Description
Day 1
Arrive Delhi and transfer by car to 3* hotel and relax. Optional afternoon sightseeing.
Day 2
Early morning start (530am). Take a train from Delhi to Kalka (6 hours approx) and then change to the Viceroys (UNESCO) narrow gauge “Toy Train” to Shimla (5-6 hours). Overnight stay in Shimla.
Day 3
Drive 180km through the valleys and alongside rivers to Sarahan (2165m). Afternoon free to explore the village and acclimatise.
Day 4
Drive approx 100km to Sangla, through the Rampur Valley before crossing the river and going up the Sangla Valley to a permanent tented camp and lodges (2700m). Afternoon free to walk around the village and along side the river in the flower meadows to acclimatise.
Day 5
Morning guided walk (11km) through woodland and up over stony ground and in to flower meadows and farmland before seeing mountain views and the river. Cross the bridge and join the road. Drive to Chitkul (3450m) and walk 3km further up the valley towards the Indo/Tibetan border seeing birds, flowers, landscape and farming on the way. Return to the lodge by car.
Day 6
Drive to Kalpa (2768m) via Rekong-Peo seeing the Kinnaur mountain range, rivers and army camps. Lunch at guest house with free afternoon to relax, walk down in to the village and visit the monastery and Hindu temple and see the locals.
Day 7
Free day to walk in and around Kalpa. Walk to the neighbouring village on the road seeing the river far below. See birds, apple orchards – Himachal Pradesh is the largest producer of apples in India – the locals and the Kinnaur mountain range. Return to Kalpa and relax or optional walk.
Day 8
Drive back to Shimla (approx 8–9 hours) through lots of valleys, retracing our route. Evening in Shimla.
Day 9
All day sightseeing in and around Shimla – Tatopani hot springs, highest altitude golf club (2050m), The Mall in Shimla, town hall, statues, Christ Church and other old buildings.
Day 10
Leave Shimla early on the “Toy Train” to Kalka (5 – 6 hours). Change stations and board a train to Delhi (6 hours approx). Arrive Delhi and transfer to 3* hotel.
Day 11
All day sightseeing in Old and New Delhi.
Day 12
Tour ends – transfer to airport – return home or onward travel.
Madi Hearne –
Had a fantastic adventure with my daughter travelling from Delhi to Shimla, back to Delhi and then onwards and upwards to Kathmandu, sightseeing and trekking. Claire was great with her invaluable advice throughout our trip. When in doubt, message Claire!!! She was a mine of useful information even before we had embarked on our journey from visas, tipping guides, places to visit and what and what not to eat! Also on what to do when attached to a leech whilst trekking in Kathmandu! She certainly helped to make me feel more relaxed on my first, big adventure. Very many thanks.