Soulful Saga

On arrival at Delhi Airport or Railway Station, you will be warmly greeted and welcomed by a Footloose Holidays representative who will help you carry rest of your journey in comfort. It is time to depart for Shimla. On the way, visit Pinjore Gardens, located on the foothills on Ambala-Shimla Highway, which is a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate yourself before you begin the ascent to Shimla. While climbing up, you can also enjoy the visit to Timber Trail, offering you a refreshing mountain experience in the form of cable car ride, adding more thrill to your journey. On arrival at Shimla, check-in at the pre-booked hotel. Early dinner is advisable so that you get extra time to rest and recoup from the long journey that you have undertaken and look forward to the new adventures that Shimla has to offer.

Next morning, after enjoyable breakfast, it is time to take excursion to Kufri, 20 km ahead of Shimla with a promise of great view of Himalayan snow-clad ranges and a breathtaking display of flora and fauna at its Himalayan National Park. You can also enjoy Pony and Yak Ride. Post lunch, explore more of British era Shimla in the form of old buildings and monuments that speak of rich history of this beautiful summer capital of colonial period. Also visit The Scandal Point which lies between the Mall Road and the Ridge Road with an interesting tale behind its unusual name. Stroll around the famous Shopping Plaza and buy some mementoes as the memoirs of this beautiful place. Come back to hotel to enjoy your dinner and another night in Shimla.

Post early breakfast, it is time to check-out from the hotel and depart for Manali, another beautiful destination of Himachal Pradesh. On the way, visit Pandho Dam built on Beas River and Hanogi Mata Temple, which surprises everyone with the amazing position in which it stands intact on the cliff. On arrival at Manali, check-in at the hotel. Enjoy your dinner as you feel the excitement building up to see more of this hill station that has already stolen your heart. Take a goodnight rest and brace yourself for the next morning’s sightseeing trip.

After breakfast the following morning, be ready with your light jacket and sturdy shoes to explore some places in and around Manali, like Hadimba Temple, a cave temple, reviving your memory of several tales from the Mahabharata. Don’t miss out Manu Temple as you can’t find another one like this as this is the only temple of Sage Manu. Also visit Vashisht Bath, Van Vihar, Tibetan Monastery and Club House, all the while observing a harmonious blend of Hindu and Tibetan cultures that you find in this hill station. Go for shopping and take an idle walk at the local market at Mall Road. Try some Tibetan Cuisine before you call it a day and return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Your second day in Manali is going to be very special. You will visit one of the most frequented passes called Rohtang Pass, situated at an altitude of 3979 mtrs above sea level, around 50km ahead of Manali. Rohtang pass adds to that spirit of adventure and thrill that you have been looking forward to enjoy amidst the snow-clad mountains here. This place makes one forget of one’s surroundings and one is only conscious of the beauty that nature displays in various forms. Coming back to hotel for dinner and overnight stay will be welcomed after this tiring but enjoyable experience.

Post breakfast, time to check-out from the hotel and  depart for Dharamshala, abode of His Highness Dalai Lama, Spiritual Leader of the Tibetans. On the way, visit Kullu Vaishno Devi Temple and enjoy sitting at the bank of River Beas. Also check out Kullu shawl weaving industry which is appreciated for giving the world something beautiful and unique. On arrival at Dharamshala, check-in at the pre-booked hotel. Freshen up and relax a bit before you visit Dal Lake, which will prove to be a soothing sight taking away all the tiredness that you might have felt after the journey. Come back to hotel for delicious dinner and a comfortable overnight stay in Dharamshala.

We will be visiting Dalai Lama Temple, a treat for your soul, bringing peace and serenity. Also visit Bhagshunath Temple, a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located amidst lush greenery and water pools. After lunch, it is time to check-out from the hotel and depart for Dalhousie, more mountains, more happiness. On arrival at Dalhousie, though a small but a significant hill station located near Dhauladar Range of mighty Himalayas, check-in at your pre-booked hotel. After freshening up, visit Mall Road, a typical road of the hill station, filling your heart with that happy spirit as it is always buzzing with activities for the tourists. Come back to hotel where sumptuous dinner and a cosy overnight stay await you.

After breakfast, visit Kalatop and Khajjiar also known as India`s Mini Switzerland, a beautiful glade with the forest at its fringes. These places offer a visual treat with their spellbinding lush green surroundings. Also visit Chamba situated close by and famous for temples. Enjoy your dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Dalhousie.

Next morning is an early check-out from the hotel as the journey that you are going to take, leads you to one of the most visited shrines of Goddess Vaishno Devi in the mountains. We will drive up till Katra, a small town in Jammu. On arrival at Katra, check-in at the hotel. Enjoy early dinner and overnight stay in Vaishno Devi (Katra).

Early morning, depart for Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Darshan, which is climbing the mountains for around 14km by foot or taking a pony ride. It will be evening when you would come back to hotel.

After breakfast, the following morning, check-out from the hotel and head for the plains. On the way, visit Jammu Raghunath Temple. You can enjoy some shopping here before you depart for Chandigarh, also known as City Beautiful, the 1st planned modern city of India designed by the French architect Le Corbusier. The city was named after the mother goddess of power, Chandi. On arrival at Chandigarh, check-in at the pre-assigned hotel and enjoy your dinner as well as the overnight stay in Chandigarh.

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and enjoy the sightseeing of few of the most prominent landmarks of the city. Begin with Rose Garden which boasts of hundreds of species of roses in a beautifully laid out garden. Your next stop is the Rock Garden which truly displays the strength of human endeavours in creating beauty out of nothing. This garden has won accolades at global level because of one man who chose to think differently and created beauty from the waste of the city. Located nearby is Sukhna Lake, a true personification of this amazingly beautiful city. Finally it is time to depart for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi, you will be dropped at Railway station/Airport to carry on with your onwards journey.