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India - A Himalayan Odyssey

India - A Himalayan Odyssey

Easy Trip

Best time to go: March to June | September to November

A FANTASTIC TRIP THAT TAKES YOU THROUGH THE LOWER HIMALAYA!

Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern part of India. Part of the Western Himalaya and bordered by Jammu and Kashmir in the north, Tibet in the east and Uttarakhand in the south, this beautiful Indian state has the best of all those three together in one! Need we say more?

If you seek gentle walks through stunning scenery in the foothills of the Himalaya, and look forward to staying in heritage properties full of character and history, then this is the trip for you.

The itinerary is incredibly varied with every hue that nature has to offer!
Anuj
+9183779 00815
Contact Us for Details

15 Nights / 16 Days

  • Easy driving and seven days moderate trekking through remote areas of Himachal Pradesh. 
  • 15 nights in 4-star hotels, heritage properties, home stays, palaces converted into hotels.​
  • Visit the magnificent Golden Temple at Amritsar.
  • Walk the cobbled paths of the heritage village of Pragpur and trek to Triund at 2877m.
  • Stay in Dharamshala and visit the Dalai Lama's Temple and other breathtaking Buddhist monasteries.
  • Ride the delightful toy train through lush green mountains - a route that is now a UNESCO site.
  • ​Roam the old streets of Manali - the mecca of mountain holidays!
  • Tour the bustling markets of Old Delhi in a cycle rickshaw!
  • Curl your arms around the enigmatic iron pillar at the Qutab Minar - a tower of victory built in 1193 AD
  • An English speaking Indian guide (can be arranged if required - with excellent knowledge and first-hand experience of the regions you will travel through. ​​
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​You are taken through little known ‘gems’ of Himachal Pradesh, such as its first heritage village of Pragpur, the paragliders' paradise of Palampur, Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama, Manali, the Mecca for mountain holidays, and Shimla, the summer capital of the British Raj.  To give you a multi-dimensional and memorable trip, we incorporate much more than simply walking.  To give you a full flavour of Himachal, we have included a ride on one of the famous narrow gauge mountain trains, with visits to Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries, hot springs, and handicraft centres.   

There is ample opportunity for you to relax at the palatial heritage properties you will be staying in, to explore their grounds and history, and indulge in their extensive amenities.  Some of these properties are converted castles and palaces, and all have been chosen for their rich character, charm and history. Where we have been unable to find heritage properties,  we have selected the best quality hotels in the area. ​​
Trip Category: Family 
Energy Levels: Easy
No. of Days: 16
​Days 1 - 3
Arrive in New Delhi. Fly to Amritsar. Visit the Golden Temple and explore Amritsar, take a rickshaw into town, eat the local delicacies.
Days 4 - 6
​ Drive to Pragpur. Gentle walk to banks of the River Beas. Visit Pragpur market. Drive to Dharamsala, visit Jwalamukhi Temple en route.
Days 7 - 8
Walk from Mcleod Ganj to Triund (2,827m). Sightseeing in Dharamsala including The Norbulingka Institute, dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture. Drive to Palampur.
Days 9 -11
​Walk to Buddhist Monastery from Bir then walk to Billing.  Drive to   Manali . Day walk to old Manali, walk toward Solang glacier.
​Days 12 - 13
Drive to Shimla. Spend the day at leisure, perhaps in the hotel swimming   pool, gym, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, or library.
​Day 14
Drive to Mashobra, walk to Kotidar via Deothi, Moolkoti and Kanda.
​Days 15 - 16
​Take the Toy train to Kandaghat.  Drive to Chandigarh. Depart for home.
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN DELHI
Arrive in Delhi. A Mercury Himalayan Explorations representative will meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the airport. They will answer questions, brief you on the immediate arrangements, and escort you to your hotel. Please try and arrange your flight schedule so you arrive in Delhi by the afternoon as we have a group briefing in the evening. The rest of the day is free for you to rest up after the long flight.

Overnight at Taj Palace Hotel or similar.  
DAY 2: TRAIN TO AMRITSAR | 6 1/2 HRS
Take the early morning train to Amritsar. You will be met and transferred to Mrs Bhandari’s Guest House. Blocked off from the otherwise chaotic Amritsar, this is a charming little place with a  marvellous wood panelled dining room and a kitchen full of atmosphere. Rest, take in the place and the surrounding  compound full of grass, trees, flowers - and buffaloes!.  There’s a nice swimming pool too – a welcome relief if you’re taking this trip ​in May/June. Getting used to the heat may take a while, and Mrs Bhandari’s trusting system for cold drinks – take a drink from the fridge and sign a chit for it – really helps !  Take a nap, shower, have a swim and enjoy a delicious al breakfast.  The atmosphere is relaxed, family friendly and delightfully Indian. Later in the evening, you will be taken to see the Golden Temple.   

