Himalayan Foothills Adventure Drive

Arrive in Delhi. On landing at Delhi airport, we meet you and provide assisted transfer to your hotel for check-in. Standard check-in is from 12:00 – early check-in is subject to room availability.The rest of the day is free for you to relax and settle in. Overnight at the hotel.

Delhi. After breakfast at the hotel, we set out on a full-day city tour covering the highlights of Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi, we view the Red Fort – residence of the Mughal emperors until 1857 – and visit Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques built by Shah Jahan. We take a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk and Khari Baoli Spice Market, where stalls brim with spices, dried fruit, silver jewellery, vivid saris, essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. We pay our respects at Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial. We then drive through the ceremonial avenues – passing the President’s House, Parliament House and India Gate. In New Delhi, we visit Humayun’s Tomb – the subcontinent’s first garden tomb – and Qutab Minar, a 73 metres tall minaret within the Qutb complex noted for Afghan architecture. We also stop at the Lotus Temple, a Bahá’í House of Worship open to all. Overnight at the hotel.

Delhi – Amritsar by train. After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the railway station to board Train 12029 Swarna Shatabdi – departs 07:20 and arrives 13:45. On arrival in Amritsar, we meet our representative and transfer to the hotel to check in.In the evening, we drive to the Wagah–Attari border to witness the Beating Retreat ceremony. Held daily just before sunset, this 30 minute display formally closes the border as Indian and Pakistani soldiers lower their flags with synchronised drills and showmanship, while the crowd joins in with the national anthem, applause and Bollywood style dancing. We return to the hotel afterwards for the night.

Amritsar to Dalhousie – 200 km – 5–6 hours approx. After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Golden Temple, renowned for its gilded dome and as one of Sikhism’s most sacred sites. We also see the Central Sikh Museum atop the Clock Tower, and the community kitchen – Guru Ka Langar – which serves free meals to around 20,000 people daily, rising to about 100,000 on special occasions. We then visit Durgiana Temple, a Hindu temple with architecture similar to the Golden Temple, followed by the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, noted for its collections of paintings, weapons and armour, manuscripts and coins. We continue to Gobindgarh Fort, originally built by local chieftain Gujjar Singh Bhangi in the 18th century and later strengthened by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who renamed it after Guru Gobind Singh – the fort once mounted five cannons, including the famous Zamzama pair. We also take a rickshaw ride and a walking tour of Amritsar’s old market.Later we drive to Dalhousie and check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Dalhousie Breakfast at the hotel, then we set out on a city tour of Dalhousie – a high altitude town spread across five hills near the Dhauladhar range in Himachal Pradesh. We take in colonial‑era landmarks, including St Francis and St John’s churches, which date to the British Raj in the 1800s.If you wish, you can trek up Dainkund Peak to the Pholani Devi Temple, or head north to Subhash Baoli – a peaceful spot among pine trees with wide views. The rest of the day is free for you to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we drive 200 km from Dalhousie to Killar in Pangi Valley, a journey of approximately 6–8 hours. The route crosses Saach Pass at about 14,500 ft, generally open from June to October. Expect rough, muddy or slushy stretches and a narrow single lane road, with passing spots sometimes 1–2 km apart. From the top, broad views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys open up, with especially striking light around sunset in clear weather. On arrival in Killar, we check in to the hotel for the night.

Killar (Pangi Valley) Breakfast at the hotel. We spend the day exploring remote Pangi Valley – a serene region set between 7,000–11,000 ft and home to the Pangwala and Bhoti communities, who follow Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Despite its natural beauty, the area remains underdeveloped, with uneven roads and limited facilities, and is surrounded by snow‑capped peaks and rugged terrain that attracts trekkers and adventure seekers.We visit Killar, a small hamlet in a narrow gorge of the Chenab River, including the shrine of Det Nag. We continue to Dharwas, the largest village in the valley, and Shour, known for its swinging bridge over an icy cold river. We also visit the Mindhal Basan Devi Temple, dedicated to the deity Mindhal Devi. The day’s visits offer insight into local life and the valley’s distinctive character. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we drive 140 km – around 4–5 hours – from Killar to Keylong and check in to the hotel or guesthouse. Later, we visit Kardang village to see its monastery, the largest on the left bank of the Bhaga River. Said to have been founded about 900 years ago, it lay in ruins until a lama restored it in 1912.Set against the bare mountains of the Rangcha massif, the main temple holds statues of Sakyamuni at the centre, Padmasambhava on the right and Vajradhara on the left. The monastery houses the largest number of lamas and chomos, and its library contains the full volumes of the Kangyur and Tangyur. Colourful wall paintings decorate the gompa. In Kardang village we also visit Jabjesh Monastery, and outside the gompa you can see rock carvings and two large chortens. The road near Tandi Bridge leads directly to the monastery. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, you have the morning free to explore Keylong Valley at your own pace. Later, we drive 115 kilometres – around 3–4 hours – to Manali via Rohtang Pass (3,980 metres) on the eastern Pir Panjal range. The pass marks the divide between the greener Kullu Valley to the south and the higher, arid Lahaul and Spiti to the north, and forms the watershed between the Chenab and Beas river basins – the Beas emerges on the southern side, while the Chandra, a source stream of the Chenab, flows to the north. On arrival in Manali, we check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure – you can relax or take a stroll along Mall Road. Overnight at the hotel.

