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Himachal Pradesh, cradled in the soul capturing Himalayas resonating with spirituality has long been favored destination for tourists and pilgrims – enchanting hills, deep and green valleys, popular pilgrim centres, unexplored regions bathed in pristine beauty, culturally unique and rich tribal areas, gurgling streams and alpine flora all beckon the traveler.
Himachal Pradesh has something for everyone in all seasons – from the casual visitor to the devout culture seeker. The culture is as diverse as its landscape. More than two thousand local Gods and Goddesses are worshipped in the state and almost every village has own deity. From laid back holiday – makers to those who want to rough it out. Adventure seekers can choose from trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing, white water rafting, paragliding, angling and skiing, including heli-skiing.
Himachal Pradesh's traditional and cultural festivities, the rare heritage, flora, orchards and wildlife makes it a travelers paradise and enchanting in all seasons – it waits to be experienced, explored, enjoyed and cherished.
Your sojourn in Himachal Pradesh begins with a visit to village of Pragpur in Kangra's sylvan tracts that has an endearing beauty. Narrow cobbled lanes flow past old houses, and flowering bougainvilleas drape their colors over pipul and banyan trees. To the north, the snow clad Dhauladhar ranges frame this picture of pastoral beauty.
Experience the local flavor of India's first Heritage Village. Walk down streets dressed with cobblestone that retain the medieval essence. Sun – baked houses stand in close harmony to the wooden facades of the colonial style buildings. The architectural wonders emit a strong aesthetic statement with undertones either historical, cultural, religious, architectural, archeological or antiquarian significance. The village has retained its traditional character and charm.
An excursion takes you to Dharamsala, the Tibetan capital-in-exile with a large community of lay people and monks. Dharamsala is also the home of Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of the Tibetan Buddhists, who is now headquartered at McLeodganj. Also known as the 'Little Lahsa', McLeodganj is an enchanting world in itself where the spinning prayer wheels and fluttering prayer flags spread the message of peace and universal harmony.
Finally you get to Shimla, spread across 12 kms along a ridge that overlooks terraced hillsides and cultivations, it is magnificently robed in dense forests of oak and pine, fur and rhododendron. This was the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj.
| Duration | 07 Nights / 08 Days |
| Best Time | Throughout the year (except Jul & Aug) |
| Grade | Gentle |
| Code No | HIM 020 |
To set the mood for this Himachal adventure you first drive for Nalagarh which was the capital of the Hindu Kingdom founded by Raja Ajai Chand in 1100 A. D.
Thereafter, you visit Paragpur to experience the local flavor of India's first Heritage Village and proceed to Dharamsala the Tibetan capital-in-exile with a large community of lay people and monks.
Dharamsala is also the home of Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of the Tibetan Buddhists, who is now headquartered at McLeodganj. Also known as the 'Little Lhasa', McLeodganj is an enchanting world in itself where the spinning prayer wheels and fluttering prayer flags spread the message of peace and universal harmony.
Driving through Palampur and Kullu you arrive at Nagar from where you commence a three-day trek that culminates at Manali.
Manali literally means the 'Home of Manu'. Manu is the mythological character that is supposed to have survived when the world was drowned in Flood. The landscape here is breathtaking. One sees well-defined snow-capped peaks, the Beas River with its clear waters meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. Your stay in Himachal finally culminates in Shimla, the queen of hill stations and once the summer capital of the British Raj. Shimla was originally a small hill village named after the goddess Shamla Devi, a manifestation of Kali.
| Duration | 21 Nights / 22 Days |
| Best Time | Throughout the year (except July & August) |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Code No | HIM 021 |
Legend has it that Kinnaur with all its beauty and splendor fell from the clouds to take its place in the Himalayas. The strikingly beautiful district Kinnaur is bounded to the north by the Zanskar range and to the south, the Greater Himalaya. Close to the border with Tibet, two large rivers, the Sutlej and the Spiti have carved deep gorges through the high ranges. The slopes are covered with thick woods, while the basins hold orchards, fields and picturesque hamlets. Kinnaur is sparsely populated and has a popular density of a mere ten person per square km.
The parikrama of Mount Kinner Kailash (6,050 m) commences from Thangi. This parikrama holds religious significance for the huge "Shiva Lingam," the representation of the Lord Shiva that the mountain has come to signify. A seventy nine foot high rock formation in Kinnaur Kailash is revered as Shivlinga and when covered with snow, it appears to change colours as the day passes from morning to evening. Therefore, the circuit around the whole range attracts many pilgrims every year.
| Duration | 15 Nights / 16 Days |
| Best Time | Mid June – October |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Code No | HIM 022 |
Lahaul and Spiti are two different Administrative units. The first proper historic mention of Lahaul is made by the 7th century Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang. He referred to Lahaul as Lo-hu-lo (Tibetan Lho-yul) meaning the south country. Spiti is locally known as 'Piti', which means middle country in the Tibetan language. It gets its name from Spiti – a tributary of Sutlej.
