 |
WEST HIMACHAL JEEP SAFARI (12 nights 13 days)
| Kilometers covered: |
950 kms |
| Maximum altitude: |
Jalori pass (3223M) |
| Best time: |
April- September |
ITINERARY
Day 01: Pathankot (Chakki Bank) - Khajjiar (1980M) - 95 kms/4 hrs
Arrive in Pathankot by overnight train (Jammu Mail) from
Delhi. Drive to Khajjiar. Check into hotel in Khajjiar.
Khajjiar is a saucer-shaped meadow, ringed by pines and
has a lake set in the middle, complete with a floating
bland. Afternoon at leisure/ visit Khaji Nag temple and
hike in the surrounding hills.
Khajjiar once formed part of the famous Rajput rulers of
Chamba. It served as the capital of the Chamba rulers in
the 6th century AD. In the medieval period, it came under
the Mughal dominion followed by various Sikh kingdoms.
Finally, it was brought under the control of the British.
Day 02: Khajjiar - Dalhousie (2036M) - 24 kms/1 hr
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Dalhousie.
Located in the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas,
Dalhousie offers mesmerizing views of the majestic
mountains and the rice fields. Credit for discovering
Dalhousie goes to the British governor-general Lord
Dalhousie, who found this hill station in 1854. It soon
developed the summer retreat of the British who were
attracted by its enchanting beauty.
Places to visit in Dalhousie are Subhash Baoli and
Dainkund peak (a short hike).
Day 03: Dalhousie - Kalatope - Dalhousie - 34 kms/2 hrs and
6-7 kms hike
Hike to Kalatope. Kalatope wildlife sanctuary area with its
well laid out trekking jungle trails is a visitor’s
paradise. Dense Deodar and Fir forests are places of
solitude very close to Dalhousie town. Look out for
pheasants and Serow in these forests but should be beware
of Black bear, which can be encountered often in the area.
Permission needs to be obtained to visit the sanctuary.
The sanctuary is rewarding for the view but its Ibex,
deer, bears and leopards rarely come out of their hiding.
Day 04: Dalhousie - Dharmshala (Mc Leod ganj) 2000M -160 kms/
5-6 hrs
Drive to Dharmshala. Check into hotel. Visit the monastery
and Norbulingka institute in the afternoon.
Mc Leodganj: Originally home of the semi-nomadic Gaddi
tribe, Mc Leodganj is today the residence of His Holiness,
the Dalai Lama. This mid 19th century place was developed
as a British Garrison. The place was developed as an
important administrative point for the whole Kangra
valley. Today the place has developed as headquarters of
the exiled Tibetan Government. The impressive monastery
has larger than life size images of Buddha, Padmasambhava
and Avaloketeshwara.
Norbulinka Institute: Just four kms from Dharamsala,
Norbulinka was established to preserve and teach the
ancient Tibetan arts. The shady paths, wooden bridges,
small streams tiny water falls make this place look like
heaven. Here one can watch the wooden carvings and the
Thangka paintings, golsithing and embroidery being done.
The nunnery close to the institute is a place where women
are taught the advanced levels of Buddhist philosophy.
Day 05: Dharmshala
Day sightseeing of Dharmshala.
War Memorial: Set amidst the pine groves is a war
memorial, built on the entry point of Dharamsala to
commemorate the post independence war heroes of Himachal
Pradesh. A web of narrow paths and landscaped lawns lead
towards this monument.
Dall Lake: Surrounded by high and green Deodar trees is
the lake, which fills a mountain bowl. Situated 11-kms
away from the town, this lake is easily approachable by
road and makes an enchanting and serene picnic spot.
St. John's Church: One of the most poignant memories of
the British Raj is the church of St. John, situated in the
wilderness. This charmingly dressed stone church is
located just 8-km from Dharamsala on the way to McLeod
Ganj. Under the shade of Deodar branches, a memorial has
been made over the body of the British Viceroy, Lord Elgin
who died at Dharamsala in 1863.
Kangra Art Museum: This treasure trove of the Kangra
valley's arts, crafts, and rich past, displays artifacts
that date back to the 5th century. The museum also
includes a gallery of Kangra's famous miniature paintings
and a representative collection of sculptures, pottery,
and anthropological items.
Day 06: Dharmshala - Palampur (1220M) - 35 kms/1 hr
After breakfast, drive to Palampur. Check into a guesthouse.
In local parlance, the word for lot of water is "pulum".
This is what has given Palampur (1249 m) its name and its
water has given the valley so much of its character.
Countless streams criss-cross the landscape and in their
intricate mesh, hold tea gardens and rice fields. The town
came into being when tea plantation was introduced in the
19th century and Palampur became a focus for the planters.
Kangra tea, with its center at Palampur, has been
internationally acclaimed since then.
Masrur: Fifteen richly carved monolithic rock temples
sculpted in the splendid style of the Kailash temple at
Ellora and dating back to the 8th century are to be found
at Masrur, just 15 km south of Kangra. Images of Ram Sita
and Lakshman can be found in the sanctum of the main
temple.
Tea factory: At the very start of the town, the tea
factory of the co-operative society, offers an insight to
the processing of Kangra tea.
Day 07: Palampur
Full day visit of Baijnath temple and Andretta.
Baijnath: It harbours an exquisite specimen of temple
architecture in finely chiseled stone dedicated to Lord
Shiva built in circa 804 A.D.
Andretta: Situated just 13-kms away from Palampur, lies
this dwelling place of artist Sobha Singh. It houses a
gallery of some of his major works and a pottery center.
Day 08: Palampur - Sojha (2652M) - 190 kms/6-7 hrs
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Sojha. Check into
Banjara retreat. Evening around a bonfire.
Day 09: Sojha - 10 kms drive/4 kms hike
Hike to Raghupur fort after breakfast. Walk back to Jalori
pass. Picnic lunch next to a waterfall close to retreat.
Evening at leisure.
Day 10: Sojha - Serolser Lake - Sojha - 12 kms/4-5 hrs
Day hike to Serolser Lake. Overnight stay at Banjara
Retreat.
Day 11: Sojha - Naldehra (2050M - 161 kms/5-6 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Naldehra.
The rolling greens of Naldehra in Himachal Pradesh are par
for the oldest golf course in India. This is an unusual
course, perched at a height of 2,044 mt, strewn with
boulders, trees and little hillocks. At the turn of the
century, Naldehra was "discovered" by the British Viceroy,
Lord Curzon who was fascinated by the deodar forests and
green-carpeted slopes.
Considered one of the more challenging courses in the
country, the nine-hole par-68 course has four new greens
and a host of tree hazards in the back nine. Today
Himachal Tourism maintains the links and it is possible to
pay green fees for the day or take temporary, annual and
life membership.
Naldehra got its name from the Nag Temple (or Dehra of the
god Nag) which lies bang in the center of the course.
Besides the glorious golfing, you can go for long walks
through the woods and picnics in the valley.
Day 12: Naldehra
Visit Sulphur springs of Tattapani and thick forests of
Mashobra or relax in the resort/ hike in the surrounding
hills.
Day 13: Naldehra - Kalka - 119/4.5 hrs
Drive to Kalka to board evening Shatabdi express train
departing at 1730 hrs to Delhi.
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