Day 1: Arrive Delhi
On arrival at Delhi airport assistance & transfer to hotel (check in/out time 12pm). Rest time free for personal activities. O/n at hotel.
Day 2: Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi visit the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday) the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.
In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun`s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-metres tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flowerlike shape. Also drive pass President House, Parliament and India Gate etc. O/n at hotel.
Day 3: Delhi - Amritsar (Train No.12029 SWARNA SHTBDI, 0720/ 1345hr)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to railway station to board train to Amritsar.
On arrival transfer to hotel. Later excursion to visit Wagah border to attend beating retreat ceremony. Every evening, just before the sunset, the soldiers from the Indian and Pakistan military meet at this border post to engage in a 30-minute display of military camaraderie and showmanship. During the build-up to the ceremony, the crowd engages in chanting the Indian national anthem, rounds of applause and Bollywood-style dancing on Hindi songs. O/n at hotel.
Day 4: Amritsar - Dalhousie (200km)
Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Amritsar. Visit Golden Temple one of the most sacred pilgrim spots for Sikhs famous for its full golden dome. The central Sikh Museum is atop the Clock Tower. The Guru Ka Langar offer free food to around 20,000 people every day. The number shoot up to 1,00,000 on special occasions. The Durgiana Temple though a Hindu temple, its architecture is similar to the Golden Temple. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum famous for its rare and priceless collections, particularly Paintings, Weapons, Armours, Manuscripts & Coins. Gobindgarh Fort originally built by in the 18th century, it was conquered and enhanced in the early 19th century by Maharaja Ranjit Singh who renamed it after the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The fort had five cannons which included the famous two Zamzama cannons. Rickshaw ride and walking tour of old market in Amritsar.
Drive to Dalhousie check in at hotel. Rest time free and asy to relax. O/n at hotel.
Day 5: Dalhousie
Breakfast at hotel. City tour of tiny tinsel high-altitude town of Dalhousie, spread across 5 hills near the Dhauladhar mountain range in Himachal Pradesh. It boasts of old-world charm, mesmerising natural landscapes, pine-clad valleys, flower-bedecked meadows, fast-flowing rivers and misty mountains. it`s home to colonial-era buildings, including St. Francis and St. John`s churches, which date back to the rule of the British Raj in the 1800s. The Scottish and Victorian architecture reminds you of its colonial heritage while the wispy air continues to hone British aromas. Excursion to Khajjiar the mini-Switzerland of India, located at an altitude of 6,500 feet, a small town near Dalhousie which provides a unique combination of forests, lakes and pastures. Khajjiar is known for its nine-hole golf-course which is nestled in the midst of lush greenery and a breathtaking landscape. Khajjiar is a small plateau which also has a small lake which is one of the most favored tourist spots in this town. Khajjiar is surrounded by green meadows and dense forests and it is also known for its beautiful temples. This region also attracts adventure seekers and has a lot of options in adventure sports like paragliding, horse riding, zorbing, trekking etc. O/n at hotel.
Day 6: Dalhousie - Killar (Pangi Valley) (200kms)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Killar an adventurous drive on bad road (muddy/ slushy) via The Saach Pass, a mountain pass at an altitude of 14500 ft. It is open during the months of June and October as it snows heavily throughout the other months. Once you reach the place you are seeing the beauty of nature. You see the mountain range very clearly. The palce is so scenic that you try to spend more time appreciating the beauty of nature. The road is single and at times you may drive 1-2km before getting a place to reverse your vehicle. During sunset the place looks really awesome. Lunch, dinner & o/n at hotel/guesthouse.
Day 7: Killar (Pangi Valley)
Breakfast at hotel. Explore Pangi Valley a serene, quiet area inhabited by a tribal folk at an altitude of 7000 ft to 11000 ft above sea level. The inhabitants of the valley include the Pangwala and Bhoti tribe, some of them being Hindus and Buddhists. Despite it being of natural beauty, it is underdeveloped and hidden away with uneven roads and scanty resources. The valley is surrounded by white peaked mountain tops and rugged roads making it fabulous for those who enjoy a good trek and adventure.
Even though the valley is quiet, there are many attractions and places to visit in its vicinity. Visit Killar, a hamlet located in a narrow gorge of the Chenab river & the shrine of Det Nag in Killar. Dharwas which is the largest village in the valley. Shour, a bridge that swings over an icy cold river. Mindhal Basan Devi temple, a beautiful temple dedicated to the deity Mindhal Devi. The several attractions present in the valley seem to be close to the hearts of its inhabitants which make the experience cozy, personal, and homely.Lunch, dinner & o/n at hotel/guesthouse.
