The perfect Himalayan adventure

Q I am planning to visit Lahaul Spiti around September. What is the best time to visit? How many days should I plan for? Can you suggest an itinerary? I would also like to visit Chandratal.
HT Reader
There are a couple ways to reach Lahaul and Spiti. The more popular (shorter) way is the route from Manali and the other option is the Hindustan-Tibet road from Shimla. Since you want to go via Chandratal Lake, the Manali route should do.

The best time to visit is anytime between August 15 to September end. October is okay too but you might get stuck in heavy snowfall at a higher altitude.

Take the Ladakh national highway from Manali. The first major destination on the route is Rohtang Pass, about 50 km from Manali. Next, you will reach a small village called Khoksar. Here, take the right fork to go to the Spiti Valley. If you go straight from Khoksar you will reach Kylong (Lahaul valley).

Suggested itinerary:

Day 1: Start from Manali and aim to reach Keylong by 4 pm.

Day 2: Explore Keylong and the Lahaul Valley .

Day 3: Explore Keylong (if you have an extra day)

Day 4: Start early from Keylong and come back to Khoksar (towards Manali). From here, take the Spiti road. You have to reach Batal or Kaza by 5 pm so make sure you start early from Keylong.

Day 5: Visit the Chandratal Lake and Kunzum Pass and explore Kaza town.

Day 6: Return to Manali.

Q I am planning to travel to Uttaranchal with four of my friends. What's a good time to visit it? What would the approximate cost of the tour be?
Anupam Basu
You can get all the help regarding your trip from Uttaranchal Tourism and the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam. Visit www.gmvn.com for details and address of their office in your city. One can also get tour operators from Haridwar or Rishikesh.

Auli is an eight-hour drive from Haridwar, you can get a taxi for Rs 2,200 per day (approx). There are also regular bus services before June.

Good places to visit are Badrinath, the Naag temple in Auli, and the Valley of Flowers (in October). Don't miss spotting the Nanda Devi, Trishul, Hathi Parbat, Kamet, Dronagiri, and Mana peaks from Auli.

(With inputs from HolidayIQ members)

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