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Day 01: Arrive Delhi, on arrival our office representative will meet and drive you to your hotel from the airport for the overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi to Amritsar by train: In time transfer to the railway station to board your train for Amritsar- a holy and old city in Punjab, literarily means a pool of nectar. Amritsar is one of the most important pilgrimage centres especially for the Sikhs in the country. The city is characterized by some of the must visit religious, historical as well as contemporary sites of importance. The Golden Temple, where Sikhs from all over the world come to pay their reverence to Guru Granth Sahib and take a dip in the Amrit Saras Kund (Pool of Immortality) for spiritual purification is the major landmark of the place.
On arrival, your guide for the tour will meet you at the railway station and escort you to your hotel in cars. After check in, you move to visit the famous Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh, which is a historical monument that tells the sad story of mass killing during the independence movement in India, Jallianwala Bagh is another must visit in Amritsar. Here lies the memorial of the martyrs of the 1919 massacre by British General Dyer. Return back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 03: Full day in Amritsar with visit to Indo- Pak border at Wagah: It is advisable to visit Golden Temple once again in the early morning to have a divine experience under the first rays on sun. Later we visit Durgyana Temple which is another big temple in the city and the Mata Lal Mandir. After lunch we proceed to Wagah Border, which is 30 Kms from our hotel. Wagah is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan and lies on the Grand Trunk Road between the cities of Amritsar (India) and Lahore (Pakistan). Wagah itself is a village through which the controversial Radcliffe Line was drawn. The village was divided by independence in 1947. Today, the eastern half of the village remains in the Republic of India while the western half is in Pakistan. The Wagah border, often called the “Berlin Wall of Asia”, is a ceremonial border on the India- Pakistan frontier where each evening there is a “retreat ceremony” called 'lowering of the flags', which has been held since 1959. At that time there is an energetic parade by the Border Security Force of India and the Pakistan Rangers soldiers. The parade/ retreat ceremony is worth to watch, later we drive back to our hotel in Amritsar.
Day 04: Amritsar to Dharamsala, 190 Kms/ 5 hours: After breakfast we drive for Dharamsala. On the way you visit a temple near Batala that is dedicated to Lord Ganesha where according to a religious story of Hindus, lord Ganesha and his brother Kartikey were asked to prove the superiority between two. The various spheres of life through the villages and fertile land of Punjab is visualized and we stop for picnic lunch on the way and move towards our final destination by leaving the plains and gradually climbing the mountains to Dharamsala. The drive is scenic and once we reach the base of Dharamsala, the mighty mountain ranges of Dhauladhar are highly exciting and welcoming. Trilokpur rock cut temple can be visited before reaching Dharamsala which is a miracle of nature. From Dharamsala, we climb up further 10 Kms to the Mc Leodganj which is the house of His Holiness Dalai Lama, administration center of Government of Tibet in exile, monasteries and various other Tibetan centers. We visit the residence of HH Dalai Lama and Namgyal Monastery this day. A walk on the roads of Mc Leodganj is quite interesting and educating about the life of Tibetans in exile.
Day 05: Dharamsala full day excursion of Tibetan Establishments & monasteries: Morning we start exploring this high valued and spiritual destination through monasteries, Tibetan Medical and Astro centre, Tibetan library, Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Tibetan Handicraft center and Tibetan Children village. Lunch at Norbulinga Institute can be always advisable. This centre is the mirror of Tibetan rich art, craft and culture. A visit to Tibetan kitchen in the evening would be a nice memory for ever. The whole day will reflect a day one could spend in Lhasa with the Tibetans, their activities which are much on rituals and their respect to the high seat of Potala which in Dharamsala is the Namgyal Monastery. The day includes a visit to Lord Elgin’s Memorial, the mausoleum of the famous Scottish Eighth Viceroy of India, Lord Elgin. Located in the premise of St. John’s, the mausoleum was built in the year 1852. The memorial is famous for its Gothic style architecture and glass stained windows depicting the meeting of John the Baptist with Jesus.
