Untamed Himachal Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Shimla. Arrive at Shimla by early afternoon, and check in to your hotel. Evening stroll along the Ridge. Overnight stay in Shimla.

After breakfast, head-out for a morning walk through the forest trail to Jakhu Temple, sitting above Shimla at 2,455 metres with panoramic views over the entire valley and surrounding snow ranges. After lunch, explore the colonial architecture along the Ridge and Mall Road, including Christ Church and the Gaiety Theatre, both well-preserved landmarks from the British era when Shimla served as the summer capital of India. Late afternoon visit to the Shimla State Museum for a quieter and more reflective end to the day. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Shimla.

After breakfast, drive to Chail, a former royal retreat built by the Maharaja of Patiala in the early 1900s after he was exiled from Shimla by the British. Chail sits in silence among thick deodar forest and is home to the highest cricket ground in the world at 2,444 metres. The drive back to Shimla in the evening passes through some of the quietest roads in the region. Overnight stay in Shimla.

Early departure for Manali along the Beas River valley. The route passes through Kullu and the broad open stretch of the Kullu Valley before narrowing as you approach Manali. Stop at Kasol for lunch along the Parvati River, one of the more peaceful lunch stops on this drive. Arrive Manali by evening and check in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Manali.

Morning visit to Hadimba Temple set inside a centuries-old deodar forest, best visited early before the day crowds arrive. After that, stop at Vashisht Temple, just 3 kilometres from Manali town, a small but significant hot spring temple dedicated to the sage Vashisht and believed to be several centuries old. The natural hot spring baths here are open to visitors and are a calm and grounding experience before heading out for the day.

Continue driving through the Atal Tunnel, the world's longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet, inaugurated in October 2020, connecting Manali to Lahaul Valley in under 10 minutes. Sissu opens up on the other side as a wide, silent valley with the Chandrabhaga River running through it. The Sissu Waterfall, locally known as Palden Lhamo Dhar, cascades from a high cliff directly across the valley and is visible from the road. In the cooler months of April and May it is partially frozen, in summer it flows at full force. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Sissu village before driving back through the tunnel to Manali. Overnight stay in Manali.

The Sissu Waterfall changes character with every season. It freezes completely from December to February, partially thaws through March and April as temperatures begin to rise, flows at full force from May to September fed by glacier and snowmelt, and gradually reduces again from October to November as the valley cools heading into winter.

After breakfast, leave for McLeod Ganj via Mandi, following the Beas River for much of the route. Arrive McLeod Ganj by late afternoon. Check in at the hotel. Evening walk through McLeod Ganj. Overnight stay in McLeod Ganj.

Morning visit to the Tsuglagkhang Complex, the main Tibetan Buddhist temple and residence of the Dalai Lama, walkable from the main square and best visited early when it is calm and quiet. Continue to Bhagsu Nag Temple and then follow the trail up to Bhagsu Waterfall before the day visitors arrive. The path above the waterfall leads to a small cafe with unobstructed Dhauladhar views. After lunch, visit the Tibet Museum next to the Tsuglagkhang Complex, a well-curated space covering Tibetan history and culture that takes about 45 minutes and is consistently peaceful inside. Afternoon drive to Norbulingka Institute in lower Dharamshala, a Tibetan arts centre set in beautifully maintained gardens, calm and largely overlooked by most visitors. Return to McLeod Ganj in the evening for a relaxed browse through the Tibetan craft shops and cafes around the main square. Overnight stay in McLeod Ganj.

After breakfast, depart for Khajjiar via Dalhousie through the lower Himalayan foothills. Khajjiar sits at 2,000 metres in a natural meadow ringed by dense deodar forest with a small lake at its centre. The surrounding peaks still carry snow through May, and the meadow is green from April onward. The place is genuinely quiet on weekday arrivals. Check in to a property overlooking the meadow. Afternoon at complete leisure. Overnight stay in Khajjiar.

Morning at leisure around the Khajjiar meadow and lake, one of the most peaceful starts to any day on this circuit. After breakfast, drive to Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected forest reserve a short distance from Khajjiar sitting at around 2,400 metres in dense deodar and rhododendron forest. The sanctuary is an open forest with no enclosures, meaning leopard, Himalayan black bear, barking deer, serow, and over 117 species of birds including the Himalayan monal pheasant move freely through the trees. A local guide leads the nature walk through the well-laid forest trails, with the best chance of wildlife sightings in the cooler morning hours before the forest warms up. The walk is unhurried and well shaded, suitable for families without requiring any serious trekking experience. Return to Khajjiar by early afternoon. Rest of the day at complete leisure around the meadow. Overnight stay in Khajjiar.

After breakfast, drive down through Pathankot to Chandigarh. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. If time permits, visit Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, and Rock Garden. OVernight stay at the hotel in Chandigarh.

After breakfast at the hotel, our driver will transfer you to your hotel in New Delhi or to IGI Airport for your onward journey.