The Golden Temple To The Foothills Of The Himalayas

DELHI / AMRITSAR / DHARAMSALA / MANDI / MANALI / KULLU / SHIMLA / CHANDIGARH

From Amritsar to Chandigarh, discover the different cultures that inhabit northern India. Sikh temples, Hindu temples and Tibetan monasteries await you on this colorful circuit, marked by the conviviality of the populations. The contrast of the cities animated with the calm of the snow-capped mountains and the tea fields offers this stay a unique setting, for the pleasure of your eyes.

After breakfast and before taking the train to Amritsar in the late afternoon, your first day is dedicated to the discovery of Delhi.

Bathed in the holy waters of the Yamuna, Delhi was twice capital of empire, first with the Mughals, then in 1911, with the British. The city is divided into two very contrasting parts, New Delhi, the Victorian city with great avenues, with its business district and the parliament gathered around Connaught Place, and Old Delhi, the old city, the capital of Muslim India. Streets lined with bustling bazaars, and home to the Red Fort, witness to the power of the Mughal emperors as well as the Jama Majid Mosque, the largest in the country. You ride through Old Delhi, then you go through the Rajghat, mausoleum of Mahatama Gandhi, you visit Humayum’s tomb, a fine example of Mughal architecture that would have inspired the construction of the TajMahal, but also QutubMinar, the highest tower in the country with its 72.5m high.

You will also discover New Delhi via Rajpath, the Royal Way, before admiring the Indian Gate, the Parliament and the Presidential Palace. In evening, you share a moment of fervor with the Sikh community at Bangla Sahib temple. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Amritsar

After breakfast, you take the road toward Amristsar. In the heart of the city, the golden temple of the most sacred Sikh temples reflects in the basin’s waters. The great and tolerant Mughal emperor Akba built this marvel from 1588 to 1601 and the AdiGranth, Sikhism holy book, was deposited there shortly afterwards. From then on, the priests took turns to chant their sacred texts. You visit Shri Durgianatemple dedicated to the goddess Durga before taking a short walk in the picturesque bazaar of the city. At the end of the afternoon, with many faithful, you attend the ceremony of the sacred book solemn deposition for the night. Music and songs accompany this highlight of temple’s life. At the end of the afternoon you arrive at the hotel where you stay for the night. Baisakhi festival (April): This festival marks the beginning of the solar year. It commemorates both the Sikh New Year and the Harvest Festival. Processions and traditional shows, a carnival atmosphere prevails in Amritsar.

If you are a morning person, the sunrise at the Golden Temple is an unforgettable moment. Later in the day you will discover the JallianwalaBagh Park, which commemorates the terrible day of 1919 when 2,000 Indians were killed or wounded by the British.

At lunch time, you participate in the community kitchenservice in the temple: several thousands of meals composed of chapati and lentils are served each day for free to the pilgrims.

In the afternoon, you attend the closing ceremony of the Pakistani border: Indian and Pakistani soldiers meet each other in front of their respective supporters for this event. Arched torso, frowning brows and clenched fists, the soldiers perform a daunting parade punctuated by officers’ dry orders. For nearly 40 minutes, they parade in dress with great blows of boots and guards to you. Overnight at the hotel.

Departureto the special Sikh festival (November): Guru Nanak’s birthday, founder of the Sikh religion, represents the most important festival of Sikhism. It is at Amritsar’s golden temple, sikh sacred place, that it is celebrated with the greatest fervor, it is then fully illuminated for the occasion.

