Far from Delhi’s bustle, the pine-scented air and breathtaking landscape of the Himalayas (the Abode of Snow in Sanskrit) and her foothills are surprisingly close – sometimes a matter of hours from the capital!
On our private Himalayas tour, find the fine balance between the sacred and sportive on the Ganges at Rishikesh and Haridwar.
Visit Shimla, where a colonial storybook setting comes to life, or Dharamshala, where the mountains and monasteries testify to the immense natural and spiritual significance of this region.
Experience the Earth’s tallest mountain with our ultimate Mount Everest tours!
Nine of the ten highest peaks in the whole world are part of the Himalayas, this wonderful chain of mountains that include Mount Everest – the highest peak in the world and still rising!
The mountains have stood guard over India for time immemorial, preventing many an invasion and preserving the country from the intense cold winds of the extreme north.
It’s been both a boundary and meeting ground for various cultures and many people have traveled to trade in this region and to visit religious sites.
You don’t need to be a mountaineer to enjoy this fabulous region – learn more about unique Mount Everest tours offered by Enchanting Travels.
Thousands of travelers on the renowned Silk Road route from China to Persia and central Asia have passed through this region. The Himalayas was home to the Indus Valley civilization – one the three oldest civilizations of the world!
Several great rivers rise in the Himalayas, including the Brahmaputra, the Indus and the Ganges, and their drainage basins, which you can visit on your private Himalayas tour, house hundreds of millions of people.
North of Delhi, the Himalayan region of India consists of three separate states – Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Several tribes occupied the state of Himachal Pradesh from time to time, dividing up the area into smaller regions or janapadas (great realms) that were later united under the Gupta dynasty.
The state of Uttarakhand, formerly Uttar Pradesh, is well known for its gorgeous scenery and many pilgrimage sites. The holy River Ganges starts in Uttarakhand, which is often referred to as Dev Bhoomi or Land of the Gods.
Uttarakhand has reputedly housed many powerful sages over time – the Sage Vyasa is said to have penned the Indian epic Mahabharata as the protagonists of the epic apparently camped in the region for a while.
During these centuries, the Rajputs, the Delhi Sultanate, Mahmud of Ghazni, Timur as well as the Mughals held sway over Himachal Pradesh intermittently.
In Uttarakhand the Gurkhas, who controlled a major part of the land in the early 19th century, conceded defeat to the British in 1816.
When the first mutiny against the British came to pass in 1857, these Himalayan regions did not take part. However, the region was actively involved in the Indian struggle for freedom.
Himachal Pradesh became a separate Indian state in 1950, and the state of Uttarakhand was established in 2006.
Kindly note that due to civil instability, Enchanting Travels does not currently offer travel to many areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Uttarakhand is a major Hindu pilgrimage site. From Kedarnath and Badrinath (Hindu holy towns), to Haridwar, the Gateway to the Gods, the region has many religious sites to offer the hundreds of thousands who travel here every year!
Tibetan Buddhism has garnered much support in Himachal Pradesh, with the Dalai Lama establishing a capital in exile at McLeodGanj near Dharamshala.
Ladakh, apart from being a beautiful region, is quite well-known for its Tibetan culture and food. Many adventure-seekers travel on the mountain roads to visit Leh and Ladakh every year.
Himachal is well-known for beautiful handicrafts and leatherwork, carpet weaving. Shawls from this region are popular across India.
In Himachal Pradesh, Hindi is the official language although a majority of the population speaks Pahari. In Uttarakhand, Hindi and Sanskrit remain the official languages, but Garhwali, Kumaoni, Urdu and Punjabi are spoken as well. English, although not commonly spoken, is widely understood in the entire region.
Jammu and Kashmir have a high number of government and army schools and Himachal Pradesh prides itself on its high rate of literacy and tourism.
According to legend, the Himalayas are home to one of the world’s best-known cryptid – the yeti or abominable snowman! Although stories about the creature emerged as a part of Western popular culture in the 19th Century, the legend has become an intrinsic part of the regions mythology and history.
Uttarakhand is primarily a vegetarian state although meat is served in urban areas. Wheat is a staple part of the diet here and the harsh terrain prevents the growth of fibrous food items. Ghee and mustard oil are popularly used to cook in the area and sweets are aplenty!
In Himachal Pradesh, roti (Indian flatbread) served with lentil soup and vegetables, is a popular traditional meal. Red meat is rather popular in the region and gravies are usually thick and spicy.
Dharamshala and Mcleodganj in particular, being the seat of the Dalai Lama, is home to a number of Tibetan and foreign nationals. As a consequence, the region boasts some delicious Tibetan as well as European cuisine.
Ladakh also has a number of Tibetan settlers as well and the food here draws inspiration from Tibetan cuisine. Tea drinking is a rather important part of the culture throughout the region.
Do visit the beautiful apple orchards of Himachal Pradesh during your private Himalayas tour, to sample some delicious, freshly-grown apples that the region is famous for.
Experience a Himalayan Ayurveda tour! Home to mystical tales, spiritual energy and fresh air, the foothills of the Himalayas are the perfect place to rejuvenate yourself. Enjoy yoga, meditation, and the ancient Indian healing practice of Ayurveda.
From the invigorating verdant alpine hills of Shimla to the sensory indulgences of the Golden Triangle, this wholesome Himalayan tour is both refreshing and inspiring!
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