South Coast Walks & Historical Sites
Bring intriguing coastal trails and history alive in South Hampshire
The world's more beautiful on foot...
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
The hill state of Himachal Pradesh, sandwiched between Punjab and Tibet, encompasses the verdant Himalayan foothills, with orchards, forests, deep gorges, and roaring rivers.
India
Apr
Oct
What does this mean?
Tour codes: 47450
Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well.
Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m.
Overview
The hill state of Himachal Pradesh, sandwiched between Punjab and Tibet, encapsulates the verdant Himalayan foothills. Walking trails meander through orchard valleys and subtropical forests, leading us to deep gorges, pretty villages, roaring rivers and pine forests.
The mountain air is crisp and cool and the panoramic vistas of this once inaccessible area overlook a favourite summer retreat from the days of the Raj, whose legacy of colonial mansions, churches and remarkable railways sits comfortably alongside monasteries and temples.
From Delhi, we take the train into the state of Punjab, to Amritsar. We visit the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine, with the chance to experience first light prayers. The ceremonial sunset Retreat at Wagha Border, one of the very few land crossing points on the 2,000 mile border between Pakistan and India, is a fascinating ritual.
We move on, using 4x4 vehicles, to Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan Government for over three decades. The Tibetan influence here is strong. Dharamshala is the starting point for our foray into the Himalayan foothills. It is also the beginning of tea country. We will stop at a tea plantation and see how things are done.
From both Manali (2,050m), located at the head of the Kullu Valley, and the hill station of Shimla (2,000m), once the summer capital of the British Colonial Raj, we’ll walk in the surrounding hill country and experience Himachal Pradesh at its most idyllic, with its panoramic landscapes, snow capped peaks, tranquil villages, raging rivers, fruit orchards and terraced fields. From Manali we intend to drive up to the Rohtang Pass. At nearly 4,000m this will be the highest point we reach on this holiday.
An exhilarating train ride on the narrow gauge railway from Shimla to Kalka offers an old world charm as it gently snakes through the countryside. From Kalka we return to Delhi by train for a final visit before we depart for home.
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
On our Kerela and South India tour, we’ll visit hillsides lush with the emerald green of tea plantations which stretch out before you, touching the blue horizon.
Easy countryside walking with plenty of breaks, normally taking up the whole day.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing.
You are unlikely to walk more than 6 miles and the cumulative ascents and descents will be gradual and range from minimal to 300m.
Departure dates
The Himalayas are some of Mother Natures' finest work, rising like fangs from the earth below. Nepal is a wonderful feast of mountain walking, cultural delights, and incredible views.
Easy countryside walking with plenty of breaks, normally taking up the whole day.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing.
You are unlikely to walk more than 6 miles and the cumulative ascents and descents will be gradual and range from minimal to 300m.
Departure dates
Enjoy the best of Nepal - this holiday is a feast of mountain walking, trekking, teahouses and wildlife spotting.
Full day walks with appreciable amounts of ascent and descent.
These walks are in more remote areas such as Andorra or northern Portugal.
Similar to Grade 5, but with most of the walks at the upper level of ascent/descent, time and distance.
Departure dates
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel.
Accommodation
Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
The Pride Plaza Hotel , a comfortable modern 5 star hotel is ideally located close by the airport so we can get to bed as soon as possible after our late arrival on the first day of the holiday. The hotel has all the facilities you might expect from an upmarket hotel. You will be very comfortable here.
Located just outside Amritsar the Ranjit Villas has a traditional feel. It is a well appointed 4 star hotel. Facilities include free Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, fridge and air conditioning. The hotel offers an outdoor seasonal swimming pool and lawn. It is about 6 miles form Amritsar centre.
In the foothills of the Dhauladar mountains, the Asia Health Resort in Dharamshala is a short distance from Dal Lake, Bhagsunag Falls and the home of the Dalai Lama. Comfortable rooms offer Wi-Fi, TV, minibars, and tea & coffee making facilities. Amenities include a restaurant, a bar, and a rooftop terrace with mountain views. There’s also a library, fitness centre, spa and an outdoor pool.
Urvashi's Retreat in Manali is beautifully situated under the Himalayas. All rooms offer views of the mountains. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. It has a spring water brook running through the grounds which forms an ecological pool open to guests at all times. The in-house spa and wellness centre comprises of massage therapy rooms, sauna, steam, spa baths and a state of the art gymnasium.
Offering peace and tranquillity, Shimla Havens Resort is situated at an altitude of 6,400 feet above sea level. The resort is spread across 6 acres of land and surrounded by pine and cedar forests. Rooms feature teak flooring and modern furnishings with flat screen TV, minibar and tea & coffee making facilities. A spacious marble bathroom with a separate shower cubicle are a standard across all rooms. Rooms offer views of the cedar forests, mountain ranges or the gardens.
