Destination Guide and information (All our tours originate & terminate at New Delhi) Area : 1483 sq.

Km Altitude : 239 m above sea level Population : 1,3782976 (2001 census) Density : 9294 persons per sq. Km. Languages : Hindi, English, Urdu and Punjabi Climate : Extreme Hot in Summer and Cold in Winter Maximum Temperature : 46 Degree Celsius Minimum Temperature : 04 Degree Celsius Winter : December - February Spring : March to mid April Summer : April end to August Autumn : September to November Places of Interest: Red Fort, Humayuns Tomb, India Gate, Qutub Minar & Delhi Haat. SHIMLA Shimla, originally called Simla, is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. It was the Summer capital of India under British rule from 1864 till India got its independence and has seen many important historical events such as the famous Shimla Pact between India & Pakistan which was signed here. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills" (a term coined by the British). Located in the north-west Himalayas at an altitude of 2,128 metres (6,982 ft), the city is draped in forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak, experiences pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters. The city is famous for its buildings styled in neo-gothic architecture dating from the colonial era. The Kalka-Shimla railway line which was constructed in 1906, added to Shimla's accessibility and popularity. The railway route from Kalka to Shimla, with more than 806 Bridges and 103 tunnels, was touted as an engineering feat and came to be known as the "British Jewel of the Orient. One of the prominent examples of architecture in Shimla is Indian Institute Of Advanced Studies. Housed in the former Viceregal Lodge, it was built in 1888. The style of architecture is English Renaissance, the masonry of the walling is light blue limestone and the wrought stonework is done in sandstone in a beautiful light grey tint. It has magnificent lawns. Other Places of interest: The Mall, Ridge & Christ Church NARKANDA Surrounded by apple orchards, pine & deodar forests, Narkanda is a scenic village situated at the height of 2708 M. The Hatu peak (3300 M) offers panoramic 360 deg views of the entire Himalayan ranges, snow clad mountains as well as the dense forests, green fields and apple orchards below. SANGLA (BASPA) VALLEY This valley, which has been named after a beautiful & populous village Sangla (2680 M), is situated along the banks of Baspa river which flows through this area (which is why its also known as Baspa Valley). This is the most charming valley in the entire District of Kinnaur. The valley is surrounded by richly forested slopes and offers delightful views of the high mountains. A 17 km journey from the turning point at Karcham a steep road climbs up deep gorges & high cliffs to reach Sangla and the journey is enjoyable and adventurous throughout. Sangla has managed to retain its pristine nature and is famous for pine nut orchards, Royal red apples and cherry trees, unspoilt glacial streams and quaint little villages. Theres natural scenery all around and the eternal snow peaks are picturesque and charming. The Kinnauri people are famous for their distinct culture,their own dialect and simple but elegant lifestyles. CHITKUL On the banks of Baspa River, Chitkul (3450 M)is the last village on the road from Sangla and also the highest in Baspa valley. It is also the last point in this direction one can travel to, without a permit. Of particular interest at Chitkul are splendid viiews of snow clad mountain peaks in the distance, its houses with either slate or wooden plank roofs and a Buddhist temple.

KALPA Situated at the height of 2960 M Kalpa is a beautiful village perched above the town of Recong Peo (which serves as the administrative headquarter of Kinnaur district) and is the last big town before you head into the desolate region of Spiti. River Sutlej hurtles through deep gorges in the valley below and across lie the majestic mountains of the Kinner Kailash range. These are spectacular sights early in the morning as the rising sun touches the snowy peaks with crimson and golden light. Famous for its apple orchards it is Inhabited by Kinnauri people who follow a syncretism of Hinduism and Buddhism and many temples in Kalpa are dedicated to both Hindu and Buddhist gods & goddesses. NAKO LAKE Nako Lake (3660 M) is a high altitude lake in the Pooh sub-division of district Kinnaur. The lake is surrounded by willow and poplar trees. Near the lake there are four Buddhist temples. Also present there is a footlike impression believed to be that of saint Padmasambhava, an Indian sage Guru who is said to have transmitted Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet in the 8th century. And some miles away there is a village called Tashigang where there are several caves where it is believe that Guru Padmasambhava meditated and gave discourse to followers. TABO MONASTERY Situated at (3050 m) and 163 km from Kalpa is the ancient village of Tabo, situated on the left bank of river Spiti. Flanked on either sides by hills, its has one of the most important Buddhist monasteries regarded by many as only next to the Tholing Gompa in Tibet. Tabo is the largest