Day 1: Arrive at Amritsar by evening.
Day 2: Explore Amritsar, Golden temple and retreat ceremony
Day 3: Amritsar to Dharamsala, 190 kms, 6 hours’ drive. (Via Kangra), Brijeshwari Temple.
Day 4: Visit Dharamshala (1830 m). Namgyal monastery and Norbulinga
Day 5: Dharamsala to Palampur – 62 km. Via Chamunda Devi Temple, Tea garden, Andretta pottery and craft society
Day 6: Palampur to Mandi, via Baijnath-Rewalsar, 137 km.
Day 7: Mandi to Kullu-Manali (2000 m), 90 kms. Via Bajaura temple.
Day 8: Explore Manali. Ancients temples, Art Gallery and mountain culture
Day 9: Manali to Chandigarh, 310 kms/ 10 hours.
Day 10: Chandigarh to Kurukshetra 100 km/ 3 hours.
Day 11: Kurukshetra to Rishikesh (170 km/ 6 hrs)
Day 12: Rishikesh to Haridwar, 23 kms.
Day 13: Haridwar to Delhi by train, 240 kms. Glimpse on city high lights, Evening departure.
Day 1, Arrive Amritsar, reception at airport, Transfer to the hotel for night stay.
Arrive at Amritsar, the city of Golden temple, reception at airport, Transfer to the hotel for night stay.
Day 2, Visit the city,
In morning join the point from where heritage guided tour that takes you through the history, culture and heritage of the city, starts. One can experience the different aspects of old city, its neighborhood and explore the least known parts of this 400-year-old city. Day to visit Amritsar, translates as “pool of nectar” is surrounding the Sikh Golden Temple. A causeway connects to the temple in the middle of the pool. A Sikh high priest reads the holy book, sitting on the east side of the temple, attracts pilgrims from all over the world. Amritsar translates as “pool of nectar” is surrounding the Sikh Golden Temple. A causeway connects to the temple in the middle of the pool. A Sikh high priest reads the holy book, sitting on the east side of the temple, and attracts pilgrims from all over the world.Visit one of the biggest community kitchens in the world. Most fascinating action of work here is done by volunteers who help to peel, chop, cook, wash dishes and serve free meals to thousands of devotees. In afternoon visit Bagha border to attend the retreat ceremony (or Parade) that takes place on grand trunk road between India (Amritsar) and Lahore (Pakistan) is an incredible experience at sun set. By evening, you can attend the closing ceremony of sacred book, and enjoy the serenity of golden temple.
Day 3, Amritsar to Dharamsala, Mcleodganj, (1830m) 190 kms, 6h.
Leave for Dharamsala, En route visit thousand-year old Brijeshwari Temple dominating old Kangra town, built in Shikara style and dedicated to the goddess Brijeshwari. The 10-minute walk leading to the temple premises is through decorated alley with colorful shops selling articles that devotees need for religious rituals to pay homage to the goddess. At afternoon, check-in at the hotel and later in the evening, stroll with Indo-Tibetan crowd on the street of Mcleodganj. A former colonial retreat rose to prominence after the large-scale exodus of Tibetans from their homeland in 1959. It is the residence (Ocean of Tranquility) of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. In the backdrop are the majestic Dhauladhar Mountains. The Tibetan Government in exile has been based here for over decades, with traditional architectural designs drawn from Tibet, Night in hotel.
Day 4, Visit Dharamsala (1830 m)
Morning visit to the impressive Namgyal monastery is surrounded by a row of prayer wheels that houses larger-than-life images of Buddha: Padmasambhava and Avalokteshwara. Tsuglagkhang complex is the most important Buddhist monument of McLeodganj and has an interesting collection of sacred texts based on the teaching of Buddha, the center of medicine and astrology. Visit the Norbulingka Institute and its museum. This Tibetan Arts Museum seeks to promote the study and representation of the Tibetan performing arts to ensure their preservation. We may have the opportunity to meet the monks, (some time close for the renovation and for the Tibetan festive events) the Tibetan handicraft center can also be visited. Night in hotel.
Day 5, Dharamsala to Palampur – 50 kms.
Leave to Palampur, En route visit Chamunda devi temple dedicated to goddess Durga. Palampur is situated in the foothills of Dhauladhar range. It has a mild climate hence tea is produced here. Visit tea gardens and art Gallery of veteran painter Shoba Singh at Andretta. This Village is immensely famous for its Norah’s center for Arts, Andretta Pottery and Craft Society (Open weekly from 10h 30m to 17h.) Night in hotel.
Day 6, Palampur to Mandi, via Baijnath-Rewalsar, 137 km
Leave to Mandi, Enroute visit Shiva temple at Baijnath dedicated to Vaidhyanath. The temples are built in the Shikara style and are remarkable for their proportion and architectural beauty. Drive further to Rewalsar (Pool of Ancient Wisdom), which is like a Dark jewel on a wooded hillside. This sacred lake is identified as the “Sahar of Yore”. Legend identifies this place as the one from where Padmasambhava left for Tibet to spread the words of the Buddha in the 8th century. Mandi is an important town of Himachal Pradesh and gateway to Kullu Valley. It is known for its aesthetically carved Shikara style temples of Bhootnath, Triloknath and Panchvakra. Stroll in Old Street which lead to the series of above said temple. Night in hotel.
Day 7, Mandi to Kullu-Manali (2000 m), 90 kms.
Today, we leave for Manali. En route visit Shiva temple at Bajaura before Kullu town. Kullu–Manali is situated in the inner range of the Himalayas and is famous for apple orchards, pine trees and cheerful people. The valley has hundreds of temples and deities. The Aryans named this valley as Kulantpitha, meaning “the end of the habitable world”. Once reached, visit temple of Manu at old Manali village, evening free to stroll in new Manali, night in hotel.
Day 8, Exploration around Manali
Leave to visit pagoda shape wooden temple of Goddess Hadimba that is famous for its association with Mahabharata, located in middle of giant cedar forest. Further to Nagar castle which is a mountain architecture example of the valley. Over view on another wooden temple of Pagoda shape dedicated to Goddess Tripura sundry, the well-known art Gallery of Russian painter Nicolas Roerich, Evening back to Manali. Night in the hotel.
Day 9, Manali to Chandigarh, 310 kms. 9h
Drive through several villages of Himachal, Afternoon reach Chandigarh: a city designed by the famous Swiss architect Le Corbusier. Visit the Rock Garden which is an epitome of creativity & innovation. It is a unique garden that consists of various art objects. But the best part about the rock garden is that each of its artwork has been made by using industrial & urban waste & is one of the most visited sites. If time allows take overview on the Capitol Complex declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, this complex contains the administrative buildings & the open hand monument “Emblem of Chandigarh”. (Closed on Sunday & Govt. holidays). Evening dinner & stroll in the city center, Night in a Hotel.
Day 10, Chandigarh to Kurukshetra – (100 km/ 2-3 hrs)
Land where epic of Mahabharata gave the birth. Visit Jyotisar, the birthplace of Bhagavad Gita, this is the place where Lord Krishna gave the lesson of karma to Arjuna. Visit Kurukshetra: Sannihit Sarovar, Sheikh Chilli Tomb, Kalpna Chawla Planetarium & Srikrishan Museum, where texts of great battle are depicted in a large diorama. Rest of the time is free to relax. Night in hotel.
Day 11, Kurukshetra – Rishikesh, (170 kms/ 5 hrs).
Departure to Rishikesh-the sanctuary of saints and Sadhus. Situated on the banks of the river Ganges, known from medieval times as a great pilgrimage center, attracting large numbers of pilgrims, saints and sages (sadhus). It is known for its center for yoga and meditation. We will visit ashrams and temples, will witness the evening ritual ceremony at bank of holy Gange, when hundreds of people float little flower bowls with oil lamps on the river. Back to hotel for night stay.
Day 12, Rishikesh to Haridwar, 23 kms.
Start your journey for Haridwar. Check-in to the hotel. Visit Mansa Devi temple dedicated to Shakti, the goddess of power. Leave to Kankhal to visit historical Daksha Mahadev temple, named after King Daksha Prajapati connected with Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati. Visit Ghats where hundreds of pilgrims take bath in sacred Ganga. By evening, join the grand Arti which is one of the most fascinating religious rituals in the world, night in a hotel. Haridwar literally means gateway to God. It has been a sacred place from time immemorial and is one of the most important pilgrimage places on the Ganges. Based on Hindu mythology, millions of Hindus take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges to seek emancipation.
Day 13, Haridwar to Delhi by train, 240 kms.
Evening departure In morning get transferred to Railway station, around 6 hours of train journey to Delhi, at afternoon reach Delhi. Visit splendid Humayun Tomb, built in 1572 AD in the memory of Emperor Humayun by his Persian wife and chief consort Bega Begum and in 1993 declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Later, get overview of India gate and President House. After dinner get transferred to airport to take flight to yours onward destination. No hotels in Delhi.
Cost for less than 4 persons
Formed group : If you are a group of more than 8 persons, please contact us to get the special deal.
Proposed date: If the proposed dates don’t suite to those individuals, families, friends, club or corporates groups, we can tailor their trip for the date that match to their holidays schedule for the suitable period when your trip can be conducted.
All ground transport by Car Toyota Innova or minibus for group Airport/ transfer
Two or three tier train from Haridwar-Delhi Or by road if train not available
Twin sharing room on 3* or country side hotel with Breakfast only
English speaking local guide for the entire tour
GST 5%
Any air fare
Monument entry fees
Meals (Lunch- Dinner)
Insurance, Beverages and personal expenses
Medical expenses and repatriation
Tipping
Refund to unused services
Any extra if occur due to unforeseen circumstances
Duration: 13 Days
Region: Punjab- Himachal & Uttrakhand
Activity: Culture Tour
Season: Round the Year
Amritsar: The Centre of Sikh religion
Dharamshala: Ancient Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries and Tibetan Government in exile
Palampur: Lush tea garden on foot of Dhauladhar.
Rewalsar: Sacred lake and Buddhist monasteries.
Kullu-Manali: Stunning beauty of nature and mountain culture
Chandigarh: A modern well-planned city and rock garden.
Historical city Kurukshetra where battle of Mahabharata took place.
Rishikesh & Haridwar: Highly revered pilgrimage sites for Hindu on bank of sacred Ganga.
New Delhi: Glimpse on the capital of India.