Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi (By : International Flight)
Arrive at Delhi’s international airport a representative will be waiting for you outside the exit gate of arrival terminal, holding a placard.

Day 02 : Delhi
The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort – a World Heritage Site. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.

After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.

The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, which is the tallest stone tower in India. The Qutub Minar was started in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan's successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The building is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom to the top. The Minar is tapering with the diameter of the base is 14.3 m while at the top floor it is2.7 m. The Qutub Minar is still the highest stone tower as well as one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised in India. Then visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence.

Day 03 : Delhi – Nalagarh(300 kms. / 6hrs.)
After early breakfast we drive to Nalagarh. Nalagarh Fort Resort is located atop a hillock with a panoramic view of the Shivalik Hills. Nalagarh Resort rises above a 20 acre estate of forest and orchards and is built on five levels, two of which have well manicured lawns. The fort and the palace of Nalagarh have a series of structures that are mostly built in the Mughal style of architecture. These have been exhaustively renovated and are now a quality heritage resort. The retreat is closely enveloped by green hills.

Day 04 : Nalagarh -Mandi(205 kms. / 5 hrs.)
Drive to Mandi. Mandi the sacred land of Rishi Mandvya, is known as the Kashi of Himachal Pradesh. The town is dotted with 81 temples which are the finest monuments of hill architecture. Mandi district has many high altitude lakes, snowy mountains, dense deodar forests, lush green valleys, velvety pastures and unbeaten trekking routes passing across the wild flowers.

Day 05 : Mandi – Manali (110 kms/ 4 hrs.)
Drive to Manali, which is 1896 m above sea level and situated at the northern end of the Kullu valley. A picturesque little town bustling with activity, Manali is the most popular place in Himachal Pradesh during the summer season. Around Manali, nature has lavished the region with forests, waterfalls, green slopes, rivulets and soaring snow covered mountain peaks. Manali also boasts of a Mountaineering Institute, which imparts training in mountaineering, skiing and other adventure activities.

Day 06 : Manali
Morning visit to Naggar- 22km from Kulu, Naggar was The capital of KulluRajas till A.D. 1660. The Ancient castle, now converted into Tourist Bungalow, overlooks the entire Beas Valley. Nicholas Roerich, the famous Russian painter and philosopher lived here and his quaint little house has been converted into a small museum. There are two old temples near castle. Afternoon explore Manali town, its old wooden temples and its folk music and dances.

Day 07 : Manali - Jespa
After an early breakfast drive to Jespa a small village in the Lahaul region. En route cross Rohtang Pass (3980 M) and visit Keylong village. The lofty Shingri Glacier is seen in all its grandeur, it’s high passes standing between them and the civilized world. The people of these valleys have an intense love for their home culture; their songs and dances are as chaste and pure as the snow that clods the mountains around. Spiti Valley is famous for Yaks and Choru.

Day 08 : Jespa - Sarchu (98 kms. / 5 hrs. )
After an early breakfast drive to Sarchu. The lofty Shingri Glacier is seen in all its grandeur, it’s high passes standing between them and the civilized world. The people of these valleys have an intense love for their home culture; their songs and dances are as chaste and pure as the snow that clods the mountains around. Spiti Valley is famous for Yaks and Choru.

Day 09 : Sarchu - Leh(253 kms. / 8 hrs. )
After breakfast drive to Leh. The Zanskar Range remains to be crossed and this takes two more passes, the La Chung-La (16,600ft/5,059m) and the Tanglang La (17,469ft/5,325m). Leh is rapidly spreading in all directions from its original position beneath the long abandoned Namgyal Palace. While the town has come a long way from the days when polo was played on its main street, Leh still remains a pleasant, traditional Himalayan town.

Day 10 : Leh
Forenoon free to rest and relax. Afternoon visit Shankar Monastery-a relativity modern monastery, it is closely associated with the Spituk monastery and serves as the residence of the head priest Kushak ba kula. A number of gold icons are to found here. 8km from Leh, Spituk monastery stands prominently on the top of a hillock commanding panoramic view of the Indus Valley for miles. Many icons of Buddha and fine thankas are to be found in this 15th century gompa. The gompa also houses collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and an awe-inspiring image of Mahakli. Also visit Phyang Monastery which is 17kms from Leh-Kargil road, built by Tashi Namgyal in the later half of the 16th century AD. It belongs to the RED CAP SECT of Buddhist. Hundreds of icons of Buddha and other Gods are kept on wooden shelves.

Day 11 : Leh
After breakfast full day sightseeing to the massive Tibetan Buddhist Gompas & monasteries of Hemis, Shey and Thiksey. A few kilometers up the Indus is Shey, the ancient capital, with its palaces, temples, and vibrantly colored murals, cleaned and restored in the mid 1980’s. Hemis was founded under the direct patronage of members of the ruling Namgyal dynasty.

Day 12 : Leh - Uletopko ( 75 kms. / 04 hrs.)
Drive to Alchi to visit the Alchi monastery situated on the banks of the river Indus, which is one of the most important cultural sites in Ladakh. Built in the 11th century, it is a treasure of the early Buddhist art in the Kashmiri tradition, a style quite different from the Tibetan art. After visit drive to Uletopko. Overnight at resort.

