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4 - 13 April 2011 (10-days) India Spring & Blossom Himachal
Cost Rm2480 (8 pax group), Rm2380 (10 pax group), RM2280 (14 pax) & Rm1980 (16 pax group and above)
(EXCLUDES AIR ASIA FLIGHTS KL-Delhi-KL)
Update 24 Nov 2 010 - Air Asia has reschedule the timing of the flights to about an hour later. The timing below is correct. Please get a new eTicket with the correct timing. We will email those whom we purchase the tickets.
Update 9 Oct 2010 - Trip received very good response. We had revised our itinerary to make the trip more interesting. Trip included "Easytrek" now which is one of the best ways to explore the nature, historical locations and villages without compromising the basic needs of comfortable stay. Guest can decide to join the easytrek of the day or just relax at your hotel and explore the town or village they are staying for the night.
Update 19 May 2010 - Trip is ON as we have a group of members confirmed by getting Air Asia Free Seat promotion. If you keen, do not miss the FREE seat promotion fare. Anyway traveling date has been reschedule from 4-12 April.
Update 30 Mac 2010- March till mid April is the best time of the year to visit the Spring and Blossom in the Valley of Gods at different altitude. We also can extend your return flight if you opt to visit other places like Golden Triangle, Agra and Jaipur. Kindly email rachelheng123@gmail.com or contact her at 012-352 0868 for registration.
Depart
4 April 2011 Kuala Lumpur LCCT(KUL) to Delhi (DEL)
Depart 1740 Arrive 2040
Return
12 April 2011 Delhi(DEL) to Kuala Lumpur LCCT(KUL)
Depart 2145 Arrive 0605 (+1 day)
(NOTE : Arrive LCCT on next day early morning 0435AM on 13 April)
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is meant to be a "free and easy" trip. Participants should be with a good sense of humour, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definately, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similarly assorted types! We had a couple of those before and it was not pleasant for us or them. Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun!
Flower and Apples at Himachal
SPRING AND BLOSSOM IN THE VALLEY OF GODS - Spring and blossom in “Valley of Gods” with backdrop of snow capped Himalayan ranges is one of the most spectacular natural scenes to enjoy the beauty of the Western Himalayas. Different fruit trees including plums, apricot, cherries, peach blossom at different altitude between 1000m to 2500m during this time. 6 week blossom period is temperature sensitive and it means if the weather is warm in March, blossom can be early but the time mentioned above is the best time when every visitors can enjoy the spring and blossom in the Valley of Gods at different altitudes.
Himachal is one of the Western Himalayan state located next to Tibet, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and Uttranchal. Here are some quick facts:
Best Season |
: Between 15th of March to 20th of April only |
Type of Tour |
: Spring and Blossom Tour |
What to see |
: Nature, Culture, History and spectacular High Himalayan Ranges |
Trip Grade |
: Easy to Moderate |
Maximum Altitude |
: Approximately 3000m |
Average height of towns |
: 2000m |
Any special preparation |
: warm clothing |
Different Possibilities |
: Nature, Temples, Religion (Hinduism, Sikhs and Tibetan Buddhism), Culture, Hydro Projects, Himalayan Valleys, Peaks and Passes, Snow Capped Mountains. |
Day 1 April 4 Fly to Delhi: Depart KL(LCCT) on D7 2506 at afternoon flight 1715PM arriving Delhi local time 2040PM. Transfer to hotel. Overnight (ON) Delhi.
Day 2 Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla: Early morning transfer to train station to board on morning Shatabedi train leaving 0740 hour and arriving 1100 hour at Chandigarh. On arrival drive 130 km, 4 hours to Shimla including one hour lunch stop along the way. Evening drive to Jakhu Temple and then easytrek™ 1.5 km, 45 minutes down to the Mall to enjoy shopping in pollution free Mall Road, where no vehicular traffic is allowed. Shimla was the Summer Capital of India during British rule and most of the buildings are constructed by Britain. O/N Shimla
Amritsar
Day 3 Shimla: After breakfast transfer to train station to board on World Heritage Kalka – Shimla Railway (KSR) train leaving 1030 hour for short 45 minutes ride to Taradevi. On completion drive to the Mall and enjoy your lunch in one of the selected restaurant. After lunch around 1400 hour, we start our easytrek to Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. This institute is housed in the Viceregal Lodge, which was built in 1884-88 during the British times. It has spacious gardens and is ringed by beautiful pine trees. All is calm and serene just the right atmosphere for a student of literature or politics. A round trip will cover approximately six kilometers passing by lots of interesting historical sites along the route. O/N Shimla
