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BySoul Mountain Expeditions

Learning Yoga in Mcleodganj and Dharmshala

Yoga holidays in Mcleodganj and Dharmsala

With great views and extreme peace, Dharmasala, and mcleodganj are great destinations to spend some quiet time in Mother Nature’s lap, being one with yourself. A great place to meditate, learn Yoga or Tibetan Buddhism. Tourists from over the world are seen here. The Yoga techniques have options to choose from, simpler ones like the sehaj Yoga or complex ones like the Hatha Yoga. It depends also on what kind of instructors are available at that time. Minimum sightseeing is done, but it can be increased if you wish to do so. Chose your own yoga type and meditation and that is how the duration of each tour can be adjusted. Look at the suggested schedule, and if you want some modifications, that can be arranged.

  • TRANSPORT: In bus, private or shared car with driver.
  • ACCOMMODATION: Hotels, guest houses, home stays.
  • ENDURANCE LEVEL: Anyone to Expert. Depends upon destinations and activities chosen.
  • ACTIVITIES: Meditation, Yoga, Volunteer activities, Bird watching, Cultural activities, Hiking
  • DURATION: 4 days or more
  • MEALS: By choice
  • COST: From USD 700 onwards

himachal-pradesh-travel himalayas mountains

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: Welcome to Mcleodganj
From Delhi, Chadigarh or Amritsar, welcome to Mcleodganj. Today is the day we spend resting, and exploring Mcleodganj.
DAY 2: Yoga Introduction
We begin the day with a lovely yoga session early in the morning as we hear the birds chirping. This session explains the basics of Yoga, its requirements and multiple benefits. The guests are taught some basic simple Yoga postures, known as Yogasanas., by a trained instructor. Post some rest, and some light lunch, we spend the rest of the day discovering the beauties of Mcleodganj and Dharmsala, and visiting popular tourist sightseeing spots. One of them is Tsuglagkhang monastery. It contains three major idols of Sakyamuni Buddha, Avalokitesvara and Padmasambhava which are made of gilded bronze. Spiritually famous, it is a place not only important for Tibetan Buddhists but people the world over, as they come here to meditate or pray. Monks will be found debating and meditating here. We go to Norbulingka from there. This is also known as Jewel Garden and is famous for Tibetan culture and arts. A good place to do some small shopping of books and art. Then, we go to Dip Thekchen Choeling Monastery with it’s museum. It has a golden roof.
DAY 3: Beginning Yoga Asanas
On day 3, early in the morning, we start the yoga session in the park or in the ashram. These classes today will take up a more advanced form and Yoga postures will be slightly difficult and complex. These Assanas help to give a stretching to the entire body and in healing deep seated injuries and pain. A long session today, upto lunch, after which we take a walk to Bhagsu Naag temple and the Bhagsu waterfall. You may want to swim here in the pool besides the temple. If we have enough time, and there is still daylight, we can also go to St. John’s Church in the Wilderness.
DAY 4: Yoga for the soul
Soul Yoga or Meditation will be taught to you today as you will learn to control your sense, mind and body with various meditation exercises. Today’s class will help you relax and unwind and remove your focus from the stress of everyday life. Lunch will be served and after that a massage will be given to you. Hot shower may or may not follow. Sightseeing can be done or a pleasing walk to Dharmkot maybe undertaken.
DAY 5: Living like a Yogi
Today is the day you put all of the things so far learnt about meditation and Yoga to use and as you practice them and test the efficacy of the asanas, exercises in meditation, tips will be given to you to you to progress further. This session is important for utilizing all the information gathered to complete usage. Lunch and some rest and come for some sightseeing. We may go to Dal Lake, which is very picturesque and have a look at the grandeur of the sunset and Dhauladhar mountains.
DAY 6: Be a Yogi for life
Spend the morning meditating on all that you have gained in the 4 days of the meditation trip, giving more detail to the asanas. Learn a few more relatively difficult postures if you want. The instructor will be guiding you at each and every step. Interact with the instructor, fellow mates and spend the rest of the day sightseeing or exploring.
DAY 7: Return Home
Today we go homeward bound after your breakfast in a bus ride or car ride, as preferable, back to Chandigarh, or Delhi.

BySoul Mountain Expeditions

Learning Yoga in Rishikesh

Rishikesh Yoga Tour

Situated on the banks of the river Ganga, Rishiskesh is one of the chosen destinations for tourists all over the world. Here you get to do a variety of activities like high energy river fating and kayaking, to adventurous hiking , trekking or camping or to go for the deeper meditation and yoga. The river Ganga marks its entry into Rishikesh from the northern terrain of India, The following travel schedule is meant for spiritual aspirants, but is only a sample and can be modified to suit your needs.

