This rafting holiday on the Spiti and Pin River offers a wonderful experience of the diverse culture of India. During a 100km long descent you will visit Buddhist Monasteries, meet nomadic tribesmen and spend nights in the homes of the local people. The river expedition offers a relaxed leisurely taste of Himalayan rafting and a close encounter with the indigenous people and their traditional way of life.
The valleys of Spiti and Lahaul are bound by Tibet in the east, the Kullu valley to the south and Ladakh in the north. While in some ways these wild valleys are similar to the Leh and Zanskar valleys of Ladakh, they are more remote, mysterious and magnificent. Because of deep snow and subzero temperatures road access to the region is impossible for most of the year.
This land, one of the most remote areas for rafting in India lies between altitudes of 3000m and 6000m. At lower altitudes we find wide valleys with rich pastures full of wild flowers. These contrast with soaring peaks and frozen glaciers.
The journey follows the old Tibetan-Hindustan trade route. Isolated from the main tourist routes you will experience at first hand an unspoilt land where the people are welcoming and charming. They will introduce you to their traditional Buddhist art and culture, dances, songs, ancient legends and folk tales from the mists of time.
This is a high altitude trip (max. height 4440 m). Please contact us to discuss the implications of this and your own personal fitness.
On arrival to India you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Day 1: Delhi to Manali (2050 m)
We leave Delhi in the early morning driving north to Manali. Over the next three days the scenery changes from flat arable land, to alpine meadows, wooded mountains, and finally to the barren high altitude landscape of Spiti; a fascinating and adventurous journey. The beautiful hill station of Manali is on the banks of the Beas river on the lower slopes of the Himalaya.
Day 2: Relax in Manali
A relaxing day today offers you the chance to explore this lovely town, you can visit the colourful market and the Roerich Art Gallery. The Hadimba Temple is also worth a visit. Overnight hotel.
Day 3: Manali to Paldhar Plains (3120 m)
Today we gain more altitude, driving further north towards Spiti. We take it slow stopping frequently for photos and chai. Overnight Camp.
Day 4: Paldhar to Rangrik (3550 m)
Another early start but you won’t mind that, as today we begin rafting. After a short drive to Kiato, the starting point of our river expedition, we run a training session on the water with a safety talk. Then we set off and paddle all the way to Rangrik. The white-water is easy grade two and we travel through the amazing landscape of snow covered peaks and glaciers, while near at hand are friendly villages and colourful wildflower meadows. Overnight in a home-stay.
Day 5: Rangrik to Gette (4270 m) to Rangrik
Today we go walkabout up and down through the villages of Kaza, Kibber, and Gette with chai breaks to meet the people of Spiti. In the evening we return to Rangrik for dinner. Overnight home-stay.
Day 6: Rangrik to Langza (4440 m)
We have a leisurely breakfast before driving to Langza. En route we see rare fossils, part Spiti’s amazing geology. In Langza we pay a visit to the Lang (temple). The Lang, home to some incredible frescos and thankas (paintings on silken canvas) is seen as the main Gompa of all the deities of the area. Overnight home-stay.
Day 7: Langza to Mikkim (3087 m)
Today we resume our river trip and after a morning of rafting we reach Attargo. This section of the river has some more good whitewater. We leave the river here and drive to Mikkim. On the way we visit a Buddhist monastery, the Dankhar Gompa. We spend the evening in Mikkim in the Pin valley. Overnight home-stay.
Day 8: Mikkim to Tabo (3050 m)
After a hearty breakfast we visit the Kungri Gompa and then paddle to Poh arriving at lunch time. From Poh we drive to Tabo. Tabo has no home-stays available so we stay in a hotel.
Day 9: Poh to Tabo
After breakfast we drive back to Poh and get back on the river. On this section the rapids are more demanding, moving up to class III. In the evening we visit a mummified monk in the village of Gui. We return to the hotel for the night.
Day 10 : Tabo to Sumdo
Our final day on the river is the most challenging as we paddle through the lower gorge. We leave the river at Sumdo bridge just before the confluence of the Spiti with the Pare Chu. We spend the night in Sumdo. Our adventure on the river ends here.
Day 11: Tabo to Sangla (2880 m): 8 hrs
We begin to travel back to Delhi and the heart of the Indian sub-continent. This journey follows the historic trade route from Hindustan to Tibet. Overnight camp.
Day 12: Sangla to Shimla (2434 m): 7 hrs
Today our destination is Shimla, a name familiar to readers of British Raj literature as one of the better known hill stations, where the British colonists spent the summer months escaping the debilitating weather of the southern sub-continent. Overnight hotel.
Day 13 : Shimla to Delhi: 8 hrs
An early start sees us complete our journey back to Delhi with several breaks en route. Trip ends.
Note: Please contact us for sightseeing in Delhi, or a trip to the Taj Mahal at the start or end of this trip. We can also tailor this trip with a trek or wildlife safari.
All itineraries exclude international flight days. The duration of this trip is calculated from Delhi back to Delhi again.
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