The Himalaya, which in the ancient Indian language Sanskrit means' 'Abode Of Snows,' is the greatest mountains on the face of the earth. They have an especially unique place in the history and legend of India. In legends and myths they were worshipped as the dwelling place of the gods of the Hindu Pantheon. They extend in a grand sweep all along the northern frontiers of the Indian nation and conceal within their folds many vibrant lands and peoples.
The Indian state of Himachal Pradesh is one such gem hidden in the bosom of these mountains. Many enchanting treks in this beautiful land, take you deep into the land locked Valleys of the Western Himalaya. Dense forests of massive Deodar (Cedar) and Fir trees, green meadows, sparkling streams, deep blue lakes, sleepy little villages and somber gorges and ridges with fantastic forms and shapes created by Mother Nature, characterize this ancient land - as old as the earth itself. These treks / excursions also provide an introduction to the rare Himalayan flora and fauna and also to the rich culture of this region.
Dominating over all these stand the mighty Western Himalayan ranges and their towering snow mantled peaks, which keep you spellbound with their sheer grandeur and spectacular beauty.
Operational period: Ending April to June; September – October.
Physical requirement: Pax should be physically fit enough to walk for 4 - 6 hours/ 12 – 14 kms
Highest Altitude gained: Malana Glacier (4000 mtrs.)
Trek Gradient: Easy to moderate
A 14 days/ 13 nights tour involving 7 days of trekking and 2 day hikes. The tour starts with a ride in the toy train from Kalka to Shimla, which was summer capital of British India. From here we travel to the Jalori Pass which has dense forest of Deodars and here, one can sometimes sight the Himachal state bird, ‘Monal Pheasant’ here. We make a hike to Sreolsar Lake from Jalori pass and then travel to Manali. At Manali we start with a visit to a few villages around Manali to view the local life style and culture of people. During the first day of trekking, we also visit Nagger, which was once the capital of rulers of Kullu and camp near a village. Located at an altitude of 2652 m, Malana is said to be the oldest democracy of the world and is one of the remotest village of Himachal Pradesh. Demanding glaciers around this village also make this route a special one. The beautiful Chanderkhani pass at 3660 m offers a magnificent view of various mountain peaks of Kullu, Laval and Bara Bhangal ranges.

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Meet on arrival at New Delhi International Airport. Arrive by BA flight . Transfer to Hotel. New Delhi, India’s capital city, with a thousand years of history is a city of contrasts that combines a unique ambience of the ancient and the modern. An orderly plan of wide roads lined with sturdy colonial buildings, which was established soon after the imperial capital of British India moved here from Calcutta in 1911.
Dinner on flight.
Overnight at Hotel.                                                                                                                               ( No Meal)

Day 2: In Delhi
1000 hrs: Half Day sightseeing of New Delhi. Visit Qutab Minar and drive past Parliament House, India Gate, President house and Birla Mandir (temple).
1615 hrs: Arrive at New Delhi railway station to board train for Chandigarh.
1715 hrs: Depart by Kalka Shatabdi express train.
2020 hrs: Meet on arrival at Chandigarh railway station Traditional welcome (scarf Garlanding) at railway station and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.                                                                                                    (B – Delhi / Dinner-Chandigarh)

Day 3: Chandigarh-Kalka…………………by surface
             Kalka-Dharampur-Shimla……….by Toy Train and Surface.
0845 Hrs: Leave for Rock Garden visit.
1030 Hrs: Transfer to Kalka railway station.
1210Hrs: Depart by meter gauge toy train (255 Kalka Shimla Express) for a short joy ride (1 ½ Hrs.). Luggage to remain in the vehicles.
Toy Train, a unique steam engine train, which chugs along a hilly track from Kalka to Shimla, is celebrating 100 years in service. The train is called "Toy" because of its miniature size and snail pace, which presents an old-world charm. The train was introduced in 1903 during the British regime. The total journey of six-hour if taken takes the train through 107 tunnels and connects a number of hill resorts. The journey offers the passengers a picturesque view of the valleys. The rail track rises from Kalka at 640m to the freezing zones of Shimla at 2,060 m. The toy train twists its way gradually through the hills up to the alpine zone, and all this adds up to an exhilarating experience.
1340 hrs : Arrive Dharampur. Meet on arrival at the station and board waiting jeeps for Shimla. Enroute late lunch at a hotel in Barog / Major’s residence in Dharampur. Drive via chail through nice views and forests. Arrive Shimla evening and transfer to the hotel. (18 –19.00 Hrs.)
Overnight at Hotel                                                                              (B-Delhi, L-Barog / Dharampur, D-Shimla)

