Northern India Tour / Резиденция Далай Ламы

Flight to Dharamsala via Indigo 06:40-08:20, excursion around Dharamsala. Excursion to Mc Leod Ganj (Upper Dharamsala), where the residence of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, the Tibetan government in exile, the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute Men Tsee Khang, schools of Buddhist painting and dialectics, the Tibetan Culture Museum, the Tsuglagkhang temple complex, and the Kalachakra Temple are located. Today it is the center of the spiritual life of the Tibetan people, home to numerous Tibetan refugees and monks. Visit the Dalai Lama's residence (exterior view) and the Namgyal Buddhist monastery, founded in Tibet in 1575 and relocated to Dharamsala in 1959. Next, visit the Tibetan Cultural Center and the Tibetan Library—one of the leading institutes in the world for studying Buddha's heritage and Tibetan history. Continue with a visit to the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute Men Tsee Khang. In the afternoon (optional) a trip to the center of the Kangra Valley—the village of Kangra, viewing the local fort and attractions, visiting the Tibetan market. Return to the hotel,

overnight in Dharamsala

Breakfast, check out from the hotel. Departure to Rewalsar (150 km or 4-5 hours). En route, an excursion to Rewalsar. Rewalsar is a sacred place for Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs, and a place of pilgrimage. Here is the sacred lake of the same name (Tibetan name Tso Pema), near which Saint Padmasambhava meditated in caves before heading to Tibet to revive Buddhism. The activities of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) contributed to the spread of Tibetan Buddhism; he built many monasteries, translated, and wrote sacred texts. In Tibetan Buddhism, he is considered the second Buddha who brought the Buddhism of the Vajrayana or Diamond Vehicle to the people. Several Buddhist monasteries are built by the lake, and Buddhist festivals are held here. The festival held in the Year of the Monkey is considered especially important, when the Dalai Lama himself arrives here to perform pujas (prayers) and koras (ritual circumambulations). Arrival in Rewalsar, hotel accommodation.

Overnight

(150 km or ~5 hours). Breakfast, check out from the hotel. Visit the Baijnath temple dedicated to Shiva, as well as the city of Mandi, which is called Chhoti Kashi or Little Varanasi due to the approximately three hundred temples located in the city. Next, we will head to Kullu, visiting Manikaran on the way. We will visit the Bijli Mahadev temple and the Gurudwara in Manikaran. Manikaran is famous for its hot sulfur springs, revered by Hindu and Sikh pilgrims. Thousands of pilgrims perform ritual dips in the hot water. The sulfur water from the springs cures many skin diseases. Where the water temperature is above boiling point, rice and dal placed in a muslin bag or tied with cloth are soon ready to eat. According to ancient lore, Manikaran is also associated with Lord Shiva and His divine consort Parvati. We will then continue to Kullu. Upon arrival, hotel check-in.

Overnight in the hotel

Early breakfast. Check out from the hotel. Transfer to Manali. Arrival in Manali, hotel accommodation.

Overnight. Manali is a picturesque mountain resort located at an altitude of over 2000 m. The town is famous for its stunning mountain views (snow-capped peaks of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar are visible from the hotel windows), ringing mountain air, a mass of attractions, and excellent opportunities for outdoor activities. There are several interesting temples in the town and its surroundings; the Hadimba temple (16th century), the Manu temple, and Buddhist temples are worth a visit. Manali is famous for its markets – goods from all over the Himalayas are sold here. The famous Kullu shawls, woolen items, and caps are especially valued. The village of Vashisht is located near Manali

Breakfast. Check out from the hotel. Transfer to Chandigarh. Arrival in Chandigarh, hotel accommodation.

Overnight

Breakfast, followed by hotel check-out, then a visit to the Sculpture Garden (Rock Garden). Transfer to Amritsar, arrival in Amritsar, hotel accommodation.

Overnight

Transfer by train to Delhi 16:50-22:50. Breakfast. Morning visit to the main shrine of the city – Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), followed by a visit to the Jallianwala Bagh memorial dedicated to the victims of the execution by colonial troops on April 13, 1919. The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is the most important Sikh shrine and the main attraction of Amritsar. It houses the sacred book 'Guru Granth Sahib', which sets out the teachings of the ten gurus who participated in the creation of Sikhism. The temple stands in the center of a large pool, around which a line of pilgrims moves. The water in the reservoir is considered sacred here – ablution in it heals and grants enlightenment. About 100 kg of gold was used to cover the dome. The sacred book is read around the clock, the voices of the readers are amplified by speakers and sound over a vast space. Sikhs, considered one of the richest diasporas in the world, donate colossal sums to the temple. Transfer to the Amritsar railway station to board the train to Delhi. Arrival in Delhi, meeting upon arrival. Transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Delhi

Sightseeing of New Delhi, such as the President's House, India Gate, built in memory of the Indian soldiers who sacrificed themselves during the Afghan war, Birla Mandir (Lakshmi Narayan Temple), the Lotus-shaped Bahá'í Temple, and the Shri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir, widely known as the ISKCON temple in Delhi.

Overnight in Delhi

Transfer to the international airport to board the flight to your next destination