Worldwide 2024-25

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