Day 06: Dharamsala to Tirthan Valley, 201 Kms/ 6 hours: This morning we drive towards Tirthan Valley in Kullu District, a less discovered region. On the way we drive through the beautiful tea gardens of Palampur, under shining and sharp ranges of Dhauladhar Mountain ranges and stop at Baijnath, which is 72 Kms from Dharamsala and a place of ancient Shiva Temple, worth to visit and admire. Further we drive through the valleys and mountains to Mandi, another 78 Kms and visit the temples of Trilokinath and proceed to our destination, which is less than three hours journey. The Tirthan Valley in Kullu District is one of the most beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh, located within the Great Himalayan National Park. The valley moves along the river through forests, fields and tiny hamlets. This valley is the home to wilder brown trout and its more coveted cousin, the rainbow trout. The snow fed river gushes its way over the rocks to drop into pools and spread itself out over flats where every stone is visible through its crystal clear waters. On arrival, you check into a fishing resort at GHUSHENI and explore the valley on foot.
Day 07: Tirthan valley to Sarahan over Jalori Pass, 166 Kms/ 7 hours: The morning at Ghusheni is extremely pleasing. We leave the place after breakfast and reach Jalori Pass (3140 M) through a beautiful place, Sojha. The way towards Sojha goes through dense jungles of Alpine’s trees, which offers an unharmed habitation of many kinds of fauna & flora. Jalori Pass top is about 35 Kms from Ghusheni and from here we drive down towards the Sutlej Valley. Just 86 Kms from the top is the Rampur- a center of silk route trade, situated just at the banks of River Sutlej and from here, we further drive towards Sarahan- the beautiful mountain destination with enormous temple of Goddess Bhimakali.
Day 08: Sarahan to Kalpa, 127 Kms/ 5 hours: Morning we visit the Goddess Bhimakali Temple at Sarahan with a spectacular view of Shrikhand Mahadev (5227 M). The Bhimakali temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, is the finest example of Indo-Tibetan architecture. As per legend, this is where goddess Shakti destroyed the mythical demon king Bhasmasur. It is a highly revered place of pilgrimage. A Pheasant Breading Centre and stadium are worth visiting. The area is a rich bowl of quality apples and other varieties of delicious fruits. After this memorable morning, we continue our journey to the beautiful valley of Kinnaur. The drive moves on the banks of Sutlej and through the power projects on this river. The small villages like Chora and Nigulsari come on the way and surely a deep curve at Tranda fills the maximum excitement on this safari. We reach Powari and drive up to Kalpa through Rekang Peo. Kalpa is a beautiful and main village of Kinnaur. Across the river faces the majestic mountains of the Kinner Kailash range. Kalpa is surrounded by picturesque villages and was once the favorite haunt of Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor General of India. The local inhabitants follow a syncretism of Hinduism and Buddhism, and temples in Kalpa are dedicated to both the faiths. Kalpa is a town of with history of ancient temples. Overnight at hotel in Kalpa.
Day 09: Kalpa to Nako- 106 Kms and 4 hours: The morning at Kalpa is mesmerizing if you open your window and see the facing Kinner Kailash Peak. We visit Kinnaur’s most powerful local deity Chandika Devi Temple at Kothi while coming down to the main road for Nako. The temple popularly called Devi Kothi, has beautiful wood carvings and silver plated doors. The deity is depicted as a rich golden image vanquishing a demon. Through Rekang Peo, Pooh and Khab which is the junction of Spiti River & Sutlej, we drive upwards through an adventurous trail to Nako. The village is situated at the altitude of 3662 Meters and cluster of old houses, a huge lake in between and monastery dedicated to Lord Padamsambhava create a situation like explained in a fairy tale.
Day 10: Nako to Tabo- 63 Kms and 2 hours: We visit the monastery in the morning and leave for Tabo through Maling Nalla and Sumdo down at the beds of Spiti River. Some miles away from Nako is a village called TASHIGANG around which are several caves where it is believe that Guru Padmasambhava meditated and gave discourse to followers. A waterfall nearby has snow water falling like a river of milk close to Tashigang. Legend says that it is a heavenly realm of fairies .In one of the cave you can still able to see the live footprints of these fairies or other demigods. Himalaya is the bundle of mysteries. (Tashigang is not in our itinerary). We get down to Sumdo where your inner line permits will be checked again. This is another place from where the Chinese border is just few kilometers. Through the silent roads, we reach Tabo in the afternoon, check into the hotel and evening move out to explore the more than 1000 years old group of monasteries, known as Ajanta of Himalayas. Tabo Monastery was founded in 996AD. With its original decoration and art images intact, it is considered to be the oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monastery in India and the Himalayas. The unique beauty of its art and its pivotal historical role in the transmission of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and culture in the 10th and 11th century makes Tabo Monastery an historically significant site. Within the ancient monastery's compound are nine temples built between the late 10th and the 17th century and numerous stupas.