monastic complex of Spiti which has since been declared a protected monument by The Archaeological Survey of India. Tabo Monastery was founded in 996 CE by the great Tibetan Buddhist lotswa (translator), Rinchen Zangpo, the king of western Himalayan Kingdom of Guge. The monastery is surrounded by a high mud brick wall which encloses some 6,300 sq. m. (over 1.5 acres) and contains 9 temples, 23 chortens, a monks' residence and an extension that houses the nuns' residence. It soon became known as an important centre of learning and of the Kadampa School (which later developed into the Gelugpa School). After the earthquake of 1975 a new monastery was built, and in 1983 a new Du-kang or Assembly Hall was constructed. It here that H.H The Dalai Lama held the Kala-chakra ceremonies in 1983 and 1996. Above the monastery there are a number of caves carved into the cliff face and used by monks for meditation. There is a large and priceless collection of thankas (scroll paintings), manuscripts, well-preserved statues, frescos and extensive murals which cover almost every wall. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed his desire to retire to Tabo, since he maintains that the Tabo Monastery is one of the holiest. KAZA Situated at an altitude of 3600 meter above sea level on left bank of river Spiti, Kaza is the headquarters of Spiti sub division of district Lahaul & Spiti. Translated, 'Spiti' means the 'middle country' - a name obviously given as a result of its ties with both India and Tibet. With freckles of green over a dry, weather-beaten face, Spiti is a cold desert where the monsoon rain never comes. It is characterised by stark beauty, narrow valleys and high mountains. A century ago, Rudyard Kipling in Kim called Spiti "a world within a world" and a "place where the gods live" - a description that holds true to the present day. KI MONASTERY Key Gompa (also spelled Ki, Kye or Kee) is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,116 metres (13,504 ft.) close to the Spiti River, in the Spiti Valley. It is the biggest monastery of Spiti Valley and a religious training centre for Lamas. It reportedly had 100 monks in 1855. In the architectural definitions given to various monasteries, Ki falls in the 'Pasada' style which is characterised by more stories than one and often plays the role of a fort-monastery. Established in the 11th century by Dromtn (1008-1064 CE), a pupil of the famous teacher, Atisha and has a collection of ancient murals and books of high aesthetic value and Buddha images and idols . It is an outstanding example of the monastic architecture, which developed during the 14th century in the wake of the Chinese influence. KOMIC VILLAGE Meaning Eye of a snow cock (Ko- snow cock, Mic - eye) this small village at the height of 4275 M is claimed to be the highest motor-able village in Asia and home to one of the highest monasteries in the world (Komic Lundup

Chhemo). True or not, the road to this hamlet affords spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges with their peaks covered in eternal snow and the picturesque Spiti valley below. CHANDRA TAAL (Moon Lake) At an altitude of 4270 M Chandra Taal is a beautiful lake in the Spiti region, situated about 25 km by (a narrow jeepable) road from Kunzum Pass (4551 M). The lake is situated on a plateau (Samudra Tapu) overlooking the Chandra River which originates from a glacier near Baralacha La. Surrounded by snow clad peaks, this deep blue water lake has a circumference of 2.5 km. Chandra Taal is a favourite halting place for the shepherds because of rich growth of grass. The water in the lake is so clear that stones at its bottom are easily visible. It takes about 1 and a half hours to take a picturesque walk along a path which goes all around the lake. JISPA Jispa (3142 M) is a small village 22 km from Keylong on the banks of river Bhaga (another river which originates from Baralacha La. It serves as an impressive & convenient stop-over for travellers headed up or down the road between Himachal Pradesh & Ladakh (Leh-Manali Highway). The Bhaga river flows in the wide valley offering some great views of the surrounds. SARCHU Bordering Himachal Pradesh and the last settlement before you enter Ladakh, Sarchu (4325 M) is mainly a group of temporary camps set-up during summers. The setting is beautiful and many travellers prefer this as a night-stop on their journeys to/from Ladakh. The area is dotted by several tented camps offering various levels of comfort & luxury to the weary traveller. If youre not already aclimatised, the altidude can cause AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) specially to those coming straight from Manali. TSO KAR (Tso means Lake in Ladakhi) Tso Kar, also known as White Lake, is situated in the Rupsa Valley, about 76 km from Tso Moriri between the More Plains and Puga and is just a few kilometers off the Manali-Leh highway. It is a brakish lake at a height of about 4524 M. The area along this lake is inhabited by nomadic people employed in rearing of goats, sheep and yaks. A variety of birds and animals, including the Kiangs (Tibetan Wild Ass) can be spotted in the surroundings. The lake and its surrounding area is a breeding ground for