P a g e 1 364 Embassy, Koramangala, Bangalore. Ph: +91 9483958408, 9880388991, holiday@takeabreak.in, www.takeabreak.in BEST OF HIMACHAL PRADESH Delhi Manali Shimla Delhi 7 Days / 6 Nights (Blackout Dates: 15 th December to 5 th January) DELHI MANALI SHIMLA
P a g e 2 Overview Destination Nights Basis Delhi Manali Shimla 1 2 1 RO: Room only I SC: Self Catering I HB: Half Board I B&B: Bed and breakfast I D, B&B: Dinner, bed and breakfast I FB: Dinner, bed, breakfast and lunch I FB+: Dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch and activities daily I FI: Fully inclusive HB breakfast & dinner Note: Guests will be spending a total of 2 nights in the coach (1 night from Delhi Manali & 1 night from Shimla Delhi) PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Delhi: Akshardham, Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate Manali: Hadimba Temple, Manu temple, Vashisth, Naggar castle, Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery, Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley Shimla: Mall road, Christ Church, Kurfi, Viceregal Lodge, Shimla State Museum, and Prospect Hill Day 1: Delhi Delhi Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi, is the Capital territory of India. Through most of its history, Delhi has served as a capital of various kingdoms and empires. The city was captured, ransacked and rebuilt several times, particularly during the medieval period, and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region. The city is divided into two parts Old Delhi and New Delhi which are two different worlds on their own. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings. Like an eastern Rome, India s capital is littered with the relics of lost empires. The Pandavas of the Mahabharata had their capital at Indraprastha, which is believed to have been geographically located in today's Delhi. Arrive in Delhi International Airport You will be greeted by our chauffeur and drive to your hotel Check-in to the Hotel & rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Delhi Day 2: DELHI MANALI (540 Km / 11 Hrs) After breakfast, check out from the property and proceed for sightseeing of Delhi Delhi Sightseeing: Akshardham, Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate After sightseeing in the night @ 20:00 Hrs take the coach (on sharing basis) from Delhi for your travel to Manali Overnight in luxury coach Visit the below sightseeing points
P a g e 3 Akshardham Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Delhi is the largest Hindu temple complex in the world and is on the banks of Yamuna River. The temple opened in 2005 was built by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha spiritual organization; the complex displays millennia of traditional Hindu and Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture. The main monument, at the centre of the complex designed in accordance with ancient Vedic text known as the Sthapatya Shastra, features a blend of architectural styles from across India. The monument is constructed entirely from Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble, and has no support from steel or concrete. The complex also features a beautiful garden known as Garden of India or Bharat Upavan. The garden spread over acres of well manicured lawns and large trees also has several bronze sculptures of famous Indian personalities and freedom fighters who have contributed to India's history and culture. Akshardham is open between 9:30 am and 6:30 pm on all days except Mondays. Red Fort Delhi's most famous monument, the Red Fort or the Lal Quila, stands as a powerful reminder of the Mughal emperors who ruled India. The Fort, built in 1638 by Shah Jahan, is a magnificent monument that captivates your attention and exhibits the show of architectural splendour of Mughals. Its walls, which stretch for over two kilometres (1.2 miles), and are 33 meters high were built to keep out invaders. On Indian Independence Day (15 August), the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at the main gate of the fort and delivers a nationally-broadcast speech from its ramparts. Except on Mondays the World Heritage site is open on other days between 9 am and 6 pm. Humayun's Tomb Humayun s tomb built in 1570 was comissioned by Queen Haji Begum, widow of second Mughal emperor Humayun. Located on the banks of River Yamuna the tomb houses the Mughal emperor s body. This was the first of this type of Mughal architecture built in India which was followed by an extensive period of construction all over the country. This structure is also considered as the inspiration for Taj Mahal s creation. Open on all days the best time to view the tomb is in the golden light of the late afternoon. Qutub Minar Qutub Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world and the second tallest Minar in India. Made of red sandstone and marble, the 73 meters (240 feet) tall structure was built in 1206. The tower has five distinct stories, and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the holy Quran. Qutub Minar is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture. India Gate Earlier known as All India War Memorial, India Gate was constructed in 1931 as a war memorial for over 70,000 soldiers who were killed during First World War and Afghan War. The names of the martyrs are etched on the body of this 42 m high India Gate. It's located in Rajpath, the royal way which leads to the President's residence. Amar Jawan Jyoti is a burning shrine underneath the arch of the famous India Gate. The flame honors the immortal warriors of India. The shrine is a monument made out of black marble. A rifle is positioned on the barrel, tufted by a helmet of a soldier. The words "Amar Jawan is inscribed in gold in each of the faces of the monument. The place is illuminated with thousands of lights and that creates a gracious impact.
