Himalayan Sacred Travel - Northern India from the Dalai Lama’s Abode to the Remote Himalayan Valleys and the Timeless Myth of Shambhala

Many have heard of the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata—or at least the Bhagavad Gita. Some may have come across the legacy of the Roerich family, or perhaps the legend of Shambhala. And almost everyone has heard of the Dalai Lama. Perhaps even the curious tales of the German expedition to Tibet, miraculous healings, reincarnations, and the elusive Shambhala.

The Mahabharata is one of the world’s oldest and longest epic poems—a monumental work of ancient Indian literature. More than a story of war and kinship, it is a spiritual and philosophical guidebook containing the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred dialogue on duty, ethics, and the soul. Many Hindus view it not only as mythology, but as a map of timeless truths—and the Himalayas, especially Kullu, are believed by many to be the very land where some of its events unfolded.

All of these threads—myth, mysticism, and memory—intertwine in one sacred Himalayan region: Himachal Pradesh, in northern India. Here lies Shimla, a town well-known to the British, no less than Darjeeling—once a vibrant hub of balls, salons, and high society in the late 19th century, nestled among the tallest snow-capped peaks. The rush of mountain rivers here is louder than the storm of thoughts in your mind, and the air—alive, deeply alive—carries whispers of something long forgotten, something distant and vital.

Grandeur, in its most material and breathtaking form, looks just like this. The Kullu Valley is often called The Valley of the Gods, and many believe that this is where some of the events of the Mahabharata actually unfolded. And when you first arrive in Naggar, you understand why the Roerichs made it their home, their place of work, creation, and quiet revelation. To call it a “choice” might be misleading—many paths were closed to them at the time. And yet, the Himalayas held this singular place open for them. It is here that Nikolai Roerich, the Maharishi, the great Russian friend of India, completed his earthly journey.

Why is the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala?

In 1959, following the brutal suppression of the Tibetan uprising by Chinese forces, the 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet and was granted asylum in India. He found refuge in Dharamshala, a quiet Himalayan town in Himachal Pradesh, which soon became the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Today, Dharamshala—particularly its upper district, McLeod Ganj—is the spiritual and political heart of the Tibetan diaspora and a global center for Buddhist philosophy.

Who were the Roerichs and why do they matter here? 

Nicholas and Helena Roerich were Russian philosophers, artists, and mystics from the pre-revolutionary imperial period, whose work bridged art, spirituality, and global diplomacy.

Forced into exile after the Russian Revolution, they embarked on a legendary Trans-Himalayan expedition (1925–1928)—a spiritual and scientific journey across India, Tibet, Mongolia, and Central Asia. This expedition not only gathered rare cultural knowledge and spiritual insight, but also became the first of its kind to document remote regions of the Himalayas through art and esoteric interpretation.

In the 1930s, the Roerichs settled in Naggar, Himachal Pradesh, where their Himalayan estate became a sanctuary of thought, diplomacy, and cultural preservation.

Deeply respected in India, Nicholas Roerich was called Maharishi—a great seer—and maintained close relationships with cultural and political figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore.

Their legacy lives on through the Roerich Pact, one of the first international treaties to protect cultural monuments during conflict—a vision born from their deep reverence for sacred knowledge and humanity’s shared heritage.

The Kullu Valley is, in essence, a gateway to Little Tibet — the regions of Ladakh, Spiti, and Lahaul. Here, Buddhism and Hinduism intertwine deeply, not only in rituals and temples, but also in the inner landscape of the people’s consciousness. And what is most profoundly felt in these lands is the freedom to name the Divine in your own way. Across the valleys, the air carries the shifting sounds and fragrances of pujas, celebrating all that uplifts, soothes, and awakens the soul.

Himalayan Sacred Travel . The Kullu Valley is, in essence, a gateway to Little Tibet — the regions of Ladakh, Spiti, and Lahaul. Here, Buddhism and Hinduism intertwine deeply, not only in rituals and temples, but also in the inner landscape of the people’s consciousness. And what is most profoundly felt in these lands is the freedom to name the Divine in your own way. Across the valleys, the air carries the shifting sounds and fragrances of pujas, celebrating all that uplifts, soothes, and awakens the soul.

Among the many spiritual voices resonating in these mountains, it’s also worth mentioning the presence of Sikh communities from neighboring Punjab, who have added their own vivid and vibrant thread to the cultural fabric of the region.

In this diversity that somehow feels like unity, something begins to shift inside. You start to see yourself differently. The world around you expands. Here, consciousness doesn’t just stretch — it awakens. We often carry fixed images of India and the Himalayas, but this region gently dissolves the clichés. It offers the rare opportunity to dive into wisdom, presence, and awareness — in truly comfortable conditions. You might not find a more breathtaking infinity pool anywhere in the world.

How much time do you need to explore this region?

An eternity of lifetimes.

But to touch its essence, 7–10 days may be just enough.

Spend 2–3 days in the Kullu Valley: visit the Nicholas Roerich estate, the Urusvati Institute, and allow time for embodiment and somatic practices.

Then, move deeper toward the mythical Shambhala, into the breathtaking landscapes of Spiti.

Here the journey becomes filled with Buddhist monasteries, ancient gompas, waterfalls, and sacred treks.

Each traveler finds their own path. Some ride along the scenic mountain roads on motorbikes (the road conditions are excellent for 80% of the way), others settle into silent contemplation,

– and some walk the kora — the sacred path encircling holy sites — a practice not only followed by local monks, but also by the Dalai Lama himself and spiritual seekers from many lineages.

There is no word for “tourism” here.

This is a journey in the truest sense.

A return to your original settings.

An expansion beyond what you thought possible.

And all of this, in exceptional and deeply nourishing comfort.

You can explore our unique retreat itinerary on the SMATEOM website — available year-round in a private format, thoughtfully aligned with the seasonality of the high Himalayas.

For those called to journey with others, we offer a small group experience each September, guided by SMATEOM’s seasoned facilitators — a carefully curated path into sacred space, inner clarity, and embodied presence.