HIMACHAL TOUR WITH AMRITSAR

DAY 1:  ARRIVE CHANDIGARH TO SHIMLA (145 kms 4hrs)

Pick up from station/airport and drive to Shimla via Pinjore Gardens, also known as Yadavindra Gardens are located at around twenty kms from Chandigarh. The gardens cover a total area of approximately one hundred acres, a mini zoo, plants nursery, A Japanese garden and lawns are part of it. Continue driving to Shimla. Arrive and check into the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2:  SHIMLA

Post breakfast, excursion to  Chail and Kufri. Chail is a small hamlet with a natural setting free from pollution. Visit Chail palace. Visit Kufri which is known for pine scented air and the beautiful views around. Himalayan National Park at Kufri has several animals of the area including bears and musk deer. Horses and yaks are there for rides. By afternoon we return to Shimla and explore Vice regal Lodge built in (1885), Christ Church built in (1844), The Gaiety Theatre- the first beauty contest of world was supposed to start (1887), The Scandal Point and Jakhoo Temple which is  dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is located at an altitude of 2,455m near the highest point of Shimla ridge. It provides a lovely view of the town itself, the surrounding valleys, and the snow-capped summits and it is a wonderful place to observe how the skyline changes as the sun rises and sets. Evening is to explore the famous Shopping Plaza of the North. Return to hotel for night stay.

DAY 3:  SHIMLA – MANALI (254 KMS)

After breakfast drive to Manali via Kullu Valley, also known as the Valley of Gods. The Beas River runs through the middle of the valley. We will see the Beas Sutlej Link Project, the Beas River, and the Pandoh Dam. If time allows, visit the Kullu Shawl Factory. Arrive Manali by late afternoon or evening and check into the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 4:  MANALI

Early morning we leave for Rohtang Pass (subject to permit and if open), which is situated at an altitude of 3979 meters above sea level  and fifty-one kms outside Manali is the mighty Rohtang Pass which is also called – the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti valley. It offers a broad, expansive panorama of the mountains. This is where the majesty of the mountains can be seen in all its height and splendour.

 If not open visit Sollang valley: A lovely journey, picturesque vistas of tumbling mountains, and the gently meandering Beas River will add a little extra specialness to this trip. During winters, you can go for the intense 300-meter ski lift or other smaller lifts and jumps. For children, there are a ton of surprises in store. From zorbing to horse riding, makes this a wonderful spot for the outing. There are innumerable shops selling delicious snacks and the good old Maggie for the growling stomachs. Overnight at Manali.

DAY 5:  MANALI

After breakfast explore more of Manali and visit Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Vashisht Bath, Van Vihar, Tibetan Monastery, and Club House. The afternoon is for leisure and the evening is for shopping at the local market at mall Road. Overnight at a hotel.

DAY 6:  MANALI – DHARAMSHALA (230 kms 6-7hrs)

After breakfast check-out and drive to Dharamshala. Arrive and check into the hotel at McLeod Ganj. Mcleod Ganj is home to numerous residential buildings, restaurants, antique and curio shops, together with famous Tibetan institutions have lent importance to McLeod Ganj. You may visit the Budha temple, the present abode of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, and The Tibetan Institute of performing Arts (TIPA) which is 1km. walk from McLeod Ganj and preserves several musical dance and theatrical traditions of Tibet. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 7:  DHARAMSHALA     

After breakfast, proceed on a sightseeing tour Dharamshala. Start with a visit to the War Memorial which is set amidst beautiful surroundings. It was built to commemorate the memory of those who fought valiantly for the defense of the homeland. The memorial features three massive black marble panels bearing the names of martyrs who gave their lives protecting the homeland in the operations of 1947-48, 1962, 1965, 1971, and numerous peacekeeping missions. Next, you may visit Dal-lake & Naddi Village. Dal Lake is a scenic spot surrounded by the forests of Deodar. You may visit the temple of Durveshwar Mahadev by the side of the lake. Naddi is starting point for trek to Kareri Lake, Guna Devi temple and Triund. Next visit will be Bhagsunag, which has a temple dedicated to lord Shiva with a freshwater spring. The sight of water rushing out of the waterfall and mist rising from it around twenty feet is a delightful experience. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 8:  DHARAMSHALA – DALHOUSIE (120 KMS 4hrs))

