| Duration: - |
7-15 day(s) |
| People Needed:- |
2-14 People |
| Destination: - |
India |
| Categories: - |
Exploring the Himiliyas |
| Season: - |
May - September |
| Tour Customizable: - |
Possible Extensions |
Tour Highlights:
When English with their decorative women would tavel by heritage train through 100 plus tunnels to Shimla through the beautiful landscapes of Himachal Pradesh. To Impress them they played cricket in the world highest cricket ground at Chail, They stayed and enjoyed ball dances and evenings at authentic heritage retreat in the Narkanda Valley. They went to picnic for few nights at an altitude of 3450 mts above sea level in the most picturesque Sangla valley. Viewed the snow clad great himalyan range.
They trekked and enjoyed trout fishing.
Day 01: Arrive New Delhi.
Upon arrival you are met by our representative and accorded a royal welcome. Later transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Sight seeing of old & New Delhi + Rickshaw ride in the old Delhi’s colorful market. Delhi -
The capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a Necropolis. Because of its location, being on the banks of the river Yamuna, many cities have risen and fallen over the last five millenniums. Morning: Sightseeing tour of New Delhi. Visit the Qutab Minar, a Tower of Victory that was built in the 12th century by Qutbuddin Aibak. Within its spacious courtyard stands the Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD and bears a Sanskrit inscription in the Gupta style. The pillar has puzzled scientists, as its iron has not rusted in all these centuries. The tomb of Humayun - the magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble is one of the finest examples of the garden tomb, and a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Its proportionate spaces, double dome and refined elegance
are characteristic of Mughal architecture. Also visit India Gate, the memorial of the First World War and the road that leads from there to Rashtrapathi Bhawan -the residence of the President of India which is flanked by the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings. Afternoon: Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Visit the historic Red Fort -Shah Jehan’s elegant citadel in red sandstone, which was built as an octagon measuring 900m by 550m and surrounded by a 9 meter deep moat which was at its inception fed by the waters of the Yamuna river. The fort is entered from the Lahori Gate and leads to a roofed passage called Chatta Chowk. The Naqqar Khana (drum house) at the end of this passage marks the entrance to the royal enclosure. A spacious lawn leads to the Diwan-i-Am - the pillared Hall of Public Audience, Diwan-i-Khas - the
Hall of Private Audience where the emperor met select visitors and the Pearl Mosque built by Shah Jahan’s son, Aurangazeb, the last of the "Great Mughals". Very near the Fort is the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India’s largest mosque, also built by Shah Jahan. Take an interesting rickshaw ride through the famous bazaars of Chandni Chowk, which is adjacent to both the Fort and the Mosque. Time permitting also visits Raj Ghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
Day3. Early morning departure to Shimla by a heritage train called the himalayan Queen.
The train runs on the old narrow gauge and passes through almost a hundred tunnels to Shimla.Late afternnon arrive Shimla and check in at East bourne hotel.Evening take a walk through the legendary Mall road of shimla.Way back in 1817, a small village tucked away in the Himalayas was discovered by British surveyors and pronounced an ideal retreat for the homesick colonisers. Named after Shyamla Devi, an incarnation of the fierce goddess Kali, stories of Shimla’s salubrious climate and invigorating surroundings made it grow in popularity. In 1830, the land around was bought from the local ruler and Shimla turned into a resort for British army officers. Soldiers recuperating from the Gurkha war came up to the hill resort to heal their wounds, while the memsahibs favoured its cooler climate to the hot, humid and mosquito-infested plains. Soon it began to look like an English village as cottages with gardens, tree-lined walks, churches and cricket pitches came up around town. Finally, in 1864, the town was formally declared the summer capital of the Imperial Government. Every summer, tons of files and baggage were transported all the way from Calcutta and later Delhi, to this hill town.
Shimla came alive with gentlemen and ladies spending their days at garden parties, games of bridge, grand dinners and balls. The main pedestrian walkway, known as the Mall, was popular for evening promenades. Several British landmarks, including the Christ Church, the Cecil Hotel and the Gaiety Theatre came up along the Ridge. In 1903, the Kalka-Shimla railway link was
begun making the hitherto arduous journey up much simpler. Even today, the quaint toy train connecting Kalka to Shimla chugs up steep hill slopes carrying hordes of eager tourists.
Due to its secluded location and relaxed surroundings, Shimla was useful as a meeting point for national leaders. In the days just before India’s independence in 1947, the architects of modern India and the leaders of the Muslim League met here to discuss the modalities of the transfer of power. Later, in 1972 the landmark Shimla Accord was signed by Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the premiers of India and Pakistan. The Shimla Accord was an effort at diffusing tension between the two nations that had remained hostile after independence and partition.
Day 04.
Enjoy the sights of Shimla , a day at leisure.
Day 05 :
Take an excursion to the nearby Kufri.Overnight at the Hotel in Shimla.