a variety of birds. Among them are the brahminy duck. TSO MORIRI Tsomoriri or Lake Moriri (Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve), in the Changthang (literal meaning, northern plateau) area of Ladakh, is a High Altitude Lake with an altitude of 4,541 M and is the largest of such lakes in the Trans-Himalayan bio-geographic region, entirely within India. It is hemmed between Ladakh in the North and Tibet in the east and Zanskar in the west; the Changthang plateau is the geographical setting with snow peaks that provides the source of water for the Lake. During winter, the surface of the lake becomes frozen and it is possible for animals and human beings to walk over it. The lake is the only breeding ground outside of Tibet for one of the most endangered cranes, the Black-necked crane. Tso Moriri can be reached either from Leh through Chumathang & Mahe or from the Manali-Leh highway via Tso Kar & over Polokong Ka La (4940 M) & Namshang La (4739 M), turning south at the village of Sumdo. PANGONG TSO Pangong Tso, an endorheic lake, is one of the largest salt lakes in Asia situated at a height of about 4350 M in the Changthang region of Ladakh. It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from India to Tibet. Roughly two thirds of the length of the lake lies in Tibet. The lake is 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its broadest point. During winter, the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water. Pangong Tso can be reached in a five-hour drive from Leh, most of it on a rough and dramatic mountain road. The road crosses the third highest pass in the region, The Mighty Chang La (5289 M), inhabited only by a few Indian Army personnel who offer free tea to anyone who makes it up these towering ranges. The road down from Chang La leads through Tangste and other smaller villages, crossing a small glacier melt called Paagal Naala or "The Crazy Stream", named so by the Indian Army for its erratic course & behaviour. Most of the streams feeding the lake are on the Tibetan side. The rare black necked cranes and other migratory birds are seen here. LEH

Leh town, at an altitude of 3,560 M, is located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Kashgar, Tibet, and Kashmir. There are two roads in to Leh, one from Manali in Himachal Pradesh in the south, and one from Srinagar in the west. The overland route from Manali to Leh, covering a distance of 473 km (294 mi), is one more commonly taken by tourists. It takes two days, normally with an overnight stop. Leh has a cold, arid climate with long, harsh winters from October to early March, with minimum temperatures well below freezing for most of the winter. The temperatures can range from -28 C (-18.4F) in winter to 33 C (91.4F) in summer. The city gets occasional snowfall during winter. The weather in the remaining months is generally fine. Average annual rainfall is only 90 mm . Leh District, with an area of 45110 Sq Km (which makes it largest district in the country in terms of area) is one of the two districts located in Ladakh, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the other being the Kargil District to its west. Leh has for centuries been an important stopover on trade routes along the Indus Valley between Tibet to the east, Kashmir to the west and also between India and China. The main goods carried were salt, grain, pashm or cashmere wool, charas or cannabis resin from the Tarim Basin, indigo, silk yarn and Banaras brocade. The town is still dominated by the now ruined Leh Palace, former home of the royal family of Ladakh, built in the same style and about the same time as the Potala Palace. KHARDUNGLA Khardung La (La means pass in Tibetan) at an elevation of 5359 M (GPS & SRTM data) is a high mountain pass located 37 km north of Leh. This pass on the Ladakh Range is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. Built in 1976, it was opened to motor vehicles in 1988 and has since seen many automobile, motorbike and mountain biking expeditions. Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, the pass is strategically important to India as it is used to carry essential supplies to the Siachen. The pass has historical importance as it lies on the major caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in Chinese Central Asia. About 10,000 horses and camels used to take the route annually, and a small population of Bactrian camels can still be seen at Hundar, in the area north of the pass, mute witnesses to history. Khardung La is widely, but incorrectly, believed to be the world's highest motorable pass. There are higher motorable passes at Suge La, west of Lhasa, 5,430 m (17,815 feet), and Semo La 5,565 m (18,258 feet), between Raka and Coqen in Central Tibet. Both these elevations are supported by GPS and SRTM evidence. NUBRA VALLEY - HUNDER Nubra Valley lies about 150 km north of Leh. Local scholars say that its original name was Ldumra (the valley of flowers). The Shyok River meets the Nubra or Siachan River to form a large valley that separates the Ladakh and the Karakoram Ranges. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 ft. above the sea level. On the Shyok (pronounced Shayok) River, the main village, Diskit, is home to the dramatically positioned Diskit Monastery. Hundar (3020 M) was the capital of the erstwhile Nubra kingdom in the 17th century, and is home to the Chamba Gompa. Between Hundar and Diskit lie several kilometres of sand dunes, and (two-humped) bactrian camels graze in the neighbouring "forests" of seabuckthorn. Non-locals are not allowed below Hundar village into the Balti area, as it is a border area. There is a marked presence of people with startling blue eyes, auburn hair and rosy cheeks as against the typical mongoloid features of the Ladakhis. Local lore has it that they were a Greek tribe who came in search of Jesus Christ's tomb and eventually settled here. The area is also known for the goats that give you the famous Pashmina shawls. MANALI At the northern end of the Kullu valley, Manali is a popular hill station nestled amongst apple orchards along the river Beas. The British introduced the apple to this areas flora and to this day, apple, along with plum and pear, remains the best source of income for the majority of its inhabitants. Named after Brahmin lawgiver "Manu", Manali ("the abode of Manu") is a famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. Manali also offers hot springs, religious shrines and Tibetan Buddhist temples. SHOJA Off the highway leading to Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, Shoja is a picture postcard village with apple groves, cedar forests and rhododendrons right on the periphery of "The Great Himalayan National Park". Surrounded with lush greenery of deodar trees the village is on a mountain ledge, overlooking the valley. It is just the setting to take a hike into the woods (to the nearby water-fall or the Serolsar Lake) or just soak in the view from your hotel and still be very close to all the diversity nature has to offer.

AGRA & FATEHPUR SIKRI On the banks of the Yamuna River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh 200 km from New Delhi lies the town of Agra. It achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri about 35 km from Agra, and moved his capital there. Later abandoned, the site displays a number of buildings of significant historical importance. A World Heritage Site, it is often visited by tourists. The name of the place came about after the Mughal Emperor Babar defeated Rana Sanga in a battle at a place called Sikri (about 40 km from Agra). Then the Mughal Emperor Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his head quarters, so he built a majestic fort. However, due to shortage of water, he had to ultimately move his headquarters to Agra Fort. BHARATPUR Located 50 km west of the city of Agra, Bharatpur was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733. Located in Mewat region, Bharatpur was once an impregnable, well-fortified city, and the capital of a kingdom ruled by Jat maharajas. It is home to a popupal bird santuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park (now declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO). This former duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas is one of the major wintering areas for large numbers of aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia. Some 364 species of birds, including the rare Siberian crane, have been recorded in the park. JAIPUR Also popularly known as the Pink City, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan state. It is the former capital of the princely state of Jaipur. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II who ruled from 1699-1744 initially from his capital Amber, which lies at a distance of 11 km from Jaipur. He felt the need of shifting his capital city with the increase in population and growing scarcity of water. Jaipur is the first planned city of India. The King consulted several books on architecture and architects before making the lay out of Jaipur. Finally under the architectural guidance of Vidyadar Bhattacharya, (initially an accounts-clerk in the Amber treasury and later promoted to the office of Chief Architect by the King) Jaipur came into existence on the classical basis of principals of vastushastra and other similar classical treatise. Places of tourist interest include City palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Albert Hall Museum, Nahargarh, Jaigarh & Amber Fort. PUSHKAR Situated 14 KM north-west of Ajmer, Pushkar (meaning "lotus") is a holy town set around a lake with various ghats and temples spread all around its periphery. Said to be the seat of Brahma, one of the Hindu holy trinity who is worshipped as the creator of this world, it is famous for it's annual, colourful and huge cattle fair popularly known as the "Pushkar Fair". Apart from buying and selling of livestock it has become an important tourist attraction with highlights like a camel race, & the "longest moustache" competition. Thousands of tourists come to be a part of this amazing spectacle every year. MANDAWA Mandawa is located in the Jhunjunu district of Rajasthan, 150 km from Jaipur. A remote feudal principality in the centre of the Shekhawati region (getting its name from Shekhawat Rajputs who settled here in mid 18th century), Mandawa was a trading outpost for the ancient caravan routes that stopped