Textile Trail of Himachal & Punjab

Day 1: 21 Nov 2024 [THU]

Depart from UK/ USA

Day 2: 22 Nov 2024 [FRI] Arrive Delhi

On arrival in Delhi: Having cleared immigration, collected your luggage and passed through customs. Collected your luggage, please make your way towards the exit of the terminal building where you will see a bank of people waiting. Amongst them will be Aahilya Holiday’s representative who will be waiting to greet you with a paging board with your name on. He will assist you with your transfer to your hotel and assist you with check in.

Rest of the day is at leisure

Dinner & Overnight stay at your Hotel

Day 3: 23 Nov 2024 [SAT] DELHI

After a leisurely breakfast visit The National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum commonly known as National Crafts Museum . Later proceed for an orientation tour of New Delhi followed by a visit to the Dilli Haat to explore the Handicrafts of Local craftsmanship from various Indian States.

Dinner & Overnight stay at your Hotel

Day 4: 24 Nov 2024 [SUN] DELHI – AMRITSAR

Breakfast is at the hotel.

At an appropriate time. You will be transferred to airport to board your flight to Amritsar. On arrival in Amritsar, you will be met and transferred to your hotel and assist you with check in.

Later you will be taken for the visit of Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh & Partition Museum (Closed on Mondays & National, Public Holidays).

Also see the art of Jutti making (Embroidered footwear) - One of the styles of footwear that has continuously evolved due to numerous influences and many variations according to regional tradition, period, shoemaker and are adapted according to the environment and materials. One of the unique characteristics of this kind of footwear is that they have no left and right distinction, and are inevitably flat-soled.

Dinner & Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 5: 25 Nov 2024 [MON] AMRITSAR

Breakfast is at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will be taken for the Phulkari workshop.

Phulkari – This art origins from the early parts of 19th century when the odhini or head cloth was highlighted with embroidered flower works. In modern times this vibrant folk art of Punjab is now embroidered not only on odhinis but also on saris, bed covers and home furnishing in bright and vivid colors.

Lunch will be arranged locally at the village (on direct payment basis).

Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy independent activities

Dinner & Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 6: 26 Nov 2024 [TUE] AMRITSAR – DALHOUSIE

After breakfast drive to Dalhousie (200 Kms / 6 hrs Approx.) where upon arrival check-in at your hotel.

In the afternoon explore the local market at Dalhousie and admire the colonial heritage of Dalhousie at St. John’s Church and St. Patrick's Church. (This will be optional & if time permits).

Dinner & Overnight stay at your hotel

Day 7: 27 Nov 2024 [WED] DALHOUSIE

Breakfast is at the Hotel.

Today you will be driven to the Chamba (55 kms / 02 hrs – one-way) and participate in Chamba rumal workshop.

In this workshop, you will see the making of world famous Chamba Rumal or handkerchief which is an embroidered cloth. The embroidery is very fine and the scene of this embroidered on both sides is a mirror image of the scene created. The theme of scene is similar to Kangra Art Paintings and revolves around local life or Krishna Lila or Royal life. This art can be viewed in Chamba town. You will meet a lady for demonstration; she practices this art and teach it to local girls.

Later visit the Bhuri Singh Museum & Laxmi Narayan Temple.

Later drive back to Dalhousie.

Dinner & Stay overnight at your hotel

Day 8: 28 Nov 2024 [THU] DALHOUSIE – DHARAMSHALA

This morning drive to Dharamshala (145 Kms / 5 hrs Approx.), where upon arrival, check-in at your hotel.

Dharamshala - Situated in the upper reaches of the Kangra Valley, Dharamsala is one of Himachal Pradesh’s most irresistible destinations. Famous as the home of the exiled Dalai Lama, this small market town is the centre of the Tibetan world in India. Most travellers head 10 kilometres uphill to the suburb of McLeod Ganj, also known as Upper Dharamsala. Surrounded by dense coniferous forest, this beautiful hill station attracts Buddhists, pilgrims, students and bohemian travellers seeking spiritual enlightenment and a possible encounter with this holy man. A worthwhile one-day trek, about nine kilometres from McLeod Ganj, is Triund Hill, described as heaven on earth for nature lovers.

In the afternoon, visit to Tibetan Handicrafts center located in Mcleodganj which consisting of looms where Tibetan artisans make carpets with Tibetan designs.

Dinner & Overnight stay at your hotel

Day 9: 29 Nov 2024 [FRI] DHARAMSHALA

Breakfast is at the Hotel.

