Himachal Pradesh

Shimla, the summer capital of the British India, is situated at a height of 2,196 meters. While the British have left the echoes linger on. today, its well developed facilities, easy accessibility and many attractions make it one of India's most popular resorts. In the Himalayan lower ranges, it is surrounded by pine, cedar, oak and rhododendron forests.

Towards the north lie the snow-covered high ranges, while the valleys below hold streams and swaying fields. Within the town are splendid colonial edifices, quaint cottages and charming walks. You can go shopping on the fashionable Mall, visit its neo-Gothic churches, the grand former Vice-regal Lodge or the cemeteries. The night stay is at Shimla.

In the early morning you can take one of Shimla's delightful walks and go sightseeing in the suburbs - Mashobra. Bekhaltv road, camp sites and the golf course at Naldhera designed by the British Viceroy, Lord Curzon. Carry on to Tattapani, visit the Shiv Parvati caves or go river rafting. You may return to Shimla for the night or stay at one of the suburban resorts or quality camps.

The Kufri slopes, about 16 kms away, are ideal for skiing. Excursions include Naldhera, Fagu about 22 kms away and full of apple orchards, Chail, and Chadwick Falls.

Dharamsala is a beautiful town set amidst forests of pine. Accessible and not far from the broad gauge line at Pathankot, Dharamsala provides a range of interesting experiences and activities for the visitor.It is a hill station with a difference for the several separate areas of the town are located at different levels up as per the Dhauladhar range. While the lower end of town at a height of 1250 m is the busy commercial part, the upper suburbs with evocative names like Forystheganj and Macleodganj are not too far below the snow line. The massive snow capped peaks of the Dhauladhars rise like a back drop above the town. Dharamsala is a hill station with great variations not only in levels and temperature but also in character. A faint colonial aura still lingers around cottages that snuggle into the hillside and in the stone church ofSt. John in the Wilderness with its beautiful stained glass windows. A former Viceroy, Lord Elgin is buried in its churchyard. Up in Macleodganj is a charming Tibetan settlement with bustling bazaars that sell carpets, handicrafts and delicious Tibetanf ood. A giant prayer wheel ornaments a main street and in the monastery, a serene statue of the Lord Buddha presides over the gentle chanting of the monks. The Dalai Lama resides in Macleodganj, which is now a major centre for Tibetan culture. It has the School of Tibetan Studies with rare manuscripts and ancient texts, the Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts and handicrafts centre.

River Beas flowing through it, Kullu valley, stretching to Manali, is a narrow fertile strand 80 km long. From Kullu you can trek to Malana village, the people of which are regarded by anthropologists to be the descendents of Alexander the Great's army!

The erstwhile princely state of Kullu is said to have been established in the 1st or 2nd century and Naggar was its capital for 1,400 years. With hewn stones packed in a horizontal mesh of timber sleepers, the old castle is now a hotel. This medieval building was built by Raja Sidh Singh around 1460. Here vested the reins of Kullu's power till Raja Jagat Singh moved the capital lower down the valley in 1637. Yet Naggar remained the summer retreat of the ruling family. About 150 years ago, Raja Gyan Singh exchanged his ancestral seat for a rifle - and in time, perched high on a wooded slope that overlooks the Beas, the castle became a hotel. Apart from ancient temples and the possibility of wonderful treks, Naggar also houses a gallery of paintings and sculptures of Nicholas Roerich, a Russian emigre who left his homeland after the 1917 Revolution.

Kullu serves as the access point to numerous ancient temples and places off the beaten track. Within Kullu is the Raghunath temple. In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh committed an error. To atone, he sent for a statue of Lord Ram from Ayodhya. This temple was built to house the image. Lord Rama was proclaimed the 'true ruler' while the king and his descendants accepted the role of regents. The Biji Mahadev temple is set on a spur that offers spectacular views. This temple is famous for its high staff that periodically draws lightning which shatters the Shiva linga and scorches the building. Using butter as an adhesive, the linga is carefully pieced together by the temple pundit. Notable temples around Kullu are Basheswar Mahadeva at Bajaura, Vaishno Devi, Devi Jagannath and the Vishnu temples.

Manali is at an altitude of 2,200 metres and is situated on the River Beas. As you drive from Kullu known as the valley of Gods, the valley narrows as it proceeds. Manali is a picturesque little town setamidst tall pine woods and the ideal place to relax in full view of snow-clad mountains.Innumerable walks are available through apple and cherry orchards and terraced paddy fields. This little township is the base of many treks, the most famous being to Rohtang Pass(4,000 metres) and about 12 kms away. 

Places of interest include Dhoongri Temple, a 600 year old temple amidst ancient cedar trees, Vashist village, famous for its sulphur hot springs, Rahalla Falls, Hanuman Tibba at a height of 6,500 metres, paintings in Roerich Museum.