Journey through the Himalayan Foothills

Fly to Amritsar via Delhi

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Amritsar, via Delhi, with Virgin Atlantic. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Amritsar

On arrival, transfer to the Hyatt Amritsar for a 2-night stay. Evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib ceremony to witness the evening kirtan (devotional prayers). The temple is profusely lit and the lights are beautifully reflected in large water tanks surrounding the sanctum. Attend a welcome dinner this evening. (D)

Amritsar - Wagah

Morning visit to the Golden Temple and its vast community kitchen (langar). Take a guided heritage walk passing the Gurudwara Saragarhi, dedicated to the heroism of the 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikhs Battalion who lost their lives in 1897 as they defended their posts against Afghan soldiers. Weave your way through Qila Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features, before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop selling delicious sticky sweets. Late afternoon visit to Wagah, situated on the border with Pakistan, for the unmissable Changing of the Guard ceremony. (B)

McLeod Ganj

Travel by road to McLeod Ganj in Dharamsala. McLeod Ganj is home to the Dalai Lama and is the centre of Little Tibet. This afternoon, visit His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s monastery, Tsuglag Khang. Continue with a tour of McLeod Ganj, visiting the handicrafts centre and local markets. Stay 2 nights at the Fortune Park Moksha. (B)

Dharamsala

After breakfast, visit the Norbulingka Institute, dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture, and the Thosamling Nunnery. Visit a local family to see the regional Gaddi dress. Later, take a gentle walk through traditional Gaddi settlements to Naddi village, enjoying spectacular views of the Dhauladhar mountain range as the sun sets. (B)

Palampur

Today begins with a visit to Kangra to visit the ruins of the impressive fort and the Bajeshwari Temple. Drive to Palampur for an overnight stay at Taragarh Palace, and visit Tashi Jong Monastery. (B,D)

Pragpur via Kangra Mountain Railway

This morning visit the Shiv Baijnath Temple, carved from rock and inscribed in sanskrit. Drive to Baijnath to board the Kangra Mountain Railway for the 1.5-hour scenic ride to Nagrota. Travel to Pragpur for a 2-night stay at The Judge’s Court, a delightful old manor house converted into a hotel. (B, D)

Pragpur

Join a walk to Garli Heritage Village and see an interesting fusion of architectural styles. Later, you may wish to join an optional visit to Jwalamukhi and Chintpurni temples, or spend the rest of the day at leisure. (B,L,D)

Shimla

Full-day drive through the Himalayan foothills to the former British hill station of Shimla. On arrival, check in for 3 nights at the WelcomeHeritage Elysium (or similar) or upgrade to the Oberoi Wildflower Hall (Deluxe Garden View room) from £600 per person. (B, D)

Shimla

Full-day tour of Shimla, including the Viceregal Lodge, Himachal State Museum and the Gaiety Theatre. Later in the day, enjoy some time at leisure to stroll along the Mall and the Ridge. (B,D)

Shimla

Travel aboard the Himalayan Queen ‘toy train’ from Shimla to Kandaghat to enjoy the beautiful Himalayan scenery. This narrow-gauge railway is considered one of the finest engineering feats in India. Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight. (B, D)

Delhi

Travel by road to Chandigarh (3 hours) to take the train to Delhi. Overnight at the Novotel Delhi Aerocity. (B)

Fly to London

Transfer to the airport for your flight home with Virgin Atlantic. (B)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Fly from London to Delhi

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Amritsar, via Delhi, with Virgin Atlantic. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Delhi - Amritsar

On arrival, transfer to the Hyatt Amritsar for a 2-night stay. Evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib ceremony to witness the evening kirtan (devotional prayers). The temple is profusely lit and the lights are beautifully reflected in large water tanks surrounding the sanctum. Attend a welcome dinner this evening. (D)

Amritsar - Wagah

Morning visit to the Golden Temple and its vast community kitchen (langar). Take a guided heritage walk passing the Gurudwara Saragarhi, dedicated to the heroism of the 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikhs Battalion who lost their lives in 1897 as they defended their posts against Afghan soldiers. Weave your way through Qila Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features, before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop selling delicious sticky sweets. Late afternoon visit to Wagah, situated on the border with Pakistan, for the unmissable Changing of the Guard ceremony. (B)

McLeod Ganj

Travel by road to McLeod Ganj in Dharamsala. McLeod Ganj is home to the Dalai Lama and is the centre of Little Tibet. This afternoon, visit His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s monastery, Tsuglag Khang. Continue with a tour of McLeod Ganj, visiting the handicrafts centre and local markets. Stay 2 nights at the Fortune Park Moksha. (B)

Dharamsala

After breakfast, visit the Norbulingka Institute, dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture, and the Thosamling Nunnery. Visit a local family to see the regional Gaddi dress. Later, take a gentle walk through traditional Gaddi settlements to Naddi village, enjoying spectacular views of the Dhauladhar mountain range as the sun sets. (B)

Palampur

Today begins with a visit to Kangra to admire the ruins of the impressive fort and the Bajeshwari Temple. Drive to Palampur for an overnight stay at Taragarh Palace, and visit Tashi Jong Monastery. (B, D)

Pragpur via Kangra Mountain Railway

This morning visit the Shiv Baijnath Temple, carved from rock and inscribed in sanskrit. Drive to Baijnath to board the Kangra Mountain Railway for the 1.5-hour scenic ride to Nagrota. Travel to Pragpur for a 2-night stay at The Judge’s Court, a delightful old manor house converted into a hotel. (B, D)

Pragpur

Join a walk to Garli Heritage Village and see an interesting fusion of architectural styles. Later, you may wish to join an optional visit to Jwalamukhi and Chintpurni temples, or spend the rest of the day at leisure (B, L, D)

Shimla

Full-day drive through the Himalayan foothills to the former British hill station of Shimla. On arrival, check in for 3 nights at the WelcomeHeritage Elysium (or similar) or upgrade to the Oberoi Wildflower Hall (Deluxe Garden View room) from £660 per person. (B, D)

Shimla

Full-day tour of Shimla, including the Viceregal Lodge, Himachal State Museum and the Gaiety Theatre. Later in the day, enjoy some time at leisure to stroll along the Mall and the Ridge. (B, D)

Shimla

Travel aboard the Himalayan Queen ‘toy train’ from Shimla to Kandaghat to enjoy the beautiful Himalayan scenery. This narrow-gauge railway is considered one of the finest engineering feats in India. Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight. (B, D)

Delhi

Travel by road to Chandigarh (3 hours) to take the train to Delhi. Overnight at the Novotel Delhi Aerocity. (B)

Fly from Delhi to London

Transfer to the airport for your flight home with Virgin Atlantic. (B)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.