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Day 01. Arrival in New Delhi
Around midnight arrive in New Delhi. The cosmopolitan City and
capital New Delhi is the main gateway for travelers. Upon arrival,
you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred
to the Hotel.
D
Day 02. New Delhi
In the morning we have sightseeing in Old Delhi. We take a Rickshaw
Ride parallel to the Red Fort through the old city and famous Silk
Road and Silver Bazaar. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes "Rajghat",
the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and
Jama Masjid, the
great mosque of old Delhi. Today we also visit the famous "Humayun
Tomb" which is the first substantial example of Mughal
architecture
in India and "Qutub Minar". "Qutub Minar" is 71 meter high and
consists of five stories. In 1199 work began on this tower which was
intended to be the most glorious tower of victory in the world. This
tower was damaged twice and repaired in 1326 and 1368. Before we
proceed to the Hotel we drive through the embassy area in New Delhi
where we visit the India Gate and see some impressive Government
Buildings. After the city tour drive back to Delhi. Overnight stay in
Delhi.
BD
Day 03. Delhi - Agra - Delhi (about
400 km)
In the morning we drive to Agra.
We start today our sightseeing by a
visit to the Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal
emperors. The construction of this massive structure began in 1565
under Akbar's reign and continued till the time of his grandson's
reign, Shah Jahan who built the impressive imperial quarters and
mosque. After the visit of Agra fort, we proceed to visit the most
beautiful monument of India, the Taj Mahal, an enduring monument to
love, with a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by the
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to
his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died at the
age of 39 giving birth to her 14th child. We spend enough time at
Taj Mahal to take this impressive memory home. After the visit of
Taj Mahal we have a look at the famous fine marble inlay work which
is still being done in Agra by the descendants of the families of
builders and artists of the Taj Mahal.
BD
Day 04. Delhi - Srinagar (by air)
Today we have a flight from Delhi to Srinagar.
Srinagar has
been described by some visitors as the Venice of the East. This
beautiful city was established by Emperor Ashoka some 2300 years
ago. A unique charm of Srinagar is its 1300 or more houseboats, the
floating little hotels on the edge of the Dal Lake. Upon
arrival you will be met by representative and transferred to one of
this house boat on Dal Lake. Rest of the day free for leisure to
explore the beautiful surroundings in Srinagar. Overnight stay in
the houseboat.
BLD
Day 05. Srinagar
Today we visit the famous Mughal gardens in Srinagar. In the Mughal
gardens first of all you will view the Chashma Shahi. Chashma Shahi
means the Royal Spring and is dedicated to the Mughal emperor Shah
Jahan. The spring waters are believed to have curative properties.
After visiting the Chashma Shahi we visit the Nishat and Shalimar
Mughal Gardens. Nishat is the larger of the two gardens and has an
impressive plantation of Chenar trees on its highest terrace. Both
the gardens are built on a symmetrical plan of central waterways
with fountains dividing a series of gardened terraces. In the
afternoon we enjoy the Shikara ride on the Dal lake and enjoy the
beauty of the city.
Overnight stay in the houseboat.
BLD
Day
06. Srinagar - Pahalgam - Sri Nagar (about 185 km)
n the morning after breakfast drive to Pahalgam.
Pahalgam is located
about 97 km from Srinagar. On the way we pass through pine forest
and also visit the saffron fields. Pahalgam is the popular hill
resort of the Kashmir valley. Pahalgam is situated at a height of
7,200 feet. The flora and fauna is good and the scenery in Pahalgam
is captivating. It is from Pahalgam that the pilgrims often take a
Amarnath Yatra. In Pahalgam one can have a walk to Baisaren, which
is about 2 km from Pahalgam. A small village, set in pine and fir
forest is pleasing and offers good view. After visiting Pahalgam we
drive back to Srinagar.
Overnight stay in the houseboat.