Travel package services: india-himalayas-mountains-travel (5)

TRANSPORT: In private or shared car with driver, bike, bus or foot.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel, Guest house, Ashram.
ENDURANCE LEVEL: Anyone.
ACTIVITIES: Yoga, Meditation, Hiking, sightseeing, Bird watching, bike rides;
DURATION: 4 days or more
MEALS: Breakfast, dinner.

COST: From  US $ 500 onwards

Tour Itinerary
DAY 1: Your first day in Rishikesh
Leaving Delhi by car or bus, we enter Rishikesh via a 5 to 6 hour journey. We have a lunch or dinner, as suited into our hotels, and spend the day in sightseeing.
DAY 2: Basics of Yoga
We begin today with an early morning yoga session that explains to you the basic underlying principles, benefits and the requirements of the science of yoga. This small training session will also help you to learn a few basic yoga postures meant for beginners. The yoga instructor will help you to learn them. We rest a little, take a light lunch and spend the rest of the day sight seeing in the city of Rishikesh. We can also opt to visit the Ram Jhula and the Laxman Jhula, two suspension bridges, an hour’s drive from Rishikesh. Alternatively, you may opt to do some sight seeing or rest at the hotel.
DAY3: Yoga and breathing
Today is dedicated to learning the various types of yoga postures. Along with these yoga postures, the instructor will also help you understand some basic breathing techniques that are the foundation of any yoga school. They are vital to help your mind rest and relax and get rid of the worries and tensions of daily life. An early lunch and now it is time to go to the Neer Gadu and Gadu Chatti waterfalls and explore the scenic beauty of nature at its best.
Day 4: Learning Yoga Asanas
In the yoga class of day 4, the instructor will be teaching you some more yogasanas and will focus on your way of breathing in such a way that the entire focus may bring maximum benefit to your health and well being. Many yogasanas are meant for simply stretching the body, some others have various underlying benefits like weight loss, healing and providing body harmony. Some of these asanas need to be done only under watchful eyes of the instructor. For beginners, this day may be a little exhausting and so some relaxation will be arranged in the form of an ayurvedic massage to ease away your aches and pains.
Day 5: See the Sunrise
What a better way to start the day then watching the sun rise over the scenic landscape of Rishikesh. We get up early in the morning, preferably before dawn, and start our journey to the Kunjapuri temple. Her we observe the sun rising over the clouds in its majesty. After breakfast, we ride back to Rishikesh in the car or trek back to Rishikesh if you love hiking. We will spend the evening revising all the yoga asanas and practicing them with the instructor for guidance.
Day 6: River Rafting in Ganga
Another morning session going into the details of the asanas that we have learnt and learning some more of them. Today is also the time to go through the meditation techniques. The yoga instructor may choose to teach you some more yoga postures depending upon your capacity. Reward yourself with the river rafting session on the river Ganga. It is a thrilling experience for most people. The duration of the rafting can be adjusted from anything between 2 to 5 hours. For people who love adventure sports, we have arrangements for multi-day rafting and kayaking adventures.
Day 7: Life with Yoga
Take whatever you have learnt back with you and incorporate it into your daily lives to ease out your tensions and your worries. As you become more proficient in making use of the breathing techniques and following the yoga practices regularly, it will make a big difference in your life. In the afternoon, we go to visit the Vashishtha cave. This is located a few kilometers form Rishikesh on the bank of the river Ganga. This is a good site for sight seeing and also for meditation.
Day 8: End of the trip
This day marks the end of this spiritual trip as we head back to Delhi or any other destination.

BySoul Mountain Expeditions

Honeymoon Travel Package of Lahaul Spiti

Come together to experience the various hues of the picture perfect surroundings of nature in a holiday packed with romance, adventure, spirituality, fun and sightseeing. This Lahaul- Spiti travel package is also suited for families and a small group of friends. This is not a travel package for people who want luxury, though the hotelsand other aspects are carefully designed to be as comfortable and romantic as possible.. It is more suited for people who love nature and want to enjoy the sights in company of their beloved one.

Travel Package Features:

  • TRANSPORT : In a private car or SUV with driver.
  • ACCOMMODATION: In hotels, guest houses and campsites.
  • ACTIVITIES: Camping, Trekking, Bird watching, Jungle safari, Cultural activities,
  • PHYSICAL LEVEL: Any one. Almost anyone can do it without any problem
  • DURATION: 11 Days
  • FOOD: Breakfast on all days.
  • COST:  US $ 1500 onwards

Day 1: Chandigarh – Shimla – Sarahan India Himalaya Mountains travel hiking trail

Starting from Shimla post breakfast or Chandigarh, we drive towards Sarhan. . As we cross Wangtu bridge on the way, we will reach Sarhan during evening hours. We might be lucky to check out Sarhan Bird Sanctuary and Bhim Kali temple.

