India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) (325 page)

You can satisfy your cowboy fantasies on the Himalayan horse trails offered by
Dusty Trail Adventures
(Basement, Valley View Annexe, below Swatch Showroom, The Mall, Manali;
94-5910-8691;
http://dustytrail.in
). Nitin Gupta, an inimitable mountain guide and horseman, puts together multiday, high-altitude horse-riding trails through Ladakh, Zanskar, Kullu, and Spiti; day rides are also possible if you’re short on time. Everything—food, camping, and transfers—can be included in your package (roughly Rs 50,000 per person for a 10-day trail, with return transport to Delhi).

Rimo Expeditions
(
www.rimoexpeditions.com
) are considered to be at the top of their game and offer, among other treks, the famous “Chadar” winter trek, which involves traversing the frozen Zanskar River during the harsh months when it is totally frozen over. They can also lead you over a number of high mountain passes—a favorite, if you’ve got the time, is the month-long Zanskar Classic, which goes all the way to the superbly located Lamayuru monastery, passing through myriad medieval villages and incredible scenery along the way.

Shepherds Realms Camps & Adventures
(C-8/8115, Shepherd’s House, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi;
011/2649-2849
or
98-1871-2970;
www.asiasafari.com
), run by an ex-army captain, specializes in custom-made motorcycle and 4X4 safaris through Ladakh, as well as Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan, along with other adventure activities in these regions.

Besides organizing trekking in Himachal and Ladakh,
Himalayan Journeys The Adventure Company
(The Mall, Manali;
01902/25-4397;
www.himalayanjourneysindia.com
) arranges ski courses, jeep safaris, river-rafting expeditions, mountain-biking tours, and, for well-heeled adventurers, luxury heli-skiing packages.

With 32 years in the business, Naushad Kaludi of
Antrek Tour and Travels
(1, Rambagh, The Mall, Manali;
01902/25-2292
or 98-1602-2292;
www.antrek.co.in
) offers a professional and very reliable service and specializes in putting together combination tours that include several days of trekking plus a few days of jeep safari; you can mix and match your journey to suit particular tastes and interest, and ask for a mix of camping and hotels or guesthouses; Antrek will provide dome tents, sleeping bags, a guide, a cook, an assistant, ponies and porters, as well as the vehicle and driver, and all meals and beverages—on average you’ll be looking at spending 50€ to 70€ per person per day for a private two-person trip. Antrek can also provide all the ground services for mountain bike tours, and a range of specialty excursions, from trout fishing to climbing with proper equipment and serious guides.

A highly recommended alternative for exploring Himachal’s remote and sensationally beautiful Spiti Valley is
Ecosphere 
 (
94-1886-0099
or 98-9949-2417;
www.spitiecosphere.com
), a social enterprise that has pioneered homestays and community participation in the tourism industry by working at the grassroots level. Led by the dynamic Ishita Khanna, this is responsible tourism at its best and the income generated goes towards various conservation and development projects besides creating employment. Other than the fact that you will be directly interacting and aiding the rural communities, it is a wonderful opportunity to see the spectacular Spiti countryside and experience the perfect blend of jeep safaris and hiking, with the occasional yak to ride as well.

For details on more active vacations in this region see the individual sections on Manali, Dharamsala, and Leh later in this chapter.

2 Amritsar & The Golden Temple

410km (254 miles) NW of Delhi

Amritsar (pronounced Um
-rit-
sir) has been the capital of the Sikh religion since the 16th century. Located in the northwestern state of Punjab, a wealthy and prosperous region and home to the majority of India’s Sikhs, Amritsar is also the unlikely site of India’s most dazzling temple. A shimmering monument in marble, bronze, and gold leaf, and a vivid architectural celebration of Sikhism’s devotion (a faith that actively preaches unity and equality among all religions),
The Golden Temple
is both fascinating and spiritually invigorating, combining sheer physical beauty with a truly sacred atmosphere. The way in which its devotees worship is enough to hold your attention—and your heart—completely captive.