After breakfast, you take the road towards Dharamsala. The road leading to this station, hanging on a hillside in the Kangra valley, crosses surprising mountain landscapes. You crossMcleodganj village, the current residence of the Dalai Lama where more than 10,000 Tibetan refugees live. Prayer wheels, colorful pennants, monks and momos (kind of donuts from Tibet), change from traditional India. It is in the afternoon that you go to the hotel and settle. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Dharamsala

After breakfast, your day is organized around temple Tsuglakhang visit, a fine example of Tibetan architecture where the Dalai Lama lives. It houses magnificent frescoes of Sakyamuni and bodhisattvas, as well as precious manuscripts. You will also discover the Norbulingka Institute, which is dedicated to perpetuating Buddhist culture: tangkas paintings, wood carvings (closed on Sundays and 2nd Saturday of every month and for all Tibetan festivals) Saint John Church, The Tibetan Medical Institute and the library. For walkers, very nice walks on well-marked trails are possible from the city.Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Dharamsala / Baijnath / Mandi (5 hours / 230 km)

On the road to Mandi and after a solid breakfast, you will discover Palampurverdant plantations of tea. A stop is scheduled at the Baijnath temple dedicated to Shiva before you settle in Mandi, one of the most important cities of Himachal Pradesh, situated on the banks of the Beas River. It is the gateway to the Kullu valley which preserves beautiful ancient Hindu temples. When you arrive, you settle at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Mandi / Manali (4 hours / 110 km)

The Manali valley, "the end of the habitable world", has attracted various populations of Tibetan nomads and refugees. They take advantage of the fertile mountainous flanks to develop market gardening and sheep breeding. After breakfast, it is on the road from Mandi to Manali that you visit the BaseswarMahadev stone temple, the largest in the Kullu valley. After settling in the hotel, your late afternoon is free so you can stroll Manali streets at your own pace. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Manali

Discovery of Manali comprises three distinct parts: the new noisy and commercial town, Vashisht and old Manali, small havens of peace preserved with houses built of wood. After breakfast, you will visit the Hadimba Devi and Jagatsukh Temples, the Tibetan Monastery and Vashisht temples. In the afternoon, you will discover Roerich Art Gallery (closed on Mondays) and the ancient temples. The evening is free so you can wade into the city market. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Manali / Nagar / Kullu (1h30 / 40 km)

After breakfast, your road leads through the valley to reach Kullu. On the way, built on a mountainside at an altitude of 1850 m, stands Naggar which was capital of the valley for 1500 years. The old wooden houses with roof of slate boards clamp against each other below the 500 year old castle you visit. Near Kullu you visit Ragunath temple, built on the cliff and overlooking the main street. You will also visit BashesharMahadev, a true gem of the eighth century, which stands in the center of a beautiful well-kept garden. Departure Dussehra Festival in Kullu (October): A very popular Hindu event in northern India, Dussehra feast or "Victory of the Tenth Day", celebrates a related episode in the Ramayana, in which the god Rama triumphed over The demon Ravana to save his wife Sita, after a long battle between monkey’s army and the demons. This great autumnal festival displays the representations of the local deities in the form of statues covered with silks and colorful masks from the surrounding villages throughout the city. You then visit Raja of Kullu’sancient palace, religious rituals, trade stands, sporting and cultural events before leaving to settle at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Kullu / Shimla (5h30 / 220km)

In the morning and after having breakfast, you hit the road to join Shimla, the summer capital of the British Empire located at 2130 m, formerly called "queen of mountain resorts". Today Himachal Pradesh’s capital is dominated by forests of pines, oaks and rhododendrons. A beautiful walk allows you to discover the colonial buildings, the mall and the church, built in 1857 and famous for its stained glass windows. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Shimla

After breakfast, your day is spent visiting viceroy's residence, a beautiful building full of history, located in a large garden, following by the Jakhu temple, dedicated to the monkey king Hanuman, perched on the heights of the city as well as the museum and its collection of sculptures (closed on Mondays). Your late afternoon is free at Shimla. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Shimla / Chandigarh (4 hours / 180 km)

After a solid breakfast, you are on your way to Chandigarh, which the name of "Le Corbusier" is still attached. He was appointed architectural adviser of the city in 1950 by the young government of Punjab in the aftermath of independence. The visit to the museum is a good introduction to discover the city. You also have the opportunity to discover the Secretary, Punjab seat of government, the Assembly and the High Court of Justice (these visits are subject to authorization). Then, one of the most visited sites in India opens its doors: the famous Rock Garden which extends over 12 hectares and includes some 1400 sculptures. At sunset, you enjoy a boat ride on Sukhna Lake before setting out for the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.