Day 2: Sarahan – Reckong Peo – Kalpa

We go from Sarhan to Kalpa village.Kalpa village houses wondrous apple orchards and breathtaking meadows. A small town, Reckong Peo, here serves as the district headquarters for Kinnaur district and also serves as the starting point for journeys to the Spiti Valley. Our hotel here, is a lovely romantic getaway, between apple and cherry orchards, where you can spend some quality time.

Day 3: Kalpa – Puh – Nako – Sumdo

You will now witness the oncoming gradual terrain change as the scenery changes from greenery to the deserts of Spiti. We drive for 3-4 hours and reach Nako village, to spend the night there. The next day we go to visit an old Buddhist monastery to see hou Buddhist monks perform their rituals, From there , we head to Nako lake, an awesome and amazing spec of land showing the beauty of the mountains as we walk towards it.

Day 4: Tabo

Hereafter we reach the Tabo monastery in Tabo. It has a history of 1000 years and is one of the oldest monuments with respect to Buddhist monasteries. Particularly famed for its Thanka paintings and plenty of artifacts, Tabo monastery is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The entry gate has walls made of earth, splattered with frescoes. A breathtaking pillar of a Thousand Buddhas will catch your attention. The entire area occupies 6300 square kms. The wall paintings show the Buddha’s life in various stages along with Tibetan style Jataka paintings. Next on the cards is a visit to special mountain caves used by monks for their meditation

Day 5: Tabo – Dhankar – Lalung

We start the drive to Dhankar lake, the ancient capital of Spiti during the rule of kings. Here, we come across the remains of an ancient castle and a monastery of the 16th century. High o the top of a mountain is the town which overlooks the whole picturesque valley. We then walk to Dhankar lake, a walk of about 90 minutes.
We walk towards the Lalung village. This is very beautiful and has the famous statue of the 3 cornered Buddha. It is believed that the Buddha keeps an eye on all the directions. Famous for its legend, it is believed that Rinchen Zangpo, the founder of almost all monasteries in the Lahaul- Spiti region planted a willow tree and told the villagers that if it happens to grow, build a monastery around it. You will see the tree ina gnarled shape in front of the monastery.

Day 6: Lalung – Kaza – Langcha

Baosting of the highest place inhabited by people the world over and also the highest motorable pass in the world, we come across Langcha village. Tourists will be able to see magnificent views of the valley with its sparkling waters of the Spiti river. We finally go to Shilla valley, where we observe the local villagers bringing their livestock to graze in the grasslands.
The two parts of Langcha, lower and upper are both beautiful. After having a hospitable Spitian lunch,we go to the 900 years old, ancient Buddhist temple. From there we embark to Komik, which is famous for its fossils in Langthis Natural Fossil Center. Then comes a visit to Komic monastery, known as the highest monastery in the world and another monstery near Hikkim village, destroyed earlier by an earthquake in 1975.

Day 8: Langcha – Kaza – Ki Monastry – Kibber India Himalaya Mountains travel Key monastery

Kibber road is our next drive, to visit the Ki monastery belonging to the Gelupga Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Here we find a boastful collection of beautiful paintings and old manuscripts. It is located at an altitude of 4120 meters. We then visit the biggest village in the Lahaul Spiti Area, Kibber village as we drive 4250 meters. This is an ideal place for wildlife photographers. We, then head to our hotel to relax, and call it a day.

Day 9: Kibber – Chicham

Passing the canyon, we move to Chicham village. For adventurers amongst you, we can opt for the jhoola ride, a local ropeway. The main attraction of this place is the sight of rare and exoctic spitian wildlife such as blue sheep, ibex, pika, golden cock, Himalayn wolf and ofcourse, if you a lucky enough, the snow leopard.

Day 10: Chicham – Chandrataal

We’ll drive towards Chandrataal Lake and pass Kunzum La pass which has a small shrine dedicated to Goddess Kunzum. We can either drive or trek to the lake via a 8 km long trekking route. Chandrataal Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes on the planet. It’s water is crystal clear and it looks even more beautiful on a full moon night. We’ll stay in a campsite for the night there.
A drive then follows to the Chandratal lake, extremely beautiful and clear. On the way we pass a shrine of the Kunzun goddess at the Kunzun La pass. It is your choice to either walk or trek for the 8 km distance to Chadrataal lake. We camp here for the night.

Day 11: Chandratal – Lohsar – Manali

Early morning we start for Manali. Depending on roads and the traffic it is a 6-8 hour drive, where we stop at Batal on th way for lunch and at the sell bound Rohtang pass for tea. On the journey we come across small settlements like the Chota Darra and Chatru. In the evening we arrive at Manali and take back memories to last a lifetime.

