Special Departure !
20 Oct 2012
Himachal Pradesh is known to be abundant in natural beauty.
Hima means snow in Sanskrit, and the literal
meaning of the state's name is In the lap of
Himalayas.It was named by one of the great Sanskrit
scholars of Himachal Pradesh, Acharya Diwakar Datt
Sharma. Its name means "Abode of Snow"
Himachal Pradesh - the mountain state in India, with the Himalayan range, beautiful
mountain vista, gushing river, great for outdoor pursuit of paragliding ( free time
, at own expense ). This is the autumn season, with great foliage, and you get to
witness
A great festival Kullu Dussehra. We will drive over the Rohtang Pass, and get to the
Solang Valley! Photography stops along the way. Enjoy, and have a feast for the
eyes.
Note - VISA is required for entry.
Multiple entry for 6 months.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Agra & Taj Mahal - the most famous love monument,
2. Shimla - the capital of Himachal Pradesh, & hill station
3. Mandi, & Shivalik Himalayas
4. Kullu & Dussehra Festival
5. Manali - time for paragliding at own expense
6. Drive to Rohtang Pass, & stop Solang Valley
7. Spectacular mountains, and peaks, Beas River
8. Autumn Foliage
20 Oct - Sat: ARRIVE DELHI – AGRA (210 km, 4 hours)
Arrive Delhi airport by any one of the two flight details provided below.On arrival,
transfer to a restaurant for Lunch. After lunch, drive 200kms/4 hours to Agra. In
the 16th and 17th century Agra was the capital of India. Most of its monuments and
forts are constructed in that era. (LD)
Air India flight: AI 381 Leave Singapore 0915 – Arrive Delhi 1215
Jet Airways: 9W 19 Leave Singapore 0805 – Arrive Delhi 1105
21 Oct - Sun: AGRA – DELHI (210 km, 4 hours)
Early morning, visit one of the 7 wonder of the World, Taj Mahal, the beautiful white
marble architecture was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved
wife Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their 14th child. Visit Agra Fort, the
crescent shaped fort was commissioned and construction with deep moats surrounding
the outer 2.4 km wall facing the river and provide good view of Taj Mahal. The fort
was built by Great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D. On completion visit shops with
craftsman working on marble inlay and carpet weaving. After lunch, drive to Delhi
and transfer to Hotel. (BLD)
22 Oct - Mon: DELHI – CHANDIGARH – SHIMLA (3.20 hours train + 3 hours drive + 1 hour
lunch stop)
Early morning transfer to train station to board on morning Shatabedi train leaving 0740
hour and arriving 1100 hour at Chandigarh. On arrival drive 130 km, to Shimla
stopping for lunch on the way. We shall be visitingIndian Institute of Advanced
Studies before entering Shimla. This institute is housed in the Viceregal Lodge,
which was built in 1884-88 during the British times. It has spacious gardens and is
ringed by beautiful pine trees. All is calm and serene just the right atmosphere for
a student of literature or politics. We shall be spending some time at the Mall
before check in our hotel. (BLD)
23 Oct - Tue: SHIMLA – MANDI (158 km, 4 hour drive)
Early morning drive Jakhu Peak the highest point at Shimla. There is also Temple
dedicated to Lord Hanuman here. Transfer to train station to board on toy train
leaving 1030 hour for short 30 minutes ride to Taradevi and finally we drive for
Lunch. After lunch drive to Mandi. This journey offers dramatic changes in nature
from Shivalik Himalayas to the lower Himalayas, driving form hilltop to
different valley structures and sometimes driving along different rivers and
streams. (BLD)
24 Oct - Wed: MANDI – KULLU DUSSEHRA - MANALI
After breakfast drive to Kullu visiting mid 8th century constructed Basheshar Mahadev
temple with fine stone carvings and sculptures at Bajaura. On arrival enjoy your
lunch before we start to visit Kullu Dussehra. The annual fair or festival takes
place at Dalpur Maidan in Kullu Valley - also known as the Valley of the Living
Gods. The festival celebrates the triumph of the God Ram over evil. The Rath Yatra
of the idol of Lord Ragunath is led by the Kullu Raja and village deities, and is
known as the running of the Gods. The procession starts a week of religious
ceremonies, cultural activities, socializing and shopping at the huge bazaar, or
market, that comprises most of the mela ground. We will also spend some time to
