Greening the Desert

Total Trip = 765 km*Total Carbon = 0.35 ton*Your Trip = 0 Carbon

36,990.00

Keen to make a lasting difference? Help build a greenhouse so local families can grow their own vegetables throughout the year

  • 22 May - 4 June
Clear

Customize
Highlights

Travel through Spiti’s spectacular landscapes experiencing its unique culture, while you make a meaningful and long-lasting difference to the lives of communities in one of the most isolated and harsh areas in the World. 

  • Build a Greenhouse & enable the local community have access to green organic vegetables through the year even in the extreme winter 
  • Learn traditional mud building techniques and the basics of solar passive architecture.
  • Ensure enhanced nutrition and better health for the locals and an additional source of income from sale of the surplus
  • Explore the beautiful villages of Spiti for a first-hand experience of life and culture in Spiti
  • Visit the Highest village in the World and send a Postcard from the Highest Post Office in the World 
  • Visit 1000-year-old monasteries and sites steeped in folklore and legend

The Greenhouse Project is of special significance in Spiti since it is very hard to grow green vegetables here, especially in the 6 month long winters when temperatures dip to as low as – 30°C.

Sign up to make a REAL difference in Spiti!

Get detailed itinerary

Route

Delhi – Shimla – Kalpa – Tabo – Kaza – Project Village – Langza – Hikkim – Komic – Demul – Dhankhar – Project Village – Kaza – Kee – Kibber - Chicham – Chandratal – Manali – Delhi

Day 1Delhi - Shimla
Day 2Shimla - Kalpa
Day 3Kalpa - Tabo - Kaza
Day 4Kaza - Project Site
Day 5 - 7Project Site
Day 8Project Site-Langza-Hikkim-Komic-Demul
Day 9Demul - Dhankhar - Project Site
Day 10Project Site
Day 11Project Site - Kaza
Day 12Kaza - Kee - Kibber - Chicham - Chandratal
Day 13Chandratal - Manali

Overnight Volvo Bus

8 - 9 hrs

405 km

2276 m

None


Day 1Delhi - Shimla

  • Start your journey to the mountains today
  • We catch an overnight bus to Shimla

Hotel

7 - 8 hrs

223 km

2960 mt

Dinner


Day 2Shimla - Kalpa

  • The lush apple growing belt of Himachal Pradesh.
  • The splendid Satluj River Valley which originates in Tibet.
  • Breathtaking views of the Kinner Kailash Range at the quaint village of Kalpa.

Hotel

7 - 8 hrs

0

208 km

3800 mt

B'fast & Dinner


Day 3Kalpa - Tabo - Kaza

  • Transition from lush greens to stark cold desert landscapes.
  • Khab – the spectacular confluence of the Sutluj and Spiti rivers.
  • Thrilling drives along roads carved out of rocks –  known earlier as one of the World’s Most Dangerous Roads.
  • Tabo and its over 1000-year-old monastery – popularly referred to as the Ajanta of the Himalayas.

Tents/Homestay

2 - 3 hrs

0

10 - 40 km

3500 mt - 4500mt

B'fast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 4Kaza - Project Site

  • Glimpses of the days to come
  • Visit an existing Greenhouse built by past volunteers and learn more about life in Spiti.
  • Settle in and meet the family for whom you will be building a greenhouse.

Tents/Homestay

0

0

0

3500 mt - 4500mt

B'fast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 5 - 7Project Site

  • Start your journey of making a difference – Work on the Greenhouse begins!
  • Immerse yourself in the simple joys of mountain village life.
  • Learn the techniques of building with Mud.

Homestay

4 - 5 hrs

3 - 4 hrs (optional)

56 - 76 km

4319 mt

B'fast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 8Project Site-Langza-Hikkim-Komic-Demul

  • Picture perfect Langza Village – famous for its Buddha Statute and mud craft.
  • Hikkim – the World’s Highest Post Office. Send postcards to your loved ones back home.
  • Komic – the World’s Highest Village and the ancient Komic Monastery.
  • Scenic Demul Village – Spiti’s model sustainable village, also famous for its Arak (local brew) and Folk performances.