Overnight: Mrs Bandhari's Guest House . Meals : L, D. 

​GOLDEN TEMPLE 
Sri Harmandir Sahib, also more commonly called ‘The Golden Temple’, is the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion. The Golden Dome alone is said to be gilded with 100kgs of pure gold and represents an inverted lotus flower pointing back to the earth to symbolise the Sikh’s concern with the problems of this world.  The temple sits on a rectangular platform surrounded by a pool of water called the 'Armir Sarovar' in which pilgrims bathe. The first book of Sikh scriptures is kept during the day in the Golden Temple and is removed at around 10pm each evening to the Sikh parliament building.  It is brought back to the temple every day at 4:00 AM.  These processions are worth seeing.    
​Day 3: AT LEISURE - AMRITSAR
This day is free for you to explore Amritsar.  Take the rickshaw into town – it’s fun and gives you a great feel of the place!   The best times to visit the Golden Temple are either early morning  or late  evenings when a procession transports the Adi Granth - the Sikh book of scriptures. Mingle with the pilgrims  and indulge in the free food served to pilgrims. The Golden Temple at night is stunningly beautiful – a trip at night is highly recommended. Compared to several other big cities in India, Amritsar isn’t a very old city, only about 450 years old, and It is a bustling metropolis. Go ahead and explore back streets, the handicrafts offered are worth the trip.
​
Overnight: Mrs Bandhari's Guest House . Meals : B

DAY 4: DRIVE TO PRAGPUR | 5 HRS | 167 KM (104 MILES)
In the morning you will drive to Pragpur – a   green drive through rural India. You pass   through a number of small towns before the   road suddenly climbs into a range of hills.    Covered in jungle and populated by monkeys   you will thread your way along through the   hills on switchbacks, pass small  towns and   temples and drop into river valleys

Finally, you find the Judges Court near the village of Pragpur; a real touch of 'old colonial' India. Spread over 10 acres of orchards the hotel offers a magnificent view of the snow peaks.  Located near the ornamental village tank and approached by a cobbled street Pragpur is also the first notified heritage village in India. 

Overnight at Judges Court. Meals B, L, D                                  ​
DAY 5: ​GENTLE WALK TO THE BACKS OF THE RIVER BEAS
​In the morning, you take a gentle 2/3 hour stroll to the banks of the River Beas, passing many attractive traditional village houses en route.  Here you can watch the timeless scene of villagers harvesting wheat and women transporting water in copper pots on their heads.  You can enjoy the genuinely unspoilt landscapes of the Himachal countryside, where you are extremely unlikely to see another tourist and may well be invited into a villager’s home for chai and a chat. 

Lunch is at Judge's Court and the food here is superb; much of the ingredients come from the Court itself, such as its excellent spinach and delicious new potatoes.  The orchard boasts mango, lychee, grape, plum, persimmon, citrus and exotic trees like camphor, clove and cardamom. The milk and dairy products used in their kitchen come from Judge’s Court dairy in the grounds. Water is exclusively piped from an ancestral mountain spring. The owner,  Mr Lal, is an exceptional host and if present at the time of your stay, will sit for meals with you and entertain you with stories and fascinating facts about the history of Judge’s Court and of Pragpur.  He was largely instrumental in obtaining Pragpur’s status as the first heritage village in India.  The Judge’s Court has a wealth of information on local walks and other activities in the area; Mr Lal will be only too pleased to offer his advice on these to help you gain the most from your stay.  Staying at Judge’s Court offers a unique ambience and a special kind of hospitality.  All of its nine rooms are different and equally elegant and have names such as Kipling, Dhauladhar, and Kangra. 

