Instagram
CONTACT US
Previous slide
Next slide

Spiti Astro Explore Expedition

October 7th – 13th – 2024

Thank you for your interest in the Spiti Astro Landscape Expedition with Tales and Trails. Kindly note that though this is a full fledged photography along with experience – road trip. We would be about shooting most nights, sunset and sunrise times.

We would try to explore local food, drinks and experiences like hiking behind key monastery. Sign up for the tour with an open mind to explore, experience and enjoy.

Do send me a message on 9535097765 if you have any questions. Cheers.

DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY

Day 01 - 7 Oct Monday
Reach MANALI

Reach Manali, check Into hotel around 10-11am and rest. 

We will be exploring Manali and nearby places like Hadimba temple, Manu temple, Jogini falls etc. and be out for dinner by the river side.

Accommodation at Manali.

1. On the river banks of Old Manali
On the river banks of Old Manali
Day 02 - 8 Oct Tuesday
MANALI - KAZA via Atal Tunnel

Departure for Kaza(-5 am). Night stay and rest. (For acclimatization).

We will take the route of Atal tunnel and will pass through, sissu, batal and kunzum pass.

Accommodation at Kaza. 

Drive ~200 kms. 

Duration: 8-12 hours. 

Road to Kaza
Road to Kaza
Day 03 - 9 Oct Wednesday
Explore Kaza

During The Day we will  explore the Kaza market. We will try to walk around as much as we can, visit Kaza monastery, try out sea buckthorn tea, thukpa and other local delicacies. We will have our first pre discussion session on how to shoot at the starry night and prepare for the same.

At night we’ll be shooting near Kaza(around 8pm). We will possibly do light painting, steel wool etc on this day. Wide lens with F2.8 or larger preferred with a sturdy tripod. It is advisable that you are well versed with your tripod before the trip, as we shoot in dark it gets easier to work.

Accommodation at Kaza. 

Drive ~20-30 kms. 

Duration: 2-3 hours.

3 Milky way portrait
Milky way portrait
Day 04 - 10 Oct Thursday
Explore Key Monastery

Morning around 6:30 we will head to shoot the key monastery from Rangrik during the sunrise time. Preferable lenses are 70-200mm and 100-400mm focal range. We can fly drones around here.

Evening we will be heading to Key Monastery(around 3:00pm), explore key monastery, watch the little monks play, take portraits if they are willing, visit the meditation room(this is another level of peace) and trek behind an hour before sunset to shoot time lapse, sunset shots, blue hour shots.

We will try to create key monastery shots with milky way from the front as well. Lenses preferred are 16-35mm focal lengths for sunset, astro, 35-85mm for portraits.

Accommodation at Kaza. 

Drive ~40 kms. 

Duration: 4-5 hours.

Spiti Astro Landscape Expedition Tales and Trails 6
Sunset at Key monastery
Day 05 - 11 Oct Friday
BUFFER DAY

We will explore Dhankar monastery around lunch time. 

Shoot around sunset at Dhankar monastery.

Accommodation at Kaza. 

Drive ~50-60 kms. 

Duration: 6-7 hours.

Spiti Astro Landscape Expedition Tales and Trails 8
Monks at Key Monastery
Day 06 - 12 Oct Saturday
Kaza - Hikkim - Komic - Langza

Head to Hikkim around 10:30 am after breakfast. Send some postcards from the world’s highest post office and head to Komilk. 

Visit the monastery here and leave for langza after lunch (~3:30 pm). Shoot sunset, then dinner at home followed by night shoot at the Langza buddha. Do not miss the sea buckthorn tea from the shanti cafe behind the buddha.

Accommodation at Langza. 

Drive ~50 kms. 

Duration: 6-7 hours.

6. Buddha at langza unde the milkyway
Buddha at langza under the milkyway
Day 07 - 13 Oct Sunday
Chandratal

Leave for Chandratal around morning 8am. Reach Chandratal camps by 3-4 pm. Shoot around the lake around sunset and be back before dark.

Night we shoot the milky way around the camps and try some light painting shots.

This place can be very windy and cold.

Accommodation at Chandratal. 

Drive ~100 kms. 

Duration: 7-8 hours.

7. Camping at Chandratal
Camping at Chandratal
Day 07 - 13 Oct Monday
Return to Manali

Leave back to Manali around 5:30 am and check into the hotel on arrival. We can go to old manali to explore, dinner.

Accommodation at Manali. 

Drive ~100 kms. 

Duration: 7-8 hours.

Spiti Astro Landscape Expedition Tales and Trails 7
Key monastery at blue hour
Day 08 - 14 Oct Tuesday
Leave from Manali

Check out from the hotel around 12am. Our trip ends here. Thank you for making some amazing memories of a lifetime and some wonderful pictures.

View at Atal Tunnel
View at Atal Tunnel

IMPORTANT: In case the Road from Manali – Spiti is not open, we would be taking an alternate route from Shimla – Tabo – Spiti. 

In that case the pick up point would be Chandigarh.

