Day 01: Abroad Delhi
Arrive early morning at New Delhi International airport.
On arrival the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Upon arrival at hotel the guests will be provided with the traditional Indian welcome consisting of aarti-tikka and garlands with non-alcoholic welcome drink. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
Delhi - is the capital of India, the center of 'Indo-Islamic' culture. This ancient city is replete with architectural marvels, such as the Red Fort, the imposing Jama Masjid, (the largest mosque in India), both built between 1638-1648 by Shah Jahan, India's most famed Moghul emperor and fervent architect. The Qutab Minar, 234 feet tall minaret dating back to the 13th century and the tomb of Humayun. We will wander through Chandni Chowk, once the richest street in India, today a picturesque bazaar teeming with covered arcades, tiny sacred temples and thronged with novelty stores. Delhi remains distinctly British, the old imperiousness of the Viceroys now the political gentry of the Indian ruling class.
Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi.
This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the vast Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi.
New Delhi - drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayuns Tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutub Minar.
Day 03: Delhi - Chandigarh - Nalagarh
Morning transfer to the Railway Station for train to Chandigarh Sightseeing of Chandigarh.
Depart: Delhi
On arrival, drive to Nalagarh
Nalagarh- the gateway to Himachal Pradesh in North India. It was ruled by the Chandela Rajputs who originate from Chanderi in the Bundelkhand region of Central India. This impressive Fort with its sweeping driveway, was built during the reign of Raja Bikram Chand in 1421. The present Raja of Nalagarh & his relatives extend a Royal Welcome.
Arrive & check into Nalagarh Fort Palace. Afternoon free to explore the Nalagarh Fort which is located on a hillock at the foot hills of the mighty Himalayas affording a panoramic view of the Shivalik Hills beyond the Sirsa river, or visit the famous Naina Devi Temple (60 kms from the fort), is visible from the ramparts on a clear day. OVERNIGHT AT NALAGARH FORT PALACE
Day 04: Nalagarh / Pragpur
Morning, drive to Pragpur
PRAGPUR - is located at an elevation of about 1800 ft in the Kangra valley is one of the most panoramic areas in Himachal Pradesh. Pragpur is a small village with a small population, which nestles below the majestic Dhauladhars- The white Ranges. It is unbelievably picturesque having held onto the essence of an earlier era, unchanged shops, cobbled street, an ornamental village tank, mud plastered & slate roofed houses. Arrive & check into Judge's Court
JUDGE'S COURT - built in 1918 by justice Sir Jai Lal and was designed by his father Bhandari Ram Kuthiala. It is set in a orchard on Mangoes, Leeches, Grapes and citrus amidst exotic trees like Camphor, Clove & Cardamon. Milk is from Judge Court's own dairy and water exclusively piped to it from its own Mountain. The Judge's Court offers you the possibility to savor either the authentic experience of 300 years ago or the ambience of the times of Kipling, Macauly and Viceroys of the likes of Lord Harding famous for the Great Darbar and a personal friend of the Judge. The property is famous as "Judge Sahib ki kothi", and hence it came to be known as The Judge's Court. OVERNIGHT AT JUDGE'S COURT
Day 05: Pragpur
AFullday at leisure to walk through Pragpur, which has a gentle rustic beauty. It has been recently declared as a "Heritage village" by the government. See the local silversmiths who offer a variety of hand crafted trinklets. Also visit the Kuthiala suite - 300 year old ancestral home which has been restored using the original techniques but with modern plumbing & lighting. It has a very private suite with a kitchen, sitting room, dressing room & a study with an open terrace overlooking the Dhauladhar mountains. OVERNIGHT AT JUDGE'S COURT
Day 06: Pragpur / Taragarh
Morning, drive to Taragarh TARAGARH PALACE - is situated on a 15 acre forested estate surrounded by Tea Gardens in the Kangra valley, one of the most scenic and unexplored areas of Himachal Pradesh. Located at a height of 1000 meters, Taragarh Palace is at the foot of the Dauladhar mountains with a magnificent view of the snow capped peaks. Formerly known as Alhilal (land of the crescent moon), the palace, was built in the early 1930s as a summer resort. It was bought by the royal family of Jammu & Kashmir in 1951 for the dowager Maharani who lived there for several years. It is now run as a hotel by the present royal family. Afternoon, visit Andretta village (17 kms from Taragarh) to see Sobha Singh Art gallery & Andretta Pottery Society and onto the famous & picturesque tea gardens of Kangra valley at Palampur & the Tibetan village of Bir. For the nature lovers, there are interesting walks through the tea gardens on the slopes of the surrounding hills where one can see the cheerful hill people at work. OVERNIGHT AT TARAGARH PALACE
Day 07: Taragarh/Dharamshala/Taragarh
Morning, Fullday excursion to Dharamshala
DHARAMSHALA - the hill resort, once very popular with the British, is today the residence and headquaters of His Holiness the 'Dalai Lama' who set up his government in exile at Mcleodgunj. The town rises in levels up the hill from 1250m to 2000m with the dramatic peaks of the Dauladhar rising above. In the colourful Tibetan township are the newly-built Gelugpa monastery and a school for Tibetan culture with a excellent library. The little shops sell Tibetan crafts and there are several restaurants that serve Tibetan food. A little higher up the ridge is the pretty Church of St. John with beautiful stained glass windows and the grave of a former Viceroy Lord Elgin in its churchyard. Visit the Tashijong monastery - with a commanding view of the Kangra valley, this monastery is one of the several built after the Dalai Lama settled here. Tashijong also promotes arts like carpet weaving, tankha painting & block printing, and runs a school for young Tibetan children. The young guru of the monastery is recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor and is very popular with his visitors. Return to Taragarh.
Overnight At Taragarh Palace
Day 08: Taragarh/Pathankot/Delhi
After breakfast, visit the Baidnath temple (5 kms) - this ancient Shiva temple is one of the oldest in the country and is believed to date back to the epic Mahabharata. It has a tall shikhara, fine sculpture and carved pillars.
Return to the hotel & check out Afternoon, drive to Pathankot (3 hrs) to connect train to Delhi
Depart: Pathankot by Jammu Tawi Mail
OVERNIGHT ON BOARD
Day 09: Arrive Delhi
Arrive: Delhi at: 0520 hrs
Upon arrival, make your own arrangements to the residence. |
