Delhi – Shimla – Kinnaur – Manali – Dharmshala – Amritsar – Delhi
Delhi – Shimla – Kinnaur – Manali – Dharmshala – Amritsar – Delhi
14 Days & 13 Nights
Detailed itinerary:
Day 01: Delhi – Chandigarh – Shimla
Distance: 350 km)
(Driving duration: 08 – 09 hours)
In early morning surface transport by car from Delhi to Shimla.
Reach Shimla in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Shimla – Colonial Heritage Tour
(Driving duration: 01 hour)
(Walking duration: 01 – 02 hours)
(Tour duration: 04 – 05 hours)
A leisure day as today we explore the colonial miles of
Shimla town, once summer capital of British India. Drive
to Vice Regal Lodge, former residence to the Viceroys of
British India, now converted into a premier institute of advance studies in Humanities and Social Sciences.
Visit this Scottish Baronial building with a guided tour conducted by the institute followed by a
walk to the famous Mall Road dotted with numerous colonial buildings peeping into the bygone past. Enjoy your lunch and for evening walk back to your hotel. Overnight at hotel
Day 03: Shimla Countryside
(Driving duration: 2.5 hour) (Walking duration: 02 hours)
In the morning after breakfast, drive to Mashobra village in the
outskirts of the town. Enjoy a beautiful walk down in Mashobra valley through an old coniferous forest. The walk culminates to one of the traditional village. Enjoy a packed lunch here and later drive back to Shimla.
Day 04: Shimla – Kufri – Theog – Narkanda – Hatu Peak – Thanedar
(Distance: 90 km) (Walking duration: 01 – 02 hours)
(Driving duration: 03 – 3.5 hours)
In the morning after breakfast drive to Thanedar past
Kufri, Theog and Narkanda. This is a beautiful drive
offering views of numerous interlocked lush green
valleys.
The people practice indigenous farming and
grow apples. Reach Narkanda and leaving the car hike up to Hatu peak through an old Brown Oak forest. Reaching the top one is blessed with panoramic views of snow-capped Great Himalayan ranges and deep valleys. Later hike back to the car and drive to Thanedar. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Thanedar – Rampur – Karcham – Sangla
(Distance: 158 km) (Driving duration: 04 – 4.5 hours)
(Walking duration: 01 hour)
After a leisure breakfast, explore Thanedar with a walk
down to village Korgarh, this place was revolutionized by
an American missionary in apple production in early
1900’s. In village there still exists a small missionary
school and old house built by Stoke’s family.
From here drive down to Sutlej River and from here we follow the course of the River. The valley suddenly starts converging and we pass the town of Rampur which once was an important trade center with Tibet. The drive further passes through Tranda cliff and reaching Karcham the road bifurcates to Baspa valley. For early evening reach Sangla, check into your hotel.
Day 06: Sangla Village – Batseri Village
(Driving duration: 01 hour)
(Walking duration: 01 – 02 hours)
After a leisure breakfast explore the village of Sangla and walk up to the village of Kamru, dominated with an centuries old fort known as Kamru fort. The entire village exhibits and unique mix of Hindu and
Buddhist culture through their temples and villages. Continue driving to Batseri based by the bank of River Baspa and appreciate the tasteful wooden architecture and enjoy the song of River.
Day 07: Sangla – Karcham – Rekong Peo – Kalpa
(Distance: 40 km)
(Driving duration: 1 – 1.5 hours)
After a leisure breakfast we drive to Kalpa. The
village of Kalpa earlier known as Chini is located
opposite to impressive Kinner Kailash range.
Kalpa was one of the favorite retreats of one of the British
Viceroy Lord Curzon he wanted to make Kalpa the
next summer capital of British India. Check into your hotel and later in the evening; enjoyn a level walk to the village of Rogi. The walk allows us to enjoy the views of looming Kinner Kalish massif and the Sutlej gorge. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Kalpa – Rampur – Jalori Pass – Sojha
(Distance: 180 km)
(Driving duration: 06 – 07 hours)
Bidding goodbye to Kalpa today we drive to Shoja village of
Kullu. The downstream drive along River Sutlej reaches Luri
and here we cross Sutlej to enter Kullu. Ascend through a
thick pine cover to reach, Jalori Pass.
