DAY 01 : ARRIVE MANALI (2050 MTR.)
Pick up from bus stand and transfer to Hotel. After lunch trek to Hadimba temple
and Visit school in town. BASE CAMP.
DAY 02 - CHANDIGARH - SHIMLA
A day to explore the town of Shimla, erstwhile Indian capital in summer months,
Britons connected the mountain town to the planes of India by Railway in 1903.
Around 40 minutes ride through this heritage train provides the glimpse of being
in the wilderness. Less than 100 km narrow line connects Shimla to the broad
gauged line at Kalka by passing through more than 100 tunnels and meandering
along the hills. Visit the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. This institute
is housed in the then Viceregal Lodge, which was built in 1884-88 during the
British times.
It has spacious gardens and is ringed by beautiful pine trees.
All is calm and serene just the right atmosphere for a student of literature or
politics. Post lunch take your time to explore the famous ‘Mall Road & Ridge’ to
get acquainted by the olden days Shimla as compared to modern one. At the end
transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 03 : SHIMLA – MANALI
After breakfast start your journey to the next destination of Manali en-route
visiting Himachal Photo Darshan photo gallery displaying the photographs taken
by local photographer Mr Birbal Sharma at Mandi. Photo Gallery exhibited 300
enlarged photographs dealing with the lifestyle and culture of the people of the
state. There are photographs of the exquisite lakes of Himachal Pradesh,
snow-covered passes, gurgling rivers, cascades, beautiful valleys, green
forests, meadows, ancient temples with rare carvings, glaciers, forests,
palaces, frescoes in Buddhist temples, Himachali belles wearing ornaments. This
journey offers a dramatic changes in nature from Lower Himalayas to Shivalik
Himalayas and then again to the lower Himalayas.
You will be driving form a
hilltop to different valley structures and sometimes driving along different
rivers. We would stop at Bajaura to visit Basheshvar Mahadev temple with fine
stone carvings and sculptures is believed to have been built in the mid 8th
century. It is truly an incredible structure. On the banks of the river Beas,
roughly about 200 m off the road. On completion drive to Manali.
DAY 04 : VISIT AND ENJOY SPECTACULAR MANALI
After breakfast drive to visit and photograph 1553 AD constructed wooden carved
“Hidimba Devi Temple” also spelled as “Hadimba”. It is an ancient cave temple
dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, sister of Hidimba, who was a character in the Indian
epic, Mahabarata. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest. Walk to Old Manali
village, names after great Hindu sage Manu.
As per the legend and mythology,
human and nature pass through a cycle of development and finally destroyed by
deluge and few habitants survive in this cycle. During the last deluge, Manu was
leader of the habitants on earth who survived on celestial boat and landed here
at Manali. He set the rules now known as “Manu Sahinta” and leaded the habitants
who survived with him. On completion we walk to few more villages to see the
local way of life. Post lunch walk around traffic free Manali Mall Road for
shopping and own activities.
DAY 05 : MANALI – SOLANG – SNOW POINT/ROHTANG PASS – MANALI
A Morning drive towards Rohtang Pass (3978m), stopping for photo stops of the
Himalayas at different locations along the route. This route offers spectacular
views of peaks between 5000m to 6600m and glaciers of Dauladhar, Pir Panjal and
Chandra-Bhaga range of the High Himalayas along with lush green Kullu-Manali
valley with Beas River flowing in the middle.
Our excursion ends at Snow Point,
the maximum approachable road towards Rohtang Pass (3978m), depending on road,
snow and ice formation conditions. Rohtang Pass is the first and lowest pass on
the route to Ladakh. Between June to November, we have higher chances to reach
on top of Rohtang Pass, when there might be no snow on the top of the pass and
you can only enjoy snow capped mountains of CB range. We divert 3 km to visit
Solang Valley to enjoy paragliding or skiing depending on season (Optional). On
our way back we visit Vashist, known for its hot water sulfur springs, ancient
Vashistha and Rama Temples.
