HARIDWAR TO HIMALAYA TOUR

Places to Go and Things to Do

The Golden Temple, The Cactus Garden, Paragliding in the Himalayan Foothills . . .

Delhi - Haridwar - Shimla - Manali - Chandigarh - Amritsar

Delhi

The list of things to do in Delhi is endless and you'll surely discover many interesting things to do on your own. Here's an abbreviated list of some of the most popular tourist activities:

Eat Dilli-ki-Chaat – Delhi’s tangy local street food in Old Delhi

Visit the Red Fort - a great sandstone carcass of the last days of the Mughal empire and the British era

For a modern architectural marvel completed in 1986, visit the Lotus Temple (Bahai House of Worship), constructed out of marble and in the shape of a lotus flower. It remains one of the most visited sites in the entire world.

Stroll through Humayun’s Tomb which combines Persian style with local craftsmanship, encircled by the symmetrical Mughal gardens

Hear Qawwalis (devotional music) sung at dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya (one of Islam’s holiest tombs) at around sunset

Visit the Imperial Hotel - it's like taking a voyage back into the days of the Raj, with polished hallways hung with chandeliers and works of art

Explore the confusing and narrow streets of the Old Delhi bazaars

Get your clothes tailor-made in Khan Market – a fraction of the cost of the West with emphasis on quality

Visit the former home of Indira Gandhi and learn about India’s most powerful dynasty

Wander around Lodhi Gardens on a Sunday afternoon - a people-watchers paradise

Discover the district of Hauz Khas - crumbling Mughal tombs and tempting art, antique and fashion boutiques

Ride out to peaceful Qutb Minar - well-known and easily spotted for its towering minaret resembling an ornate factory chimney

Visit the Jama Masjid, climb the mosque’s minaret, then enjoy a classic non-veg meal at nearby culinary institutions Karim’s or Al-Jawahar, famous for their roasted meat kebabs

Feast your eyes on the wealth of Indian Art at the National Museum

Visit Gandhi’s simple tomb in its tranquil gardens – said to be the most peaceful place in all Delhi

Haridwar

Hari-ki-Pairi - Haridwar's focal point - devotees gather to bathe and worship on the Ganges.

Maya Devi Mandir - one of the 51 "shakti peeths" and its the presiding deity of Haridwar

Mansa Devi Mandir - a hilltop temple reached via cablecar - very intense crowds

Bharat Mata Mandir - dedicated to Mother India, this is half temple, half nation building exercise, with seven floors stacked with deities, saints, and secular heroes of all Indian faiths.

Chandi Devi Mandir
Daksh Mandir
Bilkeshwar Mahadev Mandir

Ma Anandamayee Ashram - the samadhi of Shree Shree Ma Anandamayee - a must see. Devotees included Indira Gandhi. Attend the evening aarti near Ma's samadhi for a soul cleansing experience.

Shimla

Hip Hip Hurray Amusement Park (elev.9000 ft) - Kufri (NH-22, 16 km from Shimla) - adventure activities like Burma Bridge Crossing, Flying Fox, Commando Net, Rock Climbing as well as Boating, Bump'em Cars, Rides, Indoor Golf and a number of virtual reality and redemption video games, and a telescopic overlook. The park also includes a restaurant, coffee shop and shopping

Kufri Zoo - Kurfi - home to native species such as the great Himalayan Snow Leapord and varieties of the Musk Deer. Open daily

Ice Skating (November to March) - Kufri and Chail on the outskirts of town offer better options

Trek in the local mountains. Meander through meadow roads, picnic with the locals, visit the quaint village of Mashobra, walk through the Seog Wildlife Sanctuary.

Naldehra Golf Course - on the northern outskirts - created in the 19th Century by Lord Curzon, this 9-hole golf course is the oldest and by far the scenic and beautiful of any other course in India. Set amidst sloping meadows and surrounded by impressive flora.

