Nainital is situated at an altitude of 1,938 m above the sea level in the Kumaon division of Uttaranchal. It is known as the ‘Lake District of Kumaon’.Dorothy’s Seat,also known as the Ayarpatta Hill or Tiffin Top,is at an altitude of 2,292 m. It is a memorial to the English lady,Dorothy,who is believed to have been killed in an air crash. It is an ideal picnic spot with mesmerizing view of the snow mountains. Hanumangarhi is a group of temples at a distance of 3.25 km from Nainital. One kilometer further from here isthe State Astronomical Observatory. It is located on the Manora Peak with satellite tracking cameras and a big telescope. Prior appointment is required to visit the observatory. One of the earliest buildings of the British period is the St John-in-the-Wilderness Church. The church contains a brass memorial in the memory of the victims of famous landslide. Naina Devi Temple is on the northern end of Naini Lake. It is believed that the eyes of the Sati fell over here when Shiva was carrying her body. High Altitude Zoo is at an altitude of 2,075 m and 1.5 km from the main town. It has high altitude animals. Kilbury,12 km away from the town,is a popular picnic spot.Naina Peak,6 km from the town,is this highest point of Nainital and presents a marvelous views of Nanda Devi mountains. Mountains on all the four sides surround the famous Naini Lake. Boating in the lake is a pleasant experience.
Manali is nestled quietly at an altitude of 2050 m above the sea level in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Spread all along the river Beas, Manali is at a distance of 32 km from Kullu, 108km from Mandi and 280 km from Shimla.Manali is named after the Sage Manu, who has meditated on this very place. According to Hindu mythology, Manu is believed to be first man on earth and creator of human race. The Manu Temple is dedicated to the sage and is the only temple of Manu in India. Arjuna Gufa is located on the left bank of river Beas near Pirni village. It is believed to be a place where Arjuna performed a severe abstraction to get the Pashupata weapon from Lord Indra. The four storey wooden temple of Hidimba was built in 1553 AD. Located amidst the Dhungiri Van Vihar, the temple is remarkable for its carved doorway. At Jagatsukh is the famous temple of Shiva 5 km from Manali. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Sandhya Gayatri, the temple is built in Sikhara style.You will come across several gompas or Buddhist Monasteries in Manali. 16 km from Manali is the Rahala Waterfalls at an altitude of 2,501 m. Vashisht is a small hamlet 3 km from Manali across River Beas. There are several natural sulphar water springs known for their medicinal properties. Modern bathhouses with Turkish showers are constructed at the site for the convenience of the tourists. There are temples of Sage Vashisht and Lord Rama at this place.
Shimla
Shimla Tour Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh is situated at an altitude of 2,130 m above the sea level. Shimla is named after the local goddess ‘Shayamla Devi’ who is believed to be the manifestation of Kali.The Mall is the main walkway of Shimla town that runs along the top of the ridge. It a busy shopping area with old colonial buildings, souvenir shops and restaurants. At the end of the Mall is the Scandal Point and beyond it is the Christ Church known for its stained glass windows. The Viceregal Lodge built in the Gothic architecture and houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. Himachal State Museum, housed in a colonial building with spacious lawns, displays Pahari miniatures, stone sculpture, local handicrafts, textiles and embroidery. The Glen is a beautiful picnic spot 4 km from Shimla located in the thickly wooded Glen. The Summer Hill, 5 km from Shimla, is the place where Gandhi stayed in Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur’s mansion built in Georgian architecture. Chadwick Falls is a splendid fall where water fall from the height of 67 m into a deep gorge. It is 7 km from the main town. Sanjauli is a calm and tranquil locale ideal for leisurely walks.
Ladakh is bordered by the Karakoram Range in the north and by the Himalayas in the south. The Indus River divides Ladakh into Leh, Nubra, Zanskar, lower Ladakh and Rupshu. Leh, at an altitude of 3,500 m is about 10 km from the river Indus. Leh-Ladakh are located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.Hemis Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh. It is known for a huge painting of the Buddha displayed to the public only once in 11 years. Thikse Monastery is notable for its architecture. Shey Monastery has a huge gold-plated copper statue of the Buddha. The 1,000-year-old Alchi and 11th century AD Likir and Lamayuru Monasteries are also worthy of visit. You may go through the Khardungla Pass to reach the Nubra valley near Ladakh. The valley features desert, mountain and water together. You might spot the double humped Bactrian camel and Dzo, a hybrid of Yak and Cow. The Leh Palace, built in the 16th century AD, offers a panoramic vista of the Zanskar Mountains. Tsemo or the Red Gompa, built in 1430 AD, is above the Leh Palace and is a storehouse of beautiful paintings and manuscripts. It has a 3 storey high statue of seated Buddha built. Located in the main market is the magnificent Leh Mosque. King Deldan Namgyal granted the land in 1960s to construct the mosque. Sankar Gompa is a few kilometers away from the main town. Electrically lighted gompa has an image of Avalokiteshvara represented with 1,000 arms and heads.
Darjeeling
Nestled in a ridge at an altitude of 2134 m above the sea level, Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station in the state of West Bengal. Darjeeling was gifted to the British East India Company in 1835 by the king of West Bengal.Darjeeling is an ideal place as a hill station from the heat and dust of the city life for tour packages. The tourist attractions of the hill station of Darjeeling are plenty to keep the tourists occupied all through their vacations. The Tiger Hill is 11 km from the town. It is a must visit place for all the tourists as it offers magnificent view of the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga. Senchal Lake is near the Tiger Hill and is called the ‘Lake of Damp Mist’. The lake fulfills the domestic water requirements of Darjeeling. Observatory Hill also offers a splendid view of the twin peak of Kanchenjunga. One can visit the place for the Mahakal Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and a Buddhist shrine. Ghoom Monastery, 8 km from the town, is the most famous monastery of Darjeeling and has an image of Maitreya Buddha. Yiga-Choiling Monastery is located just below the Ghoom Monastery. The monastery belongs to Gelugpa Sect and has a 15 ft tall statue of Maitreya Buddha. Dhirdham Temple is a prominent Hindu temple in Darjeeling built on the model of the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. The Natural History Museum was established in 1903 and has on display the Himalayan and Bengali fauna. Kanchenjunga is the pride of Darjeeling. Lloyds Botanical Garden has a rich collection of ash, birch, chestnut, magnolia and maple trees. There are also Himalayan plants and orchids in the 40-acre garden. The Railway Loop, 5 km from Darjeeling, must be visited for the Darjeeling Himalayan railways more popularly known as the Toy Train.
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