Home : Discover India : Mountains and Monasteries

Mountains and Monasteries

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Duration : 13 Nights / 14 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Amritsar - Dharamsala - Taragarh - Pragpur - Shimla - Chandigarh

Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
You will be warmly welcomed by the staff of India Tourism Travel on your arrival at Delhi on the first day of your mountains and monasteries tour of Northern India. We will lodge you in your hotel room where you will spend rest of the day as per your leisure.

Day 2 : Delhi sightseeing
We shall start sightseeing of Delhi attractions after our luscious breakfast. Some of the prominent attractions of Delhi are discussed in brief below that we will visit during the day
Akshardham Temple - Swaminaryan Akshardham Temple reflects the essence of India's timeless spiritual traditions. The 141 ft high temple has 234 ornate pillars and 11 mandapams (huge domes), each of which is 72 ft high. There are more than 20,000 statues of deities and mythological figures in it. Situated on the banks of River Yamuna, it is a
popular pilgrimage of Hindus and followers of Swaminaryan sect. Entry to the complex is free but those who want to visit exhibition halls and theaters will have to buy ticket for Rs. 125, however there is discount for children and senior citizens.
Bahai Temple (Lotus Temple) - The temple is shaped like a lotus and made with pure white marble. Its lotus petals signify the Manifestation of God, purity and tenderness. It is an architectural marvel created by the followers of Bahai Faith, which has millions of adherents worldwide.
Qutab Minar - Qutub-ud-din-Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi commenced the construction of this largest stone minaret of its kind in 1200 AD but could only make its ground floor. His successors added more storeys to it and finally Firoz Shah Tughlaq completed it in 1368. It is 238 ft high and a conspicuous landmark of Delhi.
Red Fort (Lal Quila) - Called so because it is made of red sandstone, the fort has an irregular octagonal perimeter of about one and a half miles. It has two main entrances called Delhi Gate and Lahori Gate. It was constructed during 1618 to 1647 by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan when he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi.
India Gate - The 160 ft high India Gate is situated at the heart of Delhi. It was designed as a War Memorial for Indian soldiers by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Its construction was completed in 1931. It has 138 ft high arch and names of 90,000 soldiers are inscribed on its magnificent walls.
Jama Masjid - The big mosque was constructed between 1650 and 1656 AD by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan. It faces the Red Fort and its 130 ft high minarets offer a spectacular view of Old Delhi attractions.
Other Delhi attractions that we will see on the day are: Purana Quila (Old Fort), Humayun's Tomb, President House, Birla Mandir, Jantar Mantar and Vishwa Shanti Stupa.

Day 03 : Delhi - Amritsar
We shall depart for Amritsar after breakfast. This thriving city of Punjab is the most holy pilgrimage center for Sikhs around the world. Golden Temple is the pride of Amritsar. The city people have rich hospitality traditions and are fond of tasty cuisines and colorful dresses. We shall spend our day in the sightseeing of Golden Temple, which is representative of the epitome of Sikhism in India and the world over.
Golden Temple - Also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib, it is the holiest of all Sikh shrines in the world. It is placed amid a pool of water, known as Amrit Sarovar, approachable by a corridor of glittering white marble. Adi Granth, which is the holy book of Sikhism, is placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. There are huge dining halls and dormitories where food and accommodation is provided to the needy free of cost. Birthday of Guru Nanak (Guru Purab), Viasakhi (Second Week of April) and martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur are the three most important festivals that the temple celebrates with much ado. The original Gurudwara was founded by Guru Arjan Dev in 1604 while it was brought to the present day glory by Maharaja Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. Maharaja Ranjit Singh added gold platings to the temple between 1802 and 1830. We will have our lunch of traditional delicacies at Amritsar and view the Golden Temple at night when it glitters with golden hue amid the brilliance of thousands of lamps. Our overnight stay will be at a hotel in Amritsar. We will continue sightseeing of other attractions of Amritsar for one more day.

Day 04 : Amritsar sightseeing
We shall visit the following attractions of Amritsar on the day.
Jallianwala Bagh - It is a big garden of 6.5 acres which is preserved to evoke the patriotic spirits of Indians. There is a huge stone memorial with images of flames signifying the undying sprit of the innocent people who were massacred by British forces in 1919. Original wall of the garden have pellet marks of the bullets fired on innocent and armless peopleby British forces that are still visible to date.
Wagah Border - It is an international border between India and Pakistan. "Beating the Retreat" ceremony is done here every day with full passion and pageantry during the Change of Guard by Indian and Pakistani Armies which makes an appealing spectacle.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum - The summer resort of Maharaja Ranjit Singh has now been converted into a museum. The museum has rich collection of personal effects of the king and the armory used during medieval periods. Parwana, which Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent to the Raja of Kapurthala is also on display for the public with his seal.
Ber Baba Buddha - It is a tree which is situated within Golden Temple complex. Baba Buddha was a saint who used to sit under this tree. Legend had it that Guru Arjan Dev got child with the blessings of Baba Buddha.

