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Ganges and Himalayas
Duration –
11 Days
Destinations: - Delhi,
Rishikesh,
Haridwar,
Shimla,
Manali,
Chandigarh
Day 01: - Arrive Delhi, India
Arrive at Delhi International Airport.
Delhi – To start off with your Himalayas tour you will
first visit Delhi, a bustling metropolis and a city of 14
million inhabitants, is also India’s capital. A near
perfect blend of the ancient and the modern, Delhi, consisting
two parts Old & New Delhi, is a city with something for
everyone. From Forts and monuments that are almost 500 years
old, to modern shopping malls, nightclubs and golf courses,
Delhi truly is India’s crown jewel.
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our
representative who will present you with a welcome pack including
all necessary documentation and arrange for your transfer
to your hotel for check-in. No activity is scheduled today,
since most of the International flights arrive into India
close to midnight only. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
This morning you are collected from your hotel for full day
tour of Old and New Delhi.
The tour
of the 17th-century old city includes the great mosque of
Jama Masjid, The main street of Old Delhi is the colorful
shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk (“Moonlit Street”).
Red Fort, most spectacular pieces of mughal architecture,
built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648.
Drive past Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.
The tour
of New Delhi includes Qutab Minar, one of the most popular
landmarks in Delhi built in 1199. The Humayun's Tomb, the
precursor of the Taj Mahal. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath
(“the Kingsway,”) passing the India Gate (the memorial built
to commemorate the unknown soldiers,) the President’s House,
and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite from the
otherwise bustling city at Birla Mandir, a modern and colourful
Hindu temple.
Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel
Day 03: Delhi - Rishikesh
This morning you drive to Rishikesh (250 kms/06 hrs.)
Rishikesh - India
is the home of yoga, and Rishikesh is known as the world's
yoga capital. Surrounded by hills on three sides, Rishikesh
is located on the right bank of the Ganga, at its confluence
with the Chandrabhaga stream. One of the holiest places on
the upward pilgrimages to the Himalayas.
Rishikesh abounds in stories of renunciation, meditation,
penance and salvation. It has developed into one of the better
known centres, for schools of yoga and meditation. There are
many ashrams along its banks and it is easy to be overwhelmed
by these ashrams and its bleary-eyed sadhus (holy man). Perched
in the foothills of the Himalayas, this is the first town
where the holy river Ganges reaches on its descent from the
mountains. In spite of its claim to being the “Yoga Capital
of the World” is also significant as the trekking base,
to the Himalayan shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath
and Badrinath. This is a great place to stay and study yoga,
meditation and other aspects of Hinduism, or just to unwind
from the rig ours of metro city life.
Upon arrival in Rishikesh, check in to your hotel and rest
of the day at leisure to explore the city on your own. Ram
Jhula, Laxman Jhula, Gita Bhawan, Bharat Mandir are the important
places to see. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Rishikesh
- Haridwar
This morning you drive to Haridwar (24 kms/½ hrs.).
Haridwar - situated on the right side of the bank of the
holy Ganga, and is the point where the river spreads over
the northern plains. Associated with both Lord Shiva and Lord
Vishnu, Haridwar is among the seven sacred cities of India.
It is also one of the four venues for the Kumbh Mela, held
in its magnitude every twelve years. Essentially a religious
centre which holds promise of salvation for devotees, Haridwar
is also a centre of herbal medicine, and traditional studies
at Gurukul Kangri. Haridwar stands as the gateway to the four
pilgrimages of Uttrakhand. Mentioned as Mayapuri, Gangadwar,
Mokshadwar in the ancient scriptures and epics, Haridwar has
always remained as a major Shaktipeeth for the devotees. Of
such significance is Haridwar in the thought of India’s
traditional Hindus, that it has earned its sobriquet of honour,
`the gateway to the Gods’.
Upon arrival in Haridwar, check in to your hotel and rest
of the day at leisure or to explore the city on your own.
