Top of the World
The Himalayas need no introduction, but in its immensity it hosts remote shelters that capture the imagination and enchant with their splendor. The western part of the Himalayas and its hidden valleys are the focus of this journey. The Himalayan kaleidoscope will start from the capital Delhi and will continue with Shimla, now the capital of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, but already summer capital during the British government. Next stop will be the Himalayan apple orchards and then the deserts of the Spiti. The Spiti was isolated from the rest of the world until 1992, when it began to open up to travellers. A well-preserved Buddhist heritage, a unique high altitude ecosystem and isolation that transcends the barriers of time create a spell that overwhelms the traveller, it is a magic we like to call the 'Spiti experience'. The Spiti kaleidoscope is the perfect blend of the many aspects of the Spiti's geo-climatic and socio-cultural heritage, with a bit of adventure to tickle the senses. This trip has been specifically designed with the aim of showing, within the available time window, the valley of the Spiti in the most complete way. Located in the Himalayas, the region borders Tibet to the East and Ladakh to the North and there are strong ecological and cultural similarities with its neighbors. The exploration of the mystical hidden treasures of this valley will lead you face to face with the practices of Tibetan Buddhism, here are some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries and temples in the world. This trip offers an in-depth insight into Spitian life, Buddhist culture and heritage. We will pass through some of the highest settlements in Spiti (and Asia) with unique Buddhist monasteries and temples dating back over 1000 years and wrapped in an aura of legend and folklore.
