Dharamsala Trek

Day 1

• Arrive at the International airport of Delhi. After the traditional welcome, transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2

• In the afternoon we visit the walled city of Old Delhi; crowded, full of activity and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort Delhi. Here we visit Jama Masjid Delhi - the largest 17th century mosque in India; Chandni Chowk - the typical Indian market always abuzz with activities; and Rajghat - the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi (also called the 'Father of the Nation’). We also visit New Delhi where we drive past the Presidential Palace, Secretariat Buildings and down the impressive Rajpath to India Gate .

• In the evening, we are transferred to the Railway station to board our overnight train to Pathankot. It is said that the journey is half the experience as we move from the crowds and chaos of the Delhi Railway Station to the rustic scenes of life in the countryside.

Pathankot - Mcleod Ganj

• We arrive at the Pathankot early morning and meet our drivers and vehicles at the Railway station. Then, we drive into the foothills of the Himalaya towards Dharamsala and the Tibetan Buddhist settlement of McLeod Ganj. Upon arrival in Dharamsala, transfer to McLeod Ganj and check into our hotel.

• In the afternoon,we have a walking tour of the town and its environs that includes visiting the Dalai Lama’s Complex, the Tibetan Library and St John’s Church. Evening is free to explore the local bazaar of this beautiful town.

Mcleod Ganj - Kareri Village

• Today we meet the trekking crew and begin our trek. We walk from McLeod Ganj (1,760m) to Kareri village (1,985m). This gentle ascent and walk takes us through traditional Gaddi shepherd villages and terraced fields of rice and barley. We set up our camp at a beautiful site by a river and watermill. The rest of the day is free to explore the village.
  Duration of Trek: 4 Hrs
  Distance: 13 Kms

Kareri Village - Barlai Village (2475m)

• After the breakfast, we enjoy a gentle walk from Kareri to Barlai village (2,475m). We ascend gradually through village fields and rhododendron forests. These forests are home to pheasants, bears and leopards (since the latter too animals are found only in the remote areas of the forests they are unlikely to be sighted). Around midday, we stop for a relaxed lunch and then complete our walk to overnight camp at Barlai Village.
  Duration of Trek: 4 Hrs
  Distance: 8 Kms

Barlai Village (2475m) - Dharamkot

• Today it is going to be a slightly longer but very spectacular day as we walk through a woodland reserve overlooking the beautiful Kangra Valley. Our today’s destination is the village of Dharamkot at approx. 2,000m. This village is inhabited by Gaddis and its location offers more sensational views of the Dhauladhar. Dharamkot was the chosen retirement home of the English artist, Alfred Hallett whose paintings are still exhibited in Dharamsala. We set up our camp outside the village.
  Duration of Trek: 5 Hrs
  Distance: 10 Kms

Dharamkot - Triund

• After breakfast we continue our trek towards the highest point of our trekking at Triund (2,850m). The path from Dharamkot takes us steadily uphill for around 3 hours through forests of deodar and rhododendron to a ridge where we have superb views of the snow-covered mountains of Dhauladhar. The panorama extends out across the Kangra Valley and down to McLeod Ganj. We camp overnight on the ridge.

Triund - Mcleod Ganj

• This morning, we return to McLeod Ganj about 10km away, and mostly downhill. This walk takes around 3-4 hours and concludes the trek.
  Duration of Trek: 4 Hrs
  Distance: 10 Kms

Mcleod Ganj - Andretta

• After the lunch, we drive to Andretta. This small Kangra Village, with its perfect climate and beautiful Himalayan setting, is widely known as an artistic enclave for its pottery. It’s quiet and meditative environment is also bursting with inspiration from all sides, from the snow-white mountains surrounding it to the vast plains that lie beyond. Here we visit a studio to see the potters working and selling their wares. We stay overnight at a restored private house.

Andretta - Pragpur

• Today we drive down to the town of Palampur, which is surrounded by tea gardens-making it the tea capital of northwest India. Upon arrival, we visit the tea gardens and see the processes involved in its production followed by lunch in Palampur. This hill station is not only known for its numerous tea gardens and paddy fields but also for its colonial architecture and temples. In the afternoon, we continue by road to Pragpur, a World Heritage Village, where we check into our accommodation in the ‘Judges Court’. This lovingly restored 300-year-old manor house and associated cottage is set in its own gardens and has an ambiance reminiscent of the days of the Raj.

Pragpur - Pathankot

• After breakfast the morning is free to relax at the hotel or to explore the local area. The town of Pragpur is very interesting and remains largely unchanged from a century ago, with cobbled streets, an ornamental village tank and houses built of stone and mud-daub with slate roofs

• In the afternoon, we make the scenic drive through the Himalayan foothills down to Pathankot where we board the overnight sleeper train to Delhi.