The Land of Snow and green valleys - 14 days | 13 nights

Highlights of the programme :
  • The sculptures of Belur and Halebid
  • The extravagant palace of the Maharajah of Mysore
  • The Toy Train, train Centennial Mountains
  • Kovalam, sandy beaches and coconut groves

 


ITINERARY

 

Day 01 Delhi
Arrive at Delhi International Airport. Welcome on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 Delhi - Chandigarh
Morning drive to the city of Chandigarh and discovery of the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. This new city was built after independence of India in 1947 by a team of architects led by Le Corbusier himself to replace the former capital of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan allocated. Today it is a spacious city with wide straight avenues and gardens, has remarkable buildings such as the Parliament, the High Court of Justice or the Government House. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Chandigarh - Pragpur
Morning drive to Pragpur in the Kangra Valley. In 1997, the place has become a Heritage Village and really deserves this name. This village, very lively, with cobbled streets lined with houses with whitewashed walls, gardens, temples and bazaars are full of charm. The village also houses a famous painting school. Then visit Garli, near which is a little twin Pragpur. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Pragpur - Amritsar
Morning drive to Amritsar, the "Basin Nectar". Amritsar is the religious capital of Punjab and holy city of the Sikh community. City tour and garden Jalianwala Bagh with its memorial to the memory of the Indians massacred by the British in 1919. Then, towards Wagah place on the line established in 1947 during the Partition. The village, thus found bisected with a side Pakistan and other, India. Every night is held the ceremony of closing the doors of this boundary in the presence of the soldiers of both countries. Back to Amritsar for the religious ceremony at the Golden Temple, which stands in the middle of a basin surrounded by marble balustrades. The Sikh holy book, the Adi Granth, written in gold letters, is preserved in this peaceful and serene sanctuary. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 Amritsar - Dharamshala - Mac Leod Ganj
Departure to Dharamshala, seat of the Tibetan government in exile after the Chinese invasion of Lhasa in October 1959 visit to the Namgyal Monastery, including the Center for Tibetan Studies. Much Dharamshala is a big Indian village, as the very top, McLeod Ganj became a small Indian Lhasa since the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government found refuge. This Tibetan enclave in Indian territory, the Mecca of Buddhism, has a very special atmosphere both Tibetan and cosmopolitan with pilgrims from around the world. Stupas, temples, floating multicolored banners in the wind, lamas dressed in burgundy color dresses twirling their prayer wheels. Overnight at hotel.     
Day 06 Mac Leod Ganj
Day visit and walk McLeod Ganj, a beautiful city with countless Buddhist temples and schools surrounded by a wilderness where the craft is important. But it is also the guarantor of Tibetan medicine with Tibetan Medicine and Astrology Institute founded in 1961 that heals and teaches. Visit the church St John-in-the-Wilderness whose cemetery contains the grave of Lord Elgin, a British East India viceroys, who died in Dharamsala late 1863. Its particular residence, Mortimer House, today houses the Dalai Lama. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Mac Leod Ganj - Palampur - Taragarh
Morning drive to Taragarh. Along the way, stop at Palampur, popular hill station in the Kangra Valley, 1200 meters above sea level and surrounded by tea plantations and pine forests. Palampur, on the road from Manali, was created by the British when they set up their tea plantations. The city is known as the capital of the northern Indian tea. Continue to Taragarh, a paradise for travelers. Spectacular landscapes, snow-capped mountains, deep gorges, lush green valleys, mountain lakes and fast rivers. Walks, trekking, mountaineering, fishing, everything is made for relaxation. Overnight at hotel.   
Day 08 Taragarh - Mandi - Kullu - Manali
Morning drive to Manali hill station located at 2050 meters altitude. Crossing valleys of Kullu and Mandi. Mandi town surrounded by hills, has beautiful temples built by the river. Then the Kullu Valley, the Valley of the Gods to the mild climate, rich in its extremely fertile and verdant vegetation, its old wooden temples and its folklore. Kullu once was called "Kulanthapitha" the end of the inhabited world. Continue to Manali, a small town in the valley, amidst paddy fields and a backdrop of snowy peaks. Overnight at hotel. 
Day 09 Manali
Manali, located in the middle of lush vegetation, is one of the most beautiful mountain resorts of India with its magnificent views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The architecture of the surrounding villages is very beautiful with these stone houses with carved wooden facades. The lower level serves as a stable and surrender and above is the dwelling. Its cool climate during the sweltering summers of the rest of the country, makes it a real paradise. Overnight at hotel. 
Day 10 Manali - Shimla
Morning drive to Shimla the capital of Himachal Pradesh. The British discovered it when it was still a simple village and decided to make the summer residence of the viceroys of India in 1865. The British administration was leaving Calcutta, nearly 1,800 km away, to join the months scorching these regions cooler climate. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 Shimla - Kufri - Shimla
Morning excursion to Kufri about fifteen kilometers from Shimla. This ski resort 2620 meters is known for a long time for its panoramic views of the mountain range, its rest areas that allow the contemplation of the place and its ski slopes. In good weather, the view is absolutely breathtaking. Himalayan Nature Park can observe white leopard, black bear, wolf mountains, the silver pheasant and a fauna you can see that altitude. There is also a small Tibetan market selling local crafts. Back to Shimla. This mountain resort has retained its English town of appearance with its golf courses, polo, its racetrack, many buildings in the Victorian architecture, its neo-Gothic churches, outdated wooden cottages, still haunted by the Kipling book characters who described so well pageantry and social life. The city is limited to two streets: the Mall, the shopping area and the Ridge, the alley of official parades; both pedestrian. Overnight at hotel. 
Day 12 Shimla - Rishikesh
Morning drive to Rishikesh located forty kilometers. This village, just charming with its narrow winding streets, is known as the Gate of the Gods country; that is, according to Hindu mythology, which is the passage that leads to heaven. Here is an intimate atmosphere on ghats, fervor is intense and the offerings are many floating on the river. In the evening religious ceremony on the banks of the Ganges, where many pilgrims come to perform their devotions. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 Rishikesh - Haridwar
Morning drive to Haridwar, one of the seven holy cities of Indian mythology where the Ganges down from the Himalayas come to the plains. This is a very old city, as described by Chinese travelers in the 7th century. It is also one of four sites where takes place every twelve years, the famous Kumba Mela, a huge pilgrimage that brings millions of Hindus came to purify the foot of his ghat Har-Ki-Pauri to house the 'footprints of Lord Vishnu. Evening on the ghats of Har-Ki-Pauri. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 Haridwar - Delhi
Early departure for Delhi. New Delhi, the capital of the Indian Empire with wide tree-lined avenues designed as a garden city. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in the country, surrounded by narrow alleys and bazaars, the popular area of Chandni Chowk, Red Fort, the center of the Mughal splendor, Raj Ghat, Qutub Minar and the minaret. The boulevards of New Delhi and the inevitable Connaught Place Humayun's Tomb. Panoramic tour of Old Delhi. Transfer to the airport for the return flight.

