2005 Tour

Journey To The Himalayas:
The State of Himalchal Pradesh

Our 20 day land tour will take us to through the Himalayan state of Himalchal Pradesh which is blessed with some of the most spectacular landscapes anywhere. We’ll visit the famous hill stations of Shimla, Dalhousie, and Dharamsala - all of which offer stunning views of the mighty snow peaked Himalayas. Along the way, we’ll pass through the lush and picturesque valleys of Kullu, Kangra, Parvati, and Chamba, full of flower filled meadows, misty woods, fast flowing icy rivers, and enchanting lakes. In every location, we’ll stop at Hindu and Buddhist temples including those in the town of Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama.

Dates: October 2 - 21, 2005

Duration: 20 days

Group Size: 12 max (plus Scott)

DAY 1-4 Delhi & Shimla (7.234 feet)
We'll spend our first night in Delhi then on day 2, we’ll fly to Chandigarth and then take a van to Shimla (2130 m). Shimla is a popular hill station offering stunning views of the distant Himalayas. Full of crumbling colonial charm from the Raj era, Shimla will provide us with a easy and peaceful entry into India. On day 4, we’ll take a day trip to some higher elevations as well as visit the Jakhu Hill temple, dedicated to Hanuman, the monkey god. Watch out for the monkeys along the way!

DAY 5-8 Manali (6,724 feet)
On day 5, we’ll drive from Shimla to Manali passing through Kullu Valley, known as the Valley of the Gods. Manali is known as the Valley of the Glaciers and provides a lavish display of natural scenery: an ostentation of pinnacles and ridges which stand out in bold relief against the skyline; deep purplish crevices, overhung by scarped cliffs, reach down towards the valley. We’ll visit the four tiered wooden Hadimba Temple; another temple dedicated to the sage, Manu, after who Manali is named; and a Tibetian monastery.

Day trips from Manali will take us to the quaint village of Vashisht where hot sulfur springs are piped into Turkish style baths. We’ll continue through the lovely Solang Valley which offers views of glaciers and snowcapped mountain peaks. From there we’ll head up to Rohtang Pass (13, 058 feet) where we’ll see a widespread panorama of mountain scenery. Here, in place of the pinnacled hills, sheltered valleys and cultivated tracts, the eye meets a range of precipitous cliffs, deep ravines, huge glaciers, and snow capped peaks.

Day 9-11 Kullu (3,936 feet)
On day 9, we'll drive to Kullu and spend the remainder of the day visiting several small villages with wonderful local temples. In the evening, we'll join the townspeople as they celebrate Dussehra, a week long festival. On day 10, we’ll drive up the Parvati Valley and visit Manakaran (5,697 feet), a holy place for Hindus & Sikhs alike and the site of the World's hottest Sulfur Springs. Along the way, we’ll pass some very beautiful waterfalls. Day 10 is especially festive as we’ll witness the finale of the Dussehra celebration in Kullu. During this time, a plethora of gods are displayed before the chariot of the main god is burned in a large bonfire.

Day 12 Palampur (5,805 feet)
On day 11, we’ll through Kangra Valley - a valley noted for the beauty of its scenery - lush terraces, wooded hills, manicured tea gardens and sparkling streams. The Dhauladhars, "the white mountains" that rise 13,000 feet above the valley floor, provide a dramatic backdrop. Along the way, we’ll visit the Baidyanath Temple in Baijnath, home of one of the 12 jyotir lingams. We'll spend the night in the small town of Palampur, surrounded by old British tea plantations and named tea capital of northern India.

Day 13-15 Dharamsala (5,805 feet)
On day 13, we'll first visit the Chamunda Devi Temple, then continue on to Dharamsala, home of teh Dali Lama. This picturesque village is built on a spur of the Dhauladhar range and commands splendid view of the surrounding country. Here we’ll have three full days to visit such remarkable places such as the Tsuglagkhang Complex of the Dalai Lama; the Namgyal Monastery where monks are often found in lively debate; and the Norbulinka Institute, dedicated to preserving traditional arts and where we can watch monks paint tangkas and carve statues.

Day 16-17 Dalhousie (5,003-7,802 feet)
On day 16, we’ll drive to Dalhousie which is known for its stupendous views of the Himalayas as well as splendid vistas over chamba Valley. It still retains its Raj-era ambiance with spacious, garble-roofed bungalows and churches flanking its leafy lanes. We'll be staying in a Heritage Hotel where the Himalayas appear within touching distance from the garden terrace. On day 17, we'll take a beautiful but somewhat hair raising day trip through the Chamba Valley. The views down over the terraced fields are spectacular with tiny villagers clinging to the sheer slops of the valley. The town of Chamba (3,267 feet) itself has been compared to a medieval Italian village with narrow streets and ancient shikara temples. The town has a rich cultural heritage as it was left untouched due to its isolation by the high mountains surrounding it. Chamba was allowed to develop its own rich style of Pahari art and architecture over the centuries.   It is also known for its rumels, exquisitely embroidered coverlets, traditionally used to wrap temple offerings or ceremonial gifts. Afterrwards, we’ll visit the peaceful village of Khajjiar (6562 feet), known for its picture-postcard beauty with views that rival those of Switzerland or Kashmir.

Day 18-20 Amritsar & Delhi
On day 18, we’ll catch the train for Amritsar and on day 19, we’ll visit the exquisite and famous Golden Temple, India’s holiest sikh shrine. In the evening, we'll take the train to Delhi. On day 20, we'll have a half day tour of Delhi.

2005 Itinerary

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