VALES & DALES This tour of the Western Himalayas is specifically designed for those intending to travel leisurely byroad through some of the most fascinating countryside. Spring and early summer is a riot of bloom. In early autumn, the apples are harvested giving way to the glow of golden foliage. The old towns were earlier British summer retreats, dotted with quaint cottage and churches. The various Hindu rulers have now converted their properties into heritage hotels and Dharamsala is flocked by many of meet the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader.

DELHI / NALAGARH / KANGRA / DHARAMSALA / KULLU / SHIMLA / CHAIL / DELHI » Day 1. DELHI / NALAGARH (6 hrs) : Drive to Nalagarh or board train to Chandigarh and transfer to Nalagarh . Check into the Nalagarh palace heritage resort. Evening at leisure to explore the fort or relax in the company of the Royal family, perhaps over a drink. Overnight Nalagarh palace. 2. NALAGARH I KANGRA (4 hrs) Morning, drive to Kangra. Check into the Judge's Court, a stately manor built in 1918 and situated in the quaint Village of Paragpur. The Kangra valley rolls down the southern edge of the magnificent Dhauladar range. It's slopes are covered with forests, orchards, tea gardens and terraced fields. From Paragpur, the Beas river offers exciting opportunities for Mahaseer fishing, while Brand Billing (30 kms) offers adventure sports like hang gliding and para-sailing. Kangra is also known for its exquisite miniature paintings. Nearby is the temple of Jwalamukhi, where a natural blue flame issues from the rock sanctum. A constant swell of pilgrims provides a glimpse of the real India, steeped in rituals and traditionally vibrant and alive. Overnight at Judge's Court. 3. KANGRA I DHARAMSALA (60 kms) : Morning, drive to Dharamsala situated at 6100ft. Check into mountain resort Mcleodganj. Visit to Tibetan children's village. At Mcleodganj, visit Dalai Lama temple and Tibetan school of performing arts. ln the evening, get a taste of Tibetan food at local restaurants. Overnight at Dharamsala. 4. DHARAMSALA I TARAGARH : Drive to Taragarh (2 hrs). Check into Taragarh Palace resort owned by the family of the Maharaja Kashmir. Evening, walk across the tea gardens or drive to the monastery. Overnight Taragarh.

5. TARAGARH I KULLU (4 hrs) : Drive to Kullu. Arrive late afternoon and check into Beas Banks - Wanderlust tented camp on the banks of the river Beas, 12 kms upstream Kullu. Evening, relax at camp with a bonfire and bar-be-cue and a glass of beer or chhota peg. Overnight Beas Banks. (Optional you could choose to stay at a hotel). 6. BEAS BANKS : Optionally, morning, enjoy an exciting two hours of rafting on the Beas. Later, visit Naggar castle and the Roerich Art Gallery. Evening at leisure at this interesting riverside beach camp. 7. BEAS BANKS I MANALI : Morning, visit Manali town, visit Hadimba temple. Later, drive up to Rohtang Pass, 52 kms at 13,500 ft. for a fabulous view of the Dauladhar, Zanskar and the Lahaul- Spiti ranges. Overnight hotel at Manali.

8. MANALI I SHIMLA (6 hrs) Drive to Shimla, the erstwhile summer capital of the British Raj. Check into your Palace hotel. Overnight Shimla. 9. SHIMLA I CHAIL (2 hrs) Explore the infamous Mall and its surroundings. Late afternoon, drive to Chail via Kutri, through dense deodar and rhododendron forest. Check into Chail Palace hotel, the former residence of the Maharaja of Patiala. Overnight Chail. 1O:CHAIL I DELHI After breakfast, transfer to the railway station (Kandaghat) for a fascinating train journey to Kalka, on the toy train. Arrive Kalka and transfer to Shatabdi Express train, arriving Delhi late evening. OPTIONS AND EXTENSIONS: 1. Overnight train to Pathankot and transfer to Dharamsala or fly directly to Dharamsala. 2. Extension to Dalhousie, Khajjiar and Chamba. 3. Trout fishing I Para gliding / Ballooning I River Rafting in Kullu-Manali 4. Various trekking options. POSSIBLE VARIATIONS DELHI I NALAGARH / BEAS BANKS / SHOJA / SARAHAN / SHIMLA / DELHI ( 10 Days ). BEST TIME: April to June and September to October.     Himalayan Splendours, Go India: Cultural & Classical Tours Reservation Form