Drive to Dharamshala, the land of Dalai Lama and the gateway to the Kangra valley. Dharamshala has some delightful treks. The home to the exiled Tibetan government and their spiritual and political leader Dalai Lama, it is a desirable hill resort of Himachal Pradesh state in India. Besides the panoramic views of Dhauladhar hills'range above and the Kangra valley below, it is a famed education and religious center of Tibetan Buddhism. With number of monasteries and nunneries in the McLeod Ganj region, it offers deep insight into the Tibetan art, craft and culture. You can venture rock climbing here, if desired. Sightseeing tour of the city and optional excursion to Dal Lake.
Day 04: Kangra Valley
Sightseeing tour of Dharamshala and Kangra Valley. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 05: Shimla
Drive to Shimla, the summer capital of India, during the British times. We transfer to the hotel of your choice for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 06: Shimla
Sightseeing and nature walk tour of the city including the Mall, Christ Church, Narkanda and Kufri.
Shimla - The mountain resort named after the goddess Shyamala Devi was once the summer capital of British India. It is situated at an altitude of 2159 metres above sea level. Shimla city has a picture perfect beautiful surroundings; it is also a place for adventure sports such as angling for trout trekking and rock climbing and recreational activities such as camping and golfing. There are beautiful churches in Shimla such as Christ Church and St. Michael's Cathedral. Besides, there are Jakhoo Temple close to the highest point of the Shimla ridge and the Mall for shopping. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 07: Rishikesh Drive to Rishikesh from Shimla.
Upon arrival we get transferred to the hotel of your choice dinner and for overnight stay. Next day morning we visit to the famous Lakshman Jhula (swinging bridge built over the holy river Ganga and after the younger brtother of Lord Shri Ram). The rest of the day is free for you to explore the holy city of Rishikesh on your own.
Rishikesh - Located at a distance of 24 kms from Haridwar, Rishikesh makes a wonderful entry point to the four major Hindu pilgrimage centres - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. It is also known as 'Yoga Capital of the World' and has a number of yoga and meditation centers to boast of. It has also been increasingly attracting the attention of adventure tourists from all over the world because of the exciting opportunities of trekking and white water river rafting. We will visit various Ashrams, temples and yoga and meditation centers during the day and you can even talk to the holy saints who could enlighten you about the subtle points of Hindu philosophy. In the evening, witness the beautiful and mesmerizing evening Aarti at Triveni Ghat (bank) of the holy river Ganga.
Day 08: Haridwar
Excursion to Haridwar. Watch 7 PM 'Aarti' of river Ganga. Sightseeing tour of the city.
Haridwar is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site at the foothills of Himalayas and is one of the venues of the world famous Kumbh Mela, which is held here once in every twelve years besides the Ardh Kumbh Mela, held every
six years. Besides the innumerable temples of Haridwar, there are five main bathing spots here that are considered sacred and are prime locations for those who visit here for religious purposes. They are Gangadwaar, Kankhal, Nila Parvat, Bilwa Theerth and Kusavart. Hari-ki-Pairi, now distorted to Har-ki-Pauri. The last one is however the main ghat (river bank) at Haridwar, which is believed to have a footprint of Lord Hari Vishnu himself on a stone in a wall. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Rishikesh.
Day 09: Delhi
Today we drive back to Delhi and get transferred to the Delhi international airport for your flight to onward destination back home.
