MY BEST TOUR

Shimla - Manali - Dharamshala - Dalhousie - Amritsar 

Our tour started from Mumbai. We boarded a train for Kalka via Delhi.

KALKA - 

Kalka is a town in the state of Haryana. The main reason for arriving at Kalka is the rail route for Shimla lies through this town.The Kalka-Shimla rail road is a UNESCO world heritage site. The total distance from Kalka to Shimla is 96kms. With 103 tunnels and 864 bridges this surely is the India's best rail road.

KALKA CITY

There are many trains leaving for Shimla. They have 12 stops in between from Kalka to Shimla, including both the stations. Total time taken is around 5 Hrs 30 Mins 

But there is one express 'Shivalik Express' which is a deluxe express and has only one stop for picking up breakfast at Barog. The total travel time is around 4 Hrs 30 Mins.

For info on Shivalik Express click here.

So, we boarded the train at around 5:20 am. The train started at 5:35 am. The journey was beautiful and calm.

ON ROUTE TO SHIMLA

It was summer time. But as we were climbing up the hills, the heat was getting less intense. Around half way mark, the train came to halt at the beautiful small station of Barog. After a small halt of around 10 mins, during which breakfast was loaded on the train and many passengers freshend themselves, the journey began. Soon breakfast was served and we reached Simla at around 10

am.

SHIMLA STATION

SHIMLA - 

Facts and places to visit - 

It is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. It is the hub of India's tourism sector. Even in the early days of the British rule, Shimla was declared as the summer capital of British India.

Imp Facts - 

Height                           : 2,397 meters 

Languages                     : Hindi, Pahari, Punjabi, English

Best time to visit           : Every time is the best time irrespective of season or reason.

Clothing                        : Light woolens in summer. Heav woolens in winter.

Communications           : Connected by telephones, internet etc. 

Food available               : From Chinese to South Indian and continental, every type of food available                                          here.

Accomodation                : Vast number of hotels and lodging available.

How to reach - 

• By road - Connected to all important cities by roads. Private cars and government run buses are available. Broad roads with beautiful sceanic landscapes makes it the best hilly road to travel.
• By railways - 
• Broad guage trains to Kalka from Kolkata, Delhi, Amritsar.
• Narrow guage trains from Kalka to Shimla.
• By airways - Nearest airport in Jubbarhatti, Kullu 23 km from the Shimla. Daily flights from Delhi to Kullu available.

Places to visit - 

• The Ridge - It is a large open spacious platform from where the entire mountain range of the Shimla. The snow covered peaks and the mist covered mountains are best things to see. 

• Shimla Mall - A large shopping place for tourists. From small-scale goods to branded shops like Woodlands, Reebok etc can be found. Many travel agencies are also available at this place. So if u want to rent a car for private tours, they are available. This place also has a large number of food stalls, so you will never feel hungry. !!!

SHIMLA CHRIST CHRUCH ON THE MALL AREA

• Kali Bari - A famous temple for all followers of Goddess Kali. Located on the same hilltop as the mall. Around 20 mins of straight walk from the ridge will lead you to this temple.

KALI BARI

• Kufri - Located in the city of Shimla. It is located on a hill slope . This place is famous for winter sports. Many tournaments are held in this place. Tourists can check this place in winter for skiing and all other winter fun. 

• Naldehra - It is located at around 22 kms from Shimla. This place is famous for its golf course. It has the country's oldest 9 hole golf course. It also has a picnic spot. A small horse ride leads one to the spot. From the top, River Satluj can be seen. There is also a temple of nagas. The speciality of this temple is that it opens only twice a year, once during 'NagPanchami' and other during 'MahaShivratri' .

RIVER SATLUJ FROM NALDEHRA

• Green Valley - On the return road from Naldehra, you can catch this beautiful valley. The entire area is surrounded by pine trees, making it look like a green valley.

GREEN VALLEY

• Local sight seeing places include - 
• Indian Institute of Advanced Study - This majestic building was also known as the summer house of British India. A majestic building of the British era, though some parts are in construction to keep its grand look. There are guides available for entire tour of the building.

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDY

• State Museum - Houses Himachal's rich heritages. Many sculptures, paintings, artifacts are preserved. It is closed on Mondays and holidays.
• There are two more temples in Shimla like Sankat Mochan temple and Tara Devi temple.

After two days stay at Shimla, we started our trip further for Manali. The road for Manali passes through the town of Kullu. With river Beas running parallel with the road, this road too is one of my favourite roads in this entire trip.

RIVER BEAS ON WAY TO MANALI

KULLU - 

The town of Kullu is an important town because of the fact that, this town has an airport at Bhuntar. As said earlier there are commercial flights from Delhi to Kullu daily. This place is well connected to both Manali and Shimla via road. 

KULLU CITY AT A GLANCE

There are also many rafting points along the road to Manali. Kullu also houses the best stores for handmade woolen materials.

