Best of Himachal: 06 nights/ 07 Days Cities Visited: Shimla, Manali and Nalagarh

With spectacular snowy peaks and plunging river valleys, Himachal is certainly the outdoor adventure playground of India. From trekking and climbing to , paragliding and skiing, anything that can be done in the mountains can be done here.

A convoluted topography of interlocking mountain chains also makes Himachal a spectacular place simply to explore, by bus, car, motorbike or jeep safari. Every pass crossing into a new valley brings you into a different world, with its own customs, gods and even language. Villages perched on staggering slopes enchant with fairy-tale architecture and their people's easy-going warmth.

Highlights Visit to Kufri (popular ski destination) Visit to Rohtang Pass (altitude of 13,000 ft) Stay at Fort Hotel at Nalagarh

Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive Delhi, drive to Shimla On your arrival, you will be met by an TDI representative and briefed about the tour. After taking the necessary documents required for this trip, start on your journey to Shimla - situated in the Himalayan ranges and known as ‘Queen of hill stations’. Check in at the resort / hotel and relax. In the evening, you may take a walk along the Mall Road.

Day 02: Spend a day in Shimla Today morning after a delicious breakfast, visit Kufri.

Kufri derives its name from ‘Kufr’ which means lake. It is especially popular among trekkers. The salubrious climate and stunning natural beauty makes Kufri a perfect getaway both in winters and summers. It is the venue for an annual winter sports festival normally held in February. It is also renowned for other adventure activities such as skiing, tobogganing (sliding downhill on a sled) and so on. It has the oldest skiing slopes in . The place is also a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers as the Himalayan Nature Park is situated on the outskirts of the town.

Thereafter upon return to Shimla, visit the Jakhoo Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Scandal Point. Evening is at leisure for shopping. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 03: Drive from Shimla to Manali After an early breakfast, depart for Manali by road (297 km/ 8 to 9 hrs). Enjoy the scenic beauty of enchanting Kullu Valley while you drive towards Manali.

In Hinduism, Manu is said to have survived a great flood that destroyed the rest of the world. He then recreated mankind in this Kullu Valley town.

Enroute visit Kullu to see Naggar and Jana Waterfalls.

Situated on the left bank of River Beas, Naggar - an ancient town commands extensive views, especially to the northwest of the valley. Naggar was the former capital of Kullu. Today this ancient and beautiful place is a popular tourist spot. The places to visit are the Castle, Jagatipatt Temple, Tripura Sundri Temple, Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery, and Gauri Shankar Temple. It is also famous for fishing and trekking.

Jana Falls is a natural waterfall that is inside a small village called Jana near Naggar. All you can hear in Jana Falls is the waters flowing and the birds chirping. Boost your adrenaline while you enjoy White Water Rafting in the gushing waters of the (on your own).

Later arrive in Manali and check in at the hotel. Overnight in the resort / hotel.

Day 04: Spend the day in Manali After breakfast, depart for city tour of Manali. Visit Hadimba Temple also known as the Doongri Temple, a four-tiered pagoda-like wooden temple standing amidst deodar trees with beautiful carvings on its ornamental door. Dedicated to Hadimba, the wife of Bhim, this temple is the venue for an annual fair held during May.

Continue your visit to the Tibetan Monastery, Club House, Hot Water Springs and the Vashishth Temple. Spend the afternoon on the Mall Road and return to your resort / hotel by evening.

Day 05: Spend another day in Manali After early breakfast enjoy a breath-taking drive to Snow Point on the road to Rohtang Pass known for its scenic beauty. This place holds a strategic importance for India. Rohtang means ‘ground of corpses’ due to the number of people who lost their lives trying to cross it during bad weather. Besides Lahaul and Spiti, Rohtang Pass also serves as the gateway to Pangi and the valley of Leh. The pass offers beautiful sights of glaciers, peaks, Lahaul Valley and the Chandra River. The twin peaks of Geypan are also visible from Rohtang (13,000 ft).

Later visit the famous Solang Valley also known as Solang Nallah, renowned as the preferred location for adventure activities in Himachal Pradesh. For those who love the rush of adrenaline, there is no better place than Solang in Kullu Valley to indulge in parachuting, paragliding, skating and zorbing. It is lush green with apple orchards and snow covered peaks and lakes. Return to the resort / hotel by evening.

Day 06: Spend a day at Nalagarh After leisurely breakfast at the hotel, start your journey towards Nalagarh.

Nalagarh is an upcoming Industrial town and hosts many manufacturing units like leather, steel, chemicals, spinning mills and breweries. The town is also famous for boating and fishing activities at the Gobind Sagar Lake. The lake is a water reservoir formed by the and is also a great picnic spot for domestic travellers.

Upon reaching, check in at the resort.

The Nalagarh Fort, offering spectacular views of the Shivalik Hills lying past Sirsa River is built in the Mughal style of architecture and is today a heritage resort where you are staying.

Day 07: Drive from Nalagarh to Delhi After breakfast at the hotel, start on the last leg of your journey with a drive to Delhi (265 km/ 6 hrs). On arrival, you will be transferred to the airport or railway station for your onward journey.