SILVER TRIANGLE OF INDIA TOUR

Places to Go and Things to Do

Shimla - Manali - Dharamsala

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 ChurchDorje 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 elev. 2,230 meters, 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.

DHARAMSALA

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: due to health issues His Holiness no longer holds public audiences

Palampur - 50 km - famous tea gardens

Bhagsu Waterfall - 3 km - the path to the waterfall is in reasonable shape, except for the final 50 meters which are downright dangerous. Caution to bathers: there may be shards of glass in the water (thrown there by the villagers to prevent "indecent" behavior by westerners at night).

Triund - a brisk walk away - with a beautiful view of the first peaks of the "real" Himalayas, and a wide view over the plains at its feet

Peak Art Gallery - provides a venue for local artists to sell their work

Naam Art Gallery - the permanent exhibition shows paintings by Elsbeth Buschmann and Alfred W. Hallett

Tsuglagkhang Complex - the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet. The large meditation hall contains some beautiful statues and thangkas. It is the monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and is located just in front of his residence.

Tibet Museum - small but interesting museum on the history of Tibet and its people

Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts - stages performances of traditional Tibetan dance, music, and theatre

Bhagsunag Fall - 11 km - numerous waterfalls, an ancient temple, slate quarries and a fresh water spring

Dharamkot - 14 km ride, great picnic area with breathtaking panoramic views