The Hill Stations of North India

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel check in. (hotel check in / out time 1200hr afternoon early check in subject to rooms availability)

Later city tour of Delhi, visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market. Thereafter visit Humayun Tomb, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple & drive thru President House, Parliament & India Gate. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi - Shimla (366km/ 8hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Shimla initially normal followed by the curvy mountain road. On arrival check in at hotel. Once the summer capital of British India, Shimla is known for the handicraft shops that line The Mall, a pedestrian avenue, as well as the Lakkar Bazaar, a market specializing in wooden toys and crafts. Rest time free and easy to relax and spend time on The Mall an ideal spot for shopping & eating. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Shimla

Breakfast at hotel. Visit The Ridge a spectacular sight of the ice-covered mountain peaks. Jakhoo Temple situated at the highest peak of Shimla gives a stunning view of the Shimla town. State museum the abode to excellent paintings, handicrafts, textiles and stone carvings. Christ Church second oldest church in North India, after St John's Church in Meerut. The Rashtrapati Niwas, formerly known as Viceregal Lodge, located on the Observatory Hills, it was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy of India. It houses some of the most ancient articles and photographs going back to the times of the British rule in India. Rest time free and easy to spend time on The Mall. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Shimla excursion to Chail & Kufri

Breakfast at hotel, excursion to visit Chail & Kufri.

Chail - known for its salubrious beauty and virgin forests. The Chail Palace is well known for its architecture, the palace was built as summer retreat by the Maharaja of Patiala during the British Raj, on the land allotted to him by the British for former's assistance in the Anglo-Nepalese War. The cricket ground and a polo ground which is there at an altitude of 2,444 m was owned by erstwhile royal family of Patiala. It is the world's highest cricket ground.

Kufri - also known as Switzerland of the East offer breathtaking views, stunning locales and tranquil surroundings. Kufri has a Himalayan wildlife zoo which hosts rare antelopes, felines and birds including the Himalayan monal. Back to Shimla and rest time for personal activities. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Shimla - Manali (257kms/ 7hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Manali via visiting Manikaran a famous pilgrimage destination for Sikhs and Hindus in the Parvati Valley along the banks of river Parvati. A good number of temples, Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib and hot springs forms the religious pattern of the place and attract several people. There are three hot springs where one can take a bath, one being inside the Gurudwara itself and the other two being privatised by the guesthouses. Different sections for men and women are made at the bathing place. The water in these springs contains sulphur which is capable of curing diseases. The hot springs again have religious and spiritual beliefs connected to it. The water is hot enough to prepare food by directly placing the vessels and is served as langar.

After sightseeing drive to Manali and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Manali & Solang Valley

Breakfast at hotel. city tour of Manali a high-altitude Himalayan resort town. Visit Hidimba Devi Temple, an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, wife of Bhima, a figure in the Indian epic Mahabharat. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest called Dhungiri Van Vihar at the foot of the Himalayas. Vashisht Village the premises enclose a pyramid-shaped stone temple dedicated to Sage Vashisht, and the water spring, which believed to possess medicinal values and people take a dip in the holy water to get rid of skin diseases and infections. Tibetan monastery which include Himalayan Nyingmapa Gompa and Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa. These monasteries serve not only as a place of worship but also as guardians of the rich culture and history of the Tibetan people settled in Kullu and Manali. You can shop for beautiful handicrafts that are made by Tibetan people at these monasteries. Manu Temple a historical Hindu temple, dedicated to Sage Manu, a must-visit place, not only because of its religious significance but also because of its ancient, beautiful architecture and wooden carving. The views of tall hills blanketed with lush green forests offers spectators gasp for breath. The serene atmosphere of this place is soul-pleasing.

Also visit Old Manali on the other side of the Manalsu river with a sweet scent of an old world charm, a tiny shift in the world and its rush, one must experience while here. Swaying eucalyptus, lovely roads, sweet little eateries, small kitschy market places, and cafes that serve favourite continental food. The serenity of Old Manali is only disturbed by twittering birds and the sound of the gushing waters of the Kullu River. Rest time free and easy to relax and visit tha Mall. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Manali - Excursion to Rohtang Pass

Breakfast at hotel, excursion to visit Rohtang Pass a high mountain pass at an elevation 3,980 m (13,058 ft) on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. The pass provides a natural divide between the Kullu Valley with a primarily Hindu culture (in the south), and the arid high-altitude Lahaul and Spiti valleys with a Buddhist culture (in the north). The pass lies on the watershed between the Chenab and Beas basins. On the southern side of this pass, the Beas River emerges from underground and flows southward and on its northern side, the Chandra River (flows from the eastern Himalayas), a source stream of the river Chenab, flows westward. After sightseeing drive back to Manali. Rest time free and easy to relax and visit the Mall Road. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Manali - Dharamshala (230Kms/ 6hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Dharamshala. Enroute visit Jwala Devi Temple, dedicated to the "Goddess Of Light", the temple is one of the most popular Hindu temples in northern India. There is no idol of any kind the flame is considered as a manifestation of the goddess. An eternally burning and shining blue flame emanates from the rock sanctum and is fed by the priests with the offerings of devotees. The golden tower (dome) of the temple was a gift from the Emperor Akbar. The temple is considered very powerful, hence count as one of the 51 Shakti-Pitha temples in India. Besides, there are Gorakh Dibbi, Chaturbhuj temple and many small shrines situated in the vicinity of Jwalji temple.

Continue drive to Dharamshala, check into the hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Dharamshala and Mcleodganj

Breakfast at hotel. Visit McLeodganj, which is home to most of the Tibetan exiles. At McLeodganj, the Tibetans have established many monasteries, schools and temples. McLeodganj has a distinctly different character, with its brightly painted buildings, Buddhist temples, prayer flags fluttering in the air and saffron monks and nuns hurrying along the streets. The main Buddhist temple Tsuglagkhang is a five-minute walk from the main bazaar. Said to resemble the one in Lhasa, the temple is surrounded by red and gold prayer wheels that are set in motion by devotees to scatter prayers in the air.

Bhagsunath Temple old temple of Bhagsunath with a fresh waterspring. Further, about 0.5 km is beautiful Bhagsunath waterfall which is enough to sooth one’s eyes and mind. Dal Lake surrounded by Deodar trees, with temple of Durgeshwara Mahadev by the lakeside. Church of St. John in the Wilderness, built in 1860, worth a visit for its beautiful stained glass windows, the church was severely damaged in a major earthquake that rocked the region in 1905. Rebuilt subsequently, the church has old bells that had been cast in London and installed in 1915. Lord Elgin, one of the few Viceroys of India who died in office, lies buried here. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 10: Dharamshala - Delhi (flight)

Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Delhi - Departure

Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.