here from China and the Middle East. Thakur Nawal Singh, the Rajput ruler of Nawalgarh and Mandawa, built a fort in 1755 to protect this outpost. The township that grew around the fort soon attracted a large community of traders, who settled here. This town has been referred to as the "open art gallery" of Rajasthan because not just Mandawa but the entire Shekhawati region is dotted with fascinating mansions (havelis) that have lavishly painted walls. BIKANER Situated in North-west Rajasthan Bikaner city is the distric headquarters of the distric of Bikaner. The city was founded by Rao Bika in 1486 and from its small origins it has developed into the fourth largest city in Rajasthan. The Ganga Canal completed in 1928 and the Indira Gandhi Canal completed in 1987 have allowed the farming of crops

such as mustard, cotton and wheat. Bikaner is also known for its handicrafts and leather articles, for its palaces and for having Asia's biggest camel farm. The city is also known for its intricately carved Jharokas. These red sandstone stone jalis (screens) are found on the windows of the Junagarh fort, temples and havelis (mansions of Northern India). Jalis would be used for ventilation and for women to watch the world while remaining hidden. A popular Indian spicy snack made from moth dal, spices and edible oil Bikaneri Bhujia gets its name from this city. Places of tourist interest: Junagarh Fort, Laxmi Niwas Palace & Lallgarh Palace JAISALMER Nicknamed "The Golden City", Jaisalmer ("The Hill Fort of Jaisal"), named after its founder Rao Jaisal , lies in the heart of the Thar Desert,and has a population of about 60,000. It is also the administrative headquarters of Jaisalmer District.. The yellow sandstone found in the region gives a yellowish-golden touch to the city & its surrounding area. The fort was built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal, it is situated on Trikuta Hill and had been the scene of many battles. Its massive sandstone walls are a tawny lion color during the day, turning to a magical honey-gold as the sun sets. This is a living fort and about a quarter of city's population still live inside the fort. The main attractions inside the fort are: Raj Mahal (Royal palace), Jain temples and the Laxminath temple. Many of the houses and temples are finely sculptured. Other places of interest: Patwon-ki-haveli, Desert Culture Centre & Museum & Gadisagar Lake SAM SAND DUNES 40 km from Jaisalmer lie the Sam sand dunes surrounded in typical desert landscape. This remote location brings you close to life in rural Rajasthan. Its popular with tourists wanting to enjoy a camel safari into the desert while watching a spectacular sunset bathing the entire area in a golden hue. JODHPUR Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name & was the capital of the kingdom known as Marwar. It is also referred to as the Blue City due to the indigo tinge of the whitewashed houses around the city. The Mehrangarh Fort lies at the outskirts of Jodhpur city and is located atop a 125 m high hill. The magnificent Fort (Jodhpur ka kila) is the most majestic and one of the largest forts in India. It was originally started (c.1459) by Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur. However, most of the extant fort dates from the period of Jaswant Singh (1638-78). The walls of the fort are up to 36 m high and 21 m wide and enclose some exquisite structures. The fort museum houses an exquisite collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures, musical instruments, costumes and furniture. The ramparts of Mehrangarh Fort provide not only excellently preserved cannons but also a breath-taking view of the city. Other places of interest: Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jaswant Thada (Royal Cenotaphs) RANAKPUR Located between Jodhpur and Udaipur, in a valley on the western side of the Aravalli Range, Ranakpur is widely known for its marble Jain temple. The Temple was built during the reign of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. An enormous basement covers 48,000 sq. feet area. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared halls and domes supported by over four hundred columns. The total number of columns is 1,444 all of which are intricately carved & no two being alike. The artistically carved nymphs playing the flute in various dance postures at a height of 45 feet are an engrossing sight. In the assembly hall, there are two big bells weighing 108 kgs. whose sound echoes in the entire complex. KUMBHALGARH Kumbhalgarh, a Mewar fortress, was built during the course of the 15th century by Rana Kumbha and enlarged through the 1800s. Kumbhalgarh is also a birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great king and warrior of Mewar. This most-remarkable of forts stretches across 36 kms of the Aravali Mountains and is 1100 m high from the sea level. It was never conquered, for reasons which become apparent the instant you set eyes on it. The massive frontal wall is an astounding 15 feet thick. Surrounded by thirteen mountain peaks, guarded by seven great gates and seven ramparts, strengthened by rounded bastions and immense watchtowers, this mountain fortress has witnessed many battles.

