Discover North Indian Himalaya Tour - 19 Days will begin in the historical city Delhi, then you will travel to Chandigarh before entering the foothill of the Himalaya. Explore Shimla & Manali and continue your journey to Leh via the most beautiful highways in the country. Indus Valley to the alpine Kullu Valley, it also cuts across three mountain ranges of Zanskar, the main Himalayas and Pir Panjal Range. Altogether one exceeds 29000 feet in altitude crossing passes like the Khardung La, Tanglang La and Baralacha La (4890m).
Day 01: Arrival Delhi
On arrival at Delhi airport meet with our office executive assistant and transfer to the hotel (hotels check-in time 1200hr afternoon, early check-in subject to rooms availability). Rest time is free for personal activities to relax. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02; Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel, take a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi: the majestic Red Fort, a marvel in red sandstone, cycle rickshaw ride through the lively and colourful market of Chandani Chowk, Jama Masjid, the largest and most splendid mosque in India, Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where he was cremated. The sightseeing continues to explore New Delhi including President House, India gate; built to honour and pay a tribute to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed themselves during the Afghan war, Birla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan Temple), Humayun’s Tomb, lotus-shaped Bhai’s Temple, Qutub Minar; built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03; Delhi – Chandigarh (245kms/ 5hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Chandigarh and check-in at hotel. Chandigarh is the best-planned city in India, with world-renowned architecture, and a quality of life, which is unparalleled. The face of modern India, Chandigarh, is the manifestation of a dream that Le Corbusier executed. Chandigarh is a rare epitome of modernization co-existing with nature's preservation. It is here that the trees and plants are as much a part of the construction plans as the buildings and the roads. After relaxation visit: Leisure valley, a garland of gardens that beautifies the entire city. Rock Garden, is the epitome of creativity and 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 using industrial amp; urban waste. Sukhna Lake is a beautiful manmade lake that lies in the foothills of the Shivalik range. Rose Garden, Asia's largest Rose Garden is spread over 30 acres of land having over 1600 different species of roses. These have been planted on beautifully carved out lawns and flower beds. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04; Chandigarh – Shimla (115kms/ 3hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Shimla check-in at hotel. Shimla in the days before independence was the most important British hill station, and in the summer season became the summer capital. The British in 1819AD first discovered Shimla, but it was not until 1822AD that the first permanent house was erected and later Shimla became the summer capital. The name Shimla is derived from the Himalayan Goddess Shamla a synonym of Kali. After refreshment, visit the famous Mall Road that still has some buildings built in the British Style. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05; Shimla (Excursion to Kufri and Naldhera)
Breakfast at hotel, depart for the winter sports capital Kufri. An enjoyable drive through forests and small villages lead to this small but popular station. The Nature Park here is a great attraction. A short trek leads to the Mahasu Peak with breathtaking views. Here you can photograph yourself in Pahari or Himachal outfit, available on hire. You can also enjoy horse riding or Yak riding (At your own expense). Afternoon proceeds to Naldhera a myriad hamlet, which is famous for its Golf Course & scenic beauty. Naldhera is everything that Shimla is not - serene, green and ever so fascinating. On a clear day, you can view the Kailash Ranges. Return to Shimla and evening at leisure to visit the famous Mall Road that still has some buildings built in the British Style. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06; Shimla – Kullu – Manali (280kms/ 8hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Manali. Manali is the Northern end of the Kullu Valley and is the main resort in the area. It is beautifully situated and there are many pleasant walks around the town. Surrounded by towering peaks at arm's length, Manali’s major asset is its proximity to the snowline, never more than a few hours’ drive from the town nestling at comfortable 2050meters. It is the centre of the flourishing orchard industry a popular honeymoon destination and a trailhead for numerous treks. On the way, you glance at the scenic spots like Pandoh Dam, Mandi, Beas River, and Dashehra Maidan. Optionally en route, you can visit Kullu to visit the Shawl factories to purchase warm cloth material. Kullu shawl is a handloom product. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest time is free and easy to relax. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07; Manali