BLD
Day
07. Srinagar - Kargil (about 204 km)
In the morning after having breakfast we drive to Kargil. On the way
we will cross Zoji La pass which is situated at a height of 3529
mts. Zoji La marks the boundary between
Kashmir and
Ladakh. This
pass is sometimes blocked by snow each year. On Zoji La pas there is
one way traffic, so we have to wait for traffic controller
announcement for crossing Zoji La. In the evening we reach Drass
which is the second coldest inhabited places in the world. After
reaching Drass we drive further towards Kargil. Kargil is situated
in Suru Valley where the Suru river flows and meets the
Indus at a
place called Marul. Upon arrival transferred to Hotel.
BD
Day
08. Kargil - Lamayuru (about 107 km)
In the morning drive to Lamayuru. In Lamayuru visit the Lamayuru
monastery and village. Lamayuru monastery, probably the oldest in
Ladakh. The monastery, built in bizarre, multi-colored landscape on
a rock at whose feet the monastic houses and the village are, by its
impressive murals.
BLD
Day
09. Lamayuru - Alchi - Leh (about 117 km)
In the morning we drive to Leh via Alchi. Alchi has been declared as
an UNESCO monument, The Monastery of Alchi is a large temple complex
and is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist centers in
Ladakh and a jewel of monastic skill. In the afternoon, we drive
through the beautiful wooded valley to the
Rizong monastery. Then
we drive to Leh.
BLD
Day
10. Leh
In the morning we visit the museum and the palace of the king Singge
Nangyal 16th Century, a small replica of the Potalas in Lhasa. From
above the residence we have a beautiful view of the city and the
famous Gompa of Leh.
BD
Day 11. Leh Excursion: Spituk, Phyang, Thikse, Shey
Today we start our day by visiting the Spituk monastery.
Spituk
monastery is 8 km from Leh and is situated on a hilltop overlooking
the Indus. The Spituk Monastery has a collection of 21 gold statues
of Goddess Tara and a number of scroll paintings. Spituk valley has
an enormous statue of Kali whose face is unveiled once a year during
the Spituk festival. This monastery also contains an ancient
collection of masks. Around 135 yellow capped monks resides in this
monastery. After the visit of Spituk we shall proceed to the Gompa
Phyang which is a traditional monastery setting for a spectacular
religious festival with masked dancing. There are 50 red capped
monks residing here. Then we visit the monastery of Thikse. Thikse
is one of the most imposing monastery in Ladakh. The monastery has
12 stories, 10 temples, a nunnery and 60 lamas in residence. It
contains numerous stupas, statues, Tankhas, wall painting and a
large pillar engraved with the teaching of Buddha. We can also see
here a collection of Tibetan scripts. After the visit of Thikse we
visit the village of Shey on the eastern bank of the Indus. Shey was
the royal residence and was located at an important vantage point in
the Indus valley. According to tradition, it was the seat of power
of the pre-Tibetan kings. A 7.5 metre high copper statue of
Buddha,
plated with gold, and the largest of its kind, is installed here.
BD
Day 12. Leh - Nubra Valley (about
160 kms)
Early morning we take the Jeep across the highest motorable pass in
the world, the Khardung-La (5606 m) to the
Nubra Valley. The
afternoon is free to enjoy the beautiful landscape or a "Camel
ride".
BD
Day 13.
Nubra
Valley - Leh (about 160 kms)
Today we drive to Leh. Rest of the day at leisure.
BD
Day 14.
Leh -
Pangong Lake (about 150 kms)
Early morning we drive to Pangong Lake. On the way we cross the pass
of the "Chang La" with 5,360 m. We also visit Spangmik
village. The Pangong Lake is situated 4250 meters above sea
saltwater lake on the border between India and China. Pangong Lake
is 134 km long and 8 km wide lake.
BLD
Day 15.
Pangong Lake - Leh (about 150 kms)
Today we drive to Leh. Rest of the day at leisure.
BD
Day 16.
Leh -
Tanglangla - Sarchu (about 293 km / 9 hours)
Full day drive to Sarchu via Upshi. Today we have to cross the
second highest motorable pass. (Tanglangla pass 5350 m). At this
height we experience a spectacular view. The path leads through the
idyllic villages and cultivated fields to Sarchu.