At around 7:30 pm we reached Manali. We checked in a Himchal Pradesh Tourism Dept.'s hotel - 'Hotel Beas'. This hotel is situated right on the banks of Beas.

MANALI - 

Facts and places to visit - 

A beautiful city with lots of things to do.

Imp Facts - 

Height                           :  2,050 meters above sea level.

Languages                     : Hindi, Pahari, Punjabi, English

Best time to visit           : April to October

Clothing                        : Light woolens in summer. Heav woolens in winter.

Communications           : Connected by telephones, internet etc. 

Food available               : From Chinese to South Indian and continental, every type of food available                                          here.

Accomodation                : Vast number of hotels and lodging available.

How to reach - 

• By road - HPTDC buses from Delhi are available, which is a bit long tour (around 570 kms). Buses from Shimla are also available, distance is around 280 kms.
• By railways - 
• Broad guage trains upto Chandigarh
• Narrow guage trains, nearest station is Jogindarnagar (180 kms)
• By airways - Nearest airport in Bhuntar, Kullu. Around  one and half hour drive to Manali.

Places to visit -

• Rohtang pass - It is located at 51 kms from Manali, at a height of 3,978 meters (13,050 ft). This place connects Kullu valley with Lahaul valley in Himalayas. It is also a direct road for Leh-Manali highway. It is a high mountain pass in the East Himalayas.

The roads at some places are quite difficult to drive. But they are wide enough to let two vehicles pass together. The roads are open from May to November for tourists. The remaining time it will be a challenge for all drivers.

For tourists, it is advisable to start early in the morning in order to reach the highest point in the pass. Also known as the Zero point. The more late you start to leave, the more difficult it will be to reach the zero point. Reason for this is, high traffic. Many people try to reach the point resulting in massive traffic problems. 

We left our hotel at 4 am am and reached at around 7 am. At first, everyone was fuming about having to start early, because in chilly morinings it's difficult to get up early in the mornng, that too at 4 am!! At a point, we thought we were the only ones travelling that early, soon we overtook around 10 cars on the way, which was the best part. !!

ON THE WAY TO ZERO POINT

ON THE WAY TO ZERO POINT

THE ZERO POINT

Though it was the month of May, the roads were completely covered with snow on both sides. The only bad luck for us was, the day after our trip to Rohtang, there was snow fall. So we missed that part. 

SNOW COVERED ROADS

• Solan Valley - On our way back from Rohtang, we took a small detour to this place. Speciality of this place is Sky-diving. Ticket rates are a little high !!!

• Vaishist Muni Temple - The next day we started the trip with a visit to this temple.

The main attraction of this temple is the hot water spring. Almost every tourist come to take a bath in those hot waters (not warm !!). Actually medically, it helps to reduce back aches and other muscular aches. 

VAISHIST MUNI TEMPLE

• Hidimba Devi Temple - Next stop at Hidimba devi temple. Though a rakshasi, She is prayed by hundreds of devotees. The place is beautiful. Opposite to the temple compund, there is a small fair ground. There is even yak rides available.

HIDIMBA DEVI TEMPLE

• Manu Temple - Next to Manu temple.

A very famous place in Manali. This temple is dedicated to the Indian sage Manu. He is considered to be the creator of the world and the writer of Manusmriti. It is also the only Manu temple on the earth. For foreigners, it is a must go place.

MANU TEMPLE

After three days stay at Manali, our trip continued to Dharamshala. On the way, a short detour led to Manikaran.

MANIKARAN - 

This place is famous for its hot water springs. It is actually located inside a Gurudwara. The temperature of the water is so high, that temple trustees use that water to make rice. The water actually boils. The small well from where the boiling water comes is also a tourist attraction.

MANIKARAN GURUDWARA

The Gurudwara is located on the Parvati river. A further trip on the return road will take to a point where the Beas and Parvati river meets. Though not a tourist spot, but cannot be missed. !!!

MEETING POINT OF PARVATI AND BEAS

The blue river is the Beas river. And the muddy river is the Parvati river.

Further trip, we reached Dharamshala. The trip was a little uncomfortable. At a point, we were completely at the foot of the Himalayas. The temperature was very hot. But soon we started ascending and weather was cool again. The trip was a long one. We started at around 9 am and by the time we searched for our hotel and checked in, it was late 8 pm. Quite a journey.!!!!

Enroute there was a shiva temple, a beautiful one. Sorry I don't have any pics. Too tired to click them..!!!

DHARAMSHALA - 

Facts and places to visit - 

Home to the Tibetians and The Dalai Lama. A quite, calm and beautiful place.

Imp Facts - 

Height                           :  1,457 meters above sea level.

Languages                     : Hindi, Pahari, Punjabi, English

Best time to visit           : May to October. Please avoid monsoon.