Surrounding Kumbhalgarh Fort is the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Covering an area of 578 sq.km the sanctuary extends across the Aravalli Range and is home to a very large variety of wild life, some of which are highly endangered species. The wild life includes wolf, leopards, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, smabhar, nilgai, chaisingh (the four horned antelope), chinkara and hare. The bird life at Kumbhalgarh is also gratifying. The normally shy and untrusting grey jungle fowl can be spotted here. Birds like the red spur owls, Parakeets, peacocks, golden Oriole, grey Pigeons, Bulbul, Dove and white breasted kingfisher can also be seen near the water holes. UDAIPUR Known as the City of Lakes & Venice of the East Udaipur is the historic capital of the former rajput kingdom of Mewar. Founded by Rana Udai Singh it is known for its stunning Rajput-era palaces, forts, gardens & temples. Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar are considered some of the most beautiful lakes in India. The Lake Palace covers an entire island in the Pichola Lake. Many of the palaces have been converted into luxury hotels. A very romantic setting, Udaipur is a popular wedding destination with many celebrities (Indian & Foreign) choosing it as a venue for their weddings. Places of interest: City Palace, Jagmandir Island, Lake Pichola, Sahelion-ki-bari CHITTORGARH Former capital of the Sisodia clans of Chattari Rajputs of Mewar, Chittorgarh is home to the Chittorgarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India. The huge fort is located on the top of a 180m high hill & covers an area of 240 hectares. Seat of the fiercely independent Rajputs, the fort of Chittor was under siege thrice and each time they fought bravely and thrice Jauhar (act of self immolation by leaping into a large fire) was committed by the ladies and children. This was usually done before or at the same time their husbands, brothers, fathers and sons rode out in a charge to meet their attackers and certain death.. Chittorgarh Fort has a historical importance & is known as the pride of Rajputs who preferred death agianst capture and dishonour at the hands of their enemies. CASTLE B IJAIPUR Located 40 km from Chittorgarh, this 16th century Castle, situated in fortified walls, was converted to a hotel in 1991 by the ruling family. The Castle is still home to the ruling family who run it not as a hotel but as a HOME where people can come and experience traditional Rajput hospitality. BUNDI The town of Bundi is situated km north from Chittorgarh in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan. The city is surrounded on three sides by hills of the Aravalli Range and a substantial wall with four gateways encircles the city. Bundi is known particularly for its architectural note seen in its ornate forts, palaces, and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris. The Taragarh Fort, or 'Star Fort' is the most impressive of the city's structures. It was constructed in AD 1354 upon the top of steep hillside overlooking the city. The fort offers a remarkable view of the city below. The Bundi Palace is situated on the hillside adjacent to the Taragarh Fort and is notable for its lavish traditional murals and frescoes. The Chitrashala (picture gallery) of the palace is open to the general public. The largest of Bundi's baoris or stepwells is the intricately-carved Raniji ki Baori. Some 46 m deep, it was built in 1699 by Rani Nathavatji. The steps built into the sides of the water-well made water accessible even when at a very low level. The baori is one of the largest examples of its kind in Rajasthan. The Nawal Sagar is a large square-shaped artificial lake in the centre of Bundi containing many small islets. A temple dedicated to Varuna, the vedic god of water, stands half-submerged in the middle of the lake. The lake feeds the numerous baoris in the old city by maintaining the water table. RANTHAMBHORE NATIONAL PARK Ranthambhore National Park is one of the largest and most famous national parks in northern India. It is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 130 km from Jaipur and was formerly the hunting grounds for the Maharajahs of Jaipur before Indian independence. It was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India, and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973. It is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in India to see these majestic predators in the jungle. It is named

after the historic Ranthambhore fortress, which lies within the national park. The park covers an area of 392 Sq.km. And has several lakes in its vicinity. Other major wild animals include the leopard, nilgai, dhole, wild boar, sambar, hyena, sloth bear and chital. It is also home to wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles. Ranthambhore Fort is a formidable fortress within the famous Ranthambhore National Park. It was founded in 944 CE by the Chauhan Rajputs. The fortress commands a panoramic location, 700 feet above the surrounding plain.

