping. Dinner and overnight in Manali

Day 15 (30-June): Manali Chandigarh Early morning departure from Manali at 5:00 a.m. for Chandigarh airport.