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INDIA • INDIAN HIMALAYA<br />
Discover the Indian Himalaya<br />
With dense <strong>for</strong>ests, echoing ravines and vast<br />
panoramas of some of the highest peaks<br />
in the world, the Indian Himalaya possess<br />
an intense natural beauty and spirituality.<br />
Cultural variety abounds and nowhere is<br />
this more apparent than in the magnificent<br />
Sikh temple at Amritsar. Sacked by the<br />
Afghans in 1761, the shrine was rebuilt by<br />
Maharajah Ranjit Singh whose donation of<br />
the gold dome, gilded with 100kg of pure<br />
gold, earned the shrine its moniker, the<br />
Golden Temple. Every evening it is magically<br />
lit up <strong>for</strong> the Palki Sahib ceremony.<br />
Experiences in the<br />
Indian Himalaya<br />
Shimla<br />
Toy train, Shimla<br />
Summer capital of the British Raj • Colourful<br />
markets • Mountain railway toy train<br />
Set amid evergreen <strong>for</strong>ests and snow-capped<br />
peaks, the hill station of Shimla was once the<br />
summer capital of the British Raj. Echoes of<br />
its colonial past can be seen along the main<br />
promenade. Here, half-timbered houses,<br />
churches and stately buildings including the<br />
Post Office and restored gothic Gaiety Theatre<br />
rub shoulders with the colourful market, Lakkar<br />
Bazaar. Shimla’s ornate Viceregal Lodge, with its<br />
magnificent botanical gardens was the <strong>for</strong>mer<br />
residence of the British viceroy Lord Dufferin<br />
and remained the seat of colonial power during<br />
the summer months until the 1940s.<br />
Kangra Fort, near Pragpur<br />
Dharamsala<br />
Kangra Valley<br />
Buddhist Wheel of the Law, Mcleod Ganj<br />
Home of the Dalai Lama • Tibetan culture •<br />
Gentle walks in the foothills of the Himalaya<br />
Once a hill station where the British escaped<br />
the summer heat of the plains, Dharamsala is<br />
renowned as the home of the Dalai Lama and<br />
the Tibetan government in exile. McLeod Ganj<br />
lies at its centre, a charming Tibetan settlement<br />
with many interesting shops selling local crafts.<br />
It offers a wealth of activities from gentle walks<br />
to cookery classes, all set against the backdrop<br />
of the stunning Dhauladhar mountain range.<br />
The Norbulingka Institute preserves traditional<br />
Tibetan art and the nuns at Thomsaling<br />
nunnery are happy to explain the Tibetan<br />
Buddhist traditions which they follow.<br />
Himalayan scenery • Scenic mountain railway<br />
The medieval village of Pragpur is an idyllic<br />
base from which to explore the breathtaking<br />
Kangra Valley. The surrounding countryside<br />
offers many opportunities <strong>for</strong> walks, bicycle<br />
rides and birdwatching. Local sights include<br />
the ruins of the regal Kangra Fort and the<br />
elaborate carvings of the Masroor rock-cut<br />
temples. The section of the local Kangra<br />
railway, between Baijnath and Nagrota, is the<br />
most scenic stretch of the line.<br />
Sunset Wagah ceremony, Amritsar<br />
Each day at sunset, the border guards of<br />
India and Pakistan assemble <strong>for</strong> the border<br />
closing ceremony. Each army parades<br />
in an immaculately turned out display<br />
of synchronised marching and bellowed<br />
military commands. The ritual ends as the<br />
sun goes down, the flag of each country is<br />
lowered and the gates are slammed shut.<br />
Toy train to Shimla<br />
Completed in 1903, the UNESCOlisted<br />
Kalka-to-Shimla toy train offers<br />
stupendous views of the Himalayan<br />
scenery as it winds its way steeply upwards<br />
on the narrow track. Built to transport the<br />
British from the heat of the summer plains<br />
to cooler climes, it passes through rugged<br />
mountains and pine <strong>for</strong>ests. For the best<br />
views, sit on the right-hand side when<br />
travelling to Shimla.<br />
Spiritual tour of Haridwar<br />
According to Hindu mythology, Haridwar is<br />
the holiest of all places and pilgrims arrive<br />
here daily to bathe in the sacred Ganges. A<br />
tour of the key temples culminates at the<br />
sacred Har-ki-Pauri ghat (waterfront steps)<br />
where thread ceremonies, holy dips and<br />
the evening aarti ritual take place to the<br />
accompaniment of music, chanting and the<br />
waft of incense carried on the wind.<br />
Picnic in the Kullu Valley, Manali<br />
Spend a leisurely day in the spectacular<br />
valley of Manali, tucking into a delicious<br />
alfresco lunch surrounded by high peaks,<br />
pine <strong>for</strong>ests, meadows and apple orchards.<br />
Take a walk through the picturesque<br />
scenery, passing quaint villages and old<br />
Kullu-style temples along the way.<br />
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View our full range of itineraries, hotels and experiences at CoxandKings.co.uk