Destination:Delhi-Jaipur-Fatehpur-Agra-Amritsar-Dharmshala-Palampur-Baijnath-Mandi-Sundarnagar-Nalgarh-Shimla-Chandigarh-Delhi
Duration :13 nights / 14 days

Himanchal Pradesh ( Himalayan Province ) is dominated by successive ridges of snow covered peaks, the outer ranges of the Himalayan themselves. Known across India for its pleasant early summer climate, its deliciously cool mountain streams and its seemingly endless supplies of temperate fruit. Himanchal also has excellent trekking. Shimla, famous as a British Hill Station, Dharamshala, the Indian home of the Dalai Lama, and Kullu and Manali have been favorite destinations for over a decade. Today however it is possible to visit the far more remote and until recently closed regions. Himanchal has also become the main access route to Ladakh. The road to Leh crosses the Rohtang Pass just north of Manali and has opened up the side routes for trekking. Sarahan’s Bhimkali Temple, the moraine-filled Baspa Valley, and Spiti’s spectacular Tabo monastery more than justify the journey along dangerously precipitous and landslide-ridden Hindustan –Tibet Road. The beautiful landscape is also the setting for a rich interweaving of Hindu and Buddhist traditions, while in the foothills of Kangra the Mughal miniature artistic heritage was subtly modified to develop a distinctive regional art form.

DAY 01:DELHI.
Arrive Delhi at the international airport. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. (Check-in time 1200 Noon). Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02:DELHI – JAIPUR ( 258 KMS )
After breakfast sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Visit the Red Fort, Jama masjid and enjoy the Rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of the Chandini Chowk bazaar. Visit the Raj Ghat, the cremation ground of Mahatma Gandhi. The Old Delhi which was once known as Shah Jahanabad was protected by rubble built walls, some of which still survive. These walls were pierced by 14 main gates. The Ajmeri Gate, Turkman gate, Kashmiri gate and the Delhi Gate still survive. The Red Fort, most of it is built of Red Sand Stone, begun in 1639 and completed in 1648. Later visit the Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in India and the last great architectural work of Shah Jahan. It lies 1 km to the west of the Red Fort.it is judicious blend of red sand stone and white marble, which is interspersed in the domes, minarets and cusped arches. Last but not the least enjoy the Rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of the Chandini Chowk bazaar.

Afternoon drive to Jaipur.
Jaipur, the colourful capital of a richly state, is a distinctive planned city. It has some fine museums in the atmospheric Old City with its bazaars, palaces and Havelis, as well as a couple of forts and Amber, which are worth exploring. This city was founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II. Jaipur is famous for its gem stones (particularly emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds), gold and jewelry all over the world. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Evening free to explore the city on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03:JAIPUR.
After breakfast excursion to Amber Fort with elephant ride. As you take the winding road from modern Jaipur between the barren hills immediately to the north there is a little hint of the magnificent fort and palace, which once dominated the narrow valley. Amber was the site of a Hindu temple built by the Mina tribes as early as the 10th century. This is one of India’s most popular tourist sites, with a continuous train of colourfully decorated elephants walking up and down the ramp. Afternoon visit the City Palace and the Royal Observatory. City Palace occupies the centre of Jaipur. The main entrance leads to the courtyard at the centre, which is the Mubarak Mahal. On the first floor is the Textile and Costume Museum, which is the fine example of fabrics and costumes from all over India. In the northwest corner of the courtyard is the Armoury Museum containing an impressive array of weaponry. Jai Singh built Jantar Mantar also known as the Royal Observatory between 1728 to 1734. Astrology occupies an important place in daily life, observatory is a fascinating and attractive site to walk around. Overnight at the hotel.

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DAY 04:JAIPUR – FATEHPUR SIKRI – AGRA.
After breakfast drive to Agra. En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri, 37 kms west of Agra. A Mughal emperor Akbar to honor the saint Sheikh Salim Chishti built the city. You enter Fatehpur Sikri through the Agra Gate. The royal Palace has the Dargah of the Saint. Later in the afternoon proceed to AGRA, stands on the Right Bank of river Yamuna. The romance of the world’s famous building still astonishes in its power. In addition to the Taj Mahal Agra houses the great monuments of the Red Fort and the I’tmad-Ud-Daulah. Agra has the two world heritage sites, The Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Evening free to explore the city on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 05:AGRA – DELHI – AMRITSAR.