P a g e 4 Day 3: MANALI Manali Manali, a mystical hill town of Himachal Pradesh is located near the highway leading to Leh. The city is a haven for skiing and paragliding and also offers various natural trails for trekking. The mythological legends, the snow capped mountains and scenic beauty lures tourists to Manali. Snow can be enjoyed year round at Rohtang Pass providing the perfect setting for families and couples to enjoy the natural vista. The small town is the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and from there over the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin. It is a popular tourist destination and serves as the roadway to other northern hill stations. Reach Manali by 08:00 Hours in the morning You will be greeted by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and relax After lunch at 13:00hrs proceed for sightseeing of Manali Sightseeing of Manali: Hadimba Temple, Manu temple, Vashisth, Naggar, Naggar castle, Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery Return to the hotel by late evening and relax Overnight at Manali Visit to the below sightseeing points
P a g e 5 Hadimba Temple Hidimbi Devi Temple, also known variously as the Hadimba Temple, is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, sister of Hidimba, a figure in the Indian epic Mahabarat. The temple is surrounded by cedar forest at the foot of the Himalayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground which was worshipped as an image of the deity. The structure was built in 1553. The Hidimba Devi temple is built around a cave where Hidimba performed meditation. Hidimba was supposed to have lived there with her brother Hidimb, and not much is known about their parents. Born into a Rakshas family, Hidimba vowed to marry one who would defeat her brother Hidimb, who was supposed to be very brave and fearless. During the Pandava's exile, when they visited Manali; Bhima, one of the five Pandavas, killed Hidimb. Thereafter, Hidimba married Bhima and gave birth to their son Ghatotkacha. There is a shrine which is dedicated to Ghatotkacha (son of Bhima-Hadimba) and is located just about 70 metres from the temple. Manu Temple This magnificent temple is dedicated to the sage Manu, who is said to be the creator of the world and the writer of Manusmriti. The Manu Temple is located in old Manali, at a distance of three kilometres from the main market. Though this area is quite congested, the presence of the River Beas adds to its attraction. The temple is one of the prime attractions in Manali and is believed to be the same place where sage Manu meditated after stepping on earth. This place has a distinct historical background that appeals to most of the people who visit Manali. The popularity of this majestic temple lies in the fact that it is the only temple dedicated to Manu. The travellers are advised to wear dresses covering the knees and shoulders, while inside the temple. Vashisth Vashisht, a small town on the outskirts of Manali, is famous for healing hot spring baths along with Vashisth and Rama temples. Vashisht was named after Rishi Vashisht one of the seven sages of Hindu. Legend has it that the saddened Rishi Vashisht after learning that his children were killed by Vishwamitra tried to commit suicide. But the river refused to kill him. The river was therefore named as Vipasha which literally means freedom from bondage. It was later shortened to Beas River. He began mediating and vowed to start his life anew. The Vashisht temple which exists even today is believed to be more than 4000 years. It s difficult to imagine how a place so old could remain so small. Perhaps the village is protected by its difficult landscapes. Vashisht temple is built in a traditional style with lots of intricate wood carvings. It is also most popular for hot springs which is believed to have medicinal value. Besides these gurgling streams, Vashisht also houses pretty old shrines dedicated to lord Ram and his kula guru, Sage Vashisht. Naggar Located in the Kullu district, around 20 km from Manali, Naggar is a very popular heritage village in India. Besides having various historical monuments and holy temples, the town also boasts of verdant fruit orchards and host of adventure activities like trekking, fishing and camping. Naggar Castle Located in Naggar Town, amidst breathtaking forested hills, the Naggar Castle is a magnificent historical edifice. Made of stone and wood, this palace served as the residence of Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu. It was built in AD 1460 in an impressive amalgamation of European and Himalayan architecture. Fireplaces, fitting staircases, and magnificent stone and wood works grace the castle's interiors. There are three small shrines within the premises, each holding immense religious importance. For art lovers, Naggar Castle has incredible art pieces on display. Worth-mentioning are the paintings of Nicholas Roerich- the famous Russian painter. In the year 1978, the castle was converted into a rest house, and more recently into a heritage hotel that is run by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC). The holy Beas River flows close to the castle, adding beauty and sanctity to it. Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery Nicholas Reorich Art Gallery is a very popular attraction in Naggar and is located within the Naggar Castle. The museum displays a private collection of paintings of the Russian painter Nikolai Reorich, who lived here and died in the year 1947. The ground floor of the gallery is dedicated to the paintings of Kullu, Spiti and Lahaul by the painter. The upper floor preserves the artist s private rooms.
