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Delhi-Chandigarh-Nalagarh-Manali-Jespa-Sarchu-Leh-Alchi-Kargil-
Srinagar-Amritsar-Delhi |
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| Total no of days |
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21 |
| Best Season |
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Mid June -October |
| Grade |
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Moderate |
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| The safari takes off from the verdant
green valleys of Kullu-Manali, skirts the mysterious valleys
of Lahoul and Spiti, climbs over the passes of Tanglang La (5112
Mts.) and Baralacha La (4891 Mts.) to the awesome vistas of
the tableland of “ Little Tibet”. You drive across
three major mountain ranges of-the Greater Himalayas, Zanskar
and Ladakh-to the foothills of the highest mountain mass of
the world, the Karakorams or Mustagh, embossing the world’s
second highest peak, K2 (8611 Mts.). In between high passes
and gorgeous gorges you traverse the legendary Moore plains
and the surrealistic steppes of Sarchu.
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| Itinerary: |
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 Day
01: Arrive Delhi |
| Arrive at Delhi’s international
airport a Mountain Trails representative will be waiting for you outside
the EXIT gate of arrival terminal, holding a Mountain Trails placard. Met
upon arrival and transfer to your hotel for overnight stay. |
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| Day
02: Delhi |
| After breakfast
enjoy full day sightseeing tour of Old & New
Delhi. This morning you will tour Old Delhi, the
capital of Mughal India between the 12th and 19th
centuries. See the 17th century Jama Masjid and
walk through the narrow, winding lanes of colourful
and bustling Chandni Chowk. Also visit the Mughal
Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort.
You will also make a brief stop at the serene Raj
Ghat, a memo-rial to Mahatma Gandhi, marking the
spot where he was cremated following his assassination
in |
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| 1948 Afternoon
city tour of New Delhi There have been at least
eight cities built over the millennia around modern
New Delhi, the capital of India. This afternoon,
you will drive past the majestic government buildings
and wide boulevards designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens
in the 1920s. You will also see monuments left behind
by other rulers and invaders, including the 16th-century
Tomb of Humayun. Overnight at Hotel.
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Day
03: Delhi-Chandigarh-by shatabdi express--Nalagarh-drive 60
km;
approx. 1½ hrs |
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| In time transfer to the railway
station to board your train for Chandigarh. On arrival
you are met and you continue your journey by car/coach
to Nalagarh. On arrival check into Nalagarh Fort for overnight
stay. |
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Day
04: Nalagarh-Kullu– drive 205 km, 7-8 hrs |
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| After breakfast drive to Kullu,
which is 1706 m above sea level and situated at the northern
end of the Kullu valley. A picturesque little town bustling
with activity, Kullu is the most popular place in Himachal
Pradesh during the summer season. Around Kullu, nature
has lavished the region with forests, waterfalls, green
slopes, rivulets and soaring snow covered mountain peaks.
Overnight stay in hotel. |
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| Day
05: Kullu |
| Morning visit to Naggar- 22km from
Kulu, Naggar Was The capital of Kullu Rajas till A.D.
1660. The Ancient castle, now converted into Tourist Bungalow,
overlooks the entire Beas Valley. Nicholas Roerich, the
famous Russian painter and philosopher lived here and
his quaint little house has been converted into a small
museum. There are two old temples near castle. Afternoon
explore Manali town, its old wooden temples and its folk
music and dances. Overnight at your resort/hotel. |
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| Day
06: Kullu-Jespa –coach /jeeps- drive 147km-6-7 hrs |
| After an early breakfast
drive to Jespa a small village in the Lahaul region. En
route cross Rohtang Pass (3980 M) and
visit Keylong village. The lofty Shingri
Glacier is seen in all its grandeur, it’s high passes
standing between them and the civilized world. The people
of these valleys have an intense love for their home culture;
their songs and dances are as chaste and pure as the snow
that clods the mountains around. Spiti Valley is famous
for Yaks and Choru. Overnight in hotel. |
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| Day
07: Jespa-Sarchu – drive 98 km, 5-6 hrs |
| Beyond Jespa, the regions
main town, the road follows the Bhaga River up towards its source.
It hairpins up to the Baralacha-La (16050 ft/4,892m),
a pass that is perhaps unique in its being a tri-junction, with
a trail from Spiti coming in from the southeast. Overnight in
your camp. |
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| Day
08: Sarchu-Leh -drive 253 kms: 8-9 hrs |
| After breakfast
drive to Leh. The Zanskar Range remains to be crossed
and this takes two more passes, the La Chung-La
(16,600ft/5,059m) and the Tanglang La (17,469ft/5,325m).
Leh is rapidly spreading in all directions from
its original position beneath the long abandoned
Namgyal Palace. While the town has come a long way
from the days when polo was played on its main street,
Leh still remains a pleasant, traditional Himalayan
town. Overnight in hotel. |
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| Day
09: Leh |
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| Forenoon free to rest and relax.