BySoul Mountain Expeditions

Trips to pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Pilgrimage Trekking

Uttarakhand has some of the holiest religious destinations for Hindus from all over the world. Some of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites such as Kedarnath, Badrinath, Joshimath and many others are situated in pristine Himalayan mountains away from the hustle and trouble of human civilisation. Most of these pilgrimage sites are fairly inacces

Himalayas Pilgrimage trips

sible even now and are open to travelers and pilgrims only for a few months in a year. Glaciers of two holiest rivers in India, Ganga and Yamuna are also in the same region and are called Gangotri and Yamunotri. Visit to some of these places is considered a must do for Hindus. A lot of pilgrims travel to the glaciers and bring back sacred water from these glaciers as a religious ritual.

Travel Packages Include:

  • TRANSPORT : Trek on foot and car for long distance, Bus,Train or Air.
  • ACCOMMODATION: Campsites, small guesthouses, hotels.
  • ENDURANCE LEVEL: Low to Medium.
  • ACTIVITIES: Trekking, Camping, Mountain climbing, Bird watching, Meditation, Hiking, Yoga, Pilgrimage
  • DURATION: Variable
  • MEALS: Variable
  • COST: Variable

A lot of people visit these places not just for spiritual satisfaction but also to explore nature. Some of the places are visited by tens of thousands of pligrims every month whie they are open while others get only a few due to difficulty of terrain and weather.
We arrange treks and journeys to various such sites in Uttarakhand for tourists from all over the world. Some tourists want to visit these places in company of pilgrims while others like to do it when the pilgrims are still away. We cater to both type of tourists and help them explore the nature as well as the spiritual side of Himalayas asthey wish. There are no set plans or tour packages and each tour itinerary is designed according to needs of guests, time period and local conditions like amount of rush, weather etc.
Contact us via contact form on the right or email info@indiafoodtour.com to learn more.

BySoul Mountain Expeditions

Uttarakhand Custom Travel Packages

Custom Travel Packages for Uttarakhand

  • TRANSPORT : In private or shared car or SUV with driver, bus, train or by air.
  • ACCOMMODATION: Hotels, guest houses, home stays & campsites.
  • ENDURANCE LEVEL: Anyone to Expert. Depends upon destinations and activities chosen.
  • ACTIVITIES: Trekking, Camping, Mountain climbing, Jungle safari, Bird watching, Motorcycle rides, Cultural activities, Meditation, Yoga, Rafting, Kayaking, Volunteer activities
  • DURATION: Variable
  • MEALS: By choice

Loved by one and all, Uttarakhand offers a range of activities, ranging from adventure sports, to spirituality to tranquility. Tourists from different parts of the world come here for different purposes. The spiritual aspirants can discover the yoga practice and the ashrams in the serene surroundings of this place. The adventure seekers can try out rappelling, rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, mountain climbing and other such adventure activities. If you are in for just some relaxation, you can rejuvenate yourself here by camping at lovely locations and undergoing treks.

If you are looking forward to spending some time in the Himalayan state, please contact us and we can build a holiday just for you, with this or any other trip on the site.

COST OF CUSTOMISED TOUR PACKAGES:

Price of such a travel packages in Uttrakhand starts from Rs 2000 per day depending upon the type of services and activities. . Contact us with your own requirements for a detailed cost quote.
Typically starting at Rs. 2000 per day , it also depends on the facilities, activities and services you wish to go for. For a quote on your requirement, please do contact us by contact form or email at info @ soulmountain.in

BySoul Mountain Expeditions

Lahaul Spiti Search For Spirituality

Spiritual Journey in Lahaul Spiti

Come to one of the most sought after spiritual destinations available- Lahaul- Spiti in the Himachal Pradesh. Famous for its journeys of meditation and self discovery, this region is full of monks and sages coming here since thousands of years ago, from all over, especially from Tibet. Known for its scenic beauty, here are lots of monasteries and age-old sites and caves for meditation.
Travel Services

  • TRANSPORT: In private or shared car or SUV with driver, trek on foot.
  • ACCOMMODATION: Home stays, hotels, guest houses, Campsites.
  • ENDURANCE LEVEL: Anyone to Expert. Depends upon destinations and activities chosen.
  • ACTIVITIES: Cultural activities, Meditation, Yoga, Volunteer activities (Optional)
  • DURATION: Variable
  • MEALS: By choice
  • COST: Variable

Along with the solitude this place offers and the magnificent views, it is also very easy to travel here and the living conditions are favourable. Housing the oldest monasteries in the world, with ancient manuscripts, artifacts, and monks, with generations behind them, Lahaul-Spiti is a must visit for any spiritual traveler’s typical spiritual trip can include visit to the monasteries, classes on Tibetan Buddhism, Meditation and Yoga in these serene surroundings. An unbeatable experience is meditation in one of the age old caves.