P a g e 6 DAY 4: MANALI After early breakfast, proceed for sightseeing of Manali Manali Sightseeing: Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley Return to the hotel by late evening and relax Overnight at Manali Visit to the below sightseeing points Rohtang Pass Rohtang Pass- a gateway to Lahaul and Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, remains one of the most spectacular destinations in the entire Kullu region. This picturesque pass is located around 51 kms away from Manali, at a height of 3980 meters, on Manali Keylong highway. This mountain slope is so beautiful that attracts people from every corner of the country to take part in adventure sports such as skiing, ice-skating, paragliding, etc. The Rohtang Pass is open for tourist from April to October and the permission to travel on this highway is given by the Indian Army, once they clear the snow. The name Rohtang means 'ground of corpses' due to the number of people who lost their lives while crossing this difficult mountain range. It is located on the Pir Panjal Mountain Range of the Himalayas and serves as the gateway to Pangi and the valley of Leh. The Rohtang Pass is a natural divide between the humid Kullu Valley, which has a predominant Hindu culture and high altitude Lahaul and Spiti Calleys, which are predominantly Buddhist.
P a g e 7 Solang Valley Solang valley is famous for hosting various winter adventure sports like skiing, parachuting, paragliding, trekking, and mountaineering. This dazzling valley is one of the most picturesque sights in Manali and is located at an average altitude of 2,560 meters above sea level. Solang Valley is located between Solang village and Beas Kund and offers majestic views of glaciers and snow capped mountain. The Mountaineering Institute of Manali has installed a ski lift for training. The winter skiing festival is also organized in Solang every year and the activities like Zorbing, Horse riding & Snow Motor Bikes riding are offered for the entertainment of tourists. DAY 5: MANALI SHIMLA (250 Km / 06 Hrs) Shimla The ever-charming Queen of Hills 'Shimla' was once the summer capital of the British in India. This beautiful hill station is surrounded by picturesque green valleys, snow-capped Himalayan mountain range, scenic hills, and spectacular structures, made during the colonial era. The city creates an aura of regal India and embraces numerous attractions in its vicinity that looks absolutely stunning in winter. Shimla is the present capital of Himachal Pradesh, which is situated in the northwestern part of the Himalayan Mountain Range and is surrounded by pine, deodar, oak, and rhododendron forests. It has grand old buildings, stately Viceregal Lodges, charming iron lamp posts, regal bakeries and coffee houses that make Shimla one of the top tourist destinations in India. The city also plays host to the historic toy train that links Kalka with Shimla through 105 tunnels and many beautiful rail & road stations. After breakfast check out from the hotel at 09:00hrs and drive to Shimla Arrive at Shimla by 15:00 Hours, check-in to the hotel and relax In the evening you may wish to take a walk along Mall Road and The Ridge Overnight at Shimla Visit the below sightseeing points
P a g e 8 Mall Road The Mall Road is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Shimla that enfolds many hotels, restaurants, clubs, bars, banks, shops, offices, post offices, and tourist offices. One can walk up and down the Mall road slowly and enjoy the scenic views of the nature while sipping your favourite coffee. This is a vehicle-free zone and is best explored only on foot. Horse riding can also be enjoyed here. Christ Church Christ Church is one the oldest churches in North India and was built by the British in 1857 to serve the large Anglican British community in the area. The majestic appearance of the church and its stunning location makes it a prime attraction in Shimla. The church has stained glass windows, which represents faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience, and humanity. It is one of the long lasting legacies of British rule in India and also Shimla s most popular landmark. The church building is constructed in the Neo-Gothic style of architecture and anyone visiting Shimla should spend some time in this glorious structure. The Ridge The Ridge is a large open space in the heart of Mall road that provides an excellent view of the mountain ranges engulfed in the beauty of nature. It is one of the most famous attractions in Shimla that is worth seeing with family and friends. The Ridge connects the Mall road at the Scandal point on the west side and offers a panoramic view of the snowy mountains of Shimla. DAY 6: SHIMLA DELHI (350 Km / 07 Hrs) After breakfast, check-out from your Hotel and proceed for sightseeing of Shimla Shimla sight Seeing: Kurfi, Viceregal Lodge, Shimla State Museum, and Prospect Hill Later in the evening you will dropped to the bus station to board your coach to Delhi (transfer on sharing basis) Overnight in luxury coach Visit to the below sightseeing points Kufri Kufri is a small hill station in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh state in India. It is located 13 km from the state capital Shimla. The name Kufri is derived from the word kufri meaning "lake" in the local language. The highest point in the surrounding region Kufri has a Himalayan wild life zoo which hosts rare antelopes, felines and birds including the Himalayan monal, the state bird of Himachal Pradesh. During winter a meandering path through the potato plantations turns into a popular ski track.