Adventure in Himalaya - Cycle Tour

Detail Itinerary Day 1 The group flight arrives in Delhi in the morning and we will then transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and recover from the flight or for individual exploration of Delhi. Rooms in the hotel are usually available from noon. Those who have made their own flight arrangements will join us at the hotel during the day. Bikes will be transported from Delhi to Manali by road ready for your arrival in Manali. Day 2 This morning we transfer to the railway station before boarding the train to Chandigarh/Kalka. From Chandigarh/Kalka we will drive to Mandi (approx 210km/6 hours). Day 3 In the morning we drive to Manali (approx 110 km/4 hours). We drive through the lush alpine landscape of Himachal Pradesh into the Kullu Valley. Here we meet the mighty Beas River which we follow to the hill resort of Manali (2000m). On arrival we check-into the hotel and collect/build our bikes ready for the following day. The evening is free to explore the local surroundings. Manali is surrounded by beautiful fir and pine forests and there are lovely walks in and around the town. There is also a colourful Tibetan bazaar famous for its shawls, caps, jewelery and handicrafts made by Tibetan refugees. Day 4 This morning we get on our bikes for the first time and go on an acclimatisation ride. A nearby forest hides a 450-year-old temple, called Hadimba Devi, made out of wood that has remarkable carvings. We then cycle out of Manali and follow the Beas River to Nagar Castle. Nagar was once the capital of this area and the old castle has now been turned into a hotel. Near the castle is the Nicholas Roerich estate. Roerich was a Russian artist, who married a Bollywood heroine and lived here in Nagar. He travelled extensively through Ladakh and Tibet and many of his beautiful works of art still hang in the gallery here. Other options for today include 'Old Manali', a picturesque village close to the ruins of the Fortress Mandakot and the hot sulphur springs at Vaishisht. Day 5 35 Km, 5-6 Hr, elevation gain 1000m. Today we start our first full day of biking on one of the classic cycle routes in the world. We start climbing right from Manali through the flower-filled valleys and cedar and fir forests, passing through numerous villages. After the last village, called Kothi, we will cycle up lots of hairpin bends which bring us to the Rohalla Falls. We will then ascend into a small valley where we will reach our camp for the ni Day 6 72 Km, 6-7 Hr, elevation gain 1100m. A hard day today as we cross our first pass. We leave early and leave all habitation behind as the road zig zags higher and higher into the mountains. We feel as though we are entering a different world as we reach the top of the Rohtang La (3978m). This barren windswept pass, blocked by snow for more than six months of the year, crosses the Pir Pinjal Range and is the gateway to Ladakh. We leave the coniferous forests and lush green pasturelands behind and enter a vivid mountainous desert. Ahead are spectacular views across to the mountains of Lahoul and Spiti. From the top of the pass the road snakes down 900m to the small village of Khoksar. Care must

be taken on the downhill as some of the road is not tarmac. We are in the Lahaul Valley and the cycling becomes easier as we continue on to Tandi, where the rivers Chandra and Bhaga come together. Day 7 37 Km, 4-5 Hr, elevation gain 700m. An easier day today as we cycle through Lahaul. The scenery is spectacular and the valley narrows as magnificent mountains rise high above us. The road follows the main valley and en route we stop at Gondhala to see the ancient fort. Continuing up the valley we cycle through Keylong, a small bustling town. Keylong is the capital of Lahaul and is surrounded by three famous monasteries - we can see the rooftops shining in the sun on the surrounding hillsides. We continue on to Jispa where we can visit a new monastery, which was specially built for H.H. the Dalai Lama. Day 8 32 Km, 3-4 Hr, elevation gain 500m. Another fairly easy day for acclimatisation as we are now approaching the Great Himalayan Range. We cycle through beautiful green pastureland to Darcha (3235m) where we can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee at a local restaurant. From here we continue climbing, until we reach Patseo (3650m). The site now of a lone tea house Patseo used to be the place of an annual fair of the Changpa nomads. Day 9 62 Km, 7-8 Hr, elevation gain 1300m. A hard day today as we cross the Himalayas to Sarchu. Sarchu is the border between the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. After a gradual climb across large meadows past Zingzingbar we start our long ascent to the Baralacha La Pass (4892m). The climb seems at times to go on for ever but the hard work is worth it as the views become increasingly spectacular. Finally we reach the top we are in the middle of the mighty Indian Himalaya. The word Baralacha means 'a pass with crossroads' and the trails from Zanskar, Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul come together here. This is the main crossing of the Great Himalayan Range and we get amazing views of the many snow-covered peaks including Barashigri, Chandrabhaga and Mulkila. From the pass the cycling gets easier as we descend past Kilong Serai and on to Sarchu. Day 10 105 Km, 8-9 Hr, elevation gain 1000m. This will be our longest and hardest day of cycling so we will set off early. We start by climbing fairly gently for approximately 38 km across the windswept Sarchu Plains past Brandy Nallah and Whisky Nallah to the bottom