Shimla Manali Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar Tour

Leave Delhi in the morning, cross Haryana to Chandigarh and climb via Kalka and Solan to Shimla, a drive of about 8 hours. Check in and, if arriving before dark, walk the Ridge and the Mall Road. Overnight in Shimla.

The morning goes to Kufri, 16 km away, for the Himalayan Nature Park and, in winter, snow play on the slopes. Return via the Indian Institute of Advanced Study at the former Viceregal Lodge and the Jakhu temple on the hill above the town. Lakkar Bazaar for wooden souvenirs and Christ Church on the Ridge fill the evening. Overnight in Shimla.

Drop down from Shimla to Sundernagar, whose lake makes a pleasant tea stop, and join NH3 at Mandi. The road then follows the Beas past Pandoh dam, through the Aut tunnel and along the Kullu valley, with a possible halt at the shawl weaving units in Kullu. Reach Manali in 7 to 8 hours. Overnight in Manali.

Start the day up the valley at Solang, about 13 km from Manali, where the ropeway, paragliding and, in winter, skiing are paid for on the spot. Return to town for Hidimba Devi Temple, Old Manali and the Vashisht hot springs, ending with the Mall Road. Overnight in Manali.

A long but scenic transfer of about 7 hours. The route goes back down to Mandi and then west through Jogindernagar and Palampur along the foot of the Dhauladhar. On reaching Dharamshala, drive up to McLeod Ganj for Bhagsu Nag temple, the waterfall path and the Tibetan market, with the cricket stadium seen from the road below. Overnight in Dharamshala.

Spend the morning at the Tsuglagkhang complex, home to the Dalai Lama's temple and the Namgyal monastery, before leaving for Dalhousie via Kangra, Nurpur and Banikhet, about 4 to 5 hours. Evening walk around Gandhi Chowk. Overnight in Dalhousie.

Drive out to the Khajjiar meadow, 22 km away, with a stop at Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary for a forest walk on the way. After lunch return to Dalhousie for Panchpula and, for those who want a climb, the Dainkund ridge from Lakkar Mandi. Overnight in Dalhousie.

Descend to Pathankot and cross into Punjab, reaching Amritsar in about 5 hours. Visit the Golden Temple, Harmandir Sahib, and Jallianwala Bagh next to it, then drive 30 km to the Wagah border for the evening flag-lowering ceremony, which begins before sunset. Overnight in Amritsar.

Early risers can return to the Golden Temple at dawn before breakfast. Then take the Grand Trunk road through Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Ambala to Delhi, about 8 hours with a lunch halt, where the tour ends.