Himachal Explorer: McLeodganj to Manali

Assemble at ISBT Kashmere Gate in Delhi around 7:00 pm. Meet your trip captains for a tour briefing before boarding your air-conditioned semi-sleeper bus. Settle in for the overnight road trip heading north towards Dharamshala and the mountain town of McLeodganj.

Reach McLeodganj and check in to your hotel after standard check-in opens at 1:00 pm. Head out on foot to explore Bhagsunag Waterfall, browse the vibrant stalls of the local Tibetan Market, and visit local cafés. In the evening, gather for Christmas celebrations featuring music, snacks, bonfire, and cake. Dinner is served at your hotel, where you spend the night.

Eat an early breakfast and check out of your hotel. Drive past Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama, and stop at Dharamshala Cricket Stadium at 4,780 feet. If the stadium is closed, visit Norbulingka instead, time permitting. Continue to the paragliding town of Bir at 5,003 feet and check into your hotel. Spend your remaining afternoon at leisure exploring local cafés. Dinner and overnight stay are in Bir.

Have breakfast early, check out, and head up to Billing. Take off for your included paragliding flight with GoPro footage, landing back at Bir. Afterwards, board your vehicle for the drive towards Jibhi, a quiet village set among the forests of Tirthan Valley. Arrive in the evening, check into your hotel, and spend leisure time wandering the local market and cafés. Dinner is provided before your overnight stay in Jibhi.

Begin with an early morning breakfast before driving up to Jalori Pass. Set off on the nine-kilometre guided trek to Serolsar Lake. Take in broad views of the surrounding valleys and Pir Panjal mountain range from the panoramic viewpoint. Visit the sacred temple situated near the high-altitude lake. Afterwards, trek back to the road and drive down to your hotel in Jibhi for a restful evening, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Post early morning breakfast, check out of your hotel and visit the sparkling Jibhi Waterfall. En route to Kasol, indulge in an included eight-kilometre river rafting session at Jhiri. Continue to Kasol in the Kullu district, check into your hotel, and spend the rest of the day at leisure hopping between riverside cafés and browsing the bustling handicraft market. Dinner is served before your overnight stay in Kasol.

After an early breakfast, set off on a sightseeing tour visiting Manikaran Temple and Manikaran Gurudwara, along with the sacred natural hot water springs. Afterwards, hike towards Chalal village, taking in picturesque scenery across the Parvati Valley. Return to Kasol in the evening for dinner and your second overnight stay.

Enjoy breakfast, check out of your hotel, and drive north towards Manali. Upon arrival, check into your designated hotel rooms. Spend your afternoon at leisure exploring Manali Mall Road, sampling food at local eateries, and browsing mountain souvenirs. Return to your hotel in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay in Manali.

Have breakfast and set off on a sightseeing tour of Manali. Visit the 500-year-old Hadimba Temple set inside deodar woods, followed by Vashisht Temple and its natural hot water sulphur springs. Return to the hotel in the evening for a New Year celebration complete with music, savoury snacks, bonfire, and cake. Dinner and an overnight stay follow at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel by 11:00 am and drive 13 kilometres to Solang Valley. Enjoy time in the valley where you can try optional adventure activities like zorbing, skiing, ATV rides, paragliding, or ziplining at personal expense. Drive back to Manali later in the day and board the evening air-conditioned semi-sleeper bus for your overnight journey back towards Delhi.

Your overnight bus reaches Delhi early in the morning around 9:00 am, arriving at Kashmere Gate where your tour concludes.