of the Gata Loops. This is a series of 22 amazing hairpin bends, which we slowly ascend. Take time to stop and look back the valley behind is full of amazing wind eroded rock formations. At the top of the loops we will have climbed 500 meters and reached the Nakli La 4800m. A short downhill is followed by another winding ascent to our second pass of the day, the Lachalung La at 5100m. We are now crossing the barren Zanskar Range and we are surrounded by amazing multi-coloured mountains the purples, greens and browns of the hillsides change shades as clouds are blown across the sky. From the Lachalung La we have an easy ride down through an amazing canyon of magnificent rock formations of the Trans Himalaya until we reach Pang. Day 11 57 Km, 4-5 Hr, elevation gain 400m. We start slowly with a short ascent to the Mori Plains (4700m). We are now in Rupshu, the waterless high altitude desert of the Tibetan Plateau. This area is all above 4500m and is home to the hardy Changpas, Tibetan nomads who live in yak hair tents and graze huge flocks of sheep and yaks in this seemingly barren landscape. We turn off the main road and cycle along a sandy track to Tsokar Lake where we camp for the night near Pongunagu. Tsokar means 'white lake', and there are white salt deposits ringing the water. Our camp is a few kilometres from the lake but for the energetic there will be time to cycle to the lake, or even around it to visit some of the nomads. Look out for herds of 'kiang', the wild asses which roam the surrounding hills. The lake is also good for birdwatchers. Day 12 80 Km, 6-7 Hr, elevation gain 900m. Tsokar Lake to Rani Bagh - elevation gain 900m. A hard day today as we cross the last pass before Leh, the Taglang La. We leave Tsokar and cycle back to the main road. The long climb starts gradually and winds ever higher and steeper to the top of the Taglang

La (5350m). You should be proud of yourself at the top you have just cycled to the top of the second highest motorable road pass in India! We are rewarded for all our hard work with wonderful views of both the Himalaya and the Karakorum Mountains. After a rest and photo stop we have a wonderfully long zig zag descent to our first real villages since Lahoul. The houses and green fields of barley and potatoes greet us as we pass the villages of Rumtse and Gya before reaching our camp at Rani Bagh. Day 13 82 Km, 7-8 Hr, elevation gain 450m. We start early with an easy ride winding down following the Kyamnar River down to Upshi. Here we join the Indus Valley, which we follow all the way into Leh. But first we have a diversion to visit Hemis monastery, once the largest and richest of all Ladakhi monasteries. To get there we have a 7km climb as the monastery is tucked away up a side valley. There is time to visit the ancient temples with priceless Buddha statues. We then cycle down to the main road and follow the mighty Indus River. From Karu we continue on to Tikse, where an impressive monastery sits perched on a hilltop. If there is time we can cycle up to the monastery, which contains a very impressive two-storey statue of the Future Buddha. Passing the ruins of Shey Palace the cycling is fairly easy as we come to Choglamsar, home to many Tibetan refugees. There is a final sting in the tail as we leave the Indus and climb into Leh. Tonight we can enjoy the comforts of a hot shower in our hotel in Leh. SH (B,L) Day 14 Return to Leh, elevation gain 2100m. For the energetic today there is the challenging ride to the Kardung La (5602m), arguably the highest motorable road pass in the world. After the last 10 days we should now be fully acclimatised to the altitude and mountains. We leave Leh early and take a packed lunch. It will take around 6 hours to cycle to the top of the pass. The views are magnificent as we wind our way higher and higher away from Leh. The first half of the ride is tarmac and the last half is rough road. From the top we are rewarded with close-up views ahead of the Karakorums, while behind us the Ladakh and Zanskar mountains seem to stretch forever. After a photo stop we have a fantastic downhill ride back to Leh a great reward for all the hard work this morning! Day 15 We now have time to relax in Leh and evening to explore local bazaars or maybe do some optional sightseeing around Leh Shanti Stupa and Leh Place. Overnight hotel in Leh. Day 16 A Complete day of visit to the monasteries (104 Kms) After breakfast drive to visit the Shey Palace, Thiksey, Hemis monasteries and Stok Palace Museum. Packed or Hot Lunch will be provided. Return to Leh in the evening. Overnight Hotel. Day 17 Leh to Temisgang to Ule (160 Kms) After breakfast drive to Temisgang enroute visit Liker Monastery and Castle of Basgo . Check in Camp at Hotel in Temisgang or Ule and enjoy your hot Lunch. After Lunch village walk aroud and over night in hotel Day 18 After breakfast drive to Lamayuru (42 kms approximately) visit the mesmerising Moon landscapes and the Lamayuru monastery (Oldest Monastery in Ladakh). Drive back to Leh enroute visit Alchi monastery, and Rizdong monaster . Day 19 We transfer early in the morning to Leh airport and catch a flight to Delhi. The flight is spectacular as it flies right across the Himalaya. On arrival in Delhi we transfer to our hotel. During the afternoon you are free to relax or explore Delhi. There will be an optional sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi which will visit the Red Fort, Jamia Mosque, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb and Qutab Minar. Day 20 Transfer to international airport and back to won country with sweet memory of Ladakh!!!