Clothing                        : Light woolens in summer. Heav woolens in winter.

Communications           : Connected by telephones, internet etc. 

Food available               : From Chinese to South Indian and continental, every type of food available                                          here.

Accomodation                : Vast number of hotels and lodging available.

How to reach - 

• By road - HPTDC buses from Delhi, Shimla, Manali, Chamba, Chandigarh.
• By railways - 
• Broad guage train station Pathankot
• Narrow guage trains, nearest station Kangra town.
• By airways - Nearest airport in Gaggal, Kangra town.

Places to visit -

• Mcleodganj - The main town of Dharamshala.

It is the residence to The Dalai Lama. It is also the headquarters to the Central Tibetian Admnistration. There is also a museum depicitng the life of the Tibetians, their conflicts and their lifestyles.

A SMALL CHURCH ALONG THE ROAD TO MCLEODGANJ

HPCA STADIUM FROM A HILLTOP IN DHARAMSHALA

• Bhagsu Nag Temple - Located on the outskirts of Dharamshala, it is the main temple in Dharamshala. Actually, the earlier name for Dharamshala was Bhagsu. 

BHAGSU NAG TEMPLE

Next, we left the town of Dharamshala and continued our trip towards a small town of Dalhousie.

DALHOUSIE - 

Facts and places to visit - 

Imp Facts - 

Height                           :  2,036 meters above sea level.

Languages                     : Hindi, Pahari, Punjabi, English

Best time to visit           : May to October. Please avoid monsoon.

Clothing                        : Light woolens in summer. Heav woolens in winter.

Communications           : Connected by telephones, internet etc. 

Food available               : From Chinese to South Indian and continental, every type of food available                                          here.

Accomodation                : Vast number of hotels and lodging available.

How to reach - 

• By road - Vastly connected by roads from Chandigarh, Manali, Delhi, Amritsar
• By railways - 
• Nearest railway station at Pathankot
• By airways - Nearest airport at Pathankot.

Places to visit -

• Khajjiar - A small table top land where mostly tourists come for picnics. A very good spot for lazying time. With a cool climate this is the best picnic spot, !!

A SHIVA TEMPLE WITH AHUGE STATUE IN FRONT OF IT NEAR KHAJJIAR

KHAJJIAR

• Chamba Valley - A few Kms away from Khajjiar takes you to the valley of Chamba. Located on the banks of river Ravi, This beautifual city has a beautiful temple of Laxmi-Narayan. 

LAXMI-NARAYAN TEMPLE

• Local sight seeing includes shops, water-falls and roadside scenery. 

Actually the reason for staying at this place is to take rest for our last and final destination Amritsar.

AMRITSAR - 

Facts and places to visit - 

Home to the Tibetians and The Dalai Lama. A quite, calm and beautiful place.

Imp Facts - 

Height                           : 234 meters above sea level.

Languages                     : Hindi, Pahari, Punjabi, English

Best time to visit           : October to March.

Clothing                        : Light cottons as temperatures vary from 28° to 49° in summer. And winter                                           temperatures are 18° to -4°

Communications           : Connected by telephones, internet etc. 

Food available               : Mainly punjabi food (which is the best). Other kinds are also available.

Accomodation               : Vast number of hotels and lodging available.

How to reach - 

• By road - Amritsar connected by many national highways and state highways.
• By railways - 
• Nearest railway station at Amritsar
• By airways - Nearest airport at Amritsar.

Places to visit -

• Golden Temple - The most famous and the most holiest gurudwara. The real name of the temple is Harminder Sahib, commonly known as The Golden Temple.

The temple compund is very clean and every devotee entering the premises of the temple must have a scarf on their heads. People of all religion and caste are allowed to enter the temple. Even the stay at the temple premises is free of cost.

THE GOLDEN TEMPLE

•  Jallianwala Bagh - The worst and the most important moment in the history of India's freedom struggle, is the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Hundreds of innocent Indians were killed mercilessly at this place.

This place is a memorial place for the brave Indians who died in the firing. The entire place has been well kept and the gardens surrounding the area has been well maintained.

THE AMAR JYOTI

BULLET HOLES FORMED DUE TO THE CONTINUOUS FIRING OF 1650 BULLETS

THE MEMORIAL TOMB

• Wagah Border - The last and the worthy place to visit is the Wagah Border. A well gaurded border between India and Pakistan.

The main tourist attraction is the border ceremony that takes place in the evening. The flag lowering ceremony or 'THE BEATING RETREAT CEREMONY'.

Soldiers of both the countries stand in attention at the gates. At sunset, soldiers from both sides ie BSF and Pakistan Rangers lower their respective flags, fold them, salute and handshake each other and finally close the gates.

The next day, we boarded the train to Kolkata and our tour ends here.

This tour was the most memorable and the best tour of all the tours I had till now.

Photos taken by my dad and me. !!!