Day 11: Tabo to Kaza with Dankhar Monastery, Lhalung Monastery & Pin Valley: Morning we can walk to the caves in front of Tabo Monastery where the monks have been meditating for last hundreds years. The view from the caves is excellent. We get down and after breakfast leave for Pin Valley. On the way we see Dankhar Monastery. Dankhar was the traditional capital of the Spiti Valley Kingdom during the 17th century and has some features dating back to the 12th century. The complex is built on a 300 meters high spur overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin Rivers - one of the world's most spectacular settings for a Gompa. Dankhar means fort on a cliff.
After spending time at Dankhar Monastery, we get down to the main road and drive to another monastery, Kungri at Pin Valley. Pin is the greenest valley in Spiti on the banks of Pin River. Kungri is Spiti's second oldest monastery, built around 1330 and belongs to Niyangma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Gompa consists of three detached rectangular blocks facing east. It is noted for its sword dance by the Buzhens of Mud village and we sometimes organize special Buzhens for our visitors. After visit to the monastery, we leave for a small drive to Mud, the last village of Pin Valley and from where trek routes to Kullu and Kinnaur start over Pin Parvati and Bhaba Passes. The entire area is wonderful with the close interface of the life in small villages of the valley. Later we drive to Kaza through Lhalung Monastery for the overnight. Lhalung is known as Golden Temple too was one of the earliest monasteries founded in Spiti by the great Tibetan Buddhist lotswa (translator), Rinchen Zangpo, the king of western Himalayan Kingdom of Guge during the late 10th century CE. This beautiful village is 14 km from the main road and is the largest in the Lingti valley.
Day 12: Excursion of Kee, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim & Komic and back Kaza- 48 Kms : Spiti has come to be known as the “Fossil Park of The World” The three villages Kibber, Kaza & Kee fall on the route faovourite among those looking for fossils. Morning we drive to Kee Gompa, then to Kibber Village & Gompa and from there take right to Hikkim, Langza and Komic Monasteries and villages. The Kee (4166 M) is the biggest monastery of Spiti Valley and a religious training centre for Lamas. It reportedly had 100 monks in 1855 and presently there are 80 monks in this monastery. This is the center of all ritual decisions in the valley. Kibber is the village situated at 4200 meters and the gateway to Changthang Valley. Hikkim and Komic are the highest villages of the world connected with road and the monastery of Mahakala at Komic is fascinating. The Komic Lundup Tsemo Gompa is one of the world’s highest at 4587 m. Komic Gompa was earlier located near Hikkim and had to be shifted to its present location after it was destroyed in an earthquake. The drive moves through the fertile top land of the valley facing several mountain peaks and ranges, almost snow covered. After spending a day with the ancient monasteries of Spiti valley, we get back to Kaza hotel.
Day 13: Kaza to Keylong- 185 Kms and 8 hours: Morning we leave Kaza and drive towards Keylong. On the way, we cross through small villages like Hansa and Lhosar and there are plentiful of chances to see the herds of Ibex jumping in the rough mountains across the river. The place Takche offers a panoramic view of the mountains and the different small wild flowers and later we slowly start climbing up to the mighty Kunzam Pass (4590 M). The view of distinct mountain ranges from Kunzam Pass is awe inspiring and then we gradually start descending to Batal, a place on the riverbed of Chandra. From Batal, although the road moves along with the river till Chatru for more than 36 Kms but the route is rough and so takes time. From Chatru, we again climb to Gramphug and then join the Manali- Leh highway to Keylong. We stop at Koksar for the tea and registration of passports and later reach Keylong through the various village of Lahoul Valley and the meeting point of Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi from where these two rivers become Chinab and flow deep in Pakistan. Reach Keylong and check into the hotel.
Day 14: Keylong to Sarchu, 106 Kms and 5 hours: Morning we climb to visit Kardang Monastery close to Keylong, which was once the capital of Lahoul and a monastery of Drukpa Lineage. The monastery is believed to have been built in the 12th century and houses a large library of Buddhist literature. The monastery was in ruins until it was renovated in 1912 CE by Lama Norbu Rimpoche (died 1952), who, with Lama Kunga, turned it into "a proper educational and training establishment." We leave Keylong later and drive towards Sarchu through small villages on the way including Jispa and Darcha, two prominent bases for trekking to Zanskar from ancient times. The trail’s second pass, Baralacha La (4830m) lies some 73 Kms beyond Keylong. Another 33 Kms of relatively rougher road bring you to the busy little hamlet of Sarchu which marks the border between the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Overnight at fixed camps.