Settling out from Shimla you drive to Sarahan, en route you visit Buddha Temple at Rampur. Sarahan was the ancient capital of the mighty Bushahr. Here you visit the Bhimakali Temple built in Indo-Tibetan architectural style. Continuing your journey you drive to Sangla (Kinnaur) through the Baspa Valley and behold breathtaking views of gorges of the Greater Himalayas.
On this journey you get to visit Tabo, the largest monastic complex in Spiti where you visit the Chos Khor Monastery, a World Heritage Site. You also visit Kye Monastery and a small gompa at Kibber, which has the distinction of being the highest permanently inhabited village here. The experience will be unforgettable as you drive through countryside with high bare hills, steep ridges, deep ravines and cliffs of naked rocks patched by refreshing greenery around villages on the banks of running streams.
| Duration | 15 Nights / 16 Days |
| Best Time | August - September |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Code No | HIM 023 |
On this holiday to rejuvenate your sense and spirit at Himalayan Spas, you will have a delightful journey in a Toy Train to Shimla – the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj. . The train passes through 104 tunnels and zigzags its way up the beautiful mountain scenery.
At Shimla, nestling in the Himalayas, the Spa is a fairytale luxury resort set in acres of pine and cedar woods, offering breathtaking views and elegant interiors. Enjoy the serenity of private Spa Suites surrounded by soothing views of forests and majestic peaks as you are revitalized with therapies drawn from ancient mountain tradition. Or unwind in the indoor swimming pool or spectacular outdoor Jacuzzi while you take in the spectacle of the snowcapped Himalayas. You may like to indulge yourself at the Spa which offers holistic treatments based on Ayurvedic, Asian and Western therapies to relax rejuvenate and inspire.
From Shimla you drive to the region that gave birth to Ayurveda, a scientific process of identifying and correcting the imbalance in the main bio energies (3 Doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha) of the body to achieve health and harmony. For centuries most of the herbs used in Ayurvedic therapies have been sourced from this region since time immemorial the river Ganges has been slowly breaking into the great Indian plain at Rishikesh. The personalized therapy and activities programs integrate the elements, the senses, the rhythms, nourishment, aesthetics, time and space to meet individual needs. Whether your health goal is stress management, deep relaxation, anti-aging, beauty, detoxification or cleansing, the Himalayan Spa helps you rediscover tranquility and attain the luxury of true wellness in the mystical embrace of the Himalayan Mountains. It brings alive a spiritual vision, the uplifting wisdom of the ages and the pure bliss. Thereafter, you return back to Delhi for your onward journey.
| Duration | 07 Nights / 08 Days |
| Best Time | Through Out the Year |
| Grade | Gentle |
| Code No | HIM 024 |
Aarti puja being performed on the banks of River Ganges as also visit the Ashrams. Thereafter you take a drive to the picturesque hill station of Mussoorie, which has a commanding view of the extensive Himalayan snow ranges to the North West and glittering views of the Doon Valley.
From the state of Uttarakhand you cross over to the state of Himachal Pradesh for a halt at Shimla – the State Capitol, as well as it was the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj. Shimla is magnificently robed in dense forests of oak and pine, fur and rhododendron. In Himachal you also visit ancient Baijnath Temple built in 1804 AD which is dedicated to Lord Shivaand and proceed to Dharamsala – the Tibetan capital-in-exile with a large community of lay people and monks. Dharamsala is the home of Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of the Tibetan Buddhists, who is now headquartered at McLeodganj. Also known as the 'Little Lhasa', McLeodganj is an enchanting world in itself where the spinning prayer wheels and fluttering prayer flags spread the message of peace and universal harmony. Before leaving Himachal you drive to Paragpur – India's first Heritage Village – en-route you would be stopping to visit Kangra Fort. At Paragpur you experience the local flavour of India's first Heritage Village. Walk down streets dressed with cobblestone that retain the medieval essence. Sun – baked houses stand in close harmony to the wooden facades of the colonial style buildings. The village has retained its traditional character and charm.
Finally you drive to Amritsar, the original name of first the ancient lake, where you visit the Golden Temple and witness the 'Beating of the Retreat' ceremony takes place at the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan.
| Duration | 14 Nights / 15 Days |
| Best Time | Throughout the year (except July – August) |
| Gentle | Moderate |
| Code No | LDK 025 |