A unique Himalayan experience with Deepti Naval

Venue: Himachal Pradesh (Thanedar-Sangla-Bhabha Trek-Spiti-Manali)
Date: July 01- 13, 2007
Traveler: Deepti Naval

Deepti Naval’s aesthetic quest has unfolded across four artistic expressions: Cinema, Painting, Poetry and Photography. The Himalayas has been the stage for her to explore vividly her passion for Photography and Painting. In 2004, Deepti’s solitary quest took her on the Frozen River Trek in the remote Zanskar Valley, Laddakh. It was the majesty of that trek, her exploration of different art forms and love for the Himalayas that brought Banjara Camps and Soulitudes to conceive the experience together with her. The artiste Deepti Naval will be the teacher to enable you to share a journey through Himachal Pradesh through the famed Kinnaur and Spiti regions of the Himalayas. From August 1st to the 13th, the trip will traverse living traditions straddling different faiths and landscapes including the Buddhist Highlands of the Himalayas.

We invite you to, over fourteen days, travel, learn and feel the evolution of an artist, the Himalayas and the nature of the land we call India; to experience the threads that bind the nation together from the plains to the mountains and the celebration of diversity which our founding fathers felt was unique to the civilization ethos of India. We also urge you to invoke from within, the latent artistic qualities within you which never found expression and learn with Deepti around campfires, treks and the vast expanse of the Himalayas.

About Deepti Naval

Deepti Naval, accomplished actor, writer, poet, and nature photographer extraordinaire joins us on this journey through the snow-capped vistas of the Himalayan frontier. Though Deepti has received widespread acclaim for the variety and complexity of roles she has performed, her artistic accolades do not end there: she is widely regarded as one of the most influential personalities of her times for her contribution to the creative arts.

Deepti is the author of several books of poetry, including Lamha Lamha, Black Winds And Other Poems and River Poems, which is based on her experience trekking through Zanskar Valley in Laddakh. Her passion for photography stems from her extensive adventure travels. A skilled mountaineer, Deepti navigated the treacherous mountain terrain of Laddakh alone in 2004; the experience grew to be one of the most pivotal of her life. Her collection of photographs of Laddakh, entitled ‘In Search of Another Sky’, has received widespread recognition for its astonishing grace and the depth of the landscapes portrayed.

For Deepti, time spent in communion with nature is a means to reach out to the Divine outside and within herself. “The beauty I seek is not conventional,” she says. “I love barrenness, shadows. For me, nature is God.”

The Canvas

The stunning Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti valleys of Himachal Pradesh will act as the stage and canvas for the 13 day journey. There is a detailed description of the trek below. But as a wise teacher Morari Bapu said “Yaatra sochne se nahin, chalne se hoti hain”. To put that in the crudest form “Life’s changing journeys are taken and not thought about”.


 
The trek

Chandigarh - Thanedar - Sangla - Bhabha Trek - Spiti - Manali - Chandigarh

August 1
Chandigarh – Shimla - Thanedar
From Chandigarh we drive down to Shimla, after which we drive to our retreat at Thanedar. We spend the night in the Retreat’s idyllic cottages and apple orchards, amidst lush greenery and pristine wilderness. Thanedar was home to the American preacher Stokes who brought the apple to Himachal. 

August 2
Thanedar-Sangla (158/5hr)
From Thanedar, we drive to Banjara Camp, Sangla (2700m). The drive, which takes 5 hours, offers a stunning preview of the famed mountainous Himalayan terrain. After a brief afternoon pause, we pay a visit to the picturesque hamlet of Batseri. At Batseri, we visit the local devta temple, renowned for the splendor of its woodwork. The people of the region, called Kinnauris, are of Tibetan and Indo-Caucasian origin. They are famed for their craftsmanship, peaceful demeanor, and genuine hospitality.

August 3
Sangla
After breakfast, we will set forth on a hike to Rackcham and then get driven to Chitkul(3,450M), located 20kms from Sangla. This tiny village, nestled among snow-capped peaks and conifers, is the last Indian village on the old Indo-Tibetan trade route. We then walk to Nagasthi, the last Indian Border Outpost. Heading towards our campsite, we pass through the villages of Rackcham. On our return to the camp, we will partake in some truly local flavors: a colorful folk-dance and a sumptuous bonfire barbeque with the villagers.

August 4
Sangla – Kafnu – Mulling: Trek starts (Drive: 66km/3hr) (Trek: 15km/5hr) 
From Sangla, we drive to the scenic hamlet of Kafnu (2200m). Our trek to Mulling (3280M) takes us through a few steep precipices, dense foliage and colorful meadows afire with mountain flowers. We spend the night in trekking tents under a star-studded sky.