Day 06 :
Drive to narkanda.The most beautiful valley in himachal pradesh.
A short drive brings you to the most authentic heritage home in this picturesque valley.Stay at the banjara retreat at Thanedar.
80 kms from Shimla on the old Hindustan-Tibet road lies Kotgarh, which enjoys a special place in Himachal history. In 1916 Samuel Stokes, a social worker from Philadelphia brought the first apple saplings to Kotgarh, the place he adopted as his home. One can still see the 'Starking Delicious' apple orchard that he planted there.
Nestled amongst acres of apple blossoms is the Banjara Orchard Retreat - an eco-friendly getaway that will enchant nature lovers. There are fully furnished rooms with attached baths and a well-equipped kitchen to cater to a variety of tastes.
Day 07:
Drive about 6 hrs to Sangla, your abode in the snow clad himalayas for the next 3 nights.Your stay here would be at the luxurious banjara himalyan camp, set amidst the beautiful valley on the banks of river Baspa.
For six months every year, the Himalayan valleys of Kinnaur and Spiti emerge from a thick cloak of snow to reveal a different, secret world to man. Your discovery of the lesser-known Himalayas can begin at the Banjara Camp in the Sangla Valley. At a height of 2,700 mts the Banjara Camp is surrounded by towering mountains on all sides and is set on the banks of the Baspa river that surges through the valley.
Day 08.
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to the last village of the valley Chitkul, also the last indian inhabitance which further leads to chinese border.Around lunch return to the camp.Rest of the day free for individual activities.
Day 09 :
The day remains at your disposal.The camp management offers you trekking , river crossing , fishing etc. Overnight at the camp.
Day 10 : Drive Sangla – Sarahan ( 100 kms / 3 hrs)
.
21 kms south of Jeori, Sarahan was once an important market for traders of neighboring regions. An attractive town, it has a pheasant breeding center nearby. The bazaar is interesting: friendly villagers greet travellers; shops sell flowers, bright red and gold scarves and other offerings for worshippers among local produce, fancy goods and jewellery, while numerous tailors shop turn out garments for villagers around.
It is the base for numerous treks and is the gateway to Kinnaur. It is a place of pilgrimage, a haven for nature lovers and the temple complex attracts a variety of admirers. Here is a place that offers an 'out-of-the-ordinary' travel experience.
Retreat in Sarahan is set in an apple orchard with a view of the majestic Shrikhand Peak.
Upon arrival around lunch check in at the banjara retreat. Rest of the day free for individual activities.Overnight at the retreat.
Day11: Sarahan- Chail(170 kms /6 hrs):
Drive to Chail, the erstwhile estate of the maharaja of patiyala.Upon arrival check in at the Chail Palace.Late afternnon visit the highest cricket field in the world and enjoy the surroundings of Chail.
This small town, the summer residence of the Patiala state rulers has a story to tell. In 1891, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala incurred the wrath of Lord Kitchener, the then Commander-in-Chief. As a result, he was banned entry into the summer capital of the Raj, Shimla. This enraged the Maharaja and he vowed to build a new and better summer capital for himself. He looked around and after quite some time realized it had all the while been in his possession. Chail, a little village close to Shimla, was a 'slice of heaven' surrounded by lush forests with a commanding view of the snow-capped Himalayas. He rebuilt the city according to his requirements and built himself a wonderful palace.
In 1972, it was taken over by the Himachal Pradesh Development Corporation and has since been a luxury resort combining nostalgia with modern-day conveniences. It is an experience well worth it, particularly on one's honeymoon.
Day 12 :
Explore the beautiful town of Chail and surroundings. Visit the highest cricket pitch in the world.
Day 13 :
Chail – Chandigarh : Today you drive a stretch of 3 hrs before you reach the most well planned and modern city of India.
The name of the city is derived from Goddess of power known as Shri Chandika whose temple is on Chandigarh-Kalka Road. The temple is known by the name of Chandi Mandir. It is considered to be an ancient site and has a major religious significance for Hindus.
After India's independence from British rule Punjab became a state without a capital. Though there was a temporary secretariat at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, the political leadership decided on the construction of a modern and accessible capital. This was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's Dream City of modern India. The city was named as Chandigarh. This is the first planned city of India.
The responsibility of the design was given to the French architect Le Corbusier or the Crow. With the help of his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, and that of the English couple Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew (alongwith a number of Indian architects prominent amongst them Chief planner Narinder S. Lamba & Chief Engineer J.C. Verma) Chandigarh, the present capital, came into existence at the foothills of the Shivaliks (the first of three parallel chains of the Himalayas).
It was built in 1953 and serves as the capital of two states, i.e. Punjab and Haryana. It is administered by the Central Government and is hence classified as a Union Territory. Since 1986 there has been much talk about officially handling it to Punjab on the basis of demography. The issue however continues to be a matter of discussion with many
