12 Days Himachal Tour

(12 Days / 11 Nights)

                            (Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla-Manali-Dharamshala-Pathankot-Delhi )

             (to view the route of this tour on a Map please click here)

Day 01: Arrival in Delhi
Around midnight arrival in Delhi. The cosmopolitan city and capital Delhi is the main gateway for travelers to India. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel.

Day 02: Delhi - Chandigarh (about 256 km / 5 hours)
In the morning after having breakfast we will 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 and was designed by Le Corbusier. In the evening arrive in Chandigarh and transfer to the hotel. 

Day 03: Chandigarh - Shimla (about 130 km / 2 hours 30 mins )
In the morning we drive towards 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 it is now 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 India's most popular and biggest hill stations.

Day 04: Shimla
Today we have sightseeing in Shimla. In our sightseeing we visit the 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.

Day 05: Shimla
The whole day at leisure in Shimla to enjoy the natural surroundings.

Day 06: Shimla - Manali (about 250 km)
In the morning after having breakfast we drive to Manali. The landscape here is breathtaking. 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. In the evening arrive in Manali.

Day 07: Manali
In the morning we will have sightseeing in Manali. Today we will 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 down from the height of 50 meters above sea level.

Day 08: Manali Excursion to Kullu (about 40 kms)
Today we drive to Kullu. The most charming and beautiful Kulu valley spreads out its charm on either side of river Beas. This valley is surrounded by the meadows, rushing streams and meandering brooks and open to all the tourists, who want to breathe the air of the Himalaya and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. In Kullu we visit the Raghunath Temple and Naggar. Raghunathji is the principal deity of the valley. Naggar is situated on the left bank of the Beas, on a wooded slope and commands an extensive view. It was the capital of erstwhile Kulu state for about 1400 years. There are large number of famous temples notably Vishnu, Tripura Sundari and Lord Krishna and Roerich art gallery. Roerich art gallery which houses the paintings of Nicholas Roerich as well as his sculptures is less than a km. from the Castle. After having excursion we drive back to Manali.

Day 09: Manali - Dharamshala (about 254 km / 5 hours)
Today we 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 McLeodganj. In Dharamshala there is a strong Tibetan influence. The Dalai Lama settled here after the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959.

Day 10: Dharamshala - Pathankot (about 90 kms) - Delhi (by train)
Today we will drive to Pathankot. In the evening we take a night train to Delhi.

Day 11: Delhi
In the morning arrive in Delhi and transfer to the hotel.

Day 12: Delhi (Departure)
Around midnight transfer to the airport for the flight to home destination.

Tour Reservation
To get more information or to book this tour please submit the Query Form or send us an e-mail ! Your booking will be activated only after we get a reconfirmation from your side.

Our Services Include:
      Accommodation in double rooms on twin sharing basis with bath and WC in the
         chosen category. 
      Rooms on the departure day.
      American/continental Breakfast.
      Services of qualified local guides (English speaking or languages of your choice)
         at every place of sightseeing.
      All Transfers and departures on arrival and departure by Indo Vacations
         representative.
       All Transfers and Sightseeing throughout the tour by an air-conditioned Car with
         driver. For groups an individual air-conditioned bus (Except Standard Hotels) will be
         provided.   

Exclusions:
      Any Kind of Personal Expenses such as Tips, Laundry, Telephone Bills and Alcoholic
         beverages.
      Camera Fees (Still or Movie).
      Any Flight Charges.
      Monument Entrances.
      Unspecified Meals etc.

We always look forward for any changes in the itinerary as wished by you for your individual trip.