Highlights of Himachal with Amritsar 10 Days / 09 Nights (starting from INR 31200pp)
Himachal and Amritsar Package Covers hill stations to the famous Golden Temple and Wagah Border.
Itinerary
Day 01
Arrive Shimla
Our services start with your arrival at Shimla Bus Stop. Meet & greet and transfer to the Hotel. Welcome drink on arrival. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02
Shimla
Today enjoy full day Shimla Local sightseeing, visit The Mall, Ridge, Viceregal Lodge, Jhaku Temple and Kufri. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
The Mall: The Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars etc. The Mall starts from Chhota Shimla to Viceregal Lodge, which is approximately five Km long stretch. This area has also been declared a ‘Heritage Zone’ by the State Government. The vehicles are not allowed into Mall road except ambulance and fire engines. There are many old beautiful buildings standing on Mall Road.
The Ridge: This large open space in the heart of town presents excellent views of the mountain ranges.
Christ Church: The most prominent building on the Mall is the yellow Christ Church built in 1857, reputed to be the second oldest church in northern India. It was designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844.
Scandal Point: Scandal Point remains the hub of Shimla’s social life; it is the place where people gathered for both conversation and gossip. Now it is also known as the meeting place of the local Shimla.
Viceregal Lodge (Built in 1888)/ Indian Institute of Advanced Study: Built in between 1884 – 1888 by chief architect Henry Irwin. The building resembles a Scottish baronial castle. This was the first building with electric light in Shimla. This was the venue of the Simla Conference in 1945. In 1947, the decision to partition India and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), was taken here. After independence 1947, building became the property of the President of India and was renamed Rashtrapati Niwas. Now it houses the Indian Institute of Advance Study and is open only in some parts to the public. (Closed on Monday and Gazetted Holidays)
Jhaku Temple/ Hill (2455 Mts.): Dedicated to monkey god Hanuman ji, the attendant of Lord Rama. This is the town’s highest peak at an altitude of 8048 feet above sea level and offers a panoramic view of the city and snow capped mountains.
Kufri (2501 mts.): This is 16 km from Shimla and has long been famous for its wide views, picnic spots, ski slopes and horse riding. The scenic beauty and panoramic views offered by Kufri are incomparable. On a clear day you can see the entire range of snow peaks. The Himalayan Nature Park/Zoo is also at Kufri where the Himalayan species of animals and birds can be seen such as Snow Lepord, Barking Dear, Wolves, Black bear, brown bear, Himalayan monal, Silver pheasant and red Jungle fowls etc. (Zoo closed on Tuesday and Gazetted Holidays)
Day 03
Shimla – Manali Approx. 260Kms / 08 Hours’ drive
After breakfast drive from Shimla to Manali. On arrival check in to the hotel and rest of the evening free for leisure. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
Manali is an important hill station of northern India and is the destination of thousands of tourists every year. Its cool atmosphere provides a perfect haven for the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers. The Kulluis in brightly patterned puttoos, Tibetan women wearing ankle-length rainbow-striped pinafores, Nepali porters, Buddhist monks, and even the odd party of Zanskaris, swathed in fusty woolen gonchas, muddled together with souvenir-hunting Indian and Western tourists-all add up to the welcoming hubbub of Manali.
Day 04
Full day Rohtang Pass and Solong Valley Excursion
Today enjoy full day Excursion to Rohtang Pass & Solong Valley. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
Rohtang Pass (3979 mts.): Rohtang pass is 51 km from Manali on national highway to Leh and offers a panorama and spectacular Mountains view. This is a gateway to Lahaul Spiti, Pangi and Leh valley. The pass is officially open from June to October each year, although trekkers can cross it earlier. There are beautiful sights of glaciers, peaks and Chandra river flows down in the Lahaul valley. (Incase Rohtang Pass is closed due to heavy snow then snow point will be shown)
Solong Valley (2480 mts.): Solong valley is 13 km from Manali. This is a splendid valley between Manali and Kothi and offers the view of glaciers and snow capped mountains. There are good skiing slopes equipped with an excellent lift. The winter skiing festival is held here every year.