Other attractions of Amritsar that we will visit during the day include Rambagh Gardens, Swarna Mandir, Durgiana Temple, Akal Takht and Khair-ud-Din Masjid.
Day 05: Amritsar - Dharamsala (225km/4.5hrs)
We will depart for Dharamsala after breakfast on the fifth day of our mountains and monasteries tour. The hilly town is situated in Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh amidst the backdrop of Dhauladhar Mountains. It is home to exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. We will visit the following attractions of Dharamsala during the day:
Bhagsu Falls - The scenic waterfalls are located near Mcleodganj City Center and are just half kilometer from Bhagsunath Temple. The view of 30 ft high cascading waterfalls against the backdrop of lush greenery is very amusing for the travelers.
Dal Lake - It is the most popular tourist attraction of Dharamsala. It is situated amid the dense deodar forestation. You can enjoy houseboat ride in its serene waters. It is the only destination in North India where you can enjoy a leisure houseboat sailing. The second destination is at the southernmost tip of India, in the state of Kerala. We will stay overnight at Dharmsala in a resort and continue sightseeing of Dharamsala attractions for next day also.

Day 06: Dharamsala sightseeing
We will visit various Buddhist monasteries and temple on the sixth day of our mountains and monasteries tour which includes:
Namgyal Monastery - The monastery houses the residence of Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Government in exile. It is located inside Tsuglagkhang Complex. There is a Buddhist Prayer Wheel , a museum and some Buddhist shrines. The monastery gracefully overlooks the lush green mountain ranges of Dhauladhar.
Triund - It is a mountain crest in Dhauladhar mountain ranges, situate on the outskirts of Bhagsunath. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Moon Peak and Indera Pass. You can also enjoy trekking in its unpolluted environs.
Tsuglagkhang The monastery is the abode of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. Faithful visit it to seek blessings of Dalai Lama. There are bookshops, cafes and paintings for the visitors to admire and shop.
Kareri Lake - The high altitude freshwater lake is situated 9 km from Dharamsala. Excellent trekking facilities are available near the lake for tourists.
Kangra Fort - It is located 20 km from Dharamsala. It is the oldest fort in the region and finds mention in the 3rd century BC war records of Alexander. The magnanimous structure has witnessed several plunders and confiscations by the warring rulers. One can have a beautiful view of the gushing streams of Manjhi and Banganga rivers from the top of Kangra Fort.
Other attractions of Dharmsala that we will see during the day are: Mahrana Pratap Sagar (Pong Dam Lake), Tibet Museum, Neugal Khad, Tea Gardens, Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple and Palampur.

The region has several trekking trails where adventurists can enjoy some great expeditions. Facilities for paragliding and boating are also available in Dharamsala. Overnight stay will be in Dharamsala resort.

Day 07 : Dharamsala - Taragarh (60 km / 02 hrs)
We shall depart for Taragarh after our sumptuous breakfast. The hilly town is situated 60 km from Dharamsala. It is surrounded by pine trees amidst the backdrop of rolling Dhauladhar Mountains. We will have our lunch at Taragarh and thereafter walk into the local bazaars of the town. You can shop for blankets, handicrafts, pottery, paintings and other artifacts in the markets of Taragarh. Our overnight stay will be at Taragarh and we shall continue sightseeing of hilly town of Taragarh for one more day tomorrow.

Day 08: Taragarh sightseeing
We will see the following attractions of Taragarh on the eighth day of our monasteries and mountains tour:
Tashijong Monastery - The monastery was founded by Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. You can shop for Tankha Paintings and have weaved beautiful carpets in Taragarh.
Mcleod Gunj - It is a settlement for Tibetans and Buddhist monks who moved here after being exiled from Tibet. You can shop for handicrafts and textiles in the region and taste some delicious Tibetan delicacies.
St. John's Church - The church is situated amid the silent wilderness of Taragarh. It has stained glass windows and portraits of Jesus Christ and St. Paul the Baptist.
Trekking - There are some good trekking trails in Taragarh where you can spend your day out exploring the charms of the beautiful surroundings of the hilly region.

Other attractions of Taragarh include Andretta Pottery, Shobha Singh Art Gallery and Tea Gardens.

Day 09 : Taragarh - Pragpur
Pragpur is a heritage village situated in Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh in Northern India. There is a beautiful Taal or pond at the center of the village. Butail Niwas is a 100 year old heritage building of the village. We shall visit the following attractions of this heritage village:
Jai Singh Palace - The palace was built in 1918 AD. It is famous for its architectural design and beautiful carvings on the walls.
Chintpurni Temple - The temple is located about 20 km from Pragpur. It is dedicated to goddess Durga, also known as Devi Parvati. The temple is revered about people living in the region.
Casual Ramble - You can enjoy casual ramble in the dense vegetation of the region and soak the beauty of this hilly area for hours.
Our overnight stay will be at a resort in Pragpur. We shall drive to Shimla next day, which is a very popular hill station of Himachal Pradesh.

