North India (*)

This journey begins with the state of Punjab in Amritsar, the center of Sikh's religion famous for its golden temple, visited every day by thousands of pilgrims. Further to Himachal Pradesh, also called " the country of snows " or the Gods are omnipresent with more of 100 temples drawn up to their effigy on summits, lakes, passes and in villages.

It is a country of myth and legend, marked by the religions, Hinduism practiced by the majority of the population; Sikh who worship this place, where lived their Guru, Govind Singh, and the Buddhists for whom Dharamsala became an important center since the dalaïlama found refuge further to the invasion of the Tibet by China there.

The winter is a magic season there and became the ideal ground to practice the racket with snow, enjoy the tranquility and the pleasures of the itinerant hike, rackets in feet, in the middle of the high mountains higher around 6000m. It is also the occasion to plunge into the mode of traditional life of the Indians of the valley of Kullu and to discover their cooking.

To discover Himachal is an unforgettable experience, by the permanent contact with the nature and its colorful culture (notably the folk costumes of its inhabitants). Many festivals take place in the state "the valley of the Gods", Main festivals are Shivaratri at Mandi and Lossar at Dharamsala.

Indicative route (in case of lack of snow, the route will rise higher in height to find the snow or well just trek).

DAY 1: Arrival in Delhi,
Reception in the airport, transfer to the hotel, O/N in hotel.

DAY 2: Delhi to Amritsar,
By train, check in hotel, visit the city, O/N in hotel.

Visit Amritsar translates as « Pool of nectar » the name of the sacred pool by which the Sikh Golden temple is built.

Golden Temple, The temple itself is surrounded by the lake which gave the town its name , causeway connects the temple in the middle of the pool. The high priest of sikh who reads the holy book sits on the east side of the temple. Pilgrims from all over the world come here to visit the temple.

Bagha Border (Indo-Pak Border 30 KM drive to watch retreat ceremony - on the road to Lahore is an interesting experience especially at Sunset.

DAY 3: Amritsar to Dharamsala, 190 km., 6 hours.
Leave city of nectar , lunch stop on the way, afternoon check in hotel evening stroll in the crowd of Indo –Tibetan mixed culture in the street of Mecleodganj. night in hotel.

DAY 4: Visit Dharamsala, (1830m.) Lossar festival in Feb-March.
A former colonial retreat, Mcleodganj rose to prominance after the large scale exodus of Tibetan from their homeland in 1959 . It is a residence of (OCEAN OF TRANQUILITY) His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the backdrop of the majestic Dhauladhar mountains. The Tibetan government in exile has been based here for over three and half decades.

With traditional architecture designs drawn from Tibet the impressive
Namgyal monastery is surrounded by row of prayer wheels and houses large life images of the Budha, Padmasambhava and Avalokteshwara. If time permit Tibetan handicraft centre can be visited.

DAY 5: Dharam Sala to Palampur, (via Kangra) Brijeshwari temple, Kangra fort and Musroor rock temple.
Kangra is an old town where you will visit following temples and fort in ruin. Brijeshwari was very rich but has been looted by invader, as in 1009 Mohamed Gajani, In 1360 Tuglaq, and rest in 1905 earth quake destroyed it again.

The fort is situated on a precipitous cliff over hanging the Ban Ganga and Manjhi rivers. The ruins still dominate the Kangra valley. Masroor owns 15 temples carved in the rock in Indo-Aryan style, and linked with famous Ellora temple in Maharashtra.

Palampur avenue by the pine - cedar, situated on the foot hill of Dhauladhar, with mild climate, tea gardens with irrigation cannels , Main street of Palampur which is always crowded with a variety of people including Gaddi (Shepherds) and gaily attired Gaddies women. Evening visit Tea garden, night in hotel.

DAY 6: Palampur to Mandi via Baijnath - Rewalsar, 137 km. O/N hotel.
Visit Shiva temple in Baijnath, continue to Rewalsar.