Trip Information
This Grade 4 moderate holiday includes full and half day walks at a moderate pace over varied terrain and includes an element of sightseeing as well. Our walks are on generally good tracks through villages and pasture with outstanding views one might expect walking through the world's highest mountain range. Please see the day to day itinerary for a more detailed description of the walks.
The walking programme of this holiday will be made from Dharamshala, Manali and Shimla, mostly following undulating forest trails or dirt tracks. The walking times range from 3-6 hours, spread over the day, mostly with easy, gradual ascents and only the odd steep descent. Some walks may be at the bottom of the grade and will not be too strenuous, while others may be on stony, uneven ground, muddy or dusty according to the weather, with occasional steepish sections, rough paths, over uneven steps and be closer to the top of the grade.
Our walks will take us from an altitude of 2,000-2,500 meters, but walking will be at a relaxed pace so that everyone can enjoy the stunning scenery and countryside. There will be days where the sightseeing element will fill most of the day and our excursions can vary from half a day to a full day.
Please note: This itinerary has been planned to be busy and full-packed so that you make the most of your time in India and experience as much as possible. There will be some free time during the tour, for you to explore on your own or relax, and details outlined in this information will be confirmed locally by your leader.
Local Transport Costs
All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.
Optional Excursions
A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Holiday Budgeting
When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.
Currency in India
The currency in India is the Rupee (Rs). It is not usually possible to buy or sell Indian currency outside India. All prices in India will be listed in Rupees. It is possible to exchange small amounts of cash (take some cash with you - US Dollars and Sterling being the easiest ) and the larger towns have banks with ATMs where you can withdraw Rupees (ensure your debit card is linked with Visa or Mastercard). If in doubt, check with your bank prior to travel that you will able to withdraw cash in India. |
Tipping
Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff & to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.
Tour Leaders
Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.
Leader's Evening Briefing
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.
Local Guides
To enhance your experience, as well as your tour leader, each holiday will be accompanied by a well qualified and knowledgeable English-speaking local guide.
We travel from London Heathrow to Delhi and return with British Airways. On arrival into Delhi the transfer from the airport to our hotel will take approximately 45 minutes by road, dependent on traffic conditions.
Travel between Delhi-Amritsar, Shimla-Khandaghat and Kalka-Delhi is by train.
These journeys are included in the holiday cost and are arranged by us. Once rail ticket sales open, approximately 60-90 days before the holiday start date, we are required to give passenger names and passport details in order to secure the seats. If you book on this holiday after we have provided the name list, we cannot guarantee that you will be allocated a seat in the same carriage as the rest of the group, although we will do our best.
Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?
If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.
Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.
If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.
Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.
Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.
Luggage Allowance & Travel Documents
For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.
Personal Details Check
To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
General Passport Advice
It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.
Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.
General passport advice for UK nationals on the UK Government website.
You must ensure you check all entry requirements in good time by reviewing the official FCDO advice for your destination. Please take time to read and regularly check this website for changes to the entry requirements and any local restrictions.
You may be required to provide proof that you have been fully vaccinated when travelling or in your destination. Proof of vaccination can either be digital via the NHS app or a printed copy via NHS Hard Copy. We recommend allowing seven working days for your printed copy to arrive. Please note both the NHS app and printed copy are only valid for 30 days.
We anticipate that all travellers will need to be fully vaccinated including the booster jab and to carry proof of this with them at all times. Some indoor venues require, and may ask for proof of vaccination, as well as masks becoming mandatory for indoor public spaces, and we ask you to be prepared for this.
Some airlines or destinations are requiring the wearing of FFP2, FFP3, KN95 or N95 masks without a valve. You should check the FCDO advice for your destination and with your airline before you travel, although you may wish to have one of these masks on hand just in case.
Holiday/Country Passport Advice
A passport is required to visit India and it must be valid for a minimum of six months from your intended return to the UK. It is necessary to have at least two blank pages in your passport to allow for a visa to be inserted.
A visa is required for entry into India. The visa is not included in the holiday charge and must be obtained by you before departure.
You can apply for an e-visa for India between 30 days and 4 days prior to the date of arrival in India. The visa is double entry and will be valid for 30 days from date of arrival. The visa cost as of Aug 2019 is USD$25. However this price changes regularly without warning.
You will need to complete the online form and it is necessary to upload a copy of the photo page from your passport, with all information showing clearly, plus a recent front facing photograph. Specific requirements for the photograph can be found on the application website.
You should print off a copy of the confirmed e-visa to take with you. Biometric data will be taken on arrival and this is mandatory.
Information on the e-visa, cost, photograph specifications and your application form can be found at: www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa
Please note it is very important to use the correct site as there are many websites that charge huge sums and offer the same service.
