Palaces of Himalayas Tour

Tips for Travellers for Planning their Tour

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Upon arrival at Delhi international airport meet with our representative at the airport arrival lounge. After meet and greet transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02: Delhi

After breakfast we will proceed for full day guided sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Morning we will be visiting Old Delhi where we will explore the ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling markets.

 First we will visit Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, Visiting the great Jama Masjid built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jahan.

 In the afternoon visit New Delhi, we will visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India.

We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture.

 In the evening return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 03: Delhi - Chandigarh - Nalagarh

Early morning transfer to the railway station to board the train for Chandigarh. Upon arrival at Chandigarh railway station meet with our representative. After meet and greet we will proceed for a short tour to Chandigarh gardens.

 Later in the afternoon we will leave for Nalagarh, situated just 65 km from Chandigarh. Upon arrival check in to the Nalagarh Fort. The fort is located on a hillock at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas affording a panoramic view of the Shivalik Hills beyond the Sirsa river. Nalagarh was ruled by the Chandela Rajputs who originate from Chanderi in the Bundelkhand region of Central India. This impressive Fort with its sweeping driveway, was built during the reign of Raja Bikram Chand in 1421. The present Raja of Nalagarh & his relatives extend a Royal Welcome.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04: Nalagarh - Pragpur

Morning after breakfast explore the fort and enjoy its pristine beauty. Here will be enjoying a pleasure walk within the green pasture and have a short village tour.

After lunch we will leave for Pragpur, located at an elevation of about 1800 ft in the Kangra valley and among the most panoramic areas in Himachal Pradesh. The small village of Pragpur is nestles below the majestic Dhauladhars ranges. It is unbelievably picturesque having held onto the essence of an earlier era, unchanged shops, cobbled street, an ornamental village tank, mud plastered & slate roofed houses.

 Upon arrival at Pragpur check into the Heritage resort of Judge’s court surrounded by an orchard of Mangoes, Leeches, Grapes citrus and exotic trees like Camphor, Clove & Cardamom. The Judge’s court was built by justice Jai Lal in 1918, and it was designed by his father Bhandari Ram Kuthiala. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05: Pragpur

Today we will go for a full day excursion around Pragpur. Here we will be walking through the rustic and beautiful villages of Pragpur. Now the The core area of Pragpur is notified as a "Heritage Village", and, along with the nearby village of Garli, the surrounding area is a Heritage Zone. The Heritage village of Kangra valley is home of the famous Kangra school of painting and probably the world's - most certainly India's - oldest ruling lineage comes from here.

We will also visit the Sidh Channo Temple at Dangra. In the afternoon we have a visit to the picnic point of Chamba Pattan, located on the banks of River Beas. In the evening return to the hotel Judge’s court for overnight stay.

Day 06: Pragpur - Taragarh

Today we will leave for Taragarh, located about 70 km from Pragpur. Upon arrival check into the Taragarh Palace. The Palace is located on a 15 acre forested estate surrounded by Tea Gardens in the Kangra valley. Situated within the foothills of Dhauladhar mountains and provide a magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks.

The Taragarh Palace formerly known as Al-hilal (land of the crescent moon), was built in the early 1930s as a summer resort. It was bought by the royal family of Jammu & Kashmir in 1951 for the dowager Maharani who lived there for several years.

After lunch we will proceed for village tour visiting the Andretta village to see Sobha Singh Art gallery, Andretta Pottery Society, the picturesque tea gardens of Kangra valley and the Tibetan village of Bir.

Overnight stay at Taragarh Palace.

Day 07: Taragarh - Dharamshala - Taragarh

Today we will go for a full day excursion to Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj visiting Bhagsunag temple, Water Fall, St. John Church, Talnoo Sun set point and view point of Dhauladhar range, Naddi village, Dal Lake, and Dalai Lama Temple (as per the time allowance) etc.

Dharamshala, once very popular with the British, is today the residence and headquarters of His Holiness the 'Dalai Lama' who set up his government in exile at McLeod Ganj. The town rises in levels up the hill from 1250m to 2000m with the dramatic peaks of the Dhauladhar rising above. In the colourful Tibetan township are the newly-built Gelugpa monastery and a school for Tibetan culture with an excellent library. The little shops sell Tibetan crafts and there are several restaurants that serve Tibetan food.

 Later in the afternoon return to Taragarh Palace for overnight stay.

Day 08: Taragarh - Pathankot - Delhi

Today we will have a short visit to the Baijnath temple, located just 05 km from the palace, this ancient Shiva temple is one of the oldest in the country and is believed to date back to the epic Mahabharata. It has a tall shikhara, fine sculpture and carved pillars.

 Later return to the palace for fresh-n-up and breakfast. After breakfast leave for Pathankot. Upon arrival transfer to the railway station to board the a/c sleeper train for Delhi. Overnight stay on board.

Day 09: Arrive Delhi - Departure

Upon arrival at Delhi railway station meet with our representative and transfer to the hotel for day use. Later in the evening check out from the hotel and leave for the international airport to board the flight for onward destination.