Connect with Himalayas

Visit Golden Temple  Time: 2-3 Hours

Today’s excursion will start by first visiting the Golden Temple. Coated beautifully by 720 kg of gold, the legendary Golden Temple is popular among Sikh’s as Harmandir Sahib. Built in 1589, this intricately carved God’s dwelling place, where a copy of Sikh’s sacred scripture resides calmly since 1604. Spend some peaceful time in the temple complex. Listen to the sublime music, chanting, and bathe in the sacred water of Amrit Sarovar. At last, move to the community kitchen to enjoy Guru-ka-langer (lunch). 

Afternoon visit to Wagah Border  Time: 3-4 Hours 

After enjoying lunch, proceed for Wagah Border, which is located 30 km west of Amritsar. On arrival, your guide will take you towards the foreigner arcade to witness the beating retreat ceremony. It is the daily military practice that’s running between India’s Border Security Force and Pakistan’s Rangers since 1959. 

This celebration begins when well-dressed soldiers, Indians in beige and Pakistan in the black march towards the gate from their respective ends. It’s the only time when the Iron Gate opens. Soldiers salute each other, and then start lowering their country’s flags. Afterward, the flags were wrapped respectfully and then taken back. This celebration reaches to an extreme level when soldiers return back for the final handshakes. 

Enjoy the celebrations, and then return back to your hotel for dinner & overnight stay. 

    Time: 4- 5 hours; 205 km (approx) 

This morning, you’ll be driven to Dharamsala from Amritsar. Therefore, it is advised to eat your breakfast on time. Check-out from your hotel, and get ready to experience a special kind of tranquility in the home to the Dalai Lama. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to the hotel.    

Explore Delights of Dharamsala                  Time: 2-3 Hours

Begin your journey to explore Dharamshala, a beautiful city located on the edge of the Himalayas. First, visit the famous Tsuglakhang HH Dalai Lama’s Temple. It is the frequent preaching spot of Dalai Lama. Here you can watch the monks engaged in different activities. After spending some peaceful time in the Lama Temple, it’s time to visit Bhagsu Nag waterfalls followed by a visit to nearby shiva temple. Later, in the evening, walk around the market to better comprehend the traditional way of life. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.  

  After breakfast, leave your hotel to explore the major attractions of the pristine Dharamsala valley. Fomous for being the home to Dalai Lalam and the center of Little Tibet, Dharamsala offers beautiful views of the snow-capped Dhauladhar mountain range, lesser part of mighty Himalayan range.  

Have Some Glimpse of Tibetan Culture                        Time: 2-3 Hours (approx)

Start with morning visit to Norbulingka, an institute dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture. Also visit Kangra Art Museum to watch the Tibetan artisans and their apprentices as they practice the ancient Buddhist art forms of statue-making, thangka painting and appliqué, as well as woodcarving, tailoring and weaving. 

Witness Traditional Tibetan Art Form                           Time: 1-2 Hours (approx) 

Before proceeding to witness traditional Tibetan art form preserved in ‘The Tibetan Institute of the Performing Arts’, stop for some time to have lunch. Afterward, continue to your next excursion. Established through the vision of His Holiness the 14th Dalali Lama in 1959, the institute is famous for preserving traditional Tibetan art forms in music, dance and theatre- colourful folk opera which is locally known as ‘lhamo’.  Step inside the temple to see some of the finest thangka frescoes. Later, arrive at your hotel for dinner & overnight stay. 
 

        Time: 7-8 Hours; 234 km (approx.) 

After breakfast, depart Dharamsala to reach Manali. Today’s transfer takes around seven to eight hours. But it is a wonderful opportunity to soak up the beauty of the region located at the heart of the mighty Himalayan range. The snow-crowned Himalayan hills and green grasses surrounding Manali, are superb. On your way to India’s most famous hill station, stop en-route for lunch. 

On arrival, you’ll be directly transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Relax and rejuvenate yourself by witnessing breathtakingly beautiful sunset views from your hotel. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel. 

Visit Naggar- last abode of Nicholas Roerich’s           Time: 2-3 Hours 

Have your breakfast on time, and then get ready to explore attractions of India’s famous hill station, Manali. Start with visiting the famous Naggar Village, home to the Russian artist and philosopher, Nicholas Roerich’s, from 1928 until his death in 1947, explore the village to witness some of the finest glimpse of Nicholas last days. Explore the Nagar Castle, Nicolas Roerich Art Gallery and the museum at the Roerich Estate. 

Witness Spiritual Side of Manali                                   Time: 2-3 Hours

Before continue to explore spiritual side of Manali, it’s time to stop for some time to have lunch. Then, continue to visit Vashist village to see hot sulphur spring followed by Hidimba temple visit. Constructed in 1553, this much-revered wood-and-stone Hindu temple has a 3-tier pagoda-style roof and its outside walls are adorned with antlers and ibex horns, making this temple visit a worth experience. See the people worshiping at the temple complex. Afterwards, return back to your hotel to enjoy delicious dinner before going to bed.  

        Time: 7-8 Hours; 340 km (approx.) 

Today’s transfer takes around seven to eight hours but is a wonderful opportunity to soak up the beauty of this region. On your way to Shimla, enjoy views of the snow-crowned Himalayan hills and green grasses surrounding the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. En-route, stops for some time to have your lunch, and then again continue to drive back. Traffic is banned from the central part of town, walking is the way of life here. On arrival, you’ll be directly transferred to the hotel for dinner & overnight stay.

Explore Queen of Indian Hill Stations                                                                       Time: 2-3 Hours 

Located at an altitude of 2,130 metres, Shimla sits in awe-inspiring forests of pine, rhododendron and oak, yet is true to its colonial era, with many buildings styled in Tudorbethan and neo-gothic architecture. After breakfast, leave your hotel for full day guided tour of Shimla to explore city’s highlights. Start today’s excursion by first visiting The Ridge, a broad esplanade extending east from Scandal Point, to witness jagged line of distant snowy peaks of mighty Himalayas. 

Later, move to Viceregal Lodge followed by a visit to the state museum occupies a 1860s mansion and houses an impressive collection of Himachali, Rajasthani and Punjabi miniatures. 

Afternoon Visit to Jhaku Hills                                            Time: 1 Hour 

Today’s afternoon is scheduled for a visit to Jhaku Hills. After lunch, continue you tour to see Jhaku Temple, Shimla’s most famous temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Appropriately, hundreds of monkeys loiter around the temple, hoping for food from visitors. Feed money from a distance under supervisions of your guide. 

In the evening, it’s time to stroll across the heartbeat of Shimla life, The Mall. It runs up from Chotta Shimla, southeast of the centre, to Scandal Point, the official centre of town, and then continues west to the Viceregal Lodge. Later, return back to your hotel for dinner & Overnight stay. 

                                                              Chandigarh to Delhi Time: 4-5 Hours; 245 km

This morning, depart Chandigarh for Delhi on road. So, have your breakfast on time, and complete check-out formalities to reach the last destination of this ‘Connect with Himalayas’ tour. 

On Delhi arrival, you’ll either transfer to the Delhi airport or you’ll explore the highlights of capital city of India, depending upon the availability of flights for departure to your home. If you have time, your guide will take you Delhi sightseeing tour that includes Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, and Raj Ghat. Afterward, transfer to airport to board flight for your journey to home. Namaste!