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Manali, visiting Hadimba Temple, dedicated to the goddess, Manu Temple of Manu Rishi (Holy man) who was the creator of the human race on the earth, Clubhouse, a picnic spot, Tibetan monasteries, 3 colourful monasteries, on the bank of Beas river you can buy Tibetan handicraft over here, Vashist Kund, it is a small village located on the left bank of river Beas renowned for its hot springs and temples. Nearby is the pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashist Muni. There is another Temple of Lord Ram here, if time permits you can visit the Mountaineering Institute. In the evening visit the famous mall road to enjoy the atmosphere of the hill station. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08; Manali – Rohtang Pass – Jispa (150kms/ 5hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Jispa, en route visit Rohtang Pass on the highway to Keylong/Leh. Rohtang Pass - situated at an altitude of 3979 metres above sea level and 51 km outside Manali is the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti valley. Open for just about four months a year, it affords a wide panoramic view of the mountains. Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at their height and splendour. At the top of the pass, the air seems to glitter against the snow as you look down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul valley. There is the beautiful Dashohar Lake left of the pass. En-route Stop over to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Kothi, Rahalla Falls to enjoy the sight of fascinating waterfalls, and Marrhi. Continue to drive to Rohtang. There are beautiful sights of glaciers, and peaks and the Chandra River flows down into the Lahaul valley. Slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Geypan’s Enjoy skiing and trekking and snow-capped mountains. Later proceed to Jispa, on arrival check-in at the hotel. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 09; Jispa
Breakfast at the hotel, visit Spiti Valley. Hike to the village. Jispa lies 10890 ft on the banks of Bhaga River. Bhaga is one of the tributaries of the world's fastest river Chenab. Jispa has located 90 km from Rohtang Pass and just off Manali - Leh National highway 21. Jispa is characterised by breathtaking sights of Himalaya and Mountain Goat passing by. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10; Jispa – Sarchu (80kms/ 3hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Sarchu. En route is situated at the junction of Yotche nullah and the Zangskar chhu which takes off from the Shinkun la. Both these nullahs meet with the main river Bhaga at this place. The valley broadens out from Darcha. The altitude of Darcha is about 3500 m. which makes it an ideal base camp for acclimatisation. Darcha is the jumping-off point for treks to Padum over the Shinkun la or Baralacha la and Phirtse la and treks or mountaineering expeditions to Leh and peaks of the Chandra Bhaga series. However, no tourist bungalow or rest house facilities are available on either side of the nullahs. Darcha is the last village where one can see the sparse growth of trees. Beyond Darcha not even a single tree can be seen on either side of the highway. The landscape starts looking desolate and barren. Sarchu is the last inhabited point in Himachal Pradesh on the Manali-Leh route- which is regarded as one of the highest highways in the world. On arrival, check-in at camp. Dinner & overnight in camp.
Day 11; Sarchu – Leh (245kms/ 8hrs approx)
Breakfast at camp, drive to Leh through Nakeela and Lachlangla Pass 16,617 ft. Reach Pang by an afternoon lunch break at Pang. More Plains (Biggest and Highest Plateau on Earth on Stretch of 42 Kms), Taglang La Pass (2nd Highest Motorable Road in the World at A Height of 17,585ft). Reach Upshi, from here the road follows the Indus River, passing villages with their terraced Fields and neat- Whitewashed houses. On a way, one notices the ruins have an ancient Fort or palace or a distant glimpse of a gompa on a hill. And at last, reaching Leh. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Leh: (3505 m) is the capital of Ladakh. For centuries, it was an important stopover for the caravan merchants going to Central Asia. Today, the town is a bustling centre for tourists and the local populace. Towering above the town is the 17th-century palace of King Senge Namgyal, Ladakh's most important ruler. His kingdom extended beyond the modern boundaries of Ladakh, and additionally, he was the descendant of the 7th-century warrior king of Tibet-Songtsen Gambo. Atop the Namgyal Hill, lie the ruins of an earlier palace, the Namgyal Tsemo, built by the 16th-century king Tashi Namgyal. On the other side of the town, up a winding road, lies the Ladakh Shanti Stupa. This is a modern structure, built-in 1985 by a Japanese Buddhist order. Leh is surrounded by picturesque locales, easily accessible and adding to the whole experience of a holiday in Ladakh.
