Amazing Seraj & Dharamsala, Kinnaur with Taj Mahal

Type of Area You are Travelling Through : Your shall be visiting Dharam Sala - The Seat of HH Dalai Lama's Exile Government, Travel through the green area and one of the Most Breathtaking Views in a Hidden Vallye of Western Himalayas, Visit Shimla - Once the summer Capital of India during Raj and end your trip with a memorable visit to Taj mahal. During the drive through Seraj Valley the hieghest pass that you cross is Jalori Pass (3300 m).

This Program has been specially designed to be run during the Easter Holidays. Do not miss the Chance to visit Dharamsala - The Exile seat of HH Dala Lama, Seraj - A Hidden Valley of Middle Himalayas and Taj Mahal before you fly back to your parent country.

Bhimakali Temple at Sarhan

Amritsar / Dharamsala / Jibhi / Sarhan / Kalpa / Shimla / Delhi / Agra

Duration : 11 Days / 10 Nights

For any Furthur Details and Cost Please Contact us at :
Astounding Himalayas

Kishori Niwas

LongwoodShimla - 171001 -

Himachal Pradesh (INDIA)

Contact No. : +91 9816149102

E Mail : astoundinghimalayas@gmail.com

Day 01 : (6th April - 09) : Arrival at Amritsar : History of Amritsar is really fascinating. According to the legend, when the fourth Guru of the Sikhs Guru Ram Das heard about the healing powers of the pool, he ordered his son Guru Arjan Dev to erect a temple at the site. In 1588, the foundations of a city were laid which later on became an emblem of Sikh culture and history.

I will come personally to receive you at the Airtport. We shall drive to the Hotel Ranjit Sevasa (A Heritage Hotel) / Similar. On arrival Check in. After lunch we shall visit Jalianwala Bagh where General Dyerof British Army had opened Fire on Hundreds of Hindus and Sikhs who were having a public meeting in the Park. A number of them had been killed and many jumped into a well to save their lives but after some time the well was also full of dead bodies. In the evening we shall visit the Wagha Boarder (45 kilometer) to see the boarder Ceremony. The gates between India and Pakistan are opened every evening to pull the Flags down. The soldiers of both the side perform a Parade together. There is dance, music and Flag Ceremony. Drive back to your hotel. Dinner shall be served in the hotel.

Day 02 : (7th April - 09) : Drive to Dharamsala (6 hours drive) : Morning after breakfast Visit to Golden Temple. The Temple compound was completed in 1601 and then, Guru Granth Sahib (Also called Adi Granth), holy book of Sikhs was installed in the Temple. The Temple became popular as Harmandir (Temple of God). The temple is situated in the middle of the Pool of Nectar. Amrit – Means Nectar & Sar – Means Pool. The huge complex is made of Marble and here you can see a number of Sikh men and women cleaning the ground, washing utensils, bating in the pool and bowing before the temple. Drive to Dharamshala with packed lunch. Dharamshala is located at the elevation of 6000 ft above sea level but we shall be driving more ten Kilometers upside to reach McCleodganj. This is the seat of H.H. Dalai Lama who is running his Government in Exile from here. Dalai Lama arrived Dharamshala from Tibet in 1959 and since then he has been fighting to get his country free from China. McCleodganj is such a place where you might have a chance to see Faces from all Races. On arrival check into the Hotel Anand Palace / Chonoor. (3*** / Hotel with Thanks Paintings). Dinner at the hotel.

Day 03 : (8th April - 09) : Dharamshala : Morning After breakfast visit to Dalai Lama Monastery. The Monastery was built in 1987 and H.H. Dala Lama lives just opposite to that. The Monastery has a There is a Museum next to the Monastery that explains the life that used to be in Tibet and what is there now. Tibetans are fighting in peace to get their country free from China. Our next visit is to the Tibetan Children’s Village. This is a school where nearly 2000 children ( of all ages – 10 months to 18 years) from Tibet live. They are provided education, accommodation, meals, love, families and a chance to have a good future. Most of them are orphans or have lost their parents. Lunch at the hotel or at a restaurant in the Market.After lunch we visit the Narbulinga Institute where Tibetan Handicrafts are made and displayed for sale. A doll Museum also depicts the life style in Tibet. Dinner with drinks at Mcleo Restaurant.

Day 04 : (9th April - 09) :Dharamshala – Jibbi : (215 km - 8 hours drive) : We start at 0830 am. Jibhi is a sleepy village in Seraj Valley where you shall be staying in a Village House converted into a Guest House with neat and clean rooms with attached toilets and bathrooms. The owners has two more mountain huts up side across the rivulet. The route is through the Tea Estates once set up by British. We shall stop to visit the Tea Estates. A visit to a 6 century old Shiva temple shall be worth before we have Lunch at Visco Resort – at the banks or a rivulet in Mandi. We reach Jibbi in the evening. On arrival check into the Dolly Guest House (A Village House converted into a hotel). Dinner with drinks shall be served at the Guest house.

