Top 5 Himalayan Tours: Experience the Best of Himalayas in India

These are the winter months in India. In the Himalayas (the word Himalayas in Sanskrit means abode (alaya) of snow (him)), you would find an abundance of snow. Not all hill stations will experience snowfall. But, if you book in a Himalayan resort you will find snow covered peaks and clear sky in the distant horizon. As you make your way through the mountains you will see snow-covered deodar and pine trees. 

If you are looking for a ski resort, book your holidays to Gulmarg (Kashmir), if you plan to catch the first glimpse of the Kanchenjunga and Mt Everest in the morning, visit Darjeeling, if you want to pay with snow, Manali is a good option!

Uttarakhand, the land of wonders, abode of clouds blessed with pristine locations has variety to offer to each traveler from spirituality to adventure seeker or nature love or be it wildlife enthusiast.

Jim Corbett is the best and the most famous National Park in India. It is home to the majestic Royal Bengal Tigers and features a brilliant diversity of flora and fauna perfect for a wildlife enthusiast. 

Rishikesh – It  is a beautiful city nestled in the foothills of Himalayas and Ganga is the paradise for all adventure lovers and spiritual lovers. River rafting and Nature Trails are some of the exciting things you can do here. Need peace? Enrol yourself in one of the Yoga and Meditation courses offered by the many Ashrams throughout the city. In the evening visit Haridwar to watch the divine and awe-inspiring Ganga Aarti or worshipping of the river.

Mussoorie– this beautiful hill station is well known for its beautiful natural scenery all around. The city brims with awe-inspiring natural wonders, from mighty snow-capped mountains to breathtaking view points. 

This tour package gives a perfect combination of spirituality, adventure, peace and pristine beauty of the abode of clouds along with sightings of Royal bengal tigers. Explore fascinating locations and get amazed by the culture of the place.

Activities which can be done here

Its unbelievable how many activities you can do if you want in this trip. It is equally interesting to note that if you want to relax, you cant have a better trip to relax!

You can do the jeep safaris in the dense forest of Jim Corbett National Park. Apart from that you can do a village walk, nature walk and bird watching here. The Himalayan birds are known for their colours and tweets. When you are in Rishikesh, you can do River Rafting, Nature Trails, camping, boating, hop into some cafe’s by the riverside, watch the spectacular evening aarti…the list is endless. In Mussoorie, there is a gondola ride and some interesting local sightseeings that you may want to have a look into.

So, if you are looking for a mixed bag of activities – whether you are a couple or you would be travelling with kids – this is a trip that should be high on your list.

If you are looking to relax, just book a Riverside beach resort and see the Ganga flow stealthily; check in to a Jungle resort and enjoy the nature’s sound; relax on an Himalayan resort overseeing the majestic Himayan range in front of your eyes….You can’t get a better trip to unwind yourself!

 Combine mighty snow-capped mountains to enchanting lush green forests, the best of nature sprawls in Gangtok with Darjeeling toy train, Ropeway and tea estates in Darjeeling.

Pay a visit to the beautiful mountains, the valley of flowers, fascinating flora and fauna, as well as shopping, nightlife and monasteries in Gangtok. 

Darjeeling, located in West Bengal, India offers amazing cuisines, majestic peaks, marvellous backdrops, and vast tea plantations in its store for its visitors.

Activities which can be done here

There is plethora of activities which can be done here. Starting from Cable ride to see the bird eye’s view of Gangtok, to witness the mighty Kanchanjunga, river rafting in Teesta which can be done in either Gangtok or Darjeeling to visiting various monasteries in Gangtok, enjoying a once in a lifetime opportunity of riding a Yak, shopping and dining at the many restaurants and cafes on MG Marg is another fun thing to do in Gangtok. In Darjeeling you can enjoy Gondola rides and walk and stay among the beautiful tea estates and for the braveheart souls you have the famous Tenzing Rock named after Tenzing Norgay the first Everest climber and the gorgeous Singalila National Park where you can enjoy a jeep safari and explore Himalayan wildlife including the beloved Red Panda. In terms of flora, you will be amazed by the acres of ferns, magnolias and orchids. Wait, there’s more – there is a portion of the park from where you can clearly get a peek of the Kanchenjunga snow peaks. The food at both these places is sumptuous and has its own distinct flavor. In Sikkim you can enjoy Shapta, Tsampa shakes, Thukpas and Ningro churpi whereas in Darjeeling you can enjoy bengali cuisine.

So one week in this untouched and unexplored part of India is amazing.

Ideal combination of British era hill station Shimla with its Mall road which is vehicle free and the toy train which can take you from Kalka to Shimla with Manali famous for its scenic beauty and Rohtang Pass. 

Rightly given the sobriquet of “Queen of Hill Stations”, Shimla is liberally blessed with natural beauty. One of the most visited tourist spot in Himachal Pradesh holds magic in the air, which is beyond comparison. From archaic British monuments to fragrant apple orchards; rich indigenous goods to Tibetan markets, hiking trails to deep forests, Shimla is a popular crowd puller all year round.

Nestled in between the snow-capped slopes of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges, Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in the country. With jaw-dropping views, lush green forests, sprawling meadows carpeted with flowers, gushing blue streams, a perpetual fairy-tale like mist lingering in the air, and a persistent fragrance of pines – Manali has been blessed with extraordinary scenic beauty. From museums to temples, from quaint little hippie villages to bustling upscale streets, river adventures to trekking trails, Manali has every reason to be the tourist magnet it is, all year round. 

Activities you can enjoy here

Swaying eucalyptus trees, endearing little eateries, small kitschy local market places, and cafes which serve delicious local food at unbelievable prices, Old Manali is a serene, tranquil place, whose lingering silence is broken only by the twittering of the birds and the sound of the roaring waters of the Kullu River. Solang Valley is one of the most visited places in Manali, with the drive up to Solang being as picturesque as the valley itself. Not only does Solang Valley offer some breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, but its slopes are also a very popular skiing destination, especially during the winters. In summers, the place turns into a paragliding haven. If you’re an adventure enthusiast, Solang Valley has adrenaline-pumping activities such as zorbing and horse-riding available.The Rohtang Pass is famous among nature lovers, photographers and adventure seekers alike. In Shimla one can enjoy trekking, camping, ice skating, paragliding and river rafting.

One week of your life in these heavenly places is a sure shot at a mix of relaxation with perfect family time.

Kashmir is a beautiful place and it becomes quite difficult to shortlist where to go and where not to go. The number of places you want to visit depends on the number of days you want to spend and what activities you want to enjoy. We have shortlisted top 3 places for you to visit and what they are famous for.

Srinagar – Srinagar is a first stopover for every traveler and there are a long list of places to visit in Srinagar You fly into Srinagar. From boating to bird watching to trekking you can do a lot of things in Srinagar. It is enclosed by the green mountains, with the main highlight being the Dal Lake which is the gem of the city. Never miss the mouth-watering Kashmiri cuisine and the state’s rich handicraft when you are in Srinagar. 

Pahalgam- Pahalgam is one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Kashmir. Pahalgam is famous for the lush green meadows, not to forget the murmuring Lidder river that flows through the town. The town is surrounded by dense forests. When you are in Pahalgam, hire a pony and explore the untouched beauty of the meadows. 

Gulmarg – Famously known as the ‘Meadow of Flowers’, It is the most famous and popular ski resort in India. From 18-hole golf courses, trout fishing, skiing and cable cars to trekking, helicopter rides or horseback riding. It is also famous for Alpather lake which is a mere 13 kms away and a perfect place for picnic. Gulmarg Gondola is also the highest and longest cable car in Asia. 

Activities you can enjoy here

It can’t get more romantic than an evening boat ride in Shikaras (small boats) on the iconic Dal Lake in the heart of Srinagar. Visit the Mughal gardens to enjoy the flora and mughal architecture and landscaping. Stay in the houseboat for a luxurious stay. It is an unparalleled experience. In the evening sip the Kashmiri tea (kahwah), while you can enjoy the authentic Kashmiri cuisine for dinner. Visit the various valleys in Pahalgam on ponies. In Gulmarg you can enjoy Gondola rides and skiing in winters and mountain biking and trekking in summers.