Baijnath, 16 kms from Palampur. It is a famous for its temples which bear inscription fated A.D. 804, dedicated to Vaidhyanath. The temples are built in the Shikhera style and are remarkable for their proportion and architectural beauty.

Rewalsar (POOL OF ANCIENT WISDOM) is like a Dark jewel on a wooded hillside, the sacred lake is identified as the sahar of yore. Legend is that, this is a place from where Padma sambhava left for Tibet to spread the word of the Budha in the 8th century A.D.

Mandi is an important town of Himachal Pradesh, and the gateway of Kullu valley. It is know for its aesthetically carved shikhara style temples of Bhootnath, Triloknath, Panchvakra and Shyamakali at Tarna hill.O/N hotel.

DAY 7: Mandi to Manali , (2000 m.) 135 km via Cheni Kothi) Festival of Shivaratri End of Feb-Beginning march.
On the way we will take bifurcation of 30 kms and an hour walk to visit an Ancient nine story castle was built by queen Chehni, Thus the name Chehni derived from the queen. On the top floor main place of the Saint Shringa is remain through his mask, Leave the Chehni Kothi to Manali.

Kullu Situated in the inner range of Himalaya, valley is famous for apple orchards, pine trees and its cheerful peoples, It is a valley of hundred of temples and deities, so it is called the valley of God. The Aryans gave the name to this valley is Kulantpitha, means "the end of the habitable world".

DAY 8: Explore Manali
Hadimba Devi temple the famme of Mahabharta, Jagatsukh: the temple of Gaytri, Devi, also was the capital of Kullu in olden time, Nagar the castle and the temple of Goddess Tripurasundry, Shiva temple, Roriech art gallery (the Russian painter.), Evening back to Manali night in hotel.


DAY 9: Manali-Gaushal: Racket or trek 1
First day of racket(snowshoe). From old man Manali, we wander on the hillside the West of the valley of Kullu, through the forest of pines and cedars. We cross the snowy pastures where each devotes to leave the track before passing near a waterfall(stunt). We arrive after noon at the village of Goshal. Visit of the ancient temple.

A family welcomes us in its traditional house and will merge in the lifestyle and in the rhythm of its winter activities (weaving, draft(milking) of the animals) at Night at the inhabitant house, around the fire place, in a detail common room to all the group. (5 hours of racket(snowshoe), altitude difference 500m).

DAY 10: Gaushal-Burua: Racket or trek 2
From Gaushal, we continue through pastures and fields, one can have excellent view on Rohtang pass, from where Beas river originate and flows through the valley, Further to Shanag village, Visit of the village. A road in zigzag train leads to Majhach located high on the slope, Now descend to Burua where a another family will welcomes us. At night at the inhabitant house, in the same conditions as in the day before Easy day, 4 to 5 hours of racket.

DAY 11: Burua-Solang: Racket or trek 3
Graduel trail leads uphill to the slope and descend down to the main and further to Solang ski resort of Manali, at 2500m. At night in guest house at Solang Lang, altitude difference 600m, 5 hours of racket.

Day 12: Solang-Solang: Racket or trek 4
From Solang, we will leave to Dhundi, the foot of the huge wall seperates the Kullu and Lahoul valleys, we will stop at the feet of Hanuman Tibba (5930m, place where from the mountaineers leads their expeditions towards the Beas kund or to climb the Hanumantibba. later Visit of Solang village, Return in the guest house.

DAY 13: Solang-Kothi–manali: Racket or trek5
Last day of racket(snowshoe). The objective today is to join Kothi, A small scattered village, situated in another side of valley. This village dominates the valley and offers an attractive panorama on the snowy peaks and the valley of Kullu. Then Transfer to Manali, night in old Manali

DAY 14: Manali-Delhi, 560 km 16 heures
Free day; late afternoon, take a confortable AC night bus to Delhi.

DAY 15: Departure
Arrival in Delhi in the morning; after taking some rest, half-day sight seeing in Delhi. In evening, transfer to the international airport for your flight.

Cost per person: Departure from 2 person onward