After breakfast, you will visit the Norbulingka Institute to explore workshops and observe Tibetan artisans, their apprentices as they practice the ancient Buddhist art forms of statue- making, thangka painting, thangka applique, as well as the decorative arts of woodcarving, wood painting, tailoring, and weaving.

A half-day Thangka Sketching workshop will be organized on any of the following art forms prevailing at Norbulingka

Traditionally, thangka paintings are not only valued for their aesthetic beauty, but primarily for their use as aids in meditational practices. Practitioners use thangkas to develop a clear visualization of a particular deity, strengthening their concentration, and forging a link between themselves and the deity. Historically, thangkas were also used as teaching tools to convey the lives of various masters. A teacher or lama would travel around giving talks on dharma, carrying with him large thangka scrolls to illustrate his stories.

Later, you can pay a visit to Buddhist monastery, Dalai Lama temple & Tibetan Museum.

Dinner & Overnight stay at your Hotel

Day 10: 30 Nov 2024 [SAT] DHARAMSHALA

Breakfast is at the Hotel.

After breakfast visit to Dalai Lama temple, Handicraft Centre & Tibetan Museum

Dinner & Overnight stay at your Hotel

Day 11: 01 Dec 2024 [SUN] DHARAMSHALA – MANALI

Post breakfast you will be driven from Dharamshala to Manali (240 Kms / 08 Hrs Approx.) En-route explore the Andretta Pottery. Experience India's oldest working studio pottery.

After the session, continue your drive to Manali. En-route stop at mid-way restaurant in Mandi area (on direct payment basis).

Dinner & Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 12: 02 Dec 2024 [MON] MANALI

Breakfast is at hotel.

Today, you will visit the Roerich Art Gallery, Naggar Castle & Manali town.

Dinner & Overnight stay at your Hotel.

Day 13: 03 Dec 2024 [TUE] MANALI

Breakfast is at hotel.

This morning, you will drive to Kullu (50 kms / 01.30 hrs one-way), where you will visit the Bhuttico - Weavers Co-Operative Society which is a very premium unit and has won several National awards in handicrafts.

Bhutti Weavers renowned name in handloom weaving particularly Kullu Shawls and other products. Before country’s independence, a group of 12 progressive handloom weavers joined hands and organized and got registered a Handloom Weavers Cooperative on 18-12-1944 in one of the remote backward Lug Valley of Kullu. The working of the Society remained dormant upto the year 1955. However in the year 1956 one local youth namely Mr. VED RAM THAKUR was motivated to join this cooperative. With a brilliant record in weaving, marketing and management, he transformed this dormant society into a very active institution. He brought in dramatic changes and maintained its unique position as a market leader in shawl industry.

This society is providing employment to over 1000 weaver’s families. This society has made economic development amongst the handloom Weaver Members. Today Bhuttico is a leading name in the shawl industry and its weavers have earned respect and recognition from the rest of weaving world.

Here you will have an insight of complete shawl making process from starting till end as a finished product. You will also see the making of stoles & mufflers. You will also see the thread section.

Dinner & Overnight stay at your hotel

Day 14: 04 Dec 2024 [WED] MANALI – SHIMLA

Breakfast is at your hotel.

Today you will be driven from Manali to Shimla (265 Km / 08 Hrs Approx.)

On arrival, check-in at the Hotel. Rest day will be at leisure to relax.

Dinner & Overnight is at your Hotel.

Day 15: 05 Dec 2024 [THU] SHIMLA

Breakfast is at your hotel.

Today, you will visit Viceregal Lodge, Sankat Mochan Temple & Gaiety Theatre.

Dinner & Overnight stay at your hotel

Day 16: 06 Dec 2024 [FRI] SHIMLA

Breakfast is at the hotel.

Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy independent activities.

Dinner & Overnight stay at your hotel

Day 17: 07 Dec 2024 [SAT] SHIMLA – KALKA – DELHI

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Shimla railway station to board the toy train till Kandaghat [1035/1240 Hrs]

NOTE- You baggage will be collected this morning and will be transferred by road to Delhi by a separate vehicle so you can travel comfortably by the train. You may carry your essential baggage required for the train journey. You will receive all your baggage on arrival at your hotel

You will de-board the train and drive from Kandaghat to Kalka 65 Kms/ 3 Hours drive. En-route stop for lunch (On direct payment basis).

At Kalka, you will be assisted to board Shatabdi Express train for New Delhi. Packed dinner will be provided for the train journey.

Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met with Aahilya Holidays representative and transferred to your hotel.

Check in to your hotel and Overnight stay.

Day 18: 08 Dec 2024 [SUN] DELHI DEPARTURE

Today after breakfast, at appropriate time, you will be transferred to Delhi airport to board flight to your onwards destination.