Day 05
Manali Local Sightseeing tour
Morning Local sightseeing tour of Manali. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel
Hadimba Temple/Doongri Temple: The temple is dedicated to the local deity Hadimba built in 1553 AD, and having four-tiered pagoda shaped roof and a front doorway carved with figures and symbols. Legend has it that the ruler who built this temple did not wish its carving to replicated, so he had the right hand of the artiest. It is believed that here Bhim, the great Pandava of the Mahabharata Epic killed the strong and cruel demon, Hadimb and married his sister Hadimba. Hadimba expurgated her all sins by performing a great Tapa, and consequently began to be worshipped as a goddess. A major festival is held here in the month of May.
Vashisth Hot Water Sulphur Spring: This is 3 km away from Manali and known for its pyramidal temple dedicated to Vashishta Muni, and natural hot water sulphur springs with two separate bathing tanks for gents and ladies.
Old Manali/Manu Temple: This is an original settlement with few old houses made of wood having slate roofs. There is also the Manu Maharishi Temple, dedicated to Manu, who was the creator of human race on the earth.
Naggar(1840 mts.): Nagger is located at a distance of 18 km from Manali in Kullu Valley on the left bank of Beas river. Naggar was the capital of Kullu Rajas for about 1400 years and commands spectacular views of the valley. Naggar has a number of famous temples notably Vishnu, Tripura Sundari & Lord Krishana and a beautiful castle built by Raja Sidh Singh. The castle has now been turned into a hotel owned by HPTDC. The Roerich Art Gallery is close above the castle.
Day 06
Manali – Dharamshala/Mcleodganj Approx. 240 Km. / 7 Hours; drive
Depart for Dharamshala/Mcleodganj. On arrival check in to the hotel and rest of the evening free for leisure. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Dharamshala is better known as Dalai Lama’s abode and Tibet’s Government-in-exile after the Chinese invasion of Lhasa in October 1959. Needless to say, a visit to Dharamshala would be considered irreverent without a peek into the various monasteries dotting the hillsides.
Day 07
Dharamshala/Mcleodganj – Dalhousie approx. 130 Kms/ 04 hours’ drive
Morning Local sightseeing tour of Dharamshala. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Mcleod Ganj: Mcleodganj is a beautiful town on the top of Dharamshala, blessed equally nature and religion. Mcleodganj often called the ‘Little Lhasa’. This is the residence of His Holiness Dalai Lama, The Buddha temple is situated opposite to the present abode of His Holiness and it is the major centre for the studies of Tibetan culture.
St. John’s Church: The church of St. John’s in the wilderness lies on a motorable road between McLeod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj. It is a dressed stone church in whose courtyard lies the grave of Lord Elgin, one of the Viceroys of India who died at Dharamshala in 1863.
Bhagsunag Falls: At a distance of 2 km from upper town of Dharamshala, Bhagsunag can be approached by road; here an old temple, a fresh water spring, hotels and restaurants are located. Further about 2 km is beautiful Bhagsunag water fall which sooths one’s eyes.
Dal Lake: The Lake is located next to the Tibetan Children’s village 3 Km away from Mcleodganj. This is a small lake surrounded by Deodar trees.
After tour drive to Dalhousie. On arrival check in to the hotel and rest of the evening free for leisure. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Dalhousie (2036 mts.) is a quiet and delightful summer destination in Himachal Pradesh. The hill station is located around 5 hills(Kathlog, Potreys, Tehra, Bakrota & Balun, heights ranging between 1525 mts. to 2378 mts.) on the Dhauladhar mountains,covering an area of 14 sq.km, just east of the Ravi River. This colonial town was established in 1854 by the British Governor General Lord Dalhousie. The town presents magnificent view of Chamba valley and the Dhauladhar range.