Hari – ki – Pauri, Maya Devi Temple, Shanti Kunj
& Chandi Devi are important place to see. A spectacle
worth seeing is The Ganga Aarti or evening prayers which is
when the aarti ceremony is performed at all temples in Haridwar
at the same instant . Hundreds of pilgrims and devotee visitors
throng to the ghats at Har-ki-Pauri to participate in this
prayer. Offerings of lamps and flowers are made to the river
immediately following this ceremony and it is a moving sight
to watch hundreds of miniature lamps float along the river.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Haridwar
- Shimla
This morning you drive to Shimla (300 kms/07 hrs.).
Shimla – The British called Shimla the "Queen
of Hill Stations". Situated in the north-West Himalayas
and the capital of the mountainous state of Himachal, or the
"abode of snow", Shimla was the summer capital of
India before Independence. Covering an area of 18 sq km at
a height of 7,238 ft, Shimla is surrounded by pine, deodar,
oak and rhododendron forests. Inspite of its modernization,
Shimla still retains a colonial flavour, and is one of Indian's
most popular and biggest hill stations.
Upon arrival in Shimla, check-in to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Shimla
Day at leisure to explore the city on your own. The important
places to visit are Jakhu Temple,
Sankat Mochan Temple and famous shopping place of Shimla town
– The Mall & The Ridge. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Shimla -
Manali
This morning you drive to Manali (260 kms/08 hrs.)
Manali – Situated at the northern end of the Kullu
Valley, Manali has spectacular views of 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. There
are marvelous walks too, through dappled orchards and fairy-tale
forests of deodar. Manali's major asset is its proximity to
the snowline. It is a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead
for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for
adventure sport lovers.
Upon arrival in Manali, check in to your hotel. Rest of the
day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Manali
Day at leisure to explore the city on your own. The important
places to visit are Hadimba temple, Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley,
Manu Temple, Tibetan Temple etc. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09:
Manali – Chandigarh
This morning you drive to Chandigarh (325 kms/08 hrs).
Chandigarh One of the few modern planned cities in India,
Chandigarh is divided into 47 self-contained sectors. Architects
Albert Mayer and Mathew Novicki drew the initial plans in
New York. When the Novicki died in an air crash in 1950, prompting
Mayer to withdraw, the work was entrusted to Le Corbusier,
a well-known architect and planner. One can see architectural
genius in the neat geometrical design of residential quarters,
reinforced concrete structures and self-contained area layouts.
Each sector of the city is designed with its own shops, academic,
and health care buildings, places of worship, open spaces,
greenery and the residential areas. The city is divided into
four major work areas. In the north, the capital complex,
consisting of the Secretariat, Legislative Assembly and High
Court, with the hills as a background dominating the city.
Sector-17, which is the city and district centre, housing
the administrative and state government offices, shopping
malls, banks and other offices. The west contains the university,
and institutions of engineering, architecture, Asian studies
and medicine. Finally the east zone, which is the industrial
area of the city.
Upon arrival in Chandigarh, check-in to hotel. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 10: Chandigarh - Delhi
This morning you are collected from your hotel for half day
tour of Chandigarh.
Your sightseeing tour includes a visit to Nek Chand’s
Rock Garden - created by Nek Chand Saini, a resident of the
city, in 1958. He used discarded objects of everyday use like
bottles, tin cans, broken plugs, plates, saucers and rocks
from the nearby Shivalik mountains to create a 40-acre fantasy
labyrinth garden.
Open Hand Monument - The Open Hand Monument, a symbol of harmony
and peace. The first thing you’ll notice as you is the
waist-high wicker fence which says ‘for hon’ble
judges only’.
Sukhna lake - the Sukhna Lake is an artificial reservoir.
A popular place to hang out.
Capital Complex - This area, with its monumental public buildings
is the site of architect Le Corbusier’s most ambitious
experiments. The concrete campus and its accompanying lawns
are meant to express the strength and unity of independent
India.
The sightseeing tour is followed by a drive to Delhi (250
kms/05 hrs.).
Upon arrival in Delhi check-in to your hotel. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 11: Depart Delhi
Met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to
the Delhi airport in time for your flight home.
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