Day 4: Shimla
Back to the Raj: Start at 0900 hrs in vehicles for 45 minutes ride to chhota Shimla. Today we would take you on a heritage walk of Shimla. Start your walk from here to the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. On this walk view the residence of Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh which is also known as Oakover Estate a building of British Era. Also walk past many other structures etc of British Era like the Shimla Club, Hotel The Oberoi Clarkes, Gaiety Theatre , The Mall, The Ridge, Gorton Castle now office of The Accountant General, State Museum of Himachal and finally ending the walk at the magnificent Indian Institute of Advanced Studies or the Viceregal Lodge. Walk on a road mostly traffic free, boots are not needed. After concluding the walk at Vice regal Lodge, return in cars to the closest access to Mall (10 minutes). Own arrangements for lunch. After lunch walk to the Jakhoo Temple (300 Mts. ascent) on traffic free asphalt road. Shopping possibility in Mall.
Overnight at Hotel.                                                                                                                               (B/D – Shimla)

Day 5: Shimla/ Shoja (Camp) Over Jalori Pass (3223 Mts.) (141 kms/ 5 – 6 hrs)
            (Mountain road involving some rough sections towards the Pass )
0800 hrs: Travel by surface from Shimla to Shoja enroute visiting Kufri & Narkanda.
Late afternoon - On arrival at Shoja camp overnight in tents.
Shoja is a beautiful glen surrounded by thickly wooded forests from which you get a panoramic view of the snow covered Himalayan ranges in the distance.
Overnight in Tents                                                               (B-Shimla, L-Packed from Hotel, D-At Camp Shoja)

Day 6: Shoja (Camp)
Transfer by jeeps to Jalori Pass (3223 m). From Jalori Pass it is a level walk (5 kms one way) through forest & pastures to Sreolsar, which is a small lake. On a clear day Jalori Pass provides views of the lofty Dhauldhar range.
Overnight in Tents                                                                                                 (B/L/D-Camp)   

Day 7: Shoja/ Manali (107 kms/ 4 – 5 hrs)
0830 Hrs : Travel by surface from Shoja to Manali, mostly good road (around 8 – 10 Kms. rough) initially through the Great Himalayan National Park, good opportunities to spot Himalayan bird life. Visiting old Shiva temple at Bajaura and shawl industry at Kullu.
1700 hrs : On arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.                                    (B-Camp Shoja, L-Packed from Camp, D-Manali)

Day 8: Manali Day Hike Around Manali (Duration 5 hrs.) 6 -7 Km. Approx. Ascent 300 Mts.
Today we start at 0090 Hrs and drive from the hotel in vehicle to the village of old Manali. You can either take packed lunch from the hotel or stop in the local bazaar to buy lunch in town ( Own arrangement) . From Old Manali, we begin the day hike and climb through Cedar Forests, till we gain an altitude of about 300 Mts. and we reach a meadow, which has been the traditional pasture for cattle herders of Old Manali. Rest for a while and begin the descent to the Village of Goshal.
The trail providing beautiful views of Kullu valley. From Goshal we cross-river Beas and continue walking further to Jogni waterfall. Stop here for lunch. From here we walk to Vashisht village which has hot sulphur springs (unhygienic as they are public pools) , believed to have medicinal properties.
Return back to the hotel by late afternoon, Evening free to explore Manali market.
Overnight at hotel.                                                                                                                       (B/D – Manali Hotel)