chose some of the shows organized in the fair ground like Motorbike on Well of
Death, Mirror Show etc. After dinner drive 41 km, 1.30 hour to Manali for overnight
stay. (BLD)
25 Oct - Thu: MANALI – SOLANG – SNOW POINT – MANALI
Wake up call at 6 am and breakfast at 6.30 am and then drive towards Rohtang Pass
(3978m), stopping at different locations along the route for good photographs from
higher points we reach on our drive. This route offering spectacular views of peaks
between 5000m to 6600m and glaciers of Dauladhar, Pir Panjal and Chandra-Bhaga range
of the High Himalayas along with lush green Kullu-Manali valley with Beas
River flowing in the middle. We divert 3 km to visit Solang Valley to enjoy
paragliding or skiing depending on season (Optional). Our excursion ends at Snow
Point, the maximum approachable road towards Rohtang Pass (3978m), depending on the
snow and ice formation conditions on the route. Rohtang Pass is the first and
lowest pass on the route to Ladakh. Between June to November, we have higher chances
to reach on top of Rohtang Pass. Return back to your hotel for Lunch. (BLD)
After lunch drive to visit and photograph 1553 AD constructed wooden carved “Hidimba
Devi Temple” also spelled as “Hadimba”. It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to
Hidimbi Devi, sister of Hidimba, who was a character in the Indian epic, Mahabarata.
The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest. Walk to Old Manali village, names after
great Hindu sage Manu. As per the legend and mythology, human and nature goes
through the cycle of development and finally destroyed by deluge and few habitants
survive in this cycle. During the last deluge, Manu was leader of the habitants on
earth who survived on celestial boat and landed here at Manali. He set the rules now
known as “Manu Sahinta” and leaded thehabitants who survived with him. On
completion we walk through Van Vihar to Manali and visit Tibetan monasteries.
Tibetan monastery also runs a Thanka school of arts and a carpet-weaving centre.
Afternoon walk around traffic free Manali Mall Road for shopping and own activities.
26 Oct - Fri: MANALI – CHANDIGARH (310 km, 7 hours + 2 hours stop for lunch and
visiting)
After breakfast drive to Chandigarh visiting Himachal Photo Darshan photo gallery
displaying the photographs taken by local photographer Mr Birbal Sharma. Photo
Gallery exhibited 300 enlarged photographs dealing with the lifestyle and culture of
the people of the state. There are photographs of the exquisite lakes of Himachal
Pradesh, snow-covered passes, gurgling rivers, cascades, beautiful valleys,
green forests, meadows, ancient temples with rare carvings, glaciers, forests,
palaces, frescoes in Buddhist temples, Himachali belles wearing ornaments. The
photographs have been clicked artistically. On arrival transfer to Hotel. (BLD)
27 Oct - Sat: CHANDIGARH – DELHI – AIRPORT TRANSFER(3.20 hour, train ride)
After breakfast transfer to train station to board on Shatabedi express leaving 0650
hour and arriving 1000 hour at Delhi. On arrival visit Jama Masjid – one of the
many architectural structure created by one of the Mughal Kings Shah Jahan. Jama
Masjid is the largest mosque in India, completed in 1658 with three Gateways, four
angle towers and two 40m high minarets. On completion drive around the India’s
major administration and legislature assembly house known as Sansal Bhawan
(Parliament House), Presidential House and North and South Block where all the important
Ministries of India including Defence, Foreign, Finance, Home Affairs Ministries are
located finally stopping at India Gate. After dinner, transfer to airport and board
on your scheduled flight to Singapore.(BLD)
Jet Airways: 9W 20 Leaving Delhi 2230
28 Oct - Sun: ARRIVE SINGAPORE
Fly to Singapore. End of tour.
Air India flight: AI 380 Leaves Delhi 0005 and arrive Singapore 0755
Jet Airways: Arrive Singapore 0650
Hotels Envisaged – Standard Hotels:
Agra: Howard Plaza / Marina Agra
Delhi : Oodles Hotel / Mapple Emerald / Hotel Parkland
Shimla: East Bourne Resort / Marigold Cottages / Hotel Springfield
Mandi: Visco Resorts / Valley View Hotel
Manali : Silmog Garden / Sojourn Cottage
Chandigarh: Hotel Chandigarh Ashok
Contact Olevia Cheong
8112 8393
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