ENCHANTING HIMACHAL TOUR
Places Covered
DELHI – SHIMLA – KUFRI – NARKANDA – SHIMLA – MANALI – KULLU –DHARAMSHALA – PRAGPUR – CHANDIGARH – DELHI / DEPARTURE
Duration : 16 NIGHTS / 17 DAYS
Note :
Suggested tour itinerary is a flexible tour proposal and can be change as per the guest requirement. We provide tailor made itinerary as per the need of the guest if you want to add or remove any of the destination please advise us for modification so that you can enjoy best of your holidays in India.
Day 01: ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive at Delhi airport / railways station, meet and greet by ITM representative. Our representative will explain the tour scheduled in detail and handover all the tour related documents to you. Rest of the day free for leisure activities. Overnight Delhi.
Day 02: DELHI
In the morning we will have sightseeing in Old Delhi. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes “Rajghat” where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and Jama Masjid, the great mosque of Old Delhi. Today we also visit the famous “Humayun’s Tomb” which is the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India and “Qutub Minar” which is 71 meter high and was constructed in 1199. Before we proceed to the hotel we will drive through New Delhi where we will visit the India Gate, Government Buildings and embassies.
Day 03: DELHI – SHIMLA
After breakfast and check out from the hotel drive to Shimla. The British called Shimla the “Queen of Hill Stations.” Shimla is situated in the northwest Himalayas. It was the summer capital of India before independence and now it is the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla derives its name from “Shyamala”, the goddess Kali, whose temple existed in the dense forest that covered Jakhu Hill in the early 19th century. Its well-developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions make it one of Indian’s most popular and biggest hill-stations. Evening free to visit the local market. Overnight Shimla.
Day 04: SHIMLA
After breakfast proceed for full day Shimla tour visit Gothic Christ church. This Christ church is located on the Shimla’s prominent Ridge. Even today, the church has some interesting memorial tablets while the pews still mark the seats of British Viceroy of India, the Commander-in-Chief and the Punjab’s Governor. Later we visit the Jakhoo Hill. It is the highest point in Shimla and offers a spectacular view of the town, hills and distant mountain ranges. The peak has a temple dedicated to the Lord Hanuman. After visiting the temple we return back to hotel. In the evening we visit the Mall and Scandal Point for shopping. Scandal Point is the hub of Shimla’s social life and is said to be so named after a British Commander-in-Chief’s daughter eloped from the spot with the Maharaja of Patiala. Overnight Shimla.
Day 05: SHIMLA – KUFRI – NARKANDA
After breakfast drive to Kufri. Kufri is a tiny hill station located near Shimla. It is famous for its trekking, skiing and hiking trails. Kufri is also famous for its nature parks and picnic spots. After visiting Kufri we drive to Narkanda. Narkanda offers a spectacular view of snow ranges, fields and apple orchards. It is situated at a height of 2708 meters on the Hindustan Tibet road. Narkanda is known for skiing and other winter sports. This place is an ideal retreat for the tourists who seek only seclusion in mountains.
Day 06: NARKANDA
After breakfast visit Narkanda like Hatu Peak and Kacheri. First of all we visit Hatu Peak. Hatu Peak is about 8 kms from Narkanda. On the top of the hill an ancient Hatu Mata temple is located. This peak offers a wide view of the entire Himalayan range, dense forests, green fields and apple orchards. Then we drive to Kacheri. Kacheri is famous for the ancient Mahamaya temple. Evening free to explore nature. Overnight Narkanda.
Day 07: NARKANDA – MANALI
After breakfast drive to Manali. The landscape here is breath taking. One can see spectacular views of well-defined snowcapped peaks and wooded slopes. The Beas River rushes along its rocky course amid grassy meadows carpeted with wild flowers and wagtails hop along from stone to stone along the stream’s edge. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to various regions in Kashmir valley. It is known as the Switzerland of India. On arrival Manali Check in at hotel. Overnight Manali.
