Hill Station Vacation Package
Himalayan Splendours
Duration:
- 10 days
Destination: Delhi / Nalagarh / Kangra / Dharamsala / Kullu / Shimla
/ Chail / Delhi
This tour of the Western Himalayas is specifically designed for those intending
to travel leisurely byroad through some of the most fascinating countryside.
Spring and early summer is a riot of bloom. In early autumn, the apples
are harvested giving way to the glow of golden foliage. The old towns were
earlier British summer retreats, dotted with quaint cottage and churches.
The various Hindu rulers have now converted their properties into heritage
hotels and Dharamsala is flocked by many of meet the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan
spiritual leader.
Day 1. Delhi / Nalagarh (6 hrs) : Drive to Nalagarh or board
train to Chandigarh and transfer to Nalagarh . Check into the Nalagarh
palace heritage resort. Evening at leisure to explore the fort or relax
in the company of the Royal family, perhaps over a drink. Overnight Nalagarh
palace.
Day
2. Nalgarh / Kangra (4 hrs) : Morning, drive to Kangra. Check into the
Judge's Court, a stately manor built in 1918 and situated in the quaint
Village of Paragpur. The Kangra valley rolls down the southern edge of the
magnificent Dhauladar range. It's slopes are covered with forests, orchards,
tea gardens and terraced fields. From Paragpur, the Beas river offers exciting
opportunities for Mahaseer fishing, while Brand Billing (30 kms) offers
adventure sports like hang gliding and para-sailing. Kangra is also known
for its exquisite miniature paintings. Nearby is the temple of Jwalamukhi,
where a natural blue flame issues from the rock sanctum. A constant swell
of pilgrims provides a glimpse of the real India, steeped in rituals and
traditionally vibrant and alive. Overnight at Judge's Court.
Day 3. Kangra / Dharamsala (60 kms) : Morning, drive to Dharamsala
situated at 6100ft. Check into mountain resort Mcleodganj. Visit to Tibetan
children's village. At Mcleodganj, visit Dalai Lama temple and Tibetan school
of performing arts. ln the evening, get a taste of Tibetan food at local
restaurants. Overnight at Dharamsala.
Day 4. Dharamsala / Taragarh : Drive to Taragarh (2 hrs). Check into
Taragarh Palace resort owned by the family of the Maharaja Kashmir. Evening,
walk across the tea gardens or drive to the monastery. Overnight Taragarh.
Day 5. Taragarh / Kullu (4 hrs) : Drive to Kullu. Arrive late afternoon
and check into Beas Banks - Wanderlust tented camp on the banks of the river
Beas, 12 kms upstream Kullu. Evening, relax at camp with a bonfire and bar-be-cue
and a glass of beer or chhota peg. Overnight Beas Banks. (Optional you could
choose to stay at a hotel).
Day 6. Beas Banks : Optionally, morning, enjoy an exciting two hours
of rafting on the Beas. Later, visit Naggar castle and the Roerich Art Gallery.
Evening at leisure at this interesting riverside beach camp.
Day
7. Beasw Banks / Manali : Morning, visit Manali town, visit Hadimba
temple. Later, drive up to Rohtang Pass, 52 kms at 13,500 ft. for a fabulous
view of the Dauladhar, Zanskar and the Lahaul- Spiti ranges. Overnight hotel
at Manali.
Day 8. Manali / Shimla (6 hrs) : Drive to Shimla, the erstwhile summer
capital of the British Raj. Check into your Palace hotel. Overnight Shimla.
Day 9. Shimla / Chail (2 hrs) : Explore the infamous Mall and
its surroundings. Late afternoon, drive to Chail via Kutri, through dense
deodar and rhododendron forest. Check into Chail Palace hotel, the former
residence of the Maharaja of Patiala. Overnight Chail.
Day 1O. Chail / Delhi : After breakfast, transfer to the railway
station (Kandaghat) for a fascinating train journey to Kalka, on the toy
train. Arrive Kalka and transfer to Shatabdi Express train, arriving Delhi
late evening.
OPTIONS AND EXTENSIONS
1. Overnight train to Pathankot and transfer to Dharamsala or fly directly
to Dharamsala.
2. Extension to Dalhousie, Khajjiar and Chamba.
3. Trout fishing I Para gliding / Ballooning I River Rafting in Kullu-Manali
4. Various trekking options.
POSSIBLE VARIATIONS
Delhi / Nalagarh / Beas Banks/ Shoja / Sarahan / Shimla / Delhi ( 10 Days
).
BEST TIME
April to June and September to October.
Himalayan Splendours, Reservation Form