Afternoon visit Shankar Monastery-a relativity modern
monastery, it is closely associated with the Spituk monastery
and serves as the residence of the head priest Kushak
ba kula. A number of gold icons are to found here. 8km
from Leh, Spituk monastery stands prominently on the top
of a hillock commanding panoramic view of the Indus Valley
for miles. Many icons of Buddha and fine thankas are to
be found in this 15th century gompa. The gompa also houses
collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and an
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| awe-inspiring image of Mahakli. Also visit
Phyang Monastery which is 17kms from Leh-Kargil road, built
by Tashi Namgyal in the later half of the 16th century AD. It
belongs to the RED CAP SECT of Buddhist. Hundreds of icons of
Buddha and other Gods are kept on wooden shelves. Overnight
in your hotel.
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| Day
10: Leh |
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| Full day to visit the Hemis Festival
at the massive Tibetan Buddhist Gompas & monasteries
of Hemis. |
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| Day
11: Leh |
| Early morning visit Thiksey to witness
the morning prayer. Rest of the day free to explore the
down town. Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day
12 : Leh – Alchi by surface (65 km, 3-4 hrs drive) |
| Drive to Alchi to visit
the Alchi monastery situated on the banks of the river
Indus, which is one of the most important cultural sites
in Ladakh. Built in the 11th century, it is a treasure
of the early Buddhist art in the Kashmiri tradition, a
style quite different from the Tibetan art. Overnight
at resort. |
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| Day
13: Alchi-Kargil by surface (140 km, 7-8 hrs) |
| After breakfast drive
to Kargil. Enroute visit Mulbek and Lamayuru monastries.
Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day
14 : Kargil-Srinagar by surface (210 km, 8-9 hrs) |
| Leave for Srinagar
early in the morning with pack lunch. Proceed to Srinagar
crossing Zoji La Pass (12000 ft) and Drass Valley the
02nd coldest inhabitant place in world. Enroute
stop at Sonamarg one can visit Thajiwas Glaciers. Overnight
at House Boat. |
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| Day
15: Srinagar |
| Srinagar is a city of great antiquity.
This paradise vale reflects the moods of the changing
seasons. Spring breathes lif e into a frozen world and
the air is heady with the fragrance of a million flowers
that bloom on trees, shrubs and creepers. Summer heightens
the effect and autumn is poignant in its colours of warm
introspection. Winter bring s with it a blanket of snow.
Sometimes the Dal Lake freezes and beneath a leaden sky,
the aroma of roasted chestnuts, promise warmth and comfort.
Enjoy the
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Shikara ride
on Dal lake to view the floating vegetable gardens. The jewel
in the crown of Kashmir is eulogised by poets and praised
by tourists. Dal Lake changes its moods through the day. Overnight
in House Boat / Hotel. |
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| Day
16: Srinagar |
| Full day excursion
to Gulmarg. Gulmarg, or meadow of flowers, is an
apt term indeed for this idyllic flower-laden meadow
at an altitude of 2,730 metres, in Baramulla district.
Situated at a distance of 51 km from Srinagar, it
is a saucer-shaped bowl overhanging the main valley
of Kashmir. The towering peaks above the meadow
are covered with dense forests of tall conifers
and gigantic fir and pine trees, all vying with
each other to touch the azure skies. A clear day
offers some breath-taking views from Gulmarg : fields
of rice ; clusters |
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| of walnut, pear
and mulberry; meadows, ridges and forests that lead
to the snow slopes of Khilanmarg; the majestic Nanga
Parbat peak over a 100 km away. |
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| Day
17: Srinagar-Jammu-Amritsar |
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In time transfer to airport to
connect flight for Jammu (dep 1315 hrs arrival 1350
hrs). Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive to
Amritsar (219 km, 6 hrs drive). Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day
18 : Amritsar |
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| Amritsar, as the name suggests,
is hightfully a pool of nectar. Located in
the state of Punjab, Amritsar is one of the most
important pilgrimage center especially for the Sikhs
in the country. The city is characterised by some
of the must visit religious, historical as well
as contemporary sites of importance. The Golden
Temple, where Sikhs from all over the world come
to pay their reverence to Guru Granth Sahib and
take a dip in the Amritsara Kund (Pool of Immortality)
for
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| spiritual purification is the major
landmark of the place. Amritsar is also characterised
by the hard worki ng and warm-hearted people. Visit the
famous Golden Temple. Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day
19: Amritsar-Delhi by Shatabdi Express (0510 hrs
arr 1105 hrs) |
In time transfer to railway station
to connect Shatabdi Express for Delhi. Meeting andassistance
on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at
hotel.
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| Day
20: Delhi |
| Free day rest and relax
or to explore the downtown. Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day
21: Leave Delhi |
| In time transfer to
airport to connect flight back home. |
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Journey To The highes tand