Day 15: Sarchu to Leh: From Sarchu, the road flattens into a good straight stretch of 25km known as the Lingti Plains and then climbs through a 10 km stretch of amazingly circuitous hairpin bends known as the Gatta Loops which number all of 21. The road eventually reached the Nakee-La Pass (4800 m) with a fantastic view. Just downhill from this pass is the Whiskey Nallah, beyond which the road begins to climb to the Lachalung la Pass, 54 km from Sarchu, with a panoramic view of snow-clad peaks. Crossing the vast expanse of flat area called the Moray Plains which are a part of the Tibetan Plateau. The next high pass is the Tanglang La (5359M), the second highest motorable pass of the world. This is also the last pass on Manali-Leh highway. After the Tanglang La descent, small villages, green fields and people of Ladakh do appear and we enter into Leh.
Day 16: Full day in Leh to visit monasteries: This will be the full day visit to the Indus Valley monasteries to get a flavor of the history and culture of Ladakh India. With a visit to Thiksey, Shey and Hemis you cover the best known monuments around Leh.
You also pass Sindhu Ghat by the Indus River. In the late afternoon you visit Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Namgyal Shemo Gompa and then stroll through Leh Bazaar.
Day 17: Leh to Uletopko, 70 Kms/ 3 hours: After breakfast, we drive towards Uletopko and visit Phyang Gompa on the way, which is located 6 Kms away from Leh. Further we drive to Likir and visit Likir Gompa that is situated at a windy cliff top overlooking the beautiful village of Likir. Basgo is certainly the most impressive of Ladakhi citadels despite its ruined state. Then we cross the River Indus and reach Alchi, Ladakh's most loved monastery. After visiting Alchi monastery we drive to Uletopko to check in at our resort for the night.
Day 18: Uletopko to Kargil through Lamayuru, 193 Kms/ 7 hours: After breakfast we start a very spectacular drive to Kargil and on the way, we visit Rizong Gompa, known as the paradise for Meditation and reach Lamayuru. After visiting the monastery we drive straight to Kargil over Fatu-La [3967 M] which is the highest pass on Srinagar – Leh road. After driving up the Kangaroo curves one can have a fascinating view of granite color rocks Mulbeck & Namika-la (3697M) are other fascinating places on the way. The Chamba statue carved out of a single rock about 144 ft. high at Mulbeck is worth seeing. We reach Kargil at later afternoon and check into our hotel. Kargil (2700 M) is the second largest urban centre of Ladakh and headquarters of the district of same name. Kargil once served as important trade and transit centre in the Pan-Asian trade network. Numerous caravans carrying exotic merchandise comprising silk, brocade, carpets, felts, tea, poppy, ivory etc. transited in the town on their way to and from China, Tibet, Yarkand and Kashmir. Evening we walk out to explore the town.
Day 19: Kargil to Srinagar, 202 Kms/ 7 hours: We advise for an early start this day to Srinagar where we pass through Drass, the second coldest inhabited place on earth and you can have spectacular view of Kargil War famous Peaks Tiger Hill and Tololing Peak. We cross Zozi La (3033 M) pass to enter in Srinagar Valley, which is a different experience. Arrive Srinagar in the evening through a beautiful place Sonmarg on the way. Check in to your houseboat for the night. Staying in a House boat at Dal Lake of Srinagar would be wonderful experience for the life time where the several small boats (Shikaras) give the colorful movement to life on water.
Day 20: Srinagar Sightseeing: Morning at house boat corridors is full of joy and excitement. The flower sellers visit your boats this time with various kinds of flowers. We start our day with an excursion to Shankaracharya Temple & Mughal Gardens, Nishat Bagh (Garden of Pleasure) & Shalimar Bagh (Garden of Pleasure). Further we drive to Gulmarg- the beautiful meadow and golf course in the Kashmir Mountains and off course a world renowned ski resort. We reach back to our house boat in the evening and make a small excursion on shikars (boats) to the floating market in Dal Lake. Dinner in a market restaurant.
Day 21: Srinagar to Delhi: Morning we transfer you to Srinagar airport for the one hour flight to Delhi, on arrival, you will meet our office representative who will escort you to the hotel and rest of the day you can independently spend in Delhi. After dinner, we drive you to the international airport for your flight to home.
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