Himachal Pradesh Tour – 15 Days

In the morning we drive towards Shimla. The British called Shimla the “Queen of Hill Stations”. Shimla is situated in the northwest Himalayas. It was the summer capital of India before independence and it is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla derives its name from “Shyamala”: the goddess Kali, whose temple existed in the dense forest that covered Jakhu Hill in the early 19th century. It’s well developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions make it one of India’s most popular and biggest hill stations.

Today we have a day of sightseeing in Shimla. In our sightseeing we visit the Gothic Christ Church. This Christ church is located on Shimla’s prominent ridge. Even today, the church has some interesting memorial tablets while the pews still mark the seats of British Viceroy of India, the Commander-in-Chief and the Punjab’s Governor. Later we visit the Jakhoo Hill. It is Shimla’s highest point and offers a spectacular view of the town, hills and distant mountain ranges. The peak has a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. After visiting the temple we return back to the hotel. In the evening we visit the Mall and Scandal Point for shopping. Scandal Point is the hub of Shimla’s social life and is said to be so named after a British Commander-in-Chief’s daughter eloped from the spot with the Maharaja of Patiala.

The whole day to be spend freely in Shimla to enjoy the natural surroundings

In the morning after having breakfast we drive to Manali. The landscape here is breathtaking. One can see spectacular views of well-defined snowcapped peaks and wooded slopes. The Beas River rushes along its rocky course amid grassy meadows carpeted with wild flowers and wagtails hop along from stone to stone along the stream’s edge. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday and a favorite resort for trekkers to various regions in Kashmir valley. It is known as the Switzerland of India. In the evening we arrive in Manali.

In the morning we will have sightseeing in Manali. Today we will visit Hidimba Devi Temple, Vashisht Hot Water Spring and the Monastery. Hidimba Devi temple was built in 1553. This temple has a superbly crafted four-tiered pagoda roof and is famous for it’s exquisitely carved doorway. Vashisht Hot Water Springs are well known. There are old temples dedicated to the sage Vashishth and Lord Rama. In the evening we visit a small Tibetan monastery which houses several Buddha images and Rahella Falls. It is a beautiful picturesque site from where the Beas river falls down from the height of 50 meters above sea level.

The whole day to be spend freely in Manali.

Today we drive to Dharamsala. Dharamshala has one of the most spectacular settings for a hill station and is split into two parts. The lower part is only known as Dharamshala and is about 9 kms away from the upper part, which is known as McLeodganj. In Dharamshala there is a strong Tibetan influence. The Dalai Lama settled here after the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959.

Today we visit the Namgyal monastery at McLeodganj. This monastery is the major attraction in McLeodganj and is located on the opposite side of the Dalai Lama’s residence. This monastery contains large gilded bronzes of Buddha, Avalokitesvara and Padmasambhava. Afterwards we have a walk through McLeodganj and visit the St. John church. This church has attractive stained glass windows. Lord Elgin, one of the viceroy of the British occupied India was buried in this church. Evening at leisure to visit the markets at Dharamshala.

Today we drive to Dalhousie. Dalhousie is a beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh. It was established in 1854 by the British as a summer retreat for its troops and bureaucrats, and was named after Lord Dalhousie who was the British Viceroy at that time. Dalhousie is built on and around five hills. Dalhousie is located on the western edge of the Dhauladhar mountain range of the Himalayas and surrounded by the beautiful snow capped peaks. We arrive in the evening.

Today we have a day of sightseeing in Dalhousie. The old charm of Dalhousie is reflected in the four attractive churches (e.g. St. John’s Church and St. Francis Church). St. John’s Church is comfortably located at Gandhi Chowk. This is one of the oldest churches in Dalhousie. Stone walls took the place of wooden planks in 1863, when a visitor complained about it. St Francis Church is also located near it, on a wooded rise above Subhash Chowk. This church was built in 1894, and services are still held on Sundays. Scottish and Victorian architecture can be seen in the bungalows and churches in the town.

The whole day to be spend freely in Dalhousie.

In the afternoon we arrive in Delhi. In the night we transfer to the airport for the flight to home destination.