DAY 1 - Join trip in McLeod Ganj / Palampur
On your arrival in McLeod Ganj / Palampur; our local representative will meet and greet you. After Breakfast, you will be exploring McLeod Ganj - Renowned as the 'Little Tibet'. The splendid landscape, snow clad mountains, dense forests, and deep valleys make McLeod Ganj an ideal place to spend holidays. Besides natural beauty, McLeod Ganj also has a religious importance. There are many religious sites in McLeod Ganj such as Bhagsunag Temple, Kunaal Pathru and Dalai Lama Temple, where you can visit and explore their significance. In the evening visit the Mall Road, which is lined with several shops, offering items like traditional handicrafts. Night stay at camp situated right close to mighty Dhauladhar.
ACCOMMODATION:
Retro Valley Camping Resort
Meals : Dinner
DAY 2 - Travel through Dharamshala to the village of Jia
Today we travel from McLeod Ganj to the beautiful mountain village of Jia. Jia is a mountain village located on the bank of the Baner River and nestled at just 30 km from McLeod Ganj and 7 km from Chamunda Temple. The road and trek route to Aadi Himani Chamunda diverges at Chamotu. Jia is surrounded by picturesque mountains and breathtaking landscapes that provide an exciting experience. This quaint village in Kangra Valley is a perfect halt where you can enjoy camping and spending your night amidst snow-clad mountains in the lap of the serene surroundings.
Our route takes us through the “Baner Khadd”. The trek from Jia to Aadi Himani Chamunda is 7.4-kilometre long and it involves a moderate yet relentless climb. You start at 1363 metres and steadily gain an altitude of 1500 vertical metres over the next 5 hours. The initial ascent is through dense pine forest . Within an hour of ascent, the pine jungle gives way to an opening (near the point where trail intersects the ridge) and most of the trail thereafter is without any forest cover. The route is a mix of paved concrete, stony steps and grass mixed with scree. This trail is dotted with shelters and solar lamps and it is well marked. The trail is mostly paved with concrete except for the last one kilometre where the stone-paved trail leads into the grassland that lasts till the summit. It is recommended to start early and reach the camp site by the afternoon. Late evenings paint the Dhauladhars in hues of purple and orange. The setting sun turns these frowning stone massifs into smiling friends. Once the sun goes down the whole Kangra Valley lights up in a sparkle of twinkling lights.
The trek will take approximately five hours. This allows us to take a nice relaxed start to the day and stop at the Aadi Himani Chamunda Camping site. When we reach our Camp site we'll explore the village and then relax for the rest of the day, allowing our bodies time to adjust to the gain in altitude. Night stay at camp.
ACCOMMODATION:
Himani Chamunda Camps
Meals : Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
DAY 3- Visit to Aadi Himani Chamunda Temple and back to Jiya
On the 3rd day of the tour, get ready for a day filled with excitement and breathtaking natural beauty. The day is scheduled for a visit to Aadi Himani Chamunda Temple. The Aadi Himani Chamunda Temple is said to be established in the 13th or 14th century. It is scenically perched and commands beautiful views of the Kangra Valley. There is an idol of Maa Chamunda in the sanctum. The temple lies in a natural glade flanked by Dhauladhars and the natural beauty of this place is best savoured in late evenings or at early mornings.
The second stretch of trek comprises pf stone stairs section, which is 1.4 kilometres long. The stones climb through a glade of firs and end at the base of a meadow. A temple dedicated to Hanuman sits on this meadow. From the temple the last 3 kilometres are over grass and loose rock and scree. After darshans we will start our trail towards Jia. We will descend for 3-4 hours depending on your speed. On reaching our cab will pick you from Jia and drop you at Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj according to your requirements.
Meals : Breakfast + Lunch
Note : Drop at Chandigarh, New Delhi or other desired place can also be arranged.