In the afternoon, you can visit the Pragpur market.  There are several silversmiths who offer handmade trinkets and cloth shops with a variety of materials.  Local tailors will quickly stitch up dresses.  Weaving is a cottage industry.  You could order hand woven blankets and shawls of your choice.  Wool can be purchased from the market.  Hand block printing on cloth is also undertaken and you might want to select material that can be printed to your requirements.  There are several other handicraft products available.  
Overnight at Judges Court. Meals: B, L, D 
DAY 6: GENTLE LOCAL WALK. DRIVE TO DHARAMSALA | 2 ½ HRS | 70 KM (43 MILES)
Garli is a 'sister village' of Pragpur.  It is a pleasant walk of around 1 mile through pretty countryside.  Garli was said to have been established earlier than Pragpur.  Along with Pragpur and Rakkar it was a stronghold of the Sood Community.  The Soods of Garli built some attractive houses whose architectural features resemble those of Shimla.  Some of the interesting buildings deserving a visit are the United Commercial Bank of India (UCO Bank) office building, the home of Lala Mohan Lal, and the Garli Boys’ School.

The drive to Dharamsala is about 43 miles (3 hours), which includes a stop at Jwalamukhi Temple, one of the most revered Hindu temples in North India.  The deity is a blue flame fed by natural gas which shoots out of the rock in the sanctum.  It is worshipped as the goddess of fire, Jwalamukhi.   

As you continue on your journey to the home of the Dalai Lama, you have superb views of the Dhauladur Range.  For part of the way, you will be following the narrow gauge mountain railway line.  You pass Kangra Fort en route, perched atop a cliff above the Banganga and Majhi rivers.   

You will be staying at Mcleod Ganj, a suburb of Dharamshala at an altitude of 5,741ft/1,750m. Often referred to as “Little Lhasa”, this is a place pulsating with life. Following the Chinese invasion of Tibet, the Dalai Lama arrived here in May 1960, to live and establish the Tibetan government-in-exile. It has a delightful mixture of eastern and western cultures, reflected in the people and in the shrines of worship.

​Hippy-style westerners jostle for space in the bazaar alongside Hindus and Tibetan monks. It is a vibrant and fascinating place to visit. White Haven Estate, just outside Dharamsala, is surrounded by its tea gardens and private forests, and commands a breath-taking and panoramic view of the Dhauladhar Mountains (5,000m/16,000ft) to the North and Kangra valley to the South.  The house has tastefully furnished, well-kept large size suites, with all the necessary amenities.
Overnight: White Haven Hotel. Meals: B, L, D

DAY 7: WALK TOWARDS TRIUND AND RETURN
​It is a 5 mile climb from Mcleod Ganj to Triund, located at a height of (2,827m/9,275ft) above sea level. It is a steep, but straight forward ascent, with the path veering off to the right beyond Dharamkot. The views of Dhauladhar from here are stunning.  You begin at 1,750m/5,741ft and walk through cedar trees, as you gain height these give way to rhododendron and oak trees.  If going all the way to Triund proves a little too strenuous, you can always walk to the half way point, at Major View Café (2,300m/7,546ft) and then return the same way.  It takes about 2-3 hours to reach this halfway point.  You may see the Monal pheasant on your walk – the state bird of Himachal Pradesh.  The valley is also home to black bears.   

The walk is along a very good path, and you have excellent views of the mountains in front, McLeod Ganj below and you will be able to see the green roof of the Dalai Lama’s home.  Triund is an important base camp for those wanting to go from Kangra Valley to Chamba Valley.  From here you can see the point where locals cross the Indrahar Pass (4,425m/14,518ft) on their way to Chamba.  The snow-covered peaks of the Dhauladhar range rise on either side to approximately 4,900m/16,000ft. 

In the late afternoon, you can visit the main Buddhist temple in McLeod Ganj, situated opposite the present abode of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.  The temple has three main images about three metres tall: Lord Buddha or Shakyamuni is gilded in bronze, Padmasambhava and Avlokiteshvara are in silver with eleven faces, one thousand arms and one thousand eyes.

Overnight at McLeodganj. Meals: B,L, D   
DAY 8: DHARAMSHALA TO PALAMPUR | 2 HRS | 40 KM (25 MILES)
​As the drive to Palampur is short, you will have plenty of time in the morning to complete your sightseeing of Dharamsala, which should include a visit to The Norbulingka Institute, a registered trust functioning under the Chairmanship of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.  It is dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture in both its literary and artistic forms.  The skills preserved and passed on at Norbulingka include statue-making, thangka- painting, appliqué and tailoring, woodcarving, carpentry and metal craft. The masters teaching these arts are true artists and intent primarily on preserving their heritage, passing it on to a new generation of artists.  

