Dussera Festival of Kullu Valley (10 Days / 9 Nights)
Beyond forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas, and by the banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fabled ''Silver Valley'' - Kullu also known as the Valley of the Living Gods. It is here that the famous annual Kullu Dussera festival is held in the month of October. The festival celebrates the triumph of the God Ram ( God of Hindus from the epic - Ramayana ) over evil. One can experience the rich culture along with the history and mythology attached to the celebrations, typical of the hilly regions in the North India. More than one hundred gods and goddesses mounted on colorful palanquins participate in the procession which is the most important part of the festival here. The ceremony feels as if the doors of heaven have been opened and the gods have come down to the earth to rejoice. This is also the time when the International Folk Festival is celebrated. Treat your self to the unique celebration with the beauty of conifer hills climbing upto the snowcapped Himalayan peaks, the roaring Beas River flowing through the valleys of Kullu and Manali and a wide panoramic view of the mountains... the Himalayan Paradise. Wander through the valley, succumb to its Magical charms and discover Himachal at its best. Dussera festival falls on October 2, 2006.
Day 1: Delhi
Monday, April 22, 2024 - Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Arrive and transfer to Hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: Delhi - Chandigarh
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 - Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Morning half day city tour of New Delhi visiting drive past President House,
Parliament House (House of Representatives) and
India Gate - War Memorial (stop for photography), Qutab Minar - 72.55 meters, high Victory Tower, onto
Bahai Temple (lotus temple)
Humayun's Tomb - built of red sandstone and is a first substantial example of the Mughal architecture, Laxmi Narayan Temple - a modern Hindu temple built by Birlas, the leading Indian industrialists.After lunch drive to Chandigarh.Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3: Chandigarh - Manali
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 - Thursday, April 25, 2024
Morning after brief orientation of the city visiting Nek Chand Rock Garden , the drive past the secretariat buildings etc. leave for Manali.Arrive and check-in at Hotel.Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 4: Manali
Thursday, April 25, 2024 - Friday, April 26, 2024
Full day witness the world famous Dussera festival. The beginning of the festival is marked by Rathyatra, in which the chief deity 'Raghunathji' ( idol of Lord Rama)is carried in a fully decorated wooden chariot.As part of the festival, traders from all over the valley set up temporary stalls. They offer woolen shawls, caps, blankets, Pullan (the traditional footwear made from plant fibre and goat hair) and many other things. This is the best time to see the crafts of the Kullu valley, especially the traditional clothing of its people.Evening stroll on the bazars.Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 5: Manali
Friday, April 26, 2024 - Saturday, April 27, 2024
Morning visit the Bijli Mahadev temple (14 kms.) for a great view of the valley. The temple is famous for it's 60 ft high staff which periodically, attracts lightning that shatters the 'Shivalinga'. Onto Manikaran (45 kms), which is famous for its hot sulphur springs. It is located at an altitude of 1737 meters in the Parvati River valley. These hot springs are famous for their healing powers. Manikaran offers hiking and trekking facilities to the tourists. Evening free for local shops. Weavers of Kullu are famous for high quality Shawls and woolens. Shawls made from Pashmina goats' hair are the finest and the most expensive. There are hundreds of showrooms in the valley - Bhuttico and Heritage both have good reputations.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 6: Manali
Saturday, April 27, 2024 - Sunday, April 28, 2024
Morning leave for Manali enroute visit Naggar, half way between Kullu and Manali, 1000 feet above the river and at the widest point of the valley, is a large village called Naggar. Built on a hill, surrounded by pine forests and apple orchards, Naggar is quiet and peaceful, mostly made up of old wooden houses with traditional stone roofs. Here a gallery houses the paintings of the Russian artist Nicholas Reorich. Manali, Surrounded by towering peaks. It's major asset is its proximity to the snowline. It is a flourishing orchard industry, a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers.Arrive and stay at hotel.Afternoon visit the 500 years Old Hadimba Temple and you have the evening free for wandering around the malls of Manali. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 7: Manali
Sunday, April 28, 2024 - Monday, April 29, 2024
After breakfast drive to Rohtang pass. Enroute visit Vashist hot water springs and Kothi.At an elevation of 4,111 meters (13,400 ft.) on the highway to Keylong, is Rohtang Pass. Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at its height and splendour. At the top of the Pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as you look down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul Valley. There is a beautiful Doshohar Lake left to the pass, where pilgrims go every year on the auspicious day of 20th Bhadon. This is the only access to Lahaul valley. The pass is open from June to September each year although trekkers may cross the pass a little earlier. Rohtang pass is the gateway to Lahaul valley just as Zojila pass in between Kashmir valley and Ladakh.Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 8: Manali - Chandigarh
Monday, April 29, 2024 - Tuesday, April 30, 2024
After breakfast drive to Chandigarh.Arrive and check-in at hotel.Dinner Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 9: Chandigarh - Delhi
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 - Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Morning visit the famous Pinjore Gardens, also called Yadavindra Gardens.Pinjore lies on the foothills of the lower Shivalik ranges. The fascinating Mughal Gardens one of the most popular picnic spots. A mini zoo, plants nursery, a Japanese garden, historic palaces and picnic lawns await tourists. Especially at weekends, fountains are switched on and after dusk, lights pick up the beauty of the palaces by night.After early lunch leave by road for Delhi. Arrive and check-in at hotel.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10: Delhi
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Thursday, May 2, 2024
Day at leisure. Evening transfer to International airport for onward destination.