After breakfast sightseeing tour of the city. Morning visit the Taj Mahal, the romance of the world’s most famous building. Taj Mahal is built up of White Marble which is extraordinarily luminescent and even on the dull days seems bright. The whole building seems to change its hue according to the light in the sky. In the night the Taj looks beautiful lit in the soft light appears as if it is floating on air. At sunset the view from across the river is equally attractive. In the unique beauty of the Taj, subtly is blended with grandeur and a massive overall design is matched with immaculately intricate execution. The entrance ( 30 mts high ) of red sand-stone is massive guarding the enormous waelth inside. The main tomb is 70 mt high surrounded by 4 minarets which are 41.6 mt high.
Later visit the Agra Fort on the West Bank of the Yamuna river. Akbar’s magnificent fort dominates the centre of the city. The fort was built up of Red sandstone and has a 2.4 km outer walls which are 20 mt high. The fort is crescent shaped with along, nearly straight wall facing the river, punctuated at regular intervals by Bastions. These buildings retain some distinctively Islamic-Persian features- the geometrical planning of the pavilions and the formal layout of the gardens. Visit the Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb also called the baby Taj. It set a startling precedent as the first Mughal building to be faced with white marble inlaid with contrasting stones. The tomb was built for Ghiyas Beg, a Persian who had obtained service in Akbar’s Court and his wife.
After sightseeing drive to Delhi. En-route visit Sikandra, Akbar’s Tomb. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the New Delhi Railway station to leave by Shatabdi Express at 1630 hrs for Amritsar, which is named after the sacred pool in the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh sites. It is pleasantly friendly and noticeably free of persistent hawkers and rickshaw wallahs. The temple itself, the city’s singular attraction is a heaven of peace amidst an essentially congested city. The atmosphere is particularly powerful from before dawn to early light, when the surrounding glistening white marble pavement is still cold under foot and the gold begins to shimmer on the lightening water. The visitor cannot help but be touched by the sanctity of the place. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06:AMRITSAR – DHARAMSHALA.
After breakfast, visit the Golden Temple, the spiritual nerve centre of the Sikh faith, every Sikh tries to make a visit and bathe in the holy water. It is immensely powerful, spiritual and welcoming.
Later proceed to Dharamshala, which has a spectacular setting along a spur of the Dhauladhar range, varying in height from 1250m at the ‘Lower Town’ bazaar to pleasanter Mcleodganj at 1768m. Surrounded by forests of chir pine, rhododendron and Himalayan Oak, it is set against a backdrop of high peaks on three sides, with superb views over the Kangra Valley and Shiwaliks and of the great Granite Mountains that almost overhang the town. The hill station was established by the British between 1815 and 1847, but remained a minor town until Dalai Lama settled here.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Evening visit The Church of St John-in the wilderness ( 1860 ), with attractive stained glasses windows, you can also visit the Namgyal Monastery a Buddhist school of Dialectics, which is mostly attended by monks. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 07:DHARAMSHALA – PALAMPUR.
After breakfast visit the Museum of Kangra Arts, having the collection of regional jewellery, paintings, carvings, a reminder of rich local heritage contrasted with the celebrated Tibetan presence, copies of Roerich paintings are very interesting. Later in the afternoon proceed to Palampur, a small town for relaxing 60 kms away from Dharamshala. The terraced slopes beyond are covered by well tented orchards. It passes through some dramatic scenery, the narrow winding roads, beautiful snow views, surrounded by old British tea plantations, thriving on horticulture. The Neughal Khad, a 300m wide chasm through which the Bundla flows is very impressive when the river swells during the monsoons. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 08:PALAMPUR – BAIJNATH – PALAMPUR
After breakfast drive 16 kms from Palampur to visit the Baijnath Temple. The temples are old dating from atleast 1204. The Vaidyanatha Temple, which contains one of 12 jyotirlingas, stands by the roadside on Mandi Palampur road, within a vast rectangular enclosure. Originally known as Kirangama, its name was changed after the temple was built to Siva in his form as the Lord of Physicians. It is a good example of Nagari style; the walls have the characteristic niches enshrining images of Chamunda, Surya and Karttikeya and the shikhara (tower) is topped with an amalaka and pot. A life size stone Nandi stands at the entrance. This temple has a lot of importance in Indian history and is a popular pilgrimage centre. Afternoon drive to Andretta, a small attractive village surrounded by orchards and tea gardens ( 13 kms from Palampur ) associated with Norah Richards, a follower of Mahatma Gandhi, who popularized rural theatre, and with the artist Sardar Sobha Singh who revived the Kangra school of painting. His paintings are big, brightly colored, ultra realistic and often-devotional incorporating Sikh, Christian and Hindu images. There is an art gallery dedicated to his work and memory. Drive back to Palampur. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 09:PALAMPUR – MANDI – SUNDERNAGAR – NALAGARH
After breakfast drive to Nalagarh. En-route visit Mandi, a town founded by a Rajput prince in circa 1520. Both Hindus and the Buddhists hold Mandi sacred. The old town with the main bazaar is huddled on the left bank of the Beas at the southern end of the Kullu Valley, just below its junction with the Uhl River. Visit the Triloknath Temple on the riverbank, built in the Nagari style with a tiled roof, has a three faced Siva image (Lord of the three world), riding a bull with Parvati on his lap. The Kali Devi statue, which emphasizes the natural shape of the stone, illustrates the ancient Himalayan practice of stone worship. In the west of the main bazaar is the 16th century Ardhanarishvara Temple where the Siva image is a composite of male/female form combining the passive Siva and the activating energy of Parvati.