As the visa is valid from DATE OF ISSUE, not date of travel, please do not apply for your visa too far in advance of your travel dates. Please ensure that your visa will be valid for your entire stay in India.
Notes to assist you with completing your visa application:
You are required to supply details of a referee in the UK in India. You may wish to use the referees as listed below.
In the UK:
RWH Travel Ltd.
Lemsford Mill
Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire
AL8 7TR
Tel: 01707 331133
In India:
Holiday Moods
Kanchan House
Milan Cinema Rd
New Delhi
India
Tel: +91 84484 45051
Many Brits are familiar with the ubiquitous Indian restaurant on every high street in the UK. Whilst in India you will have a chance to experience a far greater variety of food than anything you would find in your local take away. The food is prepared in the local style in the varied locations we visit. Spicy food is available but easily avoided. Dishes with meat or vegetables are always available. The food served in the mountains is very different from that served on the plains. Regardless of your dietary requirements or lifestyle choices you will be able to enjoy plenty of excellent food. Breakfasts are taken in the hotel and will commonly be buffet style. Lunches where included will be a boxed lunch or taken in local restaurants. Evening meals vary between huge buffets in hotels to restaurant meals which may be buffet or consist of items ordered form a menu.
The hotel(s) listed within this document are examples of standard only. Whilst we strive to deliver the hotel(s) listed within this Holiday Information Sheet, there will be times throughout the year when they change. If this occurs, we will advise you as such. From time to time hotels will change near to departure and you will not be advised until after arriving into the destination. We always aim to provide a replacement of similar standard and location, although we cannot guarantee similar facilities such as pool or bar.
Footwear
Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks.
General Kit List
Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.
If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.
India Modest Dress
As in most Asian countries, modesty of dress is sensible. Very short shorts are considered improper in some areas and women should exercise caution when exposing the upper arms or shoulders as this can cause offence. A lightweight shawl can be a useful item for women. Men should also dress modestly, long trousers and a loose shirt are often more acceptable than shorts and a T-shirt.
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents and Information to take with you:
Electricity in India
In India: Electricity is supplied at 220 Volts at 50Hz. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a two or three pin style adaptor with round pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
Maps, Guidebooks & More
Suggested Reading:
You may also wish to visit the following website:
http://www.incredibleindia.org/
The Map Shop
If you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend:
The Map Shop
5 High Street
Upton upon Severn, Worcs
WR8 0HJ
England
Tel: 01684 593 146
Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
E-mail: themapshop@btinternet.com
If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area.
Weather
Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.
Health Advice for India
No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to India, although you should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK.
Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Typhoid immunisations are recommended, and you might also like to consider immunisations against Rabies, Cholera, Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis B.
Malaria is present throughout the year in India; please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic.
Dengue fever, Zika virus and Chikungunya virus exist in India; please take normal precautions against mosquito bites.
Seek pre-travel Zika virus advice from your health care provider 6-8 weeks in advance of travel, particularly important if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.
Air Pollution
Cities may at times experience periods of poor air quality. If you suffer from a respiratory condition you may wish to seek advice from your doctor prior to travel.
Diarrhoea & Boiled Water
Don’t forget to exercise caution with what you eat to avoid upset stomachs and stay away from unpeeled fruit and vegetables, salad and do not have ice in your drinks. Hot, fresh cooked food, where possible, is best.
Hand washing facilities may be poor or unavailable when travelling, we therefore strongly advise you to carry antibacterial sanitizing gel and / or hand wipes at all times and use to them regularly.
Drinking or cleaning teeth in un-boiled water is not recommended. Bottled pure water is inexpensive and widely available in shops, at hotels, and on the coach. Make sure you only buy sealed bottles.
Further Travel Advice
For further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.
It is a condition of booking with Ramblers Walking Holidays that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the trip, including all optional activities.
Your travel insurance policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. Please ensure your policy covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are walking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. Medical and repatriation insurance cover are not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.
Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.
Covid-19 Cover
If you should have symptoms and test positive for Covid-19 whilst abroad, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative and you may have to seek treatment. We strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy that covers you for this eventuality.
Looking for travel insurance?
If you have not already arranged cover, please visit SunWorld who offer travel insurance.
SunWorld policies include cover for COVID-19, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.
Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.
Mobile Phones
Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements.
Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.
As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.
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Time Difference
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Visas and Passports
January
Avg. Rain: 14mm
February
Avg. Rain: 17mm
March
Avg. Rain: 22mm
April
Avg. Rain: 40mm
May
Avg. Rain: 76mm
June
Avg. Rain: 197mm
July
Avg. Rain: 308mm
August
Avg. Rain: 274mm
September
Avg. Rain: 182mm
October
Avg. Rain: 83mm
November
Avg. Rain: 34mm
December
Avg. Rain: 15mm
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