Accommodation

We prefer homestays/boutique hotels to start category hotels. All accommodation units that we recommend and use for our guests are well-inspected, well-researched, and visited personally before recommending. They are located slightly outside of the crowded towns/cities and generally, they are managed by the host himself/herself. All have attached facilities and they all are well-equipped with modern amenities. the food served in these homestays is freshly cooked and locally prepared. Many of them have their own kitchen garden where they grow vegetable organically.

Transport

All transport by Toyota Innova Car for a couple in a car. The car remains at your disposal with you right from your arrival in Amritsar till your departure in Chandigarh. All drivers are highly experienced and professional. They know how to drive on these winding roads.

Meals

All meals are included in this trip. In most hotels, meals are provided n a table or buffet.

Others

Entrances Tickets. Baggage Handling Charges. All Assistance from the airports/railway stations. All applicable taxes.

Guide

The tour is fully escorted by a professional tour guide. All our Guides and Tour Leaders are very knowledgeable about their area and know the places very well where needed we use local guides also but the Tour Manager / Guide provided to you remains with you till the departure. Language: We do not have Other Language Speaking Guides other than English. Speaking Guide with very good knowledge of the area. http://shimlawalks.com/tour-leaders.html

Not included:

Flights

No flights are included in this trip.

Insurance

As per the norms of Indian Government all travellers traveling to India must have holiday insurence with them.

Others

Any air fares. Any Lunch / Dinner in Delhi. Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices included”. Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls. The Services of Vehicle is not included on leisure days & after finishing the sightseeing tour as per the Itinerary. Any Kind of Drinks / Table drinks (Alcoholic, Aerated). Camera fee, Soft or Hard drinks, Starters. Medical & Travel insurance. Additional costs due to flight cancellation, train delays road blocks, natural calamity etc. In most cases people ask us about the tips in the restaurants, for the drivers and for the guides. We recommend the following. In the restaurants : Normally it is 10% of the total bill. For the Driver : This man works very hard as he drives on the narrow an bumpy road with a great care and at night hardly finds any place to sleep. Next morning he has to drive again and so a sound sleep is required. He expects the hotelier to provide him a comortable room and some hotels do that but in most cases he sleeps in his car. The tip recommended to him is Rs. 300/- per day. For the Guides/ Tour Manager : This man is your friend, philosopher, guide for throughout the trip and with his knowledge he keeps your trip alive and brings different experiences to the front. He takes care of check ins / check outs at the hotels / organises and decided the venue for your meals, organises local guides for you, takes care of your in case of emergency, helps you with the local language, remains your local care taker and remains your friend for ever even after the trip is over. He deserves the better portion of the tip and so we recommend minimum of Rs. 500/- per person per day for him.

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Day 1 Arrival At Amritsar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrival At Amritsar

Inform us about your arrival details before you start from home so we have enough time to send your car to Amritsar airport to pick you up. You must fly to Delhi and take a connecting flight to Amritsar. If you are planning to stay overnight in Delhi, and you need any help with the travel to Amritsar, kindly let us know and we shall be able to help you.

Your Guide cum escort will meet you outside the Amritsar Airport. Walk to the car and then drive to your hotel.

Amritsar, home of the Golden Temple, is one of India’s most ancient and fascinating cities. It is an important seat of Sikh history and culture. Being the gateway for travelers coming to India on the overland route from Central Asia, it soon became the center of various commercial activities. The Golden Temple was founded by the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ramdas, and completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev. It is famous for its full golden dome, one of the most sacred pilgrim sites for Sikhs. The Mandir is built on a 67-foot square of marble and is a two-storied structure. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the upper half of the building built with approximately 400 kg of gold leaf. Several other temples, such as the Durgiana Temple surround the Golden Temple. The ceremony of The Retreat every evening at Wagha Boarder is not to be missed. The parade of the soldiers of both countries at the border attracts everyone’s attention.