August 5
Mulling-Kara (6kms/3hr)
We make a day trip to Kara (3560m), located 6kms from Mulling. Kara, a favorite stop for nature lovers for its abundance of flora and fauna, is a lush meadow abounding in alpine flowers. At the Kara the valley opens up showing several snow clad peaks and can see ridges merging together. It is difficult to believe that this kind of place exits!!

August 6
Kara-Phustirang (6km/3hr)
Nature is our guide as we follow the left bank of the meandering Bhabha river from Kara to Phustirang. On our way, we stop to take in the breathtaking aura of snow capped peaks all around, also a site of the confluence of several major streams. At Phustirang, located at the base of the Bhabha camp, we are greeted by a visual feast: the snow-clad peak of the mighty Hansbeshan mountain (5840M) is just visible through clouds.

August 7
Phustriang-Chhochhoden (13km/5hr)

August 8
Chhochhoden-Mud-Tabo (Trek: 12km/4hr) (Drive: 65km/2hr) 
For the last leg of our trekking journey, we walk down the gently winding banks of the mellifluous River Pin. We are picked up at Mud, after which we drive to Banjara Retreat, located in the quaint and peaceful village of Tabo (3050M).

August 9
Tabo
After breakfast, we pay a visit to the ancient Tabo Monastery, which dates back to the 10th century. The monastery houses a collection of Buddhist scriptures, Buddhist statues and Thangkas. After lunch, we may visit Dhankar Monastery in the village of Dhankar, the erstwhile capital of Spiti. We relax in the evening to the lilting rhythms of a Spitian folk dance.

August 10
Tabo – Kaza (47km/2hr)
We visit the Ki monastery, the biggest monastery in Spiti valleylocated 12kms from Kaza. The monastery houses a rare collection of Buddhist scriptures and paintings of Buddha and other gods and goddesses; many paintings and books are of great aesthetic value. Here, it is not uncommon to find lamas practicing dance, singing and playing on pipes and horns. We proceed to visit Gete, one of the highest motorable villages in the world. After lunch at Gete, we drive to Banjara Retreat, Kaza, where we spend the night.

August 11
Kaza-Chander Taal-Chota Dara (78km/3hr, 14km/4hr, 12km/4/1)
We drive to the 4,551m high Kunzum Pass, which forms the gateway to Spiti from Kulu & Lahaul. We can either drive or take a beautiful walk 14kms to arrive at Chander Taal, a pristine lake with crystal-clear waters and an abundance of fauna. We lunch by its lapping banks. We then proceed back to camp at Chota Dara where the Bara-Sigri glacier, - the second longest glacier in the world - is visible.

August 12 
Chota Dara - Manali (95km/3hr)
We leave early morning to begin our drive to Manali, stopping at the Rohtang Pass (3978M high) along the way. The stark beauty of the peaks that surround the Pass and the views of the ravines and glaciers nearby make this ancient trade outpost a memorable closure to the journey. In the evening, we check into Mayflower Hotel or Snow Crest manor.

August 13 
Manali - Chandigarh 
Return to Chandigarh by Road.

Pricing
Rs 65,000 per person on a twin sharing basis
Rs 100,000 single supplement
All prices are subject to a cancellation policy and terms and conditions.

The pricing for journey includes:

• All meals, transfers from and to Chandigarh, accommodation, guides, Ms. Deepti Naval’s fees
• Stay at all places on double occupancy in deluxe rooms/tents
• All meals
• Luxury camping for 5 days during the Bhabha Pass trek
• Satellite phone
• All equipment and manpower related to the trek except sleeping bag
• One night camping at Chota Dara
• Transfers from Chandigarh airport or station
• Inner Line permits
• Knowledgeable guide through the tour

The tour does not include:

• Sleeping bags and items of personal nature
• Insurance

Clothing: 
Casual wear and comfortable walking shoes (not brand new shoes) are the rule while on a trek. Be sure to bring warm clothing as nights and early mornings can be quite chilly. 
Gore-Tex brand of clothing is recommended.


Checklist of personal items:
• Warm sleeping bag (for 0 degrees C or below), Kari mat and Pillow 
• Woolen/thermal inner wear
• Wind/rain proof jacket and pants
• Long trousers - 3/long shirts - 3/T-shirts -3
• Light towel.
• Hiking/trekking shoes (broken in); sandals
• Socks (Nylon/Cotton/Woolen) – 6 to 8 pairs in total.
• Water bottle
• Flash light with spare batteries
• Personal toiletries 
• Sun shade/Hat/Woolen Cap/Gloves/Sun Glasses – 100% UV Protection
• Sun Screen/Sun Block/Suntan Lotion/ Vaseline/Lip Salve 
• Muffler 
• Camera with lots and lots of films and spare batteries
• Personal medication, if any
• Daypack


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