Day 13 : Uletopko – Kargil (130 Kms / 08 Hrs.)
Full day sightseeing to the massive Tibetan Buddhist Gompas & monasteries of Hemis, Shey and Thiksey. A few kilometers up the Indus is Shey, the ancient capital, with its palaces, temples, and vibrantly colored murals, cleaned and restored in the mid 1980’s. Hemis was founded under the direct patronage of members of the ruling Namgyal dynasty.

Day 14 : Kargil – Srinagar (210 Kms / 09 Hrs.)
Leave for Srinagar early in the morning with pack lunch. Proceed to Srinagar crossing Zoji La Pass (12000 ft) and Drass Valley the 02nd coldest inhabitant place in world. Enroute stop at Sonamarg one can visit Thajiwas Glaciers.

Day 15 : Srinagar
Srinagar is a city of great antiquity. This paradise vale reflects the moods of the changing seasons. Spring breathes life into a frozen world and the air is heady with the fragrance of a million flowers that bloom on trees, shrubs and creepers. Summer heightens the effect and autumn is poignant in its colours of warm introspection. Winter bring s with it a blanket of snow. Sometimes the Dal Lake freezes and beneath a leaden sky, the aroma of roasted chestnuts, promise warmth and comfort.

Enjoy the Shikara ride on Dal lake to view the floating vegetable gardens. The jewel in the crown of Kashmir is eulogised by poets and praised by tourists. Dal Lake changes its moods through the day.

Day 16 : Srinagar
Full day excursion to Gulmarg. Gulmarg, or meadow of flowers, is an apt term indeed for this idyllic flower-laden meadow at an altitude of 2,730 metres, in Baramulla district. Situated at a distance of 51 km from Srinagar, it is a saucer-shaped bowl overhanging the main valley of Kashmir. The towering peaks above the meadow are covered with dense forests of tall conifers and gigantic fir and pine trees, all vying with each other to touch the azure skies. A clear day offers some br eathtaking v iews from Gulmarg: fields of rice; clusters of walnut, pear and mulberry; meadows, ridges and forests that lead to the snow slopes of Khilanmarg; the majestic Nanga Parbat peak over a 100 km away.

Day 17 : Srinagar – Patnitop (188 kms. / 06 hrs.)
In time transfer to airport to connect flight for Jammu (dep 1315 hrs arrival 1350 hrs) and drive to Amritsar (219 km, 6 hrs drive).

Day 18 : Patnitop - Amritsar(308 kms. / 08 hrs.)
Amritsar, as the name suggests, is hightfully a pool of nectar. Located in the state Of Punjab, Amritsar is one of the most important pilgrimage center especially for the Sikhs in the country. The city is characterised by some of the must visit religious, historical as well as contemporary sites of importance. The Golden Temple, where Sikhs from all over the world come to pay their reverence to Guru Granth Sahib and take a dip in the Amritsara Kund (Pool of Immortality) for spiritual purification is the major landmark of the place. Amritsar is also characterised by the hard worki ng and warm-hearted people. Visit the famous Golden Temple.

Day 19 : Amritsar – Chandigarh (218 kms. / 05 hrs.)
Sukhana Lake: On the south eastern boundary of the city is the seasonal rivulet Sukhana choe. Water through it used to flow away in the rainy season. The planner of the city through their imagination, created a lake by obstructing the flow of rain water through the Sukhana Choe. A three and half km long dam was built to create a reservoir of water. Now known as Sukhna Lake. People generally come here for a morning or evening walk. It consists of an eating place, children’s park. It also has facility for boating and rafting for the adventure seekers. A major hit with children and grown-ups alike. At one end of the Lake are the premises of Lake Club. The club management takes care to provide facilities for water sports and recreational activities. Water sports become annual feature. Environment friendly people of Chandigarh take part in its disilting operation every year.

Rock Garden : Next to Sukhana Lake there is a unique but a world famous fantasy in the city of Chandigarh, called Rock Garden. Situated in the thick forest area, this gardens hold its own charms for the visitors. It is full of objects built from household and industrial waste. There are no flowers or plants in this garden. The object to be seen there are the figure made of raw cement resembling humans and animals. These figures have been decorated with broken but colourful odds and ends of China clay. As one looks at them with deep intent, they seem to be staring as the visitors. They seem to be engaged in various activities. There are group of dancing damsels made from bicycle and motorcycle's waste materials, marching armies of warriors resting flying or fledging birds made from countless bite of broken glass. There are groups of music bands engaged in their activity of entertaining the visitors. Its creator also needs a mention. The garden was visualised by Sh. Nek Chand. He belong from gurdaspur district in Punjab province. He started his life in PWD as labourer, but late rose to high ranks. He came to Chandigarh as Road Inspector. His deep visualization made him to pick and collect all sorts of discarded scrap. He started to visit waste dumps of the factories. He collected there raw cement, broken pipes and other discarded matter. He created rapport with the truck drivers who carried and drop his debris at a vacant corner of the forest where now this unique creation stands. For twelve years he worked hard alone on this unique fantasy. After twelve years the work of Nek Chand noticed by Government. He was giving deserving patronage. An area of twelve acres was allotted for the extension of the original Rock Garden. Even funds were provided for carrying on the work.

Day 20 : Chandigarh – Delhi (240 kms. / 06 hrs.)
After breakfast drive back to Delhi.

Day 21 : Departure Delhi (International Flight)
In time transfer to airport to connect flight back home.

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