Himachal Tour with Golden Temple!

Day 01: ARRIVE DELHI

On arrival met by your representative and transfer to the hotel for a comfortable overnight stay at Delhi, the capital city of India.

Day 02: DELHI – CHANDIGARH – SHIMLA (3+ Hours train ride

After breakfast transfer to train station to board on Shatabdi train to Chandigarh leaving 0740 hours and arriving 1050 hour.  On arrival transfer to your road journey towards Shimla, the total distance of around 130 Kms will be done in 3.5 hours ride. On arrival check in to your hotel for freshening up and to spend the evening at leisure.

Day 03: SHIMLA EXPLORE BRITISH SUMMER CAPITAL

A day to explore the town of Shimla, erstwhile Indian capital in summer months, Visit the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. This institute is housed in the then Vice-regal 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 04: SHIMLA – MANALI – VALLEY OF GODS (250km) 5.30hour drive + 3hours lunch and stops.

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. On completion start your journey to the next destination of Manali.  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-8^th 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& transfer to Hotel.

Day 05: 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, Mahabharata. 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 06: MANALI – SOLANG – SNOW POINT/ROHTANG PASS – MANALI

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 Dhauladhar, 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 snowcapped 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 Vashisht, known for its hot water sulfur springs, ancient Vashistha and Rama Temples.

Day 07: MANALI – DHARAMSHALA (240 km – 5:30 hour + 2 hours lunch and stops

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 13^th 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.  We will be visiting Nurbulinka Institute before traveling to Dharamshala. In the evening walk around McleodGanj, 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.

Day 08: DHARAMSHALA (EXPLORE THE TIBET IN EXILE)

breakfast start your day with the exploration of McleodGanj, upper Dharamshala located on the slopes of Dhauladhar Ranges of the High Himalayas overlooking Kangra Valley.  Here we experience the Tibetan philosophy and life of Tibetans in India.  We visit Dalai Lama monastery and Tibet Museum.  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”.

Day 09: DHARAMSHALA – AMRITSAR (210km) 4.5hours drive + stops

On completion of Mcleodganj drive to Amritsar and continue to watch the fascinating march past at the border, popularly known as “retreat ceremony”. Wagha border is one of the border between India and Pakistan which still allows the passage of passengers and goods to and fro. Check in to the hotel for freshening up and dinner, later proceed with the Golden Temple Visit to witness the closing ceremony, when the holy book enshrined in the main temple is shifted for the day.

Day 10: AMRITSAR – DELHI Shatabdi train ride of around 6 hours

Whole day to explore the town of Amritsar at ease, afternoon transfer to the railway station to board on your scheduled train to Delhi. After landing at New Delhi Railway station, you will be transferred to your hotel for a comfortable overnight stay. You can opt between the early morning train ride to Delhi and early evening train ride.

Day 11: DELHI – AGRA (200km), 5hurs drive

Afternoon around 1500 hour drive 200kms/4 hours to Agra.  In the 16^th and 17^th century Agra was the capital of India.  Most of its monuments and forts are constructed in that era.  On arrival transfer to Hotel.

Day12: AGRA CITY EXPLORATION – DELHI

After an easy morning, enjoy your breakfast in the hotel and proceed with the visit one of the 7 wonder of the World, Taj Mahal, the beautiful white marble architecture was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their 14th child. Visit Agra Fort, the crescent shaped fort was commissioned and construction with deep moats surrounding the outer 2.4 km wall facing the river and provide good view of Taj Mahal. The fort was built by Great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D.  On completion visit shops with craftsman working on marble inlay and carpet weaving. On completion drive back to Delhi for overnight stay.

Day 13: DELHI – FLY HOME (CITY EXPLORATION)

After breakfast visit Qutub Minar and Lotus Temple.  Qutub Minar is one of the most visited tourist spot of Delhi, Qutub Minar was built in 1199 by Qutub-Ud-Din. The sultan’s successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish, completed it. The purpose of building this beautiful monument is not very clear as some believe that it was built as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India, while others say it served as a minaret to the adjoining mosque and was used by the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer. It is 72.5 meters high and one has to climb 379 steps to get to the top. The diameter of the base is 14.3 meters while the top floor measures 2.7 meters in diameter. On completion drive to visit the lotus temple surrounded by a landscaped garden and is a symbol of peace.  This is the Asian headquarters of the Bahai faith, and a circular temple that is open to all.  Evening transfer to the airport to board on your scheduled flight to fly home.