P a g e 9 Viceregal Lodge This magnificent building was built in 1888 as the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. It is located at the observatory Hills and is surrounded by well-maintained gardens and lawns, ringed by beautiful pine trees & rose plants. The Viceregal Lodge, also known as "Rashtrapati Niwas" is now converted into Indian Institute of Advanced Study and students come here for higher studies. The building has an English Renaissance style of architecture. Since it is located at a good height, the views from this place are enthralling and cannot be described in words. Shimla State Museum The Shimla State Museum has a good collection of ancient historical sculptures, paintings, coins, handicrafts, photos, and other items from all over the state as well as from outside. The state museum is built in colonial style with sprawling gardens all around and is one of the best places to visit in Shimla. It was opened in 1974 with just four galleries; later more galleries have been added here and currently there are more than 9000 objects in the collection. Some of the popular galleries present here are Indian archaeology, Himachal archaeology, Pre historic objects, Wood Carvings, Monuments, Photographs, Bronzes, Arms Gallery, Gandhi Gallery, Philatelic, Anthropological, Pahari Miniature Paintings, Rajasthan Paintings, Contemporary Art, and Wall Paintings Gallery. The museum is open on all days except on Mondays and public holidays. Prospect Hill Prospect hill is popular for having a temple dedicated to Goddess Kamna Devi. At Prospect Hill, one can enjoy a spectacular view of the entire region that is so beautiful and so very rare. One can visit this place for a happy walk and travel through the uneven path of the hill witnessing the cool breeze and highly pleasant environment. Shimla Prospect Hill is an ideal place for trekking and for picnic parties. Day 7: DELHI Reach Delhi by morning and freshen up in transit hotel. After breakfast you will be dropped to Delhi International Airport for your return journey -------------------------------------------------------------------End of your Vacation------------------------------------------------------------
P a g e 10 PRICE: Starts from USD 590 per person INCLUSIONS Accommodation on double occupancy in above well rated 3* properties Breakfast plan on all days Usage of hotel/ resort facilities To and fro Volvo coach tickets (Delhi Manali & Shimla Delhi) Transportation by private chauffer driven sedan as per the itinerary Sightseeing as per the itinerary (final Itinerary will be shared one week prior to the travel date) All govt. taxes as on date EXCLUSIONS Airfare / Railway fare Expense of personal nature Meals not specified in the inclusions Additional guest requests, orders and services Additional Activities taken up at the resort Transport for personal use Exigency cost in case of emergency Travel Insurance Entrance fees at points of interest Gratitude & Portage NOTE - Above itinerary can be customised based on the no. of guests travelling - Guests will be booked in a sleeper Ac coach during their journey from Delhi Manali and Shimla Delhi - Above cost is calculated based on minimum 2 adults travelling together. Any change in the total no. of guests travelling will result in change of rates. - In case of non-availability of the above properties, similar properties will be considered. - Most of our programs are customised and we work in line with the requirements of our clients and hence the final detailed itinerary is prepared 5 days prior to the travel date based on the weather conditions and feasibility of visiting places during sightseeing. Good to Know - Best season to travel to Himachal is between April September. However if you want to experience snow rains October to January is suitable - Rohtang pass (in Manali) remains closed from November to April due to high snowfall in tis region and opens up by the second week of May - If one wishes to enjoy snow based activities it s recommended to travel between May to September