FESTIVAL TOUR SUGGESTION # 4

Best during Period : February

Duration : 11 nights / 12 days

Cities covered : Delhi - Dharamsala - Pathankot - Delhi - Agra - Delhi

Colorful festivals covered : Tibetan New Year

Highlights : Go straight to Dharamsala for the Tibetan New Year, the hill resort once popular with the British where His Holiness the Dalai Lama now resides, for the New Year celebrations.  Visit other Buddhist sites before returning to the plains to see Agra.
>> Contact us <<

[These Festival Tour Programs are best run with minimum 6 travelers to a group & more]

Day 1 - DELHI
Arrive Delhi. Meeting and transfer to the hotel.
Check in time 12 Noon). Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 - DELHI
Morning city sightseeing tour New Delhi visiting Bhai Temple, Qutab Minar: 234 feet high tower, nearby stands the Iron pillar, the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun and the modern Birla Temple, Drive past India Gate (War Memorial), President’s House, which was once the Viceroy’s Palace, Parliament House and Secretariat Buildings.
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 – DEPART DELHI
Morning city sightseeing tour of Old Delhi visiting Red Fort, with its majestic ramparts and halls of public and private audience , Jama Masjid one of the India’s largest mosques, drive past Chandni Chowk and visit Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Late evening transfer to the Railway Station to board train Jammu Tawi Mail for Pathankot.
Depart Delhi at 2100 hrs
Overnight on board train.

Day 4 – PATHANKOT / DHARAMSALA
Arrive Pathankot at 0720 hrs. Meeting on arrival and transfer to Dharamsala (90 Kms).
Arrive and check in at hotel.
Later visit the Tibetian Library for introduction on Buddhist philosophy. Visit the museum of Tibetian articrafts and scrolls and Neehun monastery and the Tibetian Medicant and Astro Institute. Thereafter, visit the Tibetian handicraft centre and the Tsechokling Monastery. Proceed to the Gaden Choeling nunnery and stroll through the Tibetian Market. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5 - DHARAMSALA
Morning visit Bir Tibetian Village and attend the Monastic ritual dances at Sherabling Monastery. Rest of the day free. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 - DHARAMSALA
Morning visit the Norbulingka Institute for Art and Culture designed by a Japanese architect, including the winter Palace of Dalai Lama. Afternoon visit the Kangra Museum of art (closed on Mondays) and drive upto Naddi village to view the snow peaked Dhauladhar range of mountains. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 - DHARAMSALA
Morning visit Tashijong Monastery in Palampur and Andretta pottery society.
Afternoon visit the Tea Garden and factory. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 - DHARAMSALA
Afternoon visit the Namgyal Monastery where Dalai Lama will hold public audience and give his blessings. Also see the Namgyal Monastery of Dalai Lama, next to it is the Tsuglekhang (Central Cathedral) substitute for its far more splendid name sake in Lhasa also known as the Jokhang. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9 – DHARAMSALA / PATHANKOT
(90 KMS)
Morning attend the incense burning ceremony near Namgyal Monastery. Later transfer to Pathankot Railway station to board train Jammu Tawi Mail for Delhi.
Depart Pathankot at 1810 hrs
Overnight on board train.

Day 10 - DELHI
Arrive Delhi at 0520 hrs.
Meeting and transfer to hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 – DELHI / AGRA / DELHI
(203 KMS)
Depart by car/coach for full day excursion to Agra. Enroute visit Akbar’s Masoleum at Sikandra, which is a fusion of Hindu and Muslim architecture, like the Emperor himself, the characterized era. Thereafter, proceed for Agra city and visit world famous TAJ MAHAL, built by Emperor Shah Jehan, a greatest tribute to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.

Mark Twain said of this monument “You cannot keep your emotions within bounds, when that soaring bubble of marble breaks upon your view”. Taj Mahal is like a silent rhapsody that you will carry in your heart. Also visit Agra Fort, an impressive cluster of palaces, fortresses and mosques on the banks of river Yamaha across the Tag Mahal.
Late afternoon depart for Delhi. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 - DEPART DELHI
In time transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.