Day 08: MANALI
After breakfast process for full day sightseeing in Manali. visit Hidimba Devi Temple, Vashisht Hot Water Spring and Monastery. Hidimba Devi temple was built in 1553. This temple has a superbly crafted four-tiered pagoda roof and famous for its exquisitely carved doorway. Vashishth Hot Water Springs are the well known hot water springs. There are old temples dedicated to the sage Vashishth and Lord Rama. In the evening we visit a small Tibetan monastery which houses several Buddha images and Rahella Falls. It is a beautiful picturesque site from where the Beas river falls drown from the height of 50 meters above sea level. Overnight Manali.
Day 09: MANALI – KULLU
After breakfast drive to Kullu, the valley of gods. Kullu is located in the charming Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh and set amongst the lower reaches of the mighty Himalayas. Kullu is famous for its temples, apple orchards, and the annual Dussehra festival, all of which attract hordes of tourists. Kullu is also known for its handicrafts. Beyond the town’s perimeter loom the magnificent greater Himalayas and the silver valley bisected by the Beas River. In the afternoon we reach Kullu. In the evening we visit the Raghunath temple.
Day 10: KULLU
Today we have a full day excursion to Manikaran and Naggar Castle. Manikaran is famous for its Sikh Gurudwaras and Sulphur Water Springs. Manikaran is the most sacred place for Hindus and Sikhs. After visiting Manikaran we drive further and visit Naggar Castle. Naggar Castle was built by Raja Sidh Singh in 1460. Naggar was the capital of Kullu for almost 1400 years. Naggar Castle has now been converted into a hotel.
Day 11: KULLU – DHARAMSHALA
After breakfast drive to Dharamshala. Dharamshala has one of the most spectacular settings for a hill station as it varies in height from 1200 m. to 1800 m. Dharamshala is a hill station which is split into two parts. The lower part is only known as Dharamshala and is about 9 kms away from the upper part only known as Mc Leodganj. In Dharamshala there is a strong Tibetan influence. The Dalai Lama settled here after the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959.
Day 12: DHARAMSHALA
After breakfast visit Namgyal monastery at Mcleodganj. This monastery is the major attraction in Mcleodganj and is located on the opposite side of the Dalai Lama’s residence. This monastery contains large gilded bronzes of Buddha, Avalokitesvara and Padmasambhava. Afterwards we have a walk through Mcleodganj and visit the St. John church. This church has attractive stained glass windows. Lord Elgin, one of the viceroy of the British occupied India was buried in this church. Evening at leisure to visit the markets at Dharamshala.
Day 13: DHARAMSHALA – PRAGPUR
After breakfast and check out from the hotel drive to Pragpur. Pragpur is the first world heritage site in India. The landscape is beautiful with a rich variety of flora, fauna, innumerable small monuments and a idyllic ambience for walks and picnics. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in Pragpur.
Day 14: PRAGPUR
After breakfast drive to Bharwain. Bharwain is located at a height of about 4000 feet. From the roadside a narrow inclined path descends past terraced fields for about 1 km and ends on the bed of a seasonal stream with scree stones. After about 2 kms it will reach Chanota via Bhadyaru. At Chanota on top of a small hill, there are old and bandoned houses of Brahmins. Beyond Chanota across the stream there is a mud or stone road leading to Nalsuha. After crossing Nalsuha the road carries on to the Hamlet of Karoli, about 2 kms away. From Karoli the road goes to Har and joins the Pragpur road and the Judge’s Court.
Day 15: PRAGPUR – CHANDIGARH
After breakfast drive to Chandigarh. Chandigarh, derives its name from the Chandi Mandir temple located in the vicinity of the city and a fort or ‘garh” beyond the temple, called Chandigarh. Chandigarh is a Union Territory, administered by the Government of India. The city was designed by Le Corbusier. On arrival Chandigarh. Overnight Chandigarh
Day 16: CHANDIGARH – DELHI
After breakfast visit the Rock Garden. This garden was completed by Nekchand. This garden was built with multicolored fragments of China and waste ceramics and covers an area of 6 acres. Along the way we visit the Secretariat and the Art Museum. In the evening we visit the Gulab Bagh and the Sukhna Lake. This lake covers an area of 3 square kms. The people take breezy walks along the banks of this artificial lake and there is provision for boating and yachting. Later drive to Delhi. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight Delhi.
Day 17: DELHI / DEPARTURE
After breakfast transfer to airport for your onwards destination with the happy memories of your tour and our services.