DAY 06 : MANALI – DHARAMSHALA
Early morning drive along the left bank of River Beas till Bhuntar and 220 km
6-7 hours to Dharamshala (including visiting places) stopping at the Town of
Shiva – Baijnath and visit the 13th century Shiva temple.According to legend the
Demon king of Lanka Ravana (Who have got 10 head) as per epic Ramayana offered
his nine head to Lord Shiva for the boon of immortality. But the Shiva was not
impressed, finally he decides to offer his tenth head and Lord Shiva was pleased
with his willingness to sacrifice his heads and blessed him with a Shivlinga.
The moment when Ravana rested the Shivling on the ground at this place it became
so heavy that he couldn’t manage to carry it and take it to his kingdom Lanka,
so he constructed a temple dedicated to Shiva at the present site. The same
Shivling is in this temple till date. Continue further to reach Dharamshala for
overnight stay.
DAY 07 : DHARAMSHALA
After breakfast start your day with the exploration of Mcloedganj, upper
Dharamsala located on the slopes of Dauladhar Ranges of the High Himalayas
overlooking Kangra Valley. Here we experience the Tibetan philosophy and life of
Tibetans in India. After lunch, visit Dalai Lama monastery and Tibet Museum. The
Tibet museum was established with the aim of presenting Tibet’s history and
visions for its future through texts, photographs, videos and installations. The
main exhibition features, "A long look homeward".
Afternoon, walk around Mcleod
Ganj, known as Little Lahsa (capital of Tibet), full of Tibetan people, Tibetan
monasteries, colorful Tibetan handicraft shops and small restaurants. Once the
place used by the British as a garrison, now it is a well known tourist
destination among the foreigners as well as the domestic tourists. The Anglican
Church St Jones, built in 1852 is located among the pine, oak & rhododendron
trees at a walking distance.
DAY 08 : DHARAMSHALA – AMRITSAR
Start an early journey to reach Amritsar, on arrival, transfer for lunch
followed by visit to Golden Temple. Amritsar - the holy town of Sikhs, has grown
from a sacred village pond into a spiritual temporal center of Sikh culture. The
city gets its name from the pool - Amritsar (Pool of Nectar), which was
constructed by the fourth religious preceptor of the Sikh faith. Golden Temple
or Darbar Sahib is the most sacred temple for Sikhs.
It is a symbol of the
magnificence and strength of the Sikh people all over the world. Its
architecture includes, symbols associated with other places of worship. This is
an example of the spirit of tolerance and acceptance that the Sikh philosophy
propounds. In the late afternoon drive 30 kms out of the town to see the
fascinating march past at the border, popularly known as “retreat ceremony”.
Wagah border is the only border between India and Pakistan which still allows
the passage of passengers and goods to and fro.
DAY 09 : AMRITSAR - DELHI – AGRA
Early morning train to Delhi for 6 hours and on arrival transfer to road journey
and drive 200kms/4 hours to Agra. In the 16th and 17th century Agra was the
capital of India. Most of its monuments and forts are constructed in that era.
On arrival transfer to Hotel.
DAY 10: JAIPUR
Drive to Hawa Mahal for photo stop and then driver to Amber Fort and ride on
Elephant to the entrance gate of the classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace.
The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the
outside, but the interiors are the virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the
walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and
mirrors are embedded into the plaster.
Visit Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory
and famed Sheesh Mahal - a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely
embedded with glittering mirror pieces, specially imported from Belgium. Visit
semi precious stone cutting and Rajasthani handicraft center. After lunch we
start city tour visiting Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence,
part of it converted into a museum. A small portion of the Palace is still used
by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the
palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major
attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum housing an
impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles
and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Just
outside the Palace we visit Jantar Mantar - the largest stone and marble crafted
observatory in the world. This observatory has 17 large instruments and most are
still in working condition.
DAY 12 : JAIPUR – DELHI – FLY HOME (265 KM, 5 HOURS)
After breakfast drive to Delhi. On arrival, visit Akshardham Temple and shop
around Delhi. Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi epitomises 10,000 years of
Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. It
brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions
and timeless spiritual messages.
The Akshardham experience is an enlightening
journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress,
happiness and harmony of mankind. After Dinner, in time transfer to
International airport to board on your scheduled flight.
