Welcome to Himachal Pradesh, the land of snow, so close to the heavens that it is also called the land of the gods. As the Himalayas rise to meet the clouds, the hills reveal one beautiful face after another: pine and cedar forests, terraced fields and snow-capped peaks on the horizon.
This journey takes you to Shimla, the elegant summer capital of the British Raj, with its grand Viceregal Lodge and Christ Church. In Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama, discover the Tibetan culture of McLeodganj, then enjoy the colonial charm of Dalhousie. Coming down from the hills, visit the shining Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest shrine of the Sikhs, before ending in Chandigarh, the modern city designed by Le Corbusier. Stays in heritage homes and palaces add an old-world charm to the whole tour.
Welcome to India! On arrival at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, our representative meets you after customs and escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest after your journey.
A full day with your guide exploring two very different Delhis. The morning is spent in New Delhi. Visit Humayun's Tomb, the 16th-century garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal, and the soaring Qutub Minar, a 73-metre tower begun in the 12th century. Drive along Kartavya Path past India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Parliament buildings of Lutyens' Delhi.
Then visit Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi's most important Sikh shrine, with its golden dome and sacred pool. Here you can see the langar, the community kitchen where volunteers prepare free meals for thousands of visitors every day, whatever their faith. Please cover your head and remove your shoes before entering.
In the late afternoon and evening, discover Old Delhi, the walled city of Shahjahanabad built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Stop at Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, and drive past the red sandstone walls of the Red Fort. Visit Jama Masjid, one of India's largest mosques, then board a cycle rickshaw for a ride through the lanes of Chandni Chowk, alive in the evening with spice sellers, sweet shops and centuries-old havelis.
Transfer to New Delhi station for the morning train to Kalka, at the foot of the Himalayas. On arrival, you are met by your driver for the drive up into the hills to Shimla (85 km, about 3 hours). The road climbs steadily through pine forests, with the air growing cooler at every bend. Check in to your hotel on arrival.
This morning, take a short ride on the famous toy train of the Kalka–Shimla Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from Shimla to Taradevi. The narrow-gauge line winds slowly over bridges and through tunnels, with lovely views of the hills. Your car meets you at Taradevi.
Then explore Shimla. Visit the Viceregal Lodge on Observatory Hill, a grand Victorian building that was home to the viceroys of India and is now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. Drive up to the Jakhu Temple, dedicated to Hanuman, on the highest point in town. Walk along the Ridge, with sweeping views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks, past the Gothic Christ Church, one of the oldest churches in North India. End on the Mall, Shimla's lively promenade of shops, cafés and half-timbered buildings.
Start the day with the Glen Walk (2–3 hours), a refreshing guided walk away from the crowds. From the village of Annadale, descend through rhododendron and cedar forests into the Glen for a picnic breakfast beside a stream, before climbing gently back.
In the afternoon, take an excursion to Kufri (13 km, about 30 minutes), a small hill station with wide views and peaceful surroundings. Visit the Himalayan Nature Park, then drive on to Mashobra and walk down through a thick coniferous forest past an old temple to Goddess Kali, to the fruit research station with panoramic views of the valley and the Shali Peak.
Drive through the Himachal hills to Jawalamukhi (175 km, about 5 hours 15 minutes) to visit its famous temple, dedicated to the goddess of light. Inside, small natural flames burn constantly from the rock, and they are worshipped as a sign of the goddess.
Continue to Dharamshala (62 km, about 2 hours 15 minutes), set against the dramatic Dhauladhar range, and check in to your hotel.
Spend a full day exploring Dharamshala. In upper McLeodganj, the heart of the Tibetan community in exile, visit the Tsuglagkhang Complex, with the main temple and the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Wander its lanes of prayer flags, monasteries and Tibetan cafés and handicraft shops.
Nearby, see the stone church of St John in the Wilderness, set among deodar trees, and visit the Norbulingka Institute, where Tibetan artists keep traditional crafts alive, including thangka painting, wood carving and embroidery, in beautiful Japanese-style gardens.
A scenic morning drive brings you to Dalhousie (120 km, about 4 hours 15 minutes), a charming hill station spread over five hills and named after Lord Dalhousie, a British Governor-General. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
Discover Dalhousie, with its old colonial bungalows, churches and quiet walks among tall cedars. See St John's Church, the oldest church in town, and stroll along the Mall roads around Gandhi Chowk and Subhash Chowk.
Drive out to Khajjiar (22 km), a beautiful saucer-shaped meadow ringed by deodar forests around a small lake, often called the “mini Switzerland of India”. On clear days, snowy peaks rise behind the trees.
Come down from the hills to the plains of Punjab and drive to Amritsar (200 km, about 4 hours 45 minutes). Check in to your hotel.
In the evening, visit Gobindgarh Fort, the historic fort of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, now a lively heritage park with Punjabi folk performances, museums and a sound and light show.
In the morning, visit the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), the holiest shrine of the Sikhs, its gilded dome reflected in the sacred pool around it. See the great community kitchen, the Langar, where thousands of people of every faith are served a free meal each day. Nearby, visit Jallianwala Bagh, a memorial garden to those who died in 1919, and the Partition Museum, which tells the moving story of the partition of India in 1947.
In the late afternoon, drive to the Wagah Border (30 km, about 45 minutes) for the colourful flag-lowering ceremony between India and Pakistan, full of patriotic music and high-kicking marches. In the evening, return to the Golden Temple by night, when it glows golden under the lights.
Drive to Chandigarh (225 km, about 4 hours 15 minutes), India's first planned city, designed in the 1950s by the French architect Le Corbusier. Check in to your hotel.
In the afternoon, tour the city. See the Capitol Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its bold buildings and the famous Open Hand Monument. Visit the magical Rock Garden, created by Nek Chand from recycled materials, and the Rose Garden with about 1,600 varieties of roses. End at the peaceful Sukhna Lake.
Enjoy a relaxed morning, with the car at your disposal. Later, transfer to Chandigarh station for the Vande Bharat Express to Delhi. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Transfer to Delhi International Airport in time for your flight home, or onward to your next destination in India. Tour ends with happy memories!
Train numbers and timings are indicative and confirmed at the time of booking. Itineraries can be adjusted for monument closing days, your travel dates and special interests.
A private tour, quoted individually for 1 traveller or more.
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