Hill Station Tour 11
Heavenly Himachal Ex- Delhi
Duration:09 Nights 10 Days
destination covered: Delhi-Shimla Day -Kufri & City Tour Day- Shimla- Manali - Manali - Solang valley & city tour - Dharamshala - Dharamshala local city tour- Dharamshala – Dalhousie (Half day city tour) - Dalhousie-Amritsar - Amritsar local sightseeing + Wagah Border -Amritsar - Delhi
ITINERARY
Day 01: Delhi- Shimla (350 Km/9-10 hrs)
On arrival at Delhi Airport/ Railway Station you will be met assisted and drive to Shimla. It will take around 9-10 hrs. to reach Shimla by surface from Delhi. A century ago the British selected Shimla as their summer capital using it as a retreat from the blistering heat of the plains. Called the abode of the high and mighty it is spectacularly set at 2154 metres with the snow-capped Himalaya as a backdrop and with beautiful promenades graceful colonial buildings wooded ravines and evergreen forests. On arrival check in to hotel.
Overnight Stay at Shimla.
Day 02: Shimla - Kufri & City Tour
Morning post breakfast visit for excursion to the green valleys of Fagu and Kufri. Optional: Visit Kufri Adventure resort (Guest can enjoy various rides & activities at their own cost). Explore the Kufri Winter Sports Capital Indira Bungalow and Himalayan Zoo. Post lunch drive back to town to visit Indian Institute of Advanced Study (formerly known as Vice Regal Lodge closed on Monday) The Christ Church Jakhu Temple (Via rope Way) Gaiety Theatre Scandal Point & Lakkar Bazzar The Mall Road and The Ridge. Overnight stay at Shimla.
Day 03: Shimla – Manali (270 Km/8-9 hrs)
Morning drive from Shimla to Manali. Its an 8–9-hour long journey. Manali is named after the Sanatan Hindu lawgiver Manu. The name Manali is regarded as the derivative of Manu Alaya which literally means The abode of Manu. Legend has it that sage Manu stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world. Manali lies in the North of Kullu Valley. The valley is often referred to as the Valley of the Gods. Old Manali village has an ancient temple dedicated to sage Manu. En-route passes by Sunder Nagar Lake Pandoh Dam Beas River Sutlej River Hanoi Mata temple and Kullu Valley. On arrival you will move into the hotel in Manali and retire for the night. Overnight stay at Manali.
Day 04: Manali -Solang valley & Half day city tour - Manali
Morning at leisure. Post breakfast proceed for day excursion to Solang Valley- A splendid valley between Solang village and Beas Kund which offers the view of glaciers and snowcapped mountains and peaks which has fine ski slopes.
If you are an adventure enthusiast then you can try activities like trekking skiing and mountaineering (at your own) evening at leisure. Adventure activities available on extra cost (as per availability):
Cable Car Ropeway
Amateur Skiing
Snow Scooter
Zorbing
Paragliding
River rafting
Later proceed for the sightseeing tour of Manali including visit to Vashisht Hot Water Springs and Temple Hidimba Temple Manu temple and Tibetan monastery. Later in the evening explore Manali mall road and drop at hotel. Overnight stay at Manali.
Day 05: Manali – Dharamshala (220 Km/7-8 hrs)
Morning drive from Manali to Dharamshala. Its an 8–9-hour long journey drive to Mcleodganj (Dharamshala). Dharamshala literally means a spiritual dwelling and in loose translation as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Dharamshala came on the world map in 1959 with the arrival of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile. Currently it is a very popular hang-out for foreigners backpackers and students of Buddhism. A large proportion of the population is Tibetan rather than Indian and the whole town feels totally different to anywhere else in India for this reason. Behind the town to the north runs a ridge of mountains part of the foothills. On arrival check in to hotel. Overnight stay at Dharamshala.
Day 06: Dharamshala Local Sightseeing
Morning at leisure. Post breakfast proceed for the sightseeing tour of Dharamshala. The main city centre is a charming Tibetan settlement with bustling bazaars that sell carpets handicrafts and delicious Tibetan food. The Dalai Lama resides in McLeod Ganj and this afternoon tour begins by visiting His Holiness the Dalai Lama monastery Mcleodganj. From the outside the monastery resembles a simple brick and mortar building but inside it is beautifully carved and contains paintings murals and other artefacts that give a great insight into Buddhist life. Your tour also includes visit to St. John Church Bhagsu Nag temple Bhagsu Nag Waterfall Naddi Dal Lake Dharamshala Cricket Stadium War Memorial and Mall Road at Mcleod Ganj. Overnight stay at Dharamshala.
Day 07: Dharamshala - Dalhousie (120 Km/3-4 km)
Morning drive from Dharamshala to Dalhousie. Its a 3–4-hour drive from Dharamshala. Dalhousie is located in Chamba district at an elevation of more than 6400 feet above sea level. Dalhousie is a treasure trove of ancient Hindu temples British architecture traditional handicrafts art and culture. It is situated on five different hills amidst fragrant pines rhododendrons and oak trees. It is also called Mini Switzerland of India. On arrival check in to hotel. Later visit St. Francis Church.
Overnight stay at Dalhousie.
Day 08: Dalhousie - Amritsar (200 Kms /4-5 Hrs)
Post breakfast at hotel check out from hotel and proceed for excursion to Kalatope and Khajjiar India Mini Switzerland a beautiful glad with the forest at its finger. Dating from the 12th century Khajji Nag Temple is dedicated to a serpent god. Nearby the high-altitude Khajjiar Lake is surrounded by cedar forest. West Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is home to animals including deer and bears. Farther west Dalhousie is a hill station with mountain views dotted with temples and 19th-century British churches. Late afternoon drive to Amritsar. On arrival check in to hotel.
Overnight stay at Amritsar.
Day 09: Amritsar city tour Golden Temple
The Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib Amritsar) is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. Everybody irrespective of cast creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfillment without any hindrance. Jallianwala Bagh: (now a Memorial) where during the British rule in India General Dyer opened fire on innocent people on 13th April 1919. The place is now a National Monument and its walls still bear the bullet marks of the tragedy.
Maharaja Rajneet Singh Museum: Summer palace turned into museum Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum is a lovely building which archives the Royal Heritage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh such as arms and armour outstanding paintings and century old coins and manuscripts. Evening excursion to Wagah border (Indo- Pak Border) to witness a spectacular show of Beating Retreat. The 1947 partition of India and Pakistan led to the marking of a long white line that defines the Wagah Border between the two neighbours separated by two heavy gates about 2 meters apart on either side. Located at a distance of 28km from the city of Amritsar the Wagah Border is the only open border crossing India and Pakistan and which is officially accessible by both the nations. Return to the hotel by evening Overnight stay at Amritsar.
Day 10: Amritsar - Delhi (460 Km/8-9 hrs)
Wake up in the morning and after having delicious breakfast Check out from the Hotel. Finally say goodbye to Amritsar and drive to Delhi carrying beautiful memories of the trip. Drop at Delhi Airport /Railway station to catch onward.
Return home with wonderful memories of your tour!!