Day 05 : (10th April - 09) : Jibhi : Morning after breakfast we drive for 6 kilometer from where we hike up to Chaini Fort in Chaini Village. The fort is a 1000 years old vertical tower. These type of towers were built to place soldiers hon the top to keep a watch around. Afternoon visit to Jalori Pass (3350 meters) from where we can trek for 5 kilometer to Seolsar Lake. The view from the Pass is astounding on a clear day. The trek to Seolsar is through the thick Himalayn Oak Forest that give you chance of seeing wild life and Himalayan Birds. The beautiful lake is located at the other end of the trek with a small temple erected in a typical Himalayan style of architecture next to it.

Day 06 : (11th April - 09) : Jibhi - Sarhan : (8 hours drive) : Driving through the Seraj Valley along with a rivers, through the villages, crossing the pass and visiting villages and temples we come out at the other end of the valley. On the way visit to Bhaina Devi temple at Village Bhaina. The drive here is through the Himalayan Villages those are the marvel example of Himalayan architecture, Lifestyle & Culture. Lunch enroute and arrive Sarhan in the evening. Check into the hotel and then visit to Bhima Kali Temple. This temple is the biggest structure made of timber in the entire region. It is famous for its woodwork, location and the Goddess Bhimakali. Hotel Srikhand (A Himchal Tourism's 2*** Hotel) or Temple Guest House (In the Temple Complex).

Day 07 : (12th April - 09) : Sarahan to Kalpa : 2680 M (96 KM – 3 – 4 hrs. drive) : You now enter the Kinnaur district and the beautiful valley of Sangla. It is also known as Baspa valley as Baspa river flows through the valley. The valley offers enchanting view Snow clad Kinner Kailash – The Holy Mountain. On arrival check into Hotel Kinner Villa (An Excellent Guest with Valley facing Rooms). Kalpa is the main village of the District - Kalpa. Across the river, facing Kalpa is the majesty of the Kinner Kailash range. This is a spectacular sight early in the morning as the rising sun touches the snowy peaks with crimson and gold light.

Day 08: (13th April - 09) : Kalpa to Shimla : (250 km – 8 hours drive) : Drive to Shimla is through the forests, along with Satluj River, over Narkanda and through the Apple Orchards. Shimla has been the Summer Capital of British during Raj. The whole of Indian sub continent was controlled form here during summer every year from 1864 to 1947. This is the place where the documents of Independence were prepared in the Viceregal Lodge. Arrive Shimla in the evening and check into hotel.

Day 09 : (14th April - 09) : Shimla : Morning after breakfast we drive to the Viceregal Lodge. This astounding building has been the official residence of the Viceroy of India during British Raj. The building keeps many historical dates in its lap such as Shimla Conference, Meetings of Viceroy with Mahatma Gandhi about the independence and of course the evening parties of Viceregal’s life. After this we visit to Annadale Ground that is the only table land in the vicinity of Shimla. The ground was once used by British for Gymkhana, Polo, fairs and many other public functions. Today it is with the Indian Army who used it as a Golf Course, a part of the ground is used to park the Helicopter of the Chief Minister of the State and a Museum dedicated to the History of Indian army is housed in one old bungalow type building t the entrance of the Ground. Lunch shall be served in Hotel Oberoi Clark’s /at the eastern end of Shimla. Clarkes is the base of the Oberoi Group of Hotels’ Empire. OR Hotel Woodrina (This hotel is located in the outskirts of Shimla and surrounded by a Cedar forest with excellet view from your windows).

In the evening we proceed to a Jungle Resort where a group of Folk Dancers wait for us to perform. Before that you are welcomed by a priest from the nearby temple. The priest performs Hawan (a way of worshipping that is always performed on marriages, birth, before entering a new house, before starting a new business and on may other similar occasions). After the Hawan a Gift shall be presented to all the guest as this is the last day in the hills. This is followed by the program of folk dance performed by the locale artists, dinner with campfire and drinks.

Day 10 : (15th April - 09) : Shimla - Delhi : Morning after breakfast transfer to the railway station to board Toy Train to Kandaghat. (Dep : 1030 – Arr. Kandaghat : 1230). From Kandaghat we drive to Chandigarh to board flight to Delhi. (Dep. 1740 – Arr Delhi : 1845). Met on arrival at Palam airport in Delhi and transfer to the Hotel.

Day 11 : (16th April - 09) : Delhi – Agra - Delhi & Departure: Early morning transfer to New Delhi Railway Station to board Shatabadi Express to Agra. (Dep : 0615 Arrival Agra : 0815). Met on arrival and drive to see Taj. Visit Taj mahal. Followed by the Agra Fort. Lunch at Agra and drive to Fatehpur Sikri (35 km) from Agra. This site was established by the Third Mughal Emperor Akbar to be used as his Capital but he had to shift ot Delhi very soon. Evening transfer to Raiway Station to board shatabadi Express to Delhi. (Dep : 0815 PM : Arrival Delhi at 1015 PM). Met on arrival and transfer to the Hotel / International airport to board flight to your next destination.

Please : Let us know the exact departure schedule of your international flight so that we can make arrangements for your stay in Delhi on the last night.