Holy Himalayas

Day 1

Arrive Delhi

Upon your arrival in the Indian capital city of New Delhi, you will be greeted by our representative at the International Airport. After a warm welcome, you will be escorted to your hotel.

Day 2

Day in Delhi

Today, enjoy the day discovering Delhi, pacing through the city which is as historic as modern, like 2 sides of the same coin!

Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, which includes a visit to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, ‘moonlit square’, one of the largest trading centres of India; drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj.

Later in the afternoon, discover the modern city of New Delhi, which includes a visit to Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and India’s tallest brick minaret; Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold dome, still in active worship; Photo stop at India Gate, the war memorial arch built in honour of the soldiers who died in the first world war; drive past President's House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi.

Day 3

Delhi to Haridwar (210 Kms / 6 Hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Haridwar. Upon arrival in Haridwar, check in at your hotel for overnight stay.

The holy city of Haridwar is situated on the banks of River Ganges. According to Hindu mythology Haridwar is among the seven sacred cities of India. Also known as 'Hari Ka Dwar' or 'The Gateway to Gods', Haridwar stands as the gateway to the four Hindu pilgrim sites of Uttrakhand, Rishikesh, Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Later this afternoon visit the enchanting temples of Haridwar and conclude the evening with the beautiful Aarti ceremony (rituals and prayers) along the ghats of River Ganges in Haridwar.

Day 4

Haridwar to Shimla via Rishikesh (290 Kms / 8 Hrs)

After breakfast, visit some of the popular yoga and Ayurveda centres of Rishikesh. Then, embark on a leisurely drive to Shimla, the former summer capital of British India, set amidst the snow capped mountains, which offers stunning views of the Himalayas.

Upon arrival in Shimla, check in to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 5

Day in Shimla

After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Shimla, visiting the famous Christ Church, the second oldest church in Northern India. Later visit the Shimla State Museum, which houses a collection of miniature ‘Pahari’ paintings, sculptures, coins, woodcarvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region. A leisurely stroll along the Mall road provides you with a feel for the lifestyle of locals in Shimla.

Day 6

Shimla to Palampur (210 Kms / 7 Hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Palampur, a small hill town in the Himalayas. En-route make brief stop overs at local villages or other places of interest. Upon arrival in Palampur, check in to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 7

Palampur to Dharamsala (35 Kms / 1.5 Hrs) 

Enjoy the morning at leisure in Palampur.

Later this morning, check out of your hotel. Visit a local tea garden and factory and learn the secrets to a perfect brew! Later embark on your drive to Dharamshala.

Day 8

Day in Dharamsala

After breakfast, visit Mcleodganj, famous little town of Dharamshala also known as “Little Tibet”, and home to the current Dalai Lama. At the start of Mcleodganj is a small bazaar filled with variety of Tibetan handicrafts and artifacts; towards the end of town, lies the Namgyal Monastery.

The external wall of the monastery is surrounded by rows of prayer wheels. Within the monastery are large idols of Lord Buddha, Avalokteshwara and Padmasambhava and walls lined with Thangkas. The charming church of St. John in the wilderness is situated here and this is the final resting place of Lord Elgin, a British Viceroy of India during the 19th century. Numerous ancient temples like Jwalamukhi, Brijeshwari and Chamunda lie on the plains below Dharamshala.

Day 9

Dharamsala to Amritsar (210 Kms / 5 Hrs)   

After an early breakfast, drive to Amritsar. This afternoon visit the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan, where you can view the guard changing retreat ceremony with lowering of the flags.

In the evening, visit the Golden Temple (also called Harmandar Sahib or Swarna Mandir), which is one of the holiest and most popular Sikh Gurudwara in India.

Day 10

Amritsar to Delhi

After an early breakfast, visit Jalianwallah Bagh, a memorial of the martyrs of the 1919 massacre.

Later, transfer to Amritsar Railway Station to board your train to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight back home.