There are few but very adventurous route in Himachal for jeep safari. The first starting from Shimla on NH-22 to the Old India – Tibet Highway into the tribal region of Kinnaur and Spiti the second phase of it can be joined with the Himachal to Ladakh via Sarchu-Korzok etc. The first phase runs close to the river at places and criss-crosses it six times between Wangtu and Khab. The safari crosses the Sutlej after every few kilometres with bridges at Wangtu, Karcham, Shong Tong, Riba , Khadra and Khab. The second phase crosses over many high passes like Rohtangla and the worlds second highest motorable pass Taglangla.
Spiti (locally pronounced 'Piti') or the 'middle country', has its sub divisional headquarters at Kaza. The river Spiti originates at the base of the Kunzam range and flows eastward to join the Sutlej at Khab in Kinnaur. In practical isolation for centuries, Spiti has an intensely introvertive culture centred around its several monasteries- Dhankar, Ki, Tabo, Mud, Gungri, Lidang, Hikim, Sagnam, Mane Gogma and Giu to name a few. Spiti was loosely ruled for many centuries by a hereditary wazir, styled Nono. The majority of the people are Buddhists, followers of the Geluk-pa sect. The repetition of the mantra "Om mani padme hum" (literally, 'Behold, the jewel is in the lotus'), is constant; it is believed to bring good fortune and wash away all sins. For all the seeming bleakness, Spiti possesses a haunting beauty. The wildlife in the region includes the elusive snow leopard and ibex, found in the Pin valley.
Spiti has come to be known as the "fossil park of the world". The three villages Kibber, Kaza & Kye fall on the route faovourite among those looking for fossils. These villages are situated at heights between 13,500 ft. and 14,400 ft. above msl. Langza is famous for fossils of maritime life. These fossils are found on either side of Kang-yur and Paapen-yu nullahs near the village.
Another popular and shorter safari is the Leh –Manali safari through the trans-Himalayan rage of mountains (similar to Tibet) passes over two high passes. You can see the different rock formations and changing colors of the mountains. First day we drive from Manali to Sarchu ( Alt: 10362 fts) over the Rohtang pass (Alt: 11550 Fts). We camp at the seasonal camp of Sarchu in tented accommodation. Second day we drive from Sarchu to Leh(251 Kms/ 07-08 hrs) over the second highest motorable road in the world over the high pass of Taglang-la(Alt: 17467 Fts.). Or take a diversion and go via Tso Moriri Lake containing the drainage basins of Tsomoriri and other lakes is known as Rupshu. Here, the Zanskar range is transformed into bare rolling many-hued hills divided by open high altitude valleys scoured by dust-devils. It is a landscape quite unlike any other in Ladakh- or elsewhere in India.
Korzok is situated at 15000 ft. (4572 M) with its dozen or so houses and its Gompa appearing like a mirage among the barren hills, is the only permanent settlement in Rupshu valley; otherwise the region is inhabited only by nomadic Chang-pa herds people. The Rupshu Cang-pa lives in tents all the year round, moving in accordance with an old-established annual routine between the pastures that exist wherever an occasional stream carrying snowmelt from the heights makes possible the reportedly highly nutritious. The few barley fields at Korzok must be among the highest cultivation in the world, but there is no guarantee that the crop will ripen every year.
The last sector which has more of an sightseeing and visits is the Kangra valley. Comparatively more populated we cross villages often. Places like Chamba, Kajjiar, Dalhausie and Dharamsala are on this route and more often taken as a normal tour then Jeep Sarari as all the accommodation are in hotels of moderate standard with modern amenities all the way.