The drive to Palampur takes approximately 2 hours, with great views of the Dhauladhar range and tea plantations whilst approaching Palampur.  Overnight at Taragarh Palace, situated on a 15 acre forested estate surrounded by tea gardens in the Kangra valley, one of the most scenic and unexplored areas of Himachal Pradesh.  Located at a height of 1,000m/3,000 ft, Taragarh Palace is at the foot of the Dhauladhar Mountains with a magnificent view of snow-capped peaks.  It was built in the early 1930s as a summer resort and bought by the Royal family of Jammu & Kashmir in 1951 for the Dowager Maharani who lived there for several years; it is now run as a hotel by the present Royal family.

Overnight at Taragarh Palace . Meals: B,L, D   
Day 9: WALK TO BUDDHIST MONASTERY FROM BIR
​It is a 45 minute drive to Bir, the landing area for paragliders coming in from Billing, one of the finest sites for hang gliding in the world.  The walk starts from Bir with a gentle descent through lovely Kangri villages.  It is a beautiful walk through tea gardens which descend into alpine meadows and newly planted pine forests.  The trail is fairly well-marked and very gentle.  You cross the stream and walk up to the village, which is known for the monastery, which houses the 17th Karmapa on exile from Tibet.  Birds you may encounter include kingfishers, vultures and jungle fowl.  The monastery houses an enormous statue of Buddha and the Lama is happy for you to take photographs inside.

Overnight at Taragarh Palace . Meals: B, L, D  
DAY 10: WALK TO BILLING. DRIVE TO MANALI | 6 – 7 HRS | 200 KM (124 MILES)
​Today you will walk from Bir to Billing, the   popular paragliding spot.  It is the site for the   international hang gliding and paragliding   competitions held every year by Himachal   Tourism and boasts excellent views.  You   come back to Bir at the base of the valley;   about 45 minutes' drive from the hotel, and   continue driving for about 2 miles on the road   to Billing.  You can start walking from Bir itself   – straight walk up the mountain.  It takes   approximately 2-3 hours to get to the top at   Billing (2,300m/7,546ft), where you are rewarded for your ascent with brilliant views.  You are walking through forest all the way up on fairly rocky terrain and may well see Pashmina goats en route.  You pass the small temple of the 7 Sisters, worshipped by the locals, and then continue to the alpine meadows of Billing.  You can see the entire Kangra Valley, Pong Dam reservoir and Bir Monastery. 

In the afternoon drive to Manali (about 6½ hours) via Mandi.  This is a scenic drive up the Kullu valley, famed for its apples, towards Manali. 

Overnight: Mayflower Hotel  (Meals: B, L, D)
Day 11:  DAY WALK IN MANALI
Today you can take a lovely walk via old Manali and the right bank of river Beas, all the way up to the Solang Valley.  Time permitting, you can walk towards the Solang Glacier, and then drive back after lunch to Manali via the hot springs at Vashisht.   

Overnight: Mayflower Hotel. Meals: B, L, D  
DAY 12: DRIVE TO SHIMLA | 8 HRS | 247 KM (153 MILES)
​The drive takes approximately 9 hours.  You   will stay at the Cecil Hotel which is arguably   the best hotel in Shimla, and belongs to the   prestigious Oberoi Group.  It is a 5-Star deluxe   hotel and is situated at the quiet end of the   famous mall road. Walking to Scandal Point   on the Mall road takes around 30 minutes   from here; this is a very pleasant uphill stroll,   due to the lack of vehicular traffic. Scandal   Point remains the hub of Shimla’s social life and is said to be so named, after a British Commander-in-Chief’s daughter eloped from the spot with the Maharaja of Patiala! 

Shimla is one of the few places in the world where an enormous amount of history and heritage has been distilled into such a small area in so short a time.  The town came into being in the first quarter of the 19th Century and some four decades later became the summer capital of the British Raj.  Until the coming of India’s independence in 1947, momentous events and memorable architecture packed the town.  The town has one of the largest pedestrianized centres for strolling and shopping anywhere in the world, the Mall road.

Overnight at The Oberoi Cecil. Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: AT LEISURE IN SHIMLA
Today you are at liberty to do your own thing.  You can rise at your leisure, indulge in a delicious breakfast at the Cecil and sample the delights of the hotel’s amenities (indoor heated swimming pool, gym, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, library, to mention a few).  You could then take a stroll along the Mall road, soaking up the general ambience and flavour of the British Raj and do some last-minute shopping.  There are many interesting heritage walks around Shimla and we will be happy to suggest suitable routes (and hire a local guide for you, if required).