Day 10 : Pragpur - Shimla
Shimla hill station is situated at an altitude of 2200 m above sea level in Himachal Pradesh. It has picturesque hilly terrain and its quaint surroundings and snow-capped mountains attract nature lovers, honeymooners and family travelers from far and wide all year round.
We shall visit the following attractions of Shimla on tenth day of our monasteries & mountains tour.

Jakhu Temple - The temple is located at the highest peak of Jakhu hills in Shimla. It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and has an altitude of 2.5 km. You can reach the temple by trekking through a 2 km long stretch through thick vegetation or alternatively hire ponies.
Arki Fort - It was built by Rana Prithvi Singh with the fusion of Rajput and Mogul architectural styles. Gurkha warriors used to wage their war against British from its precincts during eighteenth century. A part of Arki Fort now has been converted into a heritage hotel.
Christ Church - It is the most imposing building on the famed Mall Road of Shimla. It is considered to be the second oldest Church in North India. Officials and notables used to stand in long queues at this church for the mass. It is famous for its stained glass windows and the big clock decked just below its tall spire which is visible from miles away.
We shall stay at a resort in Shimla and continue the sightseeing of this beautifully hill station of North India for one more day tomorrow.

Day 11 : Shimla sightseeing
We shall have our hearty breakfast in the resort and then visit the following attractions of Shimla hill station on eleventh day of our monasteries & mountains tour.
Mall Road - It is the place for socialization for local people. There are good number of shops selling curios for tourists and recreation centers on Mall Road for your fun and enjoyment. Scandal Point, The Ridge and Christ Church are the main attractions of Mall Road of Shimla. One can also enjoy horse riding on the picturesque Mall Road. To maintain the historic charm of the region, Shimla's Mall Road is out of bound for vehicles.
The Himalayan National (Nature) Park - This captivating bio-diversity region is a heaven for nature enthusiasts. The park is home to a variety of more than 180 bird species and endangered mammalian species like the musk deer, sloth bear, elusive snow leopard and jackals. You can also enjoy trekking in the Himalayan National Park. Since the area is rich with dense forests and is home to predators, armed forest rangers will accompany you during your trekking expeditions.
The Ridge - It is a large open space that crisscrosses the Mall Road. It is an ideal place for long leisure walks. Summer Festival is held here annually. Some of the most prominent landmarks of Shimla are located in the Ridge.
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary - The wildlife sanctuary is home to a variety of exotic animal and bird species. It has highest elevation of 2180 m from where you can have a panoramic view of the lush green surroundings of the region. It was a hunting reserve of the erstwhile rulers of Patiala Kingdom.

Day 12 : Shimla sightseeing (continued)
We will see some more attractions of this lovely hill station during the day like
Toy Train Ride - The toy train of Shimla is a great draw for tourists. It starts from Kalka and chugs it way through valleys, dense forest and gurgling streams, covering a distance of 96 km at a speed of 05 km per hour and terminating finally at Shimla hill station. Shimla Toy Train has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Himachal State Museum - The colonial building is situated on Mall Road. It has a good collection of medieval period coins, paintings, 8th century stone sculptures and handicrafts.
Gurudwara Sahib - The Gurudwara is situated in Chail. It was constructed in 1907 and is popular pilgrimage center for Sikhs.
Hanuman Temple - The temple is located in Shoghi village. It was renovated recently and people present offerings to Lord Hanuman in the temple to seek prosperity and good health.

Shimla has no dearth of tourist attractions. Some more worthwhile attractions of the region are: Shaily Peak, Golf Course and Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex. Overnight stay will be at Shimla.

Day 13 : Shimla - Chandigarh (130kms/3hrs)
Chandigarh is well planned city of Punjab with beautiful gardens. It is the administrative capital of both Punjab and Haryana and is spread over an area of 114 sq km. French architect Le Corbusier meticulously planned the layout of modern Chandigarh in nineteenth century. We shall visit the following attractions of Chandigarh during the day:
Rock Garden - The garden in unique itself as all sculpturesurban industrial waste. It is like an open-air exhibition hall which is spread over 64 acres. The garden has sculptures made of china ware, broken crockery, bangles, discarded fluorescent tubes etc.
Sukhna Lake - The 3 km artificial lake is situated at the foothills of Shivalik range of mountains. It is a popular picnic spot where you can enjoy pedal boating.
Rose Garden - Officially known as Zakir Rose Garden, it is spread over an area of 17 acres. There are more than 1,600 varieties of rose and other flowery plants in the garden.

Other attractions of Chandigarh are: The Capitol, International Dolls Museum, Leisure Valley, Terraced Garden and Pinjore Gardens.

Day 14 : Chandigarh - Delhi - Departure (265kms/6hrs)
We shall drive to Delhi after morning breakfast from where you will be boarded onto your flight way back to your home city by the executives of India Tourism Travel.

Tags : Mountains and Monasteries Tour, Mountains Tour, Mountain Tour Package, Shimla Tour, Delhi to Shimla.

Tour ends with sweet memories!!