In the evening arrive in Sarchu. Overnight in camp.
BLD
Day 17.
Sarchu
- Jispa (about 125 km).
Today we will leave Sarchu and drive further to
Jispa. We
drive through the villages Darcha, Patsao and Zingzing bar We also
cross the dangerous Barlacha-La pass. Baralacha La means "pass the
intersection at the top", which means cross, situated where the
paths of Zanskar, Ladakh,
Spiti and Lahaul. Overnight in camp or
guest houses.
BLD
Day 18.
Jispa
- Rohtang Pass - Manali (about 140 kms)
Today we leave Jispa and drive to Manali . On the way we visit the
Khardong Monastery. This monastery is about 900 years old and
belongs to the Gelukpa. The monastery has beautiful frescoes and
collection of old writings. On the way, short of Manali, we cross
the Rohtang Pass (3.913m), which separates India from the rest of
Lahaul. In the late afternoon we reach Manali (2,050 m).
BLD
Day 19.
Manali
Manali
has spectacular views of snow capped peaks and wooded slopes. It is
also known as "Switzerland of India". It offers marvellous walks
through dappled orchards and fairy tale forests of Deodar. In the
morning we will visit the Hadimba Temple, standing tall among the
stately Deodars. This ancient temple with its three level roofs
looks like a pagoda and its lintel and door frame are of intricately
carved wood, we also visit
Vashisht
hot springs and the Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery.
The
market is crowded with interesting shops selling Tibetan carpets and
crafts. In the evening visit the Mall and the market of Manali.
BD
Day 20. Manali - Mandi (about 108 kms)
Today morning we drive to Mandi, enroute we visit
Palampur
(known for tea plantations) and Baijnath (famous for the Shiva
temple from the 9th century). Along the way we experience the
beautiful landscape of Kangra. Kangra is known for the miniature
school that surrounds the local Dhauladhar mountains. Here we visit
a Hindu temple.
BD
Day 21.
Mandi
- Dharamshala (about 142 kms)
Mandi is situated at the confluence of the
Beas and Suketi and is an
important religious center for Hindus. The place Mandi has more than
80 temples. We visit the Triloknath Temple, which is located right
on the river, Bhutnath Temple and the Panchavaktra temple . After the sightseeing we
drive to Dharamshala.
BD
Day 22.
Dharamsala
In Dharamshala we visit the town's McLeod Ganj. This place is situated
at an altitude of 1,890 m and is now the exile of the Dalai Lama
after the escape from Tibet in 1959. The residence of the Dalai
Lamas can be seen from the outside. We also visit the Tibetan
monastery, the local museum and the library. Then we drive to the
Tibetan Children's Village and visit the Norbulingka Institute.
BD
Day 23.
Dharamshala - Shimla (about 275km / 6-7 hours)
Today we drive through the beautiful valley of
Kangra 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.
BD
Day 24.
Shimla
Today we take an excursion to Naldhera and Kufri. We will enjoy the
magnificent views of the mountains in good weather. Later we visit
the Jakhu 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.
BD
Day 25.
Shimla
- Kalka (about 96 kms) - Delhi (train)
Today we drive from Shimla to Kalka and then continue by train to
Delhi. Arrival in Delhi in the evening. Transfer to the hotel. Rest
of the day at leisure.
BD
Day 26.
Flight
to home destination
Around midnight flight to home destination.
(End
of our services)
About
Hotels:
We
provide you the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in
the table of hotels category for any of the booked tour. Hotels
provided by us are from budget to luxury class hotels. Luxury hotels
are all five stars or of above standard. Deluxe would be a
combination of 3 and 4 star Hotels and standard would be a
combination of 2 and 3 star or similar hotels. The criteria for
selecting hotels by us remains the best value of your money. We also
provide you wherever possible accommodation in heritage hotels.
Heritage Hotels are old Palaces, Forts and Grand mansions of
Maharajas which have been later renovated and converted into Hotels.
Rooms are decorated all individually. Rooms are comfortable,
romantic and present the flair of olden Maharaja days.
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