About your trip leader

Yash Rathi, your host for this exciting adventure to Spiti Valley, is a passionate cinematographer dedicated to visual storytelling. Through his lens, Yash captures true and honest stories, bringing them to life with remarkable clarity and emotion. Beyond his professional pursuits, Yash has a deep love for travel and exploration, constantly seeking new experiences and unforgettable moments. We look forward for an incredible trip together.

Yash Rathi

COSTING and INCLUSIONS

Expedition Cost 40,000/-INR.

Batch Size: 12-13 participants

Transport: One 14 seater traveler.

Inclusion

  • All accommodation from Manali- Manali mentioned in the trip plan.
  • All transport from Manali- Manali mentioned in the trip plan.
  • 2 meals(dinner & breakfast)+ tea included from the first hotel stay - last stay.
  • Workshop fees.

Exclusions

  • Any flight costs or other travel costs.
  • Travel to Manali from your cities.
  • Additional food/meals cost.

The recommended way to reach Manali  is to take a bus from Delhi.

PAYMENT DETAILS

Advance Payment 50% to block the seats.

Remaining payment on or before 15th August 2024.

Advance Transfer (20,000/-) Bank Account Details:

Bank Account Details:

Lights and Trails Private Ltd
ICICI Bank
Ac No: 029805006536
IFSC: ICIC0000298
Branch: Bangalore Hrbr Layout
UPI – 9535097765.ibz@icici

Please mention in remarks as ” Advance_your name”

Please share a screenshot of the transfer on WhatsApp 9535097765.

Balance amount to be cleared before 15th August 2024.

Refund policy/ Cancellation charges

Full refund if canceled before Aug 15th 2024.

50% refund if canceled between Aug 1- 30th..

No refund for cancellation after Sep 15st.

Alternatively you can transfer your seat to any other person provided he/ she is interested to be part of the trip.

More details will be shared once you confirm your seat and details will be communicated via WhatsApp group.

Please reach to me in case of any queries:

Phone : 9535097765

Instagram : @hegde_arun

THINGS TO CARRY
  1. Down Jackets(preferably +5 to -5 degree ones, Decathlon has good ones) – 1
  2. Pullovers / Sweatshirts -1
  3. Warmers / Thermals -1-2 pairs
  4. T shirts/ tops 4-6 of them
  5. Trek pants/ trousers 1-2
  6. Woolen caps, gloves 1 each, and socks as per requirement
  7. Raincoat (not necessary – but good to have one).
  8. Waterproof or cold resistant Trekking shoes – preferably not carrying sports shoes as they are not the best when it comes to hilly terrain/ water/ cold proofing.
  9. Personal Medicines if any.
  10. Water bottle, Mandatory. Spiti is a fragile region with not much scope of waste management, we shall fill the bottle and use the same. 
  11. Power banks.
  12. UV Sunglasses.
  13. Dry fruits.
  14. Camera and lenses. Tripod if required.
  15. Cards/ Games if any.

Ensure to carry light as possible even though we don’t have much hiking with bags, it’s a good practise to carry light

NOTE: Consult your doctor before taking any medicine and also keep your prescribed medication if you have asthma, sugar, high bp or any allergy etc

 
IMPORTANT NOTE AND INFORMATION
  1. All Sightseeing/shoot totally depends upon Weather, Road Condition and Time management of Guests. Sightseeing Can be Shifted on Other Days or can be missed, Totally Depends upon the Road conditions and time management of Guests.
  2. Participants who have a medical history of blood pressure, heart-related problems or asthma are advised to seek medical advice before enrolling for this Tour.
  3. We have full right to modify/ alter the tour itinerary at any point of time depending on the need( Road/ weather conditions etc).
  4. We shall not be responsible for any injuries, damages or losses caused to any participant in connection with terrorist activities, social unrest, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, abnormal conditions or developments, or any other actions outside our control.
  5. The management has every right to ban and deport the participants who won’t follow the rules and respect the crew. (NO REFUND)
  6. Participants won’t be refunded if he/she decides to leave a tour in progress for any reason.
  7. Single/Double sharing stay may not be possible in homestays/ tent stays. Travelers who are traveling will accommodate in Triple/Quad Sharing stay only with other co-travelers,Depending upon the availability.
  8. In case if roads are blocked and further journey is not possible then we will take the best possible decision for Guests Safety.
  9. Kindly note at the time of Travel if Route will get closed or in bad conditions then will take alternative route with alternate Stay for the Guest safety but for that Supplement cost will be applicable which has to be borne by the Guests directly.
  10. Meals (Breakfast & Dinner) will be provided in Stays only. No Meals can be packed.
  11. Any kind of refund is not possible for any unused services.
  12. Please don’t use Single use plastic bottles in Spiti, Carry Hard Steel water bottles for the trip. This is very important.
  13. If this tour is canceled before the departure, we will provide you with a refund excluding any cancellation charges applicable. Unless the cancellation is due to an event that makes it infeasible for us to operate the tour as planned.
  14. In any circumstance if we cancel the trip in progress, you will receive a proportion of refund based on the number of days not completed on the tour.
  15. All refunds will take within 7-10 business days to reach you.
  16. Spiti is a destination which is off beat totally and growing nowadays. So one may not get any luxury here. It’s a place for experience and exploration.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES

Plan your trip with us

Ready for an unforgetable tour?

CONTACT US