Here, for the spiritual traveler, we have a wide array of choices and we can adjust the duration of your trip accordingly. You may want to learn about Tibetan Buddhism from the monks, or have Yoga or meditation classes or live in the home of a local. We can also arrange visit to the monasteries and visits to holy places.

BySoul Mountain Expeditions

A tour of Rishikesh on bike

Rishikesh Bike Tours

If you are biker and love bike rides, this trip is most suited to you. This tour incorporates all the four different parts of Rishikesh and you also have the choice of having adventure sports such as bungee jumping or rafting. If you are not into adventure sports you may also spend time quietly relaxing on the bed of the holy river Ganga. We can accommodate cars instead of bikes if you prefer.

Tour Package Includes

TRANSPORT: In private or shared car with driver, bike or foot.
ACCOMMODATION: Not applicable.
ENDURANCE LEVEL: Anyone to medium.
ACTIVITIES: Trekking, Bird watching, Meditation, Hiking, sightseeing, bike rides;
DURATION: Few hours to full  Day
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch,
COST: From USD 60

Travel Schedule:
We begin by going to the Kunjapuri temple at an altitude of 1600 m after sun rise and then have a good breakfast in one of the fine restaurants at Ram Jhula.
We then ride our bikes to Vashishta cave, a quaint little cave on the Ganges, very serene and beautiful. We sink in the sights as we relax here. Our next ride is to Neer Gadu or Gadu Chatti waterfall as we bask in the glory of the wondrous surroundings.We now have two choices :
1) Visit to the Neelkanth Mahadev temple and return to Rishikesh
2) Enjoy some adventure sports like bungee jumping, zip lining, or giant swing. If time permits, we can also go for kayaking or river rafting.

Price of the tour will vary according to the option chosen.

BySoul Mountain Expeditions

A Holiday covering Shimla Spiti & Manali

Shimla Spiti Manali Holiday Tour Package

A vacation through Shimla, Spiti and Manali is one of the best ways to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul tired by noise and pollution of the cities. This tour package eases you in to lap of nature through picturesque town of Shimla in to wilderness of Spiti and back to city life through relaxing ambiance of Manali. This tour will help you enjoy the rugged natural beauty of Spiti as well as the old world charms of Shimla and Manali in the easiest possible way.

Travel Package Services :

TRANSPORT: In private or shared car or SUV with driver.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotels, guest houses, home stays & campsites.
ENDURANCE LEVEL: Anyone to Expert. Depends upon destinations and activities chosen.
ACTIVITIES: Trekking, Camping, Mountain climbing, Jungle safari, Bird watching, Motorcycle rides, Cultural activities, Meditation, Yoga, Volunteer activities (Optional)
DURATION: 11 Days
MEALS: By choice

India Himalaya Mountains travel waterfall

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Shimla Sightseeing
Day 1 will invlove sightseeing in Shimla as we explore the erstwhile winter capital of India. We’ll visit attractions such as Jakhoo Hill, Mall Road, Lakkad Bazar, Chadwick waterfalls and a few others depending upon time of day and weather.

DAY 2 Shimla – Sarhan drive

After having breakfast, we commence our journey from Shimla to Sarhan. We cross the Wangtu Bridge, as we progress and reach Sarhan by evening. An early arrival may give us the opportunity to view the Sarhan Bird Sanctuary and Bhim Kali temple.
DAY 3 and 4 Sarhan – Sangla drive
Two days in Sangla to sink in the grandeur of nature, as we view apple orchards, nature trails and enjoy the simple way villagers live. A number of small river streams and the picturesque riverside will mesmerize you in this patch of land. We also need this stay for acclimatizing ourselves for Spiti valley and its high altitudes.
DAY 5 Sangla – Kalpa drive
Known for its scenic meadows and apple orchards, we reach Kalpa village. And then Reckong Peo, a modest town serving as the district headquarters for the district of Kinnaur, from where we commence most journeys to Spiti Valley. Spend some romantic time here at our lovely hotel, located amidst apple and cherry orchards.
DAY 6 Kalpa – Tabo visit
The next morning, we arrive at Tabo. The Tabo monastery is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries, having a history of over 1000 years. The Thanka paintings and wonderful artifacts are a feast for the eyes. Here you witness the pillar of a thousand Buddhas, which is very famous and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The entrance with earthen walls and frescoes is extremely beautiful. And do not miss the Tibetan style paintings of the life of Buddha and Jataka tales. Then comes a visit to the caves in the mountains, which are said to be used by monks for their meditation, followed by a visit to the Nako Lake and Giu, with a mummy of a Buddhist monk.
DAY 7 Tabo – Dhankar – Pin Valley trip
We begin the day with a drive to Dhankar, the ancient capital to Spiti, during the time of kings. There we witness the remains of the ancient castle and a 16th century monastery. Atop a high mountain, is the actual town, which overlooks the entire valley, a sight to behold. We then walk for about 90 minutes to Dhankar Lake and reach the beautiful Pin Valley, with its little streams and exotic animals and birds

DAY 8 Pin – Langza – Hikkim – Komic – Kaza trip
We take a drive towards Kaza, the capital of Spiti, passing Langza, Hikkim and Koumic on the way. In Koumik we find fossils in the Langthis Natural fossil center. From there, we go to the Komic monastery, the highest the world over and visit a monastery destroyed by an earthquake in 1975 near Hikkim village.
DAY 9 Kaza – Ki – Kibber – Chandratal visit
We visit Ki monastery on Kibber road, which is located at an altitude of 4120 meters and which belongs to the Gelupga Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Trekking in the area, we discover a varied collection on rare ancient manuscripts and paintings. We then drive to Kibber village, the largest among the Lahaul Spiti region. If you love wildlife, you will love this place. In the evening, we bask in the glory of the sunset, near the lake. Enjoy the night while we camp.

DAY 10 Chandratal – Manali drive
From Chandratal, according to traffic conditions, it takes about 7-9 hours to reach Manali. The drive shows us landmarks such as Batal, Chotta Darrah , Grumphu and Rohtang Pass, which is one of the highest motor able passes in India and very beautiful. We arrive at Manali in the evening, rest and spend some time walking in the forested area and sinking in the sights of the town.
DAY 11 Manali visit
This will our last day in Manali. It’ll be spent taking relaxed walks and sightseeing. Walk around the bazaars and visit landmarks like ancient Manu temple and Hidimba Temple. In Indian mythology, Manu is considered as the first human to walk the earth. In afternoon visit Vashistha Kund and relax your tired legs in warm springs. The water there is considered to have therapeutic properties. Relaxing in those therapeutic baths will be an apt way to end this journey.
Our final day in Manali will be spend taking lazy strolls into the heart of the city and its market and Visits to the temples like the Hidimba temple and Manu temple. But the main attractions are the warm springs of Vashishta Kund which will help your aching feet relax.

BySoul Mountain Expeditions

Lahaul Spiti For Couples

Honeymoon travel package in mountains This travel itinerary of Lahaul Spiti is best for couples or small group of friends who want to enjoy their time away from all the noise of modern life. If you want to enjoy some time vacationing in mountains with awesome views, relaxed traveling, adventurous drives and just enjoy the trip without any distraction, it’s a perfect choice for you. It’s also a good choice for a romantic yet adventurous honeymoon trip.

BEST FOR: Couples and small groups on a leisurely holiday.

Trip Summary:

  • Day 1: Shimla – Sarahan
  • Day 2: Sarahan – Reckong Peo – Kalpa
  • Day 3: Kalpa – Puh – Nako – Sumdo – Tabo
  • Day 4: Tabo
  • Day 5: Tabo – Dhankar – Lalung
  • Day 6: Lalung – Kaza – Langcha
  • Day 7: Langcha – Kaza – Ki Monastry – Kibber
  • Day 8: Kibber – Losar – Kunzum La – Chandrataal Lake
  • Day 9: Chandrataal – Chatru – Rohtang Pass – Manali

DURATION: 9 days, 8 nights
BEST SEASON: June to October. Possible rest of year on request.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Low
MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 4884 m.
WEATHER: Afternoons can be a bit warm during summer. Cold otherwise with strong winds.
EQUIPMENT: None necessary.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Shimla – Sarahan
We will start the drive from Shimla early morning and reach Sarhan by early evening. After check in to the hotel, the guests can feel free to rest or explore the Sarhan town on their own. There is one old Bhima Kali temple wich is an important place of worship in the region. Hotel room in Shimla or pickup from Channdigarh or Delhi can be provided if needed.

Day 2: Sarahan – Reckong Peo – Kalpa
First stop for this day will be at Reckong Peo, a small town for some refreshments and local sightseeing. Night stay will be in Kalpa, a small village famous for it’s fruit orchards and scenic beauty.

Day 3: Kalpa – Puh – Nako – Sumdo – Tabo
From this point onward, as we gain altitude, the terrain will start turning from lush green to that of high altitude desert. The drive will take you through Puh, Nako and Sumdo villages (depending upon route taken) till Tabo where you will stay for the night. The contrast in terrain, vegetation and related features from day 2 to day 3 will be quite stark and remarkable. Tibet border is just one mountain away from this region.