Day 9: Manali – Nagger – Rumsu Thach (2,677 Mts.) , Manali – Nagger (22Km) – 45 to 50 Mins Drive.
            Nagger – Rumsu (5 Km Trek, 3 – 4 Hrs). (600 – 700 Mts. ascent), (Village and forest trail camp
            in the middle of forest)
First we drive continue on the left bank of river Beas to Nagar ( 45 Minutes) from where the trail goes past Roerich's cottage and along a main bridle path for one km, before branching uphill to the village of Rumsu (2060m). the Village of Rumsu is about 5 Km from Naggar. This Village is an excellent example of a traditional Pahari (mountain) Village with its wooden houses and traditional people. Today we camp a bit ahead of Rumsu Village in the middle of an alpine meadow at the base of the Chanderkhani Pass (3660 Mts.). From here one can enjoy tremendous views of the Dhauladhar Range of mountains to the West, Pir Panjal Range to the North – West and Lahaul Range to the North and North East.
Overnight in Tents                                     (B-Manali/ L-Packed from hotel or hot Lunch at Rumsu /D-Camp)

Day 10: Rumsu Thach 2600Mts. – Chanderkhani Base (3,450 Mts.) – 4 to 5 kilometres (3 – 4 Hrs.).
               Short walk. 700 Mts. ascent.After settling at camp site enough opportunity to explore
               around. Tremendous view of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar Himalayan Ranges with
               summits above 600 Mts. (Deo Tibba 6001 Mts. Hanuman Tibba 5890 Mts. Indrasen 6100 Mts.
Today’s walk is through coniferous forests rich in Deodar, Pine and Spruce, trees and through meadows carpeted with a variety of alpine flowers, and offers superb panorama of the Valley and the snow clad mountains all around. The camping site is splendid, offering the bird eye view down to the Kullu Valley.
Overnight in Tents                                                                                                                                   (B/L/D-Camp)

Day 11: Chanderkhani Base – Nagruni (2900 Mts, 4 – 5 Hrs.). Highlight - Walk on the ridge with view
              to all sides. 250 Mts Ascent and 750 Mts. Descent.
A short, steep climb to the pass. This climb is harder at the margins of the season, in Mid May and June, when the pass and upper meadows are under snow. The Chandrakani Pass (3650m) is marked by prayer flags and cairns, great view in clear weather. The trail then continues along the ridge, with views of the upper Malana Valley and the high peaks in the upper Tosh Valley, including White Sail (6446m) and Papsura (6451m). After completing the traverse, a descent of half an hour takes one to Nagruni, amidst a forest of conifers and birch.
Overnight in Tents                                                                                                                                    (B/L/D-Camp)

Day 12: Nagruni – Kiksa Thach (3,660 Mts, 7 Hrs.). 700 Mts. ascent.
First we descend to the Valley floor then walk along the Malana Nalla stream. A pleasant walk with a broad trail meandering N/NE through dense forest and meadows, the valley widens at the camp ground. It is an ideal camping site with variety of alpine flowers all around.
Overnight in Tents                                                                                            (B/L/D-Camp)          

Day 13: Khiksa Thach – Malana Glacier (4000 Mts.) - Meadow camp (3800 Mts, 7 – 8 Hrs.) .
              Return same way back to the camp.
The path ascends to a ridge, further descends to the stream again and resumes upward afterwards to reach the small glen of Khiksa Thach. Leaving the main stream the trail veers left onto a ridge and continues with several ups and downs for the next 3-4 Hrs, and finally down onto the Malana Glacier. From here there are splendid views of many high peaks towering all around. Back to the camp at Kiksa Thach.
Overnight in Tents                                                                                             (B/L/D-Camp) 