We leave the luggage at the hotel and then after a short rest drive to Wagha Border. A stadium-type arena with Grant Trunk Road passing through its walls invites you to come and sit to watch the ceremony. After the ceremony, we drive back to Amritsar for 35 kilometers and go to our hotel for dinner. This is going to be a long day as after dinner we are bound to visit the Golden Temple for the evening ceremony. The holy book is closed and taken inside to be opened the next morning. Evening visit to Wagha Boarder for the Retreat ceremony.
Day 2 Amritsar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Amritsar

The best time to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar is any time of the day. We shall have breakfast at the hotel and then drive to Golden Temple. Shoes are to be taken outside the temple and are kept on the shoe rack. You are required to cover your head before you enter the temple. The main temple is located in the middle of the holy pond that is approachable through a bridge.
Day 3 Drive To Pragpur
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Drive To Pragpur

Distance: 190 km.

Driving Time: 5 hours

Today is the day to enter the hills. We shall be in the lower foothills for two days.

Paragpur is the first Heritage Village in India. An adjoining village called village Garli is also known for its age-old houses and their architecture built by the Sood community, nearly 200 years ago. Most of the houses are abandoned now as the families have moved away and relocated to some other places in the country but looking at the house from the point of view of the architecture is such a visual delight that the visitor spends hours and hours clicking them.

Arrive in Pragpur by the afternoon and check into your hotel. A walk through the village of Garli, after the check-in is highly recommended.
Day 4 Pragpur
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Pragpur

Before breakfast, we shall walk through the narrow streets of the village and enjoy the morning life of the area. Return to your hotel and get ready for breakfast. After that, we will drive for fifteen km to Dada-Siba, a village that was submerged in a lake created by a dam. Near the lake, we shall visit an old temple which is known for its wall frescos and paintings.

Afternoon free to yourself.
Day 5 Drive To Dharamsala
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Drive To Dharamsala

Distance: 75 km.

Driving Time: 2.5 hours.

Dharamsala once settled by the British, today is the seat of Dalai Lama and his government in exile. On the way, we shall visit Kangra Fort. Built by Pandavas the age-old fort was annexed by many rulers including, the Mughals, Sikhs, Gurkha, and finally by the British. The view of the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas from the fort is eye-catching. Arrive in Dharamsala by lunchtime and check into the hotel. Later in the afternoon, we visit the Dalai Lama Monastery and Tibetan Museum.
Day 6 Dharamsala
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Dharamsala

Today is a day to have a real introduction to nature. So we drive to village Naddi but before that, we shall visit the Tibetan Children’s Village. This is a school run by Dalai Lama’s government, for orphans from Tibets. There are nearly 1500 children in the school. Later we drive to Naddi for a kilometer and we start our walk through a forest. The initial stretch is through the village and then we enter the forest. The view keeps changing and we walk around the hill that gradually takes us to a tea shop at Dharamkot, in two hours. Here the vehicle waits for us to drive us to the hotel. Afternoon we shall visit Bhagsunag, a small village now occupied by many modern structures.
Day 7 Dharamsala
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Dharamsala

A visit to Narbulinga Institute where the Tibetan students learn how to make Thangka paintings, wood crafts, metal sculptures, and embroidery. A sales center to sell all this material is also established here.

Late afternoon return to hotel.
Day 8 Drive To Palampur
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Drive To Palampur

This is a day dedicated to the artists’ village. We drive to Andreta – the home of artists. A visit to a world-renowned artist Sardar Sobha Singh, who made world-class paintings of Sikh and Hindu gods and Goddesses. Sobha Singh moved to this place from Punjab in 1949 and settled in his studio. Today most of his original work is displayed in his house. Next to Sobha Singh Art Gallery is the house of a famous playwright and director – Nora Richard. Nora live in this house for last 35 years of her life this house. She is buried in the courtyard of her own house where as the old structure still stands and is well maintained by Punjab University. Another attraction of this village is a Pottery maker who makes clay pots and exports to other contrives from here. A 20 minute trial of learning pottery from him is worth experience.
Day 9 Drive To Shimla
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Drive To Shimla

Distance : 225 km.

Driving Time : 8 hours.