Manali – Breakfast at the hotel. We set out on a city tour of Manali, a high altitude Himalayan resort town. We visit Hidimba Devi Temple, an ancient cave shrine dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, wife of Bhima in the Indian epic Mahabharat, set within the cedar forest of Dhungiri Van Vihar. We continue to Vashisht Village, home to a stone temple dedicated to Sage Vashisht and a natural hot spring believed to have medicinal properties. We visit the Tibetan monasteries – Himalayan Nyingmapa Gompa and Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa – which preserve the culture and history of the Tibetan community in Kullu and Manali; you may also browse Tibetan handicrafts here. We stop at Manu Temple, a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Sage Manu, noted for its traditional architecture and wooden carving. We also cross the Manalsu River to Old Manali to experience its relaxed lanes, small marketplaces and cafes. You will then have free time to unwind and visit Mall Road. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, we drive from Manali to Manikaran before continuing to Kullu – around 125 km in total, approximately 3 hours. In Manikaran, a pilgrimage site for Sikhs and Hindus on the banks of the Parvati River, we visit Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib along with local temples and the hot springs. There are three springs where bathing is possible – one inside the Gurudwara and two privatised by guesthouses – with separate areas for men and women. The sulphur rich waters are traditionally believed to have therapeutic qualities, and the heat is sufficient to cook food by placing vessels directly in the water, which is then served as langar. After sightseeing, we drive back to Kullu, check in at the hotel and visit the Kullu Valley, known for its deodar and pine forests and views of snow covered peaks at around 1,230 metres. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, we drive from Kullu to Dharamsala – around 250 kilometres, 6–7 hours – with visits en route. We stop at Rewalsar Lake, a mid altitude lake at about 1,360 metres, square in outline with a shoreline of roughly 735 metres. Revered by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists, it is home to three Buddhist monasteries, three Hindu temples and a Sikh gurdwara. We then continue to Jwala Devi Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of Light, where an eternally burning blue flame rises from a rock sanctum and is honoured with devotees’ offerings. The temple’s golden dome was a gift from Emperor Akbar, and it is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti–Pitha sites; nearby are Gorakh Dibbi, the Chaturbhuj temple and several small shrines. After sightseeing, we continue to Dharamsala and check in at the hotel for the night.

Dharamsala – After breakfast at the hotel, we visit McLeodganj, home to a large Tibetan community with monasteries, schools and temples. Its brightly painted buildings, Buddhist temples, fluttering prayer flags and monks and nuns in saffron robes give it a distinctive character. We explore the Tsuglagkhang, the main Buddhist temple, about a five minute walk from the main bazaar, where red and gold prayer wheels are spun by devotees. We continue to Dal Lake – a small lake fringed by Deodar trees – with the Durgeshwara Mahadev Temple on its shore. We then visit Bhagsunath Temple, known for its freshwater spring, and the Bhagsunath waterfall about 0.5 km further on. We also stop at the Church of St John in the Wilderness, built in 1860 and noted for its stained glass windows – damaged in the 1905 earthquake, it was rebuilt and fitted with bells cast in London in 1915. Lord Elgin, a former Viceroy of India, is buried in the churchyard. The rest of the day is free – you can relax or browse the McLeodganj market in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer you to Kangra Airport as per your flight schedule to board the flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, we provide a vehicle for transit use – you may visit any place of interest or simply relax – before we drop you at the airport for your connecting flight to your onward destination.