Kashmir, North-India and Himachal Tour

Day 01: Delhi
Around midnight arrival in Delhi. The cosmopolitan city and capital Delhi is the main gateway for travelers. You are met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the Hotel.

Day 02: Delhi - Srinagar (By air)
Today you will be transferred to airport for flight to Srinagar. Srinagar has been described by some visitors as the Venice of the East. A unique charm of Srinagar is its 1300 or more houseboats, the floating little hotels on the edge of the Dal Lake. Upon arrival in Srinagar you will be transferred to Hotel / Houseboat.

Day 03: Srinagar
Today we start our sightseeing in Srinagar. In our sightseeing we visit the famous Mughal gardens and Shankaracharya temple in Srinagar. First of all we visit the Shankaracharya temple. This temple is located on a sharp hill, 1,000 feet high and houses a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built in memory of the great Shankaracharya who came to Kashmir from Kerala to revive Hinduism. From the top of the hills, you would be able to have a panoramic view of the Kashmir Valley. In the evening we visit the Mughal gardens. The two famous Mughal gardens are Nishat Bagh (the garden of Pleasure) and Shalimar Bagh (abode of love) which are situated on the banks of Dal lake. Nishat Bagh 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.

Day 05: Gulmarg - Srinagar (about 60 km)
Today we drive to Srinagar. 

Day 06: Srinagar - Patnitop (about 183 km)
Today we drive to Patnitop. This famous hill resort is perched on a beautiful plateau at a height of 2,024 mts on the Jammu–Srinagar highway. This place is enveloped by wooded forests. It is ideal for long walks, as a picnic spot and also offers breathtaking views of the mountain-scape of the Chenab basin. During winter skiing facilities are available here. Arrive in Patnitop by the evening and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 08: Jammu - Amritsar (about 212 km)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Amritsar, check in upon arrival and relax for the day. Overnight stay at hotel in Amritsar.

Day 09: Amritsar
After breakfast at the hotel, we start our city tour with the blessings of Golden Temple, the most important Sikh Shrine. Visit Jallianwala Bagh, Maharaja Ranjit singh Museum. In the evening visit Wagah Border (India Pakistan Border) for retreat ceremony where Indian and Pakistani Soldiers perform parade together. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 10: Amritsar - Dharamshala (about 200 km)
Today we drive to Dharamshala. Dharamshala has one of the most spectacular settings for a hill station and split into two parts. The lower part is only known as Dharamshala and is about 9 kms away from the upper part, and known as Mc Leodganj. In Dharamshala there is a strong Tibetan influence. The Dalai Lama settled here after the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959. 

Day 12: Dharamshala - Manali (about 260 km / 5 hours)
Today we drive from Sarahan to Manali. Manali is also known as the Switzerland of India. In the evening arrive in Manali. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 13: Manali
Today we have half day sightseeing in Manali and 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.

Day 14: Manali - Sarahan (about 187 km)
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Sarahan. Sarahan lies in Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh at a height of 4500 feet on the Nahan-Shimla highway. It is basically a unique all-weather hill station. Its location and characteristics are beautiful enough to attract any visitor. It is important to note that Sarahan valley experiences snowfall too, which is very rare and unique because mountain heights in the bracket of 4500 ft. seldom receive snowfall. Sarahan is a very beautiful village, which gives a breadth taking view of the mighty Himalayan ranges. Sarahan valley has the famous "Bhima Kali temple" which is 800 years old and a splendid piece of architecture. In the evening we will visit this temple and explore the surroundings of the Sarahan valley. We will spend night in Sarahan.

Day 16: Kalpa - Shimla (about 235 km)
In the morning after having breakfast we drive to 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 17: 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 19: Chandigarh - Rishikesh (about 211 km)
In the morning after having breakfast we drive to Rishikesh. Rishikesh represents the Gateway to the Himalayas in the Tehri - Garhwal region of Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that several yogis and sages lived and practiced penance here. Rishikesh represents the site where Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu. It abounds in natural splendour. The spectacle of the River Ganges rushing through the Himalayan foothills is an awesome sight. Several temples dot the banks of the River Ganges at Rishikesh. We will arrive in Rishikesh by the evening.

Day 20: Rishikesh
Today we have sightseeing of Rishikesh. We visit Swarg Ashram, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Trayambakeshwar Temple, Bharat Mandir, Lakshman Jhula, Gita Bhavan, Parmarth Niketan etc. We visit the Triveni Ghat to witness yet another special prayer ceremony. It is very interesting to watch the prayer ceremony.

Day 21: Rishikesh - Haridwar (about 24 km / 1 hours)
In the morning, we will drive to Haridwar. Haridwar is the gateway to the four pilgrimages in the Uttrakhand region and is located on the foothills of Shivaliks. It is on the banks of River Ganges. The River Ganges leaves the mountains and enters the plains with Haridwar being the first major town on the plains. Though the Ganges does not lose its rapids completely nevertheless it becomes very quite and calm here. The city acquires a unique charm in the evening when the ghats become breathtakingly beautiful with thousands of Diyas and Marigold floating in the waters of Ganges.