Shoja is a small village at an altitude of over 8,000 ft. The
access to Shoja winds through thick forests alpine trees,
which provide an untouched habitat to various species of
flora & fauna.
On arrival at Shoja, the landscape opens up into beautiful
terraced fields and Rolling Meadows of wild flowers. In the
evening explore the traditional village.
Day 09: Sojha – Jalori Pass – Serolsar Lake – Sojha
(Distance: 10 km)
(Driving duration: 30 minutes – 01hour)
Today after breakfast drive up to Jalori pass and trek
5 km to Sereolesar Lake. As the narrow path
meanders through an old brown Oak forest, and
occasionally little meadows, loaded with alpine flora
attracts photographer’s eye.
The Sereolesar Lake is worshipped and there is a
temple of a deity called “Burinagin”, who according
to the legend had 100 Snake sons. Visit the temple with tasteful wooden work and seek the
blessing of mountain Gods.
Now, enjoy an outdoor picnic, later trek back to Jalori pass and drive down to Shoja for
overnight.
Day 10: Sojha – Kullu – Manali
(Distance: 105 km)
(Driving duration: 03 – 04 hour)
Today, after breakfast drive down through Banjar
valley, connecting, and national highway – 21 to reach Manali. Situated by the banks of River Beas, Manali was named after famous sage Manu.
Post-lunch explore Manali with a visit to Hadimba temple, dedicated to demon goddess Hadimba. Continue exploring the courtyards of Manu temple, Vashisht temple and village old Manali. These age old temples and villages peek into the age old rich traditions and strong Hindu culture. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Manali – Naggar – Bijli Mahadev temple – Manali (45 km)
(Distance: 60 km)
(Driving duration 02 – 03 hours)
In the morning drive through lush green farms of village Naggar, with snow capped mountains
looming in backdrops. At Naggar visit Nicholas Roerich art gallery, dedicated to a Russian
painter, scientist, philosopher, traveler, writer and 
a public figure, who, settled here in 1947 and lived here for rest of his life.
His residence is converted to an art gallery by his son Svyetoslav Roerich. Continue driving and enjoy an excellent three km hike through traditional Kulluvi village and thick coniferous cover which takes up to the top of a Himalayan alpine meadow.
The place offers stunning views of Kullu and Parbati valleys. An ancient temple dedicated to lord Shiva who is worshipped as Bijli Mahadev here. There are interesting takes associated with the mysterious temple. Later hike back and drive to hotel for the evening
Day 12: Manali – Kullu – Mandi – Baijnath – Palampur – Dharamshala –
Macleodgunj
(Distance: 250 km) (Driving durations: 07 – 08 hours)
Bidding goodbye to the Mountain Gods, today drive
to Dharamshala. En route visit an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The drive passes through beautiful blue pine forest dotted with tea gardens and imposing views of snowcapped Dhauladhar mountain range. Stop in Dharmshala to visit Norbulinka institute, dedicate to the preservation of Tibetan culture in its literary and artistic form. For evening reach Macleodgunj, headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile. Overnight in hotel.
Day 12: Macleodgunj – H.H. Dalai Lama Temple – Lord Elgin Church –
Naddi – Macleodgunj
(Distance: 20 km) (Walking duration: 01 hour)
Today in the morning explore the places of
interest around Macleodgunj with a visit to H.H.
Dalai Lama temple and Lord Elgin church, continue the exploration and walk towards Naddi village offering magnificent views of Dhauladhar range.For evening a short drive takes us to Bhagsu waterfall and later drive to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Macleodgunj – Kangra – Amritsar
(Distance: 210 km) (Driving duration: 05 – 06 hours)
In the morning after breakfast drive to Amritsar
and reach by early evening and check into your hotel. For evening visit the illuminated Golden Temple complex and fill yourself with the religious vibe! Overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Amritsar – Delhi
In the morning after breakfast drive to Amritsar Railway station to board the train to Delhi and a
connecting flight back home.
~ End of Himalayan Voyage