Day 4 Shimla-Karsog-Manali : After breakfast drive from one of the most scenic roads in the Himalayas to Manali 2050m. This route first takes us down from Shimla 2130m to Satluj river at Tatapani 680m (Hot Water Springs) and then slowly we drive up to Rohanda 2205m and then again to Pandoh 800m and finally drive 85 km along the Beas River to Manali at 2050m crossing one of the longest road tunnel in Himachal just before Aut. This journey offers a dramatic changes in nature from Lower Himalayas to Shivalik Himalayas and then again to the lower Himalayas. The views from Chindi where we will enjoy our lunch at Himachal Tourism Restaurent are spectacular with range of snow capped Himalayas all around and orchard with new leaf and flowers below. You will be driving form a hilltop to different valley structures and sometimes driving along different rivers. Our last interesting stop is at Bajaura to visit Basheshar Mahadev temple with fine stone carvings and sculptures is believed to have been built in the mid 8th century. On completion drive to Manali. O/N Manali
Kulu Valley
Day 5 Manali : A day to explore Manali, the queen of the hill stations. Our day starts slowly after breakfast with a easytrek™ from hotel to a 500 years old wooden carved “Hidimba Devi Temple”. The stroll or drive continues further to Old Manali village, which is known after the great Hindu sage Manu. We further walk up to the next village of Goshal and cross our way through River Beas to a very spectacular water fall called Jogni Fall. Next village is Vashishat, where you can see or enjoy the hot sulpher in the springs. If you feel tired of walking, take a tuk tuk ride to the down town. Those who wish to drive can also going to drive from Manu Temple to Vashist Hot Springs. Free evening for own activities. O/N Manali
Day 6 Manali-Solang-Snow Point-Manali: Morning drive to Solang to enjoy paragliding or skiing (Optional). Continue to Snow Point which is the maximum approachable road towards Rohtang Pass depending on the snow condition (3978m). Between July to October, you can arrive on top of Rohtang Pass and view the peaks, mountains and glaciers of Chandra-Bhaga range. Most of the peaks in CB range are above 5000m and covered with snow all round the year. On arrival at the maximum point we start our easytrek™ further 1.30 hours to reach higher to get better view of the Himalayas. After lunch at the highest point we reach, we trek down to our vehicle and drive back to Manali. O/N Manali.
Day 7 Manali Dharamsala: Early morning drive 260 km 8-9 hours to Dharamsala (including visiting places) stopping at the Town of Shiva – Baijnath and visit the 13th century Shiva temple. According to legend the Demon king of Lanka Ravana (Who have got 10 head) as per epic Ramayana offered his nine head to Lord Shiva for the boon of immortality. But the Shiva was not impressed, finally he decides to offer his tenth head and Lord Shiva was pleased with his willingness to sacrifice his heads and blessed him with a Shivlinga. The moment when Ravana rested the Shivling on the ground at this place it became so heavy that he couldn’t manage to carry it and take it to his kingdom Lanka, so he constructed a temple dedicated to Shiva at the present site. The same Shivling is in this temple till date.
After visiting Baijnath drive to Chamuda Devi temple dedicated to Goddess Kali (Goddess of War) on the bank of Baner River. Religious lore has that the Devtas (Gods) were harassed by two demons Chanda and Munda. A Shakti (Power) emerged as the result of prayer of Lord Brahma (Generator) by the Devatas in the form of Goddess Kali, who killed the demon in fierce battle. we also can stop at few more interesting locations along the way like Tashi Jong Monastery or Shanan Hydel project. O/N Dharamsala.
Manali/Shivalik Himalayas
Day 8 Dharamsala-Amritsar: After breakfast drive to visit Norbulinga Institute known for its various schools of Tibetan paintings and handicraft training. Return back to Mcleaodganj for Lunch and visit Dalai Lama monastery and Tibet Museum. The Tibet museum was established with the aim of presenting Tibet’s history and visions for its future through texts, photographs, videos and installations. The main exhibition features, "A long look homeward". It is divided into two sections: the first floor presents the Chinese occupation of Tibet and its results, and the second one displays Tibet’s past and hopes for its future. After lunch drive 4-5 hours (200km) to Amritsar. Amritsar - the holy town of Sikhs, has grown from a sacred village pond into a spiritual temporal center of Sikh culture. The city gets its name from the pool - Amritsar (Pool of Nectar), which was constructed by the fourth religious preceptor of the Sikh faith. Golden Temple or Darbar Sahib is the most sacred temple for Sikhs. It is a symbol of the magnificence and strength of the Sikh people all over the world. Its architecture includes, symbols associated with other places of worship. This is an example of the spirit of tolerance and acceptance that the Sikh philosophy propounds. O/N Amritsar.
Day 9 Amritsar-Delhi-Fly Home :Early morning transfer to railway station to board into the fast Shatabedi train to Delhi leaving 0510 hour and arriving Delhi 1115hour. Breakfast served on board. On arrival visit Akshardham Temple or do final shopping around Delhi (depends free time we have) as we need to reach airport 3 hours before departure. After early dinner, transfer to airport. We will catch night flight D72507 at 2145PM back to KL.
Different view of the beauty architectual of Akshardham Temple
Day 10 Home 13 April : arriving KLIA at 0605AM early morning (13 April)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS