SHIMLA - the Emerald Town.

The town of Shimla lies at an elevation of 2205m from sea level. Once just a sleepy forest glade known as Shyamala, named after the Godess Kali who is the destroyer of evil, has earned its 'premier summer resort of India' status when Charles Kennedy built a summer resort in 1822. From then on the British, and every one who is who in the Indian subcontinent rushed to Shimla for the summers. Kalki - Shimla was constructed in 1903 making this hill station more accessable. Today many prestigious schools are established where students from all over the country attend.

The city was also once the capital of Punjab. Though now the town has overgrowm and threatens to spill into the valley the city center still holds its old world charm with its English era buildings and churches. The official center of the city is still the Scandal Point. Down in Cart rd is where we find the Railway station, Intercity Bus Terminal (ISBT) and taxi stands.


Best time to visit:
A jagged line of snow-covered peaks is visible from April to June & in October & November coinciding with the main tourist season.  Honey mooners can come to frolic in the snow in December and January.

Sights:
Himachal Pradesh State Museum and Library
Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Garden
Christ Church

TEMPLES

Jakhu Temple
Shiva Mandir
Kali Bari Mandir
Ram Mandir
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara

BRITISH ARCHITECTURE

Town Hall
Post Office
Offices of Accountant General
Rothney Castle

Excursions around Shimla:
1. For wonderful sceneries at Prospect Hill 4km west of Shimla
2. Pleasant summber Hill -5km west on Shimla-Kalka Railway Line
3. Pretty Chadwick falls(67m high) 2km furtherwest
4. Village of Sanjauti 3 km east of Lakkar Bazar there is a Durga Temple & small Buddhist Monastery.
5. Mashobra is about 12 km north of Shimla and has an old colonial church and a few pleasant walks among the tall and majestic looking deodar trees.
6. Naldehra is famous chiefly for the Naldehra Golf Course.
Hotel Golf Glade (0177/2747739)

Activities:
Trekking, Adventure tours, Motorcycle tours, Golfing

Walking tours :- From the Scandal Point 4 km. NorthWest is 'the Glen' which was the  playground for scottish generals as the landscape is similar to the scottish meadows, from here the road passes through the Annandale.

Tourist Information :
HPTDC TOURIST OFFICE - 0177/2652561 ; www.hptdc.gov.in; Scandal Point
1. By HPTDC: Daily sightseeing bus tours around Shimla.  Leaving time from Rivoli Bus stand: 10.30 am
2. By Taxi Unions: One-day sightseeing to Kufri, Naldehra, Fagu & Mashobra

TRAVEL AGENCIES:
Great Escape Route - 0177/5533037 ; www.greatescaperoutes.com; Jakha

HOTELS WITH CONTACT DETAILS

1. HOTEL BULMARG: 0177-2653168; gulmarghotel@yahoo.com
2. HOTEL CLASSIC: 0177-2653078
3. HOTEL DALZIEL: 0177-2652691; hoteldalziel@hotmail.com
4. YMCA         : 0177-2650021; ymcashimla@yahoo.co.in
5. HOTEL WHITE  : 0177-2656136; www.hotelwhiteshimla.com
6. HOTEL AMBER  : 0177-2654774
7. HOTEL DREAMLAND: 0177-2806897
8. HOTEL DOEGAR : 0177-2811927 ; www.hoteldoegar.com
9. LeRoyale     : 0177-2651002 ; le_royale@hotmail.com
10. OBEROI CECIL: 0177-2804848 ; www.oberoicecil.com
11. CHAPSLEE    : 0177-2802542 ; www.chapslee.com

Good News for book lovers:
Assa Book House
Maria Brothers - 0177-2565388
Minerva Bookshop - 0177-2803078
For any emergency during the travel:
Indira Gandhi Medical College - 0177-2803073
Tourist Police - 0177-2812344

Financial requirements for the trip:
1. PUBJAB NATIONAL BANK
2. STATE BANK OF INDIA
3. STATE BANK OF INDIA ATM (SCANDAL POINT)
Tourist Guide:
1. HPTDC TOURIST OFFICE: 0177-2652561 (www.hptdc.gov.in)
2. Great Escape routes 0177-5533037 (www.greates.caperoutes.com)
PLACES TO VISIT:
1. HIMACHAL STATE MUSEUM & LIBRARY
2. VICEREGAL LODGE & BOTANICAL GARDENS
3. HIMALAYAN BIRD PARK.

ENTERTAINMENT:
1. GAIETY THEATRE - 0177-2805639;the Mall
2. RITZ CINEPLEX  - 0177-2652413;christ church
3. FOOTLOOSE DISCO - 01772652413

SHOPPING CENTERS:
1. Himachal Emporium - 0177-2011234;the Mall
2. Tibetan Handloom Shop - 0177-2808163;the Mall

Mode of transportations to the place of Mountains:AIR ROUTE:
Jubbarhatti Airport, 23km south of Shimla
1. Kingfisher Airlines - 18002093030;www.flykingfisher.com
2. Jagson Airlines - 0177-2625177;www.jagsonairline.com

BUSES:
Contact HPTDC-0177-2656326

TAXI:
Kalka-Shimla Taxi Union:0177-2658225
Vishal Himachal Taxi operators Union: 0177-2805164
 

Around Leh

Indus Valley villages form green oases amid dun-coloured semi-deserts backed by a craggy dry mountains. Several superb medieval monastries make interesting day trips by hired motorcycles, jeep or public bus.

SOUTH OF LEH

Stok Ladakh's former royal family now live a comparitively modest life, dividing their time between a private mansion in Manali and the stately Stok Palace.
Sightseeing
Stok Palace
Stok Palace Museum
Stok Abagon
Stok Gompa
EventsTse-Chu festival in feb/mar
Adventure
trek king point
Where you can stay
Hotel Kangri ph:01982-201009
Kalden Guesthouse ph:01982-242057
Hotel Highland ph:01982-242005
Hotel Skittsal ph:01982-242051; www.skittsal.com


Matho Sakya-Buddhist Matho Gompa is a colourfully stratified ridge above Matho Village.
During the monastry's famous Matho Nagrang festival blindfolded monks perform acrobatics, engage a ritual acts of self-mutilation and make predictions for the coming year.
Spituk, Phey & Zingchen
Skodong Lakhang shrine
Chikang hosts a yellow hatted statue of Tsongkhapa who inspired Gelukpa Buddhism.
Palden Lama temple
For treks Zingchen makes a better starting point than Spituk village


WEST OF LEH

Phyang
Phyang is a emerand splash of green-hemmed barley fields layered for miles up a side valley. There are stupendous views back towards the snow-topped pyramid of Skot Kangri. The white and ochre Phyang Gompa Photogenically dominates the village center despite some earthquake damage. Behind, dzos graze on idyllic meadowland and a beautiful lane follows a rock escarpment past traditional homes.

Phyang's only accomodation Hidden North Guesthouse ph:01982-226007; www.hiddennorth.com


Chiling For a feast of colourful geology take the dramatic riverside ledge road up the deep Zanskar canyon from 400km. It was founded for the copper craftsmen who had originally arrived to build Shey Palace's big Buddha statue but never went home. Today Zanskar in a major trekking point between Lamayuru and the Markha Valley.

Basgo Capital of lower Ladakh until the Ladakhi kingdoms united in 1940, Basgo's ancient chortens whisper hints of its antiquity. Rising above the village on a surreal collection of eroded earthen pinnicles are remnant stubs of once great cithedel walls, along with a largely derelict mud-walled palace and two brilliant temples, recently stabilised with help from UNESCO. The Upper Chamba Gompa has a spectacularly restored mural work covering walls and ceilings around two-storey statue of Maitreya, whose expression embodies the spirit of detachment. Slightly downhill, behind the palace remnants, darker and even more atmospheric Sar-Zung Temple hosts another oversized statue of Maitreya and a library of wrapped scriptures.

Basgo's only accomodation, the pleasasnt two room ToGoGuesthouse ph: 01982-225104

Likir
Starting point for the Sham trek
Likir Gompa
Museum
Maitreya Statue

Accomodation
Old Likir Guesthouse ph: 01982-227505
Chhuma Guesthouse ph: 01982-
Norboo spon Guesthouse ph: 01982-227137
Hotel Lhukhil www.hotelhukhil.com

Sham
A spectacular 30 minute detour from Likir winds threough a Nevada like scenery
Accomodation
Toro Guesthouse
Lungchay Guesthouse ph: 01982-240024

 

Leh - come fall in love with nature

A dagger of steep rocky ridge plunging towards the main bazaar is topped by a dramatic palace, fort and gompa. Very few places in India could capture your heart and make you fall in love like Leh does with its inviting green barley fields amidst mudbrick houses. As tranquil place to visit as it is friendly, Leh captures its tourists with its unpretentious beauty.

Tourist Information

Tourist Office ph:01982-253482
Henk Thoma's Leh valley map could be really useful to navigate around the area.
Ladakh trekking maps www.abram.ch/Izmmaps.php

Sights to see

Palace Ridge
Leh Palace
Palace Gompas
Tsemo Fort
Old City
Chowkhang Gompa
Shanti Stupa
Stupas
LEDEG
Women's Alliance
Sankar Gompa
Donkey Sanctuary
Hall of Fame

What you can do
Yoga and Meditation
Mahabodhi Center ph:01982-253689 www.mahabodhi-ladakh.org
Meditation Center ph:01982-264372
Open Ladakh ph:09419886135 www.openladakh.com

MassagesMountaineering
Rafting and Kayaking
Trekking - Per-person fees ranging from US$50 to US$400 paid directly to IMF (www.indmount.org)

Volunteering - TELF teachers are in demand visit www.beautifulworld.org.uk
- www.secmol.org/ecotourism
- rubbish collecting trek www.overlandescape.com/cleaningtrek.php

Organised Tours
Old Town Walking Tours
Jeep and car Tours
Trekking tours
Rafting
Himalayan Journeys ph:01982-250591; Jeeps and Rafting
Lhasi Karpo Ecological Trek & Tours ph:01982-255644; www.eco-ladakh.com; Old Town Walk Tours
Overland Escape ph:01982-250858; www.overlandescape.com; multiskilled agency
Snow Leapord Trails ph:01982-252074; www.snowleopardtrails.com; Treks
Splash Adventures ph:01982-254870; Rafting Specialists
Wild East Adventure ph:01982-250505; www.wildeastadventure.com; Trekking
World Adventure ph:01982-251910;
XploreLadakh ; www.xploreladakh.com
Yama Adventures ph:01982-250833; www.yamatreks.com


Shopping
Tibetian thangkas, Ladakhi hats turquoise jewellery, kashmiri shawls and various Nepali, Tibetan and Chinese knick-knacks
LeDEG ph:01982-253221; www.ledeg.org
Women's Alliance ph:01982-250293; www.isec.org
Handicrafts Industrial cooperative shop in Old Fort Rd
Wamda Wood Craving in Old Fort Road
Gol Market and Moti market

Getting there and away
AIR
Indian Airlines ph:01982-252076; Fort Rd
Jet Airways ph:01982-250999; Main Bazaar
Kingfisher Airlines www.flykingfisher.com
BUSES
Buses are available from Manali, Srinagar, Kargil
Taxis and Jeeps are for hire, so are motorcycles to go around the place.

also see Around Leh

Sonamarg

A one street settlement of Sonamarg occupies a delightful mountain valley setting, but in July and August its poorly maintained hotels ratchet up their prices.

Sights and Activities
Pony riding to the Thajiwas Glacier
Piligrims heading to Amarnath depart from Baltal Camp

Where you can stay
J&KTDC Tourist Bungalows Ph: 0194/2417215
Hotel Glacier Heights Ph:0194/2417215

How to get there
Buses to Srinagar

Rangdum

A wild, wind-scoured cluster of low-rise Ladakhi houses is the first Buddhist village you encounter on your way from Kargil to Zanskar. To the west the mountains Nun and Kun rise spectacularly white-capped. And eastwards the horizon is an arid pastiche of oddly contorted strata fronted by the dot of Rangdum Gompa.

About 1km after Pensi La, the rugged pass that divides the Suru and Zanskar valleys, there are spectacular views down onto the long, glistening white Drang Drung glacier. Further down, the Zanskar Valley broadens with several small villages in grassy parcels of farmland hemmed by sheer mountain walls. Phey has a small gompa and homestay. At Sani, Zanskar's oldest Gompa is a small two storey prayer hall ringed by a tunnelled cloister and a whitewashed stone wall studded with stupas.

Where you can Stay
Zanskar Express Guesthouse
J&K Tourism Bunglow
Nun-Kun Delux Camp

Pahalgam

In the piligrim season of June to August this quaint town is packed with Amarnath Yatri, but in early September it makes a fine spot for gentle walks or pony treks.

Sights to see
The Baisarn and Dhabyan Viewpoints
Tulyan Lake
Mamleshwar Temple

Things you can do
Jawahar Institute Ph:243129 organises fair value multiday treks, skiing, white-water rafting by Highland Excursions Ph: 01942488061

Padum

The dusty little capital of Zanskar with an awesome mountain backdrop. This cosy little town has everything you need in a crossroads.

The tourist office Ph:01983/245017

Sights to see

The crumbling 'Old Town', where we find large stupas.
To the north a more traditional village of Pibiting has a small gompa dwarfed by a large hilltop stupa topped with a becon lamp.

Around Padum
Karsha gompa - zanskar's largest Buddhist monastry, which dates back to atleast the 10th century. It's a jumble of whitewashed blocks rising almost vertically up the red rock of a mountain cliff. Concrete steps lead to the upper colister and prayer hall with cracked old murals and wobbly wooden columns. French charity Solidarijeune (www.solidarijeune.com) helps with it's upkeep.

Zangla & stongde - A drive to Zangla makes a fine excursion from Padum. The highlight of the trip is Stongde Gompa crowning a bird's-eye perch 300m above the valley, 12km from Padum. the entrance to Zangla is guarded by a small hilltop fortress ruin.

Raru & Bardan - Trekking between Zanskar and Darcha generally starts from Raru. The route from Padum passes the Bardan Gompa sitting spectacularly above the valley on a rocky outcrop.


Things you can do
Horserides
Treks

Where you can stay
Phukthar Guesthouse Ph:01983/245226
Hotel Ibex Ph:01983/245214
Gakyi Hotel

Getting there and away
The buses are unpredictable to this place. Jeeps and Taxis are also available

Drass Valley

Drass Valley is as close as you can get to the Line of control. In 2005 meterologists have recorded a temperature of -60 degrees centigrade making it the second coldest place in the world. tourists stop to visit the various battlefields of 1999 Indo-Pak war.

There are a few dhabas here but it is better not to stay for too long.

Srinagar

Srinagar, with its glassy lake and colorful houseboats with its delightfully mild summer climate makes it India's top most tourist attraction. But visiting Srinagar without throughly checking the latest security situation is foolhardy.

Sights to see
Dal Lake
Parks and Gardens
ShalimarBagh
Nishat Bagh
Pari Mahal
Cheshmashahi Garden
Botanical Garden
Tulip Garden
Old City
Khanqah of Shah-i-Hamadan
Jama Masjid
Pir Dastgir Sahib
Rozabal
Naqshband Sahib
Hari Parbat
Sri Pratap Singh Museum
Shankaracharya Hill
Hazratbal
Around Srinagar
Sonamarg
Pahalgam
Gulmarg - India's famous ski-center
Srinagar to Kargil is a truely beautiful 200km drive takes you from Kashmir's very alpine valleys over the remarkable double loops of the 3529m zoji La.

What you can do
golf
Organised Tours

Where you can stay
Houseboats - Houseboat Owners Association Ph:0194/2450326
Or you can always stay in a hotel
Humza Hotel Ph:0194/2500857; www.incrediblekashmir.net
Hotel Akbar Ph:0194/2500507; hotelakbar.com
Residency Hotel Ph:0194/22473702; ww.hotelresidencykashmir.com
Lalit Grand Palace Ph:0194/2501001; www.thelalit.com
Where you can eat
Punjabi Rasoi (veg) Boulevard
Mughal Durbar (veg) Residency Rd
Lhasa Restaurent (veg & non-veg) Boulevard Lane 2
Coffee Arabica (coffee and cupcakes) MA Rd

Getting there and back
Airlines
Indian airlines Ph:0194/2450247; Shahenshah Palace Hotel
Jet Airways Ph:0194/2480801; Court rd
Jetlite Ph:0194/2106750; www.jetlite.com
Kingfisher www.flykingfisher.com
SpiceJet www.spicejet.com
 

Suru Valley

The main road tto Zanskar winds prettily threough the fertile valley of Suru Valley, where many rustic stone built villages sit beneath a panorama of high valley walls and mountains that reach a thrilling climax with amazing views of Nun and Kun. Perhaps the best panorama is approaching Panikhar. A steep but satisfying day trek crosses from the Panikhar bypass road over the 3900m Lago La then descends to Parkachik, from where a bus returns to Kargil at 7 am. Just beyond the Parkachik a large dust blackened glacier crumbles into the Suru River as the road starts to wind up to the splendid Pensi La.

Where you can stay
J&K Bunglows

Getting there and away
Busses from Kargil to Panikar and busses from Parkachik towards Zanskar can deliver you to this place.
 

A trip to Mt Abu

Mt Abu is the only Hill Station is Rajastan at a height of 1200m, offering a cool retreat from the sweltering sun and parched land. Hordes of tourist head this way from Rajastana s well as Gujarat. There are many bolanical delights here and a wide range of wild life exist on the slopes of the range that can be seen on the winding road towards the top. This place has many orchirds and trekking paths.

Tourist Information Tourist reception Center ph: 02974-235151; opp. the bus stand.

Sightseeing
Nakki lake with its unique rock formations, Raghunath Temple.
View Points: Sunset point, Honeymoon point, Shanti Shikar
Dilwara Temples vimal Vasahi, House of Elephants, bhimashah Pittalhar, Mahaveerswami, Khartar Vasahi
Brahma Kumaris Spiritual U?niversity and Museum.

Excursions around Mt Abu Guru Shikar
Achalgarh
Mt. Abu Wildlife Sanctuary

What you can do
Trekking
Tours

Where you can stay
Hotel Samrat International ph: 02974-235153
Hotel Lake Palace ph: 02974-237154; www.savshantihotels.com
Kishangarh house ph: 02974-238092; www.royalkishanhouse.com
Kesar Bhavan Palace ph: 02974-235219; www.kesarpalace.com
Palace Hotel ph: 02974-238673; www.palacehotelbikanerhouse.com
Connaught House ph: 02974-238560; www.welcomeheritagehotels.com
Jaipur House ph: 02974-235176; www.royalfamilyjaipur.com

Where you can eat
Cafe Coffee Day (Coffee place) Rotary Circle
Shere Punjab Hotel (Punjabi and Chinese) main market
King's Food (fast-food joint) Nakki Lake
Arbuda (Gujarati, Punjabi and south-indian) Arbuda Circle
Kanak Dining Hall (thalis) Abu Rd
Jaipur House (Indian and Continental non-veg) mains

Getting there and away
Buses are available from the railway station.
Trains are available from Ahmedabad, Delhi, Ajmer & Jodhpur

 

Trip to Udaipur

Udaipur was formerly known as Mewar, Udaipur was founded by Maharana Udail Singh II. It is reputed for its patriotic fervour as it resisted the Muslims with all its might.
Udaipur with is sliver sleek waters of Lake Pichola, surrounding the Lake Palace which reflects in those clear water creating a fantasy feeling. The Cupola-crowned City Palace seems to be rising from the waters of the Lake. The whole of the city has a romantic feel to it. Udaipur is one of the best tourist spots of Rajastan.

Sightseeing

Lake Pichola
Jagniwasa Island
Jagmandir Island
City Palace and Museums
Jagdish Temple
Bagore-ki-Haveli
Fateh Sagar
Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum
Saheliyon-ki-Bari
Shilpgram
Ahar
Sajjan Garh (Monsoon Palace)
Vintage Car Collection
Sunset Point
Badi ka Talab

Excursions around Udaipur
Kumbalgarh: Wildlife Santuary(Shivika Lake Hotel ph:02934-285078; Karni Palace Hotel ph:02934-242033; Kumbhal Castle ph:02934-242171 www.thekumbhalcastle.com; Aodhi Hotel ph:02934-242341 www.hrhindia.com)  
Ranakpur: Chaumukha Mandir; Neminath; Parasnath; Sun Temple; Ambamata temple; (Shivika Lake Hotel ph:02934-285078; www.shivikalake.com; Ranakpur Hill Resort ph:02934-286411 www.ranakpurhillresort; Aranyawas ph:9829699413 www.aranyaniwas.com; Maharani Bhag Orchard Retreat ph:02934-285105)
Jaisamand Lake (Jaisamand Island Resort ph:02934-2431401; www.jaisamand.co.in)
Dungarpur : Juna Mahal; Deo Somnath Temple; (Hotel Pratibha Palace ph:02964-230775; Udai Bilas Palace ph:02964-230808 www.udaibilaspalace.com)


Where you can stay
Lal Ghat
Jaiwana Haveli ph: 0294-2411103; www.jaiwanahaveli.com
Poonam Haveli ph: 0294-2410303;
Hotel Baba Palace ph: 0294-2427126; www.hotelbabapalace.com
Kankarwa Haveli ph: 0294-2411457; www.indianheritagehotels.com
Mewar Haveli ph: 0294-25211457; www.mewarhaveli.com
Hotel Krishna Niwas ph: 0294-2420163; www.hotelkrishnaniwas.com
Jheel Palace Paying Guest House ph: 98298275355
Anjani Hotel ph: 0294-2421770; www.anjanihotel.com
Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel ph: 0294-2420133; www.jagatniwaspalace.com
Around Lake Palace Rd.
Hotel Mahendra Prakash ph: 0294-2419811; www.hotelmahendraprakash.com
Hotel Raj Palace ph: 0294-2410364
Hanuman Ghat
Lake Pichola Hotel ph: 0294-2431197; www.lakepicholahotel.com
Amet Haveli ph: 0294-2431085;
Udai Kothi ph: 0294-2432810; www.udaikothi.com
others
Mountain Ridge ph: 0294-3291478; www.mountain ridge.in
Pahuna Haveli ph: 0294-2526617; www.pahunahaveli.com
Ram Pratap Palace Hotel ph: 0294-2431701; www.hotelrampratap.com

Top End
Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel ph: 0294-2528016; www.hrhindia.com
Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel ph: 0294-2528008; www.hrhindia.com
Lake Palace Hotel ph: 0294-2528800; www.tajhotels.com
Garden Hotel ph: 0294-2418881; www.hrhindia.com
Udaivilas ph: 0294-2433300; www.oberoihotels.com
Where you can eat
Maxim's Cafe (Veg) Jagadish Chowk
Sunrise (home-cooked Indian) cnr Lal Ghat
Lotus Cafe (Indian veg & non-veg) Bhattiyani Chohtta
Parkview Restaurent (Indian) mains
Whistling Teal () Bhattiyani Chohtta
Bawarchi Restaurent (Veg Jain,Gujarati, Rajastani) Delhi gate
Mayur Rooftop Cafe (Multi-cuisine) Jagdish Temple rd
Berry's (veg & non-veg) Chetak Circle
*Ambrai (Indian cuisine) near Hanuman Ghat
Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel (veg & non-veg) Lal Ghat
Savage Garden (Mediterranean and Italian) Chandpol
Lake Palace Hotel (buffet)

What you can do

Horse Riding : Operators organise horse rides which could include lunch and transport.
Massage : Ayurvedic Body Care ph: 0294-5132802
Dharohar is a place to see Rajastani Folk Dancing.
Mewar Sound and Light Show at City Palace
Tours : Five hour city tours from the RTDC
There are also excursions to Ranakpur and Kumbalgarh
Shopping : Known for its crafts and particularly miniature paintings in Rajastani-Mughal style.
Shops are abundent along the Lake Palace Rd and the Jaagdish Temple.
Rajasthali a fixed price governament emporium near Lal Ghat and Chetak Circle
Sadhna; www.sadhna.org an NGO set-up to help rural women.

Getting there and away

Buses from Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Chittor, Delhi and evn Mumbai. Private operators are also available.
Trains Udaipur, Delhi, Agra, Ajmer and even Ahmedabad.