After the journey from Delhi to Amritsar, we will make our way through the Kangra Valley to McLeod Ganj (Dharamsala) which is dominated by the mountain range of Dhauladar. We will then proceed to Mandi via Rewalsar that is a religious site for Buddhists, Sikhs and Hindus. Crossing through the Kullu Valley, we will pass through many villages, stopping off in Manali. Then we will proceed to Shimla and eventually Chandigarh and then Rishikesh; where you will be able to experience the religious Arti’s next to the river Ganges. A train journey from Haridwar to Delhi will bring us to the end of our journey.
Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
Guests will be received at the airport followed by a transfer to a hotel, where you will be staying overnight.
Day 2
Train Journey: Delhi – Amritsar
Travelling Time: 6 hours
You will be departing by train from Delhi around 7.20am to arrive in Amritsar by the afternoon. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 3
Journey from Amritsar to Dharamsala
Travelling Distance: 190 km
Travelling Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 1830 m / 6,003 ft.
The tour begins with a drive to the Kangra Valley, where you will be checked into a hotel in Dharamsala in the afternoon. In the evening, you will be able to take a stroll around the narrow alleyways of the suburb McLeod Ganj, with its cosmopolitan crowds of Tibetans, Indians and travellers from all over the world. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 4
Exploring Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj
Set against the backdrop of the majestic Dhauladhar Range, the former colonial retreat McLeod Ganj rose to prominence after the large-scale exodus of Tibetans from their homeland in 1959. It holds the residence (called the Ocean of Tranquility) of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. With traditional architectural designs drawn from Tibet, the impressive Namgyal Monastery is surrounded by a row of prayer wheels and houses large images of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokteshwara. With time permitting, the Tibetan handicraft centre can also be visited. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 5
Journey from Dharamsala to Palampur via Kangra
Travelling Distance: 90 km
Travelling Time: 31/2 hours
Altitude: 1219 m / 3,999 ft.
The old town of Kangra is dotted with temples and has a ruined fort. Situated on a precipitous cliff overhanging the Ban Ganga and Manjhi rivers, the ruins of Kangra Fort still dominate Kangra Valley. Palampur, in the foothills of the Dhauladhars, is known for its tea gardens. Its mild climate makes it a pleasant place to visit; its colourful main street crowded with gaily-attired local people and Gaddi (shepherd). Evening visit to tea garden. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 6
Journey from Palampur to Mandi via Baijnath, Rewalsar
Travelling Distance: 137 km
Altitude: 754 m / 2,473 ft.
We will be visiting the ancient Shiva Temple complex in Baijnath, which is 18 km from Palampur. We will then continue to Rewalsar, meaning “Pool of Ancient Wisdom,” a sacred lake that is like a dark jewel on a wooded hillside. Then we will continue to Mandi, an important town of Himachal Pradesh and the gateway to Kullu Valley. We will visit its well-known Shikhara-style temples of Bhootnath, Triloknath, Panchvakra and Shyamakali at Tarna Hill. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 7
Journey from Mandi to Manali via Cheni Kothi
Travelling Distance: 135 km
Altitude: 2000 m / 6,561 ft.
Along today’s drive we will take a detour of 30 km and walk for an hour to visit an ancient nine-story castle built by Queen Chehni. We will then continue on to Manali, one of India’s most popular hill stations, known for its panoramic views and adventure activities. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 8
Exploring Manali
We will be exploring Manali on foot, visiting Old Manali, including the Manu Temple and the Hadimba Temple in Dhungri, as well as the Gayatri Devi in Jagatsukh; an ancient capital of the Kullu Rajas. We will also visit the Shiva Temple and the monastery in town. You will also visit Naggar Castle, Roerich Art Gallery and Hindu Temples. In the evening we will head back to Manali, before spending the night in the hotel.
Day 9
Journey from Manali to Shimla
Travelling Distance: 250 km
Altitude: 1900 m / 6,233 ft.
The road will go through several villages, lunch stop en route, where you will able to experience magnificent views of the Himalayan foothills all along as we approach Shimla. Shimla is known as the summer capital of the British Raj, “The Queen of the Hills”. In the evening you can take a stroll in the mall. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 10
Exploring Shimla
In Shimla, we will visit a monkey God temple at Jhaku Hill, where we will also visit the museum at the former Vice Regal Lodge, which now houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 11
Journey from Shimla to Chandigarh
Travelling Distance: 150 km
Travelling Time: 4 hours
The day will begin with heading back on the plains, moving along a winding road through villages and forests until we reach in Chandigarh. We will visit the famous Rock Garden; fashioned out of stones and multi-coloured pieces from throwaway items by Nek Chand. There is also a Rose garden that is spread over 30 acres and contains about 1,600 varieties of Roses; one of largest garden in Asia. We can also visit the museum and art gallery. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 12
Journey from Chandigarh to Rishikesh
Travelling Distance: 252 km
Travelling Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 230 m / 754 ft.
Rishikesh is situated on the bank of the river Ganga, where it is surrounded on all three sides by Himalayan Ranges; it is a great centre for pilgrimages of India. At the Trivani Ghat, a grand Arti (religious song) can be experienced on the Ghats of the Ganga. The air resounds with the music and chant offered as worship of the Lord. In the evening, pilgrims float hundreds of little flower bowls in the river with oil lamps, which provide perfect moments for photographs. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 13
Journey from Rishikesh to Haridwar
Travelling Distance: 24 km
En route to Haridwar, we will visit the Naina Devi Temple that is situated on a hill, as well as the Shanti Kunj; famous ashram of the Gayatri Pariwar Organisation. Haridwar (“Gateway to God”) stands on the right bank of the Ganga at the foot of the Shivalik Range. One of the main attractions at Haridwar is meditation or worship at Har ki Pauri by the Ganga. Every evening a grand Arti (prayer) is charged with emotion and the air resounds with the music and chants offered as worship to the Lord. Devotees float hundreds of “boats” made of leaves and filled with flowers and oil lamps and visit the Daksha Mahadevi temple. We will spend the evening at Har ki Pauri, joining the grand Arti. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 14
Train Journey from Haridwar to Delhi
Travelling Distance: 240 km
Travelling Time: 5 hours
You will be transferred to the train station, as the train will depart at 6.22am and will arrive in Delhi at 11.15am. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be received and transferred to your hotel. For half of the day, you will be able to tour around Delhi, covering Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, Red Fort and a rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to the Red Fort. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 15
Flight Departure: Delhi
You will be given the opportunity to explore around Delhi, including a Baha’i Temple and Humayan’s Tomb, before being transferred to the Indira Gandhi International Airport where you will depart to your onward destination.
Note: Festivals - We can propose to you some fix dates of departure to attend the debut of festivals in this region.
In that case the duration of tour will be one day more than the actual itinerary.
