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Northern India, toward sacred peaks
3 stops
9 nights
209 miles
Northern India is home to mountains of sacred significance. In this paradise for lovers of hiking and high-altitude treks, nature dominates. From Punjab, a center of Sikh culture, and the Indus basin, to Himachal Pradesh, ‘the land of eternally snowy peaks,' where the sublime Kulu Valley stretches, travelers will be transfixed on the distant foothills of the Himalayas. Here, they will encounter the sacred peaks of Buddhism, not far from Dharamsala where the Dalai Lama resides.
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Departure
Recommended duration : 3 nights
Patiala
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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Worshipping at the Gurudwara Dukhniwaran Sahib (Patiala)
The Gurudwara Dukhniwaran Sahib is a sacred Sikhism site, built where the ninth Sikh guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, is said to have meditated. It is believed that he prayed there in the 17th century, by a pond beneath a banyan tree, to fight an epidemic raging in the region at that time. According to legend, the guru's prayers warded off the disease. Pilgrims continue to worship at this temple to this day, bathing in the pool–believed to have curing virtues–and giving thanks to the 'eradicator of suffering.'
During your stay
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Exploring the sacred sites of Sirhind
Sirhind is a living history book, a city of temples, storied fortifications and numerous symbols and sacred sites of the ancient Mughals and the Sikh community. Visitors can admire the city's culture and iconic monuments, from the beautiful Aam Khas Bagh garden designed by Emperor Akbar to the Rauza Sharif mausoleum (a holy site for Sunni Muslims), the Sanghol Archaeological Museum and the tombs of Ustad Syad Khan, the celebrated Mughal architect, and his apprentice Khawaja Khan.
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46 milesCar
Recommended duration : 3 nights
Chandigarh
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Conceived in the 1950s by Swiss modernist architect Le Corbusier, at the invitation of Nehru, the city of Chandigarh remains unique in India today. Capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh astonishes both for its urban planning and its atmosphere. By design, the city was divided into sectors (numbered 1 to 60), crisscrossed by wide avenues and numerous green spaces. The epitome of a modern city, dominated by concrete buildings, it continues to attract architecture students from around the world eager to discover Le Corbusier's work. His vision was to create a project that met four fundamental requirements: living, working, getting around, and taking care of one's body and mind.
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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Complete your journey to Manali in style
Sitara Himalaya's one-of-a-kind shuttle bus, available on request, combines travel with comfort, adventure and well-being. Connecting Chandigarh to Manali (around 173 miles/280 kilometers) via the famous Rohtang Pass, this lavishly appointed vehicle was specially conceived to transport guests in style for the six-hour journey–it features reclining seats, a <em fontscheme='2'>chaise longue, a well-stocked pantry and a toilet. With an interior decorated with botanical prints and sumptuous soft furnishings, it sets the tone for what awaits at the hotel, while serving as a panoramic lounge overlooking the Himalayas <em fontscheme='2'>en route.
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163 milesCar
Recommended duration : 3 nights
Manali
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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Gateway to the Himalayas
The small mountain village of Manali, a former hippie hangout, is a favorite starting points for hardcore hiking fans in the Himalayas. Ideally situated between the Kullu, Solang and Parvati valleys, in the heart of Himachal Pradesh, it presents multiple options for trekking, with durations ranging from a few hours to several days, with or without a porter. Whatever the destination, trails starting at Manali lead via snow-capped passes and peaks, ice-cold rivers and lakes of magical hues. Himachal Pradesh (Dev Bhoomi in Hindi) means 'The Land of the Gods.'
During your stay
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Yoga in the shadow of the Himalayas
Not only is India the birthplace of yoga (a discipline cited in the earliest sacred texts of Hinduism), it is also the country with the greatest number of practitioners. Studies show that, throughout the country, nearly 30 percent of the population follows yogic teachings. In Manali, there are many yoga classes and special workshops held in spectacular settings. Here, perhaps more than anywhere else, learning meditation and breath control alongside the discipline's various postures is as much a physical practice as it is a philosophical one.
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