7-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Chandigarh, Shimla, Manali, Rohtang Pass, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, and Amritsar in July 2023

1. Day 1: Chandigarh
   3 hours (144 km) from New Delhi

   In the morning, visit the Rock Garden, a sculpture garden made from recycled materials, followed by a walk through the Rose Garden. In the afternoon, explore the Capitol Complex, which has three buildings designed by Le Corbusier. In the evening, take a boat ride in Sukhna Lake.

2. Day 2: Shimla
   3.5 hours (113 km) from Chandigarh

   In the morning, take a toy train ride from Kalka to Shimla, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the afternoon, visit the Viceregal Lodge, which was the summer residence of British viceroys during the Raj. In the evening, stroll through the Mall Road and Ridge.

3. Day 3: Manali and Rohtang Pass
   8.5 hours (250 km) from Shimla

   In the morning, drive to Rohtang Pass, which is located at an altitude of 13,050 feet and offers stunning views of the Himalayas. In the afternoon, explore the town of Manali, which has many temples, hot springs, and adventure sports. In the evening, enjoy a leisurely walk along the Manalsu River.

4. Day 4: Dharamshala
   7 hours (240 km) from Manali

   In the morning, visit the Namgyal Monastery, which is the personal monastery of the Dalai Lama. In the afternoon, explore the Kangra Fort, which is one of the oldest forts in India. In the evening, take a walk through McLeod Ganj, which is a vibrant Tibetan community.

5. Day 5: Dalhousie
   3 hours (120 km) from Dharamshala

   In the morning, visit the Khajjiar Lake, which is also known as Mini Switzerland of India. In the afternoon, explore the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a home to many animals including the Himalayan black bear and the leopard. In the evening, take a walk through the Gandhi Chowk market.

6. Day 6: Amritsar
   4.5 hours (200 km) from Dalhousie

   In the morning, visit the Golden Temple, which is the holiest shrine for Sikhs. In the afternoon, explore the Jallianwala Bagh, which is a public garden and a memorial of the Amritsar Massacre. In the evening, attend the Wagah Border Ceremony, which is a daily military practice between India and Pakistan.

7. Day 7: Departure
   30 minutes (14 km) from Amritsar

   In the morning, take a tour of the historic Ram Bagh Gardens, which is one of the most beautiful gardens in India. In the afternoon, visit the Partition Museum, which is a museum dedicated to the Partition of India in 1947. Depart for the airport for your flight back home.

Recommendations

You can also consider visiting the Beas River Valley, which is a beautiful valley located near Manali. You can also take a day trip to McLeod Ganj and explore the Tibetan culture. To maximize your fun, try some adventure sports in Manali, such as skiing, paragliding, and trekking.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Rock Garden (2 hours, INR 40)
• Rose Garden (1 hour, INR 20)
• Capitol Complex (2 hours, INR 20)
• Boat ride in Sukhna Lake (1 hour, INR 200)
• Toy train ride from Kalka to Shimla (5 hours, INR 800)
• Viceregal Lodge (2 hours, INR 30)
• Mall Road and Ridge (2 hours, free)
• Rohtang Pass (6 hours, INR 550)
• Manali temples and hot springs (3 hours, free)
• Kangra Fort (2 hours, INR 150)
• McLeod Ganj (3 hours, free)
• Khajjiar Lake (2 hours, INR 50)
• Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary (3 hours, INR 250)
• Golden Temple (2 hours, free)
• Jallianwala Bagh (1 hour, free)
• Wagah Border Ceremony (1 hour, free)
• Ram Bagh Gardens (2 hours, INR 50)
• Partition Museum (2 hours, INR 200)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 2,410 per person

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