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Classic Himalaya is the perfect combination of holiday and adventure. A mix of lively sightseeing and exciting driving through jaw dropping scenery.
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About
We begin the trip in Delhi and after a day exploring this fascinating city we begin the journey to the Spiti Valley, one of the remotest inhabited regions in the world.
Described by Rudyard Kipling as “a world within a world” the Spiti Valley is one of the world’s great road trips. Once there, you really will feel you’re in another world.
Cut off for much of the year due to heavy snow, the valley road has only been open to foreigners since 1992. No words can prepare you for the beauty of Spiti and the Himalaya mountains. It’s like driving through a living museum. Thousands of years of wind erosion have created the most fascinating landscape, often referred to as ‘moonlike’. The terrain varies from lush vegetation through to mountain desert and the roads themselves, that have to be seen to be believed, are quite a staggering feat of engineering.
The route takes us just a few miles from the Tibet border and the influence of this close neighbour is clearly evident in the people, houses and monastries. The whole area has a peaceful and calming feel.
Classic Himalaya is much more than a holiday. It really is a Great Road Journey.
Read an article written by a previous participant here
For a selection of photos from previous trips click here or see our gallery
INTINERARY
For a map of the route click here
Day 1 – Leave Heathrow for an overnight flight to Delhi.
Day 2 – Arrive Delhi and transfer to our beautiful, century old heritage hotel. On the way you might enjoy, possibly, your first glimpse of Indian driving. After spending an afternoon relaxing by the pool we will have a welcome dinner.
Day 3 – In the morning we will take a trip to some of the principal sights of Delhi, including India Gate, Qtub Minar and The Red Fort. In the afternoon we collect our vehicles.
Day 4 – Delhi to Shimla. We will have an early start for the drive to Shimla, former summer capital of the British Raj. The temperature drop as you enter the hills of Shimla is a welcome relief after the heat of the plains. You’ll no doubt be tired by the time you arrive in Shimla, where we will be staying in a wonderful colonial hotel.
Day 5 – Shimla, with it’s wealth of history and the magnificent Viceroy’s Lodge is too good to miss so today is a completely free day giving you plenty of time to explore the sights.
Day 6 – Shimla to Rampur. Today the adventure begins as we leave Shimla and head into the mountains. We pass through beautiful verdant valleys covered in apple orchards as we climb towards Narkanda. Next is a long descent to the Sutlej river valley We follow this raging river before finally arriving at our overnight stop in the grounds of an old palace.
Day 7 – Rampur to Sangla. We continue following the Sutlej before branching off up the Sangla valley. On the way we pass some of the largest hydro-electric engineering projects you will have ever seen. Arriving at the hotel there may be time for a lovely walk before dinner.
Day 8 – Sangla to Nako. Today we’ll see big changes in the landscape. Travelling above the tree line we enter the Himalayan desert. Thousands of years of wind erosion has created fascinating rock formations which are unlike anything you will have seen elsewhere. On the way to Nako we’ll pass within 5 miles of the Tibetan border hence the need for our Inner Line Permits.
Day 9 – Nako to Kazza. A beautiful drive along the Spiti Valley, past more outstanding scenery. We’ll pass glaciers and stop at Tabo to look around the 1000 year old Tibetan monastery. We should arrive at the busy little trading town of Kazza by early afternoon. After filling up with fuel at the world’s highest retail petrol station you might like to take a short drive to Kibber, one of the highest villages in the world.
Day 10 – Kazza to Keylong. Today is the biggest drive of the trip as we head further up the valley crossing the Kun Zum pass at 14930ft. Descending the other side of the pass we stop in a dhaba for hot noodles before tackling several water crossings on the way to Keylong, our overnight stop.
Day 11 – Keylong to Manali. First thing in the morning it is only a short drive to the bottom of the infamous Rhotang Pass. At 13,000 it’ll be cold and snowy at the top but, weather permitting, it has some spectacular views. After a tea stop on the mountain we’ll descend to the hustle and bustle of Manali.
Day 12 – Manali is a lively, vibrant town full of backpackers, shops and happy locals. We have a day off and get together in the evening for a beautiful meal in a local speciality restaurant.
Day 13 – Manali to Nalagarh. We now leave the hills and return to the plains. The morning is a lovely drive following numerous green valleys before eventually reaching the busy main roads further south. In the evening we reach our overnight stop in an old hilltop fort.
Day 14 – Nalagarh to Delhi. Driving down India’s Highway 1 we reach Delhi where we’ll drop the vehicles off. We should arrive shortly after lunchtime giving you a free afternoon for last minute shopping.
Day 15 – Depart for Delhi Airport and a mid morning flight back to the UK arriving at Heathrow later the same day.
BOOKING INFO & COST
Cost coming soon.
Includes:
• Airport collection in India
• Accommodation – based on two people sharing a room
• Breakfast and Dinner except for one evening
• Entry to Museums/Temples and other places of interest
• Use of a modern SUV
• Lunches in the remote mountains
• Tolls and interstate taxes
• Fully comp insurance and breakdown cover
• All necessary route books and maps
• Full support of a team of mechanics, and spares
• The Great Road Journey team doing their utmost to ensure Classic Himalaya is one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life
Not Included:
• Fuel
• Drinks
• Visa
• Inoculations
• Travel Insurance
• Flights
What happens next
Send an email to us at info@greatroadjourneys.com with your contact details. After that we’ll be in touch. A deposit of £1000 will be required upon booking. The balance will be due one month before departure. In the meantime you’ll receive regular updates from us guiding you through everything you need to know re your visa application, innoculations, international driving licence etc