In the afternoon proceed to Sundernagar, to visit the Mahadev Temple. This temple is one of the most ancient temples in Himanchal Pradesh (province). It is said about this temple that it was built in one night by cutting the rock from inside. Later proceed to Nalagarh, a small town that was once the estate of the Chandela Rajputs. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10:NALAGARH – SHIMLA
After breakfast drive to Shimla, once a charming hill station and the summer capital of the British. There are some lovely walks lined with magnificent pines and cedars giving a beautifully fresh scent to the air. Shimla is strung on a long crescent-shaped ridge which connects a number of hilltops from which there are good views of the snow-capped peaks to the north: Jakhu Hill, Prospect Hill, Observatory Hill, Elysium Hill and the Summer Hill. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free for independent activities. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11:SHIMLA
After breakfast sightseeing of the town. Morning visit the Christ Church, built in 1844 on the open area of The Ridge, dominates the eastern end of the town. The church looks beautiful with painted glasses. There are several pleasant walks in and around Shimla. Jakhu Temple on the hill with excellent views, dedicated to Hanuman the monkey god, is 2 km from the Christ Church. The State Museum, near Chaura Maidan is worth visiting. Evening free to stroll on the Mall and explore the market on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 12:SHIMLA – CHANDIGARH.
After breakfast drive to Chandigarh. En-route visit Pinjore Gardens, also known as the Yadavindra Gardens. Aurenzeb’s foster brother Fidai Khan, who also designed the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, laid them out. Within the Mughal charbagh gardens are a number of palaces in a Mughal-Rajasthani style: Shish Mahal, which has mirror-encased ceiling and is cooled by water flowing underneath (remove a slab to see); the Rang Mahal, a highly decorated pavilion; the Jal Mahal, set among cool fountains, cool and delightful are the major attractions of the gardens. Later proceed to Chandigarh. In 1947 when Lahore, Punjab’s former capital, was allocated to Pakistan, the Indian government decided to build a new capital for the Indian state of the Punjab. This is one of the few planned cities of India, acting as a dual capital of Punjab and Haryana states. Internationally renowned architect Le Corbusier, who supervised the layouts and was responsible for grand buildings, designed the city. Fry and Drew designed the residential and the commercial areas. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Evening free to explore the city on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 13:CHANDIGARH – DELHI
After breakfast an orientation tour of the city. Morning visit the Government Museum & Art Gallery, where you can see the stone sculptures dating back to Gandhara period, miniature paintings and modern art. This museum also has collection of prehistoric fossils and artifacts. The Museum of Evolution of Life has exhibits covering 5000 years from the Indus Valley Civilization to the present day. Later visit the Rose Gardens, one of the largest in Asia ( 25 ha), contains over 1500 varieties of roses. Later visit the Rock Garden, or the garden of Nek Chand. The creation of Nek Chand, a road inspector in the capitol city project, the garden comprises an extra ordinary collection of stones from the nearby shivaliks and domestic rubbish transformed into sculptures.
In the evening transfer to the railway station to board the Kalka Shatabdi at 1820 hrs for Delhi. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 14:DELHI – ITALY
Early morning transfer to the international airport to fly back home.