State Museum - Chaura Maidan (Near Oberoi Cecil) - Housed in a reconstructed Raj-style building, the State Museum displays a collection of around 10,000 Himachal artifacts. The Pahari miniatures and 6th-11th century Gupta sculptures are especially impressive.

Photo Art Gallery - Potter's Hill (Near HP Univ.) - the gallery displays more than 20,000 photographs of Himachal taken by the celebrated photographer, Inder Pal. It's a wonderful place to explore and learn more about the beauty, culture and flora and fauna of this Himalayan state. In addition, Potter's Hill is scenic area, so as well as visiting the gallery, visitors can also enjoy hiking, climbing, and the local wildlife.

The Mall - the main shopping and social hub of Shimla

Jakhu Temple - Jakhu Hill - offers spectacular views of the mountains from its location above the town. The climb up is a physically demanding one-hour walk - alternatively, take a jeep. The temple and hillside are populated with very aggressive and cunning monkeys so be advised to guard your belongings.

Statue of Mahatma Gandhi - just outside Christ Church

Dorje Drag Monastery, Sarasvati Garden Estate, Kusmuti - A monastery in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, also known as Thubten Evam Dorje Drag.

The Electronic Message Board at the Ridge - Jakhu Hill (North of The Mall) - built at the top of the town at 2230m, The Ridge is the center of Shimla's cultural and social life - an excellent place to view the surrounding mountains.

Christ Church - The Ridge (Near Municipal Library) - constructed in 1846, this is the 2nd oldest church in North India. The stained glass windows are particularly impressive. The fresco that surrounds the chapel window was designed by Lockwood Kipling, Rudyard Kipling's father.

Lower Bazaar - The Mall (Below Central Section) - home to the city's less expensive hotels, cheaper restaurants and stores, and a congested wholesale vegetable market. Although less opulent than its upper neighbor, the Lower Bazaar retains an old world charm and is an excellent place to try some Shimla specialty dishes such as Urad Dal with Rice or Shepard's Pie

Viceregal Lodge - The Mall (atop Observatory Hill) - an imposing British Raj mansion built under the guidance of Lord Dufferin in 1888. Manicured British style gardens surround the mansion on three sides, while the fourth side is a place to relax and watch the sun dip below the Himalayan foothills. The teak-paneled interior is impressive, and well worth a viewing.

Shimla Festivals

Ice Skating Carnival Shimla - Shimla is India's favorite winter destination and what makes it truly special is the snowfall that it receives during the winters. Most tourists visit Shimla during the months of December, January and February to indulge in the lively ice sports like skiing, ice-skating or simply throwing snowballs!

Shimla Summer Festival - This famous festival is a riot of colors and festivity and is celebrated on a grand scale. The festival is a beautiful amalgamation of various talented people of India who make it the celebrated event that it is.

Baisakhi - One of the most important festivals celebrated in Shimla,, it occurs every year just before the onset of the harvest season.

Lavi Fair - One of the most important fairs of Shimla, Lavi fair is celebrated as a tribute to the signing of a mutual trade treaty between Tibet and the former Bushahr state. Many cultural shows are organized and the main focus is on small-scale trade and business among the shepherds and other locals.

Sipi Fair - Celebrated in May in honor of Sip Devta. One of the most popular fairs in Shimla, thousands of people come to participate. A host of cultural programs are organized which include archery competition, magic shows, jugglers, acrobats, etc.

Manali

Paragliding - Solang Valley - from 1 minute flights to 30 minute flights - wind conditions are more favorable later in the day

Rock Climbing and Abeseiling Trips - reputable companies across from Pizza Olive - equipment provided

Deo Tibba Base Camp Trek - located in Manali - famous among experienced climbers - offers magnificent views of Deo

Friendship Peak Trekking - Valley of Kullu - elev. ~5,289 m/17,352 ft - start from Beas Kund and Dhundi

Hampta Pass Trek - this trek is one of the most famous trekking trails in the Manali region, suitable for those who are physically fit and with some prior trekking experience - the trek passes through forests