Day 8: Killar - Keylong (140km)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Keylong check in at hotel/ guesthouse. Later visit Kardang village, it has the biggest monastery situated on the left bank of River Bhaga. It is said to have been founded about 900 years ago but stood in ruins until 1912 when a lama renovated it. This gompa is scenically perched against the backdrop of the bare mountains of the Rangcha massif, which rises above the valley to give it a stunning feel. The main temple has the statues of Sakyamuni in the centre, Padmasambhava on the right, and Vajradhara on the left. This monastery houses the largest number of lamas and chomos (female monks). The library of Kardang Gompa is huge and contains full volumes of Kangyur and Tangyur (sacred Buddhist texts). The walls of the gompa are decorated with colourful wall paintings. In Kardang village there is another small monastery by the name of Jabjesh Monastery and outside the gompa, you can see rock carvings and two big chortens. There is a road near Tandi Bridge to take visitors directly to the monastery. Lunch, dinner & o/n at hotel/guesthouse.
Day 9: Keylong - Rohtang Pass - Manali (115km)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning free to explore the Keylong Valley.
Drive to Manali on the way visit Rohtang Pass a high mountain pass at an elevation 3,980 m 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.
Continue drive to Manali. Rest time free and easy to relax and visit the Mall Road. O/n at hotel.
Day 10: Manali
Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Manali a high-altitude Himalayan resort town. Visit Hidimba Devi Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to wife of Bhima, a figure in the Indian epic Mahabharat. 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. Also visit Old Manali a charming, laid-back district known for its wooded mountain trails, apple orchards, and scenic spots by the Manaslu River. It`s dotted with quaint backpacker lodgings and bohemian cafes serving global fare, grilled trout, and pancake breakfasts, while souvenir shops sell hand-knitted woolens and dream catchers. O/n at hotel.
Day 11: Manali - Manikaran - Kullu (125km)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to 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 and hot springs forms the religious pattern of the place.
After sightseeing drive back half way to Kullu check in at hotel. Visit the Kullu Valley located at an altitude of 1230 m, a great place to explore abundant lush greenery, tranquil river streams, and a blissful climate. O/n at hotel.
Day 12: Kullu - Rewalsar Lake - Jwalamukhi Temple - Dharamsala (250km)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Dharamsala. Enroute visit Rewalsar Lake a mid-altitude lake located on a mountain spur at an elevation of about 1,360 m above sea level. It is held as a sacred spot for Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus. The Rewalsar Lake houses a beautiful Gurudwara which was built in the 1930 to honour Guru Gobind Singh Ji`s visit to Rewalsar in 1738. There are three Buddhist monasteries, the major attraction is a mighty 123 feet tall statue of Guru Rinpoche overlooking the lake. Guru Rinpoche is also known as the second Buddha, and he played a significant role in preaching and propagating Buddhism across Tibet and Bhutan. Beside the lake, there are three temples which are dedicated to Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and the sage Lomas.
Next stop to visit Jwala Devi Temple, one of the most popular Hindu temples dedicated to the Goddess Of Light. 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 temple is 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 Dharamsala check in and O/n at hotel.
Day 13: Dharamsala
Breakfast at hotel. Visit McLeodganj, home to most of the Tibetan exiles. At McLeodganj, the Tibetans have established many monasteries, schools and temples. The main Buddhist temple is five-minute walk from the main bazaar. The temple is surrounded by red and gold prayer wheels that are set in motion by devotees to scatter prayers in the air. Bhagsunag Temple one of the oldest temple surrounded by lovely pools and lush greenery. The two pools around the temple are believed to be sacred and are considered to contain miraculous powers of healing. Bhagsu Waterfalls a peaceful, serene place recommended by Lonely Planet for nice feel of nature throughout. Dal Lake, surrounded by Deodar trees, with temple of Durgeshwara Mahadev by the lakeside. Church of St. John in the Wilderness, a neo-gothic architecture built in 1852. O/n at hotel.
Day 14: Dharamsala - Delhi/ Departure
Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to Kangra airport to board flight for Delhi.
Vehicle will be provided in Delhi for transit use and going to any place of your interest before connecting flight to onward destination.
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