Day 4: Tabo
Tabo village is famous for it’s 1000 years old monastery which is home to extremely precious Thanka paintings and an interesting PIllar of Thousand Budddhas. It’s listed as a world heritage sight by UNESCO. The day will include a visit to the monastery and nearby caves which are used by the local monks to meditate in peace. Rest of the day will be spent esting, relaxing or walking around in the village taking in the sights.

Day 5: Tabo – Dhankar – Lalung
Dhankar is the seat of ancient local Kings and was capital of the region in era gone by. Dhankar castle and monastery are perched precariously on ragged peaks overlooking a steep valley. Due to erosion, it’s quite likely that these will tumble down in near future. A new monastery has been constructed, but the old one has it’s own irreplaceable charm. After the visit, visitors can also hike to Dhankar lake atop a mountain nearby. Night stay will be in Lalung, largest and a very sceninc village in Lingti valley. The village monastery is associated with numerous folk tales and legends. The most interesting features are the Three Cornered Buddha and an ancient gnarled willow tree planted by Rinchen Znagpo, founder of many monasteries in Spiti.

Day 6: Lalung – Kaza – Langcha
We will pass through Kaza , the regions adminsitrative capital to reach Langcha (4250 m). The roads on this route are among the highest in the world. The journey is particularly rewarding for it’s view of Spiti river valley. Shilla valley is on the way which is one of few good grazing grounds for domesticated and wild animals of the region.

Day 7: Langcha – Kaza – Ki Monastry – Kibber
This day will take you to the world’s highest Buddhist monastery at Komik as well the world’s highest post office at Hikkim ( 4440 m). You can send a postcard from here to whoever you like although delivery is not alaways gauranteed. These are very small villages with population less than 100 each and are completely cut off from rest of world during winters. Nightstay will be in Kibber, one of the larger towns in area with somewhat modern style accommodations. The region is famous for it’s wildlife including ibex, blue deer and snow leopard in addition to a number of birds. The guests will reach Gette to see the world famous Ki monastery from hundreds of meters above with river flowing on nearby. Makes for an amazing sight.

Day 8: Kibber – Losar – Kunzum La – Chandrataal Lake
From Kibber, we will drive on to our campsite at Chandrataal lake. Losar is comparitively big village will be stop for some tea and snacks. Kunzum La is named after Goddess Kunzum and is an important site for locals for religious as well as logisitical reasons. From there, we will drive to Chandrataal Lake, a must visit attraction of the region. Nightstay will be in a campsite under the stars.

Day 9: Chandrataal – Chatru – Rohtang Pass – Manali
This will be last day of the trip as the car will take you back to Manali via Chatru and Rohtang pass. The climb up will start from Chatru and the terrain will change back to lush green type as you reach near Rohtang pass. Drop at Manali early evening to end the tour.
Accommodation in Manali and drop at Delhi or Chandigarh can be provided on request.

PACKING LIST

  • Small backpack to hold the day walk necessities.
  • Luggage in rucksack/soft bags suitable to be carried by self or porters.
  • Warm clothes, wind-cheater, scarf, hat, sun-glasses, sunscreen.
  • Comfortable hiking shoes with thick socks.
  • Personal medical kit, water bottle, snacks, water filer or tablets. Tablets for altitude sickness.
  • Toilet paper, wet wipes.
  • A bag to collect own trash.

GENERAL NOTIFICATIONS:

  • Travel programs in the Himalayas not necessarily would always run exactly as scheduled. Allow for unplanned long days or early camps due to weather disruptions or similar causes.
  • There are places with limited communication possibility and/or medical facilities nearby on this route.
  • Participants should be prepared for cold conditions with strong winds and high wind chill factor.
  • Any additional expenses which might occur due to delays, weather disruptions, medical evacuation etc. would need to be borne by the participants. All overstay due to weather disruption, road blocks and similar which are not under our control would be charged as per tour cost for planned days.
  • All participants are recommended to have a travel insurance that covers trekking and wilderness travel.

INCLUSIONS

  • Pickup from Shimla and drop at Manali in a private or shared taxi.
  • Accommodation guesthouse, campsite, hotel and homestay according to availability and preferences.
  • Meals on all days unless mentioned otherwise.
  • Tents, sleeping bag, ground mats while camping.

 

BySoul Mountain Expeditions

Mcleodganj Photography Tour

TOUR INTRODUCTION: Mcleodganj Triund tour

Mcleodganj is a small town in Dhauladhar mountain range famous for it’s natural beauty and Buddhist culture. It’s called Little Lhasa due to large number of Tibetan refugees living there. It is also the capital for Tibetan government in exile led by Dalai Lama. For tourists and photographers, this place is full of numerous places of natural beauty and cultural significance. There are old temples, waterfalls, monasteries, forested areas, small villages and many other places of interest which attract numerous visitors from all over the world. This photography expedition is meant to help the visiting photographers hone their photography skills and capture some great shots under the guidance of an expert photographer. This photo tour contains a mix of different types of photography including landscapes, people, building, markets, nature, art and more.

