Valley of the Gods
Indian Himalaya
A journey into the mountain villages of Northern India
13 to 24 October
2025
A life time long ago…….
I called these villages home. Travel with me to the beautiful Kullu Valley and experience the hospitality of village friends on this unique adventure. Be welcomed into the homes and hearts of tribal India.
Delhi. Shimla. Kullu
Join six adventurous women.
You will need your backpack for this one! A unique adventure, traveling light, taking the back road, and well suited to the 55+ traveling woman. Let me take you into the Himalayan Mountains, in comfort. Meet the people of the Kullu Valley, surrounded by apple farms and snow-topped mountains. Explore ancient temples, walk beside roaring rivers, hike mountain trails, or relax and simply take it all in.I lived in these villages way back in the early 1980s and again in the 90’s with my young son. The children I loved then are the adults that greet you now. I can’t wait to take you on this remarkable adventure.
Explore the chaotic megatropolis that is Delhi. Jump in and out of tuk-tuks with me, and take a guided tour of Old Delhi by bicycle rickshaw, the spice, the flowers, the riotous colors, sounds, and smells! Walk through one of Delhi’s most iconic locations, Paharganj, made famous for its budget guest houses, street food, and colorful characters on the hippie trail of days gone by. Shop to your heart’s content and then send it home, all on the same street, or just sit and drink hot sticky sweet chai and watch the passing parade that is Paharganj.
Travel by train from Delhi to Shimla. The small train is a UNESCO World Heritage site, winding its way up the mountain through Rhododendron forest, towns, and villages. Explore Shilma, a vibrant university town and former summer residence of the Raj with dramatic views, situated in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Cost
$3500 per person. Private rooms in all accommodations except homestays
What’s Included
Airport transfers from New Delhi International Airport
10 nights of accommodation in a mix of comfortable hotels, lodges and homestays.
All breakfasts.
Dinners, and lunches as per itinerary in homestay.
All transport in a mix of first-class trains and private vehicles, taxis, and tuk-tuks.
A full day of sightseeing including bicycle rickshaw guided tour in Delhi any entrance fees as applicable.
Domestic Flight Kullu to Delhi.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Delhi, dinner and orientation walk.
Day 2 Deli tour by tuk tuk and bicycle rickshaw. Optional dinner in Maharaja Style at the Imperial Hotel
Day 3 Depart Delhi for Shimla by train, and arrive in time for dinner, your choice.
Day 4 Explore Shimla. The old Raj Summer capital set in the cool hills.
Day 5 Drive Shimla to Mandi.Hotel accommodation overnight then higher up the mountain we go.
Day 6 Mandi to Nagar. Explore Nagar, an ancient town on the mighty Beas River.
Day 7 Nagar, forests rivers temples restaurants, and a castle to explore.
Day 8 A short one-hour local bus ride along the valley to reach our destination. Dushal is a sleepy little mountain village west on the side of the Beas River. Time has changed these villages yet the locals retain their culture, traditional dress, and religions, evidenced by the many small gods that give Kullu Valley its name, Valley of the Gods.
Day 9 -10 Village We will stay together in the village hosted in local homes. The amenities are modern in this ancient village.
Talk a walk up the mountain, ride the local bus to Manali, hike to a waterfall, or just relax on the Veranda watching village life go on as it has forever.
Day 11 Domestic flight to Delhi which concludes your adventure.