Life as a Local

Total Trip = 725 km*Total Carbon = 0.35 ton*Your Trip = 0 Carbon

23,990.00

When in Spiti, do as the Spitians do. Travel as an active participant in their lives, culture, and stories. Unforgettable travel experiences for you, enduring impact for the region and its people..

  • 23 June - 29 June
  • 14 July - 20 July
  • 11 Aug - 17 Aug
  • 29 Sept - 5 Oct
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Highlights

Life as a Local is an opportunity to experience life in Spiti up close by becoming a part of their lives.  Live their life, toil their soil, care for their cattle and in turn be rewarded with one of the most memorable experiences of your life!

  • Experience Spiti as an insider and get a deep insight into the culture and lifestyle of a community in one of the remotest parts of the world. 
  • Visit untouched gems and discover hidden stories of Spiti Valley 
  • Interact with monks and stay alongside the lesser-known yet endearing Buddhist nuns of Spiti
  • Engage in the daily lives of these hardy mountain folks  and contribute to development or conservation needs in Spiti 

Coupled with living in remote villages and visits to the lesser-known parts of Spiti, this journey gives a glimpse into the true essence of life in Spiti.

Route

Manali - Kaza - Nunnery - Langza – Hikkim – Komic - Demul - Pin Valley - Dhankhar -Tabo - Kaza - Kee - Kibber - Chicham - Chandratal - Manali

Day 1Manali - Kaza
Day 2Kaza - Nunnery
Day 3Kaza - Langza - Hikkim - Komic - Demul
Day 4Demul - Pin Valley
Day 5Pin Valley - Dhankar - Tabo - Kaza
Day 6Kaza - Kee - Kibber - Chicham - Chandratal
Day 7Chandratal - Manali

Hotel

8 - 9 hrs

183 km

3800 mt

Dinner


Day 1Manali - Kaza

  • Drive through the Atal tunnel that divides Kullu from the Lahaul Valley
  • Traverse through the beautiful Chandra River Valley
  • Cross the magical Kunzum Pass (4551mt/14931ft) and visit the Buddhist shrine
  • Breathtaking vistas of the Chandrabhaga Mountain Ranges

Nunnery

1 hr

0

28 km

3870 mt

B'fast & Dinner


Day 2Kaza - Nunnery

  • Unique insights into Spiti’s rich culture
  • Experience a resounding prayer session of the monks and a get peek into Tibetan Buddhism in practise.
  • Get an insight into the ancient tradition and science of Tibetan Medicine
  • One-on-one with a local doctor and learn more about your internal health
  • Spend time with the amazing nuns of Spiti.
  • Learn some Bhoti (the Tibetan script) or Buddhist mantras if you like, chat with the nuns, or just be!

 

Homestay

4 - 5 hrs

4 - 5 hrs (optional)

77 km

4319mt

B'fast & Dinner


Day 3Kaza - Langza - Hikkim - Komic - Demul

  • Picture perfect Langza Village – famous for its Buddha Statue and mud craft
  • Hikkim – World’s Highest Post Office. Send postcards to your loved ones back home
  • Komic – World’s Highest Village and the Komic Monastery
  • Scenic Demul Village – Spiti’s model sustainable village, also famous for its Arak (local brew) and Folk performances
  • Get a taste of the best Arak in Spiti
  • Learn how to Cook like a Local and the tricks behind making yum momos or local delicacies with your host

Trek along picturesque meadows from Komic to Demul.

Guesthouse

2 hrs

2 - 3 hrs (optional)

44 km

3500 mt

B'fast Lunch Dinner


Day 4Demul - Pin Valley

  • Immerse yourself in the simple joys of mountain village life
  • Chat with the locals, help out on their farms or help herd the village cattle
  • Get involved and volunteer in ongoing activities or developmental needs in the village and the satisfaction of making a difference!
  • Spectacular Pin Valley
  • A hidden village of meditating monks and nuns on the buffer of Pin Valley National Park!

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

Hotel

4 - 5 hrs

2 - 3 hrs (optional)

117 km

3800 mt

B'fast & Dinner


Day 5Pin Valley - Dhankar - Tabo - Kaza

  • Dhankar – the erstwhile capital of Spiti
  • Travel back in time at the ancient Dhankar Monastery & Fort
  • Tabo and its over 1000-year-old monastery – popularly referred to as the Ajanta of the Himalayas

To the serene Dhankar Lake- take the road less travelled

Permanent Campsite

4 - 5 hrs

0

95 km

4300 mt

B'fast & Dinner


Day 6Kaza - Kee - Kibber - Chicham - Chandratal

  • Explore the iconic Kee Monastery and their quaint 100 year old kitchen.
  • Drive over the Chicham Bridge – highest bridge in Asia.
  • The picturesque Chandratal – Lake of the Moon Goddess

Hotel

4 - 5 hrs

111 km

2050 mt

Breakfast


Day 7Chandratal - 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 1 to Day 6 on a sharing basis
  • Breakfast & Dinner – Day 1 Dinner to Day 7 Breakfast
  • Local Guide Day 2 to Day 5
  • Transfers Day 1 to Day 7
  • 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
  • Pick & Drop to Delhi or Chandigarh (this can be included at an additional cost)

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!

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