Day 14: Trek to Malana Village (5 – 6 Hrs.) 1000 Mts. of descent, mostly gentle along the stream
              (Malana Nallah) through forest and meadows. Camp at outskirts of the Village. Clients
              will get do’s and don’ts to be taken care during visit in the Village.
Trek all the way back till the point where the Nagruni trail meets the Valley floor, then a further walk of 3Hrs. brings one to Malana Village.
Overnight in Tents                                                                                              (B/L/D-Camp)
Malana Village
Malana is a small community of the tribal peoples, who have a unique culture and their own government. According to legend the Greeks under Alexander The Great, in their incursion into Northern India penetrated as far as Malana Village, where a few Soldiers, who were left behind from his Army, intermarried with native women and developed the society that came to be known as Malana Village Society. This society is famed as one of the oldest democracies of the World.
Some stories also attribute the lineage of tribe from China and central Asia. The Marriage system in Malana is not as strict as conventional Hindu Marriage. In fact no one really marries in the Village i.e. if a boy and the girl meet and develop a liking for each other during the Holy Village Festival, which falls in the month of August, they can have multiple marriages and only the boy pays Rs. 20/- to their sacred Temple. Therefore divorce is unknown and there is no age barrier for such marriages. A 17 year old boy can marry 40 year woman. The village has its own laws. In recent times no police has ever been allowed to enter this Village and the Malanese do not have any respect for any outside authority. Though most of the people want to live a life detached from rest of the World, but now slowly the way of life in this isolated village is changing and people are entering into the mainstream of the Country. The Village has been divided into two zones for judicial purpose. One is a higher court like the Supreme Court, which is headed by the Head Priest of the temple of the powerful local deity “Jamlu” and the other is the lower court for settling minor disputes.
At the center of the Village is an 816 Mts. high platform made out of stone, which is known as the Supreme Court. It is said that Akbar the Great’s men forcibly snatched two coins from certain Villager, who had brought those coins from Malana and as a result of this Akbar’s treasury got polluted and he developed leprosy. When Akbar came to know the facts, he wanted to go personally to pay homage to the God Jamlu (Village Deity) at Malana but he finally sent his own image along with the two coins in questions, the image can still be seen in the Temple. During their visit of the Village the visitors are asked not to touch the places and the objects of sacred importance and also not to touch the local people of the Village. For doing this they have to end up paying the fine amounting from Rs1000 to Rs.500.

Day 15: MALANA – MANIKARAN VIA Jari. 500 Mts descent to the dam takes around 2 hrs. At dam the
              group will be picked by the jeeps . There is a possibility that the authorities may not give car
              access to the Dam, in that case further 2 hrs. walk is involved on the vehicle track. Both
              costumes and towels needed for hot bath at Manikaran.
Today’s walk comprises of decent to the Malana Dam hydel electricity generation establishment and from there on, a further drive, till the main road head at Jari. From Jari we drive to Manikaran. Manikaran is the most famous spot in the Parvati Valley for its hot springs, and has tremendous mythological importance. The springs are believed to have therapeutic value and the water is believed to be radioactive and good for such diseases as rheumatism, gout and bronchitis. Therefore thousands of pilgrims take a dip in the hot waters. The Village people even cook their meals like, rice dal and vegetables in the hot springs. Myth has it that Goddess Parvati, the divine consort of Lord Shiva (The supreme Hindu God) was taking a bath here with her husband and left her earrings on the banks of the river. Sheshnag, the Serpent God stole her rings, this caused lord Shiva to be very angry to see her without her earrings and he threatened the serpent God. Later the Naga snorted the earrings out of his Nostrils and they flew through Earth to Parvati, causing the hot springs to erupt at the point of their exit. Manikaran also has temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Ram as also a famous Sikh Gurudwara on the bank of River Parvati. Therefore Manikaran is a place of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Sikhs. It is also a very good spot for trout fishing. From Manikaran drive to Kullu.
Overnight at Hotel                                                                              (B-camp, L-Hot Lunch from camp, D-Kullu )

Day 16: Kullu/ CHANDIGARH………..by surface
              (260 kms/ 8 – 9 hrs)
              CHANDIGARH / DELHI (by train)
Transfer by surface from Kullu to Chandigarh railway station to board Shatabdi express for Delhi at 1820 hrs. Arrive Delhi at 2140 hrs and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.                                            ( B-Kullu Hotel, Lunch enroute, D-On Train)

Day 17: Delhi – Overseas Destination
12 noon : Check out of hotel.
1230 Hrs: Half Day sightseeing of Old Delhi. Visit Red Fort- Built in 1648, this sprawling fort of red sand stones along the river Yamuna is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 km in circumference. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, Raj Ghat memorial of Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation) and Jama Masjid, Built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, the Jama Masjid is the largest and one of the most magnificent mosques in India. In addition drive past Chandni Chowk- the crowded bazaar (silver street ) of old Delhi.
Return to hotel for freshening up. (Two rooms blocked for wash and change)
Later proceed for dinner at a city restaurant.
Late evening transfer to the international airport to connect flight for overseas destination.
                                                                                                                                                                    (B/D – Delhi)