Day 12; Leh
Breakfast at the hotel, drive to visit Hemis Monastery situated 45km west of Leh; Hemis Gompa was founded in the 1630s by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyal. Hemis is one of the largest and richest Gompa of Ladakh. From Hemis, you are driven back taking the same route to visit Thiksey Monastery, located on a hill-lock with formidable views of the Indus valley. It was founded by Old Led in the 11th century AD. In those days the Gompa belonged to the Kadampa School but the Gelukpa order was introduced during the region of King Dragspa Bum idle. This is especially noteworthy for its gigantic seated statue of the Maitreya and is also known for its (Dukhang) assembly hall which houses hundreds of rectangular prayer books, stacked between wooden covers and bound in silk. Continue to drive through a series of chortens to visit Shey Palace, the former summer palace of the King of Ladakh and Sindhu Darshan. Thereafter sightseeing and photoshoot for ‘Leh Palace’ afterwards visit the Shanti stupa to catch the entire view of Leh city with the Indus River, spend some time catching the sunset and further on to Leh. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13; Leh – Alchi – Lamayuru – Leh (125kms/ 5hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Alchi via Sham valley, visit Alchi monastery, the only Gompa in Ladakh region on flat ground. Thereafter proceed to the Likir Monastery to visit the splendid three storeys of Dharma Wheel Gompa. Here you'll be awestruck by the sight of the massive Buddha statues. Also, visit the famous Lamayuru monastery, then drive along the Indus river visiting, the Indus and Zanskar river Sangam, visit Pathar Sahib Gurdwara and Magnetic Hill (where the cars defy gravity), Basgo Palace and further on to Leh Hall of Fame (which has a museum of the Kargil War memorabilia). Later drive back to Leh. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14; Leh – Khardung La Pass – Nubra (160kms/ 6hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Nubra Valley via Khardungla (Highest Motorable road in the World, 18,380 ft) Arrive at Hundur by afternoon. Hunder is located in Nubra Valley. The Nubra Valley is indeed a precious treasure of Ladakh where people still live in complete isolation for most of the year from the rest of the world in the heart of the great Himalayas. The main attraction of the Nubra valley is Bactarian Camels (double hump Camel). These camels can be seen around dunes. Check-in and have lunch at the hotel/ camp, rest of the day is free to explore Diskit, Hunder Villages and camel Safari in Sand Dunes between Diskit and Hunder Village. Dinner and overnight hotel/ camp at Nubra Valley.
Day 15; Nubra Valley – Leh (120kms/ 6hrs approx)
After breakfast proceeds to Diskit monastery, which is more than 500 years old and situated on a hilltop giving a panoramic view of the valley later walk around the town of Diskit which has a small village market and the Maitreya Buddha statue near the monastery. Proceed for the Samsthaling, Panamik, and Yaraptso Lake along with the splendid view of the Karakoram Himalayan Range. Samsthaling is situated on the mountainside just above summer. This was the route taken by the trade caravans, and Panamik, the last village on this circuit, was at that time a busy centre, the last major settlement before the caravans proceed back to Leh cross Khardungla Pass once again and reach Leh. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 16; Leh – Pangong (155kms/ 5hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, leave for Pangong Lake through Changla pass 5486 Mtrs. Pangong Lake, situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m), is the highest land-locked lake. A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometres at its widest point and over 130km long, it is bisected by the international border between India and China. A few years back the government decided to open it to tourists through the lake and its surrounding area under army surveillance. Enjoy the landscape in the backdrop of the Lake. One rarely feels so close to nature and the environment and the scenery are unforgettable. Dinner and overnight at the camps on Pangong Lake.
Day 17; Pangong – Leh (155kms/ 5hrs approx)
Early morning enjoys the picturesque view of the Sunrise on the lake. After Breakfast drives back to Leh where you will have some time to do shopping in the evening. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 18; Leh – Delhi (flight)
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel, after refreshment day, is free for pleasure or take sightseeing. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 19; Delhi – Departure (flight)
Breakfast at the hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
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