Day 08
Dalhousie Visit
Morning Local sightseeing tour of Dalhousie & excursion to Khajjiar. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
Subhash Baoli (2085 mts.): 1.5 Km from GPO, commands a view of snowcapped mountains. It is served as the great Subhash Chandra Bose’s retreat. Neta ji Subhash Chander Bose during his 7 months sojourn in Dalhousie in 1937 is believed to have spent most of his days by the side of this water body.
Satdhara (2036 mts.): situated at a distance of 2 Km from the town, there are seven springs of Satdhara, known for their medicinal properties.
Panchpula (Five Bridges): Just 3 Km from the town, it is a pretty spot, whre the water of a natural tank flows under five bridges. There is an elegant monument erected at Panchpula dedicated to the great freedom fighter, Bhagat Singh’s uncle, Sardar Ajit Singh, who breathed his last in Panchpula.
Churches: Dalhousie has four of them. St. John’s church at Gandhi Chowk is the oldest built in 1863 situated at a distance of 2 Km from bus stand.
St. Francis’ church is a very prominent monument on the Subhash Chowk built in 1894,
St. Andrew’s commonly known as the Church of Scotland was built in 1903 at Baloon by Protestant Christians. It is one and half Km from bus stand.
St. Patrick’s Church is situated in Baloon, approximately 2 Km from bus stand. This is largest church in Dalhousie built in 1909.
Khajjiar (1960 mts.): just 23 kms from Dalhousie, the beautiful little plain of Khajjiar is one of the favourite retreat for visitor. Once famous as royal retrete for golfer and polo player, it was named the Switzerland of Himachal Pradesh by Mr. Willy t. Blazer, Vice Counselor and Head of Chancery of Switzerland in India in 1992, becoming the 160th tourist spot in the world to be christened mini-Switzerland. There is a small lake in the center of the saucer shaped meadow which has in it a floating island. A little away from the lake is the temple of Khajji Nag belonging to 12th century. The snake god Khajji Nag is worshiped in a human form. Five life size wooden statues signify presence of Pandava from the epic age of Mahabharata. The town has many beautiful walks and landscape is picturesque.
Day 09
Dalhousie – Amritsar / Approx. 190Kms / 05 hours’ drive
After breakfast drive to Dalhousie. On arrival check in to the hotel. This evening visit Wagha Border. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
The word Amritsar means the holy pool of nectar (the drink of the gods). 1573 Work began on digging the holy pool. 1601 Harmandir Sahib completed. 1604 Guru Granth Sahib installed. Alongside people representing 52 professions settled. In Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s time Amritsar had superseded Lahore as the pre-eminent city of the Orient.
Wagha Border: just 28 Kms from Amritsar, separated from Attari in Pakistan by thin ribbon of road. Each evening as buglers sound the post, two splendidly uniformed guards on either side of the boarder goose step across to the flagpoles to lower their respective national flags. Their steps are matched so perfectly that it is like watching a mirror image of the same exercise. The Ceremony which attracts crowds of spectators on both sides is poignant reminder of the partition of 1947 when Punjab was divided between two nations.
Day 10
Depart Amritsar
Morning Amritsar Local Sightseeing tour. After tour transfer to Amritsar Train Station for onward journey.
Golden Temple: The Golden Temple or ‘Hari Mandir’, situated in Amritsar, Punjab, is the most sacred temple of the Sikhs. The site of the temple was sacred to the Sikhs since the time of the 4th guru, Ram Das. It is a symbol of the magnificence and strength of the Sikh people all over the world. All Sikh people try to make a visit to the temple and take bath in holy tank of the temple.
Jallianwala Bagh: Martyrs’ Memorial built in the shape of eternal flame of liberty is situated on the outskirts of Golden Temple. Here, about 1500 to 2000 persons who were attending a peaceful meeting during the freedom movement fell under the bullets of the British General Dyer, on April 13, 1919. The British Queen Elizabeth II and her husband laid a wreath at the Memorial on 14 Oct.’ 1997.
Durgiana Temple: Situated outside the Lohgarh Gate it is built after the design of the Golden Temple and attracts sages and scholars in Hindu scriptures from all over India.