Overnight at The Oberoi Cecil. Meals: B, L, D

DAY 14:WALK TO KOTIDAR FROM MASHOBRA
Drive to Mashobra (8 miles/45 minutes) to the start point of the walk. The town is known for the first apple cultivation in the state by the British. Weather permitting you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Dhauladhar and the Pir Panjal range.  You start your walk going downhill to the village of Deothi, part of which is also known as Shivpur after Lord Shiva. The village has a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. After crossing the village, the terrain is almost flat until you reach the village of Moolkoti. This village also houses the Moolkoti Temple named after a local deity. You walk for another hour until you reach Kanda village and then start a gradual climb for an hour until the village of Kotidar.  You meet the vehicles here and drive back to Shimla via the Wild Flower Hall, an old British property now a 5-star health spa run by the Oberoi Group of Hotels.

Overnight at The Oberoi Cecil. Meals: B, L, D
Day 15: TOY TRAIN JOURNEY TO KANDAGHAT, DRIVE TO CHANDIGARH  | 3 HRS |83 KM (52 MILES) TRAIN TO DELHI 
​Experience the old world charm associated   with journeys on mountain railways.  This   track to Kandaghat still has the grace of an   age when people travelled in leisure and   savoured every moment of it.  It departs   Shimla late morning and arrives at Kandaghat   at about lunchtime.  The hill track passes over   864 bridges, through 102 tunnels and around   900 sharp curves. You will be travelling on the   special rail car for tourists, which is a small   tram that seats 30 people.  The track descends from Shimla’s cool climes to Kandaghat, and passes through beautiful hillsides, lush green meadows, and fields of capsicum which delight the eye. Your journey to Kandaghat takes approximately one hour, and your driver will be waiting for you here to take you on your onward journey to Chandigarh. 

You will have lunch en route from Shimla to Chandigarh, then take the Kalka Shatabdi train departing Chandigarh at 1820 and arriving Delhi at 2140.  An evening meal will be provided for you on the train.  A transfer will await you at the train station in Delhi to take you to a hotel near the airport. 

Overnight: Ashok Country Resort Hotel. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 16: DEPART FOR HOME
​Early morning departures  - transfers arranged to get you to the airport in time to catch your flight back home.
Customized as per your requirement. Please connect with Anuj Sharma at anuj@mheadventures.com for more details.
Check our Booking Terms and Conditions here
  • two-three  pairs of cargoes/jeans,
  • two pairs of shoes (not floaters),
  • sun-shades,
  • cap,
  • sun screen
  • and any other gear of a personal nature. 
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Korta Escape, Rajasthan
Umrasu to Shivpuri Trek
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Old Badrinath Trail Trek

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Copyright 2017 |  Jeevan Tara Building, Parliament Street, New Delhi 110001  |  +91 11 4356 5425  |  mhe@mhe.co.in
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • What We Do
    • How We Do It
    • We Are The Experts
    • Reviews From Our Guests
    • Awards and Recognitions
    • MHE and Safety
    • MHE in the News
    • MHE Brochure
  • Bull's Escapes
    • Bull's Retreat - Hotel Near Rishikesh
    • Bull's River Camp at Tons, Mori, Uttarakhand
    • Bull's Camp Pahadi, Damdama, Day Visit
    • Bull's Camp Pahadi, Damdama, Overnight Visit
    • Bull's Escape Combo
    • Bull's Bistro
  • Destinations
    • India >
      • Uttarakhand
      • Himachal Pradesh
      • Kashmir
      • Ladakh
      • Rajasthan
      • North East
    • Nepal
  • Holiday Types
    • Trekking and Hiking >
      • Family Trips
      • Trekking and Hiking - Challenge Your Limits
    • White Water Rafting >
      • Family Rafting Trips >
        • Bull's River Camp at Tons, Mori, Uttarakhand
      • Rafting - Challenge Your Limits
    • Epic Road Trips
    • Offbeat Holidays >
      • Skiing in Gulmarg
      • Gulmarg For Advanced Skiers
      • Breakfast At Everest
      • Dune Bashing in Rajasthan
      • Mountain Biking Across Garhwal Himalaya
      • India - A Himalayan Odyssey
    • Himalayan Hideaways
    • Multi Activity
    • Wonder Women Trips
  • Contact MHE
    • Add me to your newsletter!