TRIP SUMMARY:

DAY 01: Introduction. Photo walk in town
DAY 02: St. John in wilderness church, Bhagsu Waterfall, Dal Lake, Naddi.
DAY 03: Hike to Dharmkot waterfall, Local village.
DAY 04: Triund day hike.

Duration: 4 Days, 4 Nights
Best Season: March till November
Difficulty Level: Low
Maximum Elevation: Triund at 2875 m
Weather: Cold nights and days during winter. Pleasant days during summer.
Getting From/To: Mcleodganj is 495 km by road from New Delhi. Nearest airport is at Dharmshala.

TRIP ITINERARY:

DAY 1: The guests will meet up with  and their photography guide in the hotel and spend some time going over some essential tour details and getting to know each other.  The guide will offer a few tips and instructions for the trip and photography techniques. After breakfast, we will take a photo walk in the town led by the photography guide. The day will be spent walking in the markets, taking pictures of markets, locals and nearby wooded areas. We’ll also visit Tsuglag Khang monastery, the residence of Dalai Lama along with a few other local places of interest. This day, we can take pictures of these Buddhist temples and the monks debating with each other in their unique way.

DAY 2: This day will begin with a visit to Bhagsu waterfall, a small yet very picturesque waterfall, near an ancient temple. Later on, we will visit  St. John in the wilderness church and the old cemetery nearby. From there, we will walk to small but beautiful Dal Lake and to Naddi sunset point where the road ends. From Naddi we’ll be able to see our jungle trail for next day a few kms away.

DAY 3: We’ll take a short hike to a lesser known but beautiful waterfall in Dharmkot. Not many people know of this place and it’s accessible only via a hiking route through thick jungle.  The hiking route as well as waterfall offer some really beautiful options for taking beautiful pictures. There are numerous birds, flowering plants and insects like butterflies and ladybugs all around. After coming back, we will spend some time in the village nearby.

Day 4: This day we’ll hike to Triund, a 6 km hike from Dharmkot. It’s a pretty easy hike with gentle inclines apart from a small stretch at the end. There are ample resting points by way of small tea stalls, so it can be completed by almost anyone. It’s quite common to come across snowbanks till early summers. On the way, you will see hundreds of different varieties of trees, birds, small animals and insects which make for very interesting picture subjects. Triund by itself is a beautiful ridge with mind blowing views of snow covered mountain peaks. Later on we will go back the same way to our hotel for rest and to end the tour.

HIGHLIGHTS OF TRIP:

  • Professional quality image reviews and constructive feedback from experts.
  • Expert guidance and help from accompanying photography guide on all days.
  • All basic needs of the journey are taken care of and the guests can feel free to focus on their photography.
  • Careful selection of sites for some great photography opportunities.
  • Comfortable accommodations in main town.

PACKING LIST:

  • Wind cheater, warm trousers.
  • Warm jacket.
  • Thick socks and hiking shoes.
  • Scarf, cap, hat.
  • Sunglasses.
  • High SPF sunscreen.
  • All personal medications and tablets  for high altitude sickness.
  • Water filter or tablets.

INCLUSIONS:

  1. Accommodation in good quality hotels, guest houses and camp site.
  2. Local transport.
  3. All meals with option for non-vegetarian food in a few places.
  4. Services of a highly skilled and experienced photographer as a tour guide.

EXCLUSIONS:

  1.  Pickup or drop from Delhi. It can be arranged if needed at an additional cost.
  2.  Rental of photography equipment.
  3. Cost of any personal expenses like laundry, shopping and similar.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

  1. If this is your first time visiting such high altitude places, consult a doctor first to check for any medical condition which may prove problematic. Usually it is not an issue if you are generally healthy but better to be safe than sorry as people with some medical conditions like BP, respiratory and cardiac issues may face some problems.
  2. Travel programs in the mountains not necessarily would always run exactly as scheduled. Allow for unplanned long days or early camps due to weather disruptions or similar causes.
  3. There are places with limited communication possibility and/or medical facilities nearby on this route.
  4. Participants should be prepared for cold conditions with strong winds and high wind chill factor.
  5. Any additional expenses which might occur due to delays, weather disruptions, medical evacuation etc. would need to be borne by the participants. All overstay due to weather disruption, road blocks and similar which are not under our control would be charged as per tour cost for planned days.
  6. All participants are recommended to have a travel insurance that covers trekking and wilderness travel.