Shimla came into existence after the Gurkha British wars in 1816. From then till 1947 the British used it at a holiday resort and then as their Summer Capital. Completely developed by the British Officers Shimla takes you back to the bygone era as the town is a Victorian and post Victorian architecture. Large number of buildings built by the Imperial government remain scattered and the climate of the town has a clear resemblance to Europe.
Day 10 Shimla Heritage Walk
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Shimla Heritage Walk

Shimla is Walker’s paradise and if you want to see the countryside of Shimla there is no better way than, on foot. We walk through the Heritage zone of the old town and have an experience of a bygone era. The walk includes a visit to some British time buildings, such as the Viceregal Lodge, Railway Board Building, Gaiety Theatre, and Crist Church.

Heritage Walk is the best way to know Shimla. From your local historian, you will learn a lot about the hill station that was the Summer Capital of British India during the Raj. It still maintains the ambiance from that era and attracts a number of visitors from Britain who come here looking for their family roots.
Day 11 Shimla - A Day With A Royal Family
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Shimla - A Day With A Royal Family

Today is a day to have some more glimpses of Village life. A one-hour drive takes us to an old dynasty to the west of Shimla.

Arki is one of the principalities in the close vicinity of Shimla. The descendants still live in the fort built nearly three hundred years ago by the rulers. There is a mansion inside the fort which is the main house where the family lives. We visit a temple built in a cave on the hillside, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. After that, a two km walking trail leads us to the fort.

We are welcomed by the host Kunwar Nagender Singh and his family. A hot lunch waits for us.
Day 12 Departure From Shimlai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Departure From Shimlai

Today we drive to Chandigarh to board a train/flight to Delhi or your onward journey.

From here on you will need to travel on your own so make the arrangements before you start the tour. In case you need any help or suggestions, kindly let us know.

Tour Ends.
Day 13 Day 13: Shimla - A Day In A Himalayan Village
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Shimla - A Day In A Himalayan Village

Today is a day to have some more glimpses of Village life. A 45 minute drive takes us to an old dynasty around Shimla. After the various invasions made by Mohammad Gori on Delhi and Rajasthan the Chauhan rulers, direct descendants of Prithavi Raj Chauhan had found Refuge at this place. The Rulers had played a vital role to expel Gurkhas from Shimla Hills during the Gurkha British War in 1815. The last formally recognised Rana was Rana Dilip Singh who died in 1987 had built a house for himself, known as Dhami House, near Darbar. Later the house was inherited by his son Kunwar Dushyant Singh, a well-known naturalist and a bird watcher. Our today’s day is spent with Kunwar Dushyant Singh and his family. The best enriching time is the interactions with Kunwar Dushyant on his dining-table. On arrival you are met and welcomed by Kunwar Sahib. Tea is served and then it is time to go around his estate spotting some rare species or birds in these hills. A binocular is recommended while walking with him. The walk is followed by a visit to a Gun smith Mr. Chet Ram, in the village (Subject to his availability). Chet Ram is the fourth generation from his family carrying on the same business. People as far as from Delhi and Punjab come here looking for Chet Ram to get their guns and rifles repaired. His ancestors used to work for the Rulers of Dhami, and today Kunwar Dushyant has made involved a visit to his shop to his programs for the visitors. Lunch at the House and the rest for a while.
Day 14 Day 14: New Delhi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: New Delhi

Today we drive to Shimla Railway Station to board the Toy Train to Kalka. Take train to Delhi from there. Arrive in Delhi at 10. PM and directly transfer to the International Airport Delhi to board your flight.

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12 days tour

12 Days Amritsar, Dharamshala, Pragpur, Palampur And Shimla

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 12 Days Amritsar, Dharamshala, Pragpur, Palampur And Shimla

Arrival At Amritsar

Amritsar

Drive To Pragpur

Pragpur

Drive To Dharamsala

Dharamsala

Dharamsala

Drive To Palampur

Drive To Shimla

Shimla Heritage Walk

Shimla - A Day With A Royal Family

Departure From Shimlai

Day 13: Shimla - A Day In A Himalayan Village

Day 14: New Delhi

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