SUGGESTED HOTELS

You will find below our suggestion for activities to do throughout your journey. Do not hesitate to contact an advisor Aryavrit Travels for any specific request.

The Fern Residency - Chandigarh

Nice location. Pretty correct and comfortable rooms. Fast service. Helpful and cooperative staff.

WelcomHeritage Judge's Court - Pragpur

A 100-year leap backwards in a majestic, sophisticated atmosphere. Spacious and comfortable rooms, excellent service and cuisine made with the farm by the hotel. Lovely gardens where you can take a stroll. It feels like home.

Golden Tulip - Amritsar

 

Close to all the tourist spots. Modern, spacious rooms and great facilities. Beautiful hospitality and top service.
The Exotica - Mac Leod Ganj

Pleasant cottages lost in nature offering a beautiful view of the surroundings. Courteous and attentive. Spacious and well equipped. Well maintained facilities. Swimming Pool.

Snow Peak Retreat - Manali

Away from the crowds, this hotel offers comfortable rooms and beautiful views of the mountains. Friendly and smiling staff. Beautiful rose garden. Buffet breakfast with many choices.

Willow Bank - Shimla

Conveniently located on the Mall road just a minute from the public elevator. Colonial style hotel rooms, clean and adequate.

Parmarth Niketan Ashram - Rishikesh

Nice location for this property. Rooms small but clean. Very attentive staff. The ashram has beautiful gardens and the atmosphere is very pleasant.

Haveli Hari Ganga Hotel - Haridwar

Located beside the Ganges, in a former palace of the Maharaja turned into a small boutique hotel. Step peaceful and relaxing in the heart of the vibrant Haridwar. Decoration of refined old. Beautiful terraces overlooking the Ganges. Excellent cuisine. A good place.

Suggested Activities

You will find below our suggestion for activities to do throughout your journey. Do not hesitate to contact an advisor Aryavrit Travels for any specific request.

Ayurveda massage

Ayurveda invites us to stay in harmony with nature, in touch with the elements of nature by practicing yoga and meditation which help us to purify and nourish our body and mind. A massage  on the eye  helps to rebalance the body and its functions. Enjoy your visit to the birthplace of Ayurveda to experience a massage in the purest tradition.

Cooking lessons

You fell for tandoori chicken, Kerala fish curry, samosas, the thali, the dal, biryani? Do not leave without having learned to cook these dishes. We offer courses in vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine. At the end of the session, you are invited to examine and taste your own the prepared dishes.

Henna session

Mehndi usually refers to the art of drawing with henna on the skin. It is an ephemeral equivalent of tattooing. In Rajasthan, mehndi is an fplk art and it is common for women to get as sophisticated as those of newlyweds drawings. Attend a session to decorate your hands with henna and why not take the opportunity to keep track of your visit!

Yoga

Immerse yourself in the practice of Yoga and meditation which helps you to know your body and mind. An experienced yoga teacher will teach you the various techniques of "pranayama" (breathing), "asanas" (positions) and 'dhyana' (meditation). A unique opportunity in the purest tradition.

Film show

Indians like to say that what unites them is a passion for cricket and love of cinema. India is the largest film industry in the world in terms of production and the number of entries. Attend the screening of a film, it's a unique experience and share a moment of jubilation.

Kathakali show

Kathakali is a form of traditional dance and theater sacred native of Kerala. Appeared in the seventeenth century, it showcases stories from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas, and great epics of Hindu mythology. Kathakali is different from other traditional dances by the complexity of its costumes and extravagant make-up dancers. Show not to be missed!

Local family

What could be more authentic than sharing a moment with a local family? An opportunity to understand the Indianess from very close which is worth reading several books on India. A unique opportunity to  learn about the customs of your hosts, with whom you share a traditional meal. A moment of conviviality, memorable exchanges that will only add magic to your stay.

Bike ride

We invite you to immerse in unusual: a bike ride on the roads of India, Nepal and Bhutan. Cycling is a way to meet people, a tool to reach out to the population, which allows you to be closer than at the window of an air conditioned car. Let yourself drift along with your meetings, you will appreciate the paths which reserve surprises, all more enjoyable than the other.

Motorcycle ride

Wander through India or Nepal aboard the legendary Royal Enfield. This breakaway motorcycle delight lovers of nature and you will discover the diversity of landscapes.

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