Rohtang Pass - ~elev. 3,979 m/13,050 ft - the highest point on the Manali-Keylong road, provides breathtaking panoramic views of mountains rising far above clouds. Close by is Dassaur Lake and Beas Kund. (Note: Rothang Pass is closed in the winter)

Hidimba Temple - an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi. Built in 1553, the temple is surrounded by a cedar forest and the sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground

Vashist Hot Water Springs and Temple - ~3 km from Manali, across the Beas river - a small village with natural sulphur springs. Modern bathhouses with Turkish-style showers have the hot water piped into them for the convenience of the visitors who come here to benefit from the medicinal properties. Vaishisht also boasts a pair of old stone temples, opposite each other above the main square.

Solang Valley (Snow Point) Ski Lift - 13 km northwest of Manali - a picturesque spot with splendid views of glaciers and the snow-capped mountains.

Rahala Waterfalls - 16 km from Manali - at the base of the climb to the Rohtang Pass at an elevation of 2,501 m/6,729 ft.

Rozy Falls - en route to Rohtang - waterfalls between the hills

Old Manali - 3 km norwest of Manali - famous for its orchards and old guesthouses. Manaligarh Fort ruins are also here.

Kothi Village - at the bottom of Rohatang Pass - a beautiful and photographic village where tourists can capture varying exciting views of the deep gorge through which the Beas swiftly runs. Pure natural beauty surroundings

Manali Festivals

Hadimba Devi Fair - Springtime - the celebration of the beginning of spring

The Doongri Forest Festival - organized by the local women

Winter Carnival - ski the slopes of Kufri - Manali and Narkanda come to life with daredevils competing on the downhill slopes. Also, with Manali as a base camp, go for the Heli-Skiing - a thrillseeker's delight

Spring Festival (Basantotsava or Pipal Jatra) - at Dhalpur Ground in Kullu from 28th April to 30th April. Declared a state festival by the Himachal Pradesh government, it marks the beginning of the spring season (and also the tourist season) in the valley.

Chandigarh

Rock Garden - covers several acres and comprised of hundreds of sculptures set in a series of interlinking courtyards

Sukhna Lake - an artificial reservoir where storks and cranes make migratory stops. A popular place to hang out - there is a walking path, a cafeteria, shops and a mini-amusement park and paddleboats.

Rose Garden - the largest rose garden in Asia

Pinjore Gardens - in the foothills of the lower Shivalik range. Fascinating gardens created in Mughal style are one of the most popular picnic spots in the region. A mini zoo, plant nursery and Japanese garden, as well historic palaces and picnic lawns await tourists.

Museum and Art Gallery - museum and combined art gallery. Artifacts range from the Harrapan Period including relics of paintings and coins, and fossils of the local dinosaurs found in the region.

Cactus Garden - the largest succulent botanical garden of Asia covering 7 acres. Known for its rare and endangered species of Indian succulents, it has nearly 3500 different kinds of species. A botanist's paradise.

Amritsar

Golden Temple - the main attraction and most important religious place to Sikhs. It's a stunning complex, and always full of thousands of pilgrims from all over India whose excitement is infectious.

Jallianwala Bagh - the site of the 1919 Amritsar massacre. On April 13 of that year, British Indian Army soldiers opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children. The firing lasted about 10 minutes and 1650 rounds were fired, killing 1579 people. A memorial was built on the site and inaugurated by the then-President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, on 13 April 1961. To this day the bullet holes can be seen on the walls and adjoining buildings. The well into which many people jumped and drowned attempting to save themselves from the hail of bullets is also a protected monument inside the park.

Mata Temple - a labyrinthine like Hindu cave temple devoted to the female saint Lal Devi. Traditionally, women wishing to become pregnant come here to pray. The roundabout path to the main temple passes through low tunnels, caves full of ankle-deep water, inclined walkways, and mirrored hallways that make the experience seem more like a fun house than a place of worship.