Shimla Kinnaur Manali

Delhi – Shimla – Kinnaur – Manali – Dharmshala – Amritsar – Delhi

Day 01: Delhi – Chandigarh – Shimla  (Distance: 350 km)  (Driving duration: 07 – 08 hours)

In the early morning board the train from Delhi to Chandigarh. Surface transport by car from Chandigarh to Shimla. Reach Shimla in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

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Day 02: Shimla – Colonial Heritage Tour.

A leisure day as today we explore the colonial miles of Shimla town, once the summer capital of British India. Drive to Vice Regal Lodge, former residence to the Viceroys of British India, now converted into a premier institute of advanced studies in Humanities and Social Sciences.

Visit this Scottish Baronial building with a guided tour conducted by the institute followed by a walk to the famous Mall Road dotted with numerous colonial buildings peeping into the bygone past. Enjoy your lunch and an evening walk back to your hotel.

Day 03: Shimla – Kufri – Theog – Narkanda – Hatu Peak – Thanedar

In the morning after breakfast drive to Thanedar past Kufri, Theog, and Narkanda. This is a beautiful drive offering views of numerous interlocked lush green valleys. The people practice indigenous farming and grow apples.

Reach Narkanda and leave the car to hike up to Hatu peak through an old Brown Oak forest. Reaching the top one is blessed with panoramic views of snow-capped Great Himalayan ranges and deep valleys. Later hike back to the car and drive to Thanedar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Thanedar – Rampur – Karcham – Sangla  (Distance: 158 km)  (Driving duration: 04 – 4.5 hours)

After a leisurely breakfast, explore Thanedar with a walk down to the village Korgarh, this place was revolutionized by an American missionary in apple production in the early 1900s. In the village, there still exists a small missionary school and the old house built by Stoke’s family.

From here drive down to Sutlej River and from here we follow the course of the River. The valley suddenly starts converging and we pass the town of Rampur which once was an important trade center with Tibet. The drive further passes through Tranda cliff and reaching Karcham the road bifurcates to Baspa valley. In the early evening reach Sangla, and check into your hotel.

Day 05: Sangla – Chitkul – Sangla (Duration of drive: 02 hours) (Duration of hike: 02 – 03 hours)

Today after breakfast we drive up to Chitkul, is the last inhabited village on the Indo-Tibetan border. Here enjoy a lovely hike above the village offering distant views of snow-clad mountain ranges and amazing aerial views of Chitkul village. Later, hike down to the village and explore the age-old traditional social and cultural aspects of Kinnaur.

Drive back to the hotel and for the evening enjoy a walk through the village by the side of the Baspa River. For the evening walk back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Sangla – Karcham – Rekong Peo – Kalpa  (Distance: 40 km)  (Driving duration: 1 – 1.5 hours)

After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to Kalpa. The village of Kalpa earlier known as Chini is located opposite to impressive Kinner Kailash range. Kalpa was one of the favorite retreats of one of the British Viceroy Lord Curzon he wanted to make Kalpa the next summer capital of British India.

Check into your hotel and later in the evening; enjoy a level walk to the village of Rogi. The walk allows us to enjoy the views of the looming Kinner Kalish massif and the Sutlej gorge.

Day 07: Kalpa – Rampur – Jalori Pass – Sojha  (Distance: 180 km)  (Driving duration: 06 – 07 hours)

Bidding goodbye to Kalpa today we drive to Shoja village of Kullu. The downstream drive along River Sutlej reaches Luri and here we cross Sutlej to enter Kullu. Ascend through a thick pine cover to reach, Jalori Pass.

Shoja is a small village at an altitude of over 8,000 ft. The access to Shoja winds through thick forests and alpine trees, which provide an untouched habitat to various species of flora & fauna.

On arrival at Shoja, the landscape opens up into beautiful terraced fields and Rolling Meadows of wildflowers. In the evening explore the traditional village.

Day 08: Sojha – Jalori Pass – Serolsar Lake – Sojha  (Distance: 10 km)  (Driving duration: 30 minutes – 01hour)

Today after breakfast drive up to Jalori pass and trek 5 km to Sereolesar Lake. As the narrow path meanders through an old brown Oak forest, and occasionally little meadows, loaded with alpine flora attract the photographer’s eye.

The Sereolesar Lake is worshipped and there is a temple of a deity called “Burinagin”, who according to the legend had 100 Snake sons. Visit the temple with tasteful wooden work and seek the blessing of mountain Gods.

Now, enjoy an outdoor picnic, later trek back to Jalori pass, and drive down to Shoja for overnight.

Day 09: Sojha – Kullu – Manali  (Distance: 105 km)  (Driving duration: 03 – 04 hours)

Today, after breakfast drive down through Banjar valley, connecting, and national highway – 21 to reach Manali. Situated by the banks of River Beas, Manali was named after the famous sage Manu.

Post-lunch explores Manali with a visit to Hadimba temple, dedicated to demon goddess Hadimba. Continue exploring the courtyards of Manu temple, Vashisht temple, and the village of old Manali.

These age-old temples and villages peek into the age-old rich traditions and strong Hindu culture.

10: Manali – Naggar – Bijli Mahadev temple – Manali (45 km)(Distance: 60 km)  (Driving duration 02 – 03 hours)

In the morning drive through lush green farms of the village Naggar, with snow-capped mountains looming in backdrops. At Naggar visit Nicholas Roerich’s art gallery, dedicated to a Russian painter, scientist, philosopher, traveler, writer, and public figure, who, settled here in 1947 and lived here for the rest of his life.

His residence is converted into an art gallery by his son Svyetoslav Roerich. Continue driving and enjoy an excellent three km hike through the traditional Kulluvi village and thick coniferous cover which takes up to the top of a Himalayan alpine meadow. The place offers stunning views of the Kullu and Parvati valleys.

An ancient temple dedicated to lord Shiva who is worshipped as Bijli Mahadev here. There are interesting takes associated with the mysterious temple. Later hike back and drive to the hotel for an evening.

 Day 11: Manali – Kullu – Mandi – Baijnath – Palampur – Dharamshala – Macleodgunj

(Distance: 250 km) (Driving durations: 07 – 08 hours)

Bidding goodbye to the Mountain Gods, today drive to Dharamshala. En route visit an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The drive passes through a beautiful blue pine forest dotted with tea gardens and imposing views of the snowcapped Dhauladhar mountain range.

Stop in Dharmshala to visit the Norbulinka institute, dedicate to the preservation of Tibetan culture in its literary and artistic form. For the evening reach Macleodgunj, the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile. Overnight in hotel.

Day 12: Macleodgunj – H.H. Dalai Lama Temple – Lord Elgin Church – Naddi – Macleodgunj

(Distance: 20 km) (Walking duration: 01 hours)

Today in the morning explore the places of interest around Macleodgunj with a visit to H.H. Dalai Lama temple and Lord Elgin church, continue the exploration, and walk towards Naddi village offering magnificent views of the Dhauladhar range. For the evening a short drive takes us to Bhagsu waterfall and later drive to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Macleodgunj – Kangra – Amritsar (Distance: 210 km) (Driving duration: 05 – 06 hours)

In the morning after breakfast drive to Amritsar and reach by early evening and check into your hotel. For the evening visit the illuminated Golden Temple complex and fill yourself with the religious vibe!

Day 14: Amritsar – Delhi

In the morning after breakfast drive to Amritsar Railway station to board the train to Delhi and a connecting flight back home.

~ End of Himalayan Voyage ~