Travelpack

Highlights: Amritsar – Dharamshala - Shimla

Other departures: Cardiff - £1905, London Heathrow - £1999

Hotels:
Amritsar – Ramada 4*
Dharamshala - Pride Surya Mountain Resort 3*
Shimla - Hotel Willow Banks 4*

Itinerary:

Day 1: Doha to Amritsar by flight
- 02:10 Hrs: Arrive Amritsar airport.
- Upon arrival at Amritsar airport welcome, meet and assist by our representative and transfer to hotel.
- Amritsar meaning “pool of the nectar of immortality”. It is the spiritual and cultural centre of Sikh religion.
- Afternoon visit Sadda Pind, where you can experience the old-world charm of Punjab through cultural shows, folk dances, local handicrafts, songs, stories and of course, cuisine. Sadda Pind is a fantastic place to connect with the Punjabi roots and experience the fun and celebration around it. It recreates a Punjabi village in the true sense. As a guest, you can see, participate and interact with people from village and their culture.
- Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2: Amritsar
- Morning visit Golden Temple – the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion.

The Golden Temple:
It sits on a rectangular platform, surrounded by pool of water called the Amrit Sarovar after which the city is named. Visitors to the Golden Temple must remove their shoes, wash their feet and cover their heads with a scarf.

Jalianwala Bagh:
Here on 13 April 1919 British Indian Army soldiers under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children and killed 379 people.

Durgayana Mandir:
The Durgiana Temple complex was built in the 16th century, dedicated to Goddess Durga. The Temple is situated outside the Lohgarh Gate; one can walk away from the Golden Temple complex through the narrow passage to visit Durgiana Temple. Durgiana Temple closely resembles the Golden Temple and also Known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple.

- In the afternoon excursion to Wagah border to witness change of guard ceremony between India and Pakistan armies.
- Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 3: Amritsar to Dharamshala by surface (Approx. 220 Kms, 5-6 Hrs)
- Today after breakfast you will drive to Dharamshala founded by British in 1855 and recognized as the headquarter of Kangra district. Dharamshala literally means ‘the Holy Refuge’ divided into upper and lower towns, lower Dharamshala is the main town at 1300 mts. and the upper Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj at 1770 mts. and is 10 Km away from the lower town. Mcleodganj gained new appeal with the arrival of His Holiness Dalai Lama in 1960. Today, it is known throughout the world as the Little Lhasa in India.
- Upon arrival at Dharamshala, check in at hotel.
- Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 4: Dharamshala
- Morning visit upper Dharamshala, that is McLeod ganj.

Upper Dharamshala:
It is a beautiful town on the top of Dharamshala, blessed equally nature and religion. Mcleodganj often called the ‘Little Lhasa’. This is the residence of His Holiness Dalai Lama, The Buddha temple is situated opposite to the present abode of His Holiness and it is the major centre for the studies of Tibetan culture.

The Buddha temple:
It is situated opposite to the present abode of His Holiness and it is the major centre for the studies of Tibetan culture.

St. John's Church:
The church of St. John, in the wilderness, lies on a motorable road between McLeod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj. It is a dressed stone church in whose courtyard lies the grave of Lord Elgin, one of the Viceroys of India who died at Dharamshala in 1863.

Bhagsunag Falls:
At a distance of 2 km from upper town of Dharamshala, here an old temple, a fresh water spring, etc. Afternoon visit lower Dharamshala including Norbhu Linga and monastery of Karmapa Lama. The Lake is located next to the Tibetan Children's village 3 km away from Mcleodganj. This is a small lake Norbulinka Institute: Just 13 km from Mcleodganj, Norbulinka was established to preserve and teach the ancient Tibetan arts. It named after a summer residence of Dalai Lama at Lhasa. Here one can watch the wooden carvings and the tangka paintings, golsithing and embroidery being done. There is a beautiful Buddha temple inside the institute.

Dal Lake:
The Lake is located next to the Tibetan Children's village 3 Km away from Mcleod ganj. This is a small lake.

- Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 5: Dharamshala to Shimla by surface (Approx. 240 Kms, 6-7 Hrs)
- After breakfast drive to Shimla. The scenery and ambiance of this area attracted the British in such measure that it seemed justifiable to shift the complete administration of an Empire from Calcutta to Shimla.
- Upon arrival at Shimla, check in at Hotel.
- Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 6: Shimla
- After breakfast Heritage Walk of Shimla. This soft walk will commence at the Mall and will end near Cecil Hotel – en-route admiring the important buildings consturcted during the days of the British Raj. During the Heritage walk your local guide will give you brief history of each building.

Viceregal Lodge Indian Institute of Advanced study:
The site for Viceregal Lodge was selected by Lord Lytton the Viceroy of India between 1876 -1880. The Viceregal Lodge, also known a Rashtrapati Niwas is located on the Observatory Hill of Shima. It was formerly the residency of the British Viceroy of India. It was designed by British architect Hendry Irwin and built in the Jacobe than style during the regime of Lord Dufferin. Its construction stared in 1880 and completed in 1888.

Jhaku Temple/Hill (2455 Mts.):
This is the town's highest peak and a vantage point for Shimla's famous views. The summit is crowned with a temple dedicated to monkey God Hanuman. This also offers a very good view of the Shimla with snow capped mountains. One legend goes that Lord Hanuman stopped there to rest while he was searching for the Sanjivni Booti to revive Lakshman in the Epic Ramayana.

Gaiety Theatre:
The Gaiety Theatre, and a tradition of amateur theatrical remains in the stump of the once colossal edifice that was the Town Hall. The architect Henry Irwin, who built the Viceregal Lodge, designed the theatre building.

- Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 7: Shimla
- Full day excursion of The name Kufri is derived from the word kufr meaning "lake" in the local language and Fagu.
- Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 8:
Shimla to Kalka by train
Kalka to Delhi by train

- Transfer from Hotel to Shimla railway station in time to board Toy Train from the Shimla to Kalka rail route, offers the charm of old-world travel amidst lofty pines and lush green, misty mountains. This is one of the four narrow gauge rail routes on hill terrain in the country.
- 16:10 Hrs: Arrive Kalka railway station.
- Upon arrival at Kalka railway board connecting train for Delhi.
- Local snacks, tea / coffee and Dinner will be served on board.
- 21:55 Hrs: Arrive New Delhi railway staion.
- Upon arrival at New Delhi railway sation transfer to Delhi airport to board flight for Manchester via Doha

Day 9:
Delhi to Doha by flight
Doha to Manchester by flight

Offer Includes

Meal Plans