After breakfast, proceed to Dalhousie. Arrive and check into the hotel. P.M. explore Dalhousie and we will start with Pajpulla water fall which is about 3kms from center, visit the memorial of Sardar Ajit Singh, freedom fighter and uncle of Sardar Bhagat singh. Visit Daikund, also known as valley of flowers, and is located at a height of 2740m above sea level and provides breathtaking views. We can also visit a small temple known as Pholani Devi Temple. Because of the melodic sound produced by the wind rushing through the woodlands, this hill region is also known as the Singing Hill. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 9:  DALHAUSIE – KHAJJIAR – DALHAUSIE

After breakfast we will leave for Khajjiar, known as mini-Switzerland of India. The lovely green meadows are bordered by dense pine and cedar trees. Grazing herds of sheep and goats provide pleasant pastoral views. There is a small lake in the middle of the saucer-shaped meadow; it has degraded into slush, but Khajjiar still provides beautiful vistas. We will also visit the temple of Khajji Nag belonging to 12th century. AD. The images of the Pandavas and the defeated Kaurvas hang from the roof of the circumambulatory walkway. The sanctum of the temple has been exquisitely crafted from wood. Return to Dalhousie by late afternoon or evening and relax. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10:  DHARAMSHALA – AMRITSAR (5hrs)

After breakfast drive to Amritsar. Amritsar: Founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Ram Das, Amritsar is home to Sikhism’s holiest shrine, the spectacular Golden Temple, one of India’s most serene and humbling sights. In the afternoon visit Wagah Border “India–Pakistan Border”  to see its ‘Retreat’ ceremony at the time of sunset. The flag-lowering ceremony at the end of the day on the India-Pakistan border has become an interesting attraction. The two flag posts are located contiguous to the boundary line between the two gates. The Wagah checkpoint is about mid-way between the cities of Lahore in Pakistan and Amritsar in India, each about twenty-five kilometers away. Return to the Hotel. Overnight at Amritsar Hotel.

DAY 11:  AMRITSAR

After breakfast, commence the city tour with the blessings at Golden Temple – The most prominent Sikh shrine, often known as Mecca among Sikhs, is a living embodiment of the Sikhs’ spiritual and historical heritage. You may also visit the famous kitchen Guru Ka Langar: The tradition of serving langar Initiated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and then established by the 3rd Guru Sri Guru Amar Dass Jib at Goindwal. Even the Mughal King Akbar came and sat among the ordinary people to share langar. Everyone is welcome to share the Langar; no one is turned away. Each week a family or several families volunteer to provide and prepare the Langar. This is very generous, as there may be several hundred people to feed, and caterers are not allowed. All the preparation, the cooking and the washing-up is done by volunteers and or by voluntary helpers (Sewadars).

In the Golden Temple Community Kitchen at an average 75,000 devotees or tourists take langar in the Community Kitchen daily; but the number becomes almost double on special occasions. On average over a one hundred Quintal Wheat Flour, 25 Quintal Cereals, 10 Quintal Rice, five thousand Ltr Milk, 10 Quintal Sugar, 5 Quintal Pure Ghee is used in a day. 100 LPG Gas Cylinders are used to prepare the meals. 100’s of employees and devotees render their services to the kitchen.

Our next stop will be Jallianwala Bagh which is a memorial to the countless numbers of innocent Indians which were massacred by General Dyer on 13 April 1919, which was the day of ‘Baisakhi’, one of Punjab’s largest religious festivals. British General, Edward Dyer, ordered his soldiers to opened fire on an unarmed gathering of Hundreds of men, women, and children in this place. We will proceed to Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum – The summer place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is surrounded by the lovely garden of Ram Bagh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh is a prominent figure, who had carved a niche for himself in the history of India. The Museum displays objects connected to Maharaja Ranjit Singh such as arms and armour, outstanding paintings and century old coins and manuscripts. Then visit Durgiana Temple, Durgiana Temple is a premier Hindu temple of Punjab situated in the city of Amritsar. This temple derives its name from the Goddess Durga, and it is also called by the name of Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Partition Museum, the museum is about the times before India’s independence, the struggle of freedom fighters, the moments of freedom with pictures of 15th august 1947. Rest of the time you may explore Amritsar markets to shop and enjoy local delicious food. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 12:  DEPARTURE AMRITSAR

Breakfast at hotel. Later transfer to airport