Trek along the picturesque meadows from Komic to Demul.

Tents/Homestay

2 - 4 hrs

4 - 5 hrs (optional)

72 - 100 km

3500 mt - 4500mt

B'fast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 9Demul - Dhankhar - Project Site

  • Dhankhar the erstwhile capital of Spiti.
  • Travel back in time at the ancient Dhankar Monastery & Fort.

To Balangri – a spectacular vantage spot at 5000 mt. for incredible views of over 18 villages

To the serene Dhankar Lake.

Tents/Homestay

0

0

0

3500 mt - 4500mt

B'fast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 10Project Site

  • Work on the final stages of the Greenhouse.

Hotel

1 - 2 hrs

0

10 - 40 km

3800 mt

B'fast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 11Project Site - Kaza

  • Complete the Greenhouse and inaugurate it!
  • Celebrations on a job well done and the prospect of homegrown green vegetables in the village throughout the year!

Permanent Campsite

4 - 5 hrs

0

95 km

4300 mt

B'fast & Dinner


Day 12Kaza - Kee - Kibber - Chicham - Chandratal

  • A stop at the beautiful Kee Monastery
  • Drive over the Chicham Bridge – highest bridge in Asia.
  • Cross the spectacular Kunzum Pass (4551mt/14931ft) and visit the Buddhist shrine
  • The picturesque Chandratal – Lake of the Moon Goddess

Overnight Volvo Bus

4 - 5 hrs

111 km

2050 mt

Breakfast


Day 13Chandratal - Manali

  • Drive along the beautiful Chandra River Valley
  • Drive through the famous Atal tunnel that divides Kullu from the Lahaul Valley and experience the contrast from desert landscapes to the lush green of the Himalayas

INCLUDES:
  • All accommodation Day 2 to Day 12 on a sharing basis
  • Meals – Breakfast & Dinner: Day 2 Dinner to Day 13 Breakfast, Lunch: Day 4 to Day 11
  • Guide Day 4 to Day 11
  • Transfers Day 1 to Day 13
  • Monastery fees while in Spiti
  • First aid kit
EXCLUDES:
  • GST @ 5%
  • Mineral water and beverages (other than those provided)
  • Tips & Insurance 
  • Inner Line Permit (For Foreign Nationals only)
  • Expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances, road blocks  or medical emergencies  
  • Add on Experiences entail an additional charge

Customize your trip

    To help us plan a memorable Spiti trip for you, please fill in your requirements below:

















    Add Day Trips

    Short but culturally-vibrant experiences that are windows to Spitian life.
    Enjoy these experiences as stand-alone programs or add them onto an existing Ecosphere trip.

    Cook Like as Local

    Work with our expert local chefs and learn how to cook mouth-watering Spitian delicacies.

    • January To December
    • 2 To 3 Hours
    • INR 550*pp*
    Cook Like as Local
    • January To December
    • 2 To 3 Hours
    • 550*pp
    Folk Expressions

    Keen on a rhythmic and melodic participation in Spitian social life? Join in for a magical evening of folk songs and dance.

    • May to October
    • 1 Hours
    • INR 9000*pp*
    Folk Expressions
    • May to October
    • 1 Hours
    • 9000*pp
    Bhuchen Performance

    Prepare to be transported at a mystical tantric performance by the Bhuchens. Unique to the Spiti Valley, these minstrel lamas perform Buddhist tantric dances to drive evil spirits away

    • May to October
    • 1 To 2 Hours
    • INR 15000*
    Bhuchen Performance
    • May to October
    • 1 To 2 Hours
    • 15000
    Throw a Pot!

    Get your hands dirty and learn the art of Pottery with the last-surviving potter in Langza village. Make your own Spiti Souvenir or a fossil replica!

    • May to October
    • 1 Hour to Full Day
    • INR 600 to 2000 pp*
    Throw a Pot!
    • May to October
    • 1 Hour to Full Day
    • 600 to 2000 pp
    Mountain Biking

    Hop on a mountain bike for an unforgettable ride through surreal Spitian landscapes! Cycle down at your own pace from Komic - the highest village in the World, or between Kaza and the iconic Kee Monastery

    • May to October
    • 1 Day
    • INR 550*pp*
    Mountain Biking
    • May to October
    • 1 Day
    • 550*pp
    Yak-Back Safari

    Not up for trekking. Travel through Spiti the traditional way on the back of a Yak!

    • May to October
    • 2 to 5 Hours
    • INR 2000 pp (min 2 persons) *
    Yak-Back Safari
    • May to October
    • 2 to 5 Hours
    • 2000 pp (min 2 persons)
    Spin Yak Rope

    Make and take back your own souvenir from Spiti. Learn the art of spinning yak wool and twine it into a yak rope.

    • January to December
    • 30 Mins to 1 Hour
    • INR 550*
    Spin Yak Rope
    • January to December
    • 30 Mins to 1 Hour
    • 550
    Say Yak Cheese!

    Discover traditional ways of churning butter, ghee, and cheese. Go back with a ton of learning and mouthfuls of Spiti’s unique Yak Cheese

    • May to October
    • 30 Mins to 1 Hour
    • INR 550*
    Say Yak Cheese!
    • May to October
    • 30 Mins to 1 Hour
    • 550
    Session with Amchi

    Have your pulse read and get an insight into your internal health on a one-on-one session with the local Amchi (traditional Spiti doctor)! 

    • May to October
    • 30 Mins to 1 Hour
    • INR 600*
    Session with Amchi
    • May to October
    • 30 Mins to 1 Hour
    • 600
    Nun for a Day

    Experience a day in the life of a Buddhist Nun. Hear their fascination stories, join their daily prayer sessions and discover your inner peace.

    • May to October
    • 1 Day
    • INR 2500*
    Nun for a Day
    • May to October
    • 1 Day
    • 2500
    Why a LOCAL GUIDE ? Window to Spiti

    Your guide is your window to Spiti. Would you like to visit Spiti in a way that you develop a relationship with the place and its people – memories that will last forever ?

    Our guides are local and apart from being amazing fun, they are a storehouse of information and stories about Spiti. They are very knowledgeable about the culture, trained as naturalists and in mountaineering and first aid. Given the remoteness of the region, believe us when we say you will know Spiti better because of them.

    I Love Spiti Drink and Drive Change!

    Potable drinking water is always a concern wherever we travel, as a result we end up buying bottled water and leave behind lots of trash.

    Ecosphere requests you to reduce your plastic footprint by carrying your own Water bottle that you can refill with filtered water. Most hotels have filters and we have set up water filter stations at various key locations in Spiti.

    NO ONE KNOWS SPITI LIKE US

    We are local and we are passionate. With us you will experience the hidden gems of Spiti like an insider.

    GOOD KARMA

    What you pay for your trip goes directly towards creating local livelihoods and supporting various development & conservation projects in Spiti.

    YOU’RE IN SAFE HANDS

    Your safety is our utmost priority. We ensure our trips and staff follow highest safety standards and protocols. Our guides are all first aid trained and air ambulance services are just a call away.

    WE CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

    Traveling with us means you leave ZERO carbon footprint – all your emissions + more is offset by our award winning solar projects. We provide you reusable water bottles to ensure you don’t need to buy bottled water.

    AWARDED & FEATURED

    Internationally recognized as a leader in responsible travel and recommended by leading travel guides, magazines and blogs.